legislative landscape presentation for policy brainstorming
DESCRIPTION
Presented by Kayley Schoonmaker and Jessica MedearisTRANSCRIPT
Policy Brainstorm Extravaganza!!
MnSCU System Policy Work
Student Transfer Survey Appeals Tracking MnTC Certification
Credit Transfer
Tuition set for 2014-2015 Fees increase up to 3% Credit for Prior Learning Four-year degrees on two-year
campuses Scholarship campaigns
Affordability
Increasing credit opportunities in high school
Aligning high school assessments with college placement exams
College Readiness
Statewide academic planning Increasing internship opportunities
Meeting Workforce Needs
State Legislative Landscape
State Budget Outlook FY 2014-2015 projected $627 million
shortfall, however $2.1billion in revenue increases during legislative session will cover the deficit
MN’s economy ranked 5th fastest growing in 2012
November Forecast – Surplus of $825 million after K-12 school shifts are paid back
Biennial cycle: first year is a budget/appropriations year, second year is bonding bill
67 Senators, 134 Representatives Higher Education committee
members in House and Senate are the main focus of our work, Capital Investment committee is also important, especially in bonding years
Legislative Basics
Bonding◦ MnSCU will be asking for:
$130.6 million in HEAPR and demolition $155.9 million for capital projects and design The request relies on $58.8 of System financing
and $227.7 million in General Obligation financing
If fully funded, this request reduces total MnSCU square footage by 257,360 feet
Bonding bill will likely be between $800 and $900 million if passed
What’s next at the Capitol?
The Unsession◦ Governor Dayton has named the 2014
session as the “Unsession”◦ The goal is to repeal outdated legislation,
streamline and improve government
What’s next at the Capitol?
House of Representatives •DFL: 73•R: 61
Senate•DFL: 39•R: 28
DFL Governor
Current Legislative Composition
Federal Legislative Landscape
Federal Government Shutdown◦ Deal to end shutdown funds federal
government until January 15, 2014 and raises debt ceiling through February 7, 2014
◦ Relatively minor impact on higher education, did not impact federal financial aid
Federal Budget Challenges
Sequestration Cuts◦ First round occurred last year◦ Reduced funding for
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants TRiO Federal work study Suspension of military tuition assistance Pell Grant was not impacted
◦ Second round of cuts scheduled for next year which will be larger than the 2013 cuts
Federal Budget Challenges
U.S. Senate◦ 51 Democrats◦ 47 Republicans◦ 2 Independents
U.S. House◦ 242 Republicans◦ 193 Democrats
White House◦ President Obama, Democrat
Divided Government
Regional discussions
What are the most important policy issues facing students?
Time to Brainstorm!