Pat Anderson
Former State Auditor Pat Anderson, campaigning for the seat now held by Rebecca Otto, stopped in Cook County on June 23 to talk to the Cook
County News-Herald.
The visit was one of the last stops on her seven-week statewide kick-off tour.
Anderson said she was touring Minnesota to talk about the state’s “fiscal situation.” She criticized the “group think” that takes place at the Capitol, noting that both political parties are so focused on battling each other that neither is making serious proposals to reform government spending. Anderson said the governor and legislature have not done anything to solve the state budget crisis—a looming $4 – 5 billion deficit. She said the problem couldn’t be solved through temporary budget shifts. “They’ve merely ‘kicked the can down the road,’” she stated.
Anderson acknowledged that the auditor doesn’t set budget policy, but she said the role is very important to the state. She explained that the auditor is a constitutional officer independent of the legislature and the governor. The primary function of the state auditor is to ensure local units of government are spending taxpayer dollars correctly and wisely. The state auditor oversees all state and local pension funds, publishes reports on revenue and spending and investigates allegations of misuse of public funds. “We have oversight of over $20 billion in taxpayer dollars spent in cities, counties, school districts and other local entities. “
Anderson said the state needs an auditor who can work with local government to develop solutions to improve local government operations. She referred to an Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) proposal that says essentially, “Give us our freedom from state mandates.” The proposal also looks at restructuring the relationship between local governments and the state, with the purpose of eliminating duplication of services. As one example of consolidation, Anderson suggested that city and county police departments and state highway patrol could work more closely. “Why can’t deputies patrol state highways?” she asked.
Anderson said the state needs an auditor who is a “vigilant watchdog.” She said she has the experience to fill that role, based on her familiarity of local government operations first as city councilor, then mayor of Eagan in 1998 – 2002 and her service as state auditor from 2003 – 2007. After losing reelection, she was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to serve as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations, a position she eventually eliminated. Anderson explained that is a real-life example of making government more efficient. “I eliminated unnecessary positions and merged essential functions into other agencies where they made more sense. I sort of dismantled the department and laid myself off,” she said proudly. “I don’t think any other politician can say that.”
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