STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-THIRD 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, started the meeting at 1:05 P.M. on Tuesday, February 9, 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
Atkins, Joe
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
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
Chair Rukavina discussed the agenda, and invited Paul Marfiz to come forward to provide his testimony to the committee.
Paul Marfiz, a commercial painter, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his personal situation and his experiences with unemployment insurance.
Questions and discussion followed.
Kathy Marfiz, Paul’s wife, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding the impact Paul’s experiences have had on her.
Questions and discussion followed.
A quorum was present.
Chair Rukavina called the meeting to order at 1:10 P.M.
Representative Gunther moved that the minutes of April 21, 2009 and August 10, 2009 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 9, 2010
Page Two
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina invited Laurie Gandrud and the other Northwest Airlines flight attendants to come forward to present their testimony.
Laurie Gandrud, Association of Flight Attendants, flight attendant for Northwest Airlines, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding Special Leave Incentive Program (SLIP) leaves and unemployment insurance, including information about the experiences of other flight attendants.
Questions and discussion followed.
Mike Ewald, Association of Flight Attendants, instructor and flight attendant for Delta Airlines, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his experiences with unemployment insurance and SLIP leave.
Questions and discussion followed.
Amy Lusty, Association of Flight Attendants, flight attendant for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her experiences with SLIP leave, unemployment insurance, and workforce center programs.
Questions and discussion followed.
Dawn Shea, Association of Flight Attendants, flight attendant for Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her experiences with SLIP leave and unemployment insurance.
Questions and discussion followed.
Laurie Gandrud provided further testimony and closing comments.
Questions and discussion followed.
Charles Thomas, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his experiences with the unemployment insurance system from his perspective as an advocate for unemployment insurance recipients.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina called Dan McElroy, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) forward to provide testimony in response to the presentations.
Dan McElroy, Commissioner, DEED, introduced himself and Lee Nelson, Chief Legal Counsel, Unemployment Insurance Division, DEED.
Commissioner McElroy provided testimony to address the concerns of Paul Marfiz.
Questions and discussion followed.
Lee Nelson, Chief Legal Counsel, Unemployment Insurance Division, DEED, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding unemployment insurance. Handouts were provided.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina began discussion of the airline workers’ experiences with the unemployment insurance system.
Minutes
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
February 9, 2010
Page Three
Lee Nelson provided testimony regarding the airline workers’ experiences and unemployment insurance.
Questions and discussion followed.
Commissioner McElroy provided further testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Laurie Gandrud provided further testimony.
Questions and discussion followed.
Chair Rukavina provided closing comments.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:33 P.M.
Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair
Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant