Hello from the State Capitol,
While many committees have finished their work for the year, as their budget proposals are in the process of being approved on the House floor, there are some where hearings continue. This includes capital investment, where I served as chair at a recent hearing.
More budget bills are expected to come forward on the House floor next week.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON DISCUSSES FEEDING OUR FUTURE SCANDAL BEFORE HOUSE FRAUD COMMITTEE
When audio was uncovered recently involving Attorney General Keith Ellison and people who were later found to be associated with the Feeding Our Future debacle, many legislators were stunned.
The leaked tapes found Ellison expressing sympathy for East African businesses under investigation by state agencies. This included individuals later indicted and convicted in the largest fraud case in Minnesota history - Feeding our Future – which cost taxpayers $250 million.
In the audio, Ellison is heard stating he would pressure state agencies on their behalf. The problem: as Attorney General, he represents those same agencies.
This week, Ellison had the opportunity to explain himself to the Minnesota House Fraud committee. During his testimony, serious contradictions emerged between Ellison’s past public statements and the record now available.
In September 2022, Ellison’s office issued a statement claiming it "jumpstarted" the Feeding Our Future investigation and had been “deeply involved for two years.” However, Ellison testified that he had no knowledge of the scandal at the time of a December 2021 meeting with individuals tied to the fraud. Additional audio from June 2021 further suggests Ellison had earlier awareness of issues with Feeding Our Future than he previously acknowledged.
All of this suggests the attorney general appears to be covering up something. This is the biggest fraud scandal we’ve ever seen and now there are questions of whether he is acting in the best interests of the state. Minnesotans deserve better.
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE BILL REQUIRING VIOLENT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE REPORTED TO ICE
A proposal aimed at enhancing cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities who deal with violent illegal immigrants was voted down in the Minnesota House. It received no support from Democratic lawmakers.
The measure would have required local police to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when an undocumented immigrant is arrested for a violent crime.
The proposal was inspired by the federal Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention of undocumented immigrants who admit to, are charged with, or are convicted of certain crimes, including theft-related offenses, assaulting law enforcement officers, or causing serious bodily harm or death.
The House bill specifically called for ICE notification in cases involving serious offenses such as murder, assault, carjacking, and kidnapping. It also sought to prevent local jurisdictions from enacting sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
This is yet another example where the Democrats are prioritizing criminals. The bill failed on a 67-67 tie vote, with all Republicans supporting the measure.
LOCAL VISITORS
This week I was able to meet with a group from the Coalition of Asian American Leaders at the State Capitol.
Senator Weber and I also were able to see students from Trimont.
