Hello from St. Paul,
In 2029, the Minnesota FFA will commemorate 100 years of fostering leadership, agricultural education, and community service across the state. This milestone provides an opportunity to celebrate and preserve Minnesota’s agricultural heritage, emphasizing its cultural impact and the role of youth leadership in shaping rural communities. I was pleased to present HF1259 before the House Legacy Committee alongside Val Aarsvold and Natasha Mortenson from the Minnesota FFA Foundation.
HF 1259 is a bill that appropriates Legacy dollars for grants to the Minnesota FFA Association. These grants may be used to create new and expanded opportunities for Minnesota FFA members to engage in various arts-related activities. Some of these activities could include the state FFA band and choir, the federal FFA band and choir, and state and federal FFA talent competitions, to name a few. HF 1259 also allows for up to $125K each year to be used to commemorate the upcoming 100-year anniversary of the Minnesota FFA. The Minnesota FFA Foundation would create a history book, a video storytelling series, and an in-person arts-related celebratory event.
REPORT FRAUD AT MNFRAUD.COM
A new, secure website for whistleblowers to confidentially report suspected fraud within Minnesota state government was introduced by House Republicans this week.
MNFraud.com is designed specifically to collect tips from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of waste, fraud, or abuse in state agencies or publicly funded programs. Information submitted through the site will be reviewed by the staff of the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee. The information, including the identities of whistleblowers, is protected much as it would be on a secure-payment processing website.
Visit www.MNFraud.com if you know of waste, fraud and abuse that has occurred or is taking place within state agencies.
LOCAL VISITORS
I appreciated the chance to visit with Lars Dyrud from Northland Community and Technical College this past week.
It was a great opportunity to engage in discussion about the colleges and universities in our region and learn more about how Northland is addressing current and future workforce needs, as well as serving students.