Kevin P. Goodno

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.

Kevin serves as government relations advisor for clients both in his areas of special expertise — health care, social services and tax policy — and in a variety of other issue areas including capital bonding, commerce and business, and government reform and efficiency. He works closely with his clients to understand their legislative and business needs as well as their short and long-term objectives to ensure his representation wholly embodies each client’s mission and broader goals.

Kevin has gained recognition for excellence in his work as a lobbyist, but his experience is much deeper, extending to state and local government, non-profit organizations and the private sector. Prior to joining Fredrikson, Kevin served as commissioner of Minnesota’s largest agency, the Department of Human Services. In that role he managed more than 7,000 employees, with an annual budget of more than $9 billion. The work required close collaboration with other state agencies, county and tribal governments and the federal government. Kevin also served on a number of 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, building a distinguished record of leadership on health care, human services and tax policy issues. His private sector experience includes practicing business and employment law with a Moorhead law firm and owning and operating a retail business.

Kevin’s diverse background provides a unique blend of experiences and relationships that sets him apart from his peers. He has developed strong working relationships with legislators, executive branch officials, agency personnel and various stakeholder groups. He relies on these relationships to provide a comprehensive range of services, including government relations advice, policy development, government relations strategy development and execution, advocacy before state government decision makers and influencers and legislative bill drafting and tracking. He is respected for his hard work and integrity in managing challenging issues and situations.

Community service is an important part of Kevin and his family’s life. He currently serves on the board of the Bush Foundation, as a member of the Ambassadors Council of the American Brain Foundation, a member of the Campaign for Legal Aid of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and volunteers for a variety of other organizations. He also has a strong interest in non-profit governance, having in the past played leadership roles with the American Brain Foundation, 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.

Although Kevin is a licensed attorney, the services he provides to his clients through Fredrikson Government Relations, LLC, are not legal services, and the protections of the lawyer-client relationship, including confidentiality and conflict of interest rules, do not apply.

Lobbyist

As a government relations advisor and advocate, Kevin worked successfully to:

• Implement regular Medical Assistance rate adjustments for providers of in-home services for individuals with medical needs.  
• Modernize the scope of practice of a health care profession through engagement of the regulatory board, the legislature and various stakeholders.
• Modify requirements on various professionals that are regulated by the Departments of Health, Human Services and state regulatory boards.
• Adopt a new reimbursement system for opioid treatment providers.
• Enact statutory changes to step therapy protocols established by health insurers to allow patients easier access to needed medications.
• 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 various providers of services to people with disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders and the frail elderly.
• 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 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.
• Advised and supported a non-profit in-house government relations professional in enacting first-in-the-nation legislation to provide Medicaid coverage of a potentially life-saving medical device.  

Education

• William Mitchell College of Law, LL.M. in Taxation
• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D.
• Concordia College - Moorhead, B.A.

Professional Honors

• Pro Publico Award for outstanding work in support of civil and legal services in the 2023 and 2024 MN legislative sessions, Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, 2024.
• Champions of Justice Award, Legal Services Corporation, 2024.
• Inductee of the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) Justice Matters Alliance, SMRLS, 2023. SMRLS inducts remarkable people within the community into the Justice Matters Alliance who have made significant contributions to civil legal aid in Minnesota, and which makes a direct impact on the work that SMRLS is able to do

Professional Activities

Professional Memberships

• Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Board of Directors, Executive Vice President
• Public Affairs Council, Board Member, 2010-present
• Public Affairs Institute, Graduate, 2024
• Minnesota Government Relations Council, Member, 2007-present
• Minnesota Business Partnership, Deputy, 2007-present
• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 2007-present
• Minnesota Bar Association
• North Dakota Bar Association

Community

• Bush Foundation, Board of Directors, 2017-present
• Southern MN Regional Legal Services, Inc., Campaign for Legal Aid, Member, 2015-present
• American Brain Foundation, Board Member, 2011-2021; Board Chair, 2015-2019; Ambassadors Council, 2023-present