In Minnesota these days, the Governor and the Legislature are bogged down in a budget fight, just like their counterparts in Wisconsin. Money is tight, just as it is in Wisconsin. But there’s an important distinction between the two states: In Minnesota, the university budget is one of the few areas of agreement, not a source of perpetual friction as it is in Wisconsin.
Although Minnesota lawmakers and Governor Tim Pawlenty are behind schedule in most ways in their budget-writing process, they have agreed on spending for the University of Minnesota, even including a modest boost for biotechnology research.