Legislative Notes for the week of February 26-March 2, 2007

February forecast is gloomy

The February forecast was released this week, showing no new funding in the state coffers. DFL senators are committed to health care and education, and particularly, funding K-12 special education. In a press conference, they vowed to not increase taxes, so they might be working within tight budget parameters.

Meanwhile, House Democrats have a similar legislative plan with an emphasis on education and health care but adding in property tax reduction. House Republicans question how all of these needs can be met.

Senate hopes to provide access for students

Senate committee members heard from the Office of Higher Education about Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Achieve II scholarship program. If passed, this would award high school students with a $314 scholarship for every college course they take. This funding later could be used to attend an institution of their choice.

The committee also heard from other college readiness and access programs. Mike Lopez, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities associate vice chancellor for student affairs, told members that the system has many innovative programs that encourage new students to attend college. Last biennium, the state gave Minnesota State Colleges and Universities $2 million to increase access and retention among students. Lopez explained that 29 campuses submitted proposals for this funding, and 11 awards were given.

Northland Community and Technical College's program to encourage Native American students to go into health care careers was highlighted. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education added testimony on the Get Ready/Gear Up program as well as the Intervention for College Attendance Program, I-CAP. Gear Up works with school districts that have high rates of free and reduced lunch recipients to encourage students to attend college. ICAP works with students to provide academic enrichment, such as preparing students to take the ACT test. The committee did not take action on the bills but reviewed all college readiness programs.

Snowy weather doesn't keep students, parents away

The House and Senate held a joint higher education committee meeting Wednesday night at Rondo Education Center, where students from area high schools and a school superintendent testified on college access. Many were immigrant students testifying that they could not afford out-of-state tuition rates that are charged to undocumented persons at many colleges and universities.

President Wilson Bradshaw of Metropolitan State University and President Richard Davenport of Minnesota State University, Mankato attended the event. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities brought displays highlighting opportunities for high school students, including the Power of You and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, or PSEO. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Director Susan Heegaard also attended to tell students about financial aid and how to apply.

Senate tackles tuition

Tuesday was "tuition day" at the Senate Higher Education Committee. Chair Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, and members heard bills related to tuition and laid all over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. Before the bills were presented, Minnesota Office of Higher Education officials said tuition has increased at a rate higher than inflation, and Minnesota State College and University students had increases of more than 40 percent in the past four years.

The hearing began with S.F. 456 and S.F. 598, authored by Sen. Dick Day, R-Owatonna, and Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, respectively. The bills establish tuition increase limits at public colleges and universities. Under the bills, tuition would be locked for first-year students up to five years, Gerlach said, and the next-year class would pay a bit more but again would be locked for five years. Students would pay a little more up front, but gain in the end, he said. Parents and students need stabilization and predictability to plan for the cost of tuition, Gerlach said.

S.F. 232, also authored by Gerlach, provides stable tuition rates for Minnesota residents at state colleges and universities. The bill requires the institutions to create a tuition guarantee plan, but leaves the details of the plan to them. Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, introduced S.F. 533, which limits tuition increases at public higher education institutions to 3 percent to keep tuition increases in line with what's happening in the general economy, she said. Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, pointed out that the bill caps tuition, but makes no guarantee that the state will fully fund the colleges, which may force cuts in programs.

S.F. 528, carried by Pappas, eliminates out-of-state tuition rates at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Many system institutions already have a flat tuition rate, she said. Studies have shown that 60 to 70 percent of students who come from another state for college stay and work in Minnesota, she said. The bill is a way for Minnesota to attract and retain students, said Peter Sadowski, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. He said the state needs workers to offset the workforce shortage expected when baby boomers retire.

Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chishom, authored S.F. 773, also referred to as the "tuition freeze" bill. This legislation was crafted by the Minnesota State College Student Association and the Minnesota State University Student Association. The proposed bill appropriates $79 million over the next biennium to prevent any tuition increases at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The bill addresses the core problem of skyrocketing tuition; the state is not paying for public education in Minnesota, said Justin McMartin, state chair, Minnesota State University Student Association.

The committee rounded up the meeting and considered S.F. 653, also referred to as the Dream Act. Students hosted a march to the Capitol in support of the bill. Authored by Pappas, the bill guarantees in-state tuition rates to students who attend Minnesota high schools for three years, graduate from high school and register at a public college or university. The bill also requires students who are not citizens to sign an affidavit that they will file an application to become a permanent resident at the earliest possible opportunity, Pappas said.

Denise Soriano, a high school student from Chaska who said she has lived in Minnesota most of her life, said students whose parents entered the country illegally are not asking for a hand out, just the same tuition rate as other people who live in Minnesota. The students cannot apply for federal grants or most scholarships, she also noted. Soriano said she would like to attend college and become a doctor. The bill was recommended to pass and sent to the Senate floor.

Restricting stem cell research

The House Higher Education Committee held a second day of hearings on stem cell research. A bill, HF34, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, would establish a state policy for stem cell research and permit the University of Minnesota to spend state funding on the research. It also would require health care providers treating infertility patients to provide information regarding the disposition of any human embryos after fertility treatment. An amendment was added that any research leading to human cloning would lead to a felony charge. Proponents said the research could lead to cures for Parkinson's or Alzheimer's diseases. The bill was passed and referred to the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee.

House Ways and Means travels to Rochester

Rochester Community and Technical College President Don Supalla, students, faculty and a business leader testified Monday night to the House Ways and Means Committee Monday night in Rochester, one of the stop on the committee's travels throughout the state to hear about issues affecting Minnesotans. President Supalla told committee members about innovations at the college, but he added that for the college to be innovative, state funding must be available. He said the governor's recommendation was a good start ($123 million), but the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system needs the complete $177 million biennial budget request to be funded.

Similiarly, Kathy Meyerle, a Mayo Clinic attorney, asked for full support of both the system's request and University of Minnesota's biennial budget requests. Gregg Wright, Rochester Community and Technical College faculty Senate president and Minnesota State College Faculty representative, advocated for funding faculty increases. Other community members testified on health care and the gas tax.

A new way to award contracts?

The House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs committee heard a bill that would no longer award contracts to the lowest bidder, but instead allow contracts to go to the "best value." In order to do this, there could be consideration of the vendor's pervious project work, customer service, timeliness and ability to assess and minimize the risks. The bill was passed out of committee and now travels to the House Commerce and Labor Committee. The Senate companion has not yet been heard.

FAN visits MSU, Mankato, Hibbing and Winona

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has created a Friends Action Network where interested parties can find out more about legislative happenings and encourage lawmakers to support MnSCU. Presentations have been given at area campuses, including MSU, Mankato, Hibbing Community College, and Winona State University. As a reminder, various tools for advocating for our budget request are included on the FAN website including the budget book, campus profiles, talking points for each budget item and other information pieces.

For more information or to join FAN, please visit the Friend's Action Network Web site.

Federal Update

President Joe Sertich asks for more rural development

Northeast Higher Education District President Joe Sertich testified Feb 13 at the federal Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. He explained the importance of rural development and how funding from the committee could help areas, like those his campuses serve.

Read the complete testimony

Report shows states are not doing enough

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce produced a report, "Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Effectiveness," which showed states are not doing enough to prepare children for college. Specifically, it tracked schools to determine the number of high school students who are passing Advanced Placement tests, the percentage of students who graduate from high school in four years with a regular diploma, and the percentage of ninth-graders who complete high school in four years and then go on to college. The report concluded that individually, states may be showing that they are doing well, but when compared at a national level, they are below par.

Download a copy of the report