Counties to state: We want more responsibilities

Minnesota counties are proposing to take over the responsibilities of the state highway patrol as part of a wide ranging proposal to save the state an estimate $1 billion over two years.

They also want to take over maintenance and snow plowing on state highways and replace a current state funding source with a half-cent county sales tax. Another recommendation would make it easier for counties to merge or consolidate services.

Jim Mulder of the Association of Minnesota Counties says the package of ten proposals is a bold agenda that represents the first step in a long, multi-year discussion.

"Rather than having counties come in day after day after day and arguing with legislators about how much we should or should not get for what financial system, and how much money should be distributed to counties, we think we can change the conversation to what do you want the counties to do?" he said.

Mulder says the association has not yet approached any legislators to put the proposals into bill form.