Accessibility menu
State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
NEWS COLUMN
REP. KIM NORTON'S STATEMENTS FROM HOUSE FLOOR REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
HIGHER EDUCATION OMNIBUS BILL
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 record amounts 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 Omnibus Bill passed Thursday afternoon by a vote of 95-37. It 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.
MEDICAL GENOMICS PARTNERSHIP
As Vice-Chair of the Biosciences and Emerging Technologies Committee and a resident of Rochester, I am especially encouraged and extremely pleased that this proposal includes an initiative I carried this session to provide ongoing funding for the MN Biotechnology and Medical Genomics Partnership (U of M – Mayo Clinic). 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.
I am hopeful that the bill will be signed into law this session.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OMNIBUS BILL
This bill helps Minnesotans have meaningful employment with safe working conditions, the promise of home ownership, and the opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge technology.
The legislation includes a broad variety of initiatives designed to tap into the growing bioscience and emerging technologies field, including a grant of $38 million over four years for a University of Minnesota - Mayo Clinic collaborative research partnership in biotechnology and medical genomics.
The bill makes needed reforms to improve conditions for Minnesota workers, including protecting the financial stability of the workforce development fund - which supports laid off workers during job transitions –and addressing the shortage of health care workers with a $23 million investment in health worker training.
I am particularly encouraged that the bill includes an initiative I authored that establishes a program for job skills training in Rochester.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s 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)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.