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Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division

SEVENTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Thursday, January 25, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA SEVENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION

HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND
FINANCE DIVISION

MINUTES


Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair of the Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division, called the meeting to order at 12:35 P.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2007, in Room 5 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


Rukavina, Tom, Chair
Poppe, Jeanne, Vice-Chair
Bly, David
Brynaert, Kathy
Clark, Karen
Dettmer, Bob
Eastlund, Rob
Gunther, Bob
Haws, Larry
Hortman, Melissa
McFarlane, Carol
Mahoney, Tim
Moe, Frank
Murphy, Mary
Nornes, Bud
Norton, Kim
Ruth, Connie
Severson, Dan
Slocum, Linda
Welti, Andy

Members excused:

Atkins, Joe

A quorum was present.

Chair Rukavina invited the individuals present who have used state-funded workforce development programs and services to begin their testimony, as follows:

Michael Bongo of the Northwest Indian Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) in Bemidji introduced himself and provided information about the OIC. Mr. Bongo introduced Aaron Monroe of Bemidji, a program participant at the Northwest Indian OIC. Mr. Monroe provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with the OIC and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Daniel Swalm, Chair of the Minnesota Displaced Homemaker Program Network, introduced himself and provided information about the Displaced Homemaker Program. Mr. Swalm introduced Cindy Whitcomb of Freeborn, a Displaced Homemaker Program participant. Ms. Whitcomb provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Displaced Homemaker program and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
January 25, 2007
Page Two


Todd Pufahl, Legislative Director of the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota, introduced himself and provided information about the Minnesota Laborers Apprenticeship Program. Mr. Pufahl introduced Brad Westerberg of Isanti, a Minnesota Laborers Apprenticeship Program participant. Mr. Westerberg provided testimony regarding his personal experiences with the Minnesota Laborers Apprenticeship Program and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Kari Paulsen, Career Counselor with the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, introduced herself and provided information about the Youth Employment Service Program. Ms. Paulsen introduced Megan Mosier of Aitkin, a Youth Employment Service Program participant. Ms. Mosier provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Youth Employment Service Program and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Sally Brenden, Deputy Director of the Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council, introduced herself and provided information about the Youth Employment Service Program. Ms. Brenden introduced Paige Moos of Sartell, a Youth Employment Service Program participant, and Wilhelmina Moos, Paige's mother. Paige provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Youth Employment Service Program and responded to questions from members. Ms. Moos also provided testimony about the Program and its benefits for her daughter.

Further discussion followed.

Terry Zurn, Youth Program Manager, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions/Minnesota Youth Employment Service Program, provided information about the Youth Employment Service Program and introduced Francesca Walden, St. Paul, a Youth Employment Service Program participant. Ms. Walden provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with the Youth Employment Service Program and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Jane Samargia, Director, HIRED, introduced herself and provided information about HIRED. Ms. Samargia introduced Samantha Brady of Champlin, a HIRED program participant. Ms. Brady provided testimony regarding her personal experiences with HIRED and responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Representative Eastlund moved that the minutes of January 24, 2007 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 P.M.


Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair


Susan Scott, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Continuation of presentations by individuals who have used state-funded workforce development programs and services