Dear Friends,
Minnesota’s Department of Human Services is in the news again this week, and as has been the case lately, it’s for the wrong reasons.
MORE TROUBLE IN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
You may recall an earlier report of DHS allocating $29 million in improper payments made by the Department of Human Services to two tribal governments for addiction services over a period of five years.
The non-partisan Legislative Auditor looked into it, and on Tuesday the office revealed its findings – and the news wasn’t good.
The audit found that DHS repeatedly signaled approval for a billing practice that effectively caused double-billing to the federal government—once for an in-person visit, and multiple additional reimbursements when patients self-administer medication at home.
The special review blamed "troubling dysfunction" at DHS, noting the agency "did not have legal authority to make the payments; it did not document why, when, and who decided it was appropriate to make the payments; no one at DHS takes responsibility for the decision; and no one at DHS can provide a rationale for the payments. The overpayments continued over several years and did not stop until an outside inquiry brought them to light."
One thing is clear, taxpayers should not be on the hook for the department’s $29 million error. With a budget of $19 billion every two years, DHS should be able to make some adjustments without asking Minnesotan’s to pay for its “troubling dysfunction.”
MINNESOTA HOUSE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE VISITS OUR AREA
I serve on the Capital Investment Committee, and we have been touring the state visiting and learning about projects seeking state funding. Not long ago the committee visited southeastern Minnesota.
The Shell Rock River Watershed District Board made a bonding request presentation to the House Capital Investment Committee at the pavilion last evening for an additional $7.5 million dollars to continue the next phase of the Fountain Lake dredging project. Our lake, including the vegetation and animal life, is so much healthier thanks to all the work the watershed has done both up stream and on the lake.
In addition to the watershed request, the committee also listened to the City of Albert Lea’s bonding requests last evening, which include flood mitigation for Main Street (by Godfather’s Pizza), the Blazing Star Trail, and the Blazing Star Landing. Lots to consider for our Capital Investment Committee as we get back into session next year and put together a bonding bill!
I also ran into one of my “kids” – my former first graders, at Edgewater Bay Pavilion. It was especially fun to chat with Ian, who is an accomplished (and award winning!) fisherman, as I love fishing too. Ian is a member of the Albert Lea Anglers, which is a wonderful group that provides opportunity for young people to get into the outdoors and go fishing. It was great to see you, Ian!
MNDOT COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
I want to thank MNDOT southeast Minnesota District 6 Engineer Mark Schoenfelder for coming to Albert Lea to hold a “Coffee and Conversation” time for area residents. Thank you also to Freeborn County Engineer, Sue Miller, and City of Albert Lea Engineer Steve Jahnke for taking part as well.
All of these transportation leaders spent time listening to public input this morning, which I believe is so critical for good government. Kudos to each of them for taking the time to do this!
HONORING OUR FIREFIGHTERS
It’s always a pleasure to visit the Albert Lea Fire Department open house every year. There were many people attending, and I enjoyed talking to them as well as our local firefighters.
I was excited to hear that the new fire department building is scheduled to be ready for use sometime next spring. That’s exciting! We hear about heroes in movies, but I know firefighters are our real life heroes. Thank you to all firefighters for serving to protect our lives and property. We appreciate you!
LUTEFISK SEASON!
First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie held a lutefisk meal recently, where I enjoyed awesome food and company!
I was also able to attend Glenville United Methodist Church’s delicious soup and pie supper; enjoyed a tasty pork chop dinner served up by the wonderful ladies at First Lutheran Church in Glenville, and another soup and pie supper sponsored by Concordia Lutheran Church in Glenville. Great events, great people and GREAT food!
Wishing our farmers an ongoing safe and productive harvest time as they continue to work to bring their crops in before winter arrives!
Have a good weekend,
Peggy