Published at OpenTheBooks Substack

Last week, we took a deep dive into Minnesota’s state checkbook. Unlike the state budget, a broad plan to allocate funds, the checkbook contains every line-by-line expenditure the state makes in a given year. By comparing the paid vendors with those who donated to Governor Tim Walz’s reelection campaign, we found interesting examples of overlap but not enough information to identify confirmed conflicts of interest.  

 

One particular headline-making case, though, begged a closer look. It demonstrates how policy can change without the taxpayers having much say in the matter.  

 

By suing the state, a constellation of interests was able to negotiate a deal behind closed doors on the controversial topic of treating and housing transgender inmates. While taxpayers foot the bill, as always, their representatives in St. Paul were sidestepped in the policymaking process.  

 

The bill came to $495,000, but updated policies mean Minnesotans can expect more costs in perpetuity.  

 

Read the full article here.