[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6631898,"mediaKeyId","2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c","parentId",2676256,"title","Bill to increase state grants and create ‘State Grant Plus’ advances after Minnesota Education Equity Partnership testimony","audioSeconds",2418,"startMs",48000,"endMs",2466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c&start=48&end=2466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c/thumbnail_48000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6631898/Minnesota/Bill-to-increase-state-grants-and-create-State-Grant-Plus-advances-after-Minnesota-Education-Equity-Partnership-testimony","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631898-ffc6da566e4b0ab67a9849d7b3708e5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115819&Signature=md2OH8MZh0J42axc0CY9rw6OquAS5Qp7bWS63kOgrLpwcc4cv4MOB9b028St8AG7nOojXUkw8tK6xuyibVbznSC1P2gBn6Ot4AEe2dQU9WXhqU5PlYYnypfIC0gxU-5Ya4n8C2vLj1ebcaFkFb-JdAorBGgViEQ~9uxyaiKTSt7SzuO4R-7~wqzVN~atvx6mNrHL47NsqJfI83gDFosvlhSjT5ZmqVyPi3aI9AxwnpuyFdIX9RPrQ94Ga-zjT1JObETKr0jjXURTwFRd2G0-BZiioN2edPf81nFWWtwR5Tt9nIDu2Hq5s~u7e~f67r2RW7FKiuqhgTC7OG6FRVyeqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-18T23:34:21.81Z","article","Representative Richard Frasier introduced House File 2,090 to the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee as a package of measures aimed at making college more affordable and improving completion rates for underrepresented students.

The bill would increase the state grant living and miscellaneous expense (LME) allowance from 115% to 121% of the federal poverty guideline; create a State Grant Plus scholarship equal to 25% of a student’s existing state grant award; provide one-time grants to nonprofits for FAFSA completion efforts; fund competitive grants supporting retention of low-income students; require multilingual, culturally relevant materials; and create working groups on higher education financial stability and attainment goals. Representative Frasier moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in the higher education finance omnibus bill; the motion was laid over by voice vote.

Why it matters: supporters said the bill responds to rising costs, persistent completion gaps by race and income, and the statewide workforce need for better postsecondary attainment. Carlos Mariani, executive director of the Minnesota Education Equity Partnership (MNEP), reviewed MNEP’s history and said the organization will continue to advise on policy and data-disaggregation to support equity in higher education.

Committee questioning focused on cost and implementation details. Representative Novotny noted the bill’s appropriations were left blank; Dr. John Peterson, senior policy fellow with MNEP, described those blanks as intentional to open policy discussion amid constrained state finances and said modest one-time appropriations (he suggested $50,000) would help produce multilingual FAFSA outreach materials. Dr. Peterson also provided illustrative calculations for the State Grant Plus award using 2024 average state grant amounts: roughly $1,500 at University of Minnesota campuses, $1,450 at nonprofit private institutions, $800 at Minnesota State universities and $350 at Minnesota State colleges, with the Commissioner authorized under the bill to adjust the 25% match level based on appropriation availability.

Several members raised budget concerns. Representative Rarick noted the governor’s proposal would have reduced the LME to 110% and said increasing it to 121% could add roughly $36 million to the state grant shortfall; he and others stressed the state grant program already faces a significant deficit. Supporters responded that the bill’s purpose is to surface proposals and design targeted supports even if funding must be negotiated later.

Student testimony framed the provisions in personal terms. Jamaa Jigo, an Augsburg University student and financial aid recipient, told the committee that increases to LME and the State Grant Plus scholarship would help cover commuting and living costs that otherwise threaten students’ ability to finish degrees.

The committee laid HF 2090 over for possible inclusion in the higher education omnibus bill so fiscal and program details can be developed in subsequent work. The Office of Higher Education would be directed in the bill to convene the working groups and administer competitive grants and reporting required by the proposal.

Votes at a glance: the committee adopted a motion to lay HF 2090 over for possible inclusion in the higher education finance omnibus bill by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the hearing transcript.

