Election Integrity, FBI Raids, Take It Back Act

May 1, 2026

Friends and neighbors,

With two weeks left in the 2026 Legislative Session, things are moving quickly at the State Capitol. I have several important updates from this week to share with you:

Polling Place Observers Rejected by DFL

On Monday, I spoke on the House Floor in favor of a bill amendment that would allow observers to verify voting at all polling places. This amendment to allow observers to be there while ballots are being counted would be a positive step forward for overall confidence in our election processes. Unfortunately, it was unanimously rejected by House Democrats. As a member of the Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee, I was very discouraged by their reluctance to vote for this common-sense measure. The DFL position was articulated by Rep. Mike Freiberg (D-Golden Valley), which I then rebutted in my closing remarks. It is my job to ensure that Minnesotans have faith in the integrity of our elections, and the unanimous refusal of my DFL colleagues to approve poll observers will only further public skepticism. 

Click HERE to watch my remarks and exchange with Rep. Freiberg.

FBI Raids 22 Locations for Fraud Evidence

This week, the FBI executed search warrants for 22 locations in Minneapolis that were suspected of containing documentation linking their owners to Medicaid fraud.

In my long experience on the Legislative Audit Commission, I witnessed repeated lapses in procedure and lack of site visits conducted by state agencies to confirm the legitimacy of providers. The Legislative Auditor does not have an enforcement arm, and lack of action by Attorney General Ellison to investigate and prosecute fraud has been upsetting. He has not done, and is not doing, what is needed to bring those stealing our taxpayer dollars to justice. 

It is worth noting that these federal investigations are not partisan. Minnesota's fraud epidemic has been so extensive that these investigations actually began under the Biden Administration.

After House Republicans sent a letter to the White House and Department of Justice last year, we received word that these investigations would be ramped up. I am grateful to have the full force of the federal government on our side to stamp out fraud.

Take It Back Act: Retrieving Your Money

I am happy to inform you that the Take It Back Act was "laid over" this week, which means that it is likely to be included in the tax omnibus bill, and ultimately pass into law. The Take It Back Act will establish a 100% tax on state money obtained through fraud, to be imposed on individuals and organizations who have been convicted of doing so. It is significant because it will apply to convicted fraudsters in addition to any court-ordered restitution that they may already have to pay.

It also gives authority to the Department of Revenue to immediately seize assets of convicted fraudsters (homes, vehicles, etc.). This will give the state government the chance to retrieve as much stolen money as possible. The money will be deposited into a taxpayer relief account that will be used to reduce income taxes for Minnesotans.

I am proud to be part of this bipartisan effort to deter future fraud and take our money back from those who took advantage of Minnesota's generous social programs.

Please Stay in Touch 

Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts or concerns. My phone number is 651-296-9236 or you can email me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn.

Have a great weekend!

Duane

/RepDuaneQuam

2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.9236