Uphold 2nd Amendment Rights
Accountability in Government and Personal Lives
School Transparency
No More Critical Race Theory
No More Social and Emotional Learning
Less Government, More Transparency
Less Taxes
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Legislative Update From the Desk of Senator Steve Drazkowski May 3, 2026
Friends and Neighbors,
We are now in the most intense part of the legislative session. We are spending long days on the floor debating bills, trying to stop the bad ones that waste your hard-earned money and take away your freedom, and trying to pass the good ones, such as those that address our gigantic fraud problem.
FOLLOW THE FRAUD IN MINNESOTA ON MNFraudfiles.com
Anti-Fraud efforts continue to move forward
This week, news broke that federal agents executed 22 search warrants across the Twin Cities, raiding daycare centers and autism providers as part of a major fraud investigation into Minnesota's Medicaid programs. The raids came just hours before Tim Walz was set to deliver his State of the State address.
Once again, the federal government has to step in and do what Gov. Walz has refused to do for seven years. Minnesota has been ground zero for some of the largest Medicaid fraud cases in American history. The Feeding Our Future scandal alone cost taxpayers more than $300 million, and the fraud stretched across childcare, housing assistance, medical transportation, and autism services throughout Gov. Walz's time in office.
With this backdrop for the legislative session, fraud protection, elimination, and oversight were included in many bills. Two that I have been involved in are the Office of the Inspector General bill, which passed the Senate last session, and The Take it Back Act.
The Take it Back Act creates a 100% tax on money obtained through fraud against public programs. That tax comes on top of any criminal penalties or restitution a court already ordered. Money collected goes into a dedicated account that must be used to provide income tax relief to Minnesota taxpayers.
I wrote this bill in response to constituents complaining to me, “What are you doing about fraud, and when are we going to get our money back?” This is the answer.
The 100% tax applies to anyone convicted of fraud against a public program. Separately, the Department of Revenue can impose a 100% penalty on individuals they know committed fraud, even without a criminal conviction. There is an appeals process through the Tax Court if someone believes they have been wrongly assessed.
The Department of Revenue will handle enforcement rather than the courts. Tax collectors and auditors can go after money hidden in shell companies or sent overseas. They can pursue those who received fraudulent funds through kickbacks or bribes, reaching people who may never face criminal charges. The bill also requires the Department of Revenue to share investigative and tax data with the new Office of Inspector General and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Financial Crimes and Fraud Section, strengthening the state's ability to track down stolen funds.
The Take it Back Act has been sent to the floor and included in the Senate Tax Omnibus bill. It has broad support from both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Bill has now cleared its final committee hurdle and is ready for a floor vote in the House. The bill would create an Inspector General with a law-enforcement bureau to investigate fraud across every agency, independent of the Governor and the Legislature. The bill leaves intact the roles of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Legislative Auditor, who can communicate with the new Office to pursue leads on fraud. The OIG will have as its sole mission the investigation of fraud that can lead to its prosecution.
VIDEO OF STEVE DRAZKOWSKI PERTAINING TO HIGHWAY NAMING
Highway naming bill heads to Governor's desk for signature
The Minnesota Senate voted unanimously on 4/23 to designate a 1.4-mile stretch of Highway 58 through Zumbrota as the "Officer/Firefighter Gary L. Schroeder, Jr. Memorial Highway." The designation is a fitting tribute to a man who spent nearly two decades keeping people safe in Zumbrota. He succumbed to line-of-duty PTSD in 2023. Earlier, the Minnesota House also passed the bill with unanimous support. It has been sent to the Governor for his signature. You can learn more about the life of this generous first responder and father in my floor speech above.
Damage assessment for Olmsted County underway
On Friday, April 17, 2026, beginning at approximately 1:50 PM, multiple tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) within Olmsted County. NWS surveyors confirmed four (4) tornado paths within Olmsted County: 1 EF-0, 1 EF-1, and two EF-2 (one being a high-end EF-2) tornadoes. Areas that sustained the most damage were the city of Stewartville, Marion Township, along Marion Rd SE north of USTH 52 and along 50th Ave SE, Haverhill Township along Haverhill Rd NE, and the Century Hills neighborhood of the City of Rochester. The latest word we have is that 100 homes were damaged, 12 with major damage, and 50 people were displaced county-wide. 3 Businesses were impacted, one with minor damage, one with major damage, and one was destroyed. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but 3 people were injured. In Marion Township, the biggest impact was construction debris from damaged properties. Olmsted County is coordinating with State authorities on the damage assessment. At this time, it is not believed that the cost of recovery will reach the Federal Disaster threshold; however, additional assessments are being made that could trigger eligibility for some state and federal aid, such as Small Business Disaster Recovery loans. Most of those impacted have insurance. For more information, you can contact Olmsted County.
