Less spending and more accountability are the hallmarks of a new law that funds state government operations for the 2010-2011 biennium.
Sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), the law funds the Legislature, the state’s constitutional offices and several state agencies including Minnesota Management and Budget and the Department of Revenue.
In all, the law will have a net General Fund impact of $580 million, which amounts to a 7 percent reduction from the February forecasted base. This is made possible largely through a new tax compliance initiative by the Revenue Department that is expected to supply $41.5 million in the biennium.
Under the law, the Legislature and the governor’s office will receive 3 percent cuts from their forecasted base funding. The Office of the Secretary of State and the Office of the Attorney General will be cut 5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively. The Office of the State Auditor would actually see a 3.7 percent budget increase to help oversee and report on the use of federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Most executive agencies would see a 5 percent reduction in their operating budgets.
The law includes several information technology initiatives supported by Gov. Tim Pawlenty, including:
• funding completion of an integrated tax system;
• partial funding and lease-purchase authorization for replacing the state’s accounting and procurement system;
• funding for preliminary planning to consolidate the state’s data centers; and
• provisions to establish a statewide electronic licensing system for commercial and professional licenses, paid for by an extension on a temporary technology surcharge.
The law is designed to help strengthen accountability and financial management in state government in a number of ways. A provision sponsored by Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley) clarifies that knowingly misusing state funds is a gross misdemeanor and grounds for employment termination; previously, statutes were unclear as to whether misappropriating state funds is actually a crime.
Legislation sponsored by Winkler and Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) that would strengthen the state’s internal financial controls has been included in the law. The provisions require Minnesota Management and Budget to take responsibility for internal controls across the executive branch, and also direct the Legislative Audit Commission to make recommendations on improving internal controls.
A provision sponsored by Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) establishes a false claims act for the state. The act imposes penalties and allows the state to recover damages and establishes protections for whistleblowers.
Other policy provisions include:
• granting preferences to certain veteran-owned small businesses in regard to bids on state contracts;
• requiring municipalities to consider using the state’s cooperative purchasing venture for contracts greater than $25,000;
• requiring the creation of a Web site with a searchable database of information on state contracts, expenditures and appropriations;
• officially changing the name of the Department of Finance to the Department of Management and Budget, which may also be referred to as Minnesota Management and Budget;
• requiring the state demographer to release a state demographic forecast to coincide with the November economic forecast from MMB;
• allowing the use of state facilities to provide fitness or wellness classes for state employees;
• establishing a central Geospatial Information Office within the Department of Administration that consolidates a number of existing state geographic information services; and
• requiring occupants of state-owned buildings to try to turn off building lights between midnight and dawn during bird migration seasons (the “bird-safe buildings” provision).
Funding provisions in the law take effect July 1, 2009. Most policy provisions are effective Aug. 1, 2009. The provisions relating to the false claims act take effect July 1, 2010.
HF1781/SF2082*/CH101
Interim Update: Disaster relief enacted
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Never a dull moment
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RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
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Art of compromise is the heart of politics
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One more goal in his playbook
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Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
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Excited for a new opportunity
Kohls leaves the House with fond memories, optimism about future
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Published 6/1/2010
Agriculture advocate bids adieu
Otremba stepping down after 13 years to focus on family, friends
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Published 6/1/2010
Minnesota Index: the 2010 session
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Published 6/1/2010
‘A decade is a long time’
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Published 5/6/2010
Magnus will run for state Senate
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First Hmong House member shifts focus
Thao’s family and business to get more of his time
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Erring on the side of openness
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Published 4/29/2010
Demmer winds down fourth, final term
Former corn farmer plans to keep lending an ear to constituents
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Published 4/29/2010
Time for a change
Bigham takes a break from the House, but not from public service
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Published 4/22/2010
Leaving before his self-imposed limit
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Published 4/22/2010
Bumper pride
Specialty license plates generate pride, funds and headaches
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Published 4/15/2010
Seifert concludes 14-year House career
He’s strived to serve “conscience, constitution and constituents”
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Published 4/15/2010
Energized to follow a different path
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Published 4/15/2010
Ensuring good management
Twelve legislators decide which programs legislative auditor will evaluate
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Published 4/8/2010
Legislative powers
Giving legislators a chance to call themselves into special session
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Published 4/8/2010
Unallotment upheaval
Potential modifications to governor’s power gets House committee approval
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Published 2/18/2010
Hard times hit home
As one lawmaker joins the ranks of the unemployed, House leaders push jobs proposals
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Published 2/11/2010
State of the State: Laying out his recovery plan
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Published 2/11/2010
Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
House reconvenes and hits the ground running
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Published 2/4/2010
Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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Published 2/4/2010
First Reading: No easy fixes
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: State government funding signed
New law strengthens accountability of stimulus funds received by the state
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Published 5/29/2009
Governor's Desk
Bills not acted upon in 2009 could come to life in 2010
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Published 5/29/2009
Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
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Published 5/29/2009
First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
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Published 5/15/2009
Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
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Published 5/15/2009
First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
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Published 5/8/2009
Resources: From beginning to end
Tracking bills is just a mouse click away
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
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Published 4/24/2009
First Reading: Protecting public dollars
Lawmakers push for better financial controls at state agencies
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Published 4/17/2009
At Issue: Making technology accessible
Lawmakers want to open state Web sites to individuals who are deaf, blind or hard-of-hearing
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Published 4/3/2009
First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
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Published 2/27/2009
Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
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Published 2/27/2009
New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
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Published 2/20/2009
New Member: A passion for local issues
Reinert plans to be ‘an advocate and a partner’ for Duluth
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Published 2/20/2009
Feature: Is there a page in the House?
They ‘do what needs to be done’
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Former teacher returns
Davids is happy to be back after hiatus
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
Business brought Doepke to state, led to public service
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Keeping it local
Anderson wants to help constituents from a different chair
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Facing complex problems
For Champion, jobs are the starting point
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Planning for the future
Downey hopes to offer proactive ideas for state’s future
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New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Altitude adjustment
Ag and water issues linked for Torkelson
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: A young, rural voice
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: A political education
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: The deficit is top priority
Kelly promotes fiscal responsibility
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: A global view in St. Paul
Mack was page, intern, now member
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Honored to serve
Sanders focuses on kitchen-table issues
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Waiting years for his seat
Sterner looks to prove his bipartisan background
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Published 1/30/2009
At Issue: Leading by example
At their own ‘House,’ legislators take cost-saving measures to heart
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: A heritage of involvement
Kiffmeyer brings lifelong work ethic to her seat
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Passionate about business
Loon calls for economic recovery through job creation
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: No shortcut to service
Newton relishes opportunity to make tough decisions
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Working to unite
Obermueller hopes to represent by connecting
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Making a difference
Tired of complaining, Rosenthal decided to get involved
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Taking the chance
With open seat, Scott knew now is her time to serve
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Published 1/23/2009
At Issue: The state of our state
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Published 1/16/2009
Feature: Opening day
Occasion gives legislators reason to pause, appreciate democracy at work
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Published 1/9/2009
At Issue: Beyond the budget
Assistant leaders optimistic about accomplishing more than solving the money woes
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Published 1/9/2009
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
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Published 1/9/2009