Statement on Minnesota Inspector General Legislation
Bethesda, MD, May 11, 2026 — After a long legislative battle, the Minnesota legislature’s passage of a bill creating a statewide Inspector General is an important victory for government accountability and the fight against fraud, waste, and abuse.
The legislation includes several robust safeguards designed to protect the independence of the new inspector general, a critical feature for any oversight office to function effectively and maintain public trust. Independent oversight only works when investigators and auditors are empowered to follow the facts wherever they lead, free from political interference or undue pressure.
The next step, after the governor signs the legislation into law, will be ensuring the appointment of a strong, experienced, and independent-minded professional to lead the office. The success or failure of any Inspector General office ultimately depends on whether the individual leading it has the integrity, expertise, and courage to conduct fair, objective, and independent oversight.
Delaware recently provided a strong example with the appointment of Robert Storch as the state’s first inspector general. He is an exceptionally qualified leader with deep oversight experience and a demonstrated commitment to independent accountability. Minnesotans should hope their state’s selection process results in a similarly strong candidate.
Minnesota’s successful establishment of a statewide Inspector General should also provide momentum for other jurisdictions to follow suit. My home state of Maryland, for example, would benefit greatly from the creation of an independent statewide IG office to help strengthen accountability, transparency, and public confidence in government. Mark Lee Greenblatt is a former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior and Chair of the Council of Inspectors General, as well as the author of Valor: Unsung Heroes from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front (Rowman & Littlefield). More information about Greenblatt is available at www.markleegreenblatt.com.
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