Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
I want to start by wishing you a belated happy Mother’s Day weekend. To celebrate, I got to spend time with my wife, Morgan, and our kids. We had a lovely weekend before I had to head back to St. Paul for our final stretch of the legislative session. Our constitutional adjournment date is this Sunday, May 17, meaning we have just hours to finish up the remaining business, and have been on the floor everyday this week to ensure it's al wrapped up.
Passing the OIG Bill
I am THRILLED to announce that we delivered on our number one priority for the 2025–26 session. Last week, the House officially passed the independent Office of the Inspector General bill off the floor, marking a major step forward in strengthening oversight and accountability in state government.
This effort has been more than a year in the making. We began work on this bill last January, taking time to meet with stakeholders and build a proposal that would actually work in practice. The goal from the start was clear: create a truly independent office with the authority needed to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse wherever it occurs. Despite stalling and slow-rolling from the DFL, we held strong and make sure this got across the finish line.
This office will be separate from the Governor’s administration, which is critical to making sure investigations are fair and free from political influence. It will also have real law enforcement authority, giving it the tools to not just identify fraud, but take action to stop it and hold bad actors accountable.
That combination matters. For too long, we have seen cases where fraud is identified but not effectively addressed. This creates a dedicated watchdog for state government, focused on protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring programs are working as intended.
The bill has now passed the Senate as well and is just awaiting Governor Walz's signature to become law.
 Another DHS Shakeup
In other fraud-related news, there was a significant leadership shakeup at the Department of Human Services recently. Commissioner Shireen Gandhi was moved into a new role as Deputy Commissioner for Medicaid Programming, while current Deputy Commissioner John Connolly was named as the new DHS Commissioner.
The timing raises real questions. This change came just one day before Gandhi was scheduled for her Senate confirmation hearing, which suggests there may not have been enough support from Senate Democrats for her to be confirmed. Regardless of the reasoning, it adds to ongoing concerns about accountability at an agency that has been tied to some of the largest fraud cases in state history.
Gandhi has been part of DHS leadership during that period. When fraud continues to happen on that scale, it is fair to ask whether the current structure is doing enough to prevent it and respond when it does occur.
This is exactly why the independent Office of the Inspector General matters. Right now, oversight can be limited by internal structure and leadership decisions. An independent OIG, operating outside of the Governor’s administration and with law enforcement authority, creates a clear line of accountability. It is not tied to agency leadership or political considerations.
Situations like this highlight the need for a system that does not rely on internal oversight alone. A truly independent watchdog ensures that when problems arise, they are investigated fully and addressed, regardless of who is in charge.
Finishing Strong
As we come to the end of this session, I want to thank you all for your support and trust in me to be your voice in St. Paul for the past two years. It is a job I don't take lightly and I am honored to be in this position. I want to remind you that I am here to serve you and am always available if you have questions, concerns, or ideas. Please reach out if I can help you!
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