Transcript Highlights:

• I am here with WomenVenture.
• Withun said she has done tremendous work with WomenVenture in the past.
• I’m the CEO of WomenVenture. Thank you, Representative K.
• WomenVenture has been around for nearly 50 years.
• WomenVenture has been a huge support in helping me grow.

Bills: HF2582, HF2266, HF2518, HF2039, HF1941

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• My specific role at WomenVenture is director of child care programs.
• WomenVenture WomenVenture and<00:58:50.000> we<00:58:50.160> want<00:58:50.440> to<
• > that<00:58:59.160> provides WomenVenture is a CDFI that provides WomenVenture is a CDFI
• <00:59:09.920> is My specific role at WomenVenture is My specific role at WomenVenture is
• WomenVenture. WomenVenture.

Bills: HF4477

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• WomenVenture has participation loans, typically with community or small to midsize banks.
• WomenVenture itself, we are business continuity scenario planning in that event.
• I appreciate the committee's time today in considering WomenVenture.
• I appreciate the committee's time today in considering WomenVenture.
• I appreciate the committee's time today in considering WomenVenture.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Leanne Rausch Sek, and I'm CEO of WomenVenture.
• <00:24:58.880> And<00:24:59.040> for<00:24:59.160> small One of our WomenVenture
• We have a policy in place at WomenVenture if something should happen to me.
• Last week our team at WomenVenture hosted 15 child care providers in Willmar.
• Last week our team at WomenVenture Last week our team at WomenVenture hosted<00:28:17.640> 15

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met to approve the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held a hearing on the economic impact of Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Testifiers described broad effects on cities, small businesses, workers, and schools, and several speakers voiced support for House File 4477, which would create a targeted state relief program for affected businesses and communities. Metro Cities said member cities reported unexpected burdens on public safety, public works, emergency management, and other local services, and its board adopted a policy supporting state assistance for those costs. Northstar Policy Action presented data arguing the operation contributed to higher unemployment, reduced hours, lost wages, and business losses, including a reported $106 million in lost wages from reduced hours and an estimated $18 million per week in taxpayer costs. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said the city incurred nearly $1 million in direct costs and estimated small businesses lost about $16 million per week, with major drops in foot traffic and sales, especially among immigrant-owned neighborhood businesses. Other testimony emphasized impacts outside the metro area and on specific communities. Georgia Gallardo of Kerkhoven Cattle Butcher said rural small businesses also suffered, citing reduced sales and weekend traffic. The Minnesota Council of Latino Affairs reported that Latino-owned businesses support thousands of jobs and have seen sales declines of 40% to 90%, while WomenVenture and the Minnesota CDFI Coalition said CDFIs were seeing urgent demand for flexible relief and described businesses delaying hiring, reducing hours, or pausing expansion. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruly said federal agents’ conduct during the surge undermined trust, created public safety concerns, and led to overtime and other local costs, while also noting he supports federal immigration enforcement in principle. Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis said the district lost 112 students since December, still had 72 not returned, and had to rapidly create a virtual learning option for students who did not feel safe attending in person. Across the hearing, witnesses argued the disruption was statewide, not limited to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and that state relief was needed to prevent business closures, job losses, and longer-term damage to communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the Asian Economic Development Association, $1 million in fiscal year 2026-27, one time for WomenVenture

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Data shows, and there's a letter on your desk, members, from an organization called WomenVenture, representing
• WomenVenture, representing thousands of women and CEOs in this state, states that data shows women are

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and received routine executive communications and House messages, including the House’s passage of Senate File 3623 on school bus stopping requirements and transmittal of House Files 3241, 3731, 3741, and 3802. The chamber also adopted committee reports and gave second readings to several Senate files and House File 3379, while referring Senate File 4854 to the Capital Investments Committee and Senate Resolution 68 to Rules and Administration. The main floor action involved a series of motions to re-refer bills to different committees. The Senate adopted motions to move Senate File 1671 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Housing and Homelessness Prevention, Senate File 2373 from Finance to Labor, Senate File 4452 from Capital Investment to Human Services, Senate File 4580 from Human Services to State and Local Government, Senate File 4589 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Higher Education, Senate File 4630 from Education Policy to Education Finance, and Senate File 4662 from Capital Investment to State and Local Government. The chamber also adopted a motion to give House File 3378 a second reading and place it on general orders after a roll call vote of 46-21. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 69, which would amend the temporary rules to allow certain accommodations for members who are new parents. Senators Murphy and Coleman spoke in support, arguing the rules should better reflect modern family life and make the chamber more welcoming to parents, especially mothers. Senator Nelson offered the A4 amendment to allow caucus leaders to permit a member’s child under age one on the floor, with the member responsible for supervision and the child exempt from Rule 17.6. Opponents, including Senator Boldon, argued the age limit was too restrictive and that parents should have more flexibility. After roll call, the Nelson A4 amendment failed 32-35, and the resolution remained pending with additional amendments possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for WomenVenture, $1 million one time as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then for WomenVenture, also from the workforce settlement fund, $1 million one-time appropriation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is $500,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 towards WomenVenture for their child care support efforts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, Neighborhood Development Center, WomenVenture

Keywords: 1187, senate, all