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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Charlie Vander Aarde 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
POPPE APPLAUDS MNSCU REFORM IN HIGHER ED BILL
(ST. PAUL) – State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) supported two amendments that were successfully added to the House higher education omnibus finance bill. The amendments were identical to provisions in HF1108, a bill sponsored by Poppe and Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL-Winona).
“When the state is drastically cutting funding to our colleges and universities, those systems need to implement meaningful reform," explained Poppe. “MnSCU needs to streamline and focus more of its resources to the classroom.” The final bill, which funds the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system, cuts $411 million in state support. This includes a 17.7% cut to the University of Minnesota and a 15.9% cut to MnSCU. “This bill reverts higher education funding back to 1998 levels,” said Poppe.
On a bipartisan vote of 89-38, the first amendment reduced salaries and bonuses to top MnSCU administrators. On a voice vote, the second amendment directed the MnSCU system office to streamline operations, creating efficiencies across programs and campuses.
“Minnesotans cannot justify escalating salaries and bonuses for administrators,” said Poppe. The first amendment would cap wages for administrators at the level of the Governor’s salary, about $120,000; currently, the MnSCU chancellor earns about $360,000 per year. “Rising tuition is making college prohibitive for too many students and families. Student debt is a real concern across the state.”
“MnSCU has too many redundant systems,” explained Poppe. The second amendment directs MnSCU to perform a comprehensive evaluation and develop recommendations for improved effectiveness and increased efficiency. “There are overlapping functions that must be addressed to reduce costs. We must find more ways to keep more resources in the classroom.”
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News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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