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Good morning!
We are entering the final and busiest stretch of the legislative session at the Capitol as lawmakers work around the clock to finalize legislation before our constitutional adjournment this Sunday, May 17. Meetings are happening throughout the day, negotiations are continuing on key budget and policy bills, and we are focused on completing the important work that still remains before the Legislature must adjourn. These final days of session are always fast-paced and demanding, as we work to reach agreements and deliver results for Minnesotans across the state.
Bonuses for allowing fraud in DHS?!
A recent 5 INVESTIGATES report revealed that the Minnesota Department of Human Services awarded bonuses to employees overseeing the Housing Stabilization Services program shortly before the program became engulfed in fraud allegations and federal indictments. Records obtained by KSTP show DHS distributed more than $3.2 million in discretionary “achievement awards” between 2020 and 2025, including bonuses for staff connected to the troubled program. The report also renews questions surrounding DHS leadership and accountability, particularly involving former DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi. Earlier this month, Governor Walz removed Gandhi from her commissioner position just one day before a scheduled confirmation hearing amid growing scrutiny over fraud oversight at the agency. However, despite the demotion, Gandhi remains in a senior leadership role at DHS as deputy commissioner overseeing Medicaid program integrity and fraud prevention efforts. For many Minnesotans, the situation raises a fundamental question: why are the same leaders who presided over repeated oversight failures still being entrusted with fixing the problem?
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A Visit from Discovery Middle School
Senator Westrom and I had the pleasure of meeting a great group of students from Discovery Middle School this week. We got to talk to them about the work that we do here in St. Paul during the legislative session, as well as the work we do right in our local communities! Thank you to the teachers and staff who made the trip possible and to the kiddos for engaging in conversation and listening!
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Please Contact Me
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-3201 or rep.mary.franson@house.mn.gov I would love to hear from you.
It’s an honor to represent the best!
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