Earlier today, the State legislature convened the 2020 session. The top issues expected to be addressed this year include bonding, small budget surplus, Dept of Health and Human Services reforms, and insulin cost and access. The House DFL majority released their agenda last week and the Senate GOP released their plans for 2020 a few weeks ago. The Governor will release his supplemental budget after the next forecast in March. Infrastructure investment remains the only thing that all sides feel MUST get done - but even that could be challenging.
According to the budget forecast released in December, there is a very small projected budget surplus in the second year of the biennium. There will be hundreds of organizations pushing the legislature and governor to increase appropriations or reduce taxes in all areas of the budget that was passed last year.
The IFO will be focused heavily on three major issues during the 2020 session:
Final ratification of the IFO contract;
Supplemental campus funding; and
Campus infrastructure investments.
IFO Contract:
The IFO contract has gone into effect and your pay increases and back pay will be included on the February 14 paycheck. However, in order for the contract to permanently go into effect, the legislature must ratify the agreement before they adjourn on May 18. We are confident the IFO/MinnState contract will be ratified – but we will still need members to contact their legislators to gain support. For additional information about the contract please click here.
Supplemental Campus Funding:
The IFO is partnering with MinnState and all other stakeholder groups to secure $54.2 million in supplemental funding. This additional investment fills the gap left by the Higher Education budget passed last session and the request made by our campuses. If fully funded, the supplemental budget request provides a fully-funded tuition freeze and protects our campuses from needing to help fund the NextGen technology modernization. The supplemental budget strengthens the state’s commitment to access and affordability, invests in critical technology infrastructure, and supports student success. NextGen funding supports campus operating budgets because additional NextGen funding reduces the burden placed on campus contributions that universities will need to make. For more information about the supplemental budget request please click here. Below is a breakdown of the supplemental request and the additional investments and tuition increases included as part of the biennial budget passed in 2019.
Campus Infrastructure Investments:
Across our great state, the 54 campuses of the Minnesota State system - containing nearly 22.5 million square feet of academic buildings - serve Minnesotans by providing world-class higher education. To deliver on this responsibility, the System is seeking $271.2 million in funding in the 2020 legislative session for a capital investment program that improves campus facilities, enhancing our ability to serve our more than 350,000 students. These investments, comprising $230.8 million in state financing and $40.4 million in college and university support, will reduce operating expenses and directly impact student success through improved teaching, learning, and support spaces.
The top priority of the request is the $150 million for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR). HEAPR investments provide for more than 100 campus projects across the state addressing the most basic needs for updated roofs, windows, and exterior walls, as well as efficient and effective mechanical and utility systems.
In addition, the request includes $121.2 million for 15 major, campus-specific capital projects across the state. 4 Universities (MSU-Moorhead, MSU, Mankato, Winona State, Metro State) are included in the campus-specific projects, totaling more than $31 million.
Together, the requested HEAPR and major capital project funding will:
improve campus teaching and learning environments and improve student outcomes;
reduce operating expenses and ease pressure on campus operating budgets;
enhance science, technology, engineering, math, allied health, technical, business, and education classrooms and labs; and
streamline student support services to increase student success.
To read the full capital investment request please click here.
Other Legislative Priorities:
In addition to the three main legislative priorities, the IFO will also be advocating for:
legislative initiatives which respect the inherent worth and dignity of all students, faculty, and staff and which foster an actively engaged learning community based on justice, equity, and inclusiveness in a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment;
protecting academic freedom from misguided or one-size-fits-all legislative proposals that do not respect campus autonomy or local control;
increasing the employer contribution rate for faculty in the Individual Retirement Account Plan (IRAP); and
more! Please click here to review the full list of IFO legislative priorities
If you have any questions or comments please contact me at bohn@ifo.org.
Please watch for action alerts throughout the session and make sure to contact your legislators to let them know what support we need to ensure our students, and State succeed.