Department of Natural Resources Land Acquisition While stakeholders had generally favorable views of DNR’s process for selecting land, they had concerns about the length of the acquisition process. We found that DNR’s land acquisitions have generally complied with land acquisition process requirements. However, the department has not reported on land acquisitions as required by law. We offer recommendations to both DNR and the Legislature.
Guardianship of Adults When an adult cannot make certain decisions for themselves, the court may appoint a guardian to make decisions on their behalf. We found the state does not adequately ensure that guardians are appointed only when appropriate, nor does it sufficiently monitor the safety and well-being of adults subject to guardianship. We make a number of recommendations, including that the Legislature create a centralized entity to administer and oversee adult guardianship in Minnesota.
Department of Employment and Economic Development Grants Management We found that broadband grantees largely met the goals we reviewed. In contrast, the workforce grant programs lack goals, and the performance metrics DEED is statutorily required to report are unhelpful for measuring program success. Further, DEED did not comply with certain state grants management policies. We offer recommendations to DEED and the Legislature to strengthen DEED’s management of grant programs.
Community Benefit Expenditures at Nonprofit Hospitals Most of Minnesota’s nonprofit hospitals appear to spend more to benefit their communities than they receive in tax benefits. However, limited data and competing definitions made it difficult to accurately quantify either community benefits or tax benefits.
Minnesota Department of Health: Human Resources Complaint Management The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH’s) Human Resources Management Division (HR division) investigates complaints involving MDH employees. We found that inconsistent documentation and a lack of written procedures made it unclear whether the HR division consistently managed many aspects of employee complaints. Further, some current and former employees we surveyed believed they experienced retaliation after submitting a human resources complaint. We recommend that MDH develop written procedures to address retaliation and several other aspects of complaint management.
Aggregate Resources Over recent decades, policymakers have convened several task forces and committees that have made similar recommendations regarding the state’s aggregate resources. We reviewed the recommendations made by the most recent task force in 2018 and concluded that little has been done to implement most of those recommendations. If the Legislature is interested in planning for the use of aggregate resources, it should consider implementing the task force’s 2018 legislative recommendations and consider providing greater support and direction to local governments to implement recommendations directed towards those governments.
Metro Mobility Metro Mobility is the Metropolitan Council’s transportation service for individuals with disabilities and other health conditions in the Twin Cities area. We found that the Council applies different service standards when scheduling Metro Mobility rides in different geographic service areas, and Metro Mobility trip providers struggled to meet performance goals related to the timeliness of service in Fiscal Year 2023. We also identified several issues with the complaints process. We make several recommendations to the Council for improvements.
Grant Award Processes We found that the Department of Human Services’ Behavioral Health Division (BHD) did not comply with certain grants management policies, including the requirement to obtain and maintain conflict of interest forms from grant application reviewers. OLA had a similar finding for this division in a 2021 audit. In addition, neither BHD nor the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) completed all required pre-award risk assessments for grant awards in our review. We recommend that the Office of Grants Management provide further guidance on certain policies and that BHD and MSAB ensure they follow grants management policies.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency: Down Payment Assistance: The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has performed well in managing its down payment assistance program with regard to agency goals. We recommend improvements in a few areas, and also suggest that the agency consider whether it could adjust its funding to increase the flexibility of its program offerings.
Worker Misclassification A worker’s classification as an employee or an independent contractor affects the legal rights and obligations of the worker and their employer; misclassifying workers is prohibited by law. We found Minnesota has neither an adequate nor coordinated approach for ensuring that Minnesota workers are properly classified. We make a number of recommendations to improve the state’s approach to addressing worker misclassification.
Department of Human Service Licensing Division: Support to Counties DHS has generally done a good job supporting county staff who are responsible for licensing certain programs that serve children and vulnerable adults. However, we recommend that DHS do more to support county licensors who process licenses for certain residential facilities that serve older or vulnerable adults (Community Residential Settings).
Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction: Metropolitan Council Oversight of Contractors We found that the Metropolitan Council has not adequately enforced several aspects of its key Southwest Light Rail Transit (Southwest LRT) construction contracts, nor does it have adequate documentation to support some project decisions. We make recommendations to the Council to improve its construction management processes.
RentHelpMN While RentHelpMN provided critical assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged application processing times caused frustration for many program participants. We make recommendations to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency regarding program standards and oversight.
Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction: Metropolitan Council Decision Making Minnesota has a mismatch between the entities that fund the construction of light rail transit projects and the entities responsible for constructing them. We also found that the Metropolitan Council obligated itself to spend money it did not have, added or changed substantial work after the project was bid, and was not fully transparent about the project’s increasing costs and delays.
State Programs That Support Minnesotans on the Basis of Racial, Ethnic, or American Indian Identity DEED, DHS, MHFA, and MPCA administered 33 programs intended to support Minnesotans on the basis of racial, ethnic, or American Indian identity. While the agencies incorporated support for diverse communities into their agencywide strategic planning, we recommend that agencies improve certain aspects of grant and program management.