Don't hesitate to contact me anytime with any issues, concerns, or feedback so I can best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at sen.steve.drazkowski@mnsenate.gov or by phone at 651-296-5612. My legislative assistant is Margaret Martin, and her number is 651-296-4264. She will be happy to assist you, in or out of session.
Sincerely,
Steve Drazkowski
Minnesota Senate, District 20, Wabasha, Goodhue, Winona, Olmsted, and Dakota Counties.
2411 Minnesota Senate Building
95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155
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legislative Update From the Desk of Pam Altendorf State Representative 20A May 1, 2026
WHAT'S NEW?
I enjoyed having Goodhue County Administrator Scott Arneson as my guest at the State of the State address this week.
Unfortunately, but not surprising, the governor’s message was filled with untruths and was very divisive! Remember, this is the guy who ran on “One Minnesota” and will go down as the most partisan individual to ever hold the office. Is Minnesota better off now then when he started? With $9 billion lost in fraud on his watch, student proficiency dropping, violent crime increasing, and unemployment soaring, I would suggest not.
LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS
WALZ ADMINISTRATION GUTTED FRAUD ENFORCEMENT—AND TAXPAYERS PAID THE PRICE
In this week’s fraud committee, we took a hard look at a crisis that state leadership has ignored for years: rampant child care fraud across Minnesota.
Before 2019, Minnesota at least had a functioning line of defense. From 2015 to 2018, fraud was being uncovered, and the Department of Human Services (DHS) maintained a dedicated criminal investigations unit to hold bad actors accountable.
Then Governor Walz took office.
That same year, the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor issued a warning: fraud in Minnesota’s child care system was widespread and serious. That report should have triggered immediate enforcement action. Instead, the Walz administration did the opposite: it dismantled the very unit responsible for criminal investigations and replaced it with weak administrative penalties.
Predictably, fraud exploded. Learn more here.
Remove criminal consequences, and you remove deterrence. Fraudsters adapted instantly. As testimony in our committee made clear, sanctioned providers simply reopened under new names - often using friends or family members - and continued stealing taxpayer dollars. A DHS whistleblower confirmed this wasn’t rare; it was routine.
And the problem didn’t start with Walz. Under Governor Dayton, there were already efforts to downplay and conceal the scale of fraud. A whistleblower reported being instructed not to share findings with the Legislative Auditor, potentially violating state law. Instead, a consulting firm was brought in to massage the data and make the problem appear smaller than it was.
This is the pattern: deny the problem, weaken enforcement, and protect the system instead of taxpayers.
Child care fraud wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. Once the state signaled there would be no serious consequences, fraud spread into other programs. Billions of dollars were lost, and not one state employee has ever been held accountable.
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES STEP IN WHERE THE STATE FAILED
While state leadership stalled, federal law enforcement stepped up.
This week, the FBI executed 22 court-approved search warrants tied to Medicaid fraud investigations, primarily targeting child care and daycare operations in the Twin Cities. Click here for a story.
Let that sink in: it took federal intervention to do the job Minnesota’s own government abandoned.
Estimates suggest up to $9 billion has already been lost to fraud in Minnesota. This isn’t a minor issue. It’s not isolated. It’s systemic.
Worse, Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison are now trying to take credit for assisting with the federal action. FBI Director Kash Patel quickly shot that claim down.
Thankfully, federal authorities are tackling this crisis. The Walz administration spent years deflecting criticism, hiding evidence, and ignoring warnings. He still isn’t giving this crisis the seriousness it deserves, and he has held no one accountable.
Ask yourself why.
FLY THE DICTATED STATE FLAG – OR LOSE STATE FUNDING?
You can’t make it up. The same people who scream at ‘No Kings’ rallies are now upset that cities are refusing to comply with their decree.
House Democrats are now authoring legislation forcing cities and counties to fly the new version of the state flag – or else lose up to 10 percent of their state government funding. This despite the fact that current state law allows communities to display the older or the new version.