Provenance: the committee first heard MNEP testimony introducing the topic at 48.825 seconds into the transcript and the bill was laid over at 2466.715 seconds, where the committee chair renewed the motion to lay HF 2090 over.

What’s next: the bill has been laid over for potential inclusion in the higher education finance omnibus; appropriations and statutory language details will be subject to further committee and caucus negotiation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Richard Frasier introduced House File 2,090 to the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee as a package of measures aimed at making college more affordable and improving completion rates for underrepresented students.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631888,"Committee adopts amendment and re-refers bill creating education benefit for dependents of 100% disabled veterans",1256,4682000,5938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c&start=4682&end=5938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c/thumbnail_4682000.jpg","/articles/6631888/Minnesota/Committee-adopts-amendment-and-re-refers-bill-creating-education-benefit-for-dependents-of-100-disabled-veterans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631888-3d9c5d58dad1c59ff402416a7318ce06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115819&Signature=YWeB0AZXgUcD55jjHLgftyp-E~FZ7ONWFgSGPg9EqPgzC-vDJD0JZC6t6JXeTFieJTeAujNuLdl1UQCicYPSr3LUcaj8ff9pCEf2tscHeOaJnRgl-A5TSlpGwT7y1FJoY2HJWeN2bkW13uXq8MG76BFsuEmj49guKhy3wPsJT6prgZ3Vgo~FZyCFEmHD0MQLw7NWUugOfpCuuOPinttpWB8pYis-VvThvRK7MTICqim5HwtyveDi-j85vNIbR1w7s8sgX9ONpV5X1djNHBxGOt3ocjvQPwRHVzD2dwaCCRYDZXoiogBMKycjbXCKr3xUr6-Z9lIzJUq-~CM3kFywKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Clardy presented House File 982 to establish an education benefit for dependents of veterans with high disability ratings. The committee adopted an author’s amendment (A1) changing the bill’s eligibility threshold language and then re‑referred the bill to the House Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs for further review.

What the bill would do: as presented, the bill would create an education benefit targeted at dependents of veterans with severe service-connected disabilities. Representative Clardy and witnesses framed the proposal as a way to ensure dependents are not financially barred from pursuing postsecondary education because the veteran’s disability reduced household income and increased caregiving responsibilities.

Amendment and drafting questions: the committee adopted an author’s amendment (A1) that revised the disability threshold language to refer to dependents of veterans rated at 100% disability (the bill originally referenced a 70% threshold). Committee members and House Research staff noted drafting complexity: veterans may have multiple disability ratings that can combine to exceed 100%, and the bill’s language created two different eligibility classes with differing award levels (for example, total and permanent disability eligibility language differs from the 100% rating language). House Research advised that stacking of ratings can produce totals above 100% and recommended further review in Veterans and Military Affairs.

Testimony: Alan Gursky, a veteran who identified himself as 100% disabled, described the fixed-income reality for disabled veterans and urged support for an education benefit for dependents approaching college age. Trent Dilkes, legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, said he has worked on similar proposals for more than a decade and urged lawmakers to consider the caregiving burden associated with service-related severe disabilities (traumatic brain injury and PTSD were cited as common high-level disabilities for post-9/11 veterans). Dilkes also noted changes to FAFSA rules that will exclude disability compensation from FAFSA calculations after the 2024–25 school year, which may reduce the federal aid offset and affect fiscal calculations for a state benefit.

Committee motion and referral: the author moved the A1 amendment, the committee adopted it by voice vote, and the chair renewed the motion to re‑refer House File 982 (as amended) to the House Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs; the motion prevailed by voice vote.

Next steps: the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee will review statutory language, eligibility classes, award levels and interactions with existing veteran programs such as the State Soldiers Assistance Program and MDVA-administered benefits. Committee members asked authors to resolve the drafting inconsistency between eligibility criteria and award percentages in follow-up work.