Sustainable Building Guidelines We found that unclear state law, compounded by widespread disagreement and confusion about roles and responsibilities pertaining to the sustainable building guidelines, has resulted in a program that lacks adequate oversight and accountability. Both the program’s outcomes as well as the extent to which projects have complied with guideline requirements are unknown.
Oversight of State-Funded Grants to Nonprofit Organizations OLA has found pervasive noncompliance by state agencies with grants management policies in recent years, and statutes provide little authority to enforce agencies’ compliance with these policies. We make recommendations to strengthen grants management policies and increase oversight of grants management in executive branch agencies.
Child Protection Removals and Reunifications Over half of child protection removals begin with emergency law enforcement holds, but there are no statewide requirements for ongoing training of law enforcement on child protection issues. Further, child protection agency documents that describe the actions parents must take to reunite with their children are often lengthy and difficult to understand. We make recommendations to the Department of Human Services, the Judicial Branch, and the Legislature.
Unemployment Insurance Program: Efforts to Prevent and Detect the Use of Stolen Identities We found that DEED uses a variety of processes to prevent and detect the use of stolen identities in the UI program, some of which we found effective. However, we also found that DEED does not collect the necessary data to evaluate these processes sufficiently, and it has not established metrics or methods for doing so.
Minnesota Department of Education’s Role in Addressing the Achievement Gap We found that Minnesota law does not clearly define “achievement gap,” how it should be measured, or the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE’s) role in addressing it. We evaluated MDE’s administration of four K-12 education initiatives and identified concerns related to the department’s oversight of school district and charter school progress in addressing the achievement gap. We make several recommendations to the department and to the Legislature.
Emergency Ambulance Services Over 250 ambulance services around the state provide care and transportation for Minnesotans experiencing medical emergencies. We found that the state’s oversight of ambulance services is insufficient and the process of allocating geographic areas to ambulance services needs reform. Further, the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board (EMSRB) has been ineffective in its regulation and support of ambulance services. We make recommendations to both the Legislature and EMSRB to improve ambulance service regulation.
Petroleum Remediation Program The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA’s) Petroleum Remediation Program oversees responses to leaks and spills from petroleum storage tanks. MPCA relies on consultants to conduct site investigations and cleanups, but the agency has limited authority to directly hold consultants accountable for poor-quality work. We make several recommendations to MPCA and the Legislature.
Department of Commerce’s Civil Insurance Complaint Investigation The Department of Commerce has typically investigated complaints related to civil insurance fraud and unfair or deceptive insurance practices in a timely way, but its lack of comprehensive, written policies has contributed to inconsistent practices. We make several recommendations to the department and to the Legislature.
Board of Cosmetology Licensing We found that certain aspects of Minnesota’s complex cosmetology licensing structure and requirements do not contribute to public health or safety, but do make licensing more expensive and burdensome for licensees. We recommend a number of changes to the licensing structure and requirements.
MnDOT Workforce and Contracting Goals State workforce goals seek to increase the diversity of workers on state-funded construction contracts, while contracting goals and preferences seek to increase the diversity of business owners who contract with MnDOT. We found that state-funded MnDOT construction contracts starting in recent years rarely met state workforce goals, and that certain aspects of MnDOT’s contracting goal and preference programs had minimal effect. We make several recommendations to MnDOT and the Legislature regarding these programs.
Driver Examination Stations We found that the Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) has struggled to meet the legal requirement that individuals be able to take a road test within 14 days of requesting one. However, we also found that the Legislature needs to clarify certain aspects of the requirement, as well as whether DVS has legal authority to allow individuals to take the Class D knowledge test online from their own homes.
Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color (CUGMEC) Grant Program The Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color (CUGMEC) program awards grants to higher education institutions to increase the number of teacher candidates of color and American Indian teacher candidates in Minnesota who can meet certain licensing requirements. The Professional Educator and Licensing Standards Board (PELSB) has generally managed the program well, but it is difficult to measure the program's impact. We make several recommendations to PELSB to improve aspects of its administration of the program and to the Legislature to more clearly define the focus of the program.
Public Utilities Commission's Public Participation Processes The Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC’s) public participation processes are complex and have been implemented inconsistently. PUC has not done a good job helping the public understand how to participate in those processes. We make a number of recommendations for improvements.
Pesticide Regulation Pesticide Regulation: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has implemented most of the recommendations from OLA’s 2006 report. However, we found room for continued improvement, including better documentation of registration decisions and more clearly communicating with those who file complaints.
DHS Oversight of Personal Care Assistance Personal care assistance (PCA) helps individuals with disabilities, chronic diseases, or mental illness live independently in their homes and communities. Over the past eleven years, the Department of Human Services and the Legislature have made changes to strengthen the oversight of PCA. However, opportunities for improvement remain.
