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Secretary of State authorized to hire three more people

The Legislature’s Budget Section has given Secretary of  State Al Jaeger the go-ahead to hire three more people – to help keep up with the workload in his office. That story from Prairie Public’s Dave Thompson.

Because of the state’s robust economy – and the oil boom – business registrations have dramatically increased. Jaeger says to catch up with the processing, he cut back on the number of hours the office would be open to the general public to six hours a day. And some Budget Section members questioned that decision.

"I don't understand how an elected state office-holder can reduce office hours to the general public," said Rep. Bob Martinson (R-Bismarck). "It's bothered me from day one."

But Jaeger says since he curtailed the hours, the turn-around time for business registrations has been reduced.

"When I see my staff more productive, and turning out the work for the people that are depending on my office, I think I did the right thing," Jaeger told the Budget Section. "No one has been deprived of any services, regardless of what is perceived out there. And I will defend that decision."

The state's Emergency Commission had already okayed the request -- which involved a budget line transfer.

The Budget Section passed an advisory motion, urging Jaeger to go back to normal office hours as soon as possible. Jaeger says he’ll do that when he can.