A Path Forward For MinnesotaDear Northlanders, Martin Luther King Jr. had many powerful quotes, and one in particular feels especially fitting for this moment in time for Minnesota: “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” Human behavior must be intentional, grounded in personal restraint and a willingness to listen and learn from one another. In a world of 24/7 news feeds, 365 days a year, it is easy for any of us to fall into a rabbit hole of anger, fear, worry, and unanswered questions. Often, without having all the facts. Paul Harvey famously said, “And now you know the rest of the story.” When we seek complete information, we are far more likely to find solutions rather than deepen division here in Minnesota. First and foremost, we are Americans and Minnesotans who value family, caring, respect, and friendship. Alongside these shared values is an equally important commitment to personal responsibility and acceptable conduct, especially when we disagree. Without these foundations, chaos can replace civility, and the Minnesota we all cherish is put at risk. The words “United we stand, divided we fall” have never rung truer than they do today. Putting People Above Partisan Politics If we strip away Republican and Democrat labels, what do most Minnesotans truly want for themselves and their families? The feedback I consistently hear from people on both sides of the aisle includes the following: - A job with opportunities to earn a good living and support their family.
- Safe communities where people can walk, dine, bike, visit, work, and live anywhere in our state.
- Communities free from illegal drugs.
- A justice system where repeat violent criminals do not receive sweetheart deals.
- Timely 911 response times for ambulances and law enforcement.
- Accountability systems that clearly distinguish fraudulent actors from honest providers in areas such as childcare, autism services, homecare, non-emergency transportation, feeding children, and housing stabilization, while protecting the providers who are true community anchors.
- Strong pathways into the skilled trades to replace retiring workers and ensure we can continue building homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
- A focus on reducing health care premiums for individuals and families while preserving access to care, especially at critical access hospitals in Greater Minnesota, as well as in suburban and metro areas.
- Policies that strengthen childcare, reduce unnecessary mandates, and expand access. Greater Minnesota has already lost nearly 50% of family childcare providers, with little growth in free-standing centers.
- A zero-tolerance approach to fraud. With an estimated $9 billion in potential fraud within medical assistance programs from 2018 to the present, the state budget is compromised. Without reasonable accounting systems, similar to those required of schools, counties, cities, and businesses, taxpayers will face higher taxes, and vulnerable adults may be put at risk at a time when Minnesota has its largest frail aging population. These dollars must serve people, not fraudsters.
Complex Challenges, Practical Solutions Federal immigration enforcement is complex, but I am hopeful that our state and federal leaders will lead with clarity. No one wants violent criminals (undocumented immigrants or legal citizens) on our streets. At the same time, we must pursue workable solutions that provide secure, effective, and timely work visa pathways to meet documented workforce shortages. I look forward to productive conversations and real solutions at both the state and federal levels. In the meantime, I remain focused on the issues I can directly address as your state representative. Ensuring hospitals remain stable, ambulances arrive when called, and providers who have done everything right are paid in a reasonable timeframe so we can prevent further closures. As always, I encourage you to reach out with your suggestions, frustrations, concerns, and ideas. Just like families, friendships, teams, and life itself, we will not always agree...but we can listen and treat one another with respect. Every generation has faced moments it considered “hard times,” yet Minnesotans have always rallied with hope for the future. That spirit has not changed, even in a world where change is inevitable. Better days ahead, Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar Minnesota State Representative, District 3B DHS Billing ErrorMinnesota Department of Human Services changed a medical assistance billing deadline without notifying home care providers. As a result, about 40% of providers were not paid in December. Many rely almost entirely on state payments to cover payroll. This sudden change has already forced at least one major provider, Heartland Homecare, to close. They served 32 counties for 40+ years. Others across the state are now taking out credit lines just to pay workers. This was not a provider error; this was a state error. When errors are found the right thing to do is fix it and pay the providers immediately. DHS needs to fix this immediately and release the withheld payments so reputable providers can stay open and continue caring for Minnesotans. Click here to read the Star Tribune article that I was quoted in. Community Events Health Care opportunities   Congrats to Proctor students for making a difference.  Congrats to Myra McQuery from Hermantown signing her letter of intent for Lacrosse and academics at St. Ambrose.            Know your tax updates!   Sunday Sanity - Time in nature and no social media or news. A day for faith, family, and friends. |