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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
HOUSE COMES THROUGH ON HIGHER EDUCATION PROPOSAL
To the Editor:
Over the course of the last five years we have seen dramatic state budget cuts that have resulted in a 70% tuition increase in higher education institutions statewide. As a result, Minnesota students are graduating from college with an average $18,500 of debt. In addition, the state has not been providing our colleges, universities, and technical schools the resources they need to be innovative and nation leading.
As a member of the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, I have been working hard with my legislative colleagues, students, and higher education institutions this session to help restore Minnesota's commitment to investing in our future by adequately funding our state's higher education system.
I am pleased to report that the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Omnibus Budget Bill released Tuesday will make significant strides in moving our state forward on higher education. The bill includes:
· $38 million over the next 2 biennium, plus ongoing funding for the U of M Mayo Clinic biotechnology and medical genomics partnership.
· $24 million in scholarship programs and reduced tuition for low and middle-income U of M students.
· $60 million in financial aid, including $12 million in new money.
· Pilot projects to explore the potential for textbook rental and other cost-saving options.
· Post-secondary assistance to Minnesota veterans.
· Expands opportunities for rural high school students by funding the Governor's Achieve II initiative.
· Invests in health workforce training programs to address the shortage of workers.
I am especially encouraged that this proposal includes an initiative I carried this session to provide ongoing funding for the U of M Mayo Clinic biotechnology and medical genomics partnership. Reinvesting in this important program is good for science, good for our state, and good for Rochester.
In developing this final bill, our committee considered more than 100 bills. This bi-partisan initiative combines the best higher education and workforce development ideas into a single package that will alleviate the tuition burden for students, invest in new and innovative programs, and move Minnesota forward.
Kim Norton
State Representative
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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