STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
WORKFORCE, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Baker, Chair of the Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM on Thursday, March 13th, 2025, in the G3 Room of the Capitol.
Representative Mekeland moved the minutes for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, to be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
A Quorum was present.
Members present:
BAKER, Dave Chair
MEKELAND, Shane Vice-Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
GREENMAN, Emma
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
MUELLER, Patricia
SCHULTZ, Isaac
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
Non-voting member present:
PINTO, Dave, Minority Lead
Vice Chair Mekeland assumed the gavel, while Chairman Dave Baker, author of H.F. 1976, gave testimony- Minnesota Paid Medical Leave Modified.
The committee also heard testimony from:
Andy Wilke, Greater MN Growth
Tami Phillipi, Frame MN
Chris Rubesch, President, Minnesota Nurses Association
Brad Lehto, Secretary-Treasurer, MN AFL-CIO
Mark Wilson, Owner, Old Town Bagels
Amy Jo Marks, owner, Blooming Grounds Coffee House, via zoom
Kim Lewis, Minnesota School Association Board
Brian Smith, Business Owner
Dan Klassen, Store Operations Directors, Kowalski’s Markets
Mary Jo Malecha
Erin Dittmer Thompson, teacher, Rosemount-Apple-Eagan Public Schools
Damon Schuler
Barb Weckman Brekke, Scott County Commissioner
Darren Brooke, Assistant Clay County Administrator, via zoom
Lauryn Schothorst, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Emily Ruhsam, Senior Director, Revo Health
Mindy Fredrikson, Gunflint Lodge, via zoom
Emily Streich Thomsen, special education teacher, Willmar Public Schools, via zoom
Dana Bacon, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Alexandra Fitzsimmons, Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota
Cory Genelin, MNSHRM State Council, via zoom
Justin Terch, Terch and Associates Consulting, via zoom
Sara Gangelhoff, Women’s Foundation of MN
Lisa Schaefer, Human Resources and Learning Director, League of MN Cities
Emily Myatt, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Angela Schwesnedl, business owner
Shawn Phetteplace, Main Street Alliance, Main Street Action PAC, via zoom
Vice Chairman Mekeland moved H.F. 1976 to be laid over for future consideration.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 A.M.
Representative Dave Baker, Chair
Ann C. Tepoorten, Committee Legislative Assistant