RELEASE: House approves State Government Finance bill

ST. PAUL, MN—The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the State Government Finance Omnibus bill Friday on a vote of 75-55. The bill, SF605, authored by Chair Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, prioritizes veterans, increases accountability and transparency, and reforms state government.

“With this legislation we are putting a stop to the double-digit state agency budget increases of recent years while still funding our priorities and making sure agencies have the resources they need to function,” said Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, Chair of the State Government Finance Committee. “This is a good bill with many overdue reforms to make state government more efficient and I am proud that 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. The bill includes provisions to:

• Provide housing for homeless veterans;


• Train the courts in dealing with veterans suffering from PTSD;


• Expand the GI Bill to include apprenticeships and on-the-job training and educational benefits;


• Protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking;


• Prioritize funding for those with disabilities;


• Establish a first time home buyer savings account at the Department of Revenue;


• End severance packages to commissioners; and


• Reform the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

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 program has come under scrutiny from legislators for failing to document savings achieved as required under law despite $6.7 million in payments made to employees since its inception. The non-partisan Office of the Legislative Auditor has opened an investigation into the gainsharing program.

“The gainsharing program has morphed into a bonus for simply doing ones job,” said Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, Vice-Chair of the State Government Finance Committee. “Monthly reports that document actual savings before rewards are given should be the norm. I’m glad the Legislative Auditor is taking a closer look at this program that has clearly gone awry.”

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 their State Government Finance bill last week. The two bills will now head to conference committee as lawmakers work out differences between the proposals.

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