County representatives outline legislative wins and funding concerns, commissioners warn of cost shifts

Tony Albright and Courtney Jasper, who represent Carver County at the capitol, briefed commissioners on the 2026 legislative session. They highlighted bipartisan investments in technology modernization for human services, including an initial $50 million allocation and a separate $10 million infusion for Maxis to reduce SNAP error rates. "We have to start over and start from scratch" on some systems, a presenter said when discussing Minnesota's complex IT and process challenges.

The briefing also covered the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, which the legislators said will receive $15 million statewide and is estimated to bring roughly $213,000 to Carver County. Commissioners expressed concern that the state continues to shift service costs to counties; the board agenda itself notes a proposed 2% property tax levy surcharge each year for the next three budget cycles to cover an estimated $6 million in cost shifts. Staff and commissioners discussed bonding outcomes for local projects and the uncertain longer-term costs counties may face as new state-level programs roll out.