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Kevin P. Goodno

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Kevin P. Goodno

Shareholder

Email: kgoodno@fredlaw.com
Office: 612.492.7348
Mobile: 651.366.7421
Assistant: Cody Holliday, 612.492.7676

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PRIMARY SERVICES

Government Relations
Government Contracts & Grants

ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE

Aging & Disability Providers
Health Law

Overview

Kevin is a respected and experienced advocate, effectively representing clients on complex policy and political issues before state legislative, agency and executive branch decision makers.

He serves as government relations counsel for clients in his areas of special expertise—health care, social services and tax policy—and also in a variety of other issue areas including capital bonding, commerce and business, government reform and efficiency, and procurement.

Recognized for excellence in his work as a lobbyist, commissioner of Minnesota’s largest state agency and state legislator, Kevin’s diverse background provides a unique blend of experiences and relationships that sets him apart from his peers. Most importantly, he works closely with his clients to understand each client’s legislative and business needs and short and long-term goals to make certain his representation embodies the client’s mission and broader goals.

Respected for his hard work and integrity in managing difficult and challenging issues and situations, Kevin has developed strong working relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, agency personnel and various stakeholder groups. He brings these relationships, his expertise as government relations counsel and over 20 years in public service in providing a comprehensive range of services to clients including government relations counsel, policy development, government relations strategy development and execution, advocacy before state government decision makers and influencers, and legislative bill drafting and tracking.

Kevin’s experience is much deeper than his expertise as a lobbyist. He also has extensive experience in state and local government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Prior to joining Fredrikson & Byron, Kevin served as commissioner of Minnesota’s largest agency, the Department of Human Services. In that role he then managed over 7,000 employees, and had an annual budget in excess of $9 billion. It also required him to work closely with other state agencies, county and tribal governments, and the federal government. Kevin also served on many high-level committees, including as a member of the Governor’s Health Cabinet, as co-chair of the Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, as co-chair of the Advisory Council to End Long-Term Homelessness and as a member of the Governor’s Drive to Excellence Sub-Cabinet.

Before joining the Department of Human Services, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for twelve years being recognized for his leadership on health care, human services and tax policy issues. Kevin’s private sector experience includes practicing business and employment law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business.

Community service is an important part of Kevin and his family’s life. Kevin currently serves as chair of the American Brain Foundation board, serves on the board of the Bush Foundation, and volunteers for a variety of other organizations. He also has a strong interest in non-profit governance with his past leadership roles with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and the Citizen’s League.

Kevin continues to be called on by state decision makers for his advice and perspectives about state government, fiscal policy and health care policy through informal discussions, formal presentations and committee involvement.

Kevin currently serves as chair of Fredrikson & Byron’s Board of Directors.

Learn More About Government Relations:

How can individuals or businesses influence policy discussions?

How does a government relations lawyer help his or her clients in dealing with state and local government?

What are some of your successes as a government relations lawyer?

How do you help advocate for businesses to the legislature during the legislative interim?

How do personal relationships impact the effectiveness of a government relations lawyer?

Experience

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Lobbyist

As government relations counsel, Kevin worked successfully with the Minnesota Legislature to:

Statutorily modify regulatory board rules regarding prescription drug medication distribution in nursing homes and other facilities.
Gain a legislative exemption from the state gasoline tax for certain non-profit providers who serve individuals with disabilities.
Increase rates for certain residential service organizations providing services to individuals with a mental illness.
Obtain $1 million in capital investment (bonding) funding for an historical/cultural museum.
Appropriate state bond funds for a municipal project to protect against future flood damage.
Obtain and preserve tax allocations to a program to retain business activity and expand economic development in Minnesota.
Expand dental benefits for individuals with disabilities and the frail elderly.

