Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.  WHAT'S NEW?  FRAUD FLOODGATES OPEN The number of lawsuits and open investigations into Minnesota fraud cases is staggering. And now, the federal government is getting involved, as three federal agencies launched investigations into Minnesota. Even some in the national media are finally paying attention! LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTSHere are some of the latest stories from “another day, another fraud” in Minnesota: Trump administration to withhold some SNAP funding until Minnesota turns over data. Read the article here. Minnesota's 'illegal’ CDL licenses risk federal funding. This news found one-third of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) in the state were issued invalidly, putting $30.4 million in federal highway funding at risk. Click here for more. Your tax dollars used to help fund al-Qaida-linked Islamic terror group Al-Shabaab? Here's the story that broke that news. Now, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called for an investigation. Federal probe targets alleged Minnesota Somali fraud ‘network.’ The Small Business Administration is investigating a network of Somali groups in Minnesota that it says is tied to a massive COVID fraud scandal highlighting alleged systemic failures by Gov. Tim Walz’s team to properly audit public funds. Click here for more. “Tim Walz is 100% responsible for massive fraud in Minnesota.” This post made by Minnesota state employees set social media on fire this week. It’s worth your time if you haven’t read it yet. How Fraud Swamped Minnesota’s Social Services System on Tim Walz’s Watch This is the New York Times article that gave even more national attention to our fraud problems. Federal Oversight Committee to investigate Minnesota fraud. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer announced Wednesday an investigation has been launched into “widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social programs under Governor Tim Walz’s watch.” Learn more here. The fraud that has been allowed to take place on Governor Walz’s watch is embarrassing and unacceptable. I am so glad the federal government is getting involved. Maybe federal officials will actually take it seriously and do something about it. POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES IN NEW STATE BUDGET FORECAST For the remainder of the state’s current budget cycle, economic experts now project a $2.465 billion surplus. Unfortunately, for the next budget cycle in 2028-29, Minnesota is expected to deal with a nearly $3 billion deficit. You can thank Governor Walz and a Democrat-led legislature for this. Thanks to their decisions two years ago to spend a nearly $19 billion budget surplus and increase government spending by nearly 40%, our state’s expenses are massively outpacing our expected incoming revenue. In 2028 and 2029, we’re projected to spend $5.4 billion more than we collect in taxes. Over four years, spending is nearly $9.5 BILLION more than revenue. If we hadn’t cut spending last year, the deficit would have been nearly 50% higher. And the fraud! If Democrats had taken it seriously instead of dismissing concerns and ignoring massive overruns, that deficit would be less than a third of what it is now. Minnesota spends too much and gives away too much. That is the bottom line, and the legislature needs to do something about it next session. LOCAL VISITS I enjoyed attending the Women in Business, Minnesota Legislative Luncheon this week.  The keynote speaker, Jody Sizer, spoke eloquently of her family-owned business, IDC out of Coon Rapids. It began in 1974 with her father's ingenuity. Jody beamed with pride and described the great lengths to which their company cares for their employees. Yet, Jody described the greatest struggle for them to keep their company open in Minnesota is the Minnesota legislature. The last few years under Democrat control has made Minnesota an unfriendly state for small business owners. IDC is unique, as they also have locations in Ohio and Arizona. From her own lived experience, Jody told the women that these other states are more forward thinking and support economic growth, whereas the State of Minnesota has increasingly made it difficult to survive here. With Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) starting Jan. 1st, 2026, I am hearing from many in our district who are concerned about the unknown of how they are going to effectively implement this program. Next week, I am very excited to visit a couple of schools in our district! Please follow me on social media on the links below (I am most active on X) and reach out if there is anything I can do to help you! All my best! FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER - YOUTUBE - RUMBLEYou can help Minnesota by TALKING to others and SHARING conservative messages on your social media! Follow me on Twitter, Youtube, and Rumble. PLEASE CONTACT MEIt’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you! |