Legislative Update
 Dear neighbors,
I hope you’ve been enjoying the warmer temperatures this week—it’s been such a welcome change after a long Minnesota winter! I hope you’re able to get outside, soak up a little sunshine, and enjoy the fresh air as we head into the weekend.
This week also marks the halfway point until we adjourn sine die on May 17th. While this session has felt like a bit of a slow burn at times, I am proud to say that we made some real progress this week.
A few weeks ago, I shared an update on House File 1338, which would establish an independent Office of the Inspector General. Just as a quick recap: this legislation passed the Senate unanimously, 67–0. That’s about as bipartisan as it gets. But when it made its way to the House, it was quickly shut down by the DFL.
Minnesotans have watched major fraud schemes unfold for years, and there is a growing recognition that strong, independent oversight is essential. This bill is designed to do just that—create a fully independent, nonpartisan Office of the Inspector General that can provide transparency and accountability, regardless of who is in the Governor's office.
Now, here’s some good news
The House State Government Committee recommended an OIG bill for passage Tuesday morning that closely mirrors the version already passed by the Senate with strong bipartisan support.
There were many discussions about the bill's provisions, but eventually, I think it became clear: we were serious about preserving the bipartisan, bicameral work already done in the Senate—and we weren’t going to accept anything less.
The bill now heads to the House Ways and Means Committee, and there’s real hope it could make it to the governor’s desk before the end of session.
This is a step in the right direction, and I’ll keep pushing every day to make sure it gets across the finish line.
Fraud Watch: Demanding Answers for Minnesota
 By now, most Minnesotans know fraud is a very serious and growing problem in our state. And this week, it hit especially close to home.
When Senator Zach Duckworth and I learned that Lakeville residents were receiving official state notices about paid family leave—addressed to businesses they had never even heard of—we didn’t wait around.
One household received multiple letters from state agencies, including notices from the Unemployment Insurance division and the Paid Family and Medical Leave program, addressed to businesses with no connection to their home. Naturally, that raised serious red flags—not just for the family involved, but for all of us.
On Monday, we sent a letter to the agency overseeing the program demanding answers. We’ve made it clear that whether this is a larger-scale fraud attempt or a significant administrative error, Minnesotans deserve immediate clarity.
Since then, we’ve been in constant communication with the Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Secretary of State’s Office, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to get to the bottom of this.
We are working to identify what went wrong, track down those responsible if fraud is involved, and make sure the proper protections are in place moving forward. This situation raises serious concerns about how large, complex programs are being administered—and we expect answers.
I also want to thank the brave Lakeville residents who spoke up. When something didn’t look right, they reported it—and that’s exactly how we protect our communities and hold government accountable.
We’re staying on this, we’re demanding answers, and we’re going to keep fighting to make sure fraud has no place in our state.
Standing with Those Who Serve
This week, Law Enforcement Labor Services hosted its first-ever “Day at the Capitol,” and it was a great opportunity to hear directly from the men and women serving on the front lines.
These conversations matter. They help ensure we’re bringing the right voices to the table as we continue working toward a meaningful Duty Disability fix—one that reflects the realities our officers face every day and finally gets across the finish line.
It was also great to connect with familiar faces from Burnsville PD and Apple Valley PD. It served as a strong reminder of just how dedicated and connected our local law enforcement community is.
I’m grateful for the work they do, and for the opportunity to stand alongside them as we continue pushing for solutions that support those who serve our communities with bravery and dedication.
Neighbor to Neighbor: Mental Health Matters
 Really appreciated the chance to sit down with Betsy, a fellow Lakeville neighbor, to talk through mental health challenges and how we can better support those in need.
She's an incredible resource through her work on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Dakota County chapter), and I learned more about the support groups available—not just for individuals, but for family members navigating a loved one's diagnosis as well.
Important conversations like this are how we keep our community moving forward.
Soak Up the Sunshine & A Chance to Connect!
As we head into Easter break next week, I hope you’re able to spend some meaningful time with family and loved ones. Even though the Legislature will be on a brief pause, I’m still here and always happy to connect. If you’re in the district, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to meet with me—and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. Your input truly makes a difference in the work I do here at the Capitol, and I couldn’t do it without you!
And as we roll into the weekend, I hope you get a chance to soak up these warmer temperatures. We all know just how rare (and appreciated!) that can be this time of year in Minnesota!
Sincerely,
—Representative Jeff Witte
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