Dear Neighbor,
We have reached the deadline for policy bills in the Legislature to receive initial hearings in order to remain active this session.
Most of our energy this week has been spent in committee hearings as we work hard to move proposals through those preliminary stages. The Game and Fish Bill is proceeding from the committee I chair.
In other news, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Auditor opened some eyes with a recent report regarding the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. The upshot is there has not been adequate oversight and follow-up regarding loans and grants that have been awarded for economic development.
The Iron Range deserves better. This is just the latest call for reform to provide more accountability and transparency with government. The same has been said for MNsure and any number of other governmental entities in our state.
Along with criticisms, the OLA provides numerous recommendations, including determining how well the grants are meeting stated objectives such as job creation and economic impacts.
Click here for a summary of the findings or click here for the full report if you wish to read deeper on this subject.
There is no shortage of areas where government can improve its efficiency to make sure we are getting the most out of taxpayer dollars. This report is just the latest example of where greater transparency and accountability is needed. Again, the people on the Iron Range deserve better, and so do Minnesota taxpayers in general.
Sincerely,
Tom