And this is the basis for the governor's housing initiative. Ventura would also direct some of the TANF surplus to county social service programs. He says he'll offer plenty of flexibility for local case-workers to tailor the assistance to each family's unique circumstances. DFL State Senator Don Samuelson of Brainerd chairs the Health and Family Security Budget Division. He says allowing local discretion is important.
Every county's a little bit different, has a little bit different type of client to deal with.
In the metro area, they have more folks here with an English-speaking problems as an example. People that come over here from other countries. Rural communities have different issues - maybe transportation. And certainly housing is statewide. So I think the general package is a good framework.