ST. PAUL, MN—Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) launched a new report and website detailing expenditures from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The report, which was released with a letter from MMB Commissioner Myron Frans, includes a detailed look at how the CRF has been disbursed in support of the health, safety and security of Minnesotans. The website was launched in partnership with the TransparencyMN initiative and provides checkbook-level detail of CRF and other COVID-19 related budgeting and spending.

“This work is another example of Minnesota modeling how to manage finances in a transparent and accountable manner,” said MMB Commissioner Myron Frans. “Minnesotans deserve to know where the CRF funds are being spent and what Governor Walz and the Legislature are doing together to protect their health, safety and security.”
The State of Minnesota is using three sources of funds to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Legislature and Walz Administration took swift action in March to pass more than $554 million in state funding, including the $200 million COVID-19 Minnesota fund. In April, the state was allocated $2.187 billion from the CRF, which was part of the federal CARES Act. Grants and formula allocations have also been sent directly from the federal government to state agencies for a wide range of federal programs including education, food security, housing and transportation support.

By mid-May, more than 90% of the state dollars had been allocated. This funding gave the Walz Administration the opportunity to make critical purchases quickly while working with the Legislature on how best to spend the federal CRF dollars. Remaining funds allow for some flexibility with resources so Minnesota is prepared to respond to the potential changes in the course and severity of the pandemic this fall and winter.

Along with funding to respond to the most pressing needs of Minnesotans, the state prioritized transparency and accountability in guiding disbursement of the funds. The Walz Administration created a COVID-19 Response Accountability Office (CRAO) to monitor both state appropriations and federal funds, and coordinate budgeting, accounting, and internal controls activities for COVID-related funding.

“Transparency and accountability are never more important than when facing a crisis,” said Amy Jorgenson, the director of the COVID-19 Response Accountability Office. “We know public trust is important and that trust doesn’t happen overnight. The CRAO resources we’re launching today provide an opportunity for the public to see where these relief dollars have gone and understand the breadth of Minnesota’s COVID-19 response.”

The CRAO reports to the Legislature with timely funding data that shares background information, allocation process, and uses of the CRF. The next CRF expenditure report will be released later in September.