Republican leaders say fraud, affordability remain priorities in 2026

House Republican legislative leaders are ready to pick up where they left off last year on addressing fraud in state government.

Flanked by caucus members at a Monday news conference, House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) announced their legislative priorities for the 2026 session, which they dubbed “The North Star Comeback.”

In addition to fraud, Republicans’ priorities include affordability, safety and reducing school mandates.

“House Republicans stand ready to get to work,” Demuth said.

Fraud

Key among the Republicans’ fraud priorities is HF1, sponsored by Rep. Patti Anderson (R-Dellwood), which would create an independent Office of Inspector General to “investigate and combat suspected fraud, misuse, and other unlawful uses of public funds in state government with a focus on the providers and recipients of state-funded services.”

“That’s going to be a top priority,” Niska said, adding the Senate passed a similar bill, SF856, 60-7 last year, but House DFLers refused to suspend the rules on the final night of the 2025 session for House action.

Niska also referenced a slew of bills that Republicans intend to bring forward to further address fraud, including bills that would create consequences for officials who allow fraud to occur unchecked and create statutory guidelines for programs with a high risk of fraud.

“The departments that enabled the fraud cannot be trusted to fix the problem themselves,” Niska said.

Affordability

In addressing affordability, Republican lawmakers said their proposed bills would lower health care costs by establishing a permanent reinsurance program and establishing a commission to investigate the ongoing rise in property taxes.

Niska said Republicans also support conforming state tax code to new federal tax laws that cut taxes on tips and overtime as a way to ease the rising cost of living for Minnesotans.

“House Republicans are here to reverse that damage to family budgets,” Niska said.

Bonding

Traditionally the second year of a biennium is focused on a capital investment — or bonding — bill. Demuth said legislative leaders will discuss a potential proposal this session, but the upcoming February forecast detailing the state’s finances would further inform a decision on it.

“Our state doesn’t have money right now,” Demuth said.

Demuth referenced last year’s $700 million bonding bill that focused on basic needs like roads and bridges, saying those projects were important. In the end, Demuth said she offers “no promises at this point.”