Politics & Government
Hennepin County to Fund Critical Human Services
Commissioners say they expect to receive money from the state, despite the shutdown.
Hennepin County Administrator Richard Johnson said much of the county’s state funding, particularly that used for critical human services, will likely be distributed during the state government shutdown.
Johnson spoke Wednesday at a special meeting of the Hennepin County Board. Commissioners discussed their next steps during the state government shutdown, including any special requests commissioners would like to make before , the special master of the court proceedings.
Blatz will issue recommendations to Ramsey County Chief District as to which items of state spending fund "critical" functions of state and local government. Gearin is widely expected to adopt Blatz's recommendations whole.
“She took the zoo and the racetrack petitions on Friday, and ruled over the weekend,” Johnson said of Gearin. “She’s been pretty expeditious (with her rulings), and I think the Justice recognizes the criticality of these issues.”
Gearin would make her rulings regarding Hennepin County, Johnson said, long before the next state aid payment to the county is due, in another few weeks.
While it isn’t a done deal, the commissioners agreed with ’s recommendation not to petition Blatz. Presentations by officials from Ramsey County, the Association of Metropolitan Counties and the Metropolitan Inter-County Association had already covered much of the same ground, he said. Judges, he added, typically don’t like hearing the same information again.
In response to questions from Commissioner Gail Dorfman, Freeman said Hennepin County still will have an opportunity to appeal Blatz’s recommendation should she decide against funding counties, or if her recommendation doesn’t cover all the funding streams for human services and mental health programs.
Board Chair Mike Opat suggested this approach to the shutdown may take the pressure off legislative leaders and the governor to compromise on a budget agreement.
“The clients (of the county’s social services) will feel the effects of a shutdown, of course,” he said. “But their family won’t, necessarily, and they’re the people who need to start pressuring legislators. The easier (the shutdown] is, the longer it will go on.”
Follow the latest shutdown developments on Minnetonka Patch:
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July 6:
July 5: Minnetonka City Manager Tapped to Solve Stalemate, End Shutdown
Find out what's happening in Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
July 5:
July 5:
July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Locals
July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Nonprofits
July 1: State of Shutdown: Impact on Minnetonka Schools
June 30: Countdown to Shutdown
June 30: Does Shutdown Impact You?
June 29: Judge Rules on Essential Services
June 29: MnDOT to City: 'Work Must Stop for Shutdown'
June 24: Local Nonprofits, Hospitals Brace for Shutdown
June 23: 169 Project, Taxpayers: Political Pawns as Shutdown Looms?
June 23: State Shutdown Would Freeze DNR, Close State Parks
June 23: Hennepin County Battens Down Hatches for Shutdown
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Shutdown coverage from around the state:
July 5:
Alexandria Echo Press: Shutdown notebook: Closed parks first place people see shutdown
Fox 9: Arsonist Strikes Gov. Mark Dayton’s Former Home
Minnesota Public Radio: ABM launches shutdown ad campaign
Minnesota Public Radio: Lawmaker gets earful along parade route
Pioneer Press: Mondale, Carlson to weigh in on state government shutdown
Politico: Tim Pawlenty shutdown ad: 'Pawlenty won'
Salon: The roots of Minnesota's staring contest
Star Tribune: Sunny for the 4th, but still no thaw
Star Tribune: Time apart hasn’t lessened the rigid divide
Wall Street Journal: Minnesota Shutdown Continues; GOP Meets at Capitol
July 4:
The Business Times: Holiday weekend in Minnesota with state services idle
Kare 11: Businesses struggling in shutdown but still open
Kare 11: Minnesota Zoo back open, horse track still closed
Minnesota Public Radio: Marking July 4th during a government shutdown
Northland’s News Center: Tourists Hit Minnesota State Parks Despite Government Shut Down
Politico: Cooling-off period in Minnesota
Pioneer Press: Libertarians see opportunity in Minnesota shutdown
Pioneer Press: Disabled girl's family on edge without Minnesota aid during shutdown
Star Tribune: Businesses feel immediate bite
WDAY: Family Camps in Own Backyard due to Minnesota Shutdown
July 3:
CNN: Minnesota government shutdown could last days longer
KARE 11: Food shelves bracing for government shutdown impact
KSTP-TV: Shutdown Creates Block on Background Checks
Pioneer Press: Battle lines that preceded state government shutdown were drawn between Dayton, GOP after last fall's elections
Politico: Minnesota mean at heart of government shutdown
Reuters: Minnesotans frustrated, angry over state government shutdown
Star Tribune: Shutdown cost will bring sticker shock
Star Tribune: Losing 'non-essential' services hurts
Star Tribune: Dozens flow in at outset of Minnesota Zoo reopening
WDAY: No Talks Expected Before Tuesday for Minnesota Shutdown
July 2:
Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota state employees call for budget compromise
NPR: Minnesota Shutdown Hits Vulnerable First
New York Times: Closing a State? The Rules Are Tricky
KARE 11: State workers shudder at indefinite shutdown
KARE 11: Family finances get a new look after officials fail to fix the state's budget
Reuters: Minnesotans frustrated, angry over state government shutdown
Star Tribune: No holiday from the impasse
Star Tribune: 'Closed' doesn't deter park visitors
Pioneer Press: Who's to blame? Depends on who's doing the talking
Pioneer Press: For those cut off from aid, a plea: 'What about us?'
July 1:
Finance & Commerce: Shutdown not seen harming Minnesota’s reputation
KSTP-TV: What's Open or Closed During Government Shutdown
Minnesota Public Radio: Recap: A week of negotiation ends in stalemate
Minnesota Public Radio: Confusion over which services will be funded
New York Times: No End in Sight as Minnesotans Grapple With State Shutdown
Pioneer Press: What can you do during the shutdown?
Politico: Minnesota government shutdown puts Tim Pawlenty in spotlight
Star Tribune: Judge hears argument over zoo shutdown
Star Tribune: What's open, what's closed: your guide to the state shutdown
Washington Post: Minnesota government shutdown reflects widespread budget paralysis
June 30:
MinnPost: GOP leaders again seek special session, but Dayton says global deal needed first
