Friends and Neighbors,

This week at the Capitol, we continued our work to make sure Minnesota government is accountable to the people who fund it - you.  One of my top priorities remains strengthening oversight of taxpayer dollars and restoring trust in how state government operates. Minnesotans work too hard for their money to see it wasted, misspent, or lost to fraud.

That’s why we advanced additional fraud-prevention efforts, including Senate Resolution 60. This resolution expresses the Senate’s concern with the lack of adequate oversight of government funds and calls for stronger accountability moving forward. It has now been referred to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee for further consideration.

Good government isn’t partisan - it’s about responsibility. We owe taxpayers transparency, safeguards that prevent fraud before it happens, and systems that protect every dollar entrusted to the state.  At the same time, our responsibility goes beyond budgets and balance sheets. It’s also about protecting the people who depend on us most.

This week I had the privilege of meeting with Linda Hood, a survivor and strong advocate for vulnerable patients in healthcare settings. She shared her personal story and her belief that “Video Cameras Tell The Truth.” Her experience helped inspire HF3077, a proposal that would allow the voluntary use of cameras in certain healthcare rooms to help prevent abuse.

The bill is designed to be opt-in and to respect privacy, while giving families another tool to help keep loved ones safe. I’m continuing to review the proposal, but I deeply respect citizens like Linda who step forward, share their stories, and engage in the legislative process to make a difference for others.

Whether it’s protecting taxpayer dollars or protecting vulnerable Minnesotans, the goal is the same: accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership.

That’s the work I’ll keep focused on every day.

On Monday, Governor Walz permanently appointed Shireen Gandhi as commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS). Since February 2025, Gandhi had been serving as “temporary” commissioner. Under Gandhi’s leadership, DHS created a website to deny that Minnesota has a fraud problem.

The Senate will now has 60 days to confirm Commissioner Gandhi. Notably, this process will no longer be in place starting in 2027, due to a change. Starting in 2027, Commissioners will be automatically confirmed if the 60-day period passes without confirmation.

The latest February budget forecast for Minnesota tells two very different stories.

On the surface, there’s a short-term surplus. That’s welcome news, and every Minnesotan should feel encouraged when revenues are strong. But let’s be honest about why this is happening: it’s not because of better decisions at the Capitol. It’s largely the result of a strong national economy lifting wages, incomes, and consumer activity across the country.

Unfortunately, when you look past the short term, the long-term picture is far less rosy.

Future projections continue to show structural shortfalls, and that’s the direct result of massive spending increases. When government spending grows faster than families’ budgets or small businesses can sustain, it eventually catches up with you. That’s exactly what we’re seeing now.

For years, I’ve had concerns about runaway spending which could drag our state budget down. Those concerns weren’t hypothetical - they’re now showing up in black and white in this forecast.

And to make matters worse, billions of taxpayer dollars have been lost to fraud. No other state has experienced fraud on the scale Minnesota has. Ultimately, it’s a failure to protect the very people these programs are meant to serve.

Instead of cracking down on fraudsters and safeguarding tax dollars, there have been proposed suggestions that we cut $1.3 billion from disability services just last year, services that our most vulnerable neighbors depend on. As reported by Forum News Service, those cuts would have come at the expense of families who need help the most.

We should be doing the opposite.

The first step should always be stopping the fraud, waste, and abuse that have overwhelmed state agencies. Before we ask taxpayers for another dollar or cut services for seniors and people with disabilities, we must make sure existing dollars are actually reaching the people they’re intended to help.

That’s just common sense.

Thanks to more partisan balance at the Capitol, we’ve been able to slow some of the spending proposals and push for greater accountability. But there’s still more work to do.

My priorities remain clear:

• Stop the fraud
• Rein in spending
• Deliver real oversight
• Pass tax relief that puts Minnesotans first

Families have to live within their budgets. State government should too.

Minnesotans deserve a government that is careful with their money, protects essential services, and plans responsibly for the future, not one that spends freely today and leaves a bill for tomorrow.

I’ll keep fighting to bring discipline, accountability, and common sense back to our state budget. February State Budget and Economic Forecast

I’m proud to represent a district where small businesses like Merchant's Cafe were recently highlighted in the Star Tribune. Located on Main Street, this local favorite showcases the creativity and hospitality that define our community.  It's small businesses like this that help keep that small-town feeling in growing communities.  I'm hopeful they'll continue to serve the community (and their delicious food) for many generations to come!

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant.  Through this grant, beginning farmers are able to pay for agriculture-specific equipment needed to grow crops, raise livestock or store the related farm products, as well as farm infrastructure investments related to water access; irrigation; fencing; electricity; walk-in coolers; livestock handling; grain storage; production-related structures such as barns, livestock buildings, and greenhouses; and other farm infrastructure.

Eligible applicants must be:

• A beginning farmer, defined as a person who:
  • Started farming within the last 10 years, AND
  • Is a principal operator on a farm, AND
  • Has some farming experience and knowledge.
• Farming within the borders of the State of Minnesota.
• In good standing with the State of Minnesota.

Individuals who received this grant previously are not eligible.  Additionally, MDA employees and their spouses, farms, or businesses principally owned or operated by them are not eligible.

