1 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:14,360 Speaker 1: Our three Twins City's News Talk. Hey, I'm eleven thirty 2 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,400 Speaker 1: one oh three five FM. I'm watching the UH headlines 3 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: on Fox News talking about the latest successes regarding Operation 4 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:28,640 Speaker 1: Epic Fury. US has been sinking mine laying vessels. That 5 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:33,599 Speaker 1: a key choke point in the Strait of Ormuz. I 6 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: love all the winning. I do not like I will 7 00:00:38,159 --> 00:00:41,919 Speaker 1: say this though, I do not like that the regime 8 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: is still in place. I'm curious to see what the 9 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 1: administration ends up doing now that Ayatola Kamane's sun has 10 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: taken over. I would like to see the Iranian people 11 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: go and take back their country and remove this regime, 12 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: and I hope that is part of the endgame in 13 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: all of this. I'm very pleased to those so far 14 00:01:02,040 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: with the success that we've been having, and we'll continue 15 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:08,000 Speaker 1: to as we have been doing, mon itor the situation here. 16 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 1: On Twin City's News Talk, we were talking at the 17 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: end of last hour this absolutely ridiculous move by Democrats. 18 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:23,440 Speaker 1: Walter Hudson writes this online. You know Trump wants to 19 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:27,360 Speaker 1: give money to schools and lower your taxes. Minnesota Democrats 20 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: won't talk in because it's being proposed by Republicans, Walter writes, 21 00:01:33,319 --> 00:01:35,480 Speaker 1: would you write a seventeen hundred dollars check to your 22 00:01:35,520 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: school if you got that money back on your tax return. 23 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: Of course you would, but Walls won't let you. The 24 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:43,640 Speaker 1: Democrats are blocking it. They're putting up ridiculous videos voiced 25 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: and shown on the video Representative Sidney Jordan. You can 26 00:01:46,720 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: actually see this on my Twin Cities News talk feed 27 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,960 Speaker 1: on x and also my personal account at John Justice. 28 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:56,480 Speaker 1: As Max Remer writes, and we played some audio from 29 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 1: him last hour, the federal government created a tax credit 30 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: scholarship program that states can use if they choose to participate. 31 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 2: If the state opts in, taxpayers. 32 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:11,560 Speaker 1: Can donate money to approved scholarship granting organizations and thusly 33 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 1: receive a dollar for dollar dollar tax credit up to 34 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 1: seventeen hundred dollars, and then that money goes to students 35 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: in private and public schools. This doesn't have an impact 36 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: on any other taxpayers. It doesn't really have an impact 37 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: on the taxpayer that's spending the money because you get 38 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 1: it back from the federal government, and if we don't 39 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: opt in, it goes to other states. And yet you 40 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: have Democrats like Sidney Jordan out there complaining about schools 41 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:37,960 Speaker 1: being underfunded, and they are directly voting against giving schools funding. 42 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 1: So instead, if we don't opt in, the support is 43 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:44,239 Speaker 1: going to go to Colorado or Virginia. As Max writes, 44 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: it's the easiest vote in the world. And Democrats Walls included, 45 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:51,480 Speaker 1: have said no uniformly. They don't even know why, apart 46 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: from they have. 47 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,640 Speaker 2: What's called a Trump derangement problem. Have you heard about 48 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 2: that problem? 49 00:02:57,160 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, regarding that seventeen hundred dollars cat tax break, like 50 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:05,640 Speaker 3: a rich person really gives a rip. It's seventeen hundred bucks. 51 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 4: Good lord. 52 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 3: A lot of them spend more than that on a 53 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 3: flipp and purse. They could give a crap. So Democrats, 54 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 3: you just stupid if you buy into this class warfare 55 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 3: crap Trump what's a republic? Is why they're we got 56 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 3: your idiots. 57 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: Thank you. Ford of the show JD always colorful with 58 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 1: the top backs. Rarely do they disappoint. Minnesota Paid Family 59 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: Medical Eve is disappointing. As predicted. Businesses are facing significant 60 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: hurdles with the state's new Paid Family Medical EVE Act, 61 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:50,520 Speaker 1: and that's just two months after its implementation. This is 62 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: not a story from a what would be considered a 63 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 1: right leaning outlet. I'm actually working off of this from 64 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: Fox nine. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce shared that eighty 65 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: percent of its sixty three hundred members already offered some 66 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 1: form of. 67 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:09,120 Speaker 2: Paid leave before the state mandate. 68 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: Business owners are now experiencing increased costs and frustration due 69 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 1: to the new requirements. The Chamber highlighted several concerns, including 70 00:04:21,880 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: the program's complexity, slow execution, and disruption for small or 71 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 1: seasonal businesses. There are also worries about potential misuse in 72 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,359 Speaker 1: long term financial sustainability. The Chamber of Commerce in Minnesota 73 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: is just repeating what anybody using their brain has been 74 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 1: saying from the start when this program was first debated. 75 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:45,800 Speaker 5: Morning John. 76 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 6: I've seen at least five or six well known restaurant 77 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 6: breweries in Saint Paul, Minneapolis annow it's in the last 78 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 6: couple of weeks at their clothing. They blame it on 79 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 6: metro search. However, metro surge would not affect their bottom 80 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 6: line three four months ago. Well, exactly struggle or in 81 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,040 Speaker 6: the midst of their struggle. They don't ask them about 82 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:06,000 Speaker 6: the increased minimum wage that is hurting them. The property 83 00:05:06,080 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 6: tacks that are hurting them or how paid family leave 84 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:10,880 Speaker 6: is hurting them. Let's get down to the truth. 