REP ROBBINS STATEMENT ON DHS HOUSE HEARING
ST. PAUL, MN— State Representative Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, issued the following statement regarding Monday's House hearing regarding the ongoing issues at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). At the hearing, Commissioner Harpstead indicated that no one has been disciplined for tens of millions in overpayments to tribes, and was reluctant to endorse calls by Republicans and Gov. Walz for a forensic audit of all DHS spending.
Commissioner Harpstead also revealed late in the hearing that the investigation into former DHS Inspector General Carolyn Ham had concluded. Ms. Ham was re-assigned to General Counsel's office after being put on paid administrative leave and will apparently continue in that role. The Commissioner declined to discuss the findings of the investigation, simply stating that the matter was concluded.
"As a member of the HHS Policy Committee, not the Finance Committee, I was not able to ask questions during the hearing. It was very frustrating to learn that the investigation of Inspector General Ham was closed without explanation, or even notifying committee members, and that no one is going to held accountable for $106 million in overpayments. The Commissioner also sidestepped the question of whether she would support a full audit of DHS, even though Gov. Walz has also called for an audit.
"We cannot solve these problems without full transparency and meaningful accountability. I hope Commissioner Harpstead will work with the legislature and the Governor to develop a plan for an outside audit so we can get to the root of these problems and ensure that taxpayer money is being used to serve the 1 million Minnesotans who need these services."
###