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State Representative Tim Mahoney
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4277
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
ONGOING FUNDING FOR ROCHESTER BIOSCIENCE PROGRAM APPROVED BY MN HOUSE
To the Editor:
I am extremely pleased that the Minnesota House of Representatives has provided long-term, ongoing funding for the U of M – Mayo Clinic Biotechnology and Medical Genomics Partnership by passing the Higher Education and Economic Development legislation on the House floor this week. This legislation will adequately fund a program that has consistently delivered positive results for the Rochester community, for this state, for science, and ultimately for an industry that looms so large in our future.
As Chair of the Biosciences and Emerging Technologies Committee in the House, I have been working hard all session with my legislative colleagues from Rochester – Rep. Kim Norton, Rep. Tina Liebling, and Rep. Andy Welti – to ensure that the Partnership received this funding for research and innovation in the biosciences.
Rep. Kim Norton, who serves as Vice Chair of the Biosciences Committee, was particularly instrumental in the effort to provide this funding for the Partnership. I am pleased to report that her diligent efforts have achieved great things for the Rochester community. Rep. Liebling and Rep. Welti were extremely helpful in this effort as well.
However, I cannot say the same for Rochester Rep. Randy Demmer, who during debate of this legislation on the House floor introduced an amendment to provide only one lump payment of one-time money for the Partnership that would not sustain the program on a long-term basis. Had Demmer's amendment prevailed, the Partnership would have been denied the funding to conduct long-term research projects, hire scientists to do that research, or offer those scientists long-term research contracts.
Rep. Demmer's amendment would have been detrimental to the U of M – Mayo Clinic Biotechnology and Medical Genomics Partnership, and to the Rochester community as a whole. It would have only funded the program for a limited time – ultimately limiting the program's capacity for longevity, scientific progress, and economic development.
I cannot personally understand why an elected official would try to cut corners on a significant and extremely beneficial investment in his own community or attempt to undercut efforts of his fellow Rochester legislators. But I felt strongly that it was my responsibility to inform the people of Rochester of the great investment it will be receiving – no thanks to Rep. Randy Demmer.
Tim Mahoney
State Representative
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