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Good morning!
I hope this newsletter finds you well and you enjoyed Thanksgiving last week. It is always such pleasant opportunity to relax, spend time with friends and family, and transition into the holiday season.
Drive with Care this Winter!
Now that we have had our first significant snowfall, I would like to share a few friendly reminders about best practices for driving, especially during this winter and holiday season.
1. Plan Ahead. If your plans include drinking, or other substances (even some prescriptions), make sure you have a safe and sober ride home.
2. Prioritize Rest. A lack of sleep can impair you similarly to drugs or alcohol. Getting good sleep is key for overall health as well as awareness on the road.
3. Buckle Up, Every Time. Seat belts are required by law, and for good reason. Buckling up could be the difference between a fender bender and a fatal crash, for you and your passengers.
4. Eliminate Distractions. Choose your music, send your texts, and set the temperature control before you take off. Focus 100% of your attention on the road!
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Walz's Fraud Legacy
After years of fraud concerns in MN state programs, there has been a recent spotlight on a lot of what has been going on behind the scenes. Federal investigators are now looking into two major issues that raise serious concerns about oversight in Minnesota. First, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that roughly one third of the non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses issued in our state were issued illegally, which has led to a threat of withholding more than 30 million dollars in federal highway funding unless Minnesota corrects the problem. Second, federal agencies are reviewing allegations that taxpayer dollars from certain state programs were funneled through fraudulent networks and may have ended up supporting foreign terrorist organizations. These investigations point to a clear pattern. Oversight inside state government has not kept up with the level of risk, and too much fraud is being caught after the damage is already done. It's clear to see the pattern of fraud under Walz's watch, which is why an Independent Office of the Inspector General would provide real value by monitoring high-risk programs in real time, shutting down fraud before more taxpayer money is lost, and restoring the accountability Minnesotans expect.
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The November Budget Forecast
Yesterday, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released it's November Budget Forecast, giving us an updated idea of where the state stands with spending, revenues, and future budget predictions. Minnesota’s new budget forecast shows spending racing far ahead of revenue, even after Democrats raised taxes by 10 billion dollars and burned through the entire 18 billion dollar surplus. The state is projected to spend nearly 9.5 billion dollars more than it takes in over the next four years, driven in part by programs plagued with fraud and mismanagement that the current administration has refused to confront. Instead of accepting responsibility, Democrats are trying to shift blame, while Minnesotans are left paying the price. It is time to rein in spending, root out fraud, and restore accountability to our state budget.
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Please Contact Me
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-3201 or rep.mary.franson@house.mn.gov I would love to hear from you.
It’s an honor to represent the best!
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