Friends and neighbors,

A new report from the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor found widespread financial problems inside the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Covering mid-2022 through the end of 2024, the audit said the Walz administration office “generally did not comply” with basic financial rules and failed to meet simple accountability standards in many areas.

The auditors found missing receipts, late vendor payments, payroll mistakes, and untracked state property. Some of the same problems from earlier audits were never fixed. In one case, the office paid employees wrong when adjusting their raises. In another, dozens of timesheets were never reviewed by a supervisor. Auditors also said staff split up purchases to stay under spending limits and failed to collect thousands of dollars owed from events at the Governor’s Residence until they were told to.

The OLA correctly warned that these weak practices “create the opportunity” for bigger problems, and I agree. The complete lack of financial control and poor oversight seems to be part of a much larger pattern of mismanagement in Minnesota government. As taxpayers, we should not accept it.

Minnesotans expect the Governor’s Office to follow the same rules that every local government and small business must follow. It is not an unreasonable standard. When those in charge do not take the small things seriously, you know they aren’t taking the big things seriously either. It sets a bad example across state government.

The Governor’s Office said most of the problems have been fixed, but auditors said several remain. The lesson is simple: accountability starts at the top. Taxpayers work hard for their money, and they deserve to know that it is being managed carefully and responsibly. The Governor’s Office is falling short.

Sincerely,
Senator John Jasinski