11-16-2000 Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIP REFORM Description of Problem: There is plenty of evidence that state and local partnerships are out of alignment. Local government representatives frequently raise concerns about local budget pressures and availability of resources created by state mandates. Conversely, state policymakers are frustrated by undesignated aid from the state to local governments that do not produce expected outcomes. What is State and Local Partnership Reform? State and Local Partnership Reform is a logical extension of Tax Reform; as it • examines the complex web of government partnerships where the state finances all or part of locally delivered services, • modifies those partnerships that are out of alignment, • eliminates inappropriate and ineffective local mandates, • moves away from undesignated general aid and toward designated aid aimed at clear state priorities (i.e. mandates), The Ventura Administration wants government at all levels to be more accountable and responsive to the public. The best tool for doing this is to establish more clear lines of responsibility for setting policy, financing, and delivering government services. Aligning these responsibilities means Minnesota citizens will clearly know who is responsible for what, if it's • being done well, and who should be held responsible when programs aren't meeting measurable results. Outcomes: • Effectiveness — greater resources focused on the highest priority services. • Fairness—fairer cost-sharing of local services mandated by the state. • Accountability- clearer lines between policy and financial decision making. Principles: Do the right things and do them well: • Evaluate programs in tangible ways for real, cost effective results • Reform or eliminate programs if they are redundant or aren't producing desired results Provide incentives for desirable behavior: • Match responsibility and accountability at all levels • Put decisions at the appropriate level, closest to the people Be fiscally conservative and prudent: • Prevent future costs where possible Key Strategies: 1. Examine existing state/local relationships according to clear, defensible principles and then determine the most appropriate partnership and financing model for that relationship. 2. Trade existing general-purpose aids and expenditures (like LGA, HACA, and block grants) for specific state expenditures more closely aligned with both state and local priorities. • Contact: Department of Finance - Mike Roelofs - 651.296.5779