A message from the Academic Health Center Office of Communications, May 9, 2007:

The end of legislative session is near and legislators are still considering support for the Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority. This forward-thinking proposal will continue to build Minnesota's economic future and allow the U of M to make significant headway in the field of biomedicine sciences. Last week, the Star Tribune ran an editorial praising the proposal and supporting its creation. Read the editorial. The existence of this authority would ensure a predictable plan for new research facilities and help the University recruit top researchers. President Bruininks has made this his top priority this session.

Legislators also need to hear from faculty about this important priority. The deadline for making this decision is just a week away. Key lawmakers include: Larry Pogemiller, Senate Majority Leader (651-296-7809), Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House (651-296-0171), Representative Alice Hausman, chair of the House Capital Investment Committee (651-296-3824), and Senator Keith Langseth, chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee (and a huge supporter of the facilities authority) (651-296-3205). Indeed, all lawmakers need to be reminded of this important and unique Minnesota initiative.

Information points to reference when speaking with legislators:

The Biomedical Industry Is Important to Minnesota's Economy
Minnesota is a world leader in the medical device industry and houses the world headquarters for industry leading organizations. More than 250,000 Minnesotans are employed in the biomedical industry.

The University of Minnesota is Already a Leader in the Biomedical Sciences
Research at the University led to the first open heart surgery, the first implanted pacemaker, and leading research and treatments for a number of diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer.

Create the Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority
The state is being asked to authorize $292 million in debt to create a fund for a new state financing authority, the Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority. The University would apply for the funds for construction of new facilities, and the Authority could approve financing for five new facilities - roughly one project every two years. The Authority would ensure a predictable plan for new research facilities and help the University recruit top researchers.

New Facilities Will Lead to New Treatments and Cures
We need to invest in the state-of-the-art facilities that will attract top faculty and physicians to the University. Each new building will allow the University to house 40 new faculty researchers and 120 research assistants, attracting $20 million in new research dollars each year per building.

Other States Recognize the Need to Invest in the Future
UCLA and the University of Michigan have already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in new research facilities. Wisconsin and UC-San Fransisco have announced million dollar initiatives for new research facilities. Minnesota will be left behind if we do not invest in biomedical sciences research facilities now.