Compensatory Education Revenue Schools use compensatory education revenue for a wide range of educational programs that serve underperforming students, but the extent to which the revenue has an impact around the state on student achievement is unknown.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights: Complaint Resolution Process We found that the department has not conducted timely investigations of alleged discrimination cases as required by law, taking more than one year to complete investigations for a majority of cases. Although this has resulted in a large backlog of unprocessed cases and other problems, the department has adopted few strategies to effectively manage its workload.
Safety in State Correctional Facilities The Department of Corrections operates 11 state correctional facilities. We found that several conditions reduce safety in state prisons, including persistent staffing shortages, heavy overtime use, suspensions of prisoner activities, unprofessional workplace relationships, limited oversight, and outdated infrastructure.
MnDOT Measures of Financial Effectiveness MnDOT does not consistently measure the financial effectiveness of its decisions. For some decisions, there is little evidence that the department systematically analyzes the financial consequences of its actions. For others, the department has implemented useful procedures to assess its planned actions. We present several recommendations for the department to improve its measurement of cost-effectiveness.
Debt Service Equalization for School Facilities Minnesota’s Debt Service Equalization program was designed to offer state aid to school districts with low property wealth and high capital debt for help with constructing or renovating their school facilities. Relative to the program’s earlier years, Debt Service Equalization aid now represents a small amount of funding, and few school districts receive it. OLA’s report offers options for the Legislature to consider so that more school districts might obtain state help.
Office of Minnesota Information Technology Services (MNIT) The legislatively mandated consolidation of state government’s information technology (IT) services remains a work in progress, and state agency satisfaction with the Office of Minnesota Information Technology Services (MNIT) is mixed. Our report offers recommendations to improve MNIT’s effectiveness and legislative oversight of IT services.
Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program State law authorizes the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to administer numerous programs to address the need for affordable housing in the state, including the Economic Development and Housing Challenge program. We found that the agency has generally done a good job of administering the program, but we also identified opportunities for improvement and review.
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Administration The Minnesota State Arts Board administers ten competitive grant programs and legislatively mandated grants to the state’s regional arts councils. In doing so, the board must comply with state laws and policies for grant making. We found that the Arts Board complied with most of the grant policies and laws that we reviewed, but we also found room for improvement.
Public Facilities Authority: Wastewater Infrastructure Programs We found that the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) has successfully administered its wastewater infrastructure programs. We also determined that, if current state and federal funding levels continue, PFA will be able to fund more than two-thirds of the state’s estimated 20 year wastewater need of $5 billion.
Early Childhood Programs Early childhood programs prepare children for school, help families pay for child care, and provide child health services among other things. We found that Minnesota’s array of early childhood programs is complex and fragmented, and we recommend the Legislature consider aligning differences in funding and program requirements. We also found that, despite a state law on meeting school readiness goals, the number of children prepared for school is unknown. We recommend that the Legislature consider requiring assessments of children’s school readiness.
Board of Animal Health’s Oversight of Deer and Elk Farms The Board of Animal Health is responsible for protecting the health of Minnesota’s domestic animals, including farmed deer and elk. We found that the board has failed to enforce some laws related to deer and elk farms, and we make several recommendations for improvement. Additionally, we found that the board has a strained relationship with the Department of Natural Resources (which manages wild deer and elk), and we recommend that the two agencies draft a memorandum of understanding to facilitate communication and data sharing.
Guardians ad Litem Federal and state laws require guardians ad litem to be appointed to certain types of court cases to advocate for a child’s best interests. We found that the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program has not assigned guardians ad litem to all cases for which they are required. We recommend the Legislature work with the Program to determine whether requirements in law accurately reflect the needs of the state. Additionally, we found that the GAL Board has provided limited direction and oversight to the Program in recent years, and we make several recommendations to strengthen Board oversight.
Voter Registration Our report identifies several challenges state and county officials face trying to maintain fully accurate rosters of registered voters. We recommend a new report to help county election officials identify persons who may have registered to vote while ineligible. We also recommend the Secretary of State’s Office modernize the statewide voter registration database.
Office of Health Facility Complaints The Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) in the Minnesota Department of Health investigates allegations of maltreatment of vulnerable adults in health care facilities. Due to problems with its internal operations and gaps in state regulation, OHFC has not met its responsibilities to protect the state’s vulnerable adults. We make a number of recommendations regarding OHFC’s internal operations. We also recommend that the Legislature examine the state’s regulatory structure for long-term care providers.
Minnesota Investment Fund The Minnesota Investment Fund provides financial support for business projects intended to create or retain jobs, but its impact is unclear. The Legislature should amend state law to help ensure that participating businesses actually need this assistance to expand. In addition, the Department of Employment and Economic Development should adopt criteria regarding the size of the loan a business can receive and whether the business will have to repay it.
