Dear neighbors,
There are about five weeks remaining in the legislative session. This is a particularly busy week; today is the final deadline for bills to pass out of most legislative committees, after which those committees will largely cease to meet. In the meantime, the big issues discussed in my newsletters from February and March — from making life more affordable for Minnesotans, to gun violence prevention and much more — continue to be on the table. The tied House makes all of this very challenging; I'm sorry to report that nearly every House Republican recently voted to adjourn the session early. My DFL colleagues and I successfully opposed this; we'll keep working toward outcomes this session that help Minnesotans live a better life.
In the meantime, a note that we've reached capacity for the Senate District 64 town hall on Sunday. Rep. Luger-Nikolai, Leader Murphy, and I are grateful for all of the interest but unfortunately have had to close registration. Please know that I'm available to connect with constituents via email or phone or in person; don't hesitate to reach out.
Economic Support in Response to Operation Metro Surge
As discussed in my February newsletter, I dedicated the first hearing of the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee (which I cochair) to presentations on the devastation to Minnesota's economy and workforce resulting from the unconstitutional occupation of our state during Operation Metro Surge. Businesses lost revenue, workers lost income, and school attendance dropped as families kept their children home.
Earlier this week, the House Ways and Means Committee held its own hearing on these issues; you can see my final comments to it here.
In response, my House DFL colleagues and I have put together an economic-support package, with funding for affected small businesses, to help them, their employees, their communities, and our state recover. I recently chaired a hearing on the bill; you can read about it here and watch the video here. Helping communities, businesses, and families get back on their feet should be priorities we all share. I’m hopeful we can meet this moment and come through with these vital resources this session.
More on Tackling Fraud
Greedy people have engineered a business model of fraud that’s rising across our economy, and Minnesota state government hasn’t been immune as a target. Every dollar that ends up in the hands of a fraudster is a dollar that should be helping Minnesotans access child care, health care, housing, or other support to overcome difficulties.
This session DFLers have brought forward a robust agenda – building on our work from previous sessions – to strengthen oversight, improve integrity in public programs, and hold bad actors accountable. In my February newsletter, I provided a brief description of and link to this agenda. Some of its key components include investments in modernizing IT systems in our human services programs (many rely on 1980s technology), expanding the authority for state agencies to pause payments when there are credible allegations of fraud, and improving screening on the front end. We’re also working to boost resources for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. It’s a highly valuable office – one of the most effective of its kind in the country – that conducts investigations and can help recover taxpayer dollars.
One area that received the spotlight in a committee hearing this week is charter school reform. The Star Tribune published a series of stories in 2024 outlining self-dealing, misuse of funds, lack of transparency in contracts, misleading financial reporting, and more. Last year, lawmakers expanded transparency requirements, tightened financial and governance rules, and enhanced enforcement authority. However, this issue still needs more attention in Saint Paul.
There’s momentum building to deliver meaningful reforms to address fraud before the end of the session. Getting them across the finish line will require bipartisan cooperation and a true commitment; simply using fraud as a political talking point won’t get us there. I had the opportunity to speak with KARE 11 about this topic this week.
Constituent Survey — Please Share Your Thoughts!
As we approach the end of the legislative session, my DFL colleagues and I are also looking to the future. What issues matter most to you and your family? What challenges are you facing, and what’s going well? What priorities do you want to see lawmakers take on?
Please take a few minutes to complete our 2026 Constituent Survey. Your voice plays an important role in our work to improve the lives of Minnesotans. I appreciate your input and insight!
Thank you for the honor of serving our community,
 | | State Representative Dave Pinto (he/him)
Co-chair, Workforce, Labor, & Economic Development Finance & Policy Committee
DFL Lead, Fraud Prevention & Agency Oversight Committee
rep.dave.pinto@house.mn.gov
(651) 296-4199
#EverybodyIn |
Legislative website: www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
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