The higher education omnibus bill released last week continues the funding decline for Minnesota’s college and universities. The bill provides no new money for higher education and reallocates $1 million in funds designated for free-tuition program at two-year colleges. Funding for higher education had been on the decline, with the 2017 budget bill providing less […] Read more
An editorial in the Star Tribune this week advocated for maintaining investments in the state’s youngest learners, citing the party differences on this issue at the State Capitol. The editorial came after Governor Dayton proposed that a $50-million one-time commitment to prekindergarten be made permanent. Republican lawmakers said this proposal should wait until there’s a […] Read more
The Republican E-12 education budget provides less than half of the Governor’s investments and only 6% of the total surplus for schools and students in Minnesota. It also relies on shifts and gimmicks to fund small grant programs for 2019. The safe schools’ aid increase provides just $3.65 per student and most of the bill […] Read more
The Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee’s omnibus bill was approved this week and forwarded to the full Finance Committee. With a zero spending target, the bill includes a number of initiatives, including: An extension for farmers for buffer requirement compliance; Youth ATV safety education and training provisions; Provisions affecting environmental permitting, rulemaking and fees […] Read more
The Energy and Utilities Policy and Finance Committee wrapped up its work this week with the passage of its omnibus bill, which will become part of the Senate’s supplemental finance bill. The bill includes several modifications to state energy policy, including: Capping Xcel Energy’s payments to the renewable development account at $16 million for each […] Read more
Children involved in court cases will have to proceed without the representation of a Guardian ad Litem, forensic scientists will continue to be overworked, and the safety needs of county courthouses will go unmet if the supplemental judiciary finance omnibus bill introduced by Senate Republicans becomes law. The bill was heard in the Judiciary and […] Read more
