Bills Funding Higher Education, Judiciary, Public Safety Before Senate

The Minnesota Senate passed two bills Wednesday, April 25, that would fund higher education institutions, the judiciary and public safety criminal programs.

SF 2415, sponsored by Senator Paul Anderson, R-Plymouth, would add an additional $100 million dollars to higher education systems. Specifically, the bill would cap tuition increases by the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State by 2 percent per year in the coming biennium. The bill also provides an additional $23.4 million dollar increase to the state grant program. It further provides funds to higher education institutions for shaping training programs that meet the local job needs in their communities.

SF 802, carried by Senator Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, provides $2.39 billion dollars for the Department of Corrections, the Judiciary Branch and the criminal divisions within the Department of Public Safety.

According to Limmer, the bill provides $9.5 million dollars in new funds for the hiring of additional correctional officers and security upgrades at state prisons and correctional facilities. The bill also provides $300,000 for security updates in facilities controlled by religious and nonprofit organizations that are likely targets of terrorist groups.

The bill also increases sentencing for producing or selling child pornography; repeals marital rape defense; prohibits police officers from engaging in sexual relationships with anyone in their custody, regardless of consent; and it sets a 120-day period before teachers and coaches may enter a relationship with a former student or athlete.