STATE OF MINNESOTA TWELFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING FINANCE COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Representative Nora Slawik, Chair, called the twelfth meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the HUBB Center, St. Paul. Quorum was present.
Members present:
SLAWIK, Nora - Chair
BLY, David - Vice Chair
MURPHY, Erin
LAINE, Carolyn
WARD, John
FRITZ, Patti
PETERSON, Sandra
EASTLUND, Rob
KRANZ, Scott
GAROFALO, Pat
WINKLER, Ryan
WARDLOW, Lynn
MURPHY, M ex-officio
Members Excused:
NORNES, Bud
GOTTWALT, Steve
Representative Kranz moved approval of the minutes for Tuesday, February 20, 2007. THE MOTION PREVAILED and the minutes are approved.
Presentation of the history of Adult Basic Education (ABE) in Minneapolis and St. Paul
People testifying:
Willie Nesbitt, Executive Director, Community Education for St. Paul Schools
Testified on the history and importance of the HUBBS Center on the state's economic development.
Representative David Bly, introduced testifiers
Bella Hanson, lead author of A 40-Year History of ABE in Saint Paul and of A 40-Year History of ABE in Minnesota
Testified on her publications.
HF613 (Murphy, M) Adult basic education appropriations updated, and money appropriated
Representative Slawik moved that HF 613 be recommended to pass and be referred to the Education Finance and economic Competitiveness Finance Division.
Representative Slawik moved amendment
H0613A1 (attached). THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
People testifying:
Representative Mary Murphy
Tom Melcher, Program Finance, Department of Education
Testified on need for technical fix in bill to provide funding.
Representative Slawik renewed the motion that HF 613, as amended, be referred to The Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF979 (Winkler) Adult basic education aid modified, GED payment increased, and money appropriated
Representative Winkler moved that HF 979 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Early Childhood Learning Committee
Page 2
February 22, 2007
Rep Winkler moved an oral amendment to HF 979 as follows:
Page 2, line 8 delete Commission insert Commissioner
THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED
People testifying:
Representative Ryan Winkler
Tom Cytron-Hysom, Legislative Chair, Literacy Minnesota
Testified on importance of ABE for immigrants, families and those in correctional facilities, and for the state's economic development.
Deb Schlick, Director, Affirmative Options Coalition
Testified on benefits of ABE at bringing people out of poverty.
Kham Paung, Student
Testified on how the ABE program at the HUBBS Center is helping her succeed
Mohamed Ahmed, Student
Testified on difficulty of getting his GED and working at the same time.
Thierno Balde, Student
Testified on how the HUBBS Center is helping him with his English to get to college.
Semenyo Ahli, Student
Testified on experiences studying at the HUBBS Center.
Tina Linton, Student
Testified on experience getting her GED and how it helped her help her children.
Barry Schafer, Adult Basic Education Director, Department of Education
Testified on ABE waiting lists and how many would be served by this legislation.
Representative Slawik renewed the motion that HF 979 be considered for inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
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Representative Nora Slawik, Chair
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Tricia Kiefer, Committee Legislative Assistant