STATE OF MINNESOTA FORTY-FIFTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION
EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Barb Sykora, Chair of the Education Finance Committee, called the forty-fifth meeting to order at 1:38 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 in Room 5 of the State Office Building. A quorum was present.
The clerk noted the roll.
Members present:
Sykora, Barb, Chair Erickson, Sondra
Demmer, Randy, Vice Chair Greiling, Mindy
Bernardy, Connie Dorn, John
Johnson, Ruth Klinzing, Karen
Davnie, Jim Newman, Scott
Buesgens, Mark Eken, Kent
Heidgerken, Bud Meslow, Doug
Representative Simpson presented HF3347 (Simpson) - Verndale regional family resource and early childhood center bonds issued and money appropriated.
Testifying:
- Mr. Davis Lein-Mills, Executive Director, Ottertail-Wadena Community Action Council, Inc.
HF3347(Simpson) was laid over for possible inclusion in the bonding recommendations to the Capital Investment Committee.
Representative Erickson moved HF3421 to be considered for possible inclusion in the recommendations to the Capital Investment Committee.
Representative Cornish moved to orally amend HF3421 to replace the $10,000,000 amount found on pages 2, 6 & 7 with the dollar amount of $12,335,000.
THE MOTION PREVAILED, THE ORAL AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.
Representative Cornish presented HF3421(Cornish) as amended - Cooperative secondary facilities program eligibility expanded, bonds issued, and money appropriated.
Testifying on HF3421:
Ms. Christy Wetzel, United South Central School Board Member.
Ms. Vernae Hasbargen, Minnesota Rural Education Association.
Ms. Heidi Goldman, United South Central Facilities Committee member.
Mr. Tim Strom answered questions.
Representative Sykora laid over HF3421 as amended for possible inclusion in the recommendations to the Capital Investment Committee.
Representative Soderstrom presented HF3304 (Soderstrom) - Debt service equalization aid and referendum equalization aid program factors increased and indexed.
Representative Sykora laid over HF3304for possible inclusion in the Education Finance Omnibus Bill.
Representative Erickson moved HF3043 (Erickson) – Debt service equalization aid equalizing factors increased and indexed, and sales ratio calculation corrected.
Testifying on HF3043 (Erickson):
Mr. Fred Nolan, Superintendent of Foley Schools.
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Representative Sykora laid over HF3043 (Erickson) for possible inclusion in the Education Finance Omnibus bill.
Representative Lanning presented HF2662 (Lanning) - Debt service equalization aid program equalizing factor increased.
Additional testimony/discussion on HF3304 (Soderstrom); HF3043 (Erickson); and HF2662 (Lanning):
Representative Demmer answered questions on his ag reform bill and how it relates to the debt equalization bills.
Tim Strom answered questions on the debt equalization bills.
Steve Heinze answered questions on the debt equalization bills.
Superintendent Foley answered questions on the ag reform bills and their relationship to the debt equalization bills.
Representative Sykora laid over HF2662 for possible inclusion in the Education Finance Omnibus Bill.
Representative Sykora moved the minutes of March 9, 2006. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:16 p.m.
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Representative Barb Sykora, Chair
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Kathy Dettman
Committee Legislative Assistant