STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTYFIFTH 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 6:07 P.M. on Monday, March 12, 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
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Hortman, Melissa
McFarlane, Carol
Mahoney, Tim
Moe, Frank
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Bly, David
Norton, Kim
A quorum was present.
Representative Eastlund moved that the minutes of March 7, 2007 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED
HF 231 (Moe)
Representative Moe moved that HF 231 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Moe presented HF 231, authorizing certain investments; creating a program; appropriating money.
Representative Moe introduced John Ostrem, President, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Initiative Foundations.
John Ostrem, President, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Minnesota Initiative Foundatons, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 231.
Vice Chair Poppe assumed the chair at 6:12 P.M.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2007
Page Two
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 281 (Moe)
Representative Moe moved that HF 281 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Moe presented HF 281, providing for local government planning assistance; requiring regional development commissions or organizations to submit annual work programs; appropriating money for local government assistance.
Representative Moe introduced John Chell, Arrowhead Regional Development Commission.
John Ostrem, Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 281.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina resumed chair at 6:22 P.M.
HF 337 (Mahoney)
Representative Mahoney moved that HF 337 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Mahoney presented HF 337, establishing the small business growth acceleration program; requiring a report; appropriating money.
Representative Mahoney introduced Kim Roden, Chair, Minnesota Technology; Brett Bussman, Human Resources Director, Floe International, McGregor & Hoyt Lakes; and Maynard Akkerman, President/CEO, Akkerman, Inc.
Kim Roden, Chair, Minnesota Technology, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of HF 337.
Brett Bussman, Human Resources Director, Floe International, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 337.
Maynard Akkerman, President/CEO, Akkerman, Inc., introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 337.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina suggested clarifying language on line 2.25 of HF 337, the author agreed and decided it would be taken care of should the bill be included in the Division's omnibus bill.
HF 1374 (Anzelc)
Representative Mahoney moved that HF 1374 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education Finance and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Anzelc presented HF 1374, appropriating money for technical assistance and business training.
Representative Anzelc introduced Mary Mathews, President, NE Entrepreneur Fund.
Mary Matthews, President, NE Entrepreneur Fund, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of HF 1374.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2007
Page Three
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 826 (Mariani)
Representative Mahoney moved that HF 826 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register.
Representative Mariani presented HF 826, requiring a closed motor vehicle manufacturing plant and related facilities to be maintained for a period of time.
Bob Killeen, Secretary/Treasurer, United Auto Workers Local 879, presented testimony in support of HF 826.
Stan Daniels, Political Director, Steelworkers of America District 11, presented testimony in support of HF 826.
Don Gerdesmeier, Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE, presented testimony in support of
HF 826.
Cecil Bedor, Director of Planning and Economic Development, City of St. Paul, presented testimony in opposition to HF 826.
Pat Harris, Council Member, City of St. Paul, presented testimony in opposition to HF 826.
Mark Moeller, R F Moeller Jewelers and St. Paul Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to HF 826.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Mahoney renewed his motion that HF 826 be recommended to pass and be placed on the General Register. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Vice Chair Poppe assumed the chair at 7:45 P.M.
HF 226 (Rukavina)
Representative Rukavina moved that HF 226 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Rukavina presented HF 226, appropriating money to the Minnesota minerals 21st century fund to restore previously unallotted money.
Representative Rukavina introduced Frank Ongaro, Franconia Minerals, and Larry Lehtinen, Mesabi Nugget Project.
Frank Ongaro, Franconia Minerals, introduced himself and presented testimony in support of
HF 226.
Larry Lehtinen, Mesabi Nugget Project, introduced himself and presented testimony in support of HF 226.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina resumed the chair at 8:15 P.M.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2007
Page Four
HF 657 (Simon)
Representative Mahoney moved that HF 657 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Simon presented HF 657, making technical and housekeeping changes in the Department of Employment and Economic Development; modifying contamination cleanup grant provisions.
