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Good morning!
I hope you've warmed up after the big snowstorm that rolled in last weekend. This week in St. Paul brought another troubling example of failures within state government that demand attention. A newly released OLA report sheds light on serious issues in one of our major human services programs and reinforces the need for stronger oversight and accountability. While these findings are frustrating, they also make clear why addressing fraud and restoring trust in how taxpayer dollars are managed must remain a top priority. Additionally, Governor Walz released his supplemental budget proposal which highlights his misplaced priorities. Let's dig in.
The Newest OLA Report and Fraud
This week’s report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor exposed serious failures in how the state has managed the EIDBI program. Investigators found that the Department of Human Services did not act on credible kickback allegations and wrongly claimed it lacked the authority to investigate, despite that authority being clearly established for years. In several instances, complaints were simply closed, never escalated, and never referred to law enforcement, even when there were clear red flags.
These breakdowns are especially troubling given how quickly the EIDBI program has expanded. As spending has surged, oversight has not kept pace. The report makes clear that DHS chose an overly restrictive interpretation of its role and, in doing so, failed to act when it mattered most. While there were cases handled correctly, the broader pattern points to inconsistent enforcement and missed opportunities to stop potential fraud earlier.
At the end of the day, this is about accountability. When warnings are ignored and authority goes unused, the system fails both taxpayers and the families these programs are meant to serve. We need stronger oversight, clearer direction, and a firm expectation that concerns will be taken seriously and acted on. I will keep pushing for reforms that ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and that programs like EIDBI operate with the level of accountability Minnesotans expect.
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Walz Suggests Raising Taxes and Cutting Support for Nursing Homes and Special Education
This week, Governor Tim Walz released his supplemental budget proposal, and it highlights a clear contrast in priorities. The fraud savings identified in his budget confirm what many of us have been saying for years: if we take fraud seriously and put real oversight in place, we can save taxpayers billions over time. The question now is whether we will follow through and make those savings a reality.
I am ready to work with anyone to get that done. Those savings should be used to provide real relief for Minnesotans who are already feeling the strain of high costs. That includes commonsense ideas like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing sky-high car tab fees. Minnesotans are overtaxed, and the cost of everyday life continues to rise. We should be focused on giving money back to the people who earned it.
Instead, the Governor’s proposal moves in the wrong direction by calling for higher taxes while cutting funding in critical areas like nursing home care. That is not the approach we should be taking, especially as many families are already struggling to afford basic needs and access essential services.
At the same time, I believe there are areas where we can find common ground. There is agreement on the need to modernize state IT systems, align with federal Medicaid requirements, and establish an Office of Inspector General to strengthen oversight and prevent fraud. These are practical steps that can and should move forward.
But proposals that raise taxes, make it harder for low-income Minnesotans to access legal services, or reduce support for vulnerable populations will face strong opposition. We need to stay focused on stopping fraud, protecting taxpayers, and making Minnesota a more affordable place to live and work.
Standing Up Against Vaccine Mandates
This week, Senate Democrats brought forward new vaccine mandate proposals that raise serious concerns about government overreach and the erosion of personal freedom. While vaccines have a role in public health, forcing one-size-fits-all mandates without strong protections for conscientious objections is the wrong approach. Minnesotans should not be backed into a corner when it comes to deeply personal medical decisions.
Conscientious exemptions exist for a reason. They protect the right of individuals and families to make decisions based on their beliefs, values, and unique circumstances. Stripping those protections or making them harder to access is not about public health, it’s about control. We can encourage vaccination and provide accurate information without forcing compliance or punishing those who choose differently.
I will continue to push back against any effort that weakens conscientious objections and stand firmly for the rights of Minnesotans to make their own medical decisions without government interference.
Shoutouts
Shoutout to Osakis 6th grader Abby Otremba who placed 3rd as an individual at a recent Math Masters competition.
Shoutout also to these ten students from the Discovery Middle School (DMS) Math Team who competed in the Chapter MathCounts Competition at MSUM in Moorhead recently.
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