State lawmakers meet Todd County commissioners to discuss budget shifts and system modernization concerns

Senator Paul Etke and Representative Mike Weiner met with Todd County commissioners April 15 for a round-table work session focused on the state budget outlook, potential cost shifts to counties, and challenges counties face implementing state systems and mandates.

Lawmakers described a rapid change from an $18 billion surplus to a projected deficit and warned counties that some state proposals could shift costs — such as disability waiver cost-sharing — onto local levies. Representative Weiner said some proposed budget moves would effectively move responsibility and costs to counties and urged local officials to document dollar impacts for legislators to use in committee discussions. Commissioners and agency directors also described practical problems with SSIS and proposed MAPPA requirements, asking for delays or increased funding to avoid imposing unfunded mandates on smaller counties.