Priorities

The Office of State Auditor provides oversight on $40 billion in local government finances, increases transparency on how those dollars are spent, and provides recommendations on how they can be even better. 

I am ready and qualified to do this work as our next State Auditor, because during my 4 terms in the Minnesota House, I have worked directly with cities and counties to enact laws and deliver resources that have improved local governments throughout the entire state of Minnesota. 

I have hands-on experience in everything ranging from Township storm water rules, regional waste diversion infrastructure, city tax increment financing, local road and bridge replacement appropriation allocations, intra-governmental data exchanges, local pipeline building permit requirements, county cost-share payment modifications, local cost-share assistance accounts, and more and more! All that to say, I’ve been working hard for years on helping local governments at every level throughout the state, and I’m well-qualified to continue that work as our next State Auditor.

My efforts to improve local governments throughout the entire state have earned recognition from the League of Minnesota Cities and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

The Pension Division of the Office of the State Auditor publishes various reports based on the information reported to it.

I am qualified to oversee the Pension Division based on my two terms of service on the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. During that time, I have poured over spreadsheets and plans relating to the pension and defined contribution plans that provide retirement benefits for state, county, municipal, school district and other public employees across the State of Minnesota. I have authored, considered, and decided on significant pension reforms, and know the full impact of the stewardship we have over pensions plans. As a result of this work, I am well qualified to lead the pension division as our next State Auditor.

The most fundamental component of trust between people and their government is the stewardship of our hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

Here in Minnesota, despite best efforts, that trust has been pushed to a breaking point. 

Enough is enough. Minnesotans deserve better. 

We need an office that is directly accountable to taxpayers with a laser-focus on ensuring accountability, transparency, and integrity in the operations of state agencies and programs. Minnesotans need an elected watchdog for their tax funds. We can accomplish this by restoring the office of State Auditor. 

As State Auditor, I’ll fight to restore the office’s authority to audit state agencies, investigate fraud, issue subpoenas, and refer cases for prosecution. On day one, I’ll create an anonymous tip line so Minnesotans can report suspicions of fraud. With these tools, the auditor can once again serve as an independent watchdog directly accountable to voters.