Dear Neighbor,
Before we get down to official business, I want to say it has been a pleasure seeing so many local residents out and about attending various summertime events in our district. Summers are short in Minnesota, and our rainy start this year is making it feel even shorter, but people are doing all they can to take advantage of the nice weather while we have it.
As for my latest notes from the House:
New laws
A number of changes in state law took effect this month, including some controversial measures. For example, the cost of many deliveries went up as that part of the majority’s nearly $10 billion in new taxes and fees (despite an $18 billion surplus) became law July 1. The legalization of cannabis and many other changes in law also occurred. You can learn more about these laws and other changes here.
Right to peaceful assembly
The right to peacefully assemble is fundamental in our country and has surfaced as a major point of discussion among people in our area and beyond in the wake of last weekend’s assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This horrific act of violence is rightfully being condemned across the political spectrum. I hope this horrific tragedy brings us together as unified Americans defending our ability to safely attend political events of our choosing.
Reports of fraud continue
From Feeding our Future to frontline worker pay, autism centers and beyond, investigations into reported fraud on taxpayers continue arising in Minnesota.
Recently, news broke that the FBI is investigating Minnesota autism centers for possible Medicaid fraud. Reports show the number of providers has increased 700% in the last five years, and payments to those providers has exploded by 3000%. Sources who administer Medical Assistance see widespread concern about fraud in the program.
Previously, 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. At the height of Feeding our Future's fraud, they claimed to serve 12 million meals in a month - enough to feed every child in the state more than eight meals. This is government malpractice, and the administration needs to be held accountable for the millions that they've given away to fraudsters.
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.
House Republicans raised concerns about how the frontline worker program would function and offered amendments, which the majority voted down, to make it easier to prevent and prosecute fraud. Those concerns have been shown to be correct. This blatant acceptance of fraud is shameful, and directly led to legitimate frontline workers receiving lower payments. The Walz administration, by ignoring fraudsters and tacitly condoning fraud, has cost frontline workers real money and should be held accountable.
Taxpayers deserve accountability and responsibility from their elected officials instead of state leaders turning a blind eye, offering excuses, and failing to hold program administrators accountable. This underscores, once again, how important it is to restore balance at the Capitol so we can do more to protect taxpayers from fraud.
60-day rule
The end of this week brings us to 60 days past the end of the 2024 legislative session, at which point House members are prohibited from sending e-newsletters such as this until after the November election. I will continue working my hardest to represent the people of our district during this blackout period and remain available to help as needed. As always, I welcome your individual correspondence and thoughts/concerns on whatever issues are most important to you.
Please stay in touch and I hope to see you around at local community events the rest of this summer!
Sincerely,
Lisa