Legislative Notes for the Week of May 10-14, 2004

Won't Be Long Now

For the past six weeks we have been wondering how the session will close and now we do not have long to wait. News reports of the negotiations and deadlocks over the last week have suggested it will be difficult to reach agreement on the budget, bonding, stadium, and other social issues facing lawmakers. We agree that it will be difficult but hold some hope that a minimum number of issues will be resolved before they go home. Minnesota's constitution requires adjournment on Monday, May 17 but they cannot pass any legislation on the last day, which means the real last day is Sunday. Tradition however, would suggest a reluctance to meet on Sunday.

Employee Contract Ratification Passes Senate

Legislation ratifying the employment contracts for state employees passed the Senate this week. This legislation is needed for approval of the contracts negotiated by the state employee unions and the Commissioner of Employee Relations. The contracts in the bill include AFSCME, MAPE, Commissioner's Plan, Managerial Plan, MnSCU Administrators Plan, MMA, MSUAASF and MCSF. House members have the bill on the floor and began discussions earlier this week but tabled the debate after amendments were proposed. They are expected to take up the bill before session closes.

Education / Higher Education Bill

Members of the education working group on education and higher education have met several times to prepare for a formal conference committee on the education bill. There are a number of controversial issues in the elementary - secondary portion of the bill that will likely be difficult to resolve. The higher education sections of the bill are less controversial and only a small number of them affect the state colleges and universities. If the budget legislation does not allow any funding for nursing scholarship or loans or an additional grant for low income first generation college students, there will be very little left for the higher education article in the bill.

Bonding Bill Reconsidered?

At the time of this publication, there have been no changes in the status of a bonding bill. Following a narrow defeat on the Senate floor last week, Senators have failed to move to reconsider the bonding bill. There may still be a motion to reconsider the bill on the floor today. Stay tuned for more information.

Perkins Act

The U.S. Department of Education released the Administration's revised Blueprint for the reauthorization of the Perkins Act on May 11, 2004.