Back to 2007 updates archive | This week's schedule

Legislative notes for the week of April 23-27, 2007

Bonding is closer

The Capital Investment Conference Committee met Friday to adopt changes to the omnibus bill. The legislation included funding for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: $30.7 million for repairs and improvements, $1.8 million for land acquisition at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, $2 million to purchase the Bemidji High School for the Bemidji State University campus. The conferees agreed to the report. At this time, the legislation is expected to go before the House and Senate for a final vote Saturday and then will need the governor's approval.

The higher education lineup

Conferees were named to iron out the kinks between the House and Senate higher education bills. The House players include Reps. Tom Rukavina, Andy Welti, Joe Atkins, Kathy Brynaert and Carol McFarlane. On the Senate side are Sens. Sandy Pappas, Kathy Sheran, Ron Latz, Claire Robling and Geoff Michel.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities housekeeping language, the GI Bill and textbook legislation were discussed during Wednesday's Higher Education Conference Committee meeting. The conferees agreed to 17 provisions in the bill that were similar, these all will go in the final bill. Members also discussed the composition of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Currently, the House language adds two AFL-CIO members to the board, whereas the Senate language appoints the commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development to serve in an ex officio capacity. The Higher Education Conference Committee was scheduled to meet Friday afternoon. Please see next week's update for more information.

Education receives a good start

The E-12 Education Finance Conference Committee started off with what some called a good omen by aligning their targets to $950 million over current base funding. The House bill, HF 6, authored by Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, spends $13.94 billion. The Senate version, SF2095, sponsored by Sen. LeRoy Stumpf, DFL-Plummer, has a bit less at $13.93 billion.

Federal Update

No action on accreditation negotiated rulemaking

The federal negotiated rulemaking committee on accreditation adjourned its final set of scheduled three-day meetings this week with no action taken. The U.S. Department of Education is considering changes in federal rules governing higher education accreditation. Of the more controversial issues under discussion were transfer of credit and assessment of student learning outcomes. No final agreements were reached by the committee which means the Department is not bound to any set of recommendations. This is one of four panels convened by the U.S. Department of Education to help craft new federal rules and regulations for higher education providers.

Increased disclosure on federal earmarks through searchable database

In an effort to bring greater transparency and accountability to federal spending, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget has put online a database with aggregate data on the number and cost of earmarks. This database provides more information on earmarks in one place than has ever been available before through the federal government. Information is displayed by agency and state. In addition, the database provides details on individual earmarks. This initiative is consistent with recent changes in the House rules and Senate legislation, which require more disclosure for earmarks. The database is a work in progress; new features will be added in the future.

The database contains a wealth of federal funding information. By browsing through appropriations by agency, department and accounts, one can get a better sense for the type of projects and priorities receiving funds.

View the federal earmarks database