ST. PAUL – A version of legislation authored by Rep. Tony Albright (R-Prior Lake) that would transfer the responsibility of administering federal energy assistance grants to low-income Minnesotans from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Human Services passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, April 22 as a part of the Job Growth and Energy Affordability omnibus bill.
Albright put forward a version of the passed provision (HF544) in response to the Department of Commerce being under investigation by the Office of the Legislative Auditor based on reports of misuse of more than $1 million of taxpayer dollars by Communication Action of Minneapolis.
HF544 puts the grant program under the purview of the Department of Human Services.
“This legislation is about streamlining services for low income Minnesotans. The Department of Human Services is well-versed in administering assistance to low-income Minnesotans,” said Albright. “The recent investigation of the Department of Commerce, coupled with reports of the Department’s inability to effectively administer these vital energy grants, has demonstrated the necessity of appointing a new Department to oversee these programs. We have a fiduciary duty as legislators to responsibly provide for those most in need among us. My legislation will streamline services, remove politics from assistance for families in need, and repair the broken administration and oversight of these critical grants.”
The Job Growth and Energy Affordability omnibus bill passed 73-56.
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