LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTSFEDERAL DATA SHOWS MASSIVE JUMP IN SNAP ISSUANCE IN MINNESOTA With no end in sight to the federal government shutdown, those who utilize the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now seeing their benefits disappear. A recent alarming analysis of federal SNAP data has found that Minnesota usage skyrocketed over the past few years. Fiscal Year 2023 SNAP data, which is the most recent federal information available, shows that more than $1.5 billion was spent on SNAP benefits in Minnesota, tripling the amount that was spent just four years earlier. No one wants people who truly need assistance to go hungry. But we also cannot turn a blind eye to potentially massive fraud happening through the SNAP program. Most notable, the data shows Minnesota with a 174% jump in SNAP issuance over a one-year period in fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Granted, this happened during the year of Covid, however no other state has seen anything close to an increase like this. When the Trump administration began its tenure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) told every state to share its SNAP data with the federal government. The goal was to ensure that struggling American families were receiving these benefits and not illegal aliens. While 29 states shared their data, 21 did not, including Minnesota. According to the USDA, massive fraud has already been uncovered in the states that cooperated with the request. Meanwhile in Minnesota, We have become accustomed to new government fraud schemes being uncovered almost weekly, with billions of dollars already stolen from the taxpayers under Governor Walz’s watch. The 174% jump in SNAP issuance in Minnesota from FY 2020-21 more than doubled the state that saw the second highest increase during that time span (Wisconsin) at 77%. Most people will recognize this is not normal growth and therefore must be treated as a huge red flag. When you increase a program expense by more than $1 billion in four years, especially in this state, it just reeks of another potential undiscovered fraud. It’s time to investigate why SNAP issuances rose so dramatically and where the funds are going. Only eligible Minnesotans should be given this aid. If we don’t take this seriously, the people who will suffer are the ones who need this assistance. To learn more, read the USDA SNAP State Activity Reports at https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/snap-state-activity-reports: FY-2021, page 42, Table 29, and FY-2023, page 41, Table 29. I was also featured in a story by Alpha News on the SNAP increases. Click here to learn more. NO FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILTY IN GOVERNOR’S OFFICE This week, the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) found “widespread financial mismanagement” within the offices of Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. The OLA independent review found 12 instances of fiscal malfeasance, including not properly handling receipts, not accurately overseeing employee timesheet completion and approval, and making several late, and sometimes inaccurate, payments to vendors. But rest easy folks! Governor Walz is now taking this very seriously and promises things will be cleaned up! You’ll recall he’s running for re-election next fall. It’s clear Governor Walz is uninterested in keeping his own financial house in order, so who among us is surprised that billions of dollars have been swindled from taxpayers while he’s held office? MINNESOTA’S HOUSING STABILIZATION PROGRAM ENDS Following a discovery of widespread fraud, Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services program ended on October 31. It was supposed to help seniors and people with disabilities secure housing. Click here to read a Fox 9 story. With that program now shuttered, Governor Walz has also called for a third party audit of billing for 14 Medicaid services that were deemed high risk. This week, KARE 11 also unveiled a story about a company billing Medicaid for a client it never met. Learn more here. We literally cannot go a week without talking about a new fraud story in this state. HAPPY VETERANS DAY! On Friday, I attended an early Veterans Day event in Red Wing, and was able to meet Don Rolfs, one of the only two known World War II veterans who are living in the city.  We owe so much to all of our veterans! As Veterans Day approaches this Tuesday, please join me in thanking them for their service and sacrifice. |