Minnesota State High School League The Minnesota State High School League has a complicated process to regulate the eligibility of transfer students to participate in varsity athletic programs. The League should take steps to improve the transparency and administration of its eligibility appeal and fair hearing processes. We also make recommendations for improvements in League rulemaking, more oversight by the Minnesota Department of Education, and discretionary review of League eligibility rules by the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
Clean Water Fund Outcomes From 2009 through 2016, the Legislature appropriated $761 million from the Clean Water Fund to help support a wide range of programs and projects. While the state has developed a framework for measuring the outcomes, isolating the impact of money from the Clean Water Fund will always be extremely difficult. We recommend changes to improve reporting on the use of money from the fund.
Standardized Student Testing Minnesota schools spend significant time and resources on state standardized tests. The Minnesota Department of Education should do more to measure the local impacts of administering these tests and help educators better understand and use test results. In addition, the Legislature should remove or reexamine certain prescriptive legal requirements and instead focus on setting overall priorities for student testing.
Home- and Community-Based Services: Financial Oversight Minnesota spent about $2.4 billion in Fiscal Year 2015 to provide home- and community-based services to approximately 64,000 individuals. However, the Minnesota Department of Human Services does not provide adequate financial oversight of the organizations that provide services, nor does it adequately regulate the workers who go into people’s homes.
Minnesota Research Tax Credit We estimate that the research tax credit has increased statewide jobs and employee earnings, but the increases are relatively small, and the credit has not paid for itself. We recommend that the Legislature explicitly state in law the research tax credit’s purposes and require analyses of whether proposed changes would help meet those purposes. In addition, we recommend that the Department of Revenue improve its research tax-credit information for taxpayers.
Perpich Center for Arts Education In recent years, the Perpich Center Board has failed to address significant management problems at its residential arts high school in Golden Valley and middle school—Crosswinds—in Woodbury. If unresolved, the problems will put the schools’ viability at risk.
Department of Natural Resources: Deer Population Management We found that aspects of the Department of Natural Resources’ management of deer populations in recent years were commendable and reflected local stakeholders’ interests. However, the department does not have a formal plan that prioritizes DNR resources, goals, and objectives for managing deer statewide. We recommend that the department improve its information for monitoring deer populations and setting deer population goals.
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) We found that AURI, a nonprofit organization created and funded largely by the state, does not adequately measure and report the impacts of its work. In addition, AURI does not require some of its clients to justify their need for the institute’s services through a formal application. We make recommendations to AURI to address several issues we identified. We also make recommendations to the Legislature to amend state law to address issues related to board composition and the Open Meeting Law.
Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) We found that the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) has not adequately overseen the loans and grants it awards for economic development. In addition, we found that the Giants Ridge Resort, which is owned by the IRRRB, has had large and growing operating losses for many years. We also found that the law establishing the composition and powers of the IRRRB Board is vulnerable to a constitutional challenge. We make recommendations to improve IRRRB economic-development efforts and outline options that would reduce the risk of a constitutional challenge to the IRRRB Board structure.
MnDOT Highway Project Selection We found that the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s processes for selecting trunk highway projects are not transparent. In particular, MnDOT has chosen projects under the Corridors of Commerce program subjectively and in a manner not fully consistent with the law. We recommend that the department increase transparency and fix the Corridors of Commerce selection process.
Minnesota Teacher Licensure We found that teacher licensure laws are complex and unclear. We also found that because the Minnesota Board of Teaching and the Minnesota Department of Education share responsibility for licensing teachers in Minnesota, accountability is diffuse and decision making is not always transparent. We make a number of recommendations that would clarify teacher-licensure requirements and more clearly assign responsibility for licensing teachers in the state.
Mental Health Services in County Jails We found that when police encounter a person who may be suffering from a mental illness, services available in jails and in communities are often inadequate. In addition, many persons deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial do not receive treatment in a sufficiently timely manner, if at all. We make recommendations to address these deficiencies. Implementing them will require action by the Legislature, state executives, local officials, and judicial officials.
Minnesota Department of Health Oversight of HMO Complaint Resolution We found that the laws that govern HMO complaint resolution options and procedures are complex and often confusing. We made several recommendations for statutory changes that would clarify the authority of the Minnesota Department of Health, particularly related to quality of care complaints.
Mineral Taxation We found that some statutes authorizing taxes on taconite mining are complex and outdated. In addition, the distribution of revenue from the main tax on mining (the production tax) lacks transparency and predictability. The Legislature should improve the allocation of production tax revenue to make it a more predictable source of revenue for local jurisdictions. The Legislature should establish a formal process to make one-time grants of production tax revenue to local jurisdictions. It should also clarify the purpose of a fund used primarily for grants to mining companies to improve plants and mining equipment, and delete obsolete mineral tax statutes.
Minnesota Film and TV Board We found that the Legislature has not established clear outcomes it expects the board to achieve. As a result, it is difficult to hold the board accountable for the public money it receives from the state. In addition, the board has created eligibility criteria for the state’s film production jobs program that may be limiting the program’s job creation potential. However, the level and consistency of state funding are likely contributing factors, too.
