STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTY-EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH 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 12:55 P.M. on Thursday,
March 13, 2008, 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
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Moe, Frank
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Murphy, Mary
Chair Rukavina invited Commissioner McElroy, Commissioner Sviggum and Representative Gunther to the table to begin the presentation of the Governor's budget recommendations for the Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry.
HF 3972 (Gunther)
Representative Gunther moved that HF 3972 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Gunther moved to amend HF 3972 with the amendment
A08-1358, attached.
Chair Rukavina indicated that the motion would have to wait until a quorum was present, and asked Representative Gunther to go ahead and present HF 3972.
Representative Gunther presented HF 3972 as amended, relating to state government; appropriating money for jobs, economic development, and housing; establishing and modifying certain programs; providing for regulation of certain activities and practices; providing for accounts, assessments, and fees; changing codes and licensing provisions; providing penalties.
Keith Bogut, Executive Budget Officer, Department of Finance, introduced himself and assisted Representative Gunther in his presentation.
Discusssion and questions followed.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 13, 2008
Page Two
Dan McElroy, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
A quorum was present at 1:05 P.M.
Representative Gunther moved to amend HF 3972 with the amendment
A08-1358, attached.
THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Commissioner McElroy continued his presentation, interspersed with discussion and questions.
Representative Gunther made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Chair Rukavina made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Representative Gunther made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Commissioner McElroy made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Anne Olson, Director, Minnesota Workforce Council Association, introduced herself and provided testimony in opposition to HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Representative Gunther made further comments regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Commissioner McElroy made final comments on HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Steve Sviggum, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3972.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina commented on possible Department of Labor and Industry budget reductions.
Discussion and questions followed.
Chair Rukavina requested both Commissioner Sviggum and Commissioner McElroy to talk to their Assistant Commissioners and staff and see if they can find some areas to reduce their budgets, and provide that information to the Division.
Dick Anfang, President, Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3972.
Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
March 13, 2008
Page Three
Representative Brynaert moved that the minutes of March 11, 2008 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative McFarlane moved that the minutes of March 12, 2008 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Rukavina discussed the bill process and bill deadline for the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
HF 3903 (Brynaert)
Representative Brynaert moved that HF 3903 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Brynaert presented HF 3903, relating to appropriations; appropriating money for extended employment services.
Bill Harris, Executive Director, MACRO Extended Employment, Winona, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3903.
Representative Brynaert renewed her motion that HF 3903 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 3752 (Hortman)
Representative Hortman moved that HF 3752 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill.
Representative Hortman presented HF 3752, relating to higher education; providing equal access to instructional materials for blind students; providing civil remedies.
Jennifer Dunnam, President, National Federation for the Blind of Minnesota, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding HF 3752.
Jeff Thompson, former President, Minnesota Association for Blind Students, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding HF 3752.
Discussion and questions followed.
Elizabeth Delfs, Vice President, Pearson Publications, introduced herself and testified in opposition to HF 3752.
Discussion and questions followed.
Representative Hortman renewed her motion that HF 3752 be recommended to pass and be held over for possible inclusion in the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division omnibus bill. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
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Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant