McELROY: Government strives for efficiency

By Dan McElroy, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

As published in the St. Cloud Times

While the St. Cloud Times Editorial Board is right to raise the issue of efficiency in state government ("Debate on efficiency is missing at Capitol," April 11), it does not provide a complete picture of what we have accomplished under Gov. Tim Pawlenty's leadership.

Hundreds of changes have been made in Minnesota's government operations, some large and strategic, others incremental and tactical. The work isn't always visible, and much of it requires no legislation, but all of it is being done to run Minnesota's government more efficiently and productively.

For example, there are fewer state agencies now than there were in 2003. This means fewer overhead operations and savings for taxpayers.

Pawlenty merged the Minnesota Department of Economic Security and the Department of Trade and Economic Development to create the new Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Office of Environmental Assistance merged with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the agency known as Minnesota Planning was eliminated and its functions merged into the Department of Administration.

Click here to read the full editorial.