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State Representative Diane Loeffler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4219
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
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Loeffler: DFL Co-Chair of Public Sector Redesign
ST. PAUL – Today, Rep. Diane Loeffler was asked by Paul Marquart, Chair of the House Property and Local Sales Tax Committee, to serve as a DFL Co-Chair of Public Sector Redesign. At a press conference today, legislators launched the Redesign comment line/website, an initiative to engage Minnesotans in a discussion on how to improve the quality of state or local government services or increase results while at the same time lowering costs. Six of the best reform and redesign ideas received from Minnesotans will be put into a “Citizen Redesign Bill" this session.
“Failure to redesign our service system and the state/local partnership that supports it will result in unequal access to basic services and a major transferring of costs to property tax funding,” said State Rep. Diane Loeffler. “As in health care reform, we can demonstrate that improved outcomes can come with reduced costs when flexibility in delivery is matched with a focus on results. Given ongoing changes in demographics, current high property tax burdens and the continuing impact of the recession, the status quo is not an option. I’m glad to be a part of promoting reform and redesign and doing it in a way that harnesses the creativity of Minnesotans.”
Last year, Rep. Loeffler led a redesign of the state/local health and human services. The result will be social workers and others at the local level being able to focus on results in their clients’ lives, not needless paperwork or complying with directives that don’t fit. State staff will no longer have to write "one size doesn't fit all" directives or spend huge amounts of time reviewing lots of paperwork. All will be able to use their training and experience to support positive change. “We must minimize administrative burdens when tough budgets reduce or limit program funds,” said State Rep. Diane Loeffler. “A state/county group has been meeting monthly to establish performance measures. A parallel human services fiscal reform was passed into law last year as well.”
Rep. Loeffler also initiated a housing options reform for persons with disabilities. A wide range of stakeholders is working on a report due next year that should help limited state and federal funding focus on program supports, not building costs. The end result may enable more persons with disabilities to have the stability that comes with inheriting or owning their own housing, thus reducing state and federal costs of rent. With about 6,000 persons with disabilities on waiting lists for support services, new approaches are critically needed.
“These are but two examples of how to redesign service delivery for better outcomes at lesser state costs,” said State Rep. Diane Loeffler.
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