Minnesota Board of Nursing: Complaint Resolution Process We found that the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s decisions to discipline nurses or take other action to resolve complaints have generally been reasonable. However, it has taken the board too long to suspend nurses when public safety is at risk. We made several recommendations to improve the board’s ability to resolve complaints in a timely, consistent, and fair manner.
Managed Care Organizations’ Administrative Expenses We concluded that the Legislature and DHS should be more directly involved in oversight of managed care administrative spending for Minnesota’s public health care programs. We found that managed care organizations generally complied with certain financial reporting requirements, but we also found exceptions. We recommend refining statutory language and DHS contracts to improve consistency in reporting.
Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange (MNsure) We concluded that MNsure’s failures outweighed its achievements in its first year of operations. There were widespread problems with MNsure’s online enrollment system and customer service, causing difficulties for consumers, insurers, counties, and the Department of Human Services. We recommend changes in statutory governance provisions for MNsure and the enrollment system it created.
Recycling and Waste Reduction We found that Minnesota’s approach to managing waste focuses too narrowly on recycling, rather than on the full range of waste management activities. We recommend the Legislature establish goals and performance measures for all levels of the waste management hierarchy.
State Protections for Meatpacking Workers We found that a 2007 law intended to protect meatpacking workers, the Packinghouse Workers Bill of Rights, has not been adequately implemented by the Department of Labor and Industry. We recommend that the department take additional actions to implement the law and that the legislature make some clarifying changes in the law’s language.
DNR Forest Management We concluded that DNR’s Forestry Division has generally complied with its statutory responsibility to manage state forest land for multiple use and sustained yield, but we also found room for improvement. For example, we recommend DNR continue to improve its interdisciplinary forest management efforts and clarify how staff are to integrate management objectives for school trust lands with objectives for non-school-trust-land.
MnDOT Selection of Pavement Surface for Road Rehabilitation The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) meets many recommended practices for selecting between bituminous and concrete pavement types in road rehabilitation projects, but it needs to make improvements. For example, MnDOT should quantify certain user costs (such as travelers’ time-delay costs associated with driving though work zones) and costs of MnDOT engineering and contract administration. MnDOT should compare those cost estimates, along with its analyses of pavement life-cycle costs, among each pavement alternative it considers. MnDOT should also change its alternate bidding process—used when projects are open to bidding from contractors in both bituminous and concrete industries—to make it cost-effective.
Agricultural Commodity Councils We found that the state’s 13 agricultural commodity councils are largely self-governing entities, subject to minimal oversight by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. We make several recommendations to enhance transparency and strengthen accountability. For example, we recommend that the Legislature (1) require commodity councils to have a Web site on which they regularly post financial, election, meeting, and contact information; (2) amend statutes regarding board conflicts of interest; (3) consider increasing oversight of the councils; and (4) determine if it wants to place limits on the use of checkoff-fee revenue and amend statutes accordingly.
Councils on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, Black Minnesotans, Chicano/Latino People, and Indian Affairs Overall, we found little evidence that the four councils have been effective advisors or liaisons to state policy makers. Our report identifies six overarching problems: isolation from state policy making, lack of clear statutory purposes, inadequate identification of specific objectives and outcome measures, little substantive collaboration among the councils, untimely appointments and lack of attendance at council meetings, and poor communication. We discuss four options for the Legislature's consideration. These options range from maintaining the four councils but requiring certain operational improvements to eliminating them and creating advisory committees in select state agencies to address issues.
Health Services in State Correctional Facilities Inmates in state-run correctional facilities have considerable access to health care, but services should be more coordinated, consistent, and accountable. The Department of Corrections’ services to offenders with chronic illness or mental illness should be improved, and the department’s health services policies and practices should align more closely with professional standards. The department’s health services are not subject to external review, and stronger oversight mechanisms should be considered.
Sustainable Forest Incentive Program We found that the incentive payments made to landowners under the program are not tied to program goals, nor is there sufficient assurance that participants comply with program requirements. If the program is retained, we recommend that the Legislature tie the incentive payment amount to property taxes or program goals. We also recommend that the Legislature increase oversight and monitoring of participants and expand and clarify the program’s penalty options, among other recommendations.
MnDOT Noise Barriers We examined the activities and policies of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) regarding highway noise barriers. We recommended that MnDOT: (1) change how it assesses public support for noise barrier projects; (2) establish a pathway for communities outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area to become eligible for state-funded noise barriers; and (3) revise its method of prioritizing state-funded noise barrier projects. We also suggested MnDOT pay greater attention to maintenance needs and make its policy-making process more transparent.
State Employee Union Fair Share Fee Calculations We evaluated how federal and state legal requirements related to fair share have been implemented for Minnesota state employees. While we did not find major problems, there is little state ongoing oversight of union compliance with fair share requirements. We present three possible approaches if the Legislature determines that more oversight is needed.
