Requests from the University of Minnesota and MnSCU far exceed Gov. Mark Dayton's recommendation.

As the House Capital Investment Committee reviewed higher education bonding requests during a Tuesday morning hearing, one legislative newcomer spoke up to pose a question. Freshman Rep. Jay McNamar, DFL-Elbow Lake, asked whether the projects under consideration had been “bid out” already.

Gene Pelowski pulled out his iPad on the first day of session and went straight to YouTube. The incoming Democratic chairman of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee likes to pull up the same video clip for anyone who comes into his office to ask for something: the famous opening scene of the Marx brother’s 1932 movie “Horse Feathers.”

The 2013 Legislature marks University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler’s first chance to negotiate a budget request at the State Capitol.

Though serious debate on a bonding bill remains weeks away, legislators and administration officials are already weighing their wish lists with an eye toward setting priorities for a capital investment package that is bound to constitute half a loaf for both sides.

Jason Rohloff is the new top lobbyist for the University of Minnesota. Starting in January, Rohloff will serve as special assistant to the president for government relations.

The University of Minnesota’s recently inaugurated President Eric Kaler wants Minnesota business leaders to ask what the university can do for them. But he also wants them to ask what they can do for the university — including helping the U secure more state funding.