Additionally, Kevin:

Worked with impacted local governments and a developer to obtain tax abatement modifications to promote a transportation project to spur economic development.
Researched and prepared an analysis of the opportunities and challenges for enacting legislation, and developed strategies and solutions for overcoming potential roadblocks as part of a national state legislative strategy .
Provided strategic planning advice to leadership teams and boards of directors about spending, policy and demographic trends for individuals with disabilities.
Successfully engaged a state agency to ensure proper and timely payments were made for services provided under Medical Assistance.
Led a successful yearlong effort to modify agency-sponsored legislation to change a cost-based rate setting methodology for certain mental health providers.
Led the negotiation team for a broad coalition of providers and advocates concerning legislation implementing a new rate setting methodology for Medicaid/Medical Assistance providers of waiver services.
Served as lead spokesperson and testifier at the legislature for a coalition of aging services providers in support of negotiated legislation establishing a vulnerable adult felony neglect offense.
Worked with the Department of Public Safety to modify rules related to qualifications for a driver’s license.

Commissioner

As the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Kevin:

Led the continued restructuring of the state-operated mental health system in Minnesota by moving from a regional, institutional based model to a community based delivery system, 2003-2006
Led the development and implementation of the American Indian Child Welfare Project, 2005
Worked to develop and enact Supportive Services Grants to end Long-Term Homelessness in Minnesota, 2005
Managed the development and launch of Minnesota RxConnect website, the first in the nation website to provide consumers with information about how to order prescription medicines from Canada, 2003

Legislator

As a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Kevin authored many pieces of legislation. Highlights include:

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill: Chief author and primary House negotiator of bill that balanced the 2002-2003 budget, 2002
Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of the omnibus HHS finance bill which included landmark reform in services for the elderly, in services for people with mental illness and expansion of health care coverage for children, 2001
Omnibus Health & Human Services Finance: Chief House author and primary House negotiator of omnibus finance bill which included major expansion of programs for persons with disabilities and the establishment of tobacco endowment funds, 1999
Border Cities Economic Development Incentives: House author of tax incentives for the border communities of Moorhead, Dilworth, Breckenridge, East Grand Forks and Ortonville to help the communities rebuild after the 1997 floods, 1998
1997 Welfare Reform: Member of bi-partisan, House/Senate group that negotiated the landmark legislation, 1997
Restrictions on Youth Access to Tobacco: Co-author and chief Republican strategist for the bill

Articles & Presentations

Engaging in Policy Discussions Impacting Disability Services

November 24, 2014

By Government Relations Group

Kevin Goodno, shareholder at Fredrikson & Byron, presented his thoughts on the challenges faced by the disability service system in Minnesota.

View Details

PRESENTATIONS

Moderator, “Building a Culture of Success,” Offutt School of Business, Concordia College-Moorhead, Minneapolis, MN, March 26, 2015
Speaker, “The Future of Disability Services,” MOHR Government Relations Counsel, Roseville, MN, September 11, 2014
Speaker, “Coordinating Benefits and Services Under Health Insurance and Long Term Care Insurance,” Berlin Seminar on Health Policy, Center for German and European Studies at the University of Minnesota, Berlin, Germany, September 18, 2013
Speaker, “Seniors, Aging, and Long-Term Care Realities,” Berlin Seminar on Health Policy, Center for German & European Studies at the University of Minnesota, Berlin, Germany, June 21, 2012
Speaker, “Reimagining Health Care, A View from the State Level,” Octagon Conference 2012, Life University, Atlanta, GA, April 14, 2012
Speaker, “Long-Term Care Insurance Models: Germany v. the United States,” Berlin Seminar on Health Policy, Center for German & European Studies at the University of Minnesota, Berlin, Germany, September 14, 2011
Panelist, “Comparative Effectiveness, Common Sense or Nonsense,”2010 Minnesota Health Care Roundtable, Minnesota Physician Publishing, Minneapolis, MN, October 21, 2010

MEDIA MENTIONS

Featured in “The Virtual Lobbyist,” Twin Cities Business, February 23, 2021
Featured in “Kevin Goodno: Lobbying for Better Future,” Finance & Commerce, May 25, 2010
Featured in “A Capitol Idea – Fredrikson & Byron’s entry into government relations illustrates how law firms are branching into lobbying,” Minnesota Lawyer, August 7, 2006

ARTICLES

“Minnesota: Leading the Way on Canadian Prescription Medicine Importation,” William Mitchell Law Review, 2005, co-authored with Karen Janisch

