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RELEASE: Statement from Leader Daudt on Lourey resignation

Monday, July 15, 2019

ST. PAUL, MN—House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, issued the following statement regarding this morning's news that Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Tony Lourey has resigned.

"The abrupt, unexplained departures of the top three officials at DHS in the past week is deeply troubling, and indicative of turmoil at our largest state agency. Minnesotans deserve answers and transparency from Governor Walz about what's going on."

Lourey's resignation is the latest in a major exodus of top leaders at the agency. Last week, Deputy Commissioners Chuck Johnson and Claire Wilson resigned unexpectedly without explanation from DHS. A former DHS Director, whose position was unexpectedly eliminated after 13 years in June, called for an investigation by the Walz administration citing "systemic issues with the leadership culture of the agency."

Daudt will join Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michelle Benson, who also serves as Chair of the Senate HHS Finance and Policy Committee, and Rep. Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, at a noon press conference to discuss the latest developments at DHS.

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