Medical Assistance Payment Rates for Dental Services We examined Minnesota’s payment policies and rates for Medical Assistance dental services. We found that Minnesota uses numerous methods and types of payments to reimburse dental providers, and we found that payment policies are poorly coordinated and inconsistently implemented across Medical Assistance programs. We recommend that the state increase fee-for-service rates for dental services and give particular attention to rates for services provided to individuals with special needs. We also think that the Department of Human Services should more closely monitor recipient access to dental services, particularly for services provided through managed care organizations.
Special Education We found that school districts have had to divert revenues from general education aid and local operating levies to pay special education costs. We also found there are disincentives to controlling costs of special education. We recommend changing funding arrangements to reduce school district reliance on general education revenues to pay for special education. We also recommend that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) identify feasible cost-control measures for school district use. Many Minnesota laws and rules exceed federal requirements on special education, and we recommend analyzing economic and educational impacts of potential changes before modifying state requirements. We recommend that MDE work to improve teachers’ understanding of its compliance-monitoring process and continue efforts to streamline the paperwork required of special education teachers.
State-Operated Human Services We examined facilities that the Department of Human Services (DHS) operates for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or chemical dependency. We recommend that the department continue to provide certain direct services to clients, but with a clearer mission and more effective resolution of ongoing management problems. Some facilities have had significant difficulty finding placements for individuals ready to be discharged, and DHS should develop or foster additional placement options. In addition, we recommend modification of civil commitment laws to ensure periodic judicial review of persons committed as mentally ill and dangerous or as developmentally disabled.
Law Enforcement’s Use of State Databases We examined law enforcement’s use of the Minnesota driver’s license database and the Comprehensive Incident-Based Reporting System. We found that inadequate controls and insufficient training have contributed to misuse of these databases. We recommend, among other things, that the Department of Public Safety: (1) take steps to increase awareness of the permissible uses of these databases; (2) strengthen access controls; and (3) consider increasing resources for monitoring use of driver’s license data. We also recommend that chief law enforcement officers consider increasing proactive reviews of their employees’ use of driver’s license data.
Conservation Easements We found a need for more oversight to ensure that conservation easements achieve their intended results. Among other things, we recommend the Legislature: (1) require state review and approval of conservation easements acquired with $500,000 or more of state money by private nonprofit organizations; (2) require easement holders to more closely monitor easements to ensure compliance with the easement agreements; and (3) require private nonprofit organizations that use state money to purchase conservation easements to be accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.
Preventive Maintenance for University of Minnesota Buildings We found that the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus has implemented a good preventive maintenance program for most University-owned buildings, and we recommend extending the program to cover all University-owned buildings on the campus. We also recommend that the University revise how it measures and reports on the timeliness of its preventive maintenance activities. Finally, because the University will need to upgrade its computerized information management system for preventive maintenance next year, it should look for a system that allows the University to incorporate a more predictive approach to building maintenance.
Consolidation of Local Governments We found that there may be opportunities for more consolidation among smaller local governments in Minnesota, particularly those with capital-intensive service or equipment needs. However, consolidation proposals need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if consolidation would be appropriate. We recommend that the Legislature use requests to fund local capital projects as opportunities to encourage consolidation and collaboration. We also recommend that the Legislature provide grants to local governments to study consolidation possibilities. In addition, the Office of Administrative Hearings Municipal Boundary Adjustment Unit and counties should provide more information to local governments and citizens about how consolidations can be achieved.
Helping Communities Recover from Natural Disasters We evaluated how the state helps communities recover after they are hit by a flood, tornado, or other major natural disaster. We found that the state has a legal framework for providing disaster relief, but it applies only to certain disasters. Minnesota’s approach would benefit from clearer criteria for determining when and how much state aid is provided, better measures of the effectiveness of state recovery programs, and additional assistance to help individuals and local governments obtain recovery aid.
Child Protection Screening We found that child protection agencies in Minnesota vary in their screening decisions and practices, but their approaches are generally reasonable. Many factors appear to contribute to variation in child protection screening decisions, including vague statutory language, agency guidelines, and resources. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has provided screening-related assistance that child protection agencies value, but the department could do more. We make recommendations to the Legislature, department, and child protection agencies to clarify state policy, guide agency practice, and improve data on child protection screening.
The Legacy Amendment Our evaluation was a general assessment of how the 2008 Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution has been implemented. We identify four “ongoing concerns” related to: (1) complying with the amendment’s requirement that Legacy money not be used to substitute for “traditional” sources of funding; (2) limiting the use of Legacy money for administrative costs; (3) ensuring that conflict of interest concerns are adequately addressed; and (4) ensuring that the use of Legacy money will achieve the outcomes intended by the Legacy Amendment.
K-12 Online Learning Our report acknowledges that online learning can provide significant options and benefits for K-12 students, as well as for their families and schools. But our report also highlights concerns regarding course-completion rates, drop-out rates, and standardized test results for full-time online students. In addition, we recommend ways for the Minnesota Department of Education to be more timely and strategic in its approach to overseeing online schools.
Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders We found that the state’s increased use of civil commitment for certain sex offenders has resulted in a significant growth in costs. We also found variations across the state in the use of civil commitment. We recommend improvements to the program used to treat civilly committed sex offenders and suggest the state consider supplementing its current approach to civil commitment of sex offenders with some less costly alternatives.
Medical Nonemergency Transportation We found Minnesota's administrative structure for the medical nonemergency transportation program duplicative and confusing and state oversight weak. In addition to changes to improve accountability, we recommend that the Legislature require the Department of Human Services to develop a proposal to create a single administrative structure for the medical nonemergency transportation program.
Governance of Transit in the Twin Cities Region We found that the region's governance structure for transit is complex and fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities among numerous organizations. We recommend that reform start by changing the membership of the Metropolitan Council to include a mix of elected officials from the region and members appointed by the Governor.
Renewable Energy Development Fund We found that the allocation of money from the fund has become fragmented, resulting in concerns with administration and oversight of projects paid for by the fund. We recommend changes to clarify the fund's purpose, strengthen accountability, and improve the fund's impact.
Public Libraries We found that Minnesota uses a complex, multilayered approach to deliver public library services, but local governments are primarily responsible for funding and administration. We also found wide variations in what local governments contribute financially to provide library services. We recommend a way to simplify the delivery structure but leave the funding disparity issue to local elected officials to resolve.
Natural Resource Land Our evaluation found that, while its long-range plans propose significant future land acquisitions, the Department of Natural Resources appears to lack adequate resources to manage and maintain its current land holdings. The report recommends that the department prepare long-range budget plans for the Legislature that compare the ongoing land management needs to available funding. These analyses will help the Legislature assess the financial feasibility of acquiring additional land.
Workforce Programs Our evaluation found that participants in some of Minnesota’s workforce programs have experienced positive outcomes. But the fragmented administration and funding of the workforce system have weakened accountability and produced gaps in service. Changes are needed to better integrate programs, close service gaps, and provide stronger oversight.
Public Defender System Our evaluation found that high workloads for public defenders have created significant challenges for Minnesota´s criminal justice system. While there are no easy options to reduce stress on the public defender system at this time, we recommend actions to improve performance management, long-range planning, and standards for appointing public defenders.
MnSCU System Office Our evaluation concluded that it is reasonable for MnSCU to have a sizable “system office” to perform various governance, oversight, and support functions. However, the office's performance has been mixed, and it should be scrutinized more closely by MnSCU leaders.
Alternative Education Programs We found that elementary and middle school students who attend “extended-time” alternative education programs (such as before- or after-school programs or summer school) showed higher-than-expected growth on two standardized assessments when compared with other students and national norms. However, the Minnesota Department of Education has limited which school districts may provide these programs. We recommend that the Legislature allow all school districts to provide these alternative education programs. We also make several other recommendations to improve the oversight of alternative education programs.
Capitol Complex Security Our evaluation concluded that Minnesota has not taken sufficient steps to protect the Capitol and surrounding state buildings from possible security threats. The report makes several recommendations, including a stronger law enforcement presence in the Capitol Complex and an ongoing committee to help set security priorities.
Biofuel Policies and Programs Our evaluation found that traditional biofuels like corn-based ethanol serve a useful purpose, but are limited in their ability to replace petroleum-based fuels. We also found that the environmental impacts of corn-based ethanol are complicated and unclear. We make several recommendations for changes in the subsidy programs the state provides to biofuel producers.
MnSCU Occupational Programs Our evaluation found that MnSCU´s two-year colleges generally do a good job of responding to economic conditions and workforce needs. But they do not consistently assess employment opportunities for graduates of their occupational programs or systematically provide students with information about future job prospects.
Oversight of Workers' Compensation Our evaluation found that Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system works well for many injured workers. But for some, the system fails to meet its goals of timely medical recovery and return to work. We make several recommendations to improve program oversight and accountability.
MINNCOR Industries Our evaluation found that MINNCOR has generally done a good job in a difficult environment providing work opportunities for inmates and generating enough revenue to cover its costs. However, we make several recommendations for improvement.
Q Comp: Quality Compensation for Teachers Our evaluation found that the Minnesota Department of Education has not been consistent in its administration of Q Comp. It has held different applicants to different standards and has not provided regular oversight of all participants. We make several recommendations to improve the program’s administration.
Personal Care Assistance Our evaluation found that personal care assistance services have been subject to minimal state regulation and oversight, even though expenditures have been growing significantly and the program is vulnerable to fraud and abuse. We make several recommendations to improve the program’s administration and accountability.
