Minn. bill puts state agencies on chopping block

Published 8:58 am Thursday, March 10, 2011

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota legislator who is pushing a bill to slim the state work force has another proposal to get rid of many cabinet-level departments all together.

Republican Rep. Keith Downey’s plan to abolish several departments was set for its first hearing on Thursday in the House Government Operations and Elections Committee.

His plan would eliminate departments of Corrections, Health, Human Rights, Transportation, Revenue and a host of others. The duties of those agencies would be rolled into other departments, likely turning some into mega-agencies.

The bill aims to start consolidating executive branch departments quickly. The first progress reports would be due to the Legislature by January.

Downey has another plan to reduce the number of state workers by 15 percent over the next four years.