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Burkel









18

 

Hello from the State Capitol,

 

The Democrat shutdown of the Minnesota House has now entered its 18th day.

 

Since session began on January 14, House Republicans have been at the Capitol, ready to work on behalf of the people. But last Friday the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that 68 members must be present in order to officially hold session and committee hearings, and Republicans only have 67 members.

 

Money

 

Every day Democrats don’t show up in St. Paul, state taxpayers pay them roughly $10,000 for not doing their jobs. To date, you’ve wasted more than $170,000 on their inactivity.

 

House Republicans are trying to move forward as best we can. This week, I joined a group of other lawmakers who met with ag stakeholders to discuss dairy and poultry disease issues, such as highly pathogenic avian flu. We are losing egg-bearing hens by the millions across the country, and Minnesota is feeling the impacts not only in the loss of birds but in the escalating egg prices. Unfortunately we can’t address this problem until Democrats show up for work.

 

*MORE FRAUD FOUND AS FRAUD COMMITTEE SHELVED*

On Tuesday, we learned the Department of Human Services has 62 active investigations into childcare facilities in the Child Care Assistance Program across the state. It’s the latest example of fraud that is running rampant throughout state government. Unfortunately, a new House committee that would shine a light on years of fraud within state government has been sidelined, for now.

 

The newly formed Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee was set to begin holding hearings into the massive fraud issues that have come to light during Governor Walz’s tenure. But a recent Supreme Court ruling has prevented any official Minnesota House activity from taking place until 68 state representatives show up for work. To date, only 67 are in St. Paul to conduct the people’s business – all Republicans.

 

No other states seem to have the fraud issues Minnesota has, and this is a committee that could approve policies that protect the taxpayers from having their funds stolen.

 

The committee had planned to examine several significant cases, including the Feeding Our Future scandal, CCAP fraud, and provider overpayments. These issues represent a pattern of mismanagement and lack of oversight, with some estimates finding a cost to Minnesota taxpayers at more than $1 billion.

 

Preventing the theft of your tax dollars is not a partisan action. Minnesotans are tired of people scamming the system and are demanding answers.

 

*LOCAL VISITORS*

I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Jill Hall on Monday when she was down in St. Paul for Township Day at the Capitol.

 

Jill

 

Townships are a unique form of grassroots government and I really appreciate her efforts to advocate for local government back home in northwest Minnesota.

 

The Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association held their Legislative Conference here in St. Paul this week and I was glad to catch up with Jasper Schneider and Dalene Monsebroten from the Northern Municipal Power Agency in Thief River Falls. 

 

Power

 

We went over issues and concerns they have regarding net metering statutes and the importance of ending the nuclear moratorium here in Minnesota.

 

 

Finally, it’s always fun to see the folks from the American Bikers for Awareness, Training and Education (ABATE) down at the Capitol. 

 

ABATE

 

ABATE advocates to maintain and improve the rights of all Minnesota motorcyclists and I appreciate the time Tim Sandland takes to represent those issues for motorcyclists all across the state.






Please Contact Me

My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family.

I am here to serve you!

John Burkel









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2584 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.9635







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