For the Fiscal Year 2026/2027 program, the MDA expects to award approximately $700,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum award is $10,000 and the minimum award is $1,000.  For proposals requesting up to $2,000, no match is required.  For proposals requesting more than $2,000, grantees may be reimbursed up to 75% of their costs up to $10,000.

There will be an online public information session about this program on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11 am CT.  This session will be recorded.  The recording will be posted on MDA’s webpage about the grant within five business days of the event.

Applications for this grant are due by 4 p.m. Central Time (CT) on Thursday, March 26, 2026.  Applicants are expected to be notified of award decisions in May-June 2026.

More information, including the link to register for the public information session and the link to apply for this grant, are available at: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

I want to take a moment to share how charitable gaming proceeds are making a real and positive impact right here in North Branch. These funds are helping support important community initiatives, strengthen local organizations, and improve quality of life for residents across the city. I encourage you to read the full article: Chisago County Press. 

Many thanks to the Stacy-Lent firefighters for your efforts to fund this worthy cause, and thank you to the residents for supporting them!

Also, congratulations to the The Chisago Lakes High Kick and Jazz dance teams who competed at the state meet at the Target Center in February. Full Article: Chisago County Press

Each week, this section will highlight topics that I've received the most calls and emails about and any upcoming bills that may be of interest.  I appreciate it when constituents reach out and share their concerns as it helps me be more aware of the topics that mean the most to our community.

Proposal to create a statewide health insurance pool for educators

Making sure your tax dollars are used responsibly has to come before anything else.  That’s the lens I’m using as I review HF 2904.

I agree with the goal behind the bill. We all want to make health insurance more affordable for our teachers and school staff. They deserve quality coverage that supports their families.  But this proposal would require every school district in the state to join one single, statewide health insurance pool. And that raises concerns.

Right now, many districts negotiate plans that fit their own staff and budgets. A statewide mandate could take away that flexibility and local control, especially for rural and smaller districts that already have plans that work well for them.  Supporters believe a larger pool might lower costs. Maybe. But there’s no guarantee premiums will actually go down or that long-term savings will show up, particularly for Greater Minnesota. With health care costs continuing to rise nationwide, simply combining everyone into one system doesn’t automatically make coverage more affordable.

There’s also the risk of unintended consequences. Districts could lose stable agreements they’ve built over time, and creating a statewide pool would likely mean more administration and more bureaucracy. Before adding new layers of government, we should be confident it will truly deliver better results.

For me, this isn’t about opposing change. It’s about getting the order right.

Let’s make sure what we already have is accountable, transparent, and fiscally sound first. Then we can pursue reforms that are practical, sustainable, and respectful of local decision-making.  That’s how we protect taxpayers and make smart, lasting improvements for Minnesota schools.

Proposal on gun bans and magazine capacity

I take the rights guaranteed under the Second Amendment seriously. The right to keep and bear arms is a constitutional freedom that many Minnesotans exercise responsibly every day - whether for self-defense, hunting, sport, or protecting their families.

At the same time, we all want safe communities. Good public safety policy matters. The challenge is making sure we balance both, protecting safety while respecting individual liberties.  This session, several bills have been introduced that would significantly expand firearms regulations.  Some examples include:

• SF 3681, which would ban possession of certain semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines and add criminal penalties

• SF 3714, which restricts magazines over a specific round limit

I understand the concerns driving these proposals. Gun violence is real, and we should always be looking for practical, bipartisan solutions that improve safety.  But we also have to be honest about what these bills actually do.  Broad, one-size-fits-all bans risk punishing law-abiding citizens while doing little to stop criminals who already ignore the law. Many of the firearms and magazines targeted in these bills are widely and legally owned by responsible people across Minnesota.

There are also serious constitutional questions. The US Supreme Court has made clear that commonly owned firearms are protected, and we should be careful not to pass laws that undermine those protections.

Public safety and Second Amendment rights don’t have to be in conflict. We can do both.

That means focusing on enforcing the laws we already have, holding violent offenders accountable, and targeting criminal behavior - not creating new restrictions that burden responsible gun owners.

As these bills move through committees and floor debate, I’ll continue working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support solutions that truly improve safety while protecting the constitutional freedoms Minnesotans depend on.

Unfortunately, we are living in a time now where political violence is becoming more common.  In an abundance of caution, the decision was made to increase security in and around the Capitol Complex.  If you find yourself planning to come in for a meeting, a field trip, or for any other business at either the Capitol, Senate Building, or Centennial, be sure to leave yourself a little extra time, know which entrance you’ll be using, and be ready to pass through security screening.

If you have any questions or concerns about where you should go, don't hesitate to call or email the office to clarify.

Serving you at the Senate is an honor. If you ever have questions, concerns, or need assistance with a state agency, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  My Legislative Assistant, Melissa Field, is also a great resource and can assist if I'm not immediately available.

📞 Phone: 651-296-5419
📧 Email: sen.mark.koran@mnsenate.gov

Melissa's contact information:

📞 Phone: 651-296-6200

📧 Email: melissa.field@mnsenate.gov

I hope to see you in the community soon!

Best,

Senator Mark Koran
District 28