ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt has announced the appointment of Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) to the Minnesota House Higher Education Policy & Finance Committee, effective immediately.
"I am very excited to be joining the House Higher Education Policy & Finance Committee. Our excellent higher education system is one reason why Minnesota’s economy and workforce outpace the nation in performance. We need to make sure that it is affordable, accessible and meeting the needs of our current and future workforce," Youakim said. "As a mother of three children, two currently in college at the University of Minnesota (Morris) and one a high school Junior, I know how difficult it can be to fit college into a family budget."
Rep. Youakim received the new committee assignment after the special election of Rep. Peggy Flanagan (DFL-St. Louis Park). Rep. Youakim will still serve on the Government Operations & Elections Policy Committee and the Property Tax & Local Government Finance Division. She will no longer serve on the Rules & Legislative Administration Committee. Her seat on that committee will be filled by Rep. Flanagan.
Rep. Youakim looks forward to placing special emphasis on college affordability and access for Minnesota families.
“On average, tuition at Minnesota colleges and universities rose three times the rate of inflation between 2002-2012,” said Youakim. “I find these tuition increases, and the rising amounts of student debt that come with them, to be unacceptable. An education past high school has become out of reach for far too many families. I am committed to help turn that around."
Rep. Youakim encourages community members to contact her on any legislative issue. She can be reached by email at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or phone at 651-296-9889.
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