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Friends and Neighbors, As the legislative session enters its final stretch, debates at the Capitol continue to highlight two very different visions for accountability and transparency in state government. This week, Minnesotans got another clear example of that divide as the Walz administration and Senate Democrats once again appeared to maneuver around legislative oversight at the Department of Human Services. Last February, Shireen Gandhi was appointed temporary commissioner of DHS. Because the position was temporary, she bypassed Senate confirmation entirely, avoiding one of the few real checks the Legislature has on the governor. This is the same official who oversaw billions in fraud in DHS over the last several years. Fast forward one year. With a billion-dollar-plus fraud scandal plaguing the agency, Gov. Walz formally nominated her as permanent commissioner. Senate Democrats had 60 days to hold a confirmation hearing but denied Republicans’ repeated calls for one, only scheduling it at the last minute this week. Then, the night before Gandhi was set to testify before the HHS Committee, Gov. Walz suddenly pulled her nomination. He kept her on as deputy commissioner instead. But the very next day, the newly named temporary commissioner announced he would be taking medical leave. That means Gandhi is once again stepping in as acting temporary commissioner, yet another unconfirmed role. Minnesotans aren’t fooled. This is nothing more than a calculated game by the Walz administration and Senate Democrats to avoid scrutiny and accountability, all while fraudsters continue stealing taxpayer dollars. It’s unacceptable. This week on the Senate floor, we also debated a massive omnibus bill covering K-12 Education, Higher Education, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy, Jobs and Economic Development, Labor, State Government, and several other areas. The Minnesota Constitution requires bills to address a single subject, and this clearly goes far beyond that. The justification offered was that all the topics involve appropriations, but that thin thread does not excuse combining so many subjects. It’s bad legislative practice to write such broad omnibus bills. The 2024 omnibus bill rushed through at the end of session had one of its provisions struck down in court. More legal challenges to that 2024 omnibus are still underway. However, there is some good news in this bill. A constituent in our district has significant medical challenges that keep her bed-bound at home. Her family often wheels her bed out onto the deck so she can enjoy fresh air and sunshine. A nearby township contractor sprayed herbicide well onto their property, which may have caused harm to her health. Data privacy laws made it nearly impossible for the family to learn exactly what was being used. Without that information, they couldn’t determine how she was harmed and worried they couldn’t safely bring her outside, putting her small window of freedom and fresh air at risk. I was able to include a provision in the bill that would allow townships to share chemical information when a request comes directly from a physician. It’s a small but meaningful change that will help families like this one protect their loved ones while still enjoying the outdoors. After ten years in the Legislature, these are the moments that stay with me most. There’s just over a week left in the session. Expect long floor sessions as we work to wrap up. I’ll keep you posted. Have a great weekend. Thanks for reading, |
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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– National Day of Prayer – May 7, 2026 Thanks to everyone who came to the Capitol for National Day of Prayer. It was a special event and time of reflection. God bless Minnesota and God bless our country. |
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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Senate Democrats jeopardize school safety funding to push gun control On Monday, Senate Democrats passed a party-line bill that would create sweeping new gun control laws in Minnesota. Unfortunately, they paired these unconstitutional provisions with school safety and mental health funding. Nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe at school. But instead of protecting Minnesota students, Democrats chose to push a gun grab. Because of that, the bill now has no realistic path forward in the House. As a result, schools may not receive the critical funding they need for safety infrastructure, School Resource Officers, and mental health support. That’s the real consequence of playing politics with our kids’ safety. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– |
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(via KEYC) A nonprofit is taking a major step forward in the fight to support women veterans struggling with addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. Bravo Zulu House announced Tuesday it has secured land in Mankato for a first-of-its-kind Women’s House — a safe, structured recovery home dedicated exclusively to female Veterans. Construction is expected to begin this fall, with plans to open in late 2027. The facility will be located on the west side of 8th Avenue, between Cleveland and Lind Street. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––MN Fraud Files |
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Originally created during the eight-year term of Gov. Mark Dayton, Center of the American Experiment’s Scandal Tracker was reopened to account for the ever-growing list of frauds and scandals perpetuated under the Tim Walz administration. Your one-stop resource for everything related to state government fraud in Minnesota –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Contact Me I always appreciate hearing from constituents. It helps me do my job better and stay focused on the issues that matter most to you. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, feel free to reach out. You can email at sen.rich.draheim@mnsenate.gov, and my legislative assistant, Henry Rosckes, is available at henry.rosckes@mnsenate.gov. Thanks for reading. Rich Draheim |