Honors & Education

EDUCATION

William Mitchell College of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 1999, summa cum laude
William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1999, magna cum laude, valedictorian
Concordia College, Moorhead, B.A., 1985, magna cum laude

BAR ADMISSIONS

Minnesota, 1999
North Dakota, 2000

HONORS

Professional Honors

Minnesota State Bar Association, North Star Lawyer, 2019
Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” in Minneapolis Government Relations Practice, 2015 and 2018
The Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice, 2014-present
Capital Report, Top 10 Rising Lobbyists, 2011
Campaigns & Elections, Top 100 MN Influencers, 2010
Finance & Commerce, “2010 Minnesotans on the Move,” 2010
City Pages, “The 10 Most Influential Lobbyists in Minnesota,” 2010
Minnesota Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2003
Minnesota Lawyer, Up and Coming Attorney, 2002

Community Honors

Minnesota Chiropractic Association’s Cladius Galen Award, 2016
Center for German & European Studies at the University of Minnesota, “Berlin Seminar on Health Policy,” Berlin, Germany, Delegate, 2011-2013
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, Champion of Epilepsy Award, 2010
Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, Public Leadership Award, 2008
The German Marshall Fund of the United States, American Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program, Fellow, 2002

Legislative Honors

American Cancer Society, Distinguished Service and Leadership Award, 2002
American Heart Association – Minnesota Affiliate, Legislator of the Year, 2001
National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Minnesota Chapter, Legislator of the Year, 2001, 1999
Minnesota State Supreme Court, Recognized for “efforts in support of children and the improvement of the administration of justice in Minnesota,” 2000
Minnesota Hospital and Health Care Partnership, Health Care Leader, 2000
ARC Minnesota, Legislator of the Year, 1999
American Heart Association – Minnesota Affiliate, Advocate of Hearts Award for Outstanding Leadership in Protecting Minnesota’s Youth from Tobacco Products, 1996
Smoke-Free 2000 Coalition, Award for Excellence, 1996
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, Minnesota Legacy Award, 2002; Legislator of the Year, 2000; Legislator of Distinction for Tax Policy, 1998

North Star Lawyer

Professional Activities

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Professional Memberships

Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Board of Directors, Chair
Public Affairs Council, Board Member, 2010-present
Minnesota Government Relations Council, Member, 2007-present
Minnesota Business Partnership, Deputy, 2007-present
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 2007-present
American Public Health Services Association, Member, 2003-present
Minnesota Bar Association
North Dakota Bar Association

Previous Careers

Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, appointee of Governor Tim Pawlenty, 2003-2006
- Minnesota Mental Health Action Group, Co-Chair
- Governor’s Health Care Cabinet, Member
- Advisory Council to End Long-Term Homelessness, Co-Chair;
- Governor’s Drive to Excellence Sub-Cabinet, Member
Member, Minnesota House of Representatives for the Moorhead area, 1991-2002
- Stadium Task Force, 2002, Co-Chair
- Health & Human Services Finance Committee, 1999-2002, Chair
Council Member, City of Moorhead, 1986-1990
Lawyer, Gunhus Law Firm, Moorhead, 1999-2002
Small Businessperson, Moorhead Linoleum & Tile Co., through 1995

COMMUNITY

Bush Foundation, Board of Directors, 2017-present
Chair, American Brain Foundation, 2015-present
Board Member, American Brain Foundation, 2011-present
Volunteer; Board Member, 2006-2012; Board President, 2009-2011; Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, 2006-present
Board Member, Board Chair, 2010; Citizens League, 2007-2012
Member, American Academy of Neurology Audit Committee, 2013-present
Private Sector Co-Chair, Midwestern Legislative Conference 2013 Minneapolis Annual Meeting, 2012-2013
Board Member, Courage Center, 2007-2013
Member, Epilepsy Foundation Organization Review Committee, Epilepsy Foundation of America, 2011-2012
Co-Chair, State Budget Trends Commission, State of Minnesota, 2007-2009.
Member, Centennial Planning Committee, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc., 2007-2009
Member, Campaign for Legal Aid, Southern MN Regional Legal Services, Inc., 2015-present