On Wednesday, March 11, Senate Republicans criticized a Senate DFL proposal, Senate File 3596, that would provide $40 million to cover individuals' overdue rent and utility payments.
“Minnesotans from across the state are facing an affordability crisis because of the DFL’s burdensome mandates, massive government spending, and excessive taxes,” said Senator Gary Dahms (R – Redwood Falls). “We should be focusing on policies that put Minnesotans first and make their lives more affordable. Unfortunately, the Senate DFL once again favored the metro area over Greater Minnesota. For example, this rental assistance bill would direct about one-third of the funding to Hennepin County.”
During the floor debate, Senate Republicans proposed amendments to strengthen the legislation. The Senate accepted key Republican amendments designed to prevent fraud, including setting aside 5% of the funds specifically for fraud detection and prevention.
Other Republican amendments added to support anti-fraud measures include:
- Requiring applicants to document that they qualify for funding, rather than relying solely on the applicants’ word.
- Authorizing detailed reports every 30 days, including amounts spent and unspent.
“This proposal hands out $40 million with almost no accountability. Every year, Minnesota loses taxpayer dollars to state programs due to a severe lack of proper oversight and accountability. Even with the accepted amendments, these funds are still susceptible to fraud,” Senator Dahms concluded.
Senate Republicans also proposed a series of amendments to prioritize legal residents, address affordability, and protect public safety. The Senate DFL rejected the following amendments:
- Restricting eligibility to U.S. citizens and people who are in the country legally.
- Redirecting the bill’s funds to provide direct property tax relief to homeowners and renters instead of funding a new bureaucratic program.
- Blocking individuals on the predatory offender registry from receiving rent and utility assistance through this program.