House hears system overview; no meetings today or Monday

House Higher Education committee members, both new and veteran members, received an overview from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system yesterday. Chancellor Jim McCormick told committee members that the system is the largest provider of higher education in Minnesota, educating 63 percent of all Minnesota undergraduate students, and the 32 colleges and universities provide an immeasurable benefit to the people of Minnesota, contributing greatly to the quality of life and economic vitality of the state.

Board of Trustees Chair Scott Thiss explained to members the Board's strategic plan and how it has provided guidance to the colleges and universities. Thiss gave an example of how the system's colleges and universities continue to innovate and told members that Northland Community and Technical College is helping to create a new industry by training technicians who can be certified in unmanned aviation maintenance. This is just one of the many examples on the college and university campuses.

President Kevin Kopischke, Alexandria Technical College and President Edna Szymanski, Minnesota State University Moorhead gave committee members a brief introduction to each college and university in the system and provided an example of how each institution plays a critical role in building the local and regional economies.

Today at the Capitol

There are no committee hearings or floor sessions scheduled for today. However at 10:30 a.m. legislative leadership will be holding a press availability.

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 17

Offices are closed due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Tuesday, January 18

10:15 AM
House Taxes
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Greg Davids
Agenda: HFXXXX - Conforming to the federal extension of the exclusion of dependent health care coverage to adult children through age 26 for tax year 2010

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

10:30 AM
Senate Jobs and Economic Growth
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Geoff Michel
Agenda: Overview from MN Department of Labor/Introduction of Commissioner Ken Peterson
S.F. 1-Michel: Introduction and discussion of property tax provision of SF 1.

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

Thursday, January 20

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda: Continuation of budget overview presentation by Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis Staff

8:30 AM
Senate Taxes
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Julianne E. Ortman
Agenda: SFXXX Federal conformity bill related to income tax treatment of dependent health care coverage for adult children 26 and under.
Overview on Tax Aids and Credits

11:00 AM
Senate in Session