STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND
FINANCE DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division, called the meeting to order at 12:32 P.M. on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Poppe, Jeanne, Vice-Chair
Atkins, Joe
Bly, David
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Hortman, Melissa
McFarlane, Carol
Mahoney, Tim
Moe, Frank
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
A quorum was present.
Chair Rukavina introduced Peter Hutchinson, Founder of the Public Strategies Group, also past Commissioner of Finance under Governor Rudy Perpich and also a past Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools. Chair Rukavina invited Mr. Hutchinson to begin his presentation regarding his views on Minnesota's higher education and workforce development programs and funding.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina invited the individuals present who have used state-funded workforce development programs and services to begin their testimony, as follows:
Ron Carpenter, Grand Rapids, provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with the Dislocated Worker Program after being laid off from Ainsworth Lumber. Mr. Carpenter responded to questions from members.
Further discussion followed.
Rick Caligiuri, Director of Job Seeker Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, provided additional information. Discussion followed.
John Peters, Director of the Grand Rapids Work Force Center, provided additional information. Discussion followed.
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
January 24, 2006
Page Two
Darla Charnecki, Austin, provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Dislocated Worker Program. Ms. Charnecki responded to questions from members.
Further discussion followed.
Rick Caligiuri, Director of Job Seeker Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, provided additional information. Discussion followed.
Vice Chair Poppe assumed the chair at 1:45 P.M.
Quent Jepsen, Albert Lea, provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with the Dislocated Worker Program and the MFIP Program. Mr. Jepsen responded to questions from members.
Further discussion followed.
Representative Welti moved that the minutes of January 23, 2007 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Lamarr Scott, Minneapolis, provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with both receiving assistance as a client of the Dislocated Worker Program and being a counselor for the Dislocated Worker Program. Mr. Scott also spoke about his experiences in his current job providing career development services to students in the Minneapolis public school system. Mr. Scott responded to questions from members.
Further discussion followed.
Marsha Anderson-Shearen, Woodbury, provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Dislocated Worker Program as a Ford Motor Company employee. Ms. Anderson-Shearen responded to questions from members.
Further discussion followed.
Charles Kroger, Shoreview, provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with the Dislocated Worker Program. Mr. Kroger responded to questions from members.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant