Greetings,
Over the past few years, Minnesota’s taxpayers have lost more than $1 billion due to fraudulent activity in numerous state government programs. This week, House Republicans unveiled a series of proposals designed to stop this behavior.
ENDING FRAUD IN STATE GOVERNMENT
Highlights of the proposals include:
- Establishing a centralized Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud
- Mandating fraud reporting for state agencies
- Equipping agencies with tools to identify and prevent fraudulent activity
- Provide lawmakers with an evaluation of potential fraud risks before enacting any new program or policies.
- Ensuring fraud prevention recommendations issued by the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor are being implemented by impacted agencies.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD
We’re nearly two weeks into session, and House Democrats have chosen not to come to work.
After the election, it appeared that Minnesota House would have a 67-67 GOP/DFL split. However, improprieties were found in a pair of races. Near Shakopee, 20 ballots were lost while the Democrat candidate had a 14-vote margin of victory, and litigation regarding a new election was brought forward. In a race in Roseville, a court found that the winning DFL candidate violated state law by not living in the district, leading to his choice not to be seated. A special election has now been called for March.
This means House Republicans have an operational majority of 67, while Democrats have 65 or 66. Democrats have since chosen not to participate in the legislative process as they seek to have equal power, even though fraud was discovered.
A special election has now been called in March for the Roseville seat, but in a budget-setting year, we can’t wait potentially six weeks to see how that election turns out. Republicans are operating as a majority, introducing bills, holding hearings, setting an agenda, and doing the work that the people of Minnesota elected them to do.
BENTON COUNTY RESOLUTION: GET TO WORK
Benton County is represented by three House members: Representatives Schultz, Wolgamott, and me. Representative Schultz and I have been in St. Paul every day since session began. Representative Wolgamott is part of the Democrat boycott.
In a unanimous vote this week, the Benton County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution calling on Wolgamott and his Democratic colleagues to show up at the Capitol and fulfill their responsibilities. Learn more by clicking here.
With the February fiscal forecast on the horizon, it’s important for Democrats to return to St. Paul and work with Republicans to take care of the business of the people.
DISRUPTING WORK AT THE CAPITOL
This week, a number of people wearing face masks, face coverings and carrying bull horns attempted to overtake a House public safety committee hearing and disrupt the legislative process. Any behavior like this cannot be tolerated. To watch the disturbance, click here, but be aware there is a lot of vulgar language.
MARCH FOR LIFE
This week, I joined Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth and Representative Bernie Perryman for the annual March for Life event at the Capitol.
It’s always good to see the residents from central Minnesota and around the state who travel to St. Paul who support the rights of the unborn.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn.gov. or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Have a good weekend,
Tim