State of the state reviewed; Students and faculty to testify

Yesterday at the Capitol

Gov. Mark Dayton delivered his State of the State address yesterday with a focus on investing in the future of Minnesota. Dayton invited legislators to join with him to pledge to the people of Minnesota that they will not shut down government, but rather will reach a shared solution to resolve the $6.2 billion budget deficit. "If this happens, the people of Minnesota will win," Dayton said.

While he didn't provide details about his budget proposal (which will be released Tuesday), Dayton did say the state needs to invest in job creation; better education; improved transportation; the health of our citizens, our communities and our environment; and the transformation of government services.

Dayton recognized President of the University of Minnesota, Bob Bruininks and Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Jim McCormick who were sitting in the gallery. He thanked them for their service and commitment to the state of Minnesota.

Dayton asked legislators to join him in increasing funding to K-12 education every year he is governor. "In our shared desire to improve our elementary and secondary schools, our colleges, and our universities, I urge all of us to work together, instead of against one another," he said. Dayton said policy makers need to work cooperatively to enlist ideas from those most in touch with children's needs; parents, and teachers, and he again asked every business in Minnesota to adopt a school, college or university.

Dayton addressed the tax issue and announced his intentions to increase income tax for wealthy Minnesotans, something he promised on the campaign trail. He said, "Fewer people paying lower taxes has meant state per-pupil aid for our students from kindergarten through 12th grade has been reduced by 14 percent in real, after-inflation dollars during the past 8 years. Tuition in our state’s two-year public colleges has risen to the third highest in the nation, and tuition in our four-year universities are among the top ten highest."

Dayton ended his address by saying, "We must reverse Minnesota’s past decline, and return our state to a path of growth, success, and prosperity."

In follow-up to the speech, House Speaker Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said that raising taxes during tough economic times is detrimental to the state. When asked by media what she thought about the governor's education plan, Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, R-Buffalo, said it is still shy on details, but it appears he is making promises he doesn't have the money to keep.

Also yesterday, by a vote of 68-61, the House approved the phase one conference committee report which cuts approximately $900 million from the state's $6.2 billion budget deficit. As a reminder, the bill reduces higher education by $185 million. For the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, this means a reduction in the system's annual base from $605 million to $582 million. The Senate is expected to take up the bill today. It is anticipated the bill will pass on a party-line vote. If the Senate approves the conference committee report, the next stop is the governor's desk.

Today at the Capitol


8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Morrie Lanning
Agenda: HF4 (Downey) State workforce reduction required, and early retirement program created.

8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement - State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda:
HF133 (Fritz) Trial placements for eligible children allowed at the Minnesota State Academies.
HF183 (Kieffer) Teacher candidates required to pass basic skills exam.
HF300 (Erickson) Comprehensive eye exams recommended for early childhood development screening.

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda:
HF192 (Downey) Reinventing Government Employment Act proposed, public employee compensation freeze provided and future compensation method determined, state workforce reduction required, state employee gain sharing system established, state contract restrictions removed, and right to work constitutional amendment proposed.
HF102 (Mahoney) Minnesota science and technology program established.

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

12:30 PM
House Higher Education Policy and Finance
Room: Basement Hearing Room, State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bud Nornes
Agenda: Student and faculty testimony

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF257 (Bills) Early graduation achievement scholarship program created, and money appropriated.
HF341 (Greiling) Department of Management and Budget school district state-aid payment reduction requirement repealed
HF407 (Kriesel) Reduction of state short-term borrowing through school district payment modifications repealed

3:00 PM
House in Session

Looking Ahead

Monday, February 14

11:00 AM
Senate in Session

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda: Presentation from the Minnesota Private College Council.

Wednesday, February 16

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda: S.F. 268-Carlson, J.: Minnesota state colleges and universities (MnSCU) and university of Minnesota temporary freezing and permanent tuition increase limitations.

5:30 PM
Joint House and Senate Committee on Higher Education
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Bud Nornes, Sen. Michelle Fischbach
Agenda: University of Minnesota Board of Regents candidate interviews
Election of nominees to forward to Joint Convention