In 2023, when they had complete control of state government, Democrats established a 13-member commission to redesign Minnesota’s state flag and seal. The handpicked commission later introduced new designs for both. However, these designs were never formally approved by voters or the state legislature. Instead, the law that created the commission specified that its final flag selection would automatically take effect as the official state flag.
Cities all over the state hate the look and are voting to use the 1983 version of the flag. And Democrats can’t stand that the flag they forced upon the public isn’t being appreciated, so they want to financially punish communities who refuse the decisions made from on high.
One Minnesota – Two Flags!
Learn more here.
ONCE AGAIN, DEMOCRATS PUSH NEW INCOME TAX BRACKET
Democrats never tire of finding ways to spend your money. They also never tire of looking for people who can contribute more to the state so they can afford their expensive tastes.
This week, they talked about creating a new tax bracket. “Class warfare” they called it. I call it nonsense. Learn more here.
LOCAL VISITS
It was Disability Day at the Capitol this week. I enjoyed catching up with a few of my friends from Great River Homes.
As well as two students from RCTC who discussed the challenges they experience at school.
Thank you for stopping by!
Finally, as we go into the last weeks of session, we have plenty of long days at the State Capitol. That’s why it was nice to be able to get away briefly and attend the inspiring Brandon Lake concert! Nothing like singing and worshiping with 15,000 people to have your spirit filled up!
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PLEASE CONTACT ME
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you!
2591 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.8635
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Legislative Update From the Desk of Representative Steve Jacob and Endorsed Candidate for Senate District 20 May 1, 2026
Hello from the State Capitol,
As this session draws to a close, did you know that more than 5,000 bills have been introduced over the past two years? And more than 6,000 were introduced during my first term?
Think about this. More than 11,000 pieces of legislation have been drafted during my four years. I find this offensive. Think of the resources that are wasted compiling all these bills, well more than half of which have never seen the light of day. Drafting legislation shouldn’t be performance art; bills shouldn’t be compiled if they have no chance of success or lawmakers are just putting them out there to appease someone. Lawmakers need to use some common sense.
RIGHT TO LIFE
This week, I agreed to co-author legislation that recognizes a pre-born child has a right to life. Pro-life issues are among my top priorities at the Capitol, and am proud to support this needed measure.
FBI EXECUTES COURT-ORDERED SEARCH WARRANTS IN ONGOING FRAUD INVESTIGATION
Major fraud developments took place this week. On Tuesday, the FBI, working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies executed 22 court-approved federal search warrants in the State of Minnesota. All of them were connected to the investigation into Medicaid fraud, and it was reported that child and daycare providers primarily within the Twin Cities were targeted.
The previous U.S. attorney estimated months ago that potentially $9 billion in Minnesota’s tax dollars had been lost to fraud. A recent KARE 11 report found Minnesota paid $4.32 billion last year in Medicaid reimbursements to the 14 programs now identified as being a high risk for fraud - more than double what it paid in 2021. Since 2018, $20 billion has been spent on the same high-risk programs.
Be thankful the federal government is taking our fraud problem very seriously and is taking needed action to hold fraudsters accountable.
FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR REFUSING TO FLY NEW STATE FLAG?
A new bill offered by House Democrats this week would financially punish cities and counties for refusing to fly the new flag.
Even though current law does not require local governments to fly the official state flag, their bill would mandate a 10% reduction in a city or county’s government aid if that jurisdiction displays any flag other than the newly adopted one. In other words, they want to hurt those communities who refuse to fall in line.
In 2023, Democrats created a 13-member commission to redesign Minnesota’s state flag and seal, neither of which were formally approved by voters or the state legislature. Instead, the law that created the commission specified that its final flag selection would automatically take effect as the official state flag.
If their initial bill to create a new state flag had teeth like this, it never would have been approved. This is blatant bait and switch. They force the adoption of a new state flag without public buy-in or legislative approval, but to downplay that they say you can fly whatever flag you want. Now that the flag has been made official, and cities like Zumbrota, Pine Island, and Plainview and potentially Chatfield don’t want it, they want to financially punish them for refusing to fly it.
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS DRAWS POOR RECEPTION
Not surprisingly, the governor’s annual state of the state address was not well-attended, as he has treated Republicans quite poorly over the final years of his tenure. The guy who ran on One Minnesota will leave office with the state never more divided in its history, and he ended up playing the most significant role in that effort.