Charter Schools We evaluated the performance, oversight, and accountability of charter schools. We found that, in general, charter schools do not perform as well as district schools; however, after accounting for relevant demographic factors and student mobility rates, the differences in student performance were minimal. Additionally, we found that charter school oversight responsibilities are not clear, leading to duplication and gaps in oversight. We recommend the Legislature clarify the roles of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and sponsors (organizations that authorize, monitor, and evaluate charter schools) and that MDE implement standards for sponsors. We also recommend that the Legislature strengthen conflict of interest laws for charter school boards.
State Highways and Bridges We examined recent trends in the condition of state highways and bridges and evaluated how the Minnesota Department of Transportation has responded. We found that highway surfaces have deteriorated, construction costs have escalated rapidly, and the department has not allocated sufficient resources to maintenance and preservation.
Financial Management of Health Care Programs Our evaluation concluded that Minnesota should continue to administer state health care programs for low-income people through a combination of private and public managed care organizations, as well as fee-for-service care. But the report also recommends a need for greater scrutiny of costs and health outcomes under these approaches.
JOBZ Program We evaluated JOBZ and found the program has helped to create some jobs. However, we also found significant problems with the program's focus and administration, resulting in unnecessary and ineffective use of tax subsidies in some cases. We recommend changes that would focus the program and improve its administration.
“Green Acres” and Agricultural Land Preservation Programs Minnesota’s “Green Acres” program reduces property taxes for certain farmland but does not effectively preserve agricultural land from development. We recommend that the Legislature reconsider who and what types of land should benefit. The state’s two programs for preserving agricultural land can help shape development and slow its pace, but they are not adequate to preserve farmland for the long term.
School District Student Transportation We evaluated the management and oversight of student transportation in Minnesota and found that improvements are needed. We found deficiencies in the way the Department of Public Safety (DPS) manages its school bus safety responsibilities. Additionally, some school districts do not provide sufficient oversight of their school bus drivers or private student transportation carriers. We recommend the Legislature increase the qualifications required for drivers of certain vehicles, DPS improve its management of student transportation safety, and school districts follow student transportation best practices.
County Veterans Service Offices Our evaluation examined the performance of county veterans service offices. We found the current system is generally working well, but state oversight needs improvement. We recommend legislative changes that give the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs more tools to better supervise the county offices.
Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors We assessed the extent to which Minnesota employers have misclassified employees as independent contractors, and evaluated the adequacy of the state’s enforcement of laws and rules related to classification. We found that misclassification is a problem in Minnesota, and the state should establish a coordinated approach to address it.
Follow-up Review: MinnesotaCare Eligibility Determination This follow-up to OLA’s 2003 report on MinnesotaCare assessed actions by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to address problems with the accuracy of MinnesotaCare eligibility determinations. In spite of efforts to improve, the follow-up review found that serious problems with accuracy persist. A key solution to these problems—an automated eligibility system called "HealthMatch"—holds promise but is significantly behind schedule. The report recommends that the department take interim actions to improve eligibility determination while waiting for HealthMatch to be implemented.
Prevailing Wages This report evaluates the administration and enforcement of Minnesota’s prevailing wage law. We found that enforcement is inadequate and recommend changes in state law and funding to correct enforcement deficiencies. We also recommend improvements in the process used by the Department of Labor and Industry to set prevailing wage rates.
Human Services Administration This report evaluates the administration of human services by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and county agencies. The efficiency and effectiveness of service implementation varies around the state, and the report offers recommendations to improve consistency and accountability. It also recommends that more counties jointly administer human services.
Watershed Management We evaluated how Minnesota manages its watersheds and found a complex system of multiple local, state, and federal entities with a mixed record of performance at the local level and inadequate oversight from the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). We recommend that the Legislature change BWSR’s governing structure to help ensure it acts in the overall best interests of the state.
Postemployment Benefits for Public Employees We evaluated Minnesota’s public pensions and other postemployment benefits, such as health care insurance. We recommend legislative changes to correct pension plan deficits and help government entities meet their other postemployment benefit obligations.
Pensions for Volunteer Firefighters This report looks at how well Minnesota's decentralized system for administering volunteer firefighter pensions is working.
State Grants to Nonprofit Organizations We evaluated how state agencies award and administer grants to nonprofit organizations and found policies and practices that were inconsistent and inadequate to ensure accountability. We recommend practices agencies should follow and oversight by a state office of grants management.
Economic Impact of Immigrants This report reviews previous research regarding the economic impact of immigration.
Public Health Care Eligibility Determination for Noncitizens This report examines the extent to which counties correctly determine public health care eligibility for noncitizens.
Liquor Regulation This report examines how Minnesota's liquor laws affect liquor prices and how changes in these laws would affect consumers, existing stores, and alcohol abuse.
Pesticide Regulation This report evaluates how well the Minnesota Department of Agriculture regulates pesticides and monitors their use and effects.
Tax Compliance This report examines how well the Minnesota Department of Revenue uses its authority and resources to collect income and sales and use taxes.
Substance Abuse Treatment This report examines the availability and outcomes of substance abuse treatment in community-based and prison-based settings.
