RELEASE: Speaker Daudt kick-starts citizen-focused tech initiative

House Republicans Announce Select Committee on Technology & Responsive Government

St. Paul, MN—Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) announced the formation of a Select Committee on Technology and Responsive Government. The select committee will be chaired by Representative Dave Baker (R-Willmar) and will partner with members of the public to challenge state and local government to provide easy-to-use, technologically-safe interfaces for Minnesotans.

“Our motivation behind forming the Select Committee on Technology and Responsive Government is to not only make government more effective for Minnesotans, but also to deliver cost-savings and improve efficiency,” said Speaker Daudt. “As a successful small businessman in the hospitality industry, Representative Baker knows the customer always comes first, making him the perfect choice to spearhead this citizen-focused tech initiative.”

There are over 2,000 applications being used across Minnesota government–review of each individually would take years. The committee will look thematically, at the nature of information technology in Minnesota, but also specifically at systems with a direct interface with the public.

Prospective focuses for the Select Committee on Technology & Responsive Government:

• legacy systems


• technology and low-income Minnesotans


• land use


• small agencies


• technology-led agency re-organization


• eligibility verification and data privacy


• business services

The select committee will seek input from Minnesotans including persons relying on state income or health supports, businesses using the state’s Revenue Department systems, drivers needing licenses or vehicle title transfers, students and their parents.

“Our committee will listen to Minnesotans and examine how they interact with government. Ultimately, our goal will be to harness innovation to respond to the emerging needs of the public instead of catering to the outdated needs of government systems,” said Chair Baker. “I am honored to chair this brand-new Select Committee on Technology and Responsive Government and use my experience as a business leader to transform how government interacts with its citizens.”

The lead agency for government technology services, MN-IT, is completing the five-year strategic plan adopted in 2012, and will adopt a new strategic plan in 2017 making this select committee both timely and appropriate.

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