Governor's budget will be released next month; System presentation today

Yesterday at the Capitol

Lawmakers did not hold meetings at the State Capitol yesterday, but rather spent the day at the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute for the "One Minnesota" event.

Gov. Mark Dayton's spokesperson Andrea Mokros said yesterday that Dayton will release his budget plan Feb. 15, which is the deadline in state law. Meanwhile, Dayton continues to build his cabinet, appointing retired Major General Larry Shellito, who recently retired as the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, to lead the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Shellito has a close tie to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system as a past president of Alexandria Technical College.

Today at the Capitol

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system will be presenting an overview on the system today at 12:30 p.m. in the House Higher Education Policy and Finance committee. Presenting will be Board of Trustees Chair Scott Thiss, Chancellor James McCormick, President Edna Szymanski of Minnesota State University Moorhead and President Kevin Kopischke of Alexandria Technical College.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Bill(s) Added
Agenda: HF63 (Garofalo) Teacher licensure provisions amended, alternative teacher preparation program and limited-term teacher license established, and report required.
HF3 (Mariani) Alternative teacher preparation program and limited term teacher license established.
Presentation of "WANTED: Prepared Workforce NEEDED: Education Reforms"
Cecilia Retelle, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) overview of specific programs:
SWIFT new accounting system update: Assistant Commissioner Lori Mo- Accounting Services; Jim Manion- SWIFT Project Coordinator
New Budget Information System (BIS) update:
Assistant Commissioner Kristin Dybdal - State Budget Director
Michelle Weber- Executive Budget Coordinator, MMB
Internal Controls: Jeanine Kuwik- Internal Control and Accountability Director
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board overview - Gary Goldsmith, executive director

8:30 AM
Senate Finance Committee
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire Robling
Agenda: Introductions
Budget Overview - Matt Massman, Lead Fiscal Analyst - Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne Ortman
Agenda: Committee Introduction, General Overview Minnesota Tax System

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities overview

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead
Tuesday, January 18

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda:
Teacher Licensure
A presentation by Katie Balmer, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Teaching.

Wednesday, January 19

3:00 PM
Senate Education Committee
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Teach for America - Testimony by Daniel Sellers, Executive Director of Teach For America, Twin Cities

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: Overview presentation from the University of Minnesota