Republicans in the Minnesota House of Representatives say 25 state government agencies did not respond to requests for information about agency jobs, job openings, and work-from-home policies.
Last month, House Republicans sent letters to various state agencies that requested detailed information about the agencies’ unfilled full-time employee positions, department work-from-home policies, statistics regarding how many employees work from home, and information about agency jobs relating to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Republicans inquired about those topics in an effort to find savings and cost cutting measures to combat the projected $5.1 billion state budget deficit that is expected to materialize in a few years.
The 25 letters were sent on Dec. 9, 2024, and every agency was asked to provide the requested information by Jan. 6. Yesterday, Republicans announced that they did not get a response from any of the state agencies that were asked for information.
“It is deeply concerning that every state agency has refused to provide transparency on critical issues affecting Minnesotans, especially as we face a $5.1 billion deficit,” said GOP Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, the leader of the House Republicans. “Taxpayers deserve accountability for how their money is being spent, and the refusal to answer reasonable questions about remote work policies, DEI staffing, and unfilled positions is unacceptable.”
“Our government works for the people, not the other way around,” added Demuth. “House Republicans will continue to push for the answers Minnesotans deserve and ensure fiscal responsibility in the face of the looming budget crisis.”
Alpha News reached out to three of the agencies that received letters: the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Administration, and the Department of Human Services.
While the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety did not respond to media inquires, the Department of Human Services (DHS) told Alpha News that “DHS has been working to compile the information and will respond to the letter soon.”
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
