| Instructor
Office: 138 Humphrey Center
Phone: 612-625-0799
E-mail: svigg004@umn.edu
Areas of expertise: state finance; leadership; taxation; education funding and policy; labor management; special legislative sessions
Sviggum served in the Minnesota State Legislature for 29 years. He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1978. He served as House Minority Leader from 1993 to 1998 and later as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007, during which time he served on the board of directors for the National Speakers Conference. In July of 2007, he assumed his new role as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Sviggum has been honored by many business organizations, advocacy groups for the mentally disabled, and taxpayer watchdog groups. He has held many different leadership positions during his career, but he is most proud of being a dad. He and his family reside in Kenyon, Minnesota, where they also maintain a family farm.
Sviggum earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Olaf College in 1973.
Courses taught for the Humphrey Institute
For syllabi for the current semester, view the University of Minnesota's Course Guide. For syllabi for public affairs classes for Fall 2007 or earlier, view the Humphrey Institute's course syllabi web page. Syllabi are available in alternative formats. Please send requests to
the instructor.
Fall 2008
PA 5990-2 - Topics: Public Affairs--General Topics
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