Ginny Klevorn Takes Role on IG Advisory Commission

Legislative DFL–Plymouth member Representative Ginny Klevorn has been named to the newly created Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission, which will be tasked with assisting in the oversight of the state's new Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Rep. Matt Norris (DFL–Blaine), who authored the Inspector General legislation, also was appointed to the commission by House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson.

The appointments follow weeks after the Minnesota Legislature passed historic bipartisan legislation that establishes an Office of the Inspector General to improve accountability in programs receiving public dollars, boost oversight of state government and stop fraud. The commission will determine the candidates for the first Inspector General for the state and get the office off the ground and under control.

The next step is to make sure the Inspector General is selected in a rigorous and transparent process, said Representative Matt Norris, who led the legislative effort to create the new office.

Key Highlights:

• Klevorn and Norris were appointed to the Inspector General Advisory Commission
• New Office of the Inspector General created to combat fraud and improve accountability
• Commission to select Minnesota's first Inspector General

“We worked hard during the legislative session to get the Inspector General bill right so that this office is ready to do the work Minnesotans expect it to do from day one,” said Rep. Norris, author of the Inspector General bill. “Now I’m pleased to turn my attention to making sure we get the selection of the Inspector General right and provide proper oversight of this new office, so we achieve our goal of eliminating fraud.”

"Minnesotans deserve transparency and accountability in state government, and we've made positive steps forward in preventing fraud by creating a new Office of Inspector General,” said Rep. Ginny Klevorn, co-chair of the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee. “I'm looking forward to serving on this commission and continuing the good work of helping ensure the public services our most vulnerable rely on are getting to the people who need them and are serving them well."

The Office of the Inspector General was established through months of bipartisan negotiations to boost the capacity of state programs to identify, investigate and deter fraud. The legislation establishes that the office will be independent and have the power to investigate claims against public agencies, as well as private entities receiving state funds. It will also create integrity standards throughout the state, facilitate communication between agencies, print investigations reports, and provide an annual report to the Legislature and the public.

The Inspector General's term is staggered to ensure independence from the governor, and is five years in length. The position will be subject to a Senate supermajority vote for confirmation, and will be subject to removal only for cause, after a public hearing and a vote of confirmation by the Senate.

The establishment of the Office of the Inspector General is one of the most important accountability measures undertaken by the Minnesota Government in recent years. Now that Klevorn and Norris are on the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission, legislators have changed gears from passing the legislation to making sure the new office is well-positioned to protect taxpayer dollars and boost public confidence in state government.