Dear Neighbors,  

I have an important update about the work we are doing to address fraud across our state. We have been working diligently to pass the independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) bill since the beginning of last session. It is no secret that fraud is wildly out of control in Minnesota, and the truth is that no level of fraud is acceptable. In order to take steps towards prosecuting fraudsters and improving oversight of public programs, we are working to establish the OIG. Keep reading for this week’s update! 

For context, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) bill has been in the works for more than a year and has received bipartisan support from the start. During the 2025 special session, the bill passed the DFL-controlled Senate (60 to 7). However, it came back to the House literally during the one-day special session and the DFL members declined to support it on the final votes, preventing this commonsense measure from becoming law and strengthening protections for taxpayer dollars. 

This session, the bill has again been brought before the State Government Finance and Policy Committee multiple times. First, major revisions were proposed to the bill when we started meeting in February. These changes removed the teeth that makes every part of the OIG independent and effective. Thus, it stayed in committee. Many additional meetings occurred, members held strong, and key provisions were restored. We will not compromise on the law enforcement provision of the original bill. Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and leaders must be held accountable to properly following the law and spending your hard-earned tax dollars. Remember, these key provisions already passed in the Senate. 

Like many proposals in a tied House, the bill has evolved through negotiations in an effort to find common ground and move forward. While we are willing to work collaboratively, we remain firm on key principles. The Office of Inspector General must remain independent, and again it must have real law enforcement authority to be effective. Without independence and meaningful oversight tools, the office risks becoming symbolic rather than impactful. 

Here are the things that have changed from the original iteration of the bill to the bill that passed out of committee this week: 

• No longer allows concerns about federal funding to become a blanket excuse for avoiding fraud investigations 

• Restores provisions allowing the Inspector General to appoint peace officers and establish the Office of Inspector General Anti-Fraud and Misuse Bureau as a law enforcement agency with statewide authority over fraud related offenses.  

• It makes clear that the Inspector General shall be treated as an agency head 

• Improves consistency in the bill by using the term “misuse” instead of the older “waste and abuse” language 

These are good improvements that will maintain the functionality and effectiveness of the OIG. Most importantly, we fought hard to keep the OIG independent from other branches of government and allow it to have real enforcement power. What do we mean by independent? In this version of the bill, the Office of Inspector General will not be tucked inside another agency where it can try to do great work, but the work never sees the light of day. Now, the OIG sits at the table with the other Commissioners, makes independent decisions, conducts very much needed comprehensive investigations, and retains the capability to enforce our laws. Without a significant amount of legislative work, state-wide pressure from every taxpayer who is tired of hearing about their tax dollars being misused, these very strong provisions would have been removed. 

Thank you supporters! Regardless of your feelings about many issues, we all agree that fraud adversely impacts all of us!  

Currently, we are on track to pass this bill out of the House. It still needs to make a stop in the Senate and then on to the Governor. Your strong voice, and your pressure will not allow him to veto it. Keep up your pressure, exercise your voice, and we will get the OIG bill across the finish line together! 

As you can see, we remain committed to advancing a strong, independent OIG bill that protects taxpayer dollars and restores confidence in government accountability. I will continue to update you on this issue as we continue through the session. 

For April, Coffee with Tom will meet in Owatonna on Friday, April 10th  from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce. This is a change due to Good Friday occurring on April 3rd, 2026. In addition, Owatonna Mayor Matt Jessop will be joining me on April 10th, 2026. 

Coffee with Tom in Waseca will be on Friday, April 17th  from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce. This is a change due to Good Friday occurring on April 3rd, 2026, as we shifted the schedule back one week. 

Please note that we will not host Coffee with Tom during the month of May due to our uncertain legislative schedule. As we move towards the end of session on May 18th, 2026, we could be in-session all seven days of the week. 

Thank you for your support and feedback, I hope to see you there!