Interim Update Dear friends and neighbors, Now that the legislative session has officially wrapped up, it is so great to be back in the community, hearing from my neighbors across the district. While St. Paul may be out of session, the work certainly doesn’t stop. The interim gives me the chance to get back home full time and spend more time where it matters most: meeting with the people I represent. Over the coming months, I’ll be visiting schools, small businesses, health care facilities, farms, and community organizations throughout the district to hear directly from residents about what’s working, what’s not, and where we need to focus next. I’ll also be attending local events, tours, and meetings across northern Minnesota—because the best policy ideas usually don’t come from a committee room, they come from conversations around kitchen tables, in local shops, and at community gatherings. As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you in St. Paul. I’m looking forward to a busy summer back in the district and continuing to bring your voices to the Capitol. From the Capitol to the Course After sprinting through another legislative session, I figured the only logical next step was… running 26.2 miles through the rain in Vermont. Recently, my son John, his friend Zane, and I had the opportunity to run the Vermont Marathon together, and despite the on-and-off rain showers, it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Then again, that’s springtime in Vermont for you: beautiful scenery, crisp air, and just enough rain to make you question your life choices around mile 20. Truthfully, after this session at the Capitol, I realized marathons and politics have a lot in common: endurance, persistence, questionable sleep schedules, and occasionally wondering whose idea this all was in the first place. The good news? We made it to the finish line. God willing, I have 19 marathons left to go as we continue our challenge to run a marathon in every single U.S. state. One legislature and one finish line at a time!  Major Federal Fraud Crackdown Unveiled in MinnesotaLast week, federal officials unveiled a major enforcement action targeting widespread fraud across Minnesota’s Medicaid and social service programs. The announcement came during a high-profile press conference in Minneapolis featuring U.S. Department of Justice leadership alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Vice President JD Vance. Officials said prosecutors have filed charges against 15 individuals tied to multiple schemes that allegedly siphoned roughly $90 million from seven state-run programs. The cases span services intended for people with disabilities, autism care, housing support, and other public assistance programs. According to federal prosecutors, the fraud involved billing for services that were never delivered, with funds instead used for real estate purchases, luxury goods, and other personal expenses. In one instance, investigators said a program meant to provide round-the-clock care was billed despite no services being provided, resulting in a patient’s death. Authorities described the activity as part of a broader pattern of exploitation of public benefit systems, including a sharp escalation in costs tied to autism-related services and housing stabilization programs before several were shut down or scaled back. Federal officials also highlighted the speed of the investigation and filings as unusually rapid, crediting a newly expanded national fraud enforcement effort. The administration framed the crackdown as part of a wider push to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse in federal healthcare spending, with additional enforcement actions expected in other states. From Plans to Progress One of the absolute BEST parts of this job is getting to see the projects we fight for actually come to fruition. One of the most impactful parts of each legislative year is the bonding tour, where legislators from both sides of the aisle travel through districts across Minnesota to see project proposals firsthand. It’s one thing to read about a need on paper, but it’s another thing entirely to visit a community, meet the people affected, and gain an understanding as to why these projects are so critical. During one of my runs last week, I found myself reflecting on all the incredible improvements we’ve worked on for our district over the years—and honestly, there’s nothing better than seeing those investments making a real difference in real time. Roads improving. Communities growing. Local projects finally moving from “someday” to “underway.” From plans on paper to progress you can actually see… that’s the good stuff. You can click on the photo above or click [HERE] to watch my tour of many of the projects the Legislature has worked on throughout our district! Let's Stay Connected! If you ever have questions, concerns, ideas, or even a strongly held opinion about Minnesota road construction season, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me anytime at 651.296.5091 or by email at rep.steve.gander@house.mn.gov—whether it’s a big issue, a small concern, or just something you think I should know about. And if you see me out and about this summer, please come say hello! Whether it’s at a parade, ballgame, community event, local coffee shop, or somewhere between mile 18 and 19 of a marathon training run, I’m always happy to visit with folks from the district. After all, serving northern Minnesota is a whole lot more meaningful when you actually get to know the people who make it such a special place. All my best, —Steve Gander |