Financial aid shortfall discussed in House

Yesterday at the Capitol:

With high unemployment rates, more students have gone back to college. This has placed a higher demand on the financial aid system; the state grant program is now facing a $41.6 million shortfall. This means that next year’s students will receive less money to attend college. Meredith Fergus, of the Office of Higher Education, presented the information to the House Higher Education Committee Thursday. She said that students will receive $150 to $1000 less in their state grant award next fall. The Office of Higher Education chose to award students the full amount of state grants this school year and reduce awards in the 2010-2011 school year. Recall that the governor also had a projected cut of $2.3 million to the state grant program when he released his budget on Monday. The committee took no action.

Today at the Capitol:

Friday, February 19

Televised
9:30 AM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold/ Rep. Mary Murphy
Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: Review of the 2009 actuarial valuation reports; presentation by the commission's reviewing actuary (Milliman, Inc.)
SF2644/ HF2922 (Betzold/Thissen): MERF/PERA; Administrative consolidation of MERF into PERA-General.
LCPR09-070 PERA; Purchase of prior service credit for a period of omitted member deductions, Inver Grove Heights public school employee. - Atkins
LCPR09-062 http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/lcpr/documents/mtgmaterials/2010/lcpr09-062.pdf PERA-P&F/Faribault Fire; Revised post-retirement adjustment and annuity adjustment for retired Faribault firefighter-Thissen

Looking ahead:

Please note that most Senate hearings for next week have been removed from the schedule by the body. It is anticipated that there will be long Senate floor sessions, a potential conflict for committee hearings. We will notify you if anything changes.

Monday, February 22

Televised
1 p.m.
The House meets in session.

Tuesday, February 23

8:30 AM
House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Carlos Mariani
Agenda: Teaching proposals in Minnesota's Race to the Top application:
Recommended state teacher evaluation rubric
Enhanced QComp
Ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: Continued discussion of the Office of the Legislative Auditor
report: Workforce Programs

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Overview of Governor's budget - Workforce/Economic Development
Dept of Labor and Industry -Commissioner Steve Sviggum
Dept of Employment and Economic Development - Commissioner McElroy

2:45 PM
House K-12 Education Finance Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mindy Greiling
Agenda: Shared services report
HF2840 (Swails) Collaborative governance council established. - Information only

*** Note: *** Change in meeting time
4:30 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 500N State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Legislative Auditor (continued)
MnSCU Central Office report

Wednesday, February 24

10:30 AM
House Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tim Mahoney
Agenda: TBA

Thursday, February 25

1:00 PM
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Legislative Auditor
1) Workforce Programs report
2) Unemployment Insurance Information Technology Audit

Friday, February 26

10 AM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold/Rep. Mary Murphy
Room 107 Capitol
Agenda: To be announced.

Friday, March 5, 2010

10:00 AM
Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
Room: 107 State Capitol
Chairs: Rep. Mary Murphy, Sen. Don Betzold
Agenda: TBA