85 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,960 Speaker 1: No, you're absolutely correct. There is so much himming and 86 00:05:15,040 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: han going on from Democrats right now, and they are 87 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:22,279 Speaker 1: blaming everything on Operation Metro Surge, even though, as you mentioned, 88 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:28,440 Speaker 1: the metrics by which are being used are mostly almost 89 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 1: ninety nine point nine percent all things that were occurring 90 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 1: prior to Operation Metro surg So here's what the Chamber 91 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: is saying regarding paid family medical leaf. Beyond just the 92 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:44,520 Speaker 1: anti fraud sentiments, employers are reporting concerning trends. For example, 93 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:49,599 Speaker 1: providers are being pressured by patients for the full twelve 94 00:05:49,640 --> 00:05:52,920 Speaker 1: weeks leave, even if their condition does not require it. 95 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: A number of respondents have shared that their employees are 96 00:05:56,839 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: making more on paid leave than the wage re placement 97 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: thresholds in the law. An individual from the Minnesota Chamber 98 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 1: of Commerce said employees are going on vacation or to 99 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 1: music festivals while supposedly on leave. These anecdotes don't necessarily 100 00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 1: reveal fraud or a lack of oversight by the department. 101 00:06:17,440 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: They highlight the concerns with the broad eligibility and limited 102 00:06:21,760 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: employer recourse elements. 103 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 2: Of the law. 104 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:28,080 Speaker 1: They basically created Minnesota's paid family medical leave under the 105 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: same dynamics that they did all of the programs that 106 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: have turned out to be fraudulent, low barriers of entry, 107 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:42,640 Speaker 1: little oversight. While some employees are reported issues with applying 108 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,040 Speaker 1: for and receiving benefits, the majority seem to be experiencing 109 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 1: no major problems. However, it's important to note that the 110 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 1: program is still on us early stages. 111 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 2: We're two and a half months in. 112 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,280 Speaker 1: It's unclear how the issues will evolves the program continues, 113 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,279 Speaker 1: and whether adjustments will be made to address the business concerns. 114 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: Oh I can tell you what's going to happen. It's 115 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: going to get worse and there will be no adjustments 116 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,520 Speaker 1: made under the current leadership that we have under Governor 117 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 1: Tim Walls. All of this was predicted. This is a 118 00:07:16,840 --> 00:07:20,160 Speaker 1: redistribution of wealth program, plain and simple, and it was 119 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:25,200 Speaker 1: designed as such good hard working individuals who are not 120 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: going to put unnecessary burden on their employers and also 121 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: aren't going to lie. Let's just be honest. The Democrats 122 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 1: know that they're not going to go and take advantage 123 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: of this program because for the most part, those on 124 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:49,120 Speaker 1: the right, conservatives Republicans aren't generally speaking liars. So all 125 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: that money that you're not going to take advantage of, 126 00:07:51,480 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: and I'm not going to take advantage of because I'm 127 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,920 Speaker 1: not going to put an undoe burden on my business 128 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 1: that I work for. You're not going to do that. Well, 129 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: guess what that money goes into the program anyways. The 130 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:02,640 Speaker 1: employer has to pay into it anyways, and it's going 131 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 1: to go for a lot of other people to go 132 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: to their music festivals, to go on their lavish vacations, 133 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: to make more money than they are legally allowed to 134 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: go and make. Because there's going to be a little 135 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,559 Speaker 1: oversight on this. It is the disaster that everybody said 136 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: it was going to be. And in the midst of 137 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: all this, what do you have Democrats doing during the 138 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: legislative session? They want to take even more money from you. 139 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: New bill proposes a constitutional sales tax hike to fund affordability. 140 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:33,839 Speaker 1: Doing that thing with my fingers, I'll give you the 141 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: details next here on Twin Cities News Talk AM eleven 142 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: thirty and one oh three five FM at road dot com. 143 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 2: That's Homestead Road dot com. 144 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 7: Abokay Am Minneapolis at app I Road, Twin Cities News Talk. 145 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 2: Listen on the free iHeartRadio app. 146 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 8: For all your music, radio and podcasts. 147 00:08:51,800 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 9: Back to John Justice Live this morning on Twin Cities 148 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,439 Speaker 9: News Talk AM eleven thirty FM one O three point 149 00:08:59,520 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 9: five and on iHeartRadio. 150 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:09,359 Speaker 2: All of the concerns. 151 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 1: After just shy of over two months and its implementation 152 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 1: regarding paid family medical leave, and we're already seeing it 153 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 1: come to fruition within the first thirty days, reports of 154 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: potential fraud being flagged. Now the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 155 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: comes out and says there's concerning trends providers being pressured 156 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: by patients for full twelve weeks of leave even if 157 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 1: their condition doesn't require it. The number of respondents share 158 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,080 Speaker 1: that their employees are making more on paid leave than 159 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 1: the wage replacement thresholds that are put in place within 160 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:46,079 Speaker 1: the law. Employees are going on vacation or to music 161 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 1: festivals while supposedly on leave the broad eligibility limited employer 162 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 1: recourse elements of the law. It's a redistribution of wealth. 