ST. PAUL — A plan to revamp state government by getting investors to fund social service programs is drawing bipartisan support at the Capitol.
The proposal from Republican Sen. Julie Rosen and Rep. Keith Downey would start a $15 million to $20 million investment pool using state bonds sold to investors.
The money would go to programs that could demonstrate a healthy return on investment, such as job training that puts unemployed people back to work. Programs would get paid only if they met their stated goals.
Backers say the plan would make the money follow programs that deliver on their promises instead of paying for each person served. They say the idea could be expanded to more of the state budget if a pilot project works.
