Stopping The Fraud - The Backer Tracker
Dear friends and neighbors,
It’s been a busy week at the Capitol with just two weeks left in session.
I’m proud to report real progress on one of the House Republicans’ top six priorities: stopping fraud. These reforms aim to protect taxpayer dollars, bring greater transparency to government, and hold bad actors accountable. Here's a snapshot of what’s included across key committees:
Agriculture
- Ends pass-through grants—funds must go directly from donor to recipient through the AGRI Works and Supports Program.
Public Safety & Veterans
- Allows the MN Dept. of Veterans Affairs to use the MAXXIS database to verify eligibility—helping crack down on fraudulent benefit claims.
Commerce
- Adds staff to the securities unit to better detect and prevent investment fraud.
Education
- Stops payments to nonprofits that fail to file timely tax reports.
- Expands the Office of Inspector General’s access to participant data.
- Protects state employees who report fraud or waste in good faith.
Transportation
- Requires comprehensive criminal background checks for car dealer license applicants—no more 10-year limit or in-state-only checks.
State Government
- Requires all agencies to post organizational charts online.
- Mandates reporting of grant violations to the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA).
- Strengthens whistleblower protections for state employees.
Oversight Legislation (HF3, HF1754, HF1867)
- Adds special investigators to the OLA.
- Requires agencies to implement and report on internal controls.
- Demands data on unfilled job postings open longer than six months.
- Enforces internal audit recommendations at the Minnesota Lottery.
- Eliminates gainsharing.
Business Filing & Lottery Fraud
- Penalizes late business license renewals.
- Updates Medical Assistance fraud enforcement.
- Sets a six-month fraud lookback window (under review).
- Bars individuals with fraud convictions in any U.S. jurisdiction from holding lottery positions.
- Grants the Attorney General subpoena power to investigate suspected fraud.
Human Services
- Enhances program integrity and enforcement.
- Revokes licenses of individuals under active investigation.
- Imposes stricter penalties for felonies committed on the job.
These reforms send a clear message: Minnesotans deserve accountability, not bureaucracy. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and will keep fighting to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and honestly.
Click here to watch my weekly video below.
Happy Teacher Appreciation week to all the amazing teachers out there! We appreciate everything you all do! Click here to watch the message below.
Happy Nurse Appreciation Week! Thank you for all you do and caring for people during their most vulnerable state. We appreciate you! Click here to watch the message below.
Wishing a heartfelt Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms out there—especially to my own mother and my amazing wife. Moms are the backbone of the family, and where the family goes, the nation follows. Thank you for your love, sacrifice, and the countless ways you invest in your children and support others too. Have a wonderful mother's day!
Click here to watch the message below.
Visitors
I met with the Ashby Public School at the Capitol. It’s always wonderful to see the students!
Lastly, happy fishing opener! I hope everyone enjoys getting back out on the water for the season. Best of luck!
Staying in Touch
Please be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. You can contact me by phone at either 701-361-1909 (cell) or 651-296-4929 (desk). I can also be reached via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn. I also encourage you to follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/repjeffbacker.
Have a good day,
Jeff