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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed some of the warm weather we had!
It was another busy week at the Capitol – and the third straight week our Democrat colleagues did not show up for work. I am hopeful that they are hearing from constituents on this and that they will be back this week! We have a lot of work to do, and every day of delay makes it harder to end the session on May 19th, which is the Constitutionally-mandated date of adjournment.
Keep reading for important updates from St. Paul!
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Executive Summary
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Supreme Court Ruling
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More Fraud
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Update on Fraud Prevention Committee
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Addressing Public Safety
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Celebrating the Retirement of Marvin Johnson
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Photos
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Supreme Court Ruling: What 68 as a Quorum Means for the Legislature
On January 24th, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a pivotal ruling that sets 68 members as the necessary threshold for a quorum required for legislative business in the Minnesota House.
While this decision provides legal clarity, it creates a concerning dynamic and sets the stage for potential future constitutional crises. The Constitution states that a quorum is the “majority of the each body,” meaning that in the event of another tie or other unfortunate circumstances where several members are incapacitated or unable to serve, the inability to get to 68 would again bring the Legislature to a halt because of a decision by a separate branch of government.
That is exactly what Democrats are doing by boycotting the current session. A minority has halted the work of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Supreme Court, which has no constitutional authority over the House, has now given them the legal authority to do it. Democrats have stated they may stay out until mid-March, when the special election in 40B (Roseville) is expected to be held. This means they will have held the House hostage for 7 weeks – nearly half of the session – simply because they didn’t want to accept they were in the minority by one vote.
Keep in mind that we are in this situation because Democrats cheated in the Roseville race, knowingly running a candidate who did not meet the residency requirement. That is the reason they are now in the minority; 66 Democrats to 67 Republicans.
This is a terrible precedent that will harm the institution of the House and the Minnesota Legislature.
At a time when Minnesotans are looking for us to solve pressing issues, this Democrat shutdown is hurting Minnesota families and institutions. I will keep showing up every day and remain committed to working across the aisle to ensure that our legislative process prioritizes the needs of Minnesotans.
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More Cases of Fraud Revealed
Reports of fraud in state programs continue to pile up, raising serious concerns about Executive Branch's management & accountability. The Minnesota Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General is currently investigating 62 child-care centers suspected of misusing federal Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds.
Shockingly, one Minneapolis center with 95 violations—including safety hazards and poor record-keeping—still received $7.8 million in taxpayer dollars between 2019 and 2023. Another facility, despite 36 violations such as failing to conduct required background checks on staff, also continued to receive funding. This kind of negligence not only wastes taxpayer money, but also puts children at risk.
Watch the KSTP report here and watch a subsequent interview I did below.
Unfortunately, the fraud doesn’t stop there. A new KARE 11 investigation uncovered yet another massive scandal—this time in Minnesota’s Medicaid program. The report details tens of millions of dollars in fraudulent billing by NUWAY, one of the state’s largest addiction treatment providers. Investigators found double-billing, falsified treatment records, and illegal kickbacks, all happening under Gov. Walz’s watch.
These cases are just the latest examples of a broken system that lacks transparency and effective oversight. If fraud like this is happening in CCAP and Medicaid, there is no doubt more will be uncovered across state agencies. Taxpayers deserve real accountability, stronger enforcement, and an end to this reckless mismanagement of public funds.
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Update on the Fraud Prevention Committee
Last week, the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee, which I chair, was set to hold its first hearing to shine a light on the widespread fraud that has plagued Minnesota state agencies.
Unfortunately, due to that recent Supreme Court ruling requiring 68 members for a quorum, the hearing was unable to proceed. This was a missed opportunity to address years of fraud and neglect, and it highlights how political roadblocks are preventing us from tackling the issues that matter most to Minnesotans. Instead, we held a press conference to talk about the issues we would have addressed including:
- The Feeding Our Future scandal, which cost taxpayers over $250 million.
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Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) fraud, involving the misuse of millions of taxpayer dollars.
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Provider overpayments and systemic agency failures costing Minnesota an estimated $550 million or more.
Originally, we had invited Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify before her recently-announced resignation on February 3rd.
