Klobuchar Unveils Anti-Fraud Plan for MN Government

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar unveiled a detailed plan Sunday to overhaul Minnesota state government, with reducing fraud as her top priority, during her first major campaign press conference since announcing her bid for governor in January.

Speaking at an event center in downtown St. Paul, Klobuchar proposed a top-to-bottom audit of state agencies to identify waste, fraud, and abuse. Her measures include strengthening criminal penalties for fraud, creating a "Do Not Pay" database to bar convicted fraudsters from receiving state grants or contracts, empowering agencies to freeze suspicious payments, and conducting unannounced site visits to providers. She also called for modernizing outdated information technology systems, some dating back 40 years, using bonding funds to improve tracking of program payments and service delivery.

"Today I announced my plan to transform Minnesota's government and make it more innovative, effective, and accountable," Klobuchar said. "Fixing the government is the foundation for everything else."

The proposals draw from pending bipartisan legislation in the state Legislature and address ongoing fraud concerns in programs such as Medicaid and child...