The Minnesota Senate’s bonding recommendations released Monday included a $160.7 million allocation for the University of Minnesota, slightly more than Gov. Mark Dayton’s recommendation earlier this year.
The House of Representatives’ higher education committee recommended appropriating $100 million toward the University’s Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement alone, whereas Dayton proposed $153.3 million for University projects.
They fall short of University President Eric Kaler’s request of $236.3 million from the state for new buildings, renovations and academic investments.
The Senate’s recommendations included funding for a Chemistry and Advanced Materials Science Building on the University’s Duluth campus and facilities for plant growth research and health sciences education on the Twin Cities campus.
The Senate bill recommends $61.5 million for HEAPR, falling short of the University’s $100 million request.
Kaler called the Senate bill a “very positive sign of the committee’s commitment to higher education and a demonstration of the University’s value to Minnesota.”
