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Legislative Network Update

"Minnesotans will be sorry if they let U decline"

A column by Lori Sturdevant titled "Minnesotans will be sorry if they let U decline," published on January 9, 2005, in the Star Tribune, made the case for strong public investment in the U during this legislative session.

Sturdevant, editorial writer for the Star Tribune, will be the keynote speaker at the Legislative Briefing on Thursday, January 27th. Get more information about the briefing or register.

Governor Pawlenty makes bonding bill recommendations

On Monday, January 3, 2005, Governor Pawlenty announced his recommendations for the state's 2005 bonding bill. The governor recommended that $100.3 million be allocated to the University for capital improvement projects. While this year's recommendation is higher than last year's, it does not cover all the funds required to complete the University's much-needed projects. The University's total request to the state is $192.1 million. Funds will be allocated to specific building and infrastructure improvements on the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Morris campuses.

See a breakdown of the Governor's recommendations for the U and the state (pdf).

President Bruininks to testify before senate higher education budget division

President Bruininks will testify before the Senate Higher Education Budget Division on January 20 at the state capital at 12 p.m. in room 123. He will give a presentation on the University's 2006-2007 biennial budget request.

Feature Story

Fighting prostate cancer

Lord Frederic Leighton's Flaming June. Research at the U's Center for Prostate Cancer may offer new, comprehensive treatment options and a brighter future for patients.

Web Highlight

New look for Legislative Network site

The Legislative Network launched its redesigned Web site in early 2005. On the homepage, users can sign up for the Network, participate in the latest advocacy campaign, read news on the blog, link to upcoming event pages, and read the current month's newsletter. A "My To Do List" tells advocates what they can do to support the U. The left navigation links take visitors to secondary pages on the site. The issues page is where members can find in-depth information on the U's legislative issues. The 2006-2007 biennial budget information will be posted on the issues page next week. Check back for updates.

Visit the Legislative Network site.

Did You Know?

Extension Service

The University of Minnesota Extension service offers programming in every county in Minnesota. Find information and services related to parenting, agricultural production, youth development, gardening, and business retention and expansion on their Web site. Search and register for workshops scheduled in your county.

Visit the Extension Service site.

Contact your legislators - Urge legislators to Reverse the Trend!

Help make sure the U is a priority for legislators this session. Contact your legislators now as they begin to discuss the U's legislative requests. Tell them why investment in the U is important to the future of our state. The preformatted letter on the Legislative Network site makes sending a letter quick and easy. Encourage friends and family to e-mail their legislators as well.

Send a letter to your legislator.

Tell a friend to send a letter to their legislator.

Upcoming Events

-- Constituent Meetings (Jan)
-- Workshop on communicating effectively with legislators (Jan 24)
-- Legislative Briefing (Jan 27)
-- Regent Candidate Forum (Feb 1)
-- Maroon and Gold Day at the Capitol (Feb 16)

Volunteer of the Month

Susan Wells

Susan Wells. Susan Wells, a Legislative Network member and faculty member in the School of Social Work, decided to get involved with the Network because she has been concerned with the declining state support for the U. "Funding has been going down over the last several years and there has not been the kind of outcry from the public that I was expecting or hoped for."

January Question

The Legislative Network's Web site has a new look. Tell us what you think.

Submit Web site feedback.

College Corner

College of Biological Sciences

Drawing on experiments with blue jays, a team of researchers from the College of Biological Sciences has found what may be the evolutionary basis for impulsive behavior. Their work may help explain why many modern-day humans find it so hard to turn down an immediate reward-for example, food, money, sex or euphoria-rather than investing and waiting for a bigger reward later.

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