MN Creates Collaborative Governance Council

Submitted by on Thu, 12/21/2017 - 13:48
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The state of Minnesota has created a Collaborative Governance Council to increase collaboration between state and local government. Might this approach be an inspiration for the federal government?
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed a bi-partisan bill that was signed into law to create a Collaborative Governance Council that will increase collaboration between state and local government.  Might this be an inspiration for the federal government?
 
The law creates a 12-member council to develop recommendations to increase governmental collaboration by:
  • reviewing laws and rules that slow collaboration efforts;
  • using technology to connect entities and share information;
  • modernizing financial transactions and facilitating credit and debit card transactions, electronic funds, transfers and electronic data interchanges; and
  • creating model forms for joint power agreements.
The council will include the State Auditor and a member of the League of Minnesota Cities; Minnesota Association of Townships; Association of Minnesota Counties; Minnesota School Board Association; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 5; MN Chamber of Commerce; Education Minnesota; and Service Employees International Union.
 
The bill was a bi-partisan effort, co-sponsored by Rep. Marsha Swails and Rep. Carol McFarlane. 
 
State auditor Rebecca Otto, who will chair the Council, said, “"Local governments are already collaborating, but we want to identify other areas where they could collaborate in these tight times. If there are laws in the way of allowing that to happen, we will make recommendations to change current statute."
 
The Council’s first meeting will take place by July 30th of this year.
 
Thanks to the Policy Consensus Initiative for this great story!