Dear Friends,
The 2026 legislative session is underway! The Minnesota House officially gaveled in on Tuesday, where we took part in a very moving remembrance for former House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Though I oftentimes disagreed with Speaker Hortman politically, I respected her greatly as a legislator who treated everyone with respect and honored her word. I was happy and touched to see her remembered in this way.
At the beginning of each session, every lawmaker has a priority list that they hope to accomplish in the months ahead. One of the top items on my to-do list is to pass legislation to stop the fraud that is running rampant in our state. A former U.S. attorney estimated it at more than $9 billion. This is a slap in the face to Minnesota taxpayers, not to mention incredibly unfair to the people who truly need help in this state.
Several bills introduced in the House would look to address this issue. One includes the creation of an independent Office of the Inspector General to investigate and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota. This team would operate outside of the Governor’s Office. Other bills yet to come will address state agency employee oversight, as well as faulty program designs that allow fraud to take place. I will provide more information in the future when these bills start to move forward.
A bill that I have been working on over the interim that would strengthen the laws involving sexual grooming in our schools will be introduced this week and likely heard in its first committee next week. This bill would strengthen the laws, along with school employee training, to provide better guardrails to keep our children safe from predatory grooming in schools.
You may recall a WCCO story I shared last fall about a young woman named Hannah LoPresto who had been groomed and then sexually assaulted by her band instructor. I met with Hanna last fall and instantly connected with her because I had a similar experience involving my band teacher when I was in high school. At that time, I committed to working with Hannah and a Twin Cities detective on legislation to create stronger laws around this issue.
No child should have to endure something like this, and especially not in school. It is my sincere hope that we can get these laws strengthened to protect our kids.
You can watch that original story here, as well as a recent update on my bill here. I will keep you informed as the bill progresses.
OUT AND ABOUT
Earlier this week, I spent an evening chatting with Minnesota business owners from throughout the state at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Session Priorities gathering at the River Centre in St. Paul. I learned so much from all these "boots on the ground" people, including this great group chamber members from the city of Waseca, including Rep. Tom Sexton.
Thank you to Tract company president, Graham Williams, and his team who graciously invited me to sit at their table with them for the dinner. I gained a lot of valuable information from them about the construction of data centers and all of these upcoming cutting technologies.
It was also nice to see Dr. Ann Sahr and Dr. Troy Meyer from Albert Lea Chiropractic, who were at the Capitol for Minnesota Chiropractic Day on the Hill.
We had a good chat about legislation that is affecting chiropractic care. Last session chiropractic care was unexplainably cut from Minnesota Medicaid funding. I opposed that unnecessary cut and will continue to work to bring this important medical care back as a choice for vulnerable people who need it.
As session moves along, I’d love to hear what your priorities are. Reach out anytime at 651.296.8216 or atrep.peggy.bennett@house.mn.gov
Have a good weekend,
Peggy