Representative Simon introduced Meredith Udoibok, Director, Brownfields and Community, Department of Employment and Economic Development, and John Sherman, Rehabilitation Specialist, Department of Employment and Economic Development, to assist him with the presentation of HF 657.
Meredith Udoibok, Director, Brownfields and Community, Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced herself and walked through sections 1 through 5 of HF 657.
John Sherman, Rehabilitation Specialist, Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and walked through sections 6 though 10 of HF 657.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Mahoney moved to amend HF 657 with amendment
H0657A3, attached.
Representative Simon introduced David Chapman, Loan Program Manager, Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers, to assist with explaining amendment
H0657A3.
David Chapman, Loan Program Manager, Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers, provided testimony regarding amendment
H0657A3.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Mahoney renewed his motion to amend HF 657 with amendment
H0657A3.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Mahoney moved to amend HF 657 with amendment
H0657A2, attached.
Representative Mahoney assisted with explaining amendment
H0657A2.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Mahoney renewed his motion to amend HF 657 with amendment
H0657A2.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Mahoney renewed his motion that HF 657 as amended be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 1485 (Clark)
Representative Clark moved that HF 1485 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Clark presented HF 1485, appropriating money for minority enterprise retention.
Representative Clark introduced Mike Temali, Neighborhood Development Center.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2007
Page Five
Mike Temali, Neighborhood Development Center, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Mr. Temali introduced four tenants of Midtown Global Market, R. Mykel Wright, Golden Tyme Coffee; Lori Callister, Callister Farms, Farm in the Market; Manny Gonzales, Manny's Tortas; and Jamal Hashi, Safari Somali Restaurant.
R. Mykel Wright, Golden Tyme Coffee, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Lori Callister, Callister Farms, Farm in the Market, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Manny Gonzales, Manny's Tortas, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of
HF 1485.
Jamal Hashi, Safari Somali Restaurant, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 1355 (Clark)
Representative Clark moved that HF 1355 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Clark presented HF 1355, appropriating money for a grant to WomenVenture.
Representative Clark introduced Tene Wells, President of WomenVenture and Amy Brennigan, WomenVenture.
Tene Wells, President, WomenVenture, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Amy Brennigan, WomenVenture, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of
HF 1485.
Questions and discussion followed.
Vice Chair Poppe assumed the chair at 8:55 P.M.
HF 1199 (Rukavina)
Representative Rukavina moved that HF 1199 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Rukavina presented HF 1199, providing for state involvement in trade policies; requiring a report.
Representative Rukavina introduced Brad Lehto, Legislative Director, Minnesota AFL-CIO, and Stan Daniels, Political Director, Steelworkers of America District 11.
Brad Lehto, Legislative Director, Minnesota AFL-CIO, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1199.
Stan Daniels, Political Director, Steelworkers of America District 11, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1199.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 12, 2007
Page Six
Questions and discussion followed.
Jim Rhodes, Legislative Director, Department of Administration, provided testimony regarding HF 1199.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 1504 (Clark)
Representative Clark moved that HF 1504 be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance omnibus bill.
Representative Clark presented HF 1355, amending scope of the Minnesota investment fund to promote environmentally safe production and products.
Questions and discussion followed.
HF 822 (Clark)
Representative Clark moved that HF 822 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee.
Representative Clark presented HF 822, extending the expiration date for the neighborhood revitalization program.
Representative Clark moved to amend HF 822 with the delete everything amendment
H0822DE2, attached. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Clark introduced Carol Ann Pass, President, East Phillips Improvement Coalition, and Greg Lecker, Bryn Maur Neighborhood Association, Minneapolis.
Carol Ann Pass, President, East Phillips Improvement Coalition, introduced herself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Greg Lecker, Bryn Maur Neighborhood Association, Minneapolis, introduced himself and provided testimony in support of HF 1485.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Clark renewed her motion that HF 822 as amended be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant