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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you're able to join me at my upcoming “Coffee with Kristin” events this week!
I am excited to hear what is important to you and answer any questions you may have about the 2023-24 Legislative session.
I tried to vary the times/locations so it would be more convenient for people from around our district. I hope to see many of you next week in either Maple Grove, Loretto, or Maple Plain!
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Executive Summary
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Fraud Press Conference
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Cell Phones in Schools
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Advisory Committee Election
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Hosted Group of International Women Leaders
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Fraud Press Conference
On Monday, House Republicans held a press conference to discuss the many cases of fraud and mismanagement that the Walz administration has either been unaware of or has failed to hold state employees accountable. The graphic below highlights some of cases that have happened in the last 6 years. Not a single state employee has lost their job or received a formal reprimand or other sanction for allowing this abuse of taxpayer money under their watch.
In addition to the scandals above, two other fraud investigations were reported this week. The FBI is looking into Medicaid fraud by autism providers, but, according to the Star Tribune article linked above, “Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that he's "not aware" of an FBI investigation, but is concerned about the allegations of fraud.”
We also got an update on the so-called “PITSTOP-66” investigation, which is looking into another $11 billion in alleged Medicaid fraud involving “Provider, Interpreter and Transportation (PIT)” providers in Rice County. Two new indictments were announced by Attorney General Keith Ellison this week. To date, 19 people have been charged or convicted in this ongoing investigation.
I have authored a bill that would help address this fraud by creating a statewide grants management system that would require strong internal controls, standardize basic grant requirements, and flag problem grantees throughout the system. Unfortunately, this bill has never even been given a hearing by the Majority.
The Majority seems to want to either ignore the problem or claim they don’t know it is going on. the rampant fraud that continues to be uncovered by the Attorney General and federal law enforcement shows that we MUST address the state grant-making process if we are going to properly exercise our oversight authority on state government.
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Cell Phones in Schools
I was pleased to see that Virginia’s Governor, Glenn Youngkin, issued an executive order to restrict use of cell phones in schools. More and more states are recognizing that this is one of the most simple and effective steps we can take to improve teen mental health.
As you will recall, my bill to require schools to adopt a cell-phone policy aimed at reducing cell phone use in Minnesota schools passed last session. It is a good first step, but we also need parents to engage and help schools develop robust policies that will really limit cell phone use during the instruction day.
I’m thankful that we have such a terrific example already in place and working well at Maple Grove Middle School – I hope more schools adopt this common-sense approach this fall!
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Advisory Committee Election
I look forward to delving into the research on issues impacting women’s economic security with my colleagues Sen. Sandy Pappas (D), Senator Julia Coleman (R), and Rep. Kaohly Vang Her (D) over the next year.
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Hosted Group of International Women Leaders
I was happy to host a group of international women leaders who were in the U.S. as part of a U.S. State Department Exchange Program at the Capitol yesterday! I enjoyed our robust conversation on women in politics, federalism, literacy, civic organizations, and democratic institutions.
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Grateful to host a group of women leaders from around the world who are in the US to learn about the participation of women in the US political system and the role of civic institutions in democracy. I enjoyed and learned a lot from our discussion!
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 Happy to have a group of high school students join me for our first meeting of the Office on the Economic Status of Women Advisory Committee meeting at the Capitol!
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 Thanks to the Minnesota Historical Society, we also got to see the Quadriga!
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THANK YOU!
It is a great privilege to be able to represent our beautiful district in the Minnesota House! Now that the 2024 session is over, I will not be sending out weekly updates, but will still send occasional newsletters as event warrant.
I am certainly still working for our district, however! I am always happy to meet or take a call and hope to see many of you at all of the fun events in our communities this summer!
The best way to reach me in the “interim” is by email: [email protected]. You can also leave a message at 651-296-7806. My office voicemail is checked by my wonderful LA, Betsy, several times a week!
I hope you all have a wonderful summer and I hope to see you somewhere soon!
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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