Top Republicans want state Human Services broken into smaller units, agency head says restructuring already in the works

Influential Republicans in the Minnesota Senate say a litany of questionable incidents shows fundamental problems with how the state Human Services Department oversees use of taxpayer dollars.  Ham Lake Senator Michelle Benson wants that agency broken up into smaller units:

…”because I am getting the sense, after 12 years, that the cultural change that needs to happen… is only going to happen if there’s some fundamental change at DHS.”

State Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead told lawmakers:

“We’re going to develop some recommendations for the governor in the regard to the structure of the Department of Human Services, so you’ll be hearing more about that over time.”

Abeler:   Well, that’s the O. Henry surprise ending of this discussion.”

…and Republican Senator Jim Abeler said he appreciates Commissioner Harpstead’s thoughts on the matter.