Monday, May 10, 2010

Last full week of state session; Independence party endorses Horner; Budget negotiations continue

This is the last full week of the 2010 legislative session and schedules will be fluid, so please watch your email for any higher education related activity, including the possibility of a higher education policy bill conference committee. We will keep you posted throughout the week.

Over the weekend, public relations executive Tom Horner won the endorsement for governor at the Independence Party state convention in Bloomington.

Also this weekend, the Senate Finance committee approved a $2.8 billion budget balancing bill that includes spending cuts, payment shifts and tax increases. Sen. Richard Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, chair of the Senate Finance committee, said the measure includes some of the governor's cuts and his delayed school payments. It also includes $433 million in new tax revenue, which has yet to be determined. The governor has indicated he will not sign any legislation with tax increases. The full Senate is expected to vote on the bill today. In the House, the Finance committee is expected to discuss the budget balancing plan at noon today.

Today at the Capitol

9:00 AM
Senate in Session

9:00 AM
House in Session

12:00 PM
House Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Lyndon Carlson
Agenda:
Discussion of budget balancing plan
HF3834 (Carlson) Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner required to provide a cash flow forecast to the governor and legislature.
HF2866 (Carlson) Executive branch authority modified to reduce unexpended allotments.
SF2891 (Mullery) Interstate Compact for Juveniles adopted.
SF3134 (Kahn) State government programs or activities money appropriated or reduced, and provisions changed relating to expenses of governor-elect, income earned by the permanent school fund, lease-purchase agreements, general services, resource recovery, payment of aids and credits to school districts, tax return preparers, and implied consent.
HF2922 (Thissen) Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund; administrative functions transferred to the Public Employees Retirement Association, consolidation account created within the Public Employees Retirement Association, and money appropriated.

Looking Ahead

Tuesday, May 11


8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: TBA
Chair: Sen. Richard J. Cohen
Agenda:
S.F. 3409-Cohen: Cash flow forecast by Minnesota management and budget (MMB) commissioner to the governor and legislature requirement.
S.F. 2566-Cohen: Executive branch unallotment authority modification.

12:30 PM
Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
Agenda:
University District Alliance report
HEFA confirmations

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