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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873
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LARSON, THISSEN GET M.A.C. OVERSIGHT PROVISION IN STATE GOVERNMENT BILL
ST. PAUL - During a floor debate on a state government finance bill, State Representatives Paul Thissen and Dan Larson successfully included a provision to increase the power of the Legislative Auditor to oversee the Metropolitan Airports Commission (M.A.C.). The amendment passed the House floor on a bipartisan vote. The Legislative Auditor is a non-partisan office that has the power to audit the finances of certain governmental organizations like the M.A.C., at the request of any Legislator. This provision would require an audit of the M.A.C. every other year.
"The M.A.C. is a public entity, it spends public money, and even has the power to levy property taxes," Thissen said. "Since its members aren't elected, there must be at least some Legislative accountability."
Both Thissen and Larson have worked for increased accountability of the M.A.C. in recent years. Both served on the Legislative Audit Commission when a major program evaluation audit of the M.A.C was last undertaken. Larson said an incident last summer illustrated the need for oversight.
Larson said, "When the new runway opened the M.A.C. decided to spend $110,000 of public money and throw a party to celebrate a project with such a negative impact on our communities." He added, "That event demonstrates that the M.A.C. needs more oversight, and the Legislative Auditor is an effective watchdog to accomplish it."
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