Legislative Information

Minnesota State is the most powerful and effective resource that the state has to ensure opportunity and prosperity for its citizens and communities. Across our great state, the 54 campuses of the Minnesota State system - containing nearly 22.5 million square feet of academic buildings - serve Minnesotans by providing hope and opportunity through higher education. Our 26 colleges and 7 universities contribute to an engaged, equitable, and productive society and serve as catalysts for social and economic vibrancy. They are places of hope and opportunity for Minnesotans who strive to create a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

In 2023, the colleges and universities of Minnesota State generated an economic impact of $8.4 billion in the state: $4.7 billion direct and $3.7 billion indirect and induced. This impact is the result of operational spending, capital spending (10-year average), payroll and benefits paid to employees, student spending, and visitor spending. Based upon this impact, $1 out of every $49 in the Minnesota economy is supported by Minnesota State.

Our Capital Request

We seek $464 million in funding in the 2026 legislative session for a capital program for:

Asset Preservation (HEAPR funding): $200 million

• Provides for campus projects across the state addressing the most basic needs for updated roofs, windows, and exterior walls, as well as efficient and effective mechanical and utility systems.

Major capital project funding:$225.5 million

• Funding for four major, campus-specific capital projects. All of these projects are ready to begin construction, having received design funding in prior legislative sessions.

• Maintain the 2025 biennial budget funding requests of two systemwide initiatives: demolition and learning environments and equipment.
  • Demolition: $25 million to remove obsolete and underutilized buildings and infrastructure and restore vacant sites to a usable state
  • Learning Environment Renovations and Equipment: $13.5 million to renovate and update facilities to create modern, collaborative learning spaces that reflect industry standards, such as simulation labs, workshop and garage upgrades, applied clinical learning spaces and teaching laboratories.

Together, the requested HEAPR and major capital project funding will:

• Reinvest in buildings and infrastructure to extend and maximize useful life while ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff and community
• Improve campus teaching and learning environments to improve student outcomes
• Reduce operating expenses and ease pressure on campus operating budgets
• Demolish obsolete buildings and restore vacant site to a usable state
• Enhance science, technology, engineering, math, allied health, technical, law enforcement, business, and education classrooms and labs
  
  

Other Reference Materials: