Audio Former legislator named Human Services commissioner (story audio) Kevin Goodno Photos Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty, left, names Kevin Goodno commissioner of Human Services. Kevin Goodno Respond to this story Talk about this story in the MPR News Forum Submit a commentary Help us cover this story

Former legislator named Human Services commissioner
by Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio
November 20, 2002

Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty, left, names Kevin Goodno commissioner of Human Services. (MPR Photo/Tom Scheck)

Gov.-elect Tim Pawlenty has selected outgoing House member Kevin Goodno as commissioner of the Department of Human Services. The Moorhead Republican has served in the Minnesota House since 1991, but did not seek re-election this year. Pawlenty says Goodno is qualified to lead the Department of Human Services through the state's projected budget shortfall. Others, however, say they're concerned that Goodno could recommend significant cuts to the poor.

St. Paul, Minn. — Pawlenty calls Goodno "a change agent with a heart," who was instrumental in a number of state policy changes during his legislative career. Goodno was one of the designers of Minnesota's welfare reform bill in 1997, and worked extensively to make changes to the state's long-term care system during the 2001 legislative session. Pawlenty says Goodno, as commissioner, will look for innovative ways of delivering services.

"We want leaders who are going to drive change in large, omplex organizations,and in difficult times. Kevin has been somebody who demonstrated an ability, time and time again, to -- in a very constructive, positive way -- drive change and improve state government," Pawlenty says.

Goodno says he took the job because Pawlenty has a commitment to change. Some immediate changes to DHS could come in the welfare system. Pawlenty has said Minnesota's welfare program should move toward Wisconsin's model, which has stricter measures for requiring welfare recipients to work.

Goodno will also need to look at other ways to save money, since the state is facing a projected $3 billion budget shortfall. He says he expects his department will see a large number of cuts since it accounts for about a one-third of the state budget.

	Kevin Goodno

The department manages Medicaid, nursing homes and welfare. It also provides state-operated services for people with mental health and chemical dependency problems. oodno says he'll seek more effective ways of providing services, and won't rule out closing some regional treatment centers.

"Minnesota is one of the most generous states in the country -- and some would argue the most generous in the country -- when it comes to providing social service benefits to the people of Minnesota," says Goodno. "Even with cutbacks, restructuring, whatever you want to call it, we will still be one of the most generous in the country when it comes to delivering social service programs. We just have to keep that mind and put that in context."

Goodno's stance on welfare has made him the target for some advocates for the poor. During previous legislative sessions, members of the Welfare Rights Committee chained themselves to his office door, followed him with protest signs and chanted "Goodno is no good." Others expect Goodno and Pawlenty will propose dramatic cuts to state assistance programs.

State Sen. Linda Berglin, who chairs the Senate Health, Human Services and Corrections Budget Division, says she's pleased Pawlenty named a commissioner who understands how the Department of Human Services operates. However, she's concerned Goodno will cut what she considers significant programs for the vulnerable.

"The question will be -- as we enter the Pawlenty administration -- whether the heart wins out over the pocketbook," says Berglin.

Michael O'Keefe, former Human Services commissioner under Gov. Ventura, agrees Goodno is a good selection because he knows programs and services. He says Goodno needs to be careful that the Legislature doesn't cut his department too deeply.

"Before I left the department, we did a couple hundred million dollars worth of cuts, and that was difficult to do -- but manageable. The next round is going to be much more difficult," says O'Keefe. "It's going to mean really choosing between a particular group of people and the services they receive, and making some very difficult decisions."

The budget deficit, and how the Pawlenty administration addresses it, has representatives from a number of special interest groups concerned. Tom Lehman with the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership applauds Goodno's appointment. He says Goodno was well-respected in the health care community. Lehman says his organization will push to make sure Medicaid funding is protected.

"Medicaid is a program that serves poor people. But hospitals and health care providers use Medicaid dollars to help buy services and equipment that benefit all patients in Minnesota, including middle class people with insurance," says Lehman.

Goodno is Pawlenty's second appointment. Last week he named House Republican Dan McElroy as Commissioner of Finance. Pawlenty says some of his other appointments will have government experience, but will also come from a number of backgrounds. Pawlenty says he won't make additional appointments this week.

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