Better, faster, cheaper.
This might serve as a motto for the 2011 session.
Over the past several years, lawmakers from both parties have emphasized the need to redesign state government for the 21st century. Judging by the steady trickle of reform bills moving through House committees, this could be the year it happens.
Whether everyone will be satisfied with the end results is another matter.
In the House, the new majority is moving forward with proposals on everything from cutting the number of state workers to consolidating backroom office functions like accounting. Some proposals, like a bill to spur private investment in social services programs, have bipartisan support. Others, like one that would establish a performance pay system for state workers, are seen by many DFLers as an attack on public employees’ collective bargaining rights.
But if there’s one thing both sides agree on, it’s the need for change. The
$5 billion deficit lawmakers are grappling with this year is only the beginning; structural budget gaps are predicted well into the state’s near future. Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) said budget deficits are likely to be the “new normal” for Minnesota, and lawmakers are going to have to look beyond the traditional tools to fix the problem.
“We can no longer tax our way out of these things, we can no longer cut our way out. We have to look at doing things differently,” he said at a March 7 press conference.
Rep. Keith Downey (R-Edina) sponsors many of the reform bills progressing through House committees. He said legislators and state workers need to embrace the need for a leaner, more efficient state government.
“Everything we’ve done in this legislative session, every bill that I’ve offered, has been a way to intentionally and strategically and in a planful way prepare ourselves for that reality,” he told members of the House State Government Finance Committee.
But when that reality finally comes, what will it look like? Changes already underway in Beltrami County and the Department of Administration offer some clues.
Measuring results
If there is a model for redesigning government, it might be found in Beltrami County.
Four years ago, county officials found themselves in a predicament familiar to state lawmakers: a growing demand for services and not enough funding to provide them. But with the county’s relatively small tax capacity already stretched thin, they decided raising new revenues wasn’t an option.
Instead, they began a transformation into what County Administrator Tony Murphy calls “outcome-based government.” Rather than focus on funding services and programs, county officials began to ask how they can achieve the desired end results. The difference might sound slight, but it requires a dramatic rethinking of how services are provided.
“You have to go back and kind of ask the fundamental question again: What is it that we’re really trying to accomplish here?” Murphy said.
Murphy discovered that many county employees believed that their primary customers were not county residents, but rather state regulators. Their goals were not to ensure that county services produced good results, but rather to spend as much money and serve as many people as possible.
They began to change all that. Murphy and his colleagues began developing quantifiable goals they could use to measure their success. They began forcing different departments to coordinate with each other and combine their efforts. For the first time, they asked questions like, “How can we help families on welfare find a way out of poverty?” and “How can we make sure people who go through chemical dependency treatment stay sober?”
The results speak for themselves. Four years into their experiment, Murphy said they’re providing more effective services with 13 percent fewer employees; they’ve also cut property taxes and replenished their budget reserves.
To some, the notion of measuring results and tracking outcomes might seem obvious. But according to Murphy, it’s not the way government was designed.
“We weren’t asked to deliver results; we were asked to deliver services,” he said.
The county’s move to outcome-based government is still in its infancy, according to Murphy. Other counties are undertaking similar efforts, but they’re all running up against a big obstacle: the state. Since most of what counties do is carry out state-mandated services, Murphy said state statutes and rules don’t allow counties flexibility to innovate and try new approaches.
“We’ve got to get some new ideas into the pike, and the only way to do that is to take off some of the shackles, remove some of the barriers to innovation,” he said, adding that his and other counties are developing a list of proposed legislative changes that they will submit to lawmakers.
Finding inefficiencies
Beltrami County isn’t the only government trying to innovate. Officials from the Department of Administration have launched their own effort to eliminate waste and inefficiency in government. To do it, they’re enlisting the help of people most familiar with the inefficiencies in the system: the employees.
Tom Baumann, manager of the department’s Office of Enterprise Continuous Improvement, coordinates the state’s Enterprise Lean program. Launched in 2007, the program focuses on breaking down government processes and making them more efficient. Executive branch employees are brought together for “kaizen events” — a Japanese term meaning “improvement” — in which they work cooperatively to identify outdated, overly complex processes and simplify them. Bauman said the power of the program is in its reliance on workers.
“In a lot of ways, senior leaders really don’t understand where the improvement opportunities lie,” he said.
Enterprise Lean is particularly useful for streamlining processes that involve a lot of paperwork and multiple layers of bureaucracy. At one recent kaizen event, Revenue Department employees identified processes by which they could decrease their amount of mail returned by the U.S. Postal Service by 5 percent to 6 percent — a potential savings of $800,000 to the state.
Such incremental changes aren’t going to solve the state’s $5 billion budget shortfall this year, but over time they will accumulate and lead to better, more accountable government. Many of the reform bills in the House recognize the need to engage state employees in redesign. Rep. King Banaian (R-St. Cloud), who sponsors a bill that would require the state to use zero-based budgeting, said mid-level managers know best where to find the savings in government.
