STATE OF MINNESOTA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THIRTIETH MEETING
NINETY-THIRD SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, called the meeting to order at 10:31 AM on March 21, 2023, in Room 120 of the Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistance noted the roll.
Present:
YOUAKIM, Cheryl, Chair
CLARDY, Mary Frances, Vice Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben
BENNETT, Peggy
ANDERSON, Patti
EDELSON, Heather
GREENMAN, Emma
HILL, Josiah
HUDELLA, Shane
JORDAN, Sydney
KNUDSEN, Krista
PEREZ-VEGA, María Isa
PRYOR, Laurie
PURSELL, Kristi
REHM, Lucy
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
WEST, Nolan
Excused:
KRESHA, Ron, Minority Lead
ALTENDORF, Pam
A quorum was present.
Representative Pursell moved that the minutes from March 16, 2023, be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
HF 629 (Edelson) Read Act established, schools required to use approved literacy curriculum, literacy specialist required, reported required, and money appropriated.
Representative Edelson moved HF 629 before the committee.
Representative Edelson moved the DE 16 amendment before the committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Edelson presented HF 629, as amended, before the committee.
Testifiers:
• Emilia Kalschuer, Educator, Rochester Public Schools
• Malachi Johnson, Educator, Rochester Public Schools
• Susan Einspar, Legislative and Public Policy Director, PACER Center
• Kate Shappel, Curriculum Director, Egan Mendota Heights School District
• Dr. Kim Gibbons, UMN Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAERI)
• Peter Hutchinson, Former Superintendent, Minneapolis Public Schools
• Bobbie Burnham, Assistant Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
• Nafessah Muhammad, Educators for Excellence
Representative Bennett moved the DE 15 before the committee. Representative Bennett requested a roll call vote.
The Clerk took the roll.
AYES:
ANDERSON, Patti
BENNETT, Peggy
BAKEBERG, Ben
HUDELLA, Shane
KNUDSEN, Krista
WEST, Nolan
NAYS:
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
CLARDY, Mary Frances
EDELSON, Heather
GREENMAN, Emma
HILL, Josiah
JORDAN, Sydney
PEREZ-VEGA María Isa
PRYOR, Laurie
PURSELL, Kristi
REHM, Lucy
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
Excused:
KRESHA, Ron
ALTENDORF, Pam
With 6 ayes and 11 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Bakeberg moved the DE 14 before the committee. Representative Bakeberg requested a roll call vote.
The Clerk took the roll.
AYES:
ANDERSON, Patti
BENNETT, Peggy
BAKEBERG, Ben
HUDELLA, Shane
KNUDSEN, Krista
WEST, Nolan
NAYS:
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
CLARDY, Mary Frances
EDELSON, Heather
GREENMAN, Emma
HILL, Josiah
JORDAN, Sydney
PEREZ-VEGA María Isa
PRYOR, Laurie
PURSELL, Kristi
REHM, Lucy
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
Excused:
KRESHA, Ron
ALTENDORF, Pam
With 6 ayes and 11 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVIAL. THE AMENDEMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED.
Representative Bennett moved that HF 629 as amended be moved the Ways and Means committee. Representative Bennett moved for a roll call vote.
The Clerk took the roll.
AYES:
ANDERSON, Patti
BENNETT, Peggy
BAKEBERG, Ben
HUDELLA, Shane
KNUDSEN, Krista
WEST, Nolan
NAYS:
YOUAKIM, Cheryl
CLARDY, Mary Frances
EDELSON, Heather
GREENMAN, Emma
HILL, Josiah
JORDAN, Sydney
PEREZ-VEGA María Isa
PRYOR, Laurie
PURSELL, Kristi
REHM, Lucy
SENCER-MURA, Samantha
Excused:
KRESHA, Ron
ALTENDORF, Pam
With 6 ayes and 11 nays, THE MOTION DID NOT PREVAIL.
Chair Youakim moved that HF 629 as amend be laid over for possible inclusion in the Education Finance Committee omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
HF 1269 (Pryor) Prekindergarten through grade 12 provisions modified including general education accountability and transparency, education excellence, American Indian education, charter schools, discipline, teachers, special education, and early learning; and reports required.
Representative Pryor moved HF 1269 before the committee.
Representative Pryor presented HF 1269.
Testifiers:
• Catrin Wigfall, Policy Fellow, Center for the American Experiment
• Emma Jopp, Student
• Melinda Loe, Parent
• Hillary Swanson, Advocate
• Kofi Montzka, Advocate
• Sarah Burt, Lobbyist, Education Minnesota
• Dr. Keri Wehrmann, Principal, Kimberly Lane Elementary, Wayzata
• Jenny Kelly, Principal, St. Michael Middle School
• Kate Lynne Snyder, Education Minnesota
• Adosh Unni, Director of Government Relations, Minnesota Department of Education
Chair Youakim moved that HF 1269 be laid over for possible inclusion in the Education Finance omnibus bill. The bill was laid over.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:21 PM.
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Representative Cheryl Youakim, Chair
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Shamat Abraha, Committee Legislative Assistant