Dear Neighbor,
House Republicans continue working on to root out fraud, waste and abuse in our state. This week, one cornerstone bill on this subject received overwhelming bipartisan approval from the full body.
The full House on Monday passed a bill expanding whistleblower protections for state employees who report government fraud and misuse of state or federal funds. It was good to see the House come together with bipartisan support for legislation ensuring public employees can expose misconduct without fear of retaliation, strengthening transparency and accountability in state government.
Minnesota law already includes whistleblower protections, but this bill strengthens them by explicitly covering reports of fraud and misuse of funds in state programs. The bill (H.F. 23) expands protections to cover all state employees – not just classified state workers – and explicitly includes reports of fraud and misuse as protected disclosures. In addition, the measure expands who whistleblowers can report to, now including law enforcement and other government bodies.
The bill passed the House 133-0 and now moves to the Senate.
Supporting women and children
House Republicans this week also presented on the floor a pair of bills to support women and children:
- The Supporting Women Act (HF 25) restores a grant from 2005 called Positive Alternatives, which Democrats took away in 2023. The bill appropriates $8 million per two years to women’s pregnancy centers and maternity homes.
- The Born Alive Rollback (HF 24), which I have co-authored, extends legal protections to infants who are born alive after an abortion procedure. This bill would require that doctors protect the lives of infants under these adverse circumstances in the same way that they protect infants born under normal conditions.
Unfortunately, these bills both were defeated on party-line votes, with all House Democrats in opposition.
Sanctuary cities
House Republicans held a press conference this week to discuss legislation I have co-authored that bans sanctuary cities in Minnesota and ensures that illegal immigrants suspected of violent crimes are reported to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even if charges are never filed.
This issue has taken on new urgency following the horrific murder of Laken Riley by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. In response, President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, which mandates that illegal immigrants with a known history of violent crimes be reported to ICE immediately – no more loopholes, no more excuses.
The House Republican bill (H.F. 16), also blocks radical state and local governments from interfering with immigration enforcement. Last month, St. Paul and Minneapolis joined a lawsuit against President Trump in an effort to protect sanctuary city policies. Minneapolis even has a city ordinance that forbids law enforcement from identifying illegal immigrants, threatening officers with disciplinary action if they do their jobs and report them.
I opposed what the cities of Minneapolis are doing and fully support Trump’s approach. Minnesotans want strong borders and enforcement of immigration laws. This bill is about stopping Twin Cities liberals from undermining our security and ensuring that violent criminals who are here illegally don’t escape accountability.
Until next time, have a good weekend and please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Scott