House committee deadlocks on proposal to have governor's workforce board vet direct appropriations

Representative Baker introduced House File 3843 to create a subcommittee of the Governor's Workforce Development Board to review workforce direct appropriations and report annually to legislative chairs. Dylan Donnelly, workforce partnership manager with Hostello Minnesota, told the committee the change would add subject‑matter review and performance orientation: "Let's take these proposals, have them reviewed by subject matter experts, add transparency, align workforce with demand."

Members broadly agreed the goal of improving outcomes and preventing misuse is important but disagreed about where decision‑making authority should rest. Representative Greenman and others insisted the legislature must set policy priorities and accountability criteria rather than cede decision power, while Representative Baker said the proposal preserves legislative authority and aims primarily to vet proposals so lawmakers have better information.

Representative Baker moved to refer the bill to Ways and Means for further consideration and requested a roll call. The vote resulted in a 6–6 tie; the motion did not prevail and the bill was laid over.

Members signaled openness to continued negotiation on who sets criteria and how the board would receive legislative direction, and several requested additional language to clarify accountability and priority‑setting before the bill advances.