Updates from the Government Relations team are sent periodically during the legislative session.                                                  
Legislative Update - May 5, 2016
Senate fails to pass $1.8 billion bonding bill

This afternoon on the Senate floor, the $1.8 billion bonding bill failed to pass, falling one vote short of the super majority needed. The House has a target of $600 million for their bonding bill but details have not been shared. 

Yesterday, Governor Dayton called on House Republicans to release their plan so lawmakers could have time for a full and public debate. Bonding projects are critical to the quality of the state's colleges and universities and its ability to provide clean water and spark economic growth, Dayton said at a Capitol news conference.

With just a little over two weeks left in the session, lawmakers haven't made progress on the major issues of taxes and transportation.
Conference committee members named

The House and Senate have named their conferees on HF2749 - the omnibus supplemental budget bill.

House

  • Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud)
  • Rep. Jennifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie)
  • Rep. Pat Garafolo (R-Farmington)
  • Rep. Matt Dean (R-Dellwood)
  • Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings)

Senate

  • Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul)
  • Sen, Wiger (DFL-Maplewood)
  • Sen. Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids)
  • Sen. Fischbach (DFL-Paynesville)
  • Sen. Lourey (DFL-Kerrick)

The conference committee is expected to begin meeting next week.

Important Links:

  • Most recent bill introductions related to higher education (compiled by Government Relations team) SPREADSHEET (updated 4/20/16)
  • Committee schedules can be found HERE
  • Many committee hearings and floor sessions are streamed live via the web or broadcast on television. More information and a schedule can be found HERE

Government Relations team:

Jaime Simonsen – Jaime.simonsen@so.mnscu.edu
Bernie Omann – Bernie.omann@so.mnscu.edu
Jim Grathwol – jim.grathwol@so.mnscu.edu