163 00:09:56,640 --> 00:09:59,520 Speaker 1: It doesn't need to be legitimate for the Democrats. 164 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:01,360 Speaker 2: And yet. 165 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,600 Speaker 1: When it comes to doing things that are fair of 166 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 1: no cost to the taxpayer, providing a benefit for students, 167 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: and we'll get back to this in just a moment. 168 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: The Democrats supposed it simply because Republicans are supporting it. 169 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: By the way, for those that are interested, Yes, an 170 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: undocumented immigrant working in Minnesota can also access the paid 171 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,400 Speaker 1: Family Medical Leave. 172 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: Oh but wait, there's more. Hey, good morning, John. 173 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 10: I don't think many people realize that even if you 174 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 10: have a legitimate injury at your place of employment, if 175 00:10:37,920 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 10: you have to go on disability, you are required you 176 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 10: must sign up for the Family Medical Leave Act and 177 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 10: they will pay at least part of that expense. Even 178 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,800 Speaker 10: if you're a huge corporation you can't pay it yourself 179 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 10: or your insurance company, you are forced to join that program. 180 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:00,479 Speaker 2: It's also gross. It just is. It's gross. 181 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: The partisan politics that the DFL plays in the state. 182 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 1: And Governor Tim Watson doesn't give a rip. He doesn't 183 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 1: care about any of this. His DHS fraud plan for 184 00:11:13,080 --> 00:11:17,760 Speaker 1: to tackle Medicaid. No, it's just designed to further enable 185 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 1: the left to go and cover up the fraud that's 186 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 1: been taking place. Let's go back to the iHeartRadio app. 187 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 4: Hey, good morning, John. 188 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:28,200 Speaker 8: I'm just curious why did the Democrats faith that they 189 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 8: care about children so much because at the end of 190 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 8: the day, aren't they the party that wants them to 191 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 8: die before they're born. 192 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:38,280 Speaker 4: It's amazing. 193 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 2: Anyway, I have a great day. 194 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,040 Speaker 1: They only care about the children if they can use 195 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: it to try to gain political capital. 196 00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:44,959 Speaker 2: That's it. 197 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: I found out of the clip I wanted to share 198 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: from Representative Harry Niska. Let me play you a portion 199 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: of DFL Representative Sidney Jordan basically lying regarding what this 200 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:01,319 Speaker 1: tax credit would actually do to go and help schools. 201 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,439 Speaker 11: Good news and bad news from Minnesota's public schools. 202 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 2: Let's do the bad news first. 203 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 11: Republicans in the legislature are added again to bring private 204 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:12,600 Speaker 11: school vouchers to our state, and at a time when 205 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 11: our public systems are being attacked and defunded, my colleague, 206 00:12:16,520 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 11: Representative Andrew Myers is fighting for handouts to rich families 207 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 11: who already send their kids. 208 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 2: To private schools. 209 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:26,679 Speaker 11: When Republicans show you who they are, believe them. Handing 210 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 11: out tax breaks to the wealthiest among us at the 211 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:33,199 Speaker 11: expense of everyday kids earning a public education is ridiculous. 212 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: In their mind, it's a tax break for the wealthy. 213 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:38,319 Speaker 1: If the wealthy can take advantage of it, even though 214 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 1: everybody can go and take advantage of it, Like I 215 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: wonder if she would be all furthest if it was 216 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:50,439 Speaker 1: capped at whatever your income is, your medium family income 217 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:52,959 Speaker 1: in a certain amount. That way the wealthy couldn't take 218 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: advantage of it. MMn House Republicans posted this online. Democrats 219 00:12:58,040 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 1: opposing this school funding bill even though it costs zero 220 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: dollars to the state, spreading claims about what the bill 221 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: supposedly does. Here's the problem. The claims aren't true. Here 222 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: is Representative Harry nisk. 223 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 12: And honestly, we're kind of puzzled why Governor Wallas hasn't 224 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 12: already said yes. This truly is one of the easiest 225 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 12: things we should all be able to agree on. And 226 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:19,680 Speaker 12: I think it's important to clarify what this bill does 227 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 12: not do. It does not create a tax credit program. 228 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 12: That program has already been created by federal law. And 229 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 12: it's not a bill that allows Minnesota taxpayers to donate 230 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 12: to these scholarship granting organizations. Minnesota taxpayers are free to 231 00:13:34,040 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 12: do that under that existing federal law. This bill simply 232 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:41,680 Speaker 12: answers this question, do we want those Minnesota dollars, those 233 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 12: Minnesota donations to benefit Minnesota kids. House Republicans say yes. 234 00:13:49,040 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 13: I simply cannot imagine the gall the audacity of these 235 00:13:55,120 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 13: DFL monsters to fix their face to say new taxes 236 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 13: in the wake of this fraud, which is, by the way, 237 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 13: which is still going on. The fraud continues to this day. 238 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 13: Of course, to this day, the fraud is. 239 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 1: Still We'll talk about this with Luke Sprinkle from Alpha 240 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: News coming up. But it turns out that when it 241 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: comes to the non emergency medical transportation program, this was 242 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: one of the things that Nick Shirley had further exposed 243 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: beyond the Leering Center. Michael Weiedner, executive director of the 244 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 1: Minnesota Paratransit Providers Association, said that since the questions were 245 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 1: raised about that program, the non emergency medical transportation being fraudulent, 246 00:14:52,880 --> 00:14:58,280 Speaker 1: the rides have decreased by sixty two percent. Oh oh 247 00:14:58,360 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: my god, just goes to under underscore how Walls and 248 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 1: his new fraud prevention program's completely unnecessary. If you just 249 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: have a DHS that is allowed to do their job 250 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:17,200 Speaker 1: without retaliation for exposing the fraud. If you just moved 251 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 1: to go and begin to prosecute every single individual you said, 252 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 1: without warning, you're going to start inspecting autism centers, daycare 253 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: program centers, housing and stabilization services. Oh sorry, I'm sorry. 254 00:15:31,680 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: That whole thing's been canceled because it was all fraudulent. 255 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:37,720 Speaker 1: You wouldn't need any additional programs. It just takes the 256 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 1: will and desire to use the existing law. 257 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 2: Even with the low. 258 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: Barriers of entry and the little oversight, you can still 259 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:48,920 Speaker 1: use existing law to make sure there's not fraud in 260 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: the program, but they refuse to do that. In the meantime, 261 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 1: disregarding the one percent sales tax hike already enacted in 262 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three, according to Martha Najola Mole out of Center, 263 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 1: the American Experiment, a new bill s F twenty one, 264 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 1: Excuse Me twenty six twenty one, and its house companion 265 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 1: thirty two seventy nine are asking voters to amend the 266 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 1: state constitution to further raise the rate by three eighths 267 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: to one percent between twenty seven and twenty fifty two. 268 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: As the ballot phrasing explains, the proceeds will fund initiatives 269 00:16:30,360 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 1: to remove barriers to home ownership, to make rental housing 270 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 1: safe and affordable, and to protect vulnerable households and communities, 271 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: from displacement and homelessness and home. 272 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 2: This is a new. 273 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: Bill proposing a constitutional sales tax hike to fund affordability. 274 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:50,480 Speaker 2: I am appalled. 275 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 1: Specifically, the state will create a Ownership Opportunity Fund to 276 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 1: buy or develop homes, a Community and Household Stability fund 277 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: assistance programs for the homeless, and a Rental Opportunity fund 278 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: rental assistance plus development or rehabilitation of rental housing. The 279 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: new funds, according to the bill, most supplement to traditional 280 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 1: sources of funding and may not be used as a substitute. 281 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 1: That is, regardless of the revenue shortfalls or changing needs. 282 00:17:23,440 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 1: The state's constitution would guarantee new housing funding. 283 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 2: For at least two decades. 284 00:17:30,359 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: That would mean limited legislative control over future budgets, especially 285 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: since earmarked funds are locked away in special accounts that 286 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 1: are rarely part of a broader budget discussion, leaving less 287 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,919 Speaker 1: room to maneuver if state finances take a turn for 288 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:44,399 Speaker 1: the worst. 289 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 2: You've got this. 290 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 1: On top of Senate Democrats introducing a bill to create 291 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 1: a forty million dollar emergency rental assistance fund to help democrats. 292 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: Excuse me, yeah, it is Democrats, but slip of the 293 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: tongue ah to help Minnesotans at risk. Eviction lawmakers say 294 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: the state has seen about four thousand eviction filings through February, 295 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 1: indicating a record pace for this year. Democrats say it 296 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 1: may get worse as a result of people staying home 297 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: during the I Sarch. The problem is, as was mentioned 298 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 1: in the talkback previously, the timeline simply doesn't add up. Sure, 299 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,880 Speaker 1: you may have seen the evictions coming to Fruition since 300 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:30,919 Speaker 1: the first of the year, allegedly at the height of 301 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: people not going to work, but the amount of time 302 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:37,240 Speaker 1: that it takes to bring about an actual conviction started 303 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 1: well before the beginning of this year and had nothing 304 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: to do with Operation Metro Search, tax hikes, rental assistance packages. 305 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,439 Speaker 1: We're already losing money on paid family medical leave, as 306 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:54,679 Speaker 1: I mentioned before, suggestions to quintuple your vehicle tabs, walls 307 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:57,640 Speaker 1: in his multimillion dollar fraud prevention program. 308 00:18:57,720 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 2: The just list goes on and on and. 309 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 1: On, and yet the one thing that Republicans wanted money 310 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 1: already allocated from the federal government that would not require 311 00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:11,640 Speaker 1: any money from the taxpayer, apart from giving a donation 312 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: that you would get back to help our schools and 313 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 1: Democrats said no, We're good because you Republicans went and 314 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:23,560 Speaker 1: suggested it. Discuss Your talk back of the day is 315 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:25,199 Speaker 1: coming up. Will continue to get an update on the 316 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:28,600 Speaker 1: legislative session. Alpha News and Luke Sprinkle will join us 317 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 1: next here on Twinsday's News Talk Am eleven thirty and 318 00:19:30,960 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: one three five FM. Twin City's News Talk Am eleven 319 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: thirty and one three five FM. We'll get to our 320 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: next guests, Luke Sprinkle from Alpha News with an update 321 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: on the legislative session. We didn't need to get to 322 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:02,480 Speaker 1: your talk back of the day. Your talk back of 323 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:04,679 Speaker 1: the day is brought to you by mini Leaf and 324 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: minileaf dot com. Head on over to m I N 325 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,680 Speaker 1: N E L e e a f dot com check 326 00:20:11,720 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: out all of their amazing products. Oh and remember too 327 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 1: you can also go and check out one of their 328 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:21,840 Speaker 1: brand new locations, Warrior Garden in Saint Paul. Now Here 329 00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 1: is your top back of the day, eh, John. 330 00:20:25,920 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 5: Good Shall, Yeah, Boife and I joked about using trying 331 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 5: trying to get the twelve weeks off to move on 332 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 5: to Minnesota. 