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Gander




*November 21, 2025*






Interim News

Dear friends and neighbors,

If you’ve turned on the TV, flipped through the paper, or simply opened your mailbox this week, you’ve probably already seen it: those property tax notices have begun their annual migration. And this year, they’re arriving with a little extra "bite."

Let’s address the elephant in the room right away—because it’s not exactly hiding behind the drapes. The Department of Revenue is projecting that property taxes will climb by nearly *$1 billion* next year. 

Now, depending on who you ask, the blame is being passed around like a hot-dish at a church potluck. Some point to federal adjustments, others accuse inflation, and a few insist it’s just the “cost of doing business.” But for us here at home, the cause is about as clear as a January sunrise: *Runaway spending by the Governor and his trifecta set the stage for this.*

Here’s what you need to know:


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They burned through a historic *$18 billion surplus*—and then went back for another *$10 billion in tax increases*.


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They layered on dozens of unfunded mandates that cities, counties, and schools are now scrambling to pay for.


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And because of that, local governments are raising property taxes—not because they want to, but because they’ve been handed the bill for all that new state spending.

Just a reminder: the state doesn’t set property taxes. Local governments do. But state decisions absolutely shape local budgets, and this year those decisions are hitting homeowners right in the wallet.

Simply put, Minnesotans are being asked to pay more—while getting less—all thanks to a long list of mandates and spending choices made at the Capitol.

As always, I’ll keep pushing for responsible budgeting that respects your hard-earned dollars and keeps our communities strong. Let’s make sure the next round of mail brings better news.

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Minnesota Fraud Watch: At This Point, We Need a Scoreboard

If you’ve been feeling like every week brings a new welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota... you’re not wrong. At this point, the only thing more reliable than a winter snowstorm is another headline about someone siphoning off public dollars. And the scale? Staggering.

During Governor Tim Walz’s tenure, billions—yes, with a “B”—in taxpayer funds have vanished into a black hole of fake nonprofits, pretend service providers, ghost clients, and “businesses” operating out of crumbling strip-mall storefronts. Meanwhile, state officials have been—how do we put this politely—asleep at the wheel while running one of the most generous welfare programs in America.

The newest deep-dive investigation reveals a pattern that’s become impossible to ignore: a sprawling network of fraud schemes involving everything from housing stabilization services to autism therapy to the now-infamous Feeding Our Future scandal. Federal prosecutors warn that many of these operations weren’t just your run-of-the-mill overbilling—they were *entirely fictitious companies* created solely to vacuum up Medicaid and federal nutrition dollars.

The result? *Programs meant for seniors, disabled Minnesotans, and vulnerable kids have been looted*, while actual need goes unmet. And as U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson put it, the depth of fraud in Minnesota “takes my breath away.” (And he’s a guy who prosecutes fraud for a living.)

Even more alarming, investigators say large amounts of stolen money have been funneled overseas through informal transfer networks [ [link removed] ]—eventually landing, in part, in the hands of Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked "*terror group*" in Somalia. One confidential counterterrorism source put it bluntly:

"“The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer.”"

Let that sink in.

So, what are we dealing with? A welfare bureaucracy with “low barriers to entry,” a political class afraid to offend, media outlets hesitant to connect the dots, and an ever-expanding trail of indictments. Housing programs, autism services, childcare meal reimbursements—you name it, someone figured out how to exploit it. As one prosecutor said, these schemes are *“stacked upon schemes,”* a web stretching across multiple state programs and costing Minnesotans billions.

And here’s the kicker: law-enforcement officials say we’re "nowhere near" understanding the full scale yet.

As Minnesota inches toward the 2026 elections, fraud prevention is no longer just a talking point—it’s the headline, the subhead, and the footnotes. Minnesotans deserve accountability, transparency, and a government willing to confront uncomfortable truths rather than bury them.

Until then? Keep your seatbelts fastened. At the rate these cases are unfolding, we may need a weekly “Fraud Friday” update just to keep track.

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Closing Thoughts...

I know—this week’s newsletter was a bit on the heavy side. Fraud, waste, and government dysfunction are never fun topics to wade through, but they’re realities we can’t afford to ignore. The good news is this: *Republican legislators in Minnesota are working tirelessly to turn the tide*—fighting to lower taxes, restore accountability, and root out the waste and fraud that’s eroding trust in our institutions and draining resources from the people who truly need them.

And with the 2026 elections right around the corner, Minnesotans have a powerful opportunity to chart a better course. You can do your part by staying engaged, staying informed, and voting Republican—because change doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when communities speak up, show up, and refuse to settle for “the way things are.”

Now more than ever, it’s important to have these honest conversations with your neighbors, friends, and family. A well-informed community is a strong community, and your voice matters more than you think.

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please feel free to reach out to my office—by phone or email. Hearing from you helps shape the work we do at the Capitol, and I am truly grateful for everyone who takes the time to stay involved.

Thank you for staying engaged—and for standing with us as we work toward a safer, stronger, more accountable Minnesota.

Sincerely,

Representative Steve Gander

"Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B"











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2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.5091







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