Gov. Walz's summer reading: University regent applications
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Gov. Tim Walz gets to tap four new University of Minnesota Regents this summer, giving the DFL governor rare influence to shape the flagship university's 12-member governing board.
Why it matters: The appointments come at a pivotal time for the U, which is grappling with federal funding cuts, uncertainty over its international student visas and a Trump administration probe into anti-semitism on campus.
- The board, which sets the U's $5 billion budget, has faced intensifying scrutiny in recent months over steep tuition hikes and a controversial policy on faculty speech.
State of play: Walz's received about two dozen applications for the four unpaid openings, which include two at-large seats, one student post and a 5th Congressional District representative.
Zoom in: Some notable names in the mix include former Minnesota Hillel executive director Benjamin Kaplan, former Tim Pawlenty aide Dan Wolter, philanthropist and Democratic donor Ellen Luger, former U.S. ambassador to Norway Samuel Heins and former Comcast executive John Gibbs.
How we got here: The state Constitution gives the Minnesota Legislature the power to elect regents to oversee the university and it operations.
- In early January, a legislative advisory counsel tasked with reviewing the initial batch of 40-some applications recommended 14 finalists for the six-year terms.
Yes, but: This year's divided Legislature deadlocked over how to proceed, and lawmakers adjourned without holding a joint convention to make the picks.
- Under the law, that gives Walz the opportunity to fill the seats himself with interim members who will serve out the terms until the Legislature acts to replace them.
Friction point: GOP Rep. Marion Rarick, a co-chair of the House Higher Education Committee, told Axios she's "very disappointed that the Legislature... did not fulfill our responsibility" after months of work.
- She criticized Democrats for what she characterized as a refusal to move forward, and theorized that they kicked the decision to the governor amid intra-caucus divisions over whom to pick.
The other side: Legislative Democrats have said there simply wasn't time to finish the task amid the broader budget stalemate, which was resolved in a special session last month.
- House Higher Education Chair Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud) and Senate Higher Education Chair Omar Fateh (DFL-Minneapolis) did not comment in response to a request sent via caucus spokespeople.
What we're hearing: Rarick said she hopes the governor taps individuals who will act independently, ask tough questions and "not just be a rubber stamp" for the administration's requests.
- She's also lobbying for at least one of the picks to be Jewish, in light of what she described as members of the Jewish population feeling unsafe amid the debate over campus protests related to the war in Gaza.
Between the lines: While governors sometimes get to fill vacancies mid-term — Walz himself has had two such appointments— it's rare that they get to name a full slate.
- The last time that happened was in 2001, when Gov. Jesse Ventura filled five open seats.
What's next: Walz told reporters Wednesday that he plans to discuss the applications with staff next week.