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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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NEWLY FORMED COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE INPUT ON $1 BILLION IN STATE GRANTS
St. Paul, MN – Legislation authored by State Rep. Paul Thissen, Chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, was put into action this week with the first meeting of the Grants Innovations Committee. The 2009 legislature provided $25,000 to the Office of Grants Management to study and make recommendations in improving collaborative activities between the state, nonprofit entities and the private sector. A bipartisan group of legislators and representatives from stage agencies, and non-profit and for-profit entities will meet regularly to formulate recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature on how to improve and maximize state grants.
“We need to approach these challenging economic times as an opportunity to find new and innovative ways of doing business," said Thissen. “This group will continually evaluate the different ways our state delivers services, looking for both improved efficiencies and increased sustainability, so we can make sound recommendations to the legislature on how to best allocate state grant dollars.”
According to Thissen, one approach the committee will take is to study the many non-profit organizations in the state that work very well on a small scale, and work to expand their methods of operation statewide. Another challenge will be to provide grants that are sustainable for the long term by continuing to deliver services with diminishing public funds.
The Grants Innovations Committee will also consider ways to tap into the growing trend of social entrepreneurship – marked by citizens becoming increasingly involved in solving some of our most difficult social problems. Thissen said that research shows that certain periods in time provide a wave of opportunity for social enterprise. For example, when the status quo fails to solve problems, such as improving public schools, new ideas are sought and brought forth. The committee will work to recognize and coordinate grant efforts with these opportunities for productive change.
In 2010, the state of Minnesota will issue approximately $1 billion in grants through over 500 different grant programs at 30 state agencies, boards and commissions. To better understand the effectiveness of state grant programs, the Grants Innovations Committee will study them more closely to understand whether they are meeting their objectives and whether the state is currently funding organizations that have the potential to work on a larger scale.
“Just as Minnesota families are evaluating their household budgets to make sure they are spending their income wisely, this committee will carefully evaluate state grant programs,” said Thissen. “Now, more than ever, every dollar and every good idea counts.”
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- State Representative John Persell appointed Majority Whip - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 1:11PM)
- Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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