STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTIETH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
WORKFORCE, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Representative Dave Pinto, Chair of the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy, called the meeting to order at 8:19 A.M. on, Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members Present:
PINTO, Dave (DFL Chair)
BAKER, Dave (GOP Chair)
GREENMAN, Emma (DFL Vice Chair)
MEKELAND, Shane (GOP Vice Chair)
BAKEBERG, Ben
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
HUSSEIN, Samakab
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
MUELLER, Patricia
SCHULTZ, Isaac
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
A quorum was present.
Chair Baker moved that the minutes of February 18, 2026, be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation on the Economic and Workforce Impact of Federal Immigration Activity.
Testifying:
• Matt Varilek, Commissioner, Dept of Employment and Economic Development
• Sarah K. Peterson, Immigration Attorney
• Allison Thorson, Workforce Development Manager, Unidos MN
• RT Rybak, President and CEO, Minneapolis Foundation
• Jo-Anne Stately, Senior Vice President of Impact, Minneapolis Foundation
• Lill Bloise, Director of Operations, Latino Economic Development Center
• Emery John, Community Development, City of Northfield
• Nicole Mattson, Vice President of Advocacy & Workforce Development, Care Providers of Minnesota
• Erin Huppert, LeadingAge MN
• Jake Schwitzer, Executive Director, NorthStar Policy Action
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 A.M.
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Representative Dave Pinto, Chair
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Aishat Tiamiyu, Committee Legislative Assistant