Legislative Update
 Dear friends and neighbors,
We are officially in the home stretch, just seven days until adjournment, and it's been a wild ride! Before we get into this week's highlights, I just want to take a moment to thank all of you!
Thank you for tuning in week after week, for writing to me and calling my office, for staying engaged, and for trusting me to carry your voices with me each day that I step onto the house floor, keeping you at the forefront of my mind with every vote.
Serving you in the Minnesota House of Representatives is an incredible honor, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to fight for the values and priorities that matter most to our district. I look forward to continuing that service for years to come if it is your preference.
Now, this week at the Capitol has been nothing short of eventful, so let’s dive into a few highlights from another busy week in St. Paul.
Fraud, FBI Raids, and Finally Some Accountability!
As you are all aware, Minnesota has been rocked by fraud scandal after fraud scandal. These failures have made national headlines, triggered FBI investigations and raids, and exposed the fact that billions of taxpayer dollars have vanished under the failed watch of Gov. Walz and Democrat leadership.
One of the biggest issues I continue to hear from you back home is that fraud has been allowed to flourish under the Walz Administration’s watch for far too long. Minnesotans have every reason to be upset.
Well, the Walz Administration has finally heard the people of Minnesota loud and clear, and they must no longer turn a blind eye to the blatant negligence that got us here.
After ending the Democrat trifecta in 2024, we made stopping fraud and restoring accountability one of our top priorities this session.
You may remember me discussing the push to create an Independent Office of the Inspector General earlier this year. And I am proud to report that this legislation officially passed off the House floor this week in a bipartisan vote 127-5. This is a major win for taxpayers.
This bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General with real law enforcement authority to investigate waste, fraud, and abuse across state government. That enforcement authority was critical, and unfortunately, it became one of the biggest sticking points throughout negotiations.
We held the line, fought to keep the bill strong, and ultimately got them to cave on those demands. That's something I am incredibly proud of.
The reality is, much of this fraud could have been prevented years ago if oversight had been taken seriously from the start. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, and hardworking Minnesotans were left paying the price.
This bill sends a message that the days of looking the other way are over. Accountability is back! And my colleagues and I will keep fighting every day to protect taxpayer dollars and restore the people's trust in state government.
Counting Our Blessings
 On Thursday we celebrated the National Day of Prayer—taking time to ask for the Lord’s blessing, wisdom, and mercy upon our great nation and the communities we are so fortunate to call home.
It was an honor to stand alongside my fellow legislators at the Capitol as we lifted up Minnesota in prayer, asking for discernment, steady leadership, and the ability to deliver meaningful wins for Minnesotans during these final days of session.
In a state where neighbors still wave from their pickup trucks, bring over a hotdish when times get tough, and lend a hand when the snow gets a little too deep, faith and community remain at the heart of what we love about living in Minnesota. Those values continue to guide us both in our daily lives and in the work we do at the Capitol.
I was grateful for the opportunity to step off the House floor, pause for a moment, reflect on the many blessings we share, and pray for our state, our communities, and our country. May God Bless Minnesota.
10,000 Lakes, Countless Reasons to Visit
 Nothing says “Minnesota nice” quite like celebrating all the things that make people want to visit our great state. It was wonderful meeting with the Minnesota Tourism Association this week for National Travel and Tourism Week.
From fishing, tubing, and waterskiing our lakes, to hiking and biking our trails, to weekends at the cabin, Minnesota has officially earned its reputation as one of America’s most active outdoor states—though I think most of us already knew that!
Whether you’re casting a line at sunrise, dusting off your golf clubs after a long winter, or explaining to out-of-staters that yes, we really do love all 10,000 lakes, tourism is a huge part of what makes every corner of Minnesota special.
Excited to keep working together to help Minnesota’s tourism industry continue to thrive year-round.
Something Smells Fishy at the Capitol…
Minnesota Fishing Opener is HERE… and after this week at the Capitol, I can confidently say the fish aren’t the only thing smelling a little off!
Between Twin Cities liberals protecting fraudsters, blowing through billions of taxpayer dollars, and trying to sneak in higher taxes and fees on hardworking Minnesotans, there’s been no shortage of fishy business floating around St. Paul lately.
The good news? House Republicans have been working hard to clean things up, hold government accountable, and make sure Minnesotans aren’t the ones getting caught on the hook.
For more on that, click on the photo above!
 But in all seriousness, it wouldn’t be May in Minnesota without Fishing Opener! For all of our anglers heading out this weekend, I hope the fish are biting, the buckets are full, and you get to enjoy some well-earned time with family and friends on one of Minnesota’s greatest treasures, our beautiful lakes.
A Mother’s Love Lasts a Lifetime
 As we head into another beautiful Minnesota spring weekend, I want to take a moment to wish all of the moms across our state a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Mothers are the foundation of our families—the steady hands that hold everything together, the quiet strength in the hardest moments, and the heart behind so many of life’s greatest blessings. The gift of motherhood is truly one of the greatest gifts this world knows.
On a personal note, I am deeply grateful for the many beautiful years I was blessed to share with my wife, Ros. She was the most patient, kind, and loving soul I have ever known. A wonderful life partner and an extraordinary mother—the kind of person who made everything better just by being there. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk this life with anyone else.
Her love and example continue to live on in our family every day.
Wishing peace, love, and gratitude to all the mothers who make Minnesota so much stronger.
Let's Stay Connected!
 As we wrap up the biennium next week, I’ll continue keeping you updated on the work happening at the Capitol. As always, please never hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at rep.steve.gander@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-5091.
And back in the District, I look forward to meeting with you at your local parade, county fair, or over coffee!
Until next time, enjoy the sunshine, soak up the weekend, and make the most of this beautiful time of year in Minnesota.
—Representative Steve Gander
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