Legislative session to deal with key U of M issues

By John R. Finnegan, Jr.
Dean and Professor
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Feb. 18, 2008

The Minnesota Legislature is back in session. Even though this is the "off-year" of the biennium, there are several key issues that affect the University of Minnesota and the School of Public Health. Now is the time for all good people to make known their opinions to their legislators on these issues:

• The University is seeking the Legislature's agreement to permit it to sell $300 million in bonds to build four additional research buildings with laboratories over the next five years -- backed by the "full faith and credit" of the state. The buildings will support research in heart disease, cancer, infectious diseases, and neurosciences. There will be a hearing on the matter next week at the Capitol, around 2:15 p.m., Thursday, February 21. Watch the University's State and Federal Government Relation s Web site for details: www1.umn.edu/urelate/govrel/


• Light Rail Transit is being planned for the "Central Corridor" that will run through the University of Minnesota campus on Washington Avenue. The issues now are cost and congestion. The Metropolitan Council essentially has ruled out a tunnel on Washington Avenue for cost reasons, but running LRT on Washington with its current auto traffic would likely be a nightmare. Re-routing traffic north of campus might be one solution. Let your legislator or Metropolitan Council members know your opinion.


• The Legislature will be considering funding for an SPH-led study exploring the genesis and impact of mesothelioma on the Iron Range among taconite workers. The study is likely to cost about $4.9 million and involves the Medical School and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.