For some DFLers, the question is not whether state workers will be engaged in reforming government, it’s how they will be engaged. Rep. Kerry Gauthier (DFL-Duluth) criticized some of the Republicans’ more controversial reform plans at the March 9 House State Government Finance Committee meeting.
“We have sat here for two months and heard time after time that we have the leanest workforce, that the workforce is underpaid … and yet we come with bills with pay cuts, and contracting out and outsourcing,” he said.
But Downey argues proposals to change the way employees are compensated and spur new methods of delivering state services will ultimately be good for employees as well as taxpayers.
“This is about empowering people and valuing people — not the structures, not the organization, not the processes that we’ve locked them into,” he said.
A session of compromise
Successes, disappointments and controversies mark 2012 session
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Minnesota Index: 2012 session
Facts and statistics on the 2012 legislative session
(view full story)
Published 5/25/2012
Drawing to an uncertain close
Major bills are in limbo as the end of session looms
(view full story)
Published 4/27/2012
Greene exits House after one term
Redistricting costs early childhood advocate a seat at the Capitol
(view full story)
Published 4/27/2012
Going home to put out different fires
LeMieur plans to spend more time with sons
(view full story)
Published 4/27/2012
Education funding champion
Dittrich says serving was ‘just the perfect pinnacle experience’
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Complicated road to the Senate
Koenen wins one Senate seat, but hopes to switch to another
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Putting family first
Kriesel steps down after a brief but eventful first term
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Educator, lawmaker, advocate, mom
Slawik prepares to leave on a high note for her key issue: early childhood
(view full story)
Published 4/20/2012
Wanting to go to Washington
After one term, Bills seeks to serve Minnesota in the nation’s capitol
(view full story)
Published 4/6/2012
Hilty: ‘It’s time’
Pragmatic legislator best known as renewable energy advocate
(view full story)
Published 4/6/2012
A family man heads home
Shifting priorities cause for Hosch to step down
(view full story)
Published 4/6/2012
A distinctive voice departs
A staunch conservative, Buesgens was more principled than partisan
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
Breakfasts with Bobby to continue
Champion hopes to inform constituents over a cup of ‘Joe’
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
First and last term
After two years in St. Paul, Mazorol plans to rejoin the private sector
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
‘Stepping up’ to Senate race
Westrom hopes to continue renewable energy advocacy in different chamber
(view full story)
Published 3/30/2012
Stepping down and across new lines
Doepke plans to take her education focus to the Senate
(view full story)
Published 3/23/2012
One less Anderson in the House
‘Anderson, B.’ strives to put people first, rather than government
(view full story)
Published 3/23/2012
An educated first term
After two years in House, Petersen looks to join the Senate
(view full story)
Published 3/23/2012
Artist and advocate for natural resources
After eight years in House, Scalze to run for Senate
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
Just call her Mary
New district has Kiffmeyer hoping to break bread with senators
(view full story)
Published 3/16/2012
The RULE of law
Lawmakers consider reigning in agencies’ rulemaking powers
(view full story)
Published 3/9/2012
Continuing his public service
Eken running for open Senate seat to avoid race with close friend
(view full story)
Published 3/9/2012
Renewable energy advocate
Knuth proud of her accomplishments in the House
(view full story)
Published 3/9/2012
Family calls him back home
Murdock leaves with better understanding of the district he has served
(view full story)
Published 3/2/2012
Equal representation for 5,303,025
A special feature on Minnesota's legislative redistricting.
(view full story)
Published 2/24/2012
Collaboration over discipline
Whips rely on communication as session moves forward
(view full story)
Published 2/24/2012
Editor's Note
No 'First Reading' story this week
(view full story)
Published 2/17/2012
Changing the rules, mid-game
Land use spat pits developers against cities, environmentalists against business
(view full story)
Published 2/3/2012
So many rules, so little time
Lawmakers debate the wisdom of curbing agencies’ rulemaking powers
(view full story)
Published 2/3/2012
Big plans, short session
Vikings, bonding, government reform top the agenda in 2012
(view full story)
Published 1/27/2012
Always looking to help others
Allen brings her fight for social and economic justice to the House
(view full story)
Published 1/27/2012
The Dance of Legislation has started
Numerous bonding proposals highlight first bill introductions of 2012 session
(view full story)
Published 1/27/2012
Minnesota Index: Session 2012
Facts and statistics about legislative sessions past and present.
(view full story)
Published 1/27/2012
Pension changes now law
Local employee plans to join statewide plan
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
Small budget, big changes
State government finance law includes plans for government reform
(view full story)
Published 8/11/2011
State of uncertainty
Budget stalemate, government shutdown leave Minnesota in limbo
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Freshmen power
Zeal for reform influences session agenda
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Too much reform?
Gov. Dayton says state government bill too aggressive in proposed cuts
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Minnesota Index: 2011 regular session
Facts and statistics from the 2011 legislative session.