","Representative Clardy's bill to create an education benefit for dependents of veterans with a 100% disability rating was amended and re-referred to the House Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs; witnesses described caregiving burdens and urged lawmakers to consider survivors and dependents of severely disabled veterans.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6631893,"Committee hears request for $3 million to expand CentraCare rural residency programs; members press for fiscal detail",1882,2577000,4459000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c&start=2577&end=4459","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2676256-d638009e89e4047a7dcb721bc37ce01c/thumbnail_2577000.jpg","/articles/6631893/Minnesota/Committee-hears-request-for-3-million-to-expand-CentraCare-rural-residency-programs-members-press-for-fiscal-detail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6631893-7b08ff88307bcf8369754a7be95bf841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771115819&Signature=BUHxPd3AdFHUz2rXVM70XbKbHivRiOhUbsBRnWP2rr9DinThHHulv229mGbAc05q8~KTPviBQuHZB6iwqxEpWeFFiYWPM8ag78a0qGp~s6r6OQUsOr2wo7xlv-2P19wGalMP3WHDt1IwdLIOietix6jDMi6v9R3ibqOrvVEDKDpYjgU9UUins8ERFn3DLmO3EJZQTF6AnV0i~gzwTdtpRZPnT6A102nSsNvqUkPYij3cqX6wfzel-3843n565lT8wXlYYC~yHvG9Ixrj00jpoWZavodQeeQhMZ01uQ18qsMXVNkpj3rJO1aRKVwd8S1sswoH4QdL62T4tLGI1jjvdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Perryman presented House File 2,229, a request for a $3,000,000 legislative named grant for FY 2026–27 to support CentraCare’s rural residency program expansion tied to the new University of Minnesota regional medical campus in St. Cloud. The committee moved and laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the higher education finance omnibus bill.

Why it matters: testifiers said the bill addresses an acute physician shortage in rural Minnesota. Perryman described demographic and workforce data showing fewer physicians practicing in rural areas and warned that an aging rural physician workforce increases the urgency for in-state training that yields physicians likely to remain in rural communities.

Medical education and hospital officials described the local training pipeline and the funding gap. Dr. Shali Prasad, professor of family medicine and associate vice president for rural health at the University of Minnesota, told committee members the first 24 students will matriculate at the St. Cloud regional medical campus this August and emphasized that residency training location is a significant predictor of where physicians ultimately practice. Mike Blair, CentraCare chief financial officer, said CentraCare has invested heavily in the project (including roughly $40 million for facilities to date) and estimated long-term institutional commitments could exceed $120 million over 10 years.

Witnesses and committee members discussed costs and prior state support. Committee members asked for a detailed accounting of how a prior $10 million one-time appropriation was used; Blair said roughly $4 million of that supported medical school startup, $2 million went to residency development, $2 million to a rural-focused research institute and the remainder to scholarships (committee members requested a formal breakdown). CentraCare estimates the average annual cost to train a resident is about $184,000; building to a full complement of 72 residency slots tied to the new campus could create a multi-year structural deficit estimated in the tens of millions (CentraCare estimated roughly $50 million in structural deficit over a longer horizon and an annual structural deficit of about $10 million once fully scaled).

Members pressed on federal funding possibilities. CentraCare said existing federal graduate medical education (GME) payments (direct GME and indirect medical education) and other federal sources cover some costs but do not fully fund new slots; some proposed slots will not be eligible for full federal reimbursement. Testifiers said CentraCare is pursuing philanthropic support (a $50 million campaign), federal grants, Medicaid/Medicare streams and internal subsidy to cover gaps.

Committee members thanked CentraCare for local investment while noting budget constraints in the current session. The motion to lay HF 2,229 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill prevailed by voice vote; the committee directed CentraCare and partners to provide a more detailed accounting of prior and planned spending and to return with specifics to aid legislative decision-making.

","Representative Perryman sought a $3 million legislative grant to support CentraCare and University of Minnesota residency expansion tied to the new St. Cloud medical campus; witnesses described rural physician shortages, startup costs and a projected structural deficit as residency slots grow.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to increase state grants and create ‘State Grant Plus’ advances after Minnesota Education Equity Partnership testimony

Committee adopts amendment and re-refers bill creating education benefit for dependents of 100% disabled veterans

Committee hears request for $3 million to expand CentraCare rural residency programs; members press for fiscal detail