May 6, 2003
The Topic Selection Subcommittee of the Legislative Audit Commission meeting was called to order by Representative Tim Wilkin, Chair, at 8:00 AM in Room 300 South, State Office Building.
Members present:
| Representative Sondra Erickson | Senator Sheila Kiscaden |
| Representative Aaron Peterson | Senator Ann H. Rest |
| Representative Tim Wilkin | Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon |
Representative Wilkin recognized Roger Brooks, Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Program Evaluation Division. Mr. Brooks reviewed the process used to conduct a survey of all legislators concerning their interest in the thirteen topics selected at an earlier meeting of the subcommittee. He indicated 103 responses had been received. He suggested members select seven topics to recommend to the full commission, noting that staff would be able to start four of them in the near future, and could possibly do three smaller ones when those were finished. He noted the actual number of studies that could be conducted would depend on the budget.
Mr. Brooks called on Jody Hauer of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning the federal act entitled No Child Left Behind. Ms. Hauer reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Mr. Brooks called on John Patterson of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning Medicaid waivers. Mr. Patterson reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Mr. Brooks called on Carrie Meyerhoff of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning compensation of higher education faculty. Ms. Meyerhoff reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Mr. Brooks called on John Yunker of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning the state lottery. Mr. Yunker reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Mr. Brooks called on Jo Vos of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning nursing home inspections. Ms. Vos reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Mr. Brooks again called on Ms. Hauer to review the background paper concerning government use of technology, indicating the topic would have to be split into three areas: E-goverment, the Office of Technology, and telecommunications in rural Minnesota. She reviewed the issues and possible scope of each of the areas.
Mr. Brooks again called on Ms. Meyerhoff to review the background paper concerning CriMNet. Ms. Meyerhoff reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project. She noted that because of a recently completed risk assessment, this topic might be one that could be conducted later.
Mr. Brooks called on Joel Alter of the Program Evaluation Division to review the background paper concerning emergency response preparedness. Mr. Alter reviewed the issues and possible scope of the project.
Each member of the subcommittee listed their three top choices. Senator Rest pointed out to members that they should consider balance both in type and size of topics when making their selections.
Senator Rest moved that the topic of Medicaid home and community-based waivers be recommended to the full commission. Motion carried.
Senator Kiscaden moved that the topic of No Child Left Behind be recommended to the full commission. Motion failed.
Representative Wilkin moved that the topic of faculty and staff compensation in higher education be recommended to the full commission. Senator Rest moved to amend the motion to include the topics of higher education compensation, the state lottery, and E-government. After some discussion concerning the different technology studies, motion passed.
Senator Rest moved that the topics of No Child Left Behind, nursing home waivers, and the Office of Technology be recommended to the full commission. After some discussion, Senator Rest amended the motion to recommend No Child Left Behind, CriMNet, and the Office of Technology to the full commission. Motion passed.
Mr. Brooks noted that Program Evaluation Division staff will prepare evaluation proposals on these topics to be presented to the full Legislative Audit Commission in the near future.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 AM.
Representative Tim Wilkin, Chair
Jean Barnhill, Recording Secretary
