Hello from St. Paul,
This week began with President Donald Trump taking office, and with that a feeling of a new beginning in America and in our state.
REPUBLICANS WORKING FOR MINNESOTANS
Since session began on January 14, House Republicans have been showing up for work every day to do the work for Minnesota’s citizens. House Democrats have not appeared, boycotting session because they do not want to work with a Republican majority in place.
One of our top priorities this year is to stop the waste, fraud, and abuse that has been running rampant in state government over the past five years.
During Governor Walz’s tenure, taxpayers have lost more than $1 billion – that we know about - to fraudsters who have scammed the system. The most well-known instance of fraud in Minnesota is the Feeding Our Future scheme where criminals made off with $250 million that was intended to feed hungry kids.
The first plan would establish a centralized Office of the Inspector General. It would be charged with the task of combatting fraud and abuse in state government. The bill requires agencies to halt payments when fraud is suspected and mandates the creation of a fraud reporting hotline.
Another proposal would mandate fraud reporting for state agencies and equip them with additional tools to identify and prevent fraudulent activities including mandatory site visits. This bill also emphasizes transparency and swift action to address fraud concerns.
A third bill establishes “fraud notes,” a groundbreaking tool to assess the susceptibility of proposed legislation to fraud. Similar to fiscal notes, fraud notes would provide lawmakers with an evaluation of potential fraud risks before enacting new programs or policies. The plan would add additional accountability to agencies to make sure that they are following through with recommendations made by the Legislative Auditor to address matters of waste, fraud, and abuse in their agencies.
As a member of the Legislative Audit Commission and hearing about the repeated instances of waste, fraud, and abuse in Minnesota’s government, I can tell you change is desperately needed. We are in a position this session to stop this theft from the taxpayers, and I’m pleased these bills are being heard and are moving forward.
This week I also learned that I have been named to serve on the Minnesota House Rules Committee. It is an honor and privilege to receive this appointment.
BILL INTRODUCTIONS
I am authoring legislation that would install a surface on Highway 74 in our district. It is the only crushed rock highway in the State of Minnesota. It is senseless that a state highway is lacking pavement, so this proposal would rectify that issue.
I am also sponsoring a bill that would allocate more state funding for the Zumbro Sanitary Services District, which serves residents in Goodhue, Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Pine Island, and the Prairie Island Indian Community. All of these communities were facing wastewater issues, but by having a centrally located Zumbrota facility, we are increasing efficiency, better protecting our environment, and lowering costs for all communities involved. $10 million was secured in 2023 for the project, and my plan would allocate another $43 million.
I will also reintroduce my ag water quality certification legislation that would assist impacted farmers in the Karst Region of southeastern Minnesota. Under my legislation, any farmer in the Karst Region would receive a $5 per acre tax credit for any ag land that is placed in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). Certification would ensure that future nitrates and other pollutants will not enter ground water on agricultural land.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, if you ever have any legislative questions, please contact me. I can be reached at rep.steven.jacob@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651.296.2273.
Have a good weekend,
Steve