The gears of governance are turning in Minnesota where the Senate has recently passed Senate File 3045, also known as the State and Local Government omnibus bill. The legislation continues the funding of state agencies and includes several key provisions intended to uphold and enhance the administrative functions on which Minnesotans have come to depend.
Included in the bill, as reported by the Senate DFL, are measures to fund the Attorney General's Office, the Office of the Secretary of State, and the State Auditor's Office. From within the chambers, made by wearing a sense of duty as if it were their armor, the lawmakers have also taken steps to empower the Office of the Legislative Auditor, aiding its capability to root out misuse of government resources. This, alongside the creation of the Minnesota Business Filing Fraud, aims to protect businesses in the state from deceitful activities.
Senator Tou Xiong (DFL – Maplewood), chair of the committee, spoke to the success of the effort saying, "In a time of great uncertainty, I am proud of this bill that continues to fund our state government in a responsible manner," further noting the bill's commitment to "accountable, transparent government." Xiong, who chaired the Senate State and Local Government Committee for the first time this session, expressed gratitude for the bipartisan nature of the bill's journey.
The State and Local Government omnibus bill, apart from its focus on fiscal and organizational measures, also carries a provision of a different kind, which is designating the Giant Beaver as the state fossil. As Minnesota's legislative body moves forward, the bill will now make its way to the House for consideration, having passed the Senate with a vote count of 35-29. Interested parties and those following the minutiae of Senate Floor debates can view the proceedings in their entirety through the link provided by the Senate DFL website.
