Secretary of state to cut services

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The secretary of state's office is cutting services to citizens starting Monday, saying it must prepare to handle proposed budget cuts by Gov. Jesse Ventura.

The following changes are listed on a poster outside the office and on the secretary of state's Web site:

-- No more expedited service on business and Uniform Commercial Code filings.

-- Drop-offs and authentications will be accepted at the State Office Building, room 180, from 8 a.m. to noon; filings and/or orders will be filled by mail.

-- After noon, a mail slot will be available at the State Office Building, Room 180, to submit filings.

-- Mail is now the only delivery method for order fulfillment.

-- Fax-back and pick-up services are not available. Public information telephone assistance will be available for from 8:00 a.m. to noon.

Even though the Legislature still has to weigh in on Ventura's proposed budget cuts, Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer called her decision to scale back now "responsible" and "sensible."

"The Legislature isn't giving me any guarantees that they're not going to cut," said Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer. "The longer I wait, the deeper it goes."

If her budget isn't ultimately cut, she said she'll restore the services.

On the Net:

Secretary of State: http://www.sos.state.mn.us