333 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:37,159 Speaker 2: How perfect would that be? 334 00:20:37,320 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 5: Using the twelve weeks to get partially paid to move 335 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 5: yourself away from this state. 336 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 2: Brilliant. 337 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,200 Speaker 1: That is your talk back of the day, brought to 338 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:49,240 Speaker 1: you by Mini Leaf and minileaf dot Com. Joining me now, 339 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: Luke Sprinkle from Alphanews. Good morning, Luke. How are we 340 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:52,680 Speaker 1: doing this morning? 341 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 4: Doing good? How are you? John? 342 00:20:55,080 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 9: Oh? 343 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:56,120 Speaker 2: I'm doing all right. 344 00:20:56,200 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: No shortage of things to talk about via the legislative session. 345 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:05,520 Speaker 1: It seems as if we are now mired in the 346 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:11,719 Speaker 1: Democrats attempt to basically just ignore anything that the GOP proposes, 347 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: all to provide talking points for the elections later on 348 00:21:16,600 --> 00:21:19,480 Speaker 1: later on this year. I'm curious your thoughts on how 349 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:22,120 Speaker 1: the legislative session is going so far in your mind, 350 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,240 Speaker 1: having watched the proceedings in Saint Paul. 351 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:29,680 Speaker 7: Well, I think right now they're still sort of in 352 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:32,800 Speaker 7: sort of the show stage, if that makes sense. So, 353 00:21:33,200 --> 00:21:36,280 Speaker 7: I mean both of the you know, both the Republicans 354 00:21:36,320 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 7: and Democrats in the House, they get to schedule their 355 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:42,240 Speaker 7: own committee meetings because the legislatures split, so they kind 356 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 7: of trade committee meeting schedules, and so each of them 357 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 7: are you know, the Democrats are hearing a lot of 358 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:51,640 Speaker 7: bills about anti ice stuff. Republicans are hearing a lot 359 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:54,120 Speaker 7: of bills about frauds. So I think they're both sort 360 00:21:54,119 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 7: of preparing for the twenty sixteen or the twenty twenty 361 00:21:57,480 --> 00:22:01,160 Speaker 7: six excuse me twenty six campaign is getting all their 362 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 7: messaging out there, and a lot of these bills that 363 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:07,760 Speaker 7: they put forward. Oftentimes they'll put them forward knowing that 364 00:22:07,800 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 7: they're going to get voted down, knowing that they're not 365 00:22:09,640 --> 00:22:11,639 Speaker 7: going to advance, but they want the other side to 366 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 7: be on the record. So the Republicans want to talk 367 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 7: about fraud, you know, to put the Democrats on their 368 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 7: record about what they thought about this proposal or that proposal. 369 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,440 Speaker 7: Democrats are going to do the same with ice stuff. 370 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,240 Speaker 7: So I think as of right now, it's kind of 371 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 7: the posturing stage. 372 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:27,880 Speaker 4: There's still you know, quite a few weeks to go. 373 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 7: Before the session ends, and I think then, you know, 374 00:22:31,080 --> 00:22:32,680 Speaker 7: as we get further on in the session, I think 375 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 7: things will start to get more and more serious about 376 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 7: you know, is anything going to pass the session, what's 377 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:38,359 Speaker 7: going to pass? 378 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:41,320 Speaker 4: Is a bonding bill going to pass? All that stuff? 379 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:43,640 Speaker 7: But right now, I think it's still sort of the 380 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:45,960 Speaker 7: the posturing stage right now. 381 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:46,600 Speaker 2: Do you think that. 382 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:49,680 Speaker 1: I mean, we talked earlier this morning two big issues, Luke, 383 00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:52,600 Speaker 1: we talked about the Office of Inspector General. This was 384 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:59,400 Speaker 1: passed unanimously bipartisan last year, but Democrats continue to oppose it, 385 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: even though what was brought back again this week. Do 386 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 1: you see that eventually passing once we get past the 387 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:08,919 Speaker 1: stage as you're referring to it of posturing taking place. 388 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 7: I, you know, as right now, I don't really know 389 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 7: if it's going to get passed or not. I do 390 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 7: know that, I mean, there was a sort of a 391 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:19,679 Speaker 7: big push for the OIG at the beginning of session, 392 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:22,080 Speaker 7: kind of when everything started, you know, everyone was back 393 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:25,080 Speaker 7: in Saint Paul on the Republicans highlighted the need for 394 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 7: the OIG quite a lot during the first few weeks. 395 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 7: But there hasn't been a whole lot of activity on 396 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 7: the OIG recently. 397 00:23:32,800 --> 00:23:36,720 Speaker 4: I uh, yeah, I'm not sure. I believe the. 398 00:23:35,960 --> 00:23:38,399 Speaker 7: There's a working group of bipartisan legislators, a couple of 399 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:41,360 Speaker 7: Republicans and Democrats that worked on that bill that put 400 00:23:41,359 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 7: it together, and I believe that they are meeting again regularly, 401 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:47,360 Speaker 7: so they're sort of meeting behind the scenes to kind 402 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 7: of fine tune it see if there's a past path 403 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:53,120 Speaker 7: forward for it. But I think things on that bill 404 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 7: have kind of gone dark right now, but I think 405 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:57,280 Speaker 7: eventually that working group is going to come out and 406 00:23:57,280 --> 00:23:59,640 Speaker 7: they're going to have either a new strategy for getting 407 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 7: it done fine tuned bill. So I think it'll definitely 408 00:24:02,600 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 7: come up, but as of right now, it's sort of 409 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 7: line low. 410 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:08,680 Speaker 1: There's a couple of different stories available at Alpha news 411 00:24:08,960 --> 00:24:12,120 Speaker 1: dot org. Talking with Luke Sprinkle from Alpha News. This 412 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 1: one I found. It's sad but it's almost comical. Industry 413 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:17,960 Speaker 1: leader is sounding the alarm on fraud in the Minnesota 414 00:24:18,000 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 1: transportation program. This was brought to our attention about a 415 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,920 Speaker 1: month or so ago. There was coverage that the non 416 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:29,719 Speaker 1: Emergency medical Transportation program may be filled with fraud. 