House passes $4 billion higher education finance bill after suspending rules to take up Senate File 1

The Minnesota House passed Senate File 1 (House File 6), a $4 billion higher education finance and policy bill, after Representative Niska moved to suspend the rules so the measure could receive its final readings and a roll-call vote. The clerk recorded a final vote of 95 ayes and 36 nays; Olsen (participating remotely) was recorded as voting yes.

The bill, described on the floor as the session's higher education budget bill, closes a projected $239,000,000 shortfall in the state grant program through a combination of cuts and new funding, preserves the North Star Promise last-dollar program for families earning $80,000 or less, and increases the Fostering Independence grant program by $8,000,000, sponsors said. Representative Wolgamott, the bill author, said, "This is the higher education budget bill," and urged members to support the motion to bring the bill forward.

Why it matters: lawmakers and supporters said fixing the state grant shortfall will materially affect students who faced reduced awards earlier in the year. Representative Coulter warned that federal changes…