Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says the state should pull the plug on the troubled vehicle registration system known as MNLARS and replace it with commercial software used by other states.
Thursday on the Morning News with Dave Lee, Walz said that the system is unacceptable.
"It's been a program that's been around since 2007. You think about that. This thing was started before we had iPhones. It's gone through three administrations and there's some really good hard workers and for most gear and all your listeners, you're getting your things on time. But that's not good enough. We have technology now that gives us more security, less risk going into the future. More adaptability," Walz told WCCO.
I’m committed to fixing Minnesota’s Vehicle Licensing and Registration System – and that’s why I reached across the aisle to bring people together to find a solution. #mnleg--: https://t.co/4qjhLqgIMO
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz)
May 1, 2019 Altogether, Walz acknowledges it's going to cost taxpayers about $186 million, including over $100 million the state has already spent. Walz is seeking another $20 million above his original budget request of $53 million for upgrades and fixes to the current software.
In MNLARS short history, Minnesotans have been charged too much or too little for their plates and tabs, repeated systemwide shutdowns and long processing delays. "People should expect to be able to get their license status by getting on their computer at home and have them in their house, you know, in a short amount of time. Same thing with driver's licenses. And the current system just doesn't have that," said Walz.