417 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:31,520 Speaker 2: It's incredibly easy. 418 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:34,919 Speaker 1: To go and fill out the online forms stating that 419 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:39,440 Speaker 1: you transported an individual from their location to a say 420 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 1: a doctor's you know, visit non emergency medical transportation. A 421 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:46,919 Speaker 1: little oversight over this, and now the executive director of 422 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,080 Speaker 1: the Minnesota Paratransit Provider Association is saying that there's been 423 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:56,440 Speaker 1: a massive decrease in the number of e any MT 424 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 1: rides that have taken place since the allegations of fraud 425 00:24:59,600 --> 00:24:59,880 Speaker 1: is echo. 426 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:03,679 Speaker 7: Uh, yeah, he used it a committee and said that 427 00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:07,879 Speaker 7: he suspects that this sixty two percent decrease in the 428 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:11,480 Speaker 7: rides that have occurred on he suspects of that decreases fraud. 429 00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 7: Basically now that the that Emergency Medical Transportation program is 430 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:19,680 Speaker 7: one of the fourteen programs the DHSS has deemed high risk, 431 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 7: so it's under the microscope for fraud right now. There 432 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,120 Speaker 7: have been other of those, you know, fourteen programs where 433 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:27,760 Speaker 7: criminal charges have been brought against people that defrauded those. 434 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,120 Speaker 7: So I suspect that, you know, fraudsters that have been 435 00:25:31,119 --> 00:25:34,840 Speaker 7: defrauding the an e MT program and other programs they 436 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:37,560 Speaker 7: know they're under the microscope. And so there's probably people 437 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 7: that have stepped away because well, you know, if they 438 00:25:40,040 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 7: know they're committing fraud, they don't want to be on 439 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 7: the on the radar. And so yeah, this this guy 440 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 7: was telling a legislative committee that he thinks that sixty 441 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:50,720 Speaker 7: two percent decrease could very well people be people that 442 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 7: decided uh to no longer participate in the program because 443 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 7: their participation was fraudulent. 444 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 445 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 1: I want to share one quote from the story, and 446 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:00,639 Speaker 1: I encourage everybody to head on over dwal org to 447 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:03,679 Speaker 1: see it in its entirety. But Michael Wiedener, he's this 448 00:26:03,800 --> 00:26:08,359 Speaker 1: executive director of the Paratransit Providers Association, he said this, 449 00:26:09,000 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 1: it's a sixty two percent reduction in rides. Where did 450 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 1: they go? They just vanished. They weren't picked up by 451 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:19,400 Speaker 1: any other non emergency medical transportation department. It's sad to say, 452 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 1: but it seems like there is at least sixty two 453 00:26:21,640 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 1: percent of the rides that are fraudulent, you know, Luke, 454 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 1: earlier this morning, we were talking about this. Yesterday, Governor 455 00:26:28,240 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 1: Tim Walls unveiled this new proposal to tackle fraud in 456 00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:37,760 Speaker 1: terms of you know, decentralizing or centralizing you know, the program. Really, 457 00:26:38,119 --> 00:26:40,320 Speaker 1: all it's going to do, according to many individuals and 458 00:26:40,359 --> 00:26:43,120 Speaker 1: myself included, is going to provide the ability to cover 459 00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:46,399 Speaker 1: up the fraud further. But beyond that, it seems to 460 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: me that if we just went and tackled the issue 461 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:51,320 Speaker 1: of holding people accountable, even with these programs that have 462 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 1: low barriers to entry and are easy to commit the fraud, 463 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:57,520 Speaker 1: if we actually did the investigations into it, and we 464 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,399 Speaker 1: actually began to look and had some scrutiny, you wouldn't 465 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:03,640 Speaker 1: need any other additional programs because it seems as if, 466 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 1: like with this program, it's kind of self correcting. And 467 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:08,240 Speaker 1: again I just encourage everybody to head on over to 468 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,600 Speaker 1: alphaus dot org to check that out. It's pretty pretty 469 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: stunning testimony there, Luke. 470 00:27:13,200 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, No, pretty pretty crazy. 471 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 7: And the the interesting thing was the DHS they responded 472 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:20,919 Speaker 7: to it, and they basically said, well, we don't know 473 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 7: if sixty two percent, if there actually has been a 474 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 7: sixty two percent decrease, because people in this program, they 475 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:31,040 Speaker 7: actually have a year that they can build DHS for 476 00:27:31,080 --> 00:27:33,520 Speaker 7: a service. So to my understanding, it's you, you you know, 477 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:35,840 Speaker 7: do a ride, you help someone with a non emergency 478 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 7: medical ride, you actually have a year to build the 479 00:27:38,440 --> 00:27:40,480 Speaker 7: state for that service. So you could you know, have 480 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 7: conducted a ride in you know, let's say June of 481 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:45,240 Speaker 7: twenty twenty five, and then you still have you know, 482 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,160 Speaker 7: until like April May of twenty twenty six to build 483 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:48,960 Speaker 7: for that ride. 484 00:27:49,200 --> 00:27:51,120 Speaker 4: And so DHS said. 485 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 7: Well, we don't know if there's been a drop because 486 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 7: you know, maybe people haven't built us for the rides yet. 487 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:56,919 Speaker 7: Maybe there's a lot of rides you know, that are 488 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:59,159 Speaker 7: out there still that you know, are yet to come in. 489 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:03,359 Speaker 7: So maybe sixty two percent isn't real and represented Walter 490 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:05,760 Speaker 7: Hudson basically just said in the committee, like, I don't 491 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:06,160 Speaker 7: buy that. 492 00:28:06,119 --> 00:28:06,679 Speaker 4: For a second. 