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Dayton Aims For Efficiency, Savings From State

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton's administration rolled out plans Thursday to change the way state government operates, with goals of improving efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars.

Dayton announced the overhaul to state operations at a Thursday news conference with his chief of staff and commissioner of human services. They cited one change already in place that has saved the state and federal governments combined nearly $500 million: A new competitive bidding process for companies angling to provide state health insurance to low-income people.

Dayton dubbed his agenda "Better Government for a Better Minnesota." He said related initiatives would be announced in the coming weeks, the fruit of his directive to his Cabinet officers to find ways to look for improvements in how their agencies operate -- particularly ones that could be applied across state government.

Dayton said streamlining government operations was a top priority when he took office in January, after hearing on the campaign trail from many Minnesotans who desire more efficiency and effectiveness in the spending of their tax dollars.

In rolling out what his office described as "major reforms," Dayton seized a mantle that legislative Republicans have also tried to claim. In August, House Republicans released plans for what they called "Reform 2.0," an initiative seeking public input on ways to make government more accountable and efficient.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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