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Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division

NINTH MEETING

2007-2008 Regular Session - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

STATE OF MINNESOTA NINTH 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 Wednesday, January 31, 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
Atkins, Joe
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

A quorum was present.

Representative Bly moved that the minutes of January 30, 2007 be adopted. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Rukavina introduced the Honorable Judge Gerald Heaney of Duluth, retired from the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

The Honorable Judge Gerald Heaney introduced himself and provided testimony, sharing his views on the importance of higher education and the need to adequately fund student financial aid programs.

Discussion followed.

Chair Rukavina thanked Judge Heaney for coming to St. Paul to appear before the Division, and for his insight and wisdom.

Chair Rukavina recognized Representative Torrey Westrom, who joined Division members at the table to hear the following presentation from his brother, Dr. Lyle Westrom.

Chair Rukavina invited the individuals present from the four campuses of the University of Minnesota, representing the faculty, to begin their testimony, as follows:


Minutes
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
January 31, 2007
Page Two


Dr. Lyle Westrom of Crookston, an Associate Professor of Agricultural Education at the University of Minnesota - Crookston, introduced himself. Dr. Mark Keranen of Crookston, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of Minnesota - Crookston, introduced himself. Dr. Westrom gave a Powerpoint presentation of the Crookston Campus and provided testimony regarding his experiences as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - Crookston. Dr. Westrom and Dr. Keranen responded to questions from members.

Further discussion followed.

Dr. Peter Wyckoff of Morris, an Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Minnesota - Morris, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his experiences as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - Morris. Dr. Wycoff responded to questions from members.

Michael Mullins of Duluth, an instructor of German at the University of Minnesota - Duluth and a member of the University Education Association, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his experiences as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Mr. Mullins responded to questions from members.

Dr. John Sullivan of St. Paul, a professor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, introduced himself and provided testimony regarding his experiences as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Dr. Judith Martin of Minneapolis, a professor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, introduced herself and provided testimony regarding her experiences as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Martin responded to questions from members.

HF 219 (Walker)

Representative Moe moved that HF 219 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Commerce and Labor Committee.

Representative Walker presented HF 219, a bill for an act relating to employment; modifying use of personal sick leave benefits; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 181.9413. Discussion followed.

Patti Jurkovich of Golden Valley, an attorney in private practice, presented testimony in support of HF 219 on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association and responded to questions from members.

Karen Eileen, a member of AARP, presented testimony in support of HF 219 and responded to questions from members.

Further questions and discussion followed.

Representative Moe renewed his motion that HF 219 be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Commerce and Labor Committee. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 P.M.



Representative Tom Rukavina, Chair



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

Presentation by retired U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Gerald Heaney on the need to adequately fund student financial aid programs.
Presentations by faculty representatives from the four University of Minnesota campuses.
HF219 (Walker) relating to employment; modifying use of personal sick leave benefits