STATE OF MINNESOTA THIRTY-FIFTH 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 8:15AM, on March 4th, 2026, in Room G3 of the State Capitol Building. A quorum was present.
Members present:
BAKER, Dave Co-Chair
PINTO, Dave Co-Chair
MEKELAND, Shane Vice-Chair
GREENMAN, Emma Vice-Chair
BAKEBERG, Ben
BERG, Kaela
FRAZIER, Cedrick
JOHNSON, Pete
JOHNSON, Wayne
KOZLOWSKI, Liish
MUELLER, Patricia
ZELEZNIKAR, Natalie
SCHULTZ, Isaac
Members excused:
HUSSEIN, Samakab
Vice-Chair Mekeland moved the minutes of March 3rd, 2026 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Presentation and update on the implementation of the 2023 Promise Act from the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Testifiers:
Kevin McKinnon, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Shahir Ahmed, PROMISE Act Grant Program Director, Neighborhood Development Center – Twin Cities
Adrian Ruddock, Vice President of Lending and Business Consulting, Metropolitan Economic Development Association
Scott Marquart, President, Southwest Initiative Foundation
Greg Wagner, Director of Business and Economic Development, West Central Initiative Foundation
Zach Tabbatt, Vice President for Economic Opportunity, Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation
The meeting was adjourned at 10:02 AM.
Representative Baker, Chair
Noah LaSalvia, Committee Legislative Assistant