On Thursday, January 5, 2012, the Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA) recognized District 14 State Senator and President of the Senate Michelle Fischbach and District 10A State Representative Bud Nornes as its choices for the Senator of the Year and Representative of the Year at its Legislative Awards Dinner.

“As chairs of the higher education committees, Representative Bud Nornes and Senator Michelle Fischbach took lead roles inprotecting Minnesota’s two-year college students from another biennium of skyrocketing tuition costs, while mitigating cuts in funding to the MnSCU system,” said MSCSA Vice President Darleen Tareeq.

Despite a great deal of political pressure to eliminate tuition caps from the omnibus bill, both Senator Fischbach and Representative Nornes fought hard ensure the final compromise included a tuition cap.  Thanks to their unwavering dedication, over 100,000 two-year public college students in Minnesota will see tuition increases capped at 4% next year.

The award was presented to Senator Fischbach and Representative Nornes by Darleen Tareeq, MSCSA Vice President and student at Century College and St. Paul College.

Photo Caption: MSCSA President Geoffrey Dittberner (right) and Vice President Darleen Tareeq (left) present State Sen. Michelle Fischbach (left center) and State Rep. Bud Nornes (right center) with MSCSA Legislator of the Year Awards.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Serres