Friends and neighbors,
I hope you’ve been soaking up the sunshine and warmer temps—I know I have. That said, our old pal Punxsutawney Phil has officially called for six more weeks of winter. For us Minnesotans, that’s hardly breaking news. We all know winter doesn’t leave without giving us at least three false springs first. So, enjoy the tease of warmer days… but maybe don’t put the snow shovels and long underwear away just yet.
In other news, it has been a busy and exciting week as our caucus prepares to return to the halls of the State Capitol. Precinct caucuses were held all across the state, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who came out and participated in their civic duty. This is truly grassroots democracy at its best, and it’s always encouraging to see neighbors coming together to have their voices heard.
I also had the pleasure of catching up earlier this week with my District 1B predecessor, former State Representative Deb Kiel, alongside Senator Mark Johnson and Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth—proof that good leadership (and good conversation) never goes out of style. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from those who have served before me while continuing to work hard for the people of District 1B.
Talking It Through: Minneapolis & the Path Forward
I recently had the opportunity to join NewsNation’s Markie Martin to talk through the latest developments out of Minneapolis and where we go from here. It was a great conversation, and you can watch the full interview by clicking the image above.
Now for the latest update on ICE in Minnesota: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced Monday that every Homeland Security officer on the ground in Minneapolis—including Immigration and Customs Enforcement—will be issued body-worn cameras effective immediately. According to the Associated Press, the goal is to help lower tensions following the recent shootings in Minneapolis. Transparency tends to calm waters, and right now, calmer waters are something everyone can agree we could use a little more of.
Paired with the administration’s decision to send in Tom Homan, this development offers a bit of light at the end of what has felt like a very long tunnel for many Minnesotans. Homan announced Wednesday morning that roughly 700 immigration and border agents are departing the Minneapolis area as part of a broader effort to scale back the surge and restore normal operations. He emphasized that a full drawdown will depend on continued cooperation from state and local law enforcement, as well as a meaningful decrease in violence, heated rhetoric, and attacks against immigration officers—in other words, progress depends on cooler heads prevailing.
There’s no sugarcoating it—this has been an incredibly difficult and emotional stretch for communities across our state. But if there’s one thing Minnesotans are known for (besides surviving winters that turn our lakes into skating rinks), it’s resilience. Minnesotans are tough, kind, and courageous, and time and time again we’ve proven that when challenges show up at our doorstep, we meet them head-on. I remain confident that we will come out of this chapter better—stronger, steadier, and more united than before.
Shedding Light on Fraud, One Whistleblower at a Time
And now for a little good news out of D.C.—yes, believe it or not, it does still happen from time to time.
On Wednesday, Minnesota House Fraud and Oversight Committee Chair Kristin Robbins (R–Maple Grove) testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing to gain understanding of the anatomy of fraud schemes and their vulnerabilities in terms of detection and dismantling.
Chair Robbins has been absolutely relentless in this fight—bringing in whistleblowers day after day, following the facts wherever they lead, and refusing to let this issue quietly disappear into a stack of government paperwork on a bureaucrat’s desk. Now she’s taking that fight national, working with our congressional partners to shine a very bright (and long overdue) spotlight on fraud schemes that have hurt hardworking Minnesotans in every corner of our state—helping them see patterns of fraud to apply lessons learned to other states throughout the country.
And the timing couldn’t be more critical. After more than $9 billion in taxpayer dollars was lost to fraud, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced this week a new effort to strengthen oversight in state-run Medicaid programs everywhere. This includes expanded scrutiny of high-risk providers and a significant increase in unannounced site visits—which, frankly, is exactly the kind of “trust but verify” approach taxpayers deserve (for all you Reagan-Gorbachev historians out there).
Let me be crystal clear: the scale of fraud we’ve seen take hold in Minnesota is not a partisan issue. Stolen taxpayer dollars don’t check party affiliation before they disappear. These are hard-earned dollars taken from Minnesotans across our state— money meant to help vulnerable families, support critical programs, and strengthen our communities.
This isn’t some minor bookkeeping error. This is real money being siphoned away through disgusting scams—some of which have even been linked to funding terrorist organizations. That should stop every Minnesotan in their tracks and spark serious concern.
The good news? Accountability is finally having its moment. The walls are closing in, oversight is tightening, and after years of frustration and outrage, this long-running nightmare may finally be nearing its end. And rest assured, as these criminals are brought to justice, every effort will be made to recover your stolen money.
From My Desk to Yours
To close out this week’s newsletter, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to the incredible folks of District 1B who tune in week after week. Thank you for staying engaged, thank you for sticking with me through uncertain times, and thank you for trusting me to work every day to improve our wonderful corner of Northern Minnesota. That trust means more than I can properly put into words.
As I’ve said before, this is an honor I will never take lightly. In just a little over one week, the 2026 legislative session officially kicks off, and I want you to know that I will always put the interests of the people first. Your voice is what drives effective policy in St. Paul—not lobbyists, not headlines, but the real, everyday hopes, dreams, and concerns of the people who call this district home.
So please never hesitate to advocate for yourself, your family, or your neighbors. If something matters to you, it matters to me. My door, inbox, and cell phone are always open—and I truly mean that (though I may answer with a cup of coffee in hand and a stack of legislative bill drafts on my desk.)
Until next time,
Representative Steve Gander
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B
