Dear Neighbor,
Greetings from the House. Hope you had a great Independence Day weekend and have been able to get out and attend local events this summer. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time talking with District 11A residents to hear what’s on their mind and keep my finger on the pulse of what local people have to say about the issues.
Here’s the latest from St. Paul:
Fraud, fraud and more fraud
Minnesota autism centers are now being investigated for possible Medicaid fraud. Reports show that the number of providers has increased 700% in the last five years, and payments to those providers has exploded by 3,000%. Sources who administer Medical Assistance see widespread concern about fraud in the program.
This is just the latest in a series of fraud cases that have arisen in Minnesota, with taxpayers taking the hit each time. I mentioned in a previous email the Minnesota Legislative Auditor issued a pair of reports indicating failed oversight by Walz’s led to hundreds of millions of tax dollars being lost to fraud.
Last month, the OLA reported lax administration created opportunities for an estimated $250 million in taxpayer revenue to be the subject of fraud in the Feeding our Future program. That news came just after the OLA reported it found frontline worker payments were made to people who were not eligible or whose eligibility could not be determined. This included fraudulent duplicate applications including many from people who were deceased long before this program opened. In addition, the Department of Revenue did not verify all applicants met the adjusted gross income requirements.
As I continue to say, we need to restore balance at the Capitol so we can put an end to this recklessness we have experienced in recent years. The lack of accountability under the current one-party control is seriously damaging taxpayers in our state.
Award for housing efforts
It is an honor to be recognized as a 2024 Housing Leader by Housing First Minnesota for my work promoting housing affordability and homeownership. I'm grateful to receive this award because we need to do all we can to ensure Minnesotans are able to use the most efficient, affordable and reliable energy in their homes and keep home prices down.
New laws (and higher taxes/fees)
The cost of some deliveries increased as of July 1 as part of the Democrats’ nearly 10 billion in new taxes and fees took effect. This new delivery tax/fee was enacted last year and applies to most purchases over $100, including essentials such as diapers, clothing, pet, office supplies, and other household items. This tax is expected to cost Minnesotans $189 million and is just one of several new or increased taxes and fees the party in control approved this biennium despite an $18 billion surplus.
Some other changes in law include:
Adult-use cannabis legalized, and prior low-level cannabis convictions expunged
Adults aged 21 or older can possess or publicly transport 2 ounces of adult-use cannabis flower, and up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrates. Adults can also possess up to 2 pounds of adult-use cannabis flower in their home. Criminal records of Minnesotans with petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor cannabis convictions are being expunged.
Universal Background Checks
Private transfers of pistols and semiautomatic weapons without a firearms eligibility background check are now prohibited. A gun purchaser is required to apply for a permit to carry first. Private transfers must complete a record of transfer which includes detailed information about the weapon and individuals involved.
One big concern about this law is that it puts restrictions on law-abiding gun owners because criminals are unlikely to complete background checks. On the other hand, I support stiffening penalties for straw purchases, where someone transfers a firearm to a person who is ineligible to possess one. A new state law increases penalties for those acting as straw purchasers of firearms from a gross misdemeanor to a felony.
Increased penalties for catalytic converter thefts
The new law prohibits the possession of a detached catalytic converter with a few narrow exceptions and provides that individuals found with illegally acquired detached catalytic converters could be charged with up to a felony.
New labor trafficking law
A new law creates a new crime of labor trafficking that results in death with a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $40,000 fine. It also creates enhanced penalties for labor trafficking a person over an extended period or when a labor trafficking victim suffers great bodily harm because of the trafficking. This crime could be punished by up to 20 years in prison and a $40,000 fine if the victim is under age 18, labor trafficking occurs over an extended period, or the victim suffers great bodily harm, and the harm was proximately caused by the labor trafficking conduct of the offender.
You can learn more about these laws and other changes here.
Until next time, please stay in touch and let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Jeff