493 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:10,640 Speaker 7: He was just he totally rejected the premise and just said, 494 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,159 Speaker 7: you know, we're supposed to believe that there's hundreds of 495 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:16,960 Speaker 7: thousands of rides that have not been built twenty twenty five, Like, yeah, 496 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:18,640 Speaker 7: it's it's just it's crazy. 497 00:28:18,920 --> 00:28:20,480 Speaker 2: Well, so much talk about rides. 498 00:28:20,520 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: I feel it's appropriate to drop this in before we 499 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:23,480 Speaker 1: go to our next story. 500 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 7: Expect for the next eleven months for me to ride 501 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:29,000 Speaker 7: you like you've never been ridden? 502 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:29,399 Speaker 4: All right? 503 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:33,680 Speaker 1: With that, Minnesotan's living in a homeowners association community might 504 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:36,159 Speaker 1: soon be able to fly a new type of flag 505 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 1: on their property. Talk about this Minnesota House legislation that 506 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:45,200 Speaker 1: is advancing regarding HOA residents and what flies, what's flags 507 00:28:45,200 --> 00:28:48,400 Speaker 1: are they looking to actually allow in the hoas? 508 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 7: Yeah, so this is a bill from Yeah, it's a 509 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:59,120 Speaker 7: Republican Republican author Basically, under undercurrent law, hoas can limit 510 00:28:59,160 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 7: the types of flags are flown in their communities. They 511 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:04,280 Speaker 7: can limit all flags except for the American flag and 512 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 7: the Minnesota flag. So anyone that lives in an HOA 513 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 7: Minnesota can fly those two flags. This field basically would 514 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 7: add to the list of flags that are allowed to 515 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 7: be that hoas can't limit, and it would be all 516 00:29:17,880 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 7: branches of the US military. Those flags could fly I 517 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:26,959 Speaker 7: believe the Gold Star Service flag, the Blue Star Service flag, 518 00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 7: and the Prisoner of War Missing an Action flag as well. 519 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:33,160 Speaker 7: So I mean basically it would add you know, these 520 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 7: flags still lists that hoas can't limit. 521 00:29:37,320 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 1: The last story we want to touch upon, and we 522 00:29:39,280 --> 00:29:41,560 Speaker 1: covered this briefly on the show, but again head on 523 00:29:41,560 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: over to alphanews dot org. You can see the story 524 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 1: in its entirety. But when it comes to the campaign, 525 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 1: the battle between Congressman and Angie Craig and Lieutenant Governor 526 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,520 Speaker 1: Peggy Flan Again, you had Angie Craig suddenly going in 527 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:57,960 Speaker 1: flip flopping on the Lake and Riley vote amid this 528 00:29:58,280 --> 00:30:01,720 Speaker 1: heated dfl Senate to send it primary. And I know 529 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:05,560 Speaker 1: that Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flann again and candidate was recently 530 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:07,760 Speaker 1: on with Esmie Murphy and they were talking about this 531 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:10,880 Speaker 1: very issue of Angie Craig flip flopping on the Lake 532 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: and Riley vote. But clearly, you know Angie Craig feels 533 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:16,720 Speaker 1: like she's under pressure she has to go and make 534 00:30:16,760 --> 00:30:19,479 Speaker 1: a move, a move like this, because it wasn't all 535 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:22,080 Speaker 1: that controversial when she voted in support of it, but 536 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:25,160 Speaker 1: apparently now she feels that she can no longer back 537 00:30:25,240 --> 00:30:27,400 Speaker 1: it because she wants to win this primary. 538 00:30:29,280 --> 00:30:30,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, it was. 539 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:32,640 Speaker 7: I honestly think for people that have been watching the 540 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:35,440 Speaker 7: campaign unfold, I really don't think it was even like 541 00:30:35,520 --> 00:30:38,120 Speaker 7: that's surprising. I mean that we've seen how basically the 542 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:42,680 Speaker 7: entire DFL party has sort of, you know, centered on 543 00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:43,960 Speaker 7: this anti ice. 544 00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:45,720 Speaker 4: Politics that's been like their big message. 545 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 7: And so you know, Peggy Flannagan has been attacking Angie Craig, 546 00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:54,560 Speaker 7: you know, pretty consistently over her support for the Lake 547 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:57,880 Speaker 7: and Riley Act, And yeah, I think you know, the 548 00:30:57,880 --> 00:31:00,480 Speaker 7: fact that Angie Craig walked away from it, I think 549 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:03,880 Speaker 7: that says volumes about where she believes her campaign is 550 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 7: that I think Craig is really concerned that all the 551 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:10,000 Speaker 7: momentum is with Flanagan. Flannagan has sort of the far 552 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:14,000 Speaker 7: left energy on her side in that primary. And even 553 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:18,320 Speaker 7: though Angie has a huge fundraising advantage in this VFL primary, 554 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:21,560 Speaker 7: Angie has a lot more money than Peggy does. But 555 00:31:21,680 --> 00:31:24,120 Speaker 7: Peggy has been leading in a lot of different polls, 556 00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 7: actually polls commissioned by Flanagan's own campaign, National Republicans that 557 00:31:29,080 --> 00:31:31,960 Speaker 7: have monitored the race, and even in one of Angie 558 00:31:32,000 --> 00:31:36,280 Speaker 7: Craig's own internal polls, Flanagan is ahead of Angie in 559 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:38,680 Speaker 7: this race. So I think the flip flop was just 560 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:41,560 Speaker 7: because Angie can kind of see the writing on the wall, 561 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:44,240 Speaker 7: so to speak. She knows that she's losing to Peggy 562 00:31:44,240 --> 00:31:47,680 Speaker 7: Flanagan and she was trying to make a change. But 563 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 7: when you do that, I mean Angie is going to 564 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:52,719 Speaker 7: put herself on the defensive in the months leading up 565 00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:53,320 Speaker 7: to the convention. 566 00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:55,240 Speaker 4: And I mean in any campaign, you. 567 00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:57,480 Speaker 7: Don't want to be the candidate on the defensive sort 568 00:31:57,520 --> 00:32:00,720 Speaker 7: of explaining your positions, and that's kind of where she's 569 00:32:00,720 --> 00:32:01,320 Speaker 7: at right now. 570 00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:05,000 Speaker 1: Luke Sprinkle alphin News, I encourage everybody head on over 571 00:32:05,040 --> 00:32:07,800 Speaker 1: to alphaanews dot org and check out all the latest 572 00:32:07,800 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: stories in Luke, thank you for the time this morning 573 00:32:10,240 --> 00:32:12,000 Speaker 1: and the Legislative A session update. 