The State Auditor has the power to make sure our local communities get the services we are all paying for. The office 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. 

Dan is ready and qualified to do this work, because during his four terms in the Minnesota House, he has worked directly with cities and counties to enact laws and deliver resources that have improved local governments and the services they provide throughout the entire state.

He has 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!

Dan’s 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. Dan knows that the decisions local governments make impact the lives and futures of Minnesotans, and he will center them in this process.

Dan knows just how important it is to follow through on promises made to working families in our state. One area this interects with the Office of State Auditor is through its Pension Division.

Dan is qualified to oversee the Pension Division based on his two terms of service on the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. During that time, he has 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. Dan knows these are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, but facts and figures that represent the lives and livelihoods of Minnesota families. He has championed efforts to secure and improve teacher pensions, and knows how important this work is for workers and families across Minnesota.

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. But we can’t let Republicans use this moment to gut the programs that help our most vulnerable Minnesotans.

That’s why Dan has a plan to tackle fraud AND prevent Republicans from further weaponizing it to demonize honest people and communities who need our help.

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

As State Auditor, Dan will work to enhance the office’s authority to audit state agencies, investigate fraud, issue subpoenas, and refer cases for prosecution. Dan has a plan to 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, and we can move forward as a state doing the most good for the most people we can.