[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6569901,"mediaKeyId","3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e","parentId",3242677,"title","Minnesota State warns of tuition choices as campuses face budget pressure; board considers scenarios, trustees to decide in June","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",10464000,"endMs",10619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e&start=10464&end=10619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e/thumbnail_10464000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569901/Minnesota/Minnesota-State-warns-of-tuition-choices-as-campuses-face-budget-pressure-board-considers-scenarios-trustees-to-decide-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569901-18cd87016faeae92bcaa623b65f85b03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189610&Signature=a9kw6c1Wp-2hHdJGMcGPRuPl~7BDK8qJqDQ6M1PLc0J64cta0GILNm7hoKRAniUC0N3Ys52s6E5TEK03xbPUsmXpNxRptn6od9waZ5w7m0NiJE-iRYwNzakjbYOwnRI-JvJLpK8nnsiFu3N24PndIDHnr3MKCDsOXXriZxwNyokfMrQ98lbB3fyeCHijBOSYd3k~jDiug1z45PFUSObAB41snK36a~HXfC1v7e6ccECU3foNTk1sq7vRMQ-Drf2XBbBWAiCj~Fmvkg7pge6H-oSwiKZTcrxYZXH8UN3VxoiXfWsaM5JLL5m8vrKeJO9rbdBQpbvLPrZ5H4Q8wAfMLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-05-09T02:56:17Z","article","Minnesota State leaders told the Higher Education Conference Committee that the system is facing significant budget pressures and that campuses will need to make difficult choices if additional state operating support is not provided.

Bernie Oman, senior leader for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, said board leadership has considered multiple tuition scenarios and is consulting campuses, students and community partners. \"They brought in scenarios of 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9%. And then, of course, the headline was Minnesota State is considering an 18% increase over the biennium. That's not where that board is going,\" Oman said, asking members to treat headlines and social media speculation cautiously.

Why it matters: Minnesota State said tuition increases would be a last resort to cover inflationary inputs and program costs, especially in career and technical programs that have high per‑student costs. Campus leaders said some programs lose money per enrolled student and warned of program cuts and staffing reductions if funding is insufficient.

Union and student perspectives: Union and campus witnesses said further reductions to Minnesota State or failure to provide operating support would force campus tuition increases, staff layoffs and program closures. Jess Schimick, a college lab assistant and AFSCME member, told the committee trustees should keep local consultation and that tuition rises are a painful but inevitable lever when state revenue does not match rising costs. MAPE and IFO representatives urged the Legislature to find additional operating dollars to prevent destabilization at smaller greater‑Minnesota campuses.

Next steps: Minnesota State leaders said the system chancellor will present a tuition recommendation to the Board of Trustees for initial review and a final decision in June. Conference committee chairs said they will not adopt budget actions until the committee sets a target.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conference Committee on HF2431 5/8/25","oneSentenceSummary","Minnesota State leaders told the conference committee campuses face inflationary pressures and may need tuition increases if the Legislature does not provide new operating support. System leaders said the board considered a range of scenarios and that media reports of an 18% tuition increase were inaccurate.","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},6569907,"University cannabis research center urges conference committee to preserve state funding as dispensaries approach opening",6180,474000,6654000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e&start=474&end=6654","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e/thumbnail_474000.jpg","/articles/6569907/Minnesota/University-cannabis-research-center-urges-conference-committee-to-preserve-state-funding-as-dispensaries-approach-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569907-f869cc56c9d643674815369b53e6f0bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189610&Signature=hSGxPQt~jOPVjlKipPe76DJpSH-FIUz6rTjWgWA5ssPU441bwLocX9RB1AQdfGciBc50sRkkrY0swGVjqPqox8ps-F8QLzP9S6sm~nrjktqCppD4RgVE5JEdkgC7SEkwFSuYNRwf5M0KlCRO5Nv4RFMd5QToLF-2G8a3FtCecZNkY1QBnyLdpFTKGpv1CmGBKrgjKxszotuVXhLkXiq9GGcfHRhdbU1r~C89FLCEca5LokCtoKyv91K7PZ1Lk2TA-nkQ~KPhrsszO7azariMdBODGooGmBFF4ii4fkRfQZg~u42O6Fp9yxQdXLoMr5CKker1jwjWVPZ5ntMbb-zriA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The University of Minnesota’s cannabis research center told the Higher Education Conference Committee that state funding is critical to produce Minnesota‑specific, timely research on public‑health consequences of cannabis legalization and to support prevention, treatment and implementation work.

