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Gander




*September 26, 2025*






Interim Update

Dear friends and neighbors,

Fall is in the air—you can almost hear the leaves crunching and the pumpkin pies calling your name. As summer officially packs up its beach towel, we’re trading flip-flops for flannels and diving headfirst into this week’s update. Buckle up—it’s going to be a good one!

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Minnesotans Speak: Mental Health and Second Amendment Rights

While we’re talking about seasons changing, it looks like the Governor is trying to change up the legislative calendar too—by announcing a potential special session. But here’s the good news: Minnesotans are telling us what really matters to them.

According to a fresh KSTP poll released Wednesday, 40% of Minnesotans said mental health should be the number-one focus if a special session is called. That’s followed by 30% saying guns, 17% on school security, and 10% on criminal penalties. Translation? Nearly 70% of Minnesotans support the exact issues we’ve been championing, compared to just 30% backing the push for more gun control.

And when it comes to the proposed “assault weapon” ban, support is far from universal—while 61% in the Twin Cities are on board, support across greater Minnesota drops well below 50%. Overall, only a slim majority (53%) of Minnesotans support it. And as these bans are being challenged in courts across the country, we can make positive progress now.

You can read the full KSTP story here: KSTP Poll Results. [ [link removed] ]

I’ll continue to keep you updated on all the special session happenings as they unfold.

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We’re Shutting Down Fraud—And Preventing It In the Future

While we stay focused on protecting students, supporting mental health, and making sure criminals face real consequences, yet another whopper of a fraud case has landed in Minnesota’s headlines. At this point, it’s starting to feel like “Fraud of the Week.” We will hold every fraudulent person criminally accountable, and we will prevent fraud in the future. The people of Minnesota deserve better than this.

Two weeks ago, the Minnesota House Fraud Committee learned that the federal government is auditing Minnesota’s Medicaid autism therapy services dating back to the year 2019—and may expand the probe into broader fraud problems. That’s a welcome step, especially since a new KARE 11 investigation just revealed DHS ignored repeated warnings from Hennepin Health and county officials about fraud in the Housing Stabilization Services program.

We’re talking bribes, falsified records, and even billing for people who had already passed away—all while real Minnesotans went without help. And when one vulnerable Minnesotan asked DHS for assistance he was supposed to be receiving? He was told to “do it himself.” Seriously. [Watch the story here.] [ [link removed] ]

It gets better (or worse, depending how you look at it): hours before the House Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee was set to hear testimony from DHS Deputy Commissioner Eric Grumdahl, he suddenly wasn’t Deputy Commissioner anymore. Call it bad timing—or call it dodging accountability.

And just this week, federal prosecutors charged eight individuals with defrauding the Housing Stabilization Services program out of $8.4 million—money meant for seniors, people with disabilities, and Minnesotans in recovery. Instead of helping, they splurged on luxury cars, overseas investments, and personal expenses.

From "Feeding Our Future" to Autism Therapy, to Housing Stabilization Services, it’s the same story: *Over the last seven years, fraudsters were cashing in while Minnesotans in need got left behind—and state agencies shrugged their shoulders. Those days are over. Keep posted—we are here to serve well and spend your money wisely.*

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Hitting the Road: Bonding Tour Season
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This time of year, while the leaves are turning, legislators like me are also hitting the road for what we call the "bonding tour." Think of it as a statewide field trip with a purpose: we get to see firsthand the facilities and projects that need state investment—whether that’s renovations, repairs, or new infrastructure. It’s one thing to read about a proposal on paper, but it’s another to walk the halls, see the cracks, talk to the people, and understand why these projects matter. That’s what makes the bonding tour so helpful—it puts real stories and real faces behind the requests.

I had the privilege of meeting some pretty awesome folks on this year’s tour, and let me tell you—I’m already fired up for next session. Just thinking about the projects coming our way gets me excited for what we can accomplish together.

Here are a few highlights from the stops in our area:


* *Red Lake Falls Infrastructure:* The City of Red Lake Falls is replacing watermains, storm sewers, and streets. They are looking for bonding from the State of Minnesota to help cover a portion of the expense for these necessary infrastructure updates.

 


* *Red Lake County Courthouse: *Built in the early 1900s, this courthouse is a cornerstone of county government. But outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure mean rising maintenance costs. Renovations will preserve history while ensuring services are delivered safely and efficiently.

 


* *University of Minnesota Crookston:* Nearly 70% of UMC students come from Greater Minnesota, and many stay after graduation. Investing here is about keeping talent local, supporting our workforce, and giving our kids the tools to succeed. From the photos above you can see that UMC is dealing with a shifting foundation that is causing structural cracks in walls at their athletic facility. They have additional needs as well.

 


* *East Grand Forks Industrial Park Infrastructure:* With over 30 businesses already operating in the park, upgrading infrastructure will fuel more growth, attract new employers, and create quality jobs right here at home. It will also provide much more safe and efficient access and egress from the American Crystal Sugar Company.

 


* *West Central Regional Water Supply Project:* More than 102,000 people across Norman, Clay, and Polk Counties rely on private wells, and testing shows alarming results: 43% of wells in Norman, 39% in Clay, and 21% in Polk exceeded federal limits for arsenic in drinking water. Long-term exposure can cause liver, bladder, and lung cancer—not to mention heart and nervous system issues. Add in rising contaminants like PFAS and high levels of manganese, and you can see why this $24.25 million project is essential. With $9.7 million requested from the state, the project would regionalize water treatment, spread costs more fairly, and ensure clean, safe drinking water for families across the region.

 


* *Georgetown Flood Mitigation:* Each major flood costs communities tens of millions in damages, with families and farms bearing the brunt. Investing here will not only save money long-term but keep homes, cropland, and livelihoods safe.

Touring these projects makes one thing crystal clear: bonding isn’t about shiny new buildings for bragging rights. It’s about smart, targeted investments that keep our communities safe, strong, and growing for generations to come.

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Until Next Time...

As we wrap up another busy stretch, I can’t help but feel grateful for the grit, heart, and good humor of our community. Whether it’s tackling tough issues head-on, dreaming big about future projects, or just sharing a cup of coffee and a story, you remind me why I love serving District 1B.

The road ahead will bring challenges—but also opportunities. And if there’s one thing I know about our corner of Minnesota, it’s that we meet both with resilience and a healthy dose of Northern Minnesota determination.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of what makes our district thrive. Keep speaking up, keep looking out for one another, and keep the ideas coming—I’m always just a call, email, or coffee away.

Until next time, stay warm, stay hopeful, and maybe sneak in a slice of pumpkin pie for me.

With gratitude,

Representative Steve Gander
"Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B"











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