574 00:32:12,040 --> 00:32:13,480 Speaker 2: It's always great to talk with you and I hope 575 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:14,120 Speaker 2: to talk real soon. 576 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:15,640 Speaker 4: Thanks John. 577 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:18,800 Speaker 2: All right, let's wrap up on this. 578 00:32:20,440 --> 00:32:25,440 Speaker 1: From Worthy Outlets and the game has changed dramatically. We 579 00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 1: were discussing this a bit yesterday regarding Republicans' efforts to 580 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 1: get the truth out, doing a better job than they 581 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 1: have in years past. A lot of that has to 582 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 1: do with being able to take advantage of the social 583 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:42,720 Speaker 1: media aspects. The Democrats usually had a leg up on 584 00:32:42,800 --> 00:32:45,440 Speaker 1: and they had a further leg up because there was 585 00:32:45,520 --> 00:32:48,400 Speaker 1: a lot of blocking of conservative views, and that's changed 586 00:32:48,520 --> 00:32:52,480 Speaker 1: dramatically over the years, especially and specifically with Elon Musk 587 00:32:52,840 --> 00:32:56,280 Speaker 1: purchasing X You've even seen Mark Zuckerberg change his tune 588 00:32:56,320 --> 00:32:59,440 Speaker 1: on Facebook. The bias in the media, of course, still exists, 589 00:32:59,480 --> 00:33:02,120 Speaker 1: but thankfully we have outlets like Alpha News that are 590 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:05,240 Speaker 1: growing in size and bringing the truth to individuals instead 591 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:07,960 Speaker 1: of the bias. Now to that point, a couple of 592 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:10,920 Speaker 1: things here real quick. This comes from bringing me the 593 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:13,840 Speaker 1: news pretty bias in and of itself. Members of the 594 00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:16,960 Speaker 1: community are criticizing the Minneapolis Police Department for not doing 595 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:21,040 Speaker 1: enough to protect residents from federal immigration agents during Operation 596 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: Metro Surge. You had a bunch of activist organizations, Communities 597 00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:29,880 Speaker 1: United against Police Brutality, the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 598 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: accusing minneappoles police of failing to intervene when federal agents 599 00:33:34,320 --> 00:33:39,040 Speaker 1: used excessive force against residents, and alleged that the Fry 600 00:33:39,240 --> 00:33:43,479 Speaker 1: and his administration, along with MPD repeatedly lied about its 601 00:33:43,560 --> 00:33:47,240 Speaker 1: policy of non cooperation with ICE. It's all a bunch 602 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 1: of semantics, nonsense. They don't even bother to pull any 603 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 1: quotes from anybody in those activist groups that I just 604 00:33:56,720 --> 00:34:01,040 Speaker 1: mentioned a moment ago. Now, you did have one individual, 605 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 1: a commissioner Chris Baker, who asked Minneapolis Police Chief Brian 606 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:10,399 Speaker 1: O'Hara why he hasn't had direct communication with Henneben County 607 00:34:10,400 --> 00:34:14,959 Speaker 1: Attorney Mary Moriarty over the alleged incidents of excessive force 608 00:34:15,040 --> 00:34:19,239 Speaker 1: by ICE. O'Hara explained that Moriarty had been in contact 609 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:23,640 Speaker 1: with the Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnett. Baker told O'Hara 610 00:34:23,680 --> 00:34:25,759 Speaker 1: that he took three weeks off of work in January 611 00:34:25,840 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 1: to do community dispatch and that a patroller in his 612 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:34,479 Speaker 1: group was threatened by a federal agent almost every day, 613 00:34:34,520 --> 00:34:38,520 Speaker 1: including people who had weapons pulled on them or ICE 614 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:43,319 Speaker 1: vehicles drive by their homes. What he really means to 615 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:46,680 Speaker 1: say is he went out and via an active insurrection 616 00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:50,279 Speaker 1: attempted to disrupt Ice and their lawful actions, and Ice 617 00:34:50,320 --> 00:34:53,120 Speaker 1: responded that always gets left out of the equation, but 618 00:34:53,160 --> 00:34:56,719 Speaker 1: there was an interesting quote in the story. Baker went 619 00:34:56,719 --> 00:34:58,759 Speaker 1: on to say, there are thousands of people like me 620 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:01,759 Speaker 1: who took time I'm away from their daily life to 621 00:35:01,960 --> 00:35:05,560 Speaker 1: doing that thing with my fingers, patrol and to dispatch, 622 00:35:05,680 --> 00:35:09,840 Speaker 1: and we feel hung up to dry. I want to 623 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:12,200 Speaker 1: know when the next surge happens, if you're going to 624 00:35:12,239 --> 00:35:17,280 Speaker 1: be able to provide support when they threaten our lives again. 625 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:21,320 Speaker 1: Other commissioners also pressed O'Hara on his claim the department 626 00:35:21,360 --> 00:35:25,719 Speaker 1: deepened relationship with communities of color where they were targeted 627 00:35:25,719 --> 00:35:31,040 Speaker 1: by the immigration crackdown. Commissioner Julie Palmer said public comment today, 628 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:33,480 Speaker 1: I think has shown very clearly that you have not 629 00:35:33,560 --> 00:35:35,600 Speaker 1: done that, and the community is very upset with you, 630 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:41,040 Speaker 1: adding that the black and Indigenous communities in particular do 631 00:35:41,120 --> 00:35:46,000 Speaker 1: not feel engaged with the police. And again there's no 632 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:50,560 Speaker 1: quotes from other members of the community in those organizations. Now, Alison, 633 00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:53,279 Speaker 1: I have no I'm not a fan of O'Hara by 634 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:57,520 Speaker 1: any stretch whatsoever. That being said, he was pult between 635 00:35:57,560 --> 00:35:58,759 Speaker 1: a rock and a hard place. 636 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:01,280 Speaker 2: And the community. 637 00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:02,719 Speaker 1: Expecting that he was going to push back against ICE 638 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:05,400 Speaker 1: is simply just ridiculous. And most of these claims of 639 00:36:05,440 --> 00:36:10,560 Speaker 1: these alleged incidents of excessive force were incidents wherein individuals 640 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:14,000 Speaker 1: attempted to go and block ICE from doing their job. Now, 641 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:15,800 Speaker 1: here's a tale of two headlines as we wrapped the 642 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:16,959 Speaker 1: show up today. 643 00:36:16,880 --> 00:36:17,800 Speaker 2: From Cara Levin. 644 00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:21,920 Speaker 1: Judge won't stop ICE from using practices alleged to be 645 00:36:22,080 --> 00:36:29,120 Speaker 1: racially biased. And make no mistake for the Left, when 646 00:36:29,120 --> 00:36:32,840 Speaker 1: they say that an ICE agent is racially profiling, it 647 00:36:32,960 --> 00:36:36,280 Speaker 1: basically just means that a person of color was questioned. 648 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:38,960 Speaker 1: That's tatamount to racial profiling. 649 00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:39,879 Speaker 2: That's it. 650 00:36:41,160 --> 00:36:44,480 Speaker 1: That person happens to be a person of color and 651 00:36:44,520 --> 00:36:47,440 Speaker 1: they were questioned by ICE. That's racial profiling in their minds. 652 00:36:48,560 --> 00:36:51,560 Speaker 1: But this district judge denied the grant of an injunction 653 00:36:51,680 --> 00:36:55,120 Speaker 1: against the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement that would 654 00:36:55,120 --> 00:36:57,759 Speaker 1: have stopped the agency from using practices alleged to be 655 00:36:57,840 --> 00:36:58,719 Speaker 1: racially biased. 656 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,359 