Legislative Update Dear friends and neighbors, Happy May! I want to start off this week’s newsletter with some exciting news. Earlier this month, my colleagues Rep. Bidal Duran (R-Bemidji), Rep. John Koznick (R-Lakeville), and I came together to discuss an often overlooke issue: the growing misrepresentation of the Hispanic community in Minnesota. Too often, our Hispanic community is treated as a single, uniform voting bloc rather than what it truly is—a diverse group with a wide range of perspectives and values. We recognized the need for stronger, more thoughtful representation, and we are excited to advocate for the needs of Hispanic communities across our entire state. The Minnesota Latino Caucus will be particularly focused on affordability initiatives, ensuring that our state can remain a place where businesses can thrive and families can establish themselves. Millions of Latinos have come to America to escape the economic hardship caused by left-wing policies in their countries of origin, and do not want to see the same situation replicated here. We want Latino families, and all Minnesotans who need relief from rising costs and increasing regulations those tired of inefficient government riddled with waste and fraud—to know that they have Latino legislators and House Republicans to support them and champion the promise and vision of the American Dream. We know and understand Latinos in Minnesota live across all parts of the state: from Mankato to Minneapolis, Worthington and Willmar to West St. Paul, St. Cloud to Shakopee, and beyond. We do not take you for granted. We will continue to advocate on your behalf and compete for your votes. We are proud and grateful to be Americans and to be Minnesotans. We represent faith, family, hard work, and patriotism. These are the inherently conservative values ingrained in our Latino roots, and we welcome you to join us in our movement.  Following the Money, Protecting Minnesotans: Holding Fraud AccountableYou 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. The “Take It Back Act”: Turning the Tables on Fraudsters This week, we introduced House File 4950—a great piece of legislation that I am proud to be a co-author on. Here’s the bottom line: if you steal from Minnesota taxpayers, you should pay it all back… and then some! The “Take It Back Act” does exactly that. It establishes a 100% tax on money obtained through fraud, specifically targeting individuals and organizations who have been convicted of stealing from the system. And let me be very clear—this is not a replacement for restitution. This tax is applied in addition to the court-ordered restitution that fraudsters are already required to pay. Why does that matter? Because Minnesota has been hit far too hard by fraud in recent years. Time and time again, we’ve seen bad actors exploit the system, walk away with millions, and leave taxpayers footing the bill. Enough is enough. This bill is about going on offense. It’s about real accountability. It’s about creating a strong deterrent so that anyone thinking about gaming the system knows there will be serious consequences. Most importantly, it’s about doing everything we can to recover stolen dollars and return them to the people of Minnesota. We’re drawing a line in the sand—and making it clear that if you take from taxpayers, Minnesota will take it back. 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 651.296.8634 or email at rep.erica.schwartz@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 Erica Schwartz |