\"The charge of the center is to conduct independent research to assess health effects, related to cannabis legalization and cannabis,\" Tracy Toomey, director of the Cannabis Research Center at the School of Public Health, said. \"This is not the time to stop the critical research that is needed right now in Minnesota.\"

Background and the bills: The research center was funded in 2023. Nonpartisan analysts noted the House side consolidates a $6.5 million per‑biennium cannabis research appropriation into operations and includes it; the Senate columns show an elimination of the dedicated cannabis research appropriation. The House and Senate side‑by‑side thus present conflicting treatments of the line.

Why state funding matters, supporters said: Toomey told the committee state dollars allow the center to be nimble — launching projects in a month or two — and to collect local data that federal surveys may not capture. Researchers said Minnesota‑specific evidence will be useful to colleges, public‑health agencies and K‑12 systems confronting youth vaping and new retail products.

Fiscal and schedule notes: Committee staff said the 2023 chapter that created the center appears as a general‑fund appropriation in prior session law; advocates stressed that revenue from taxed adult cannabis sales had been intended to offset legalization costs over time but retail sales and tax receipts are not yet in place.

Closing: Toomey and other witnesses urged the conference committee to include continuing, dedicated funding for the Minnesota Public Health Cannabis Research Center so the program can respond once retail dispensaries open across the state.

","The director of the University of Minnesota’s newly created cannabis research center said state funding is essential for Minnesota‑focused, real‑time research on legalization’s health effects and implementation. The House and Senate differ on whether to maintain a dedicated appropriation for cannabis research.",{"_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},6569911,"University of Minnesota warns that Senate rider eliminations would force cuts to geological survey, Bell Museum and other programs",7387,1695000,9082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e&start=1695&end=9082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e/thumbnail_1695000.jpg","/articles/6569911/Minnesota/University-of-Minnesota-warns-that-Senate-rider-eliminations-would-force-cuts-to-geological-survey-Bell-Museum-and-other-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569911-f0229a75fe086c064bfc9141c2c7e25d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189610&Signature=eKOmzfmXsY1qHnX2qkqBWJ8FqTdqtmcv9K25iGrsyS0x3T4p~53NSO5gOdtWaru7CIxwig77zxondoKtmXJSCdoJwe6pOP4fSnEpiVGsFsHlhCvt0yTq-f5HZzHGkm4GWruiurDiXuvmkt0TS9J8HnDUWrPxJEbMRtQLKSdSfS-vScYCUU~BdE-lcS8lacgnnQlpiEA8QpmNhuMw8uscY7WAkO8LdW~2YiRMJS83~bBaZqd6clPRS1KyayjfEZpN1xs~8GgXAqIBLqdpkdpb6utTwshNjsaybVnAvamMkd9TxyiuRdZKsbJyWfXqpQtRwAc5p9HP5ZiMihZYOYLyag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","University of Minnesota officials and program directors told the Higher Education Conference Committee that the Senate bill’s proposed eliminations of multiple state special appropriations could force program closures, staff reductions and diminished service to state agencies.

\"We do not have sufficient discretionary resources to absorb these cuts internally,\" Christine Keel, interim director of government and community relations for the University of Minnesota, said. She listed several items singled out in the Senate proposal, including the Minnesota Geological Survey, the Bell Museum, the Humphrey Forum and the talented youth mathematics program. \"Without that additional support, we will be forced to scale back or in some cases fully sunset those long‑standing programs that have had meaningful statewide impact,\" Keel said.

Minnesota Geological Survey: impact and numbers

Bob Tipping, director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, told the committee the survey’s state appropriation dates to 1961 and provides foundational maps and hydrogeologic data used by public‑safety, environmental and infrastructure agencies. He said the state appropriation amounts to roughly 30% of the Survey’s annual income and that eliminating it would be ‘‘equivalent of 7 FTEs for a staff of about 30 people.’’ Tipping described practical consequences: faster answers for county and state officials on nitrate and PFAS impacts to groundwater, more timely technical support for permitting and siting, and resources used directly by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources and local governments.

