Last year, the DNR sent out a warning that without more state funding, they would consider closing some state parks. In my 2003 legislative survey I sent out a few weeks ago, one of the questions I asked residents was, would you be willing to pay more to keep state parks open? The surveys are now being tabulated, but I was surprised by the overwhelming support to increase park fees to prevent park closures.

I just signed onto a bill that would do just that &045; raising the annual state park fee from $20 to $30. Compared to many states, our state parks are a bargain. And unlike a tax increase, raising the park fees only affects those who use them.

Government like Wal-Mart

One of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s primary goals in addressing the state’s $4.2 billion deficit was to reform state government so its agencies are more efficient and more accountable to its customers, you the taxpayers. Other states face similar deficits and similar challenges to make government more efficient. In a story I read recently, South Carolina’s Gov. Mark Sanford suggested that state government could take a lesson from Wal-Mart, the giant discounter.

Wal-Mart has been a leader in creating efficiencies while delivering top service, name-brand products and low costs. Unlike state government, Wal-Mart knows where every penny is.

I thought of this story recently after House State Government Finance Committee launched an investigation into state vehicle use. In 2002, taxpayers spent almost $30 million to maintain a state fleet of 6,656 vehicles. It was a revealed that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has 2,100 full-time employees and some 1,800 vehicles – almost one state-paid vehicle for every employee.

I think part of the problem with state spending over the years is that, unlike Wal-Mart, agencies have difficulty tracking just how much they spend, are unsure of inventory and have little incentive to reduce costs. As Gov. Sanford said, maybe its time that state government at least try to act like costs and customers matter.

Grass seed

Here’s another example of state government letting money go to seed, literally. The Transportation Finance Committee will soon review a bill I am co-authoring that would end a state practice of using expensive native grass seeds on roadway ditches for highway projects that receive state funding. It’s estimated that the state spends upwards of $30 a pound for native grass seed when regular grass seed costs just $10 a pound. I discovered this by working with the people at Albert Lea Seed House. They contacted me and Lt. Gov. and MnDOT Commissioner Carol Molnau with the suggestion.

At a time when we’re trying to trim fat from the state budget, perhaps Minnesota shouldn’t be spending that kind of money on growing grass in ditches for erosion and drainage control. The bill would specifically prohibit the use of dedicated highway funds for the purchase of native grass seed. It includes the state trunk highway fund, county-state aid highway fund, or municipal state-aid street fund.

Got a question or concern? Write me at 579 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155, or call me, toll-free, at 1-877-377-9441. My e-mail address is rep.dan.dorman@house.mn.

Rep. Dan Dorman, R-Albert Lea, represents District 27A, consisting of Freeborn County and part of Mower County, in the Minnesota House of Representatives.