(view full story)
Published 7/15/2011
Special session? Not so special anymore
Number 50 since statehood could be imminent
(view full story)
Published 5/20/2011
State of disrepair
Lawmakers look to fix a crumbling Capitol Building
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2011
Minnesota Index: Older Minnesotans
Facts and statistics on aging in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2011
Rangers in a strange land
Iron Range lawmakers stick together at the Capitol
(view full story)
Published 4/15/2011
Black and Light
A photo essay
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Beyond budget cuts
Finance bill heralds big changes for state government
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
Minnesota Index: State demographics
Facts and statistics on the state's population
(view full story)
Published 4/8/2011
The long and winding road
Omnibus bills morph and change all along the way for a purpose, tax chair says
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2011
Betting on change
Budget bill would restructure state government
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2011
Blueprint for change
What would a redesigned state government look like?
(view full story)
Published 3/11/2011
The big reboot
To help cut costs, lawmakers look to technology improvements
(view full story)
Published 3/11/2011
Remembering Ed Burdick
Former chief clerk passes away
(view full story)
Published 3/11/2011
From staffer to representative
Melin wins special election to become newest Iron Range member
(view full story)
Published 3/4/2011
Melin wins special election
New member takes seat formerly held by Sertich
(view full story)
Published 2/18/2011
Minnesota Index: Celebrating black history month
Figures and statistics on black Minnesotans
(view full story)
Published 2/18/2011
At Issue: Address is a snapshot of hard times
Governor pledges funding for education, all-day kindergarten
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2011
A farmer with wings (New Member)
Green acres is Daudt’s place to be
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2011
From daycare mom to legislator (New Member)
Franson commits to practicing kindness, likes to see others follow
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2011
Rural Republican’s challenge (New Member)
Hancock says government’s role important in supporting small communities
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2011
Runbeck the reformer (New Member)
New members’ senior has her eye on property tax reform
(view full story)
Published 2/11/2011
From volunteer advocate to member (New Member)
Anderson now has an office in building she used to roam as activist
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Cutting through the red tape (New Member)
Benson hopes to reduce bureaucracy, empower people
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Following Willard Munger’s trail (New Member)
Gauthier strives to give voice to working class
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Charting her own course (New Member)
Kieffer focuses on better schools and business climate
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
The ‘beet’ goes on (New Member)
Kiel brings agricultural, educational experience to Capitol
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
A soldier on a new mission (New Member)
Kriesel hopes to bring civility to the Capitol
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Standing up to Goliath (New Member)
Schomacker’s district on the frontline of keeping business
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Politics with his pancakes (New Member)
Woodard goes from breakfast with his buddies to the House
(view full story)
Published 2/4/2011
Preserving an engineering feat
Capitol dome repairs hope to preserve Minnesota’s statehouse for many years
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
Leading by example (New Member)
An economic wonk, Bills wants to use his background to create solutions
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
A third call to duty (New Member)
Leidiger says his obligation is ‘to right-size government’
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
Second run’s a charm (New Member)
Focused on government’s role, Lohmer hopes to make ‘significant change’
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
Start early and stay late (New Member)
For Murray, new role offers much to learn and many challenges
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
Taking part in another endeavor (New Member)
Quam’s varied background will help him make the hard decisions
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
A Minnesota marketer (New Member)
Stensrud believes state needs to do a better job of selling itself
(view full story)
Published 1/28/2011
Professor turned legislator (New Member)
Banaian goes from the classroom to the House
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
Numbers guy (New Member)
Barrett hopes to help bring fiscal management to Capitol
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
‘Make a difference’ (New Member)
Greene considers herself a person who can unite others
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
Priorities based on data (New Member)
Gruenhagen doesn’t favor across-the-board cuts
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
Firsthand information (New Member)
LeMieur brings his business background to the Capitol
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
A brighter future (New Member)
Mazorol plans to focus on budget, business
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
Snapshot of Delano leader (New Member)
McDonald follows in his father’s footsteps
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
Myhra goes from home to House (New Member)
Dedicated door-knocking key to election success
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
A new way to serve (New Member)
O’Driscoll continues a long record of public service
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
A fast learner (New Member)
Petersen says state should practice ‘kitchen table budgeting’
(view full story)
Published 1/21/2011
The bills have landed
First two House files focus on economy, budget
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Final Reading
Sertich steps down
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Putting his theories to the test (New Member)
Crawford brings big ideas, practical experience to St. Paul
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Steeped in Tea Party values (New Member)
Back for her seventh term, Erickson aims to improve schools
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Fabian hits the ground running (New Member)
Track coach and high school teacher wants to keep jobs in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Focused and determined (New Member)
McElfatrick hopes to strengthen Iron Range economy
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Going from homeless to the House (New Member)
Moran used hard work to improve self, wants to help others
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Welding the economy back together (New Member)
Swedzinski brings rural development experience to the House
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
A reformer in the House (New Member)
Vogel brings focus on agriculture; hopes to streamline state government
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Looking to give the state a fresh start (New Member)
Wardlow seeks fiscal stability, better jobs climate in Minnesota
(view full story)
Published 1/14/2011
Ready for the challenge
2011 session underway with changes aplenty
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011
Let the people’s work begin
Activists, lobbyists, members’ families mark day one of 2011 session
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2011
Figures and statistics about the Minnesota House of Representatives.
(view full story)
Published 1/7/2011