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    Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions

    Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

    Economic Security Department

    Also known as:
    MDES
    Minnesota Department of Economic Security
    Active dates:1977-1985, 1994-2003
    Authority:
    1977 Minn. Laws Chap. 430
    Minn. Stat. 268.011 [Repealed, 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 78 subd 1]
    Function:

    The Department will have responsibility for income and employment policies, and for linking 115 benefits payments and job training and placement programs with veterans programs, worker's compensation, vocational and post-secondary training, federal income insurance programs, and economic development programs.

    Preceded by:
    Manpower Office
    Economic Opportunity Office
    Vocational Rehabilitation Division
    Employment Services Department
    Succeeded by:
    Employment and Economic Development Department
    Jobs and Training Department
    History:

    The agency was originally created in 1977 as a merger of the former Departments of Employment Services and Vocational Rehabilitation, the Governor's Manpower Office, and the Economic Opportunity Office, which administered anti-poverty programs. In 1985, State Services for the Blind joined the department, which was renamed the Department of Jobs and Training (1985 Minn. Laws Special Session 1 Chap. 14 Art. 9).

    The original name, Minnesota Department of Economic Security, was restored in 1994 by the legislature since it fully reflected the role, mission, and responsibility of the agency.

    In 2003, MDES merged with the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) to become the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
    Related to:
    Jobs and Training Department
    Internet resource:
    A Report on the Minnesota Department of Economic Security (Office of the Legislative Auditor, 1979)
    Reports:
    Guide to Minnesota Department of Economic Security (1999)
    Note: The Legislative Reference Library may have additional reports on or by this group available through our catalog.
    Documents/Articles:
    News clippings and documents. Agencies Notebook Collection, 1975-2003.
    Record last updated: 06/10/2024
     

    All information on this group from the Library’s collection of agency notebooks has been digitized. These materials are incorporated into the “documents/articles” section of the record. Please contact a librarian with any questions. The Minnesota Agencies database is a work in progress.

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