[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6558358,"mediaKeyId","3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744","parentId",3271175,"title","Agencies urge full operating adjustments and warn against removing grant-administration authority","audioSeconds",1377,"startMs",1380034,"endMs",2191,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744&start=1380&end=2","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744/thumbnail_1380034.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558358/Minnesota/Agencies-urge-full-operating-adjustments-and-warn-against-removing-grant-administration-authority","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558358-a0519f7757fe7690aa31b36738b92f7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113520&Signature=gEQq4~i4NlYJ2pRBp28jb3MOCYgl194d6k3ctDoJCViP17lwmba24chTbKUnPu0UR7kmN8lRXJGCEyEEwY7aB1fQgyLHwkcASfOrDb4HQwSdTZ7Y4RJzHWWiroqSrg2rL-qY50sxICoIUvVTFaxaEGyJPQbZPaBxC8WRFE~fZ6IC1injA46eNYSKze4KUryZlVzrCqpas7pzYtBUJe6fr923YMh14L2IZ34zXIgNWIIRvxZtXQ0D-ULHLgsM-gXw-qinugN4S64ZY1U1NF5Pd7x6X9yLKMNg2jO2gfwGlGOuR~3g1aDx0J~XBkq8Q7AuPrCLmdb~2vcCsWnGEmp2Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-05-12T15:52:11.483Z","article","Representatives of state agencies and state-funded institutions testified to the conference committee May 12 that operating adjustments recommended in the governor’s budget are needed to cover rising costs and to preserve core services, and several urged the committee not to eliminate statutory authority that allows agencies to use a portion of grant funds for administration and oversight.

Britta Rayton (Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Management and Budget) told the committee she appreciated inclusion in the Senate position of the governor’s full operating adjustment and cautioned that adding functions — such as a Healthy Aging subcabinet — without full funding would create challenges. Rayton asked for \"further conversation to ensure the scope of the activities required can be accomplished within the amount appropriated.\"

Brandon Hirsch, director of government relations for Minnesota IT Services (MNIT), said adopting the governor’s recommended operating adjustment as reflected in the Senate position would sustain statewide initiatives including cybersecurity, school and local partnerships, and cloud modernization.

Tamara Grunval, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Administration, identified several concerns: she supported the Senate’s operating adjustment for Administration, urged the committee to include a state building renewable energy storage and electric vehicle account provision in the Senate bill, and cautioned strongly against repeal of the authority allowing agencies to use a portion of grant funds for administration and oversight. Grunval told the committee the statute allows agencies to use up to 5% of legislatively named grants and up to 10% for competitive grants for administration when an appropriation is not provided, and she said effective grant administration is necessary to protect federal funds and ensure compliance.

Paul Marquardt, commissioner of the Department of Revenue, said the governor’s budget proposal included $4.2 million in fiscal 2026 and $8.5 million in fiscal 2027 \"to cover existing employees and new technology, but no new FTEs,\" and warned that reductions from the governor’s levels could harm service levels, refund response times and fraud prevention.

Kent Whitworth, director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society, requested that the committee maintain the governor’s recommended operating adjustment for MNHS and reiterated concerns about the Senate provision that would repeal the statute permitting agencies to recover grant administration costs; Whitworth said administering grant programs requires resources and asked the committee to continue the conversation so agencies can properly administer public funds.

Why it matters: Agencies said reduced operating adjustments would impair their ability to deliver services, oversee grants, and maintain technology and security; removing grant-administration authority could force agencies to operate without a funding mechanism for essential oversight tasks.

Clarifying details and figures mentioned in testimony

- Department of Revenue funding request: $4,200,000 in FY 2026 and $8,500,000 in FY 2027 (as stated by Commissioner Paul Marquardt).

- Grant administration rule: testimony cited statutory authority allowing agencies to use up to 5% of a legislatively named grant and up to 10% for competitive grants for administration when appropriations are not provided.

- Minnesota Historical Society and others said that administering state grant programs requires staff time and resources to ensure compliance and to protect federal funds.

