STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
MINUTES
Representative Loren Solberg, Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. on Monday, February 6, 2007 at Pilot Knob Elementary School in Eagan, Minnesota.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Solberg, Loren - Chair
Swails, Marsha, Vice Chair
Brynaert, Kathy
Carlson, Lyndon
Dean, Matt
Eken, Kent
Erhardt, Ron
Hilty, Bill
MaryLiz Holberg, GOP Lead
Kahn, Phyllis
Kelliher, Margaret
Lenczewski, Ann
McNamera, Denny
Murphy, Erin
Ozment, Dennis
Paulsen, Erik
Sviggum, Steve
Tschumper, Ken
Members Excused: Jim Abeler, Karen Clark, Mindy Greiling, Bob Gunther, Debra Hilstrom, Tom Huntley, Carlos Mariani, Mary Murphy, Tony Sertich, Gene Pelowski.
Guest Members: Shelley Madore, Sandy Masin, Rick Hanson, Nora Slawik, David Bly, Senator Carlson, Lynn Wardlow.
A quorum was present.
The following Superintendents and Members of various School Boards addressed the committee:
John Currie, Superintendent of District #196
Reine Shiffman, School Board Member District #197
Bryon Schwabb, Principal - Pilot Knob Elementary
Tom Egan, Dakota County Commissioner
The following members of the public testified on the issue of Early Childhood Family Education:
Yolanda Gant, Parent - Head Start
Jean Eliasson, Director - Head Start
Barbara Waltz, Director-Scott/Carver/Dakota County CAC
Dennis Demers, Director - Migrant Head Start, Tri-Valley CAC
Bret Busse, Chair - Foundation for Early Childhood and Family Services
Miralda Pineda, Parent - Early Reading First Early Literacy Program
Elaine Greer, Parent - Family Child Care
The following members of the public testified on the issue of K-12 Education:
Todd Otis, President - Ready for K
Tom Holton, Director - Bloomington Community Education
Beth Wenck, Parent
Robert Shumer, Lecturer - University of Minnesota
Ann Siegel - President, Minnesota Kindergarten Association
Debbie Krohn - Parent & Teacher
The following members of the public testified on the issue of Higher Education:
Ron Thomas, President - Dakota County Technical College
Cheryl Frank, President - Inver Hills Community College
Scott Formo, Student - Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Tylor Slinger, Student - Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Rick Howden, Student - Winona State University
The committee received a letter from Mr. Dana Bacon of Eagan, MN. This letter will become part of the official minutes of the committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
REP. LOREN SOLBERG, CHAIR
Gerrie Boice
Committee Legislative Assistant