Bell Museum, outreach and students

Bell Museum representatives said their appropriation supports scientific collections, the online Minnesota biodiversity atlas and student employment. \"We steward $280,000 biennial appropriation for over five decades,\" a Bell Museum witness told the committee, saying cuts would reduce staffing and delay services for state agencies and K‑12 outreach.

What the bills say and next steps

Nonpartisan analysts walking through the side‑by‑side noted the Senate bill eliminates several base riders (system special and college special appropriations) that the House leaves intact or moves into operations. Committee members did not vote; chairs said the conference committee will revisit these technical items after budget targets are set.

","Senate language in the higher‑education side‑by‑side would remove several University of Minnesota state special appropriations, including the Minnesota Geological Survey and the Bell Museum. University officials and the survey director told the conference committee the cuts would eliminate services and staff and delay work used by state agencies.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569915,"Researchers, advocates urge conference committee to reject House cuts to spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research funding",7836,99000,7935000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e&start=99&end=7935","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6569915/Minnesota/Researchers-advocates-urge-conference-committee-to-reject-House-cuts-to-spinal-cord-and-traumatic-brain-injury-research-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569915-7e98465a066fc8611af1b985dd9a7ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189610&Signature=F8bnASFP1bskcofcHmAwrZMOOeHFyfHlS7ZiVN7r8dpohwm9-f8baN-ClB~ngTzQJWq86G6KqOOYSyczp~ZHGFqTB41DMOACI~KRqtalALVrPrZHikujTMzJ9Mgf3k0Sq~aTGUENY2gZzmmfzG~M9Ck71i0rhMthyScs3WmyvueRQEVlmUerej4pMal0og95GNT82OInT0rycqWW53AF4KodbchjonVxtnL51R9YT7yi1~e5NxeHHXqn7KNyfeDjXFDy2xCuOLkyi4x8DOISXZW0PuTC3wje~bmojYcgp78DVZDveeYidh--ohKNrTDI1JYIPUAJSfN-bVEmHSeJsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Advocates, clinicians and research leaders told the Higher Education Conference Committee on May 6 that the House proposal to cut the state’s spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research appropriation would jeopardize clinical trials, translational projects and patient care.

Rob Woodlick, a spinal cord injury advocate, told the committee the program has supported “groundbreaking treatments for neuropathic pain” and enabled spinal‑cord stimulation work that has restored some function for patients. \"We bring in outside funding now quite a bit. But I'm really here to express my strongest opposition to the proposed house cut,\" Woodlick said, describing the House change as a deep reduction from current funding levels.

Matthew Roderick, executive director of Unite to Fight Paralysis, told members the program fills a gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application. He described the program’s work as increasing the number of people in trials and creating local capacity for translational research.

What the committee heard: Nonpartisan staff flagged the spinal cord and traumatic brain injury grant item in their spreadsheet. The House position shown in the committee document would reduce the appropriation; the spreadsheet lists a House‑only reduction line for the item. Supporters argued state funding leverages federal and private grants, trains students and generates economic return by seeding commercialization.

Stakeholder point of view: Advocates repeatedly framed the line item as seed research that has a direct path to patient outcomes. \"People with spinal cord injuries having orgasms for the first time, being able to go to the bathroom without a catheter, standing, reduction of neuropathic pain\" — outcomes cited by advocates — are the kinds of clinical changes the program is supporting, Roderick told the committee.

Next steps and context: Committee chairs said budgetary choices will be taken up after the conference committee agrees a target. Stakeholders urged members to preserve the Senate or current funding level so projects and partnerships underway are not interrupted.

","Advocates and researchers told the conference committee that proposed House reductions to the spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research program would halt ongoing clinical work and undermine translation of discoveries into care. The Senate retains larger funding; the House proposed substantial cuts in its spreadsheet.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":104,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":107,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569918,"Conference committee begins negotiations to close $239 million state grant gap; House, Senate differ on parameters and tuition cap",2272,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3242677-4bd8368798d55761695bbea4979d301e&start=99&end=2371","/articles/6569918/Minnesota/Conference-committee-begins-negotiations-to-close-239-million-state-grant-gap-House-Senate-differ-on-parameters-and-tuition-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569918-fb2551211f4f1b12208a83eefd9df0c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189610&Signature=g-LbBGT2DlVFOUDaJlrpXzeJV-SjML6yro8KweDVVb8Qybjk8CqoAcz2tQhSqdJfljVEplM9BMZDOimWOX7BrEkRO8EIYKv~rcuv0DeuNMgl85spNNxHsJicUds71g1m9Ocs1BKZZXlIcBXIbtc3rfsTIBcXaKe8xcZdjNA8A9zdjbsJC9d4oCf4RXTR3gvtenmqnTumzp8y2NzCoE66tvRxNEVhQ9U7T0JBuLUAD2jFwt~fWGfKSk8CXeedKdQp24Zte9XyDvYouXtkLBLeUC0tfK8DaU0D4IonJkJDnr~jieokPnANEGF4aWfPYn6LIiyy4p9HJMyXn0gy9FPN8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Conference committee chairs and nonpartisan analysts on May 6 opened public negotiations on competing House and Senate higher‑education plans to address an estimated $239 million shortfall in the Minnesota State Grant program for fiscal 2026–27.

Nonpartisan fiscal analysts told the committee the gap reflects the difference between the program’s current statutory parameters and projected need. \"For reference in the 2627 biennium, there is about a $239,000,000 difference between the base level of state grant program appropriations and projected spending based on the parameters currently in statute,\" Megan Bursch, nonpartisan fiscal analyst supporting the Senate Higher Education Committee, said.

Why it matters: State grants help low‑ and moderate‑income Minnesotans pay tuition. The committee must combine appropriations, statutory parameter changes and rationing options to prevent deep cuts to awards in 2026–27.

What the bills do: The House and Senate both propose a mix of spending changes and parameter adjustments but take different approaches on key levers.

- Tuition cap: The House bill would limit tuition increases tied to state grant coverage to 1% in a year, a change fiscal staff estimated would save roughly $17 million in the 2026–27 biennium by capping the portion state grants can cover if institutions raise tuition above that level. Chairs debated that cap as a tool for savings.

- Assigned family responsibility (AFR) / Student Aid Index (SAI): The bills differ on how to count parental contribution and how to treat negative SAI values. The Senate would recognize parental contribution at 100% for dependent students; the House retains a 79% AFR. On negative SAI values, the House would treat negative parental or student contributions as zero; the Senate would recognize negative contributions down to a floor of negative $1,500.

- Rationing and surplus rules: The Senate bill would suspend Office of Higher Education surplus‑award procedures to allow carrying unspent grant dollars into FY2029; the House would keep a different set of carryforward and retention rules.

Debate and technical input: Committee members pressed nonpartisan staff for detail and asked the Office of Higher Education to explain fraud concerns raised during discussion. Dennis Olsen, commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, told the committee that the agency has not found evidence that the SAI component of the formula has been subject to fraud. \"There is really no evidence around the SAI piece of this formula that would suggest ... fraudulent activity,\" Olsen said, urging the committee to retain flexibility because of rapidly changing federal proposals affecting Pell grants and other federal aid.

Members emphasized they did not want to adopt final parameter changes that would materially change the fiscal note before the conference committee agreed a dollar target. \"I don't wanna necessarily put us in a position where we've accepted certain things that we now may want to reconsider accepting once a target has sort of been agreed upon,\" Sen. Duckworth said.

Next steps: Chairs said they will mark same‑and‑similar policy language tomorrow and will not finalize budget actions until a target is set. The committee scheduled a reconvening the next day to adopt agreed technical language and continue negotiations on the grants gap.

Ending note: Committee members repeatedly cited federal uncertainty — possible Pell changes and other federal proposals — as a reason to pair statutory parameter changes with appropriation adjustments and to preserve flexibility in state law.

","Conference committee members reviewed competing House and Senate higher‑education proposals that leave an estimated $239 million gap in the Minnesota State Grant program for FY2026–27. The bills differ on how to allocate new money, cap tuition increases, and set aid‑calculation rules that determine award size.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Minnesota State warns of tuition choices as campuses face budget pressure; board considers scenarios, trustees to decide in June

University cannabis research center urges conference committee to preserve state funding as dispensaries approach opening

University of Minnesota warns that Senate rider eliminations would force cuts to geological survey, Bell Museum and other programs

Researchers, advocates urge conference committee to reject House cuts to spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research funding

Conference committee begins negotiations to close $239 million state grant gap; House, Senate differ on parameters and tuition cap