STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-FIRST MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Representative Dan Wolgamott, Chair of the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM on February 26, 2026, in Room G23 in the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
WOLGAMOTT, Dan (DFL Chair)
COULTER, Nathan (DFL Vice Chair)
SCHWARTZ, Erica, (GOP Vice Chair)
ALLEN, Keith
DURAN, Bidal
HANSON, Jessica
HICKS, Kim
KLEVORN, Ginny
LIEBLING, Tina
NOOR, Mohamud
NOVOTNY, Paul
ROBBINS, Kristin
SCOTT, Peggy
Members Excused
RARICK, Marion (GOP Chair)
A quorum was present.
Representative Coulter moved the minutes of February 24, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentations on the Impact of Operation Metro Surge on Minnesota's Colleges and Universities
Testifiers:
• Paul Pribbenow: President, Augsburg University
• Jenna Chernega: IFO President and Winona State Sociology Faculty
• Mark Grant: Governmental Relations, Minnesota State College Faculty
• Jennifer Erwin: AFSCME Local 4001, President of AFSCME MinnState Policy Committee
• Brendan Frazier: Student, Concordia University, St. Paul
• Jonathon Fitzgerald: Co-Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Minnesota State Mankato
• Sudi Adow: President, LeadMN
• Will Luther: Director of State Affairs, Undergraduate Student Government
• Gretchen Ritter: Executive Vice President and Provost, University of Minnesota
• Gregg Goldman: Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations, University of Minnesota
• Scott Goings: General Counsel, Minnesota State
• Deidra Peaslee: President, Saint Paul College
• Sharon Pierce: President, Minneapolis College
• Thanh: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Fatima Duba: Student at Saint Paul College
The meeting adjourned at 2:53 PM.
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Representative Dan Wolgamott, Chair
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Carl Yaeger, Committee Legislative Assistant