Legislative UpdateFriends and Neighbors, Next week marks the first committee deadline at the Capitol, and we’re working hard to make sure all the important legislative work is completed on time. The task would have been less difficult and challenging if Democrats had shown up on day one, instead of skipping the first several weeks of session. My fellow Republicans and I rolled up our sleeves and got to work—because Minnesotans shouldn’t accept and can’t afford delays with so much at stake. Despite the slow start, we’re making steady progress. We’re advancing good bills that prioritize transparency, accountability, and smarter government. And with a $6 billion budget deficit looming my team and I are already preparing for critical budget negotiations that will shape the future of our state. Holding Government AccountableOne of my top priorities at the Capitol is ensuring that government agencies remain transparent and accountable to the people of Minnesota. That’s why I’ve introduced HF 1240, a bill to strengthen the oversight powers of the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA). In recent years, we’ve seen agencies delay or "lose" important documents when facing audits—sometimes handing over materials only after they've been passed through multiple offices, raising serious concerns about whether records were altered or sanitized. HF 1240 ensures that agencies must promptly and fully cooperate with the OLA. Transparency shouldn't be optional. Minnesotans deserve to know how their tax dollars are being managed. Reporting Public Fraud to Law EnforcementAnother important measure I’m carrying this session is HF 1239, which requires that suspected misuse of public funds—like theft or embezzlement—be reported to law enforcement. It also ensures that the Legislative Auditor is notified, unless doing so would interfere with an active investigation. This bill closes a dangerous loophole. Taxpayer dollars must be protected, and when public money is misused, it should be treated like the crime it is. This is about creating real consequences for fraud and restoring public trust in our institutions. In addition to this bill, my colleagues on the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee launched a new fraud reporting platform. This allows all Minnesotans who have experienced fraud or misuse in their interactions with the government to report the fraud they see to the legislators on the committee, who can then dig deeper and investigate these concerns. If you have experienced something like this, consider sharing your story at MNFraud.com. Celebrating Champions – Dodge County Girls HockeyLastly, I want to give a big shoutout to the Dodge County Girls Hockey Team for bringing home the 2025 Class A Girls Hockey State Championship! These student-athletes showed tremendous heart, grit, and teamwork all season long—and it paid off in the biggest way. We were thrilled to welcome the team to the Capitol this week, where they toured the building, met with legislators, and even stood at the Speaker’s rostrum on the House Floor for a group photo. It was an honor to celebrate their success and represent our community during such a proud moment.  Thanks for reading and staying engaged. As always, feel free to reach out with your thoughts or if I can be of help in any way. Have a good weekend! |