As his time comes to an end, here are some stats regarding how far Minnesota has fallen under his leadership:
• Reading proficiency scores have dropped from 59% to 49%
• Math proficiency scores have dropped from 55% to 45%
• National education ranking 6th to 19th
• Unemployment has gone up 50%
• Real median income has decreased by $6,000
• $9 billion+ in fraud
• Minnesota is now below the national average for per capita personal income (first time ever)
• 48,000 people have left the state
• 19% increase in violent crime
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, my door is always open. If you ever have any legislative questions, please contact me. I can be reached at rep.steven.jacob@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651.296.2273.
Have a good weekend,
Steve
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From the Desk of Sara Bertschinger Endorsed Candidate for the Minnesota House District 20B May 2, 2026
Happy May Day Weekend!\
Remember the days we decorated little cups or baskets and then filled them with candy or goodies, in anticipation of May Day? Then we snuck up to the neighbor's front door, laid our filled cup on the porch, rang the doorbell, and then ran away to hide? It was so fun watching the neighbors be surprised and gaze out their door wondering who had dropped off the adorable treasure!
At the Capitol
I spent time up in St Paul in April. It was heartwarming to see all the individuals that attended the Health Freedom Rally in the Capitol. There were uplifting speakers. Families from across the state showed up to stand for freedom. To stand for Independence. And to stand for our God-given rights!
It was wonderful also to visit with many hard-working Republican legislators who are working to protect and preserve our rights and freedoms. Multiple bills were moving their way through committees. It was sad to hear how Democrats were speaking and voting in some of the Committees I observed.
The Democrat party has made gun control a key issue this year. Multiple bills have been proposed to restrict liberty and safety. Be aware.
I spent time around the District also. It was great to visit with individuals and groups in April, talking about the things foremost on their minds---affordability, accountability and their freedoms that feel in jeopardy. We talked about people whose lives were changed by the tornados in southeastern MN as well. And how neighbors and friends came to help those in need
Be Informed! Get involved! Take a Stand!
Change begins when we the people take ownership and responsibility. Legislators are the spokesmen for the issues brought forth by the voters. It takes all of us doing our part to enact positive change.
Thank you to the volunteers and supporters working diligently. We have a great team growing and ready!
Volunteer Needs in May:
1. Literature drop May 16th
2. Summer parades
3. Organize a Meet-and-Greet in your neighborhood
4. Be on the Sign Crew
To volunteer click the link below or e-mail jboness1953@gmail.com
Celebrate the National Day Of Prayer on Sunday, May 17th
In Rochester at Soldiers Field Veterans' Memorial there will be an outdoor prayer service. We will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, reflect on our abundant blessings, pray for our country, and rededicate America to "one nation under God."
If you can't join us there, celebrate in your own way on May 17th.
Sara B for MN House
507-993-2497
49685 County 55 Blvd,
Pine Island, MN 55963
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From The Desk of Donna Bergstrom Deputy Chairwoman MNGOP April 23, 2026
Dear Patriots:
In approximately 70 days, this great Nation celebrates its Semiquincentennial — 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The festivities will be sweeping: on the National Mall, The Great American State Fair: Story of a Coast-to-Coast Fair runs June 25–July 10.
Here in Minnesota, we'll mark the occasion through parades, fairs, gatherings, and quiet moments of reflection. There is so much to celebrate when you live in the greatest nation on earth.
Since 1776, countries across the globe have cycled through monarchies, communist dictatorships, military coups, and failed experiments with representative government. The United States has endured — surviving the War of 1812, a bloody Civil War, assassinated and resigned presidents, disputed elections, and the weaponization of government against its own citizens. And yet the republic holds. That is the miracle worth celebrating.
As Lincoln said, those who gave their lives did so so that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." American exceptionalism is worth celebrating, defending, and securing for another 250 years.
Mark Your Calendar
The annual MNGOP Lincoln Reagan Dinner is set for June 5th in the metro area. Chairman Plechash has invited former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to serve as keynote speaker. Watch mngop.com for details.
A Republic…if you can keep it.
Franklin's charge still stands. One way to answer it: serve as an election judge. If you haven't already signed up, do so before April 25th at: mngop.com/become-an-election-judge
Then apply with the county, city, or township of your choice — you may serve outside your home area. Many local election offices are already hiring.
