Interim News
Dear friends and neighbors,
If your household is anything like mine, the moment those property tax notices hit the mailbox, everything else gets set aside. You open the envelope, take a breath, and hope for the best. This year, for far too many Minnesotans, what you found inside was discouraging—and I want you to know that I understand how heavy that feels.
The Department of Revenue is projecting nearly a $1 billion increase in property taxes next year. That is not just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s families reworking budgets, seniors double-checking their fixed incomes, and young homeowners wondering how they’ll make everything stretch. It’s real. And it’s personal.
There’s been plenty of speculation floating around about why this is happening—blame inflation, blame Washington, blame the economy. But when we look at the facts honestly, we see a much simpler truth: decisions made right here in Minnesota are driving these increases.
In just the past two years:
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Democrats spent a historic $18 billion surplus down to zero,
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Another $10 billion in new taxes were enacted, and
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Dozens of unfunded mandates were pushed onto our cities, counties, and schools.
Local governments are now stuck trying to meet requirements they didn’t ask for—and weren’t funded for. And even though the state doesn’t set property tax rates directly, the ripple effect of these choices is now landing squarely on the shoulders of everyday Minnesotans.
As your representative, I take this personally. I believe government should work for people—not overwhelm them. That’s why I remain fully committed to responsible budgets, thoughtful leadership, and a state government that respects the people who pay the bills.
You deserve nothing less.
A Visit to Washington: Championing Minnesota Agriculture
 This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressman Brad Finstad and join the MARL (Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership) group during their visit. It was a genuinely uplifting part of an otherwise news-heavy week.
Congressman Finstad and I had a great conversation about the challenges—and incredible potential—within Minnesota’s agricultural communities. We talked about the pressures our farmers are facing, from rising input costs to unpredictable markets, and the ways state and federal leaders can work hand-in-hand to strengthen the backbone of our rural economy.
What always strikes me in these meetings is how deeply Minnesotans care about feeding the world while caring for the land. Our farmers, producers, and rural families deserve representation that listens to them, believes in them, and fights for them. I came home from D.C. feeling energized and grateful for the chance to keep building partnerships that support the hardworking agricultural communities that make Minnesota who we are.
A Fun Capitol Encounter
 While attending the NCSL Capitol Forum, I had the unexpected pleasure of running into Senator Amy Klobuchar. We may serve on opposite sides of the aisle, but I always appreciate the opportunity to speak with colleagues across party lines. These conversations are essential for exploring bipartisan solutions that will strengthen Minnesota and help our communities thrive.
Minnesota’s Fraud Crisis: A Pattern We Can No Longer Ignore
I wish I could say the property tax issue was the only difficult news to share this week, but honesty requires acknowledging the broader picture. Over the past several years, Minnesotans have watched one fraud scandal after another dominate the headlines. What used to seem like isolated incidents have now become unmistakable signs of a deeper and more persistent problem.
Billions of taxpayer dollars have been lost on the Walz administration’s watch—money meant to support children, families, seniors, and communities. Each new investigation reveals the same painful theme: weak oversight, low scrutiny, and a system far too easy for bad actors to exploit.
We’ve seen:
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Fake companies set up solely to drain public funds,
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Ghost clients and falsified records,
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Federal nutrition and Medicaid programs manipulated on a massive scale,
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State agencies operating with shockingly low standards for verification and enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who has seen his share of wrongdoing, said this level of corruption “takes my breath away.” That is not something you ever want to hear from a career fraud prosecutor.
And the most gut-wrenching part?
Recent reporting shows some of the stolen money didn’t just vanish—it was quietly moved overseas through informal cash networks, with some funds eventually reaching Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization linked to Al-Qaeda.
A federal counterterrorism official put it bluntly:
“The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.”
That sentence should shake every single one of us.
This isn’t just mismanagement. This is a moral failure—one that betrays the trust Minnesotans place in their government and harms the very communities these programs were created to serve.
Fraud has infected housing stabilization, autism therapy billing, child nutrition programs, and more. Prosecutors describe it as “schemes stacked upon schemes”—a web so large that investigators believe we’ve only seen the beginning.
As we look ahead to 2026, I truly believe Minnesotans face a defining choice. We can continue down a path where waste, mismanagement, and fraud go unchecked—or we can insist on accountability, transparency, and leadership that treats public dollars with the seriousness they deserve.
I’m committed to the latter. I know you are too. And together, we can restore the trust and integrity our state desperately needs.
Staying Engaged and Moving Forward
I know—this week’s newsletter has been heavy. Between rising property taxes and the ongoing fraud crises, it can feel like the challenges just keep piling up. I want you to know that your concerns are heard, and they matter deeply.
Rest assured, Republican legislators in Minnesota are working tirelessly to lower taxes, eliminate waste, and root out fraud wherever it appears. We are committed to ensuring your hard-earned dollars are protected and that government truly serves the people it was created to help.
With the 2026 elections approaching, Minnesotans have a chance to make their voices heard and help steer our state in a better direction. Staying informed, staying engaged, and talking with your neighbors are all powerful ways to make an impact. Every conversation, every vote, every action matters.
As always, my office is here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out by phone or email with your thoughts, questions, or concerns. Thank you for staying engaged, staying informed, and caring so deeply about the future of Minnesota.
Together, we can make a real difference!
Sincerely,
Representative Erica Schwartz
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 18A
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