Friends and Neighbors,
Hard to believe it’s already November. This year has flown by, and the 2026 legislative session kicks off before we know it (February 17, to be exact). As we get ready for next session, I’d love to hear from you. What do you want to see happen at the Capitol? What issues matter most to you and our community? The Senate Republican Caucus is already preparing, and your ideas and input help guide our priorities.
One thing I know I’d like to see less of across state government is fraud, waste, and abuse.
By now, most Minnesotans have heard that fraud in our state has topped $1 billion and counting, with new cases uncovered all the time. You’d think the Governor’s own office would set the standard for accountability and transparency. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re seeing. The latest audit of the Governor’s Office revealed serious financial mismanagement, which you can read more about below.
On a brighter note, I’m sharing several grant opportunities available for local businesses and organizations. These can provide a real boost or even be a lifeline. If one fits your work, I strongly encourage you to apply. When government helps local businesses grow and succeed, everyone benefits.
And with Thanksgiving around the corner, I want to say how grateful I am for my family, friends, and our strong, supportive communities. You lift each other up, guide our kids, and make this a great place to live and work. Thank you for staying engaged, for sharing your ideas, and for making a difference.
Until next time,
Andrew
Audit Exposes Financial Mismanagement in Governor Walz’s Office
You already know how I feel about financial mismanagement in state government. It seems Minnesota can’t go a week without another bombshell report exposing waste, fraud, and abuse across state agencies.
So it’s no surprise that a recent audit of the Governor’s Office revealed it can’t even keep its own books straight. But don’t just take my word for it. Local Minnesota media had scathing reactions to the issues uncovered in Governor Walz’s own office.
FOX 9
“The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor conducted a performance audit on the Governor’s Office and Lieutenant Governor’s office from July 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2024, focusing on financial compliance. The audit, released on Tuesday, found a "significant number" of instances of noncompliance and internal control deficiencies related to receipts, inventory, and payroll.”
KSTP
“Among the findings:
The office “did not manage its receipts as required by state law and office policies”
The office didn’t provide “adequate oversight of timesheet completion and approval”
The office” did not issue correct retroactive pay rate adjustments for seven employees”
The office made “numerous late payments to vendors” as well as “inaccurate payments”
“The pattern of inattention, inattention to the protocols that define the internal controls and segregation of duties, is appalling,” said Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope).”
CBS
“The report, which accounts for the period between July 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024, revealed a dozen instances of alleged mismanagement in the office of Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, including not correctly managing receipts, not accurately overseeing employee timesheet completion and approval, and making several late, and sometimes inaccurate, payments to vendors.
"The Office of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor generally did not comply with the criteria we tested," the audit report said.”
My Take
It’s clear the Governor’s office has set a tone of financial mismanagement that ripples throughout state government.
Republicans have been calling for accountability and transparency for years. Last session, we worked across the aisle in the Senate to pass a bipartisan bill creating an independent, nonpartisan Office of Inspector General to investigate and root out fraud, waste, and abuse. Governor Walz’s office resisted that bipartisan solution, and House Democrats blocked it from becoming law.
Minnesotans need to understand that, by all accounts, the Governor is not serious about eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse in his administration. Time and again, he’s rejected bipartisan reforms in favor of half-baked, partisan alternatives.
As we get ready for next session, I’ll continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and integrity at every level of state government.
Renville County HRA/EDA’s Business Innovation Grant
The deadline for our next round of Renville County HRA/EDA’s Business Innovation Grant program is January 1, 2026. The Business Innovation Grant Program was designed to assist businesses in Renville County with business development and growth opportunities.
The maximum grant amount is $3,000 and a minimum 1:1 contribution match from the business or other funds is required. The project must have the potential to create or retain jobs or be intended to increase the revenues of local businesses.
Eligible uses include equipment purchases or upgrades; capital improvements; purchase, construction, renovation, or expansion of buildings; development or promotion of new product lines; commercial blight; professional development or employee training (tuition only); and information technology upgrades. Applications are scored based on need, leveraging of other funds, potential impact on Renville County, realism of the project, and timetable of the project.
To view the full list of Business Innovation Grant guidelines or for a grant application, please visit this link.
Two grant programs are now accepting applications at Minnesota Department of Agriculture
AGRI Works Grant Program
The AGRI Works Grant Program is a new funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations, units of government, and most colleges and universities. Individuals and organizations incorporated as for-profit entities (including for-profit colleges and universities) are not eligible for this grant. Examples of eligible applicants include economic development organizations, and commodity research and promotion councils.
Eligible projects must provide regional or statewide services, with priority given to projects not eligible for other grants from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Examples of eligible projects include performing research on topics relevant to rural communities across the state, or conducting outreach or providing education to farmers or horticultural growers.
The program has $485,625 available in FY 2026. Eligible applicants may request between $5,000 and $75,000 per project and must provide a 50% match.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. MDA expects to notify applicants of decisions February 10, 2026.
AGRI Crop Research Grant
The AGRI Crop Research Grant is open to any Minnesota organization, research entity, individual, or business with agricultural research capability and is designed to fund applied research that will benefit Minnesota agriculture, its producers, or associated industries within three to seven years. Research projects must be conducted in Minnesota with outcomes that are transferrable to agricultural groups other than the grantee. Priority will be given to projects conducting research on crops that have limited access to other research funds, as well as projects with an outreach plan describing how activities outcomes meaningfully involve or inform farmers or rural communities with limited economic opportunities. MDA anticipates awarding approximately $1.75 million in FY 2026 and does not plan to issue another Request for Proposals (RFP) in FY 2027. The maximum grant award is $250,000 per project. Projects can last up to three years.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. MDA plans to notify applicants of decisions by mid-March 2026.
Thanks for reading. I pray that you and your families are safe, healthy, and gearing up for a great holiday season.
Sincerely,
Signature
Andrew R. Lang
Minnesota Senate, District 16