MN SoS imposes gag order + obtains voter reg program computer code

[jean]

MN Dems (DFLers) are scrutinizing SoS Kiffmeyer's cancellation of a contract and putting a gag on state employees...

but it appears she now has sole control over this new program for voter registration: Having the code means she can go in and tinker with it, right?

We don't need our republican Sec'y of State controlling code for this program. There should be oversight and involvement of accountable computer professionals!

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5558102.html (subscription)

DFLers question Kiffmeyer contract handling

Pat Doyle, Star Tribune
August 13, 2005


DFL senators on Friday accused Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer of hiding problems with a computer services firm that contracted with the state to improve its voter registration system.

At issue was an agreement made by Kiffmeyer's office when it canceled the firm's contract. The state agreed that "all personnel participants to this contract will not give either verbal or written statements to anyone as to the cancellation of this contract other than it was canceled by reason of the State of Minnesota's budget cuts," according to the deal between Kiffmeyer and the firm.

snip

Kiffmeyer told senators that the agreement, which included a final payment to the firm, was written with the advice of staff lawyers. She said

the deal assured that a computer code used by the firm would be given to the state, allowing her staff to maintain the vendor's software system and save money.

snip


The legislative auditor's report said secretary of state staffers said that they paid the final $48,130 to ensure that

the vendor would turn over a code it had developed for the computer system

and that the office wanted to avoid a lengthy legal battle.