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Friends and neighbors,

Heavy rains across the state have caused extensive flooding, resulting in destruction, damage and heartache for many families. Homes, businesses and crops in the fertile land have been affected. It is difficult to witness the pain and financial loss impacting so many families, especially considering the ongoing increase in prices for essential items.

Amid this challenging situation, I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all Minnesotans who have volunteered to assist those affected by the flooding. Thank you for always being ready and available to help. This embodies the spirit of “One Minnesota” that Minnesotans understand and value.

If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. Feel free to email me at sen.gene.dornink@mnsenate.gov or give me a call at 651-296-5240.

Flood resources

The state of Minnesota offers a number of resources on flood preparation and safety. I invite you and your loved ones to review this important information, so you know what to do before, during and after a flood. This information is available at BeReadyMN’s Flood Safety page, located at: www.mn.gov/mmb/be-ready-mn/weather/floods

Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers resources to reduce flooding impacts for farms, businesses and other agriculture facilities. This information is available at: www.mda.state.mn.us/flood-resources

The Minnesota Department of Commerce also offers information on how homeowners affected by flooding should communicate with their insurance companies. This information is available at: www.mn.gov/commerce/insurance/home/old/other/floods/what-to-do.jsp

Waste and fraud flourish under the Walz Administration

For over 50 years, the Legislative Auditor has worked to strengthen accountability and provide legislative oversight of Minnesota state government. Each year, the bipartisan Legislative Audit Commission (three GOP and three Democrats from the House of Representatives and three GOP and three Democrats from the Senate) selects topics for the Legislative Auditor to evaluate. This can be a program, agency or issue that legislators think needs an outside, objective and rigorous review. The goal is to provide transparency to the taxpayers of Minnesota.

Recent reports from the Legislative Auditor have shed light on alarming cases of fraud within Minnesota’s state government, revealing a disturbing and ongoing pattern of mismanagement and poor oversight from the Walz Administration.

In its latest findings, the Legislative Auditor uncovered significant issues surrounding the 2022 Frontline Worker Pay Program, designed to support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shockingly, the Legislative Auditor could not verify approximately 41% of the bonuses issued in 2023, meaning that about $205 million in payments may have been made to ineligible recipients.

Another alarming report focused on the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) oversight of the Minnesota nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which resulted in more than $250 million in fraud. The Legislative Auditor found MDE’s oversight to be woefully inadequate, creating opportunities for fraud within the organization. The report pointed to MDE’s failure to act on warning signs and its ineffective enforcement of program requirements, painting a picture of an agency ill-equipped to safeguard taxpayer dollars.

These are not isolated incidents. Previous Legislative Auditor reports have found $3.5 million in overpayments through the RentHelp program, and millions of fraudulent dollars through DHS programs for child care assistance, adult day care centers, opioid treatment, and more. The cumulative impact on taxpayers is substantial, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars lost due to mismanagement and negligence.

Taxpayers expect their government to be accountable and transparent. Ongoing waste and fraud under the Walz Administration shows a serious problem that needs urgent reform. The governor’s state agencies must improve their oversight, follow the rules, and rebuild public trust by using taxpayer funds responsibly.

Minnesotans deserve better from their state government. It is time to take strong action to stop fraud and bring back accountability in state government.

Celebrating our American freedoms

This Fourth of July, please join me in reflecting on our nation’s founding and the enduring legacy of the Declaration of Independence. May the memories of our nation’s independence, and those who fought for it, fill our hearts with patriotism.

We are truly blessed to live in America!