 Friends and Neighbors, State government mandates are a problem for school districts and counties who are forced to deal with them. And they’re soon going to be a problem for property taxpayers who are ultimately going to pay for them. This week in both the areas of K-12 Education and health and human services, I heard local officials talk about the detrimental financial effect of mandates being approved at the state level. A number of different school districts said between paid family leave, sick and safe time, unemployment insurance, and increased curriculum needs, these expenses can’t be sustained, and the only place left to cut is educators - unless property taxes are raised. County officials are feeling the pain as well. Sherburne County told us that between the governor’s proposed budget and from the unfunded mandates approved last year it will cost the county around $6 million. The only way it can survive is to pass those costs on to property tax owners, and the increase could total between 10% and 15%. All of these mandates have been pushed by Governor Walz. This is setting up to be the largest grab for property tax dollars that’s ever been done in Minnesota, and it’s all due to mandates passed by a Democrat-led legislature two years ago and signed into law by the governor. Consider the impact these increases are going to have on young people trying to buy a home. First time homebuyers are struggling to find an affordable house as it is, now add on skyrocketing property tax costs and it’s going to be disastrous. Worst of all, none of this is going to increase the performance of our schools or improve human services in this state. You can’t cut teachers if you plan to educate our kids. SEEKING FEDERAL HELP FOR RAMPANT FRAUD Due to the Governor Walz administration’s complete inattention to the fraud that is running rampant in state government, Minnesota House Republicans sent U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi a formal request Monday. We are urging the Department of Justice to launch a comprehensive investigation into the mismanagement that has cost taxpayers at least $610 million, but more likely over $1 billion. For six years, we have watched Governor Walz do nothing to combat fraud. We have watched Democrat leadership in the House and Senate refuse to even hold a legislative hearing after documented proof of fraud was reported in news articles. We need help in addressing this fraud problem, and it’s my hope Attorney General Bondi will help provide it. |