Legislative Update Dear friends and neighbors, Happy May! It has been another busy week here at the Capitol! We have just 15 days left until we adjourn sine die, and things are not slowing down anytime soon! I want to start off this week’s newsletter with a major fraud update. You may have seen in this week's headlines that on Tuesday, the FBI executed 22 court-approved search warrants tied to Medicaid fraud investigations, primarily targeting child care and daycare operations in the Twin Cities. In several cases, the same individuals were billing across multiple programs and bringing in millions of dollars in improper payments. Under the current system, this did not raise enough red flags for state officials—and that should be a big concern for all Minnesotans. You can read more on the story here. While I’m grateful for federal action, it’s very clear that we need stronger accountability measures here at home. We cannot rely solely on the federal government to step in after the fact. Minnesota needs systems that catch fraud early, stop it quickly, and protect taxpayers from the start. That’s why House Republicans have proposed practical solutions, including the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General with real investigatory and enforcement authority. This isn’t about adding bureaucracy for the sake of it—it’s about making sure fraud is prevented, detected, and prosecuted before it grows into millions of your hard-earned dollars lost. We are going to continue to shine a light on where your tax dollars are going and demand better safeguards for Minnesotans. I also want to take a moment to speak directly to the many honest, hardworking in-home daycare providers across our state. You are the ones opening your doors early in the morning, caring for our kids, supporting working families, and pouring your hearts into what you do; day in and day out. And I know that in moments like this, when investigations make headlines and regulations tighten, it can feel like the weight of it all falls on your shoulders. That’s not right. You should never be the ones carrying the burden for the actions of bad actors. You are not the problem; you are part of the solution. You are the backbone of care for so many Minnesota families, and you deserve to be treated with the respect that comes with that responsibility. Please know this: we see you, we value you, and we appreciate you more than words can describe. And we are committed to getting this right—holding fraudsters accountable, strengthening oversight where it’s needed, and making sure that those who are doing things the right way are supported, not cast aside. We owe you that, and we will continue working tirelessly until we deliver. Stronger Marriages, Stronger Minnesota One of this week's highlights was the unanimous passage of House File 4595 off the House floor on Monday—a bill I am proud to co-author. This bill is about strengthening families by strengthening support systems for couples. It helps improve access to professional guidance, ensures couples have a confidential space to work through challenges, and gives them a stronger voice when navigating some of life’s most difficult seasons. Because the reality is simple: when couples are supported, marriages are stronger; and when marriages are stronger, families are stronger. And that ripple effect is felt in every corner of our communities across Minnesota. I want to sincerely thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for recognizing the importance of this effort and coming together in support of this legislation. It’s encouraging to see unanimous agreement on something that goes directly to the heart of family stability. Next stop: the Senate. We’ll keep pushing this forward! Big Wins for Ridgewater Students—Next Stop: Nationals! I absolutely love getting to share news like this—because wow, these students deserve it! Fourteen incredibly talented students from Ridgewater College recently competed in the Minnesota SkillsUSA competitions, and they showed up in a BIG way. These are hands-on, real-world competitions that put students’ skills to the test—And here’s the exciting part… we have national qualifiers! A huge congratulations to Jackson Owens of Spicer, who took home gold in individual welding, and to the powerhouse team of Justin Deinken (Morton), Bradee Dwinell (Waconia), and Katheryne Noll (Norwood Young America), who earned gold in Welding Fabrication. They’re officially headed to Atlanta this June to represent Minnesota on the national stage! How cool is that?! These students mastered complex welding techniques, tackled intense, time-limited challenges, and proved they have the skills, focus, and determination to stand out at the highest level. I also want to give a big shoutout to the many Ridgewater students who earned silver, bronze, and top placements across multiple categories. From welding to automotive technology to creative projects, this group is packed with talent. This is exactly what Career and Technical Education is all about—real skills, real opportunities, and bright futures right here in Minnesota. To all of these students: we are so proud of you! Keep pushing, keep building, and good luck at nationals, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way  Standing With Our Firefighters: Real Conversations, Real Solutions It was so great catching up with my longtime friend and dedicated civil servant, Dale Grochow of the Dassel Fire Department, during Fire Service Day at the Capitol! We had a great conversation about protecting firefighter pensions, clarifying eligibility for line of duty death benefits, clarifying PFML requirements, opposing single-way-out legislation that threatens the safety of firefighters, among several other important issues. I’m always grateful for the chance to hear directly from those on the front lines. These conversations matter, and I look forward to our continued partnership in advancing policy that better supports the men and women who serve our communities every day. The Final Stretch!As we head into the final two weeks of session, I’ll keep you updated on all the happenings at the Capitol—and you can always reach me by phone at 651.296.6746 or email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov. It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to serve our community. The work isn’t over yet—heading into the last stretch I’m ready to roll up my sleeves, keep pushing, and get it done! Sincerely, —Representative Dawn Gillman |