After the Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review on the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS), Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“I find the legislative audit to be troubling, frustrating, but not altogether surprising. From the beginning, the state of Minnesota was not equipped to handle a project of this scale and, even when confronted with that reality, state officials kept the project moving toward release. The audit makes clear where the problems lie: ineffective leadership and state agencies lacking the proper oversight, guidance, and technical ability for such a massive project.

“The legislature must address the bureaucratic roadblocks that prevented MNLARS’ success, but our first priority must be moving forward in making sure the people of Minnesota have a fully-functional, workable software that can sufficiently handle the thousands of vehicle transactions that occur each day.”

Senator Scott Newman, of Hutchinson, is in his third term representing District 18, which includes communities in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties. Senator Newman serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.