Dear Editor:

Education and innovation are what Minnesota needs to see its way through today's hard financial times. Few state investments deliver a better return than the U of M. U alums have created over 10,000 companies in our state, providing over 500,000 jobs and creating $100 billion in revenue each year. Likewise, U researchers earn over $675 million in grants each year, employing thousands and changing lives across the country.

I know state leaders face some difficult choices this year. Unfortunately, higher education funding will likely be significantly reduced--that gap would be filled with temporary federal stimulus dollars that can't be used for ongoing costs. The U is responsibly tightening its belt just like other state institutions, but these shortfalls would diminish our state's top economic engine just when it is needed most.

We have to sustain our investment in the U of M if we hope to compete in the global innovation-based economy, both for today and for when the national economic crisis subsides. I encourage state leaders to develop a budget solution that preserves the U's long-term capacity to serve this state.

Sincerely,