University of Minnesota presents budget; Schedules posted

Yesterday at the Capitol
President Bob Bruininks and CFO Richard Pfutzenreuter of the University of Minnesota presented the U's budget to House Higher Education committee members yesterday. Bruininks told members that he believes it is the University's obligation to be the state's partner in helping solve the problem, but he hopes lawmakers make the University a priority in their budget decisions.

Committee Chair Bud Nornes, R-Fergus Falls, had earlier asked the University what a 15 percent and 20 percent cut would mean to them. Bruininks said that the trade-offs are not insignificant, and told members that the University could cut all four of its coordinate campuses and still not save enough to address the cuts.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is scheduled to discuss its budget with Higher Education committee members Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

Today at the Capitol
Greater Mankato Day at the Capitol

8:15 AM
House State Government Finance
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Morrie Lanning,
Agenda: Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board (CAAPB)
Department of Military Affairs
HF384 (Dettmer) Campus veterans representative program sunset repealed.

8:30 AM
Senate Finance
Room: 123 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Claire A. Robling
Agenda:
Continuation of Presentation of Governor Dayton's Budget - Commissioner Jim Schowalter, Minnesota Management and Budget
Presentation of Fastest Growing Expenditures Report - Minnesota Management and Budget

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda: HF442 (Loon) Professional development two percent set-aside repealed

2:30 PM (televised)
House Capital Investment
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Larry Howes
Agenda: HF607 (Howes) Capital improvement funding provided to acquire and better public land and buildings and for other improvements of a capital nature, nonprofit housing bond authorization changes made, bonds issued, appropriations modified, and money appropriated.
Testifying: Minnesota Management and Budget

3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda: Confirmation hearing for Office of Higher Education Director, Dr. Sheila Wright

3:00 PM
Senate Education
Room: 15 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Gen Olson
Agenda: Governor's Budget-MN State Academies
Governor's Budget: Perpich Center for Arts Education
S.F. 209-Daley: School districts state-aid payments reduction prior to short-term borrowing for cash flow needs repeal.
S.F. 242-Bonoff: School districts state-aid payments reduction prior to short-term borrowing for cash flow needs repeal.
S.F. 185-Bonoff: Charter schools accelerated aid payment shift special education percentage eligibility requirement adjustment.

Looking Ahead
Thursday, February 24
8:15 AM
House Education Reform
Room: Basement State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Sondra Erickson
Agenda: HF269 (Downey) Teacher contract qualified economic offer provided.

10:15 AM
House Government Operations and Elections
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Joyce Peppin
Agenda: HF191 (Downey) Redundant Technology Elimination Act proposed, state agency information technology systems and services consolidated, Office of Enterprise Technology duties transferred, and money appropriated.
HF297 (Kahn) State agency information technology system and service consolidated, and duties transferred to the Office of Enterprise Technology.

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: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities:
Response to Gov. Dayton's proposed budget
Detailed discussion of organization and finances

12:30 PM
House Education Finance
Room: 5 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Pat Garofalo
Agenda:
Presentation on the collective bargaining process from Education Minnesota and Minnesota School Boards Association

12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: Presentations and overviews from:
Lifetrack Resources
Vocational Rehab
State Services for the Blind
Boys and Girls Club

3:00 PM
House in Session

Monday, February 28
3:00 PM
Senate Higher Education
Room: 107 Capitol
Chair: Sen. Michelle L. Fischbach
Agenda:
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Trustee Confirmations:
Trustee Duane Benson
Trustee Philip Krinkie
Trustee Alfredo Oliveira
Trustee Thomas Renier
Trustee Michael Vekich

Tuesday, March 1
12:30 PM
House Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Bob Gunther
Agenda: DEED budget overview
HF102 (Mahoney) Minnesota science and technology program established.