Senators to probe disarray at DHS

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A pair of Senate committees will hold a joint hearing
Tuesday on the disarray in Minnesota's Department of Human Services.

The department, which is Minnesota's largest state agency, has come under sharp
criticism in recent weeks that helped push out Gov. Tim Walz's original
commissioner after only six months.

Acting Commissioner Pam Wheelock will speak on behalf of the Walz
administration. Senators will also hear from Legislative Auditor James Nobles.

Besides turnover, topics will include concerns about fraud within the
department's Child Care Assistance Program for low-income working parents.

The committees also plan to discuss the placement of the department's inspector
general on paid leave in March pending an investigation that only recently
began, and overpayments of more than $25 million to two tribes for substance
abuse treatment.