Provenance

Topic introduction (agency concerns): \"Good morning Chair Cleburne, Chair Nash and Chair Zhang and committee members for the record my name is Britta Rayton. I am Deputy Commissioner at Minnesota Management and Budget. Thank you for the opportunity to provide some comments on the Omnibus State Government Bill.\"

Topic finish (final agency testimony): \"Chair Clevehorn, Chair Nash, Chair Zong, members of the state government finance, our state government's conference committee. My name is Kent Whitworth and I serve as the director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society. ... We'd appreciate the opportunity to continue the conversation to ensure that we have the proper resources to administer public funds wisely and to serve our state's history community that has accomplished so much with these funds.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conference Committee on SF3045 5/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple state agency representatives told the conference committee May 12 that the governor’s recommended operating adjustments are needed to cover rising costs and that repealing the authority to use a portion of grant funds for administration would harm grant oversight.","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},6558361,"Public testimony splits on Healthy Aging subcabinet; advocates urge funding, Board on Aging expresses concern",547,773575,1321200,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744&start=773&end=1321","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744/thumbnail_773575.jpg","/articles/6558361/Minnesota/Public-testimony-splits-on-Healthy-Aging-subcabinet-advocates-urge-funding-Board-on-Aging-expresses-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558361-d2c661054184a7f2c9abd1c3f6aaf3bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113520&Signature=MukmpzeHXggsnu-RE4Mb6uze322WL8ox2vlz1rAXFVsD5HJFuoWNPn4-MUggxpmZ~tfBUIMYiNRzxIe5PBUudZWA5YlAAsinL0nAUxDDIuKnYnz5LuWEHIYIbKocu2DM0a9ws6e5kJ8WzmW23YIOzu0fc2OEi2TNw9B9NurLvOfwBlp474bP4TTgfQWmCTtkJ~b0FP0TnAC97a7bp0T53GXlnRTuTsZQ9iP6vQ~9NoV8MMLWlYjmu1lBJmGqHj6Pmls8nPRbU8oSIdRaPHlaY~rn5tb2ZLnclsB56Ur0Gb5KTCVyyKfAq4mwmgjch8uvdAnMPXy81tnnQxkaErLr9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public testimony before the State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee on May 12 featured sharply divergent views on a proposed Healthy Aging subcabinet and statewide healthy aging plan.

Dawn Simonson, president and CEO of Trellis (the metropolitan area agency on aging for the seven-county region), told the committee the state must plan for an older population and urged the panel to \"adopt the House language and fully fund the healthy aging subcabinet.\" Simonson said she has seen \"growing wait lists for home delivered meals and increasingly limited access to transportation and in-home services,\" and warned that without action the state would not be prepared for a larger senior population.

In contrast, Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging, testified virtually that the board \"unanimously\" cast the sole vote against the task force's final recommendations and opposed establishing a separate aging entity. Schneider said the board worried the subcabinet \"would create potential areas for overlap\" with existing statewide plans led by the Minnesota Board on Aging and Age-Friendly Minnesota and could confuse older adults and community partners navigating federal and state programs.

Other witnesses included Kathleen (Kathy) Kelso of Elder Voice Advocates, who supported the House language and argued the subcabinet would produce a multiagency planning process on housing, transportation, aging services, jobs and other issues. Kelso said demographic data show Minnesota is aging and that \"staying in one's home to the extent that one is able\" benefits communities and the state economy.

Alicia Lane, government relations director for the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, told the committee the Deaf and hard-of-hearing population skews older and argued that disability is a natural part of aging that statewide guidance should address.

Why it matters: The Healthy Aging subcabinet is intended to coordinate cross-agency planning and produce a statewide healthy aging plan. Testimony revealed a split between stakeholders seeking an elevated, funded coordinating body and the existing Minnesota Board on Aging, which warned of duplication and confusion.

Substantive points raised

- Service demand: Witnesses said wait lists for home-delivered meals and reduced access to in-home services are increasing.

- Geographic disparities: Testimony cited the state demographer’s findings (as referenced by witnesses) noting that Greater Minnesota has a larger share of older adults and is aging faster than metropolitan areas; a witness said 70 percent of women 65 and over live in rural Minnesota.

- Governance concerns: The Minnesota Board on Aging expressed concern that creating a new cabinet-level entity could overlap or duplicate current state aging efforts and partnerships.

- Request for funding: Supporters asked the committee to adopt the House language creating the subcabinet and to fully fund it so it can conduct \"an open planning process\" and develop implementation strategies.

