Updates from the Government Relations team are sent periodically during the legislative session.                                                  
Legislative Update - January 25, 2017
Minnesota State presentation to the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee

Today at 3:00 p.m., members of Minnesota State will present to the House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee.

You can view the committee meeting online by clicking HERE.

Chaired by Representative Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls), the 16-member committee will hear about Minnesota State colleges and universities, the students that we serve, our role in sustaining a vibrant economic workforce, and our commitment to the communities that we serve.

The speakers for today's presentation include:

  • Board Chair Michael Vekich
  • Trustee Basil Ajuo
  • Chancellor Steven Rosenstone
  • President Merrill Irving, Hennepin Technical College
  • Brad Thorpe, faculty, Hennepin Technical College
  • Jordan Folstad, student in Automation Robotics program, Hennepin Technical College
  • Myron Moser, CEO, Hartfiel Automation, and President of the HTC Foundation
  • Vice Chancellor Laura King

Thank you to the many trustees, presidents, students, faculty, and staff who will be in attendance or listening from campuses across the state.
This week at the Capitol  


Wednesday, January 25 
 
1:00 p.m. 
5 State Office Building 
House Education Finance 
Agenda: Presentation of the Governor’s budget recommendations for the Minnesota Department of Education 

3:00 p.m. 
5 State Office Building 
House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance 
Agenda: Minnesota State overview 
 

3:00 p.m. 
10 State Office Building 
House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance 
Agenda: Base budget oversight and program outcomes: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency; Department of Labor and Industry; Office of Broadband Development 

Thursday, January 26 

10:15 a.m. 
5 State Office Building 
House Agriculture Finance 
Agenda: Presentation of the Governor’s budget recommendations for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The presentation will continue on Tuesday, January 31st, if needed. 

1:00 p.m. 
15 Capitol 
Senate Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy 
Agenda: Minnesota State overview  

1:00 p.m. 
5 State Office Building 
House Education Finance 
Agenda: Presentation of the Governor’s budget recommendations for the Minnesota Department of Education

3:00 p.m. 
10 State Office Building 
House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance 
Agenda: Base budget oversight and program outcomes: Department of Commerce; Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) 

3:00 p.m.
1200 Minnesota Senate Bldg
Senate Committee on Capital Investment
Agenda: SF210-Senjem: Misc. capital investment bonding provisions


Next week at the Capitol: 

Tuesday, January 31 

1:00 p.m.
15 Capitol
Senate Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy
Agenda: University of Minnesota overview

5:30 p.m. 
G-3 State Capitol 
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement 
Agenda: Election of 2017-2018 Commission Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary) 
NOTE: Pension Commission members have not yet been appointed (as of 1/20/17)

Important Links:

  • Most recent bill introductions related to higher education (compiled by Government Relations team) can be found HERE
  • Committee schedules can be found HERE
  • Many committee hearings and floor sessions are streamed live via the web or broadcast on television. More information and a schedule can be found HERE

Government Relations team:

Jaime Simonsen – Jaime.simonsen@so.mnscu.edu
Bernie Omann – Bernie.omann@so.mnscu.edu
Jim Grathwol – jim.grathwol@so.mnscu.edu