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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Non-Profit Accountability

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posted by Bob at Tuesday, April 17, 2007

3 Comments:

Blogger Bob said...

NEWS RELEASE
PAULSEN AND DELAFOREST CALL FOR STATE GRANT ACCOUNTABILITY

ST. PAUL -- State Representatives Erik Paulsen, R-Eden Prairie, and Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, today announced two separate proposals, each seeking to bring accountability and public scrutiny to state contracts and grants to nonprofit organizations.

The DeLaForest proposal would put an immediate, temporary moratorium on all new state grants to nonprofit organizations until the state develops consistent selection and oversight procedures. Paulsen’s proposal would require the state to establish a public website that lists all entities receiving state funds including the name and location of the entity and the amount of all state funds they receive.


Their actions come on the heels of a report released by the Office of the Legislative Auditor faulting the state for having grant-making policies and procedures that, according to the report, “vary considerably in the degree to which they provide for oversight and accountability.”


“It’s time to shine a light on state spending to help protect taxpayers from fraud, waste and abuse,” Paulsen said. “A public database is a powerful tool for the public that will provide transparency and bring accountability to state spending on grants and contracts.”


According to the legislative auditor’s report, Minnesota paid $4.7 billion to nonprofits in 2005, most of which went to hospitals, health plans and large institutional providers. Of that amount, state or county agencies awarded $1 billion in grants to nearly 1,900 nonprofits.


“Until state agencies enact better controls and procedural safeguards, the only responsible course of action is to enact a moratorium on the further distribution of funds,” DeLaForest said. His bill would require the establishment of best practices in selection, review, and oversight of grant recipients. Standard grant contracts and financial reconciliation procedures would also be required.


Both legislators said the recent case of one Minnesota nonprofit using charity funds for golf vacations and gambling junkets shows the need for reform and transparency.


“This database would allow the public to hold policy makers and government agencies accountable for questionable spending decisions and make it easier to track state spending,” Paulsen said. “Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is being spent.”


“These two policies combined will improve accountability and transparency as we attempt to track $4.7 billion in state grants,” DeLaForest said. “Minnesota taxpayers should expect no less.”


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8:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

let's see I want East Side neighborhood Developement Company at the top of the list.

Followed by Chuck's non-profit. I just know this Repke isn't as sqeaky clean as perceived by others.

9:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A Non Profit Company
---------------------
Look at the misuse of your tax dollars, at Ramsey Action Program aka RAP.
In St.Paul, and the people at city hall that covered RAP's asses for years.

Bill

10:35 PM  

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