Dear Neighbors, Two of the committees I serve on in the Minnesota House, our Higher Education and Human Services Policy committees, have passed our policy proposals off the House floor. Similar to what we did with our budget bills last year, once the House and Senate pass their own policy proposals, we’ll then work together to craft identical legislation that’ll pass each chamber a final time in order to be sent to Governor Walz. In our Higher Education Committee, our bill ensures the full implementation of the investments we made last year, focusing on policies that equip the Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, and the University of Minnesota with the tools they need. We’re also putting forward policies that support our students, make our campuses safer, and train the workforce of tomorrow. A highlight of the bill expands the state’s workforce development scholarships. In 2017, the Legislature established a state workforce development scholarship program that has provided funding for hundreds of $2,500 scholarships. In order to build the clean energy workforce of the future, the legislation adds the energy sector to the list of the program’s applicable, high-demand fields. |