Legislative Update
 We’ve officially wrapped up week three of the legislative session, and somehow this week managed to be just as busy—if not busier—than the last. Hard to believe how quickly things are moving already!
From committee hearings to meetings with constituents and advocates visiting the Capitol, there has been plenty happening here in St. Paul.
So without further ado, let’s dive into what’s been going on this week!
Following the Money: Cracking Down on Fraud
By now, many of you are aware of the massive fraud epidemic that has taken root in Minnesota. Unfortunately, this problem didn’t appear overnight, and it certainly didn’t start this year. The reality is that fraud has been quietly draining public programs for years, and the true scale of it is something Minnesotans deserve to fully understand.
As your representative, it is my duty to the people of district 18A—and to all Minnesotans—to help navigate this moment with the utmost honesty and transparency.
The good news is that House Republicans’ push for stronger oversight is already beginning to expose the cracks in systems that were far too easy to exploit.
And when you start shining a light on fraud, something interesting happens: the numbers start changing—fast.
Take a look at what we’ve seen in some of the state’s highest-risk sectors.
 Services like autism treatment centers and non-emergency medical transportation play an important role in supporting some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents. But recent findings suggest that a shocking amount of the activity within these sectors may never have been legitimate to begin with.
To crack down on potential abuse, the Legislature required autism centers to apply for a provisional license in order to continue operating. Out of more than 500 providers, only six have applied so far—a shocking statistic that raises serious questions about how widespread the abuse may have been.
We have also seen dramatic changes in non-emergency medical transportation. After additional oversight was implemented last year, the number of rides being reported by these providers has dropped by 62%. When increased oversight leads to numbers falling that quickly, it tells us something important: fraud in Minnesota has been allowed to flourish for far too long.
That’s why House Republicans are continuing to push strong accountability measures. In addition to legislation creating a state Office of the Inspector General focused on rooting out fraud, we are advancing the Fraud Isn’t Free Act, which would establish real consequences when agencies fail to protect taxpayer dollars.
The proposal would require agencies that fail to meet anti-fraud standards set by the Legislature to face a 10% budget reduction, while commissioners overseeing poorly managed agencies could see a 25% reduction in their salaries.
In the private sector, when leadership fails to do its job, there are consequences. The same—if not higher—standards should apply to the public officials entrusted with billions of taxpayer dollars.
I remain committed to advancing these reforms because Minnesotans deserve confidence that their hard-earned tax dollars are being protected responsibly and transparently. When it comes to fraud, accountability must come first.
A Week of Great Visits at the Capitol
One of my favorite parts of the hustle and bustle of session is the steady stream of folks who make their way to the Capitol to share the priorities of their organizations. Between committee hearings, floor sessions, and the occasional sprint down the hallway, it’s always a welcome break to sit down with people who are passionate about the work they do.
Week after week, I’m blown away by the talent, dedication, and heart behind these groups—really good people rolling up their sleeves and advocating for their neighbors across the state. The Capitol can get pretty busy this time of year, but these conversations are a great reminder of who we’re here working for. This week, I’d like to highlight a few of those visits.
It was great to meet high school student page Lydia Martens from Nicollet Public School, who spent the day at the Capitol learning more about the legislative process.
 It was great visiting with Mary Piechel and Dan Hayes from the Nicollet County Farm Bureau, who stopped by the Capitol to share their perspective on issues impacting Minnesota agriculture.
 Met with incredible FFA students from Nicollet Public School who made the trip to the Capitol. Programs like FFA are vital to the future of Minnesota agriculture, helping students develop leadership, responsibility, and real-world agricultural knowledge. It was great to visit with these students and hear about their interests as they learn more about how state policy impacts farmers and rural communities.
 It was a pleasure speaking with the University of Minnesota Extension this week about the incredible work they do connecting Minnesotans with research, resources, and programs that strengthen our farms, families, and communities across our great state!
From District 18A to the Capitol—Let’s Talk!
As we move through the rest of the legislative session, I truly can’t stress this enough: your voice matters. Public service works best when it’s a two-way conversation—not just lawmakers talking, but neighbors weighing in with ideas, concerns, and a little healthy Minnesota honesty.
So if there’s an issue you’re passionate about, a priority you think we should tackle, or something happening in your community that deserves attention, don’t keep it to yourself!
Send me an email at rep.erica.schwartz@house.mn.gov or give my office a call at 651-296-8634.
I’m here to work for you—and I’m always happy to hear what’s on your mind.
Sincerely,
— Representative Erica Schwartz
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