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| Date: | March 21, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT INNOVATION AND VETERANS RECOMMENDS PASSAGE OF SENATOR NELSON'S GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY BILL |
(St. Paul) – In an effort to improve efficiency in government systems and services, the Senate Committee on State Government Innovation and Veterans recommended passage of Senator Carla Nelson’s legislation (S.F. 907) on Monday. Senator Nelson’s bill asks government agencies to request proposals for efficiencies in state operated systems and services. All proposals must focus on using new analytical technology to impact three main areas: state building efficiency, fleet management improvements and Medicaid and tax fraud prevention and detection. Payments to the contractor selected, as required in the bill, would be made only as a result of those recouped savings to the state on the back end. The contractor must also present a pilot program and if reports from the pilot program show significant improvement, the program would then be implemented across the state. Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) released the following statement regarding her innovative bill.
“We have a 21st century toolbox at our disposal that can improve the way we run state government. My bill simply opens up that toolbox so we can capitalize on recent technological advances when it comes to creating more efficiency in government systems and services. Specifically, the bill deals with state building efficiency, fleet management and Medicaid and tax fraud prevention and detection. Using analytics in conjunction with the work already being done by our government agencies, we can bring in greater savings for the state,” said Senator Nelson.
“One of the great things about this bill is that it allows us to access long term solutions without up-front costs on our part. We also have the opportunity, with this bill, to see its impact on a small scale before implementing it statewide. Innovation and technology need to be part of the discussion when it comes to government-run programs and I am thrilled to be spearheading this effort,” added Senator Nelson.
Senate co-authors are Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R-Buffalo) and State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee Chair Mike Parry (R-Waseca). Three IBM-Rochester representatives testified in favor of Senator Nelson's bill in committee on Monday: Shaun Barry, Bob Maroo and Todd Hillman. The Committee then recommended Senator Nelson’s bill pass and re-referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services. That hearing date is yet to be scheduled.
Senator Nelson was elected to her first term in November 2010. Senator Nelson can be reached at: 651-296-4848 (office) or sen.carla.nelson@senate.mn.
