Dear Friends,
Even though we don't have any snow yet, the holiday season kicks off this weekend in our community. There are Christmas celebrations in both downtown Maple Grove and Osseo tonight and tomorrow, featuring a variety of fun activities, including a visit from Santa Claus, so bring the whole family!
In St. Paul a couple of issues regarding transparency have arisen, and I hope they will be promptly addressed by the necessary agencies.
Minnesota Sports Facility Authority U.S. Bank Stadium Investigation
Recently, I and some of my fellow Republican legislators expressed our concern regarding reports that Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA) officials were treating high-profile Democratic legislators, staff, and commissioners to Vikings tickets in two luxury suites at U.S. Bank Stadium. I am pleased to say that the Legislative Auditor has announced that his office will launch an investigation into this matter. The taxpayers of our state provided a huge portion of the funding for the stadium, and it is imperative that we uncover the facts of how MSFA officials are using free tickets and luxury suites, and who has received them.
$1.2 Million in Unauthorized MNsure Spending
Auditors from the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presented recommendations on Monday regarding the repayment of $1.2 million in unauthorized grant spending by MNsure. Federal auditors say that this money was used both for expenses that should have been covered by state funding, and on marketing projects that were not officially authorized until the work was completed. MNsure officials have not accepted federal recommendations, and insist that these expenses were allowed under a contract extension for grant funds, though this contract was modified after much of the funds were already spent. There must be no question of how we spend both federal and state tax dollars. MNsure officials owe it to Minnesotans to resolve this issue quickly, and to follow the letter of the law in all their spending activities moving forward.
Please Contact Me
With session approaching, if there are issues you are concerned with please contact me to. It is my honor to represent our community at the Capitol. I can be reached via email at Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, by phone at 651-296-5502, and US mail address: 13570 Grove Drive, #370, Maple Grove, MN, 55311.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis