February 27, 2026 Top Priority: Lowering TaxesFriends and Neighbors, Minnesota's February Budget and Economic Forecast was just released, which provides the financial picture that guides the decision-making at the State Capitol. The forecast projects a large budget surplus in the short term and a stable budgetary outlook for the state, with a record-setting amount of money in the budget reserves. Now is the time to cut our taxes. This week at the State Capitol, I continued to advocate for across-the-board tax cuts for Minnesotans. From income and property taxes, to car tabs, boat fees, and Social Security, Minnesotans are consistently overtaxed and deserve relief—especially when you consider how much of our money is squandered on fraud, waste, and abuse.  DFL Attempts To Gut OIG BillIn our ongoing effort to protect your money, Republicans fought to pass common-sense reforms that will safeguard the public against future fraud in Minnesota. One of the primary reasons our state's fraud epidemic was allowed to fester for so long is that Minnesota's executive branch has been far too lenient on program integrity principles and has not stopped payment to convicted fraudsters across the state government. Legislators across all parties have realized that this is a problem and have been working over the past year to put together a bipartisan bill that will establish an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG). This office would be independent from the governor, while still carrying law enforcement authority. However, despite passing the Senate 60–7 with encouraging bipartisan support, Governor Walz has been working alongside House Democrats to gut the OIG bill in an attempt to once again remove the independence of this office. This recent 180 from Democrats has been extremely frustrating for House Republicans; it is a total capitulation to Governor Walz, who is presumably afraid of what an independent authority will uncover regarding his own role in ignoring, or perhaps even facilitating, the fraud. Minnesotans deserve an apolitical OIG that is not beholden to the political expediency of whoever happens to hold the Governor’s Office in any given year. Walz Appoints Incompetent to Lead DHSAdding insult to injury, Governor Walz just appointed Shireen Gandhi as permanent commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. In an attempt to underplay the magnitude of the fraud that has taken place under their leadership, DHS administrators have recently been caught forging evidence and targeting whistleblowers who have attempted to bring accountability. Her appointment is a blatant example of failing upwards, as Gandhi has held a key role in the administration, while Minnesota has experienced this nation-leading fraud crisis. |