Provenance

Topic introduction (public testimony on healthy aging): \"Thank you Chair Cleburne and, members of the conference committee. My name is Dawn Simonson and I'm the president and CEO of Trellis, the metropolitan area agency on aging for the 7 County region. My comments today are in support of the healthy aging subcabinet.\"

Topic finish (closing testimony in this topic group): \"If you look at the deaf and hard of hearing population as a whole, over half of those individuals are aged 65 or older. ... So that is why we support this healthy aging subcabinet so that we can have a statewide authority to provide guidance to those individuals and those policy makers across the board, across all agencies.\"","During public testimony at the conference committee on May 12, advocates and agency representatives praised the creation of a Healthy Aging subcabinet and urged full funding, while the Minnesota Board on Aging said it opposed creating another aging entity, citing overlap and potential confusion.",{"_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},6558367,"Conference committee adopts omnibus state government provisions and five amendments",708,19105,727812,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744&start=19&end=727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3271175-f65fe51bdce6b92029ba1370898f0744/thumbnail_19105.jpg","/articles/6558367/Minnesota/Conference-committee-adopts-omnibus-state-government-provisions-and-five-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558367-71a107c714c7e7dd140f74a83914bed4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771113520&Signature=TE0APo7e2-q6txRfDysRKtGlebLy3tXYZOueyUy~xBm9P8CVRMnLXyfQ4mi4oZR~GT0eTs~xYeDJJ9fI3K7mU1cak1W9GhspyyauJWOG6sLyydgjIHHuJxyz4f~WK7JP8WGgydLCoxakwbvkwRcGvqpwf7iwcDFhVNfDZgv7GpLSQvjfFT8U7nwutSlt5Mx3gIqTNs-Z0Vji~DxcDDDHXTZpVBD0UytRJidKxW-7BmR1xWF4a3h5P~37hopoa97QiR42WATYpPTYZN8Y8OW1hPFBm-JUj4P9diX-iUP3tYxlsDwx0bLHzG9d6GslbMUUwVIzJ0weeL39SAqhRQfNLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee voted May 12 to adopt the conference report recommendations for Motion 1 (state government policy) and approved five amendments individually during the meeting.

The committee chairs began by asking nonpartisan staff to walk members through a document labeled \"Motion 1\" that lists individual provisions from the House and Senate bills and the chairs’ recommended choices on which chamber’s language to include in the conference report. Nonpartisan staff described items ranging from renaming the Office of Administrative Hearings to the Court of Administrative Hearings, to grants management training, to licensing board changes and repealers.

Why it matters: The committee’s actions determine which version of dozens of state government policy provisions — some technical, some policy-oriented — will move forward in the final conference report to be included in the omnibus bill.

Key votes and outcomes

- Adoption of amendment A28 (periodic special review follow-ups for the Office of the Legislative Auditor): adopted by voice vote. Chair Cleburne called for the vote and members answered \"Aye.\"

- Adoption of amendment A98 (local advertising money change): moved by Senator McQuaid and adopted by voice vote.

- Adoption of amendment A99 (annual grants training provision): adopted by voice vote.

- Adoption of amendment A22 (increase to municipal liquor store audit threshold, from a recommendation of the Office of the State Auditor): moved by Co-Chair Nash and adopted by voice vote.

- After walking through remaining provisions and amendments, the chairs moved to adopt all items as amended except for the \"savvy\" provision; that motion was approved by voice vote.

- The committee then took the savvy provision out for separate consideration and, after no discussion, adopted it by voice vote.

Procedure and record: Votes during the meeting were taken by voice. Committee members said \"Aye\" and no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript. The chair announced each motion \"prevails\" when adopted.

What was included: The committee adopted specific choices between House and Senate language across many categories, including state procurement/contracting, grants management, licensing board provisions, data practices appeals, the renaming of the Office of Administrative Hearings, several repealers, and provisions governing lottery retailers and municipal liquor stores. Nonpartisan staff told members that most rows in the Motion 1 document represented single provisions and noted where the House and Senate positions aligned or diverged.

Next steps: The adopted conference report language will be incorporated into the larger omnibus package for further legislative action.

Provenance

Topic introduction (excerpt from committee walkthrough): \"We are going to move the adoption table documents and amendments today that will be presented by a nonpartisan staff. So I will move on the adoption of the recommended items on the document titled Motion 1. State government policy, comma, licensing boards be included in the conference committee report.\"

Topic finish (excerpt where votes concluded): \"Seeing none, all those in favor of adoption please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The motion does prevail. It is adopted.\"","The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee on May 12 adopted a package of state government policy provisions and five amendments by voice vote; one provision (the \"savvy\" provision) was pulled for separate consideration and later adopted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Agencies urge full operating adjustments and warn against removing grant-administration authority

Public testimony splits on Healthy Aging subcabinet; advocates urge funding, Board on Aging expresses concern

Conference committee adopts omnibus state government provisions and five amendments