Legislative Auditor finds ‘troubling dysfunction’ at DHS

by MinnPost staff 10/29/201902/06/2024

`[image_credit]MinnPost photo by Erin Hinrichs[/image_credit][image_caption]Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles[/image_caption]`

Sounds bad. The Star Tribune’s Chris Serres reports: “The state’s top government watchdog has concluded that ‘troubling dysfunction’ at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) resulted in the agency making $29 million in improper payments to two Indian bands for opioid treatment, according to a scathing report released Tuesday morning. … Legislative Auditor James Nobles said the DHS did not have legal authority to make the payments, and it did not document why, when, and who decided it was appropriate to make them. In addition, he found that no one at the agency has taken responsibility for the decision or provided a rationale for the overpayments, which continued over several years and did not stop until an outside agency brought them to light.”

Bank for sale. The Star Tribune’s Neal St. Anthony says: “The trust that controls St. Paul-based Bremer Financial Corp., the fourth-largest bank in Minnesota, said Monday it may sell the company. … The announcement from the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) indicated a split with the board of Bremer Financial Corp. (BFC), which is responsible for day-to-day operation of Bremer Bank and related entities.”

Big vote for Worthington next week. WCCO’s Liz Collin reports: “Next week, voters in a southwest Minnesota city go the polls to decide whether to build a new school to alleviate crowded classrooms. It’s the sixth time in as many years that residents in Worthington will face the decision.”

PSA. From the Bemidji Pioneer: “MNsure’s seven-week open enrollment period begins at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 23, officials said this week. Minnesotans can enroll, renew or change private health insurance through MNsure. Everyone enrolled during the open enrollment period will have an effective date of Jan. 1.”

Also FYI. KSTP reports: “Hot off the heels of the Interstate 94 closure last weekend, there will be another interstate closure in the Twin Cities Thursday into Friday and again this weekend. … According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Interstate 35W will close in both directions between I-94 and Highway 62 in Minneapolis.”