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Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy

FIFTEENTH MEETING

2015-2016 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 3, 2015

STATE OF MINNESOTA FIFTEENTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION

GREATER MINNESOTA ECONOMIC &
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Representative Bob Gunther, Chair of the Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 12:¬¬47 p.m. on March 3rd, 2015, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


GUNTHER, Bob, Chair
GREEN, Steve,Vice Chair
BARRETT, Bob
DILL, David
GAROFALO, Pat
HANCOCK, Dave
JOHNSON, Brian
KIEL, Debra

LIEN, Ben
MAHONEY, Tim
MILLER, Tim
MORAN, Rena
NORTON, Kim
O’NEILL, Marion
SUNDIN, Mike



A quorum was present.

Representative Sundin moved that the minutes of Thursday, February 26, 2015 be approved. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Gunther moved that HF438 (Kresha) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.

Representative Kresha presented HF438 (Minnesota New Markets Jobs Act adopted, capital for business growth in economically distressed communities provided, penalties imposed, and report required).

Testifying before committee were the following in favor of HF438:

Jeff Ziarko, Government Relations Director, Enhanced Capital Partners;
Paul Cassidy, Government Relations Director, Stinson Leonard Street.

Chair Gunther renewed the motion that HF438 pass, and be re-referred to the committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Chair Gunther moved that HF688 (Albright) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Elections Policy.

Representative Albright presented HF688 (New markets tax credit program established, rulemaking authorized, report required, and money appropriated).

Testifying before committee were the following in favor of HF688:

Lorrie Louder, Senior Vice President Business and Intergovernmental Affairs,
St. Paul Port Authority;
Frank Altman, President and CEO, Community Reinvestment Fund, USA;
Julia Nelmark, Director of New Markets Tax Credits Financing, Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation;
Paul Cassidy, Stinson, Leaonard & Street;
Rick Beeson, Executive Vice President, Sunrise Bank.

Chair Gunther moved the H0688A1 amendment. THE MOTION PREVAILED.


Chair Gunther renewed the motion that HF688 pass, as amended, and be re-referred to the committee on Government Operations and Elections Policy. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Kiel moved that HF894 (Kiel) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.

Representative Kiel presented HF894 (Permanent tax reduction authority provided to border city enterprise zones).

Testifying before committee were the following in favor of HF894:

David Murphy, East Grand Forks City Administrator;
Scott Hutchins, Moorhead Deputy City Manager.

Representative Kiel renewed the motion that HF894 pass, and be re-referred to the committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Kiel moved that HF750 (Kiel) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.

Representative Kiel presented HF750 (Job training grants to employers provided, report required, and money appropriated).

Testifying before committee were the following in favor of HF750 and HF751:

Barry Wiilfahrt, President & CEO, Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Chamber of
Commerce;
Marty Seifert, Greater Minnesota Partnership;
Kim Babine, Director of Government Affairs, DEED.

Representative Kiel renewed the motion that HF750 pass, and be re-referred to the committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

Representative Kiel moved that HF751 (Kiel) be recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance.

Representative Kiel presented HF751 (Job training tax credit provided, report required, and money appropriated).

Representative Kiel renewed the motion that HF751 pass, and be re-referred to the Committee on Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:25 p.m.




Bob Gunther, Chair









Rebecca Meade, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..
Bills Added:
  • HF0438 (Kresha) - Minnesota New Markets Jobs Act adopted.
  • HF0688 (Albright) - New market tax credit program established, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF0894 (Kiel) - Permanent tax reduction authority provided to border city enterprise zones.
  • HF0750 (Kiel) - Job training grants to employers provided, report required, and money appropriated.
  • HF0751 (Kiel) - Job training tax credit provided, report required, and money appropriated.