ST. PAUL – Today the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the State Government Finance Omnibus Bill Conference Committee Report (Senate File 605) on a 75-56 vote. The compromise agreement between the House and Senate prioritizes veterans, increases accountability and transparency, and reforms state government.
“Minnesotans deserve a state government that lives within its means and is accountable to the people,” said Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, Chair of the State Government Finance Committee and author of the bill. “With this compromise between the House and Senate, we are putting an end to double digit state agency increases while still funding our priorities and making state government more efficient and accountable. It’s a bill that will improve our state government and I’m proud it passed the House today.”
The bill also contains key reforms to increase state agency transparency and accountability to the public through greater reporting and prioritizes helping those who have fought to protect our country. A highlight of the bill is the $10 million fund dedicated to the operation of new veterans homes for underserved areas in Greater Minnesota. The bill also includes provisions to:
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Provide housing for homeless veterans;Train the courts in dealing with veterans suffering from PTSD;
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Expand the GI Bill to include apprenticeships and on-the-job training and educational benefits;
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Dedicate $6 million to the Minnesota National Guard for recruitment enlistment bonuses and educational incentives;
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Protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking;
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Prioritize funding for those with disabilities;
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Establish a first time home buyer savings account at the Department of Revenue; and
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End severance packages to cronies.
Accountability-related reform is a key part of this bill including one provision to require monthly reports for the “gainsharing” incentive program for state employees. The gainsharing program was developed as a reward for employees whose suggestions saved government agencies money.
The bill also includes a cap on the growth of full time employees for the executive branch, with provisions to protect health and human services and public safety positions from staff reductions that result.
The Senate passed the conference committee report earlier in the day. The bill will now head to Governor Dayton for his consideration.
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