University of Minnesota, Minnesota State colleges make plea for state funding boost U and Minnesota State systems face large budget deficits due to pandemic. January 12, 2021 8:40pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Leaders from the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State college systems pleaded for a state funding boost during a virtual Senate committee hearing Tuesday, telling lawmakers their investment is necessary to meet a growing number of student needs.
The state s two public college systems are seeking relief as they wrestle with daunting budget deficits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The U is grappling with an estimated $166 million shortfall while Minnesota State faces a $51 million hole this fiscal year.
Scott McMahon, a senior lobbyist with the Flaherty & Hood, P.A., law firm, is the new executive director for the Greater Minnesota Partnership (GMNP).
McMahon, who has worked with the partnership since 2017, lobbying to address Greater Minnesota’s child care shortage while working with the organization’s growing membership.
He was appointed to the executive director’s job by the nonprofit’s board of directors, the group said in Jan. 6 press release.
“The leadership he has shown in advancing our policy agenda over the past two years and the effort he has made to strengthen the organization’s statewide presence and financial health made the decision about this transition easy and seamless for the board,” said the group’s president Heidi Omerza.