Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
3 golden objects Minnesota Legislature

Office of the Legislative Auditor - Financial Audit Division

Report Summary
Office of the Governor

Financial Audit

For the Two Calendar Years Ended December 31, 1994

 

Public Release Date: June 23, 1995 No. 95-29

Agency Background

The Office of the Governor was established as part of the executive branch of state government by Article V of the State Constitution and operates under Minn. Stat. Chapter 4. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected jointly for a four-year term, which begins the first Monday in the January following the election. Governor Arne Carlson and Lieutenant Governor Joanne Benson were elected on November 8, 1994. This is the second term for Governor Carlson. In his first term, Joanell Dyrstad was the Lieutenant Governor. Under the current administration, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are combined under one office and share staff. As chief executive, the Governor is responsible for the general direction and supervision of the affairs of the state. Specifically, he is responsible for the administration of state government, development of legislative proposals, appointments, review of legislation, and preparation of comprehensive long range plans for state growth. The Lieutenant Governor's chief duty is to assist the Governor in carrying out the functions of the executive branch. The Governor has also delegated several other duties to the Lieutenant Governor.

The Office of the Governor received annual General Fund appropriations of approximately $3.4 million for fiscal year 1994 and 1995. In calendar year 1993, the office spent approximately $3.2 million, of which $2.2 million was for payroll. In calendar 1994, it spent approximately $3.6 million, of which $2.5 million was for payroll.

Audit Areas and Conclusions

Our audit scope included a review of payroll, rent, membership fees, travel, personal expense accounts, and governor's residence user fund receipts for the period from January 1, 1993 through December 31, 1994. The Office of the Governor accurately authorized, paid, accounted for, recorded, and retained documentation for payroll, rent, membership dues, travel and personal expense account expenditures. The office also granted pay increases within the provisions of the Governor's compensation plan. The travel and personal expense account expenditures serve a public purpose and were reasonable. In addition, the Office of the Governor accurately bills and deposits receipts for the use of the Governor's residence.

 

Office of the Legislative Auditor, Room 140, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155 : legislative.auditor@state.mn.us or 651‑296‑4708