Budget bills passed, legislators on break

Yesterday at the Capitol
The full House and Senate passed the supplemental budget bill, the first of three budget balancing bills, yesterday. The House passed the bill by a vote of 76-55 and then the Senate passed it shortly thereafter 44-23. You may review the final bill, including the $10.5 million reduction to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system here.

Gov. Pawlenty is expected to sign the bill. The governor's spokesman Brian McClung said, "Our office reached an agreement with legislators over the weekend regarding the first budget bill. While the Governor would prefer the DFL present a complete solution, we can't force them to do it, so we're doing our best to work with what they're offering. As always, we will do a final review of the bill language, but as long as there are no unforeseen problems the Governor plans to sign the bill."

Higher Education Chair Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, voted against the bill and spoke on the House floor about the $42 million shortfall in the state grant program, informing members about the large reductions students will see in their state grant awards due to the shortfall. Rukavina also said that the hurt is just starting, but when the other bills come through, the hurt is going to be worse. Legislative leaders said the next two budget bills, health and human services and K-12 education, are on hold while lawmakers await the results of a pending court case over the governor's unallotments, as well as possible federal health care funding coming into the state.

Today at the Capitol

Lawmakers have headed home to their districts for an Easter/Passover break today through Tuesday, April 6 at noon. Therefore, you will not be receiving an update the rest of this week. The next update will be sent Tuesday, April 6.

Tuesday, March 30 - Monday, April 5
Legislative Break

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, April 6

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: Higher education system and campus budget planning

12:00 PM
House in Session

12:00 PM
Senate in Session

Wednesday, April 7

8:00 AM
Trustee Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Kent Eklund
Agenda: Candidates interviewed for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees

Thursday, April 8

8:00 AM
Trustee Candidate Advisory Council
Room: 300N State Office Building
Chair: Kent Eklund
Agenda: Candidates interviewed for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees

10:00 AM *Note time change*
House Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Tom Rukavina
Agenda: HF3739 (Carlson) Bond allocation limits modified, and transfer authorized.
Other bills will be added