STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY SECOND MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
GREATER MINNESOTA ECONOMIC &
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Bob Gunther, Chair of the Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:46 p.m. on March 17th, 2016, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
GUNTHER, Bob, Chair
GREEN, Steve,Vice Chair
BARRETT, Bob
ECKLUND, Rob
HANCOCK, Dave
JOHNSON, Brian
KIEL, Debra
LIEN, Ben
MAHONEY, Tim
MILLER, Tim
MORAN, Rena
NORTON, Kim
O’NEILL, Marion
SUNDIN, Mike
A quorum was present.
Members Excused: GAROFALO, Pat.
Representative Sundin moved that the minutes of Tuesday, March 15th, 2016 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Chair Gunther moved that HF2381 (Baker) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.
Representative Baker presented HF2381 (Broadband grant application process amended, report required, and money appropriated.)
Representative Gunther moved the H2381DE1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Representative Sundin moved the H2381A1 amendment.
Representative Sundin submitted written testimony by Erik Peterson of Esko, MN.
Discussion followed on the H2381A1 amendment.
Testifying before committee was the following on H2381A1 amendment:
Dan Dorman, Executive Director, Greater Minnesota Partnership.
Chair Gunther ruled the H2381A1 amendment out of order.
Representative Gunther moved the H2381A2 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Testifying before committee were the following in favor of HF2381, as amended:
Craig Clark, City Administrator, City of Austin;
Kristi Westbrock, Chief Operation Officer, CTC Brainerd;
Sam Romain, Haug Implement, Willmar;
Travis Bonnema, Manager of Technical Services, Jennie-O Turkey Store;
Donna Boonstra, Kandiyohi County & City of Willmar Economic Development Commission and Broadband Committee;
Dan Larson, Mn Rural Counties Caucus;
Nate Burkett, Aitkin County Commissioner;
Connie Schmoll, Business Development Specialist, Kandiyohi County & City of Willmar Economic Development Commission;
Laura Ziegler, Government Relations, League of Mn Cities;
Kent Sulem, Mn Association of Townships;
Dan Dorman, Executive Director, Mn Rural County Caucus;
Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Chair, Minnesota Broadband Task Force.
Representative Gunther renewed the motion that HF2381 pass, as amended, and be re-referred to the committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.
Bob Gunther, Chair
Rebecca Meade, Committee Legislative Assistant