House passes IT upgrades for human services programs

The era of the green screen may soon be over.

For years, those who administer human services programs in Minnesota have complained of being required to use outdated technology that predates the age of the computer mouse. They’ve testified before House committees that they’re forced to use an error-prone system that’s slowed the processing of paperwork for public assistance for food, medical care and other needs.

But the governor and legislative leaders concurred in Wednesday’s supplemental budget agreement that an update is in order, and that $75 million should be earmarked for the purpose during the current biennium.

The House heartily agreed on Sunday, unanimously passing HF744/SF334*, a bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) and Sen. Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington). A unanimous Senate vote shortly thereafter sent the bill to the governor for action.

“The system in use dates back to the 1980s and early ‘90s,” Torkelson said. “Those of you old enough might remember the game, Pong. The green screen where the little ball goes back and forth. Well, that’s exactly the kind of technology that our counties are using today, in most cases.

“It’s nothing like what most of us have in our pockets, a modern cellphone that you can use to do anything. You can even buy a house, for goodness’ sakes. This is ridiculous and it’s been ridiculous for quite some time.”

Minnesota is among a shrinking number of states that administer their human services programs at the county level. Urgency to upgrade the systems has grown with federal mandates signed into law last year requiring states to increase their oversight of human services programs.

The bill would establish a new state fund to modernize the IT systems used by state agencies, counties and tribal nations to administer human services programs. Before spending money from this new fund, the Department of Human Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Minnesota IT Services would be required to consult a new advisory council created by the bill.

The bill would also appropriate money for certain priority county and agency IT modernization projects, establish a bicameral legislative commission to oversee human services system modernization, and require Minnesota Management and Budget to transfer money to the new fund under certain circumstances.

Torkelson warned that the upgrade will take some time, but “this legislation will start the ball rolling.”

“We’re doing something called an integration layer,” he said. “It won’t be as good as the new software, but it will be much better than what we have today. … I look forward to that coming on fairly quickly.”

Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Mpls) praised the legislation and touted its funding for ongoing technology upgrades.

“I call it ‘the Tork Account Fund,’” Noor said, dubbing it after Torkelson’s nickname. “This is a moment that we should all celebrate. … A system that we’ve been using for 40 years isn’t the best way to achieve the goals of a state government.”

“This will also help us detect fraud going forward,” said Rep. Tim O'Driscoll (R-Sartell), adding that his mother retired 26 years ago from working for Stearns County and her old office was still using the same system now as when she retired.

And Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) said the fresh technology should help attract and retain new employees.

“How do you recruit people when you have a dinosaur on the desk?”