ST. PAUL – Today, the Minnesota House passed the Omnibus Higher Education bill on a vote of 77-53. The investments in the bill fall well below the requests of the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems, and funding for the Minnesota State Grant Program is just a fraction of that proposed by Governor Dayton.
Rep. Ben Lien (DFL – Moorhead) released the following statement:
"The House Higher Education Bill underfunds higher education across Minnesota, and doesn't treat all of higher education equitably. It would lead to tuition increases or campus cuts.
"At a time when our state budget is healthy, we need to adequately fund higher education for the benefit of Minnesota's economy and students. About 75 percent of the jobs in Minnesota require some form of post-secondary education. This is about keeping our economy strong and providing a path for all Minnesotans to better themselves."
Rep. Lien represents the communities of Moorhead and Oakport Township in the Minnesota House. He can be reached at 651-296-5515 or at rep.ben.lien@house.mn.