While Commissioner Harpstead declined to testify publicly, she did agree to meet with me privately to discuss these concerns. Additionally, I continued to meet with whistleblowers from various agencies and the private sector who want to sound the alarm on the fraud they see. Minnesotans want their government to function well and be free of corruption.
As I said in a press release, this is not about politics—it’s about protecting Minnesotans' hard-earned dollars and ensuring integrity in our government. Fraud prevention is essential to safeguard essential services for those who need them most.
While the committee’s formal work is temporarily stalled, my commitment to transparency and accountability remains steadfast. We continue to put the pieces in place so we will be ready when we can resume public hearings. We unveiled our new committee logo (pictured) and launched social media pages (below) to help the public stay up to date on fraud issues in our state.
I will continue to advocate for answers and reforms to prevent future abuses of taxpayer trust. Minnesota deserves better!
Facebook: @MN House Fraud and Oversight Committee
X (Twitter): @MN_Fraud_Cmte
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Addressing Public Safety
Much like the Fraud Prevention Committee, the Public Safety Committee is also shut down. However, House Republicans released what would have been worked on last week had the Democrats shown up for work.
For the past two years, Minnesotans have endured the consequences of policies that prioritize criminals over victims, tying the hands of law enforcement and emboldening bad actors. Our plan takes a different approach, putting public safety and accountability first. Key provisions include:
- Mandatory 10-year sentences for first-degree sex traffickers.
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Enhanced penalties for reckless fleeing, assaulting peace officers, and damaging critical infrastructure.
- Greater transparency in prosecutorial decisions and court sentencing.
- Tools to address disruptive and dangerous actions, such as blocking freeways or transit.
These measures reflect our commitment to ensuring that Minnesotans can live, work, and raise their families in safe communities. Our proposal is designed to empower law enforcement with the tools they need to succeed while providing transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.
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Celebrating the Leadership and Service of Marvin Johnson
On a happy note, I had the privilege of celebrating the retirement of Independence Mayor, Marvin Johnson, a true icon of public service who has dedicated over four decades to his community. Marvin’s unwavering commitment to his city and his passion for service are an inspiration to us all.
Marvin has the distinct honor of being the longest-serving mayor in Minnesota history and the fifth-longest-serving mayor in the country! He has been leading the City of Independence for an incredible 45 years!
His dedication to public service didn’t begin there—he previously served as a city council member and contributed his time and expertise to numerous boards, including the School District 287 Board, the League of Minnesota Cities, and the Minnesota Mayors Association. Marvin also played a vital role on the Independence City Planning Commission, always putting the needs of his community first.
At his retirement celebration, Senator Warren Limmer and I were deeply honored to present Marvin with House and Senate resolutions recognizing his outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to the people of Independence. His impact on the city is immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of public servants.
Marvin, on behalf of our entire community, thank you for your decades of selfless service and your tireless commitment to making Independence a wonderful place to live. We wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter—you’ve earned it!
Photos
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The House Pages are here, ready to work, even if our Democrat colleagues don’t show up to do their jobs! I always enjoy meeting the pages who come from all over the state to serve at the Capitol. Last week, I met a young woman from my hometown, Crookston!
  What a delight it was to honor the long-serving Mayor of the City of Independence, Minnesota, Marvin Johnson, with Senator Warren Limmer & so many others last week! Marvin is the longest serving Mayor in state history & the 5th longest tenured mayor in the country! He is a living legend, inspiring example, & State Treasure! I am so blessed to have known him well before politics & to have had the chance to serve with him!
 Maple Grove Police Department Records Management Technician, Lesley, retired after nearly 16 years of public service. Thank you for your service to our community! Congratulations and best wishes in your next chapter.
 Another highlight from last week was talking to the House interns & pages! These talented and energetic young people are eager to serve their communities & our state!
 I love when constituents come to the Capitol to advocate on issues! Had a great conversation with these bikers from A.B.A.T.E. of Minnesota, Inc.! Thank you for coming!
 The Hamel Lions hosted a fantastic pancake breakfast at the Hamel VFW Post 5903!
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Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.
The best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn.gov. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked every weekday while we are in session.
Of course, if you are coming to the Capitol, I’d love to meet you! Please reach out if you would like to set-up an in-person meeting.
Have a great week!
Kristin
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239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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