[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6663519,"mediaKeyId","2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921","parentId",2390043,"title","Department of Administration recommends demolishing Centennial Office Building as part of statewide space consolidation plan","audioSeconds",1323,"startMs",131000,"endMs",1454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921&start=131&end=1454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921/thumbnail_131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6663519/Minnesota/Department-of-Administration-recommends-demolishing-Centennial-Office-Building-as-part-of-statewide-space-consolidation-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663519-c7a466ae844f1512a1434985edfd5152/orig.mp4?Expires=1774939589&Signature=IAg0Vz1kqzTUo29~iUAJt4IkvfVI9o3RcJ9tpa89bztYQSC4X18cQ-WUOr4Fc~BAY00o-pts6zI86R6XP4JK0l2r63snNHoJr150UZj-9k2VDO43UFaL8MqEKpgDdQLhv1dQL-XeDSYV~WfpdgENfxtJoSZ8ButsLj5Li3-w3bHuwPxotyWva7T-82aHYwKr7e3AacuZ5QVs94RyZ4VYCkqlyGUsqoN3fTQpQ3XTXhmao-HfM~yakmOPozdxQFG~e5OrWYaAQ7FqDRtqGjslg3xWbachzWV91bg5EUiPBfIeRE1UjPzUkT9IMNMeOUpx7FhIL45IphMGViLyB~Uv-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-25T22:53:45.257Z","article","At a Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee hearing, Department of Administration officials told lawmakers their strategic facilities plan recommends demolishing the Centennial Office Building, consolidating tenant agencies onto the Capitol complex where possible, and exploring regional hub locations in Greater Minnesota.

The recommendation stems from a 2021 engagement with commercial real estate firm CBRE that resulted in a strategic facilities plan finalized and distributed to agencies in 2023. Assistant Commissioner Wayne Waslowski said the plan found \"the building systems are at the end of their useful life,\" and evaluated whether the cost to renovate the Centennial Office Building is justified compared with relocating tenants and backfilling state‑owned space.

The plan frames space decisions around the agencies' business needs rather than a 1:1 staff‑to‑desk model. Department officials described new space standards that average 175 to 200 usable square feet per person and a shift toward shared or hoteling workstations with an approximate staff‑to‑seat ratio of 1.3–1.4 to 1. The department said agencies will prioritize collaboration, focus, and huddle spaces to match varying in‑office work activities.

Officials told the committee the department is prioritizing consolidation opportunities tied to private lease expirations and existing capacity on the Capitol complex. Deputy Commissioner Stacy Christiansen and Waslowski identified several candidate locations for backfilling, including space that could become available in the Transportation Building and the Anderson Building, which recently completed a fit plan for an occupying agency.

Commissioner Tamara Grunvall said the administration intends to submit a capital budget request in the upcoming session to fund demolition if the legislature and governor approve it. Lawmakers pressed department staff for additional information before any decision: Representative Jones asked whether the legislature would have to approve demolition; department officials confirmed a capital budget (bonding) request would be required and emphasized the competitiveness of capital investment dollars.

Members also asked for additional cost comparisons. Chair Nash requested that the department provide the committee with an analysis showing the relative costs of leaving the building vacant versus demolishing it. Representative Jones asked for the lifecycle cost comparison, noting the committee will consider the state fiscal forecast in March.

Committee members raised related questions about regional hubs, co‑locating with higher education, and parking. The department said it has been in regular communications with Minnesota State about potential co‑location opportunities and that regional hubs were a recommendation awaiting implementation. It also said the adjacent parking structure would remain and be maintained; the department plans landscaping to screen the structure if Centennial is removed.

Department officials said implementation will be staged over several years, driven largely by lease expirations, and estimated the space rightsizing effort to be a four‑to‑five year process. They reported that, to date, the enterprise has achieved more than 300,000 square feet of space reductions since 2020 and that additional opportunities remain.

Next steps identified during the hearing included the department submitting a capital request for demolition funding and providing the committee with requested cost and utilization data tied to lease expirations and potential backfill options.

Sources: Testimony of Tamara Grunvall (Commissioner), Wayne Waslowski (Assistant Commissioner), and Stacy Christiansen (Deputy Commissioner) before the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 25, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25","oneSentenceSummary","At a Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee hearing, Department of Administration officials told lawmakers their strategic facilities plan recommends demolishing the Centennial Office Building, consolidating tenant agencies onto the Capitol complex where possible, and exploring regional hub locations in Greater Minnesota.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663518,"Department of Revenue requests modest operating increases; highlights fraud prevention, hybrid work and modernization gains",1679,2607000,4286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921&start=2607&end=4286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921/thumbnail_2607000.jpg","/articles/6663518/Minnesota/Department-of-Revenue-requests-modest-operating-increases-highlights-fraud-prevention-hybrid-work-and-modernization-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663518-a352b800c010e546df7f0974d51265bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1774939589&Signature=OUcVOBX8knvyAx3Fttnd9Usl2Psy8gw6GHexrJ1ttW2C5~CKGTAl65OaEF6tUtZb9ON72eAafr-LnqKIuNfoH1St3Fye2XQARxuDHsP1hqu6-4yMOMLu1U15QXMKHOt0iJ1sEHgXHANOj9Rd63zvOD0x2gonveURtUWXWeHfq6T6TYtZ94ZqMYbCq70eHl8jcg-TmeJv3R6Be60Ua6nO6KGqZnfGpHhrTKo18QeBbR4n2ifmlLWtw15ekIT7AtoPxUE0lwu~mFZKPtPdMFLaYPqxoSBVHAhOjT9nybmo2TZeV979D-799dm42b~ulrV~5UQEQ95HWwhh6CD4AAu6vA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee meeting, Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquardt presented an overview of agency operations and the governor\u0000s budget request for an operating increase. Marquardt said the department seeks roughly 2% increases in each of the next two years to cover growing expenses and ongoing operations.

Marquardt described the department\u0000s workload and recent outcomes: it processes millions of tax returns and refunds annually, said it has stopped about \"$30,000,000 in fraudulent filed tax returns from going out the door,\" and reported that audits, collections and criminal cases produced about $487,000,000 in past‑due tax collections last year. He said the department\u0000s administrative cost is low relative to total revenue collection, calling it \"about 0.6 of 1%.\"

The commissioner described technology and customer‑service modernization, including increased electronic filing, a chatbot for routine questions, automatic translation tools in Spanish, Hmong and Somali, and ongoing work to protect taxpayer data. He said the agency is evolving e‑services and identity verification capabilities for accounts and payments, and noted the legislature is considering whether the department should provide a direct‑file option for taxpayers rather than relying exclusively on third‑party vendors.

Marquardt also outlined changes tied to hybrid work: the department reported a roughly 35% reduction in leased office space since 2020 and a 24% reduction in Capitol complex space, which the agency estimates saves about $2.5 million per year. He said roughly 95% of department employees have a telework agreement on file and that recruitment has improved, citing an increase in applicants per job opening from 23 in 2019 to about 43 in 2024.

On budget specifics, the governor\u0000s request represents an approximate $4.2 million increase on a roughly $200 million base (about 2% in fiscal 2026 and a cumulative 4% in fiscal 2027). Marquardt also described a proposed new audit unit focused on complex partnership tax issues; the department estimated the unit would cost money initially but ultimately could generate about $4.0 million in additional annual collections.

Representatives asked about paid family medical leave implementation, identity verification for mobile filing, and the political contribution refund modernization. Deputy Commissioner Lee Ho described evolving identity verification and said the department\u0000s current e‑file methods are provided to taxpayers through third‑party vendors; he said the department is strengthening identity verification and e‑services and that the option of a department‑provided direct‑file is under legislative consideration.

Committee members praised fraud prevention and cybersecurity modernization and asked the department to keep legislators informed about any federal developments that could affect state collections. The department said federal VITA funding primarily goes to local VITA sites and that state impacts would be limited but that data security and integrity remain top priorities.

Sources: Testimony of Paul Marquardt (Commissioner), Lee Ho (Deputy Commissioner), and Department of Revenue staff before the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 25, 2025.","At the Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee meeting, Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquardt presented an overview of agency operations and asked for modest operating increases in the governor\u0000s budget while highlighting fraud prevention and hybrid work measures.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663514,"House State Government Finance and Policy Committee approves minutes as amended",44,18000,62000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921&start=18&end=62","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921/thumbnail_18000.jpg","/articles/6663514/Minnesota/House-State-Government-Finance-and-Policy-Committee-approves-minutes-as-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663514-d3926298d4967c711b45afe083a9c18f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774939589&Signature=d~~~IjlIMu~PjUjsbYuiV4AJBdQ5x6LDCHagNubtUmLOq0am3itvAMi3mxKst5jakhB-DbyuOPt2t0Hl5LwfG6-sRZY0WnHqkAuzSqbS1KRfL1~f86Xie7-83F4aBd4DRUlhTJVUiJIGeXbAxolM1cFJmgpOw2tXqvdociIl5vBO1RZ0EY6lJM~jAZ3IY9ueIWAn7jrM4ICUxVJCyIjlZazP-HAP7oNT~ARTT3SNpKkMLtHoEv6VRQBfwGG-Y2GxLTtScpmiL1dD8XcORJxZ568yNlAD~gPmmatZsk6Qan~8utVRDkZ695J~zKL53Y9rsE-3Z5hU2qeiRfgER~vPfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the opening of the Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee meeting, Representative Sexton moved to approve the minutes with an administrative correction to the spelling of a member\u0000s name. Representative Davis had pointed out that the name should be spelled \"F R E I B E R G,\" and the chair said the correction would be made and that the minutes would be approved as amended.

The committee approved the minutes by voice vote; the chair called for \"All in favor? Aye.\" and noted no opposition. No roll‑call or recorded tally of individual votes was taken.

Motion details:
- Motion: Approve minutes as amended (correction to spelling of Freiberg/Freiberg)
- Mover: Representative Sexton
- Second: not specified in transcript
- Outcome: Approved by voice vote (no recorded opposition)

Source: Committee proceedings, House State Government Finance and Policy Committee, Feb. 25, 2025.","At the start of its Feb. 25 meeting the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee approved minutes as amended after a member requested a spelling correction. Representative Sexton moved to approve the minutes as amended; the chair announced approval by voice vote with no opposition recorded.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6663517,"Minnesota IT Services urges continued investment in cybersecurity and cloud modernization at committee hearing",1866,4310000,6176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921&start=4310&end=6176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390043-ea3dbf2df966d1b96dfc5cd1549c5921/thumbnail_4310000.jpg","/articles/6663517/Minnesota/Minnesota-IT-Services-urges-continued-investment-in-cybersecurity-and-cloud-modernization-at-committee-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6663517-516b73221f4ca86032fab060e6b7f8eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774939589&Signature=T0p5OI9EDXFlSUt5d880kmgTytT416QkPJ3oTc178F-knyXUOAvGH9ndIS39SOaoX483z-HTEufMwO6Y4PW5sKPlT21MZ200bTbiMu8SOK4CmqbhP-nDIwxQIK4x6KOL8ut2VOOZFdwvOEHu~qHUKE~o6E8EzVGqM9Dt5sLMr0Hu0FrNGLCIC~IKCmTB3jFTAxqWLNQ6R~FsSug1e2hEOZy3PIiB04jsy9-DUtyOXm~yJk8QzjwVsoCGF-rkuzg5pQPeWd~SBE1q6U~HI9os8dUPd7gpR4Tj~k3CXRKnI-KI2mTW7MLYD~o2Wq3ZjrUuKWxDFLmmVrK5523pLrEYeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Feb. 25 House State Government Finance and Policy Committee hearing, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) Commissioner Tarek Tomes outlined the agency\u0000s role supporting state technology, cybersecurity and cloud modernization and urged continued legislative support for ongoing investments.

Tomes said MNIT supports \"over 41,000 state employees on a ongoing, really 24 by 7 basis,\" manages roughly 2,700 line‑of‑business applications and typically handles about 40,000 incidents per month. He said MNIT also tracks and responds to cybersecurity incidents and reported more than 5,000 security incidents a year across the state enterprise and partner organizations.

The commissioner cited the technology modernization fund (a recent legislative appropriation) as enabling work on technical debt and risky legacy systems, and he described the state\u0000s multi‑cloud approach and a cloud transformation that reduced the number of independent data centers to six. He said cloud adoption improves resiliency and allows agencies to scale capacity for seasonal or cyclical demand.

Tomes highlighted whole‑of‑state cybersecurity efforts and a state program that subsidizes basic cyber defenses for schools, local governments and other smaller entities. He emphasized that cybersecurity is an ongoing, recurring expense and that continued funding is required to maintain defenses.

MNIT also described identity verification services available through login.mn.gov, which the department said supports identity assurance (NIST IAL/AL‑like levels referred to as IL1–3 in testimony) to authenticate users for higher‑trust transactions. Tomes said that capability supports initiatives such as modernized citizen services and secure access to state systems.

Committee members praised MNIT\u0000s work, asked about the cloud vendor mix and competition, and sought more detail on specific projects. Tomes said the state pursues a multi‑cloud strategy and intentionally uses multiple providers to meet agency needs and to preserve market competition. He also credited legislative partners and the Technology Advisory Committee for advising state IT priorities.

The department asked lawmakers to consider funding for cybersecurity and for modernization that protects services for Minnesotans, and MNIT staff said they will continue to provide reports requested by the committee.

Sources: Testimony of Tarek Tomes (Commissioner, MNIT) and Deputy Commissioner (Mr.) Eichton before the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 25, 2025.","Minnesota IT Services Commissioner Tarek Tomes told the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on Feb. 25 that MNIT supports more than 41,000 state employees, manages roughly 2,700 line‑of‑business applications and handles about 40,000 support incidents per month; he highlighted investments from the technology modernization fund, a \"","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Department of Administration recommends demolishing Centennial Office Building as part of statewide space consolidation plan

Department of Revenue requests modest operating increases; highlights fraud prevention, hybrid work and modernization gains

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee approves minutes as amended

Minnesota IT Services urges continued investment in cybersecurity and cloud modernization at committee hearing