Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we continue to consider bills in committees, legislative action has been fast-paced at the Capitol in recent weeks.
With the weekend almost here, I wanted to send a quick update with some news on flood relief efforts, childcare fraud, and Lake Waconia Regional Park.
Flood Relief
Given the massive amounts of snow we’ve received this winter, we're anticipating and already seeing some serious and dangerous flooding during this spring’s melt. For our community sitting on the Minnesota River, this is an especially relevant threat.
I’m coauthoring legislation to replenish needed funding for our state's disaster assistance contingency account, which currently sits empty and lacks the financial resources to effectively respond to these floods. The bill would transfer $20 million in 2019 and another $20 million in 2020 to the account, effective the day after final enactment. The account is now in the red after Minnesota responded with $11 million in relief to flooding events last year in Brainerd and Duluth. We spent $11 million a year ago when we didn’t have a record snowfall waiting to melt.
Our responsibility as a legislature is to be proactive in allocating the funding now to ensure impacted cities can immediately respond as flooding gets worse. I am hopeful we can get this legislation to the governor as soon as possible and I will keep you informed of any developments.
Childcare Fraud
Last week, the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) released a report regarding the misuse of taxpayer dollars in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which is a state program to help low-income families afford childcare. The report detailed widespread fraud in the program, and indicates that a lack of internal controls at the Department of Human Services allows this fraud to go on and makes prosecutions difficult.
Legislators are authoring a handful of bills this year to hold fraudulent childcare providers accountable, prevent future fraud, and help restore integrity and accountability within the program. It is crucial that we make sure this funding is going to its intended purpose of helping low-income Minnesotans afford childcare.
Lake Waconia Regional Park
I’m authoring bipartisan legislation this year to provide funding to help Carver County construct the infrastructure and amenities necessary to develop Lake Waconia Regional Park. The project includes utility connections, trails, roadways, and parking lots; recreational facilities including restrooms, a lifeguard station, and picnic shelters; and site improvements including docks and a playground. Developing Lake Waconia Regional Park is an important project for Carver County and will be a big draw for visitors from around the area. I will be sure to fill you in as this bill moves through the legislative process.
Please Contact Me
I’d like to encourage you to please contact me to share any legislative questions or ideas you may have. I can be best reached by phone at 651-296-5066 or by email at rep.greg.boe@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Greg