March 21, 2005
The Topic Selection Subcommittee of the Legislative Audit Commission meeting was called to order by Chair, Senator Sheila Kiscaden, at 9:10 A.M. in Room 224, State Capitol.
Members present:
| Representative Sondra Erickson | Senator Sheila Kiscaden |
| Representative Rick Hansen | Senator Claire Robling |
| Representative Tim Wilkin |
Members excused:
| Senator Ann H. Rest |
Senator Kiscaden indicated the purpose of the meeting was to review the list of topics suggested by members of the Legislature, Program Evaluation Division staff, and others. She recognized James Nobles, Legislative Auditor. Mr. Nobles reviewed the criteria previously established by the Commission for selecting topics for study and asked subcommittee members to select 12 to 16 topics to be included in an interest survey of all legislators. He introduced Joel Alter, Program Evaluation Coordinator.
Mr. Alter reviewed the 53 topics on the list. He indicated that after the results of the survey are tabulated and staff develop background papers on each topic, the subcommittee could then select 5 to 8 topics for presentation to the full Commission.
Senator Kiscaden asked each subcommittee member to pick 5 for inclusion in the list of 12 to 16 “semi-finalists.” Senator Rest was absent, so Mr. Nobles agreed to contact her to get her choices after the meeting.
The meeting recessed at 9:30 in order that Senator Kiscaden could attend another meeting for a vote. The meeting reconvened at 9:48 AM.
The topics selected by the subcommittee for further consideration included:
Department of Revenue Tax Compliance Programs
Higher Education Student Fees
School District Expenditure Tracking System
(“UFARS”)
School District Integration Revenue
Administration of Child Support Enforcement
Adoption of Children Under State Guardianship
Public Assistance for Immigrants
2003 Consolidation of DHS Programs Into Block Grants
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Transportation Investments
Pesticide Management
Liquor Regulation
State Grants to Nonprofits and Other Organizations
Prison Industries Programs (MinnCor)
Economic and Social Costs of Gambling
Financial Condition of Public Pension Funds
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 A.M.
Senator Sheila Kiscaden, Chair
Jean Barnhill, Recording Secretary
