The University of Minnesota will receive no state funding after the state Legislature failed to pass a roughly $1 billion bonding bill in the waning hours of the legislative session Sunday night.
The University had requested about $236 million from the state to help pay for infrastructure projects and building repairs.
Gov. Mark Dayton originally recommended a $153.3 million distribution to the University. The House recommended $65.8 million, while the Senate suggested $160.7 million be allocated to the school.
An agreement on bonding wasn’t reached before the Legislature adjourned.
At a Monday afternoon press conference, Dayton expressed disappointment with the Legislature’s treatment of the University.
“When you shortchange the University of Minnesota, you shortchange the economic and social vitality of the future of Minnesota all over the state,” he said.
Though Dayton could convene a special session to address unresolved
issues like the bonding bill, he said he was unsure if he would do so.
“I ask the Legislature to increase their allocations to the U of M in the bonding bill, specifically the Health Sciences Education Facility, and I ask Governor Dayton to call a special session to finish this important work,” said University President Eric Kaler said in a statement.