Thank you for staying engaged, staying involved, and helping take back Minnesota.
With resolve and gratitude,
Donna M. Bergstrom
Deputy Chair
Republican Party of Minnesota
(O)651-222-0022
(C)202-236-2692
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From the Desk of Alex Plechash Chairman MNGOP January 25, 2026
What’s happening in Minneapolis is tragic.
The loss of life is tragic.
The chaos—barricades going up, businesses boarding up, families living with fear—is tragic.
And yet, while Minnesotans are looking for calm and leadership, our floundering elected officials are busy trying to score points on social media and threatening to shut down government—for the second time in a year.
This is what Amy Klobuchar and Tim Walz call leadership.
A constant state of chaos.
Minnesotans are tired of it.
We are tired of failing schools where nearly half of our kids cannot read or do math at grade level.
We are tired of paying some of the highest taxes in the country—only to watch millions stolen through fraud.
We are tired of one-party rule in our state and cities that has delivered two decades of decline.
What Minnesotans want isn’t radical.
They want normalcy.
They want safety.
They want a government that functions.
We are ready to return Minnesota to excellence in education and innovation.
We are ready to reward hard work again.
We are ready for a renewed spirit of common sense, accountability, and togetherness.
That renewal starts at caucus on February 3.
We need your voice.
We need your involvement.
We need your leadership.
I’m ready. Are you?
Alex Plechash
Chairman
Republican Party of Minnesota
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Understand What It Means to be a Conservative Republican
If You Remember One Thing: While Democrats fought to raise taxes, increase spending, and make life more expensive and difficult for Minnesotans, House Republicans made our priorities clear: making our state safer and more affordable, returning common-sense leadership to St. Paul.
Look Back at the Democrat Trifecta:
•
Turned an $18 billion surplus into a $6 billion deficit.
•
Raised taxes by $10 billion.
•
Made our communities less safe with soft-on-crime policies.
•
Piled on mandates hurting farmers, small businesses, and families.
•
Pushed Critical Race Theory into our classrooms instead of focusing on reading and math.
•
Handed taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants.
•
Passed the most extreme abortion policy in America.
•
Attacked our 2nd Amendment rights and undermined religious freedom.
During Republicans 67-66 Majority:
For a few weeks this session, Minnesotans saw what Republican leadership looks like and where the two parties stand on the issues important to Minnesotans.
Republicans voted to:
•
Protect girls’ sports by keeping boys out of female competition.
•
Repeal the Democrats’ dangerous “Duty to Retreat” law.
•
Pause wasteful light rail expansions.
•
Rein in emergency powers—so no governor can rule Minnesota like a king ever again.
•
Return surplus tax dollars where they belong, with hardworking Minnesotans.
•
Fund, pro-life women’s pregnancy centers that Democrats defunded after 20 years of bipartisan support.
•
And require life-saving care for infants born alive after failed abortions.
Democrats voted down every single one, but Minnesotans saw where each party stands.
After the House Returned to a 67-67 Tie:
Eventually, the House returned to a 67-67 tie, yet even then, House Republicans secured conservative wins no one thought possible:
•
The largest spending cut in Minnesota state history.
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No new taxes on Minnesota families — zero.
•
An end to taxpayer-funded health insurance for adult illegal immigrants.
•
Dozens of anti-fraud reforms to protect your hard-earned money.
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Protection for homeschoolers and charter schools from Gov. Walz’s proposed cuts to nonpublic pupil aid.
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Life-saving funding for rural ambulance services facing collapse.
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Increases in penalties for violent criminals to keep our communities safe.
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A $2 million cut to Second Harvest Heartland — the “food shelf nonprofit” that was caught paying its CEO over $720,000 a year.
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Major restrictions on legislatively named nonprofit grants.
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Cuts to taxpayer-funded abortion grants.
•
Historic permitting reform to speed up job-creating projects.
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A full repeal of the public option implementation authority and its $21 million in funding.
•
And we stopped massive cost shifts to counties that would’ve driven up your property taxes.
And most importantly: we blocked billions in new taxes, protecting Minnesota families from even more financial pain.
Imagine, with a $6 billion budget deficit, the type of tax raises Democrats would have passed if not for House Republicans standing in the breach.
20A STATE REPRESENTATIVE pam altendorf
20b state representative steve jacob
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