STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-SIXTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE AND POLICY DIVISION
MINUTES
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division, called the meeting to order at 1:10 P.M. on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Bly, David, Vice Chair
Anderson, Sarah
Brynaert, Kathy
Dettmer, Bob
Downey, Keith
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Mahoney, Tim
McFarlane, Carol
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Obermueller, Mike
Poppe, Jeanne
Reinert, Roger
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy
Members excused:
Atkins, Joe
Clark, Karen
Chair Rukavina invited Steve Sviggum, Commissioner, Department of Labor and Industry, to come forward to begin his presentation.
Steve Sviggum, Commissioner, Department of Labor and Industry, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the Governor’s budget for the Department of Labor and Industry.
A quorum was present at 1:15 P.M.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner Sviggum introduced Roslyn Wade, Director, Labor Standards Unit of the Department of Labor and Industry. Ms. Wade assisted in answering questions.
Questions and discussion continued.
Chair Rukavina invited Dan McElroy, Commissioner, Department of Employment and Economic Development, to come forward to begin his presentation.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 23, 2010
Page Two
Dan McElroy, Commissioner, Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and Cindy Farrell, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Commissioner McElroy walked through the Governor’s supplemental budget.
Questions and discussion followed.
Cindy Farrell assisted with answering questions.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy continued his presentation.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy continued his presentation.
Questions and discussion followed.
Rick Cardenas, Advocating Change Together (ACT), introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the affects of proposed cuts to ACT.
Questions and discussion followed.
Representative Murphy moved that the minutes of February 18, 2010 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Yvonne Cheung Ho, Director, MEDA, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding MEDA and the affects of proposed cuts to ACT.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina asked Lee Nelson, Director of the Unemployment Insurance Division, Department of Employment and Economic Development, to come forward to talk about unemployment insurance clients dropping off of the federal UI extension program.
Lee Nelson, Director of the Unemployment Insurance Division, Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding UI clients and the federal extension program.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy provided further comment regarding the federal extension language.
Questions and discussion followed.
Lee Nelson provided further comment regarding the federal extension language.
Questions and discussion followed.
Lee Nelson provided further comment.
Questions and discussion followed.
Anthony Alongi, Director, Dislocated Worker Programs, Department of Employment and Economic Development, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding the projected shortfall in the Dislocated Worker Program.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 23, 2010
Page Three
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy provided further comment.
Questions and discussion followed.
Anthony Alongi provided further comment.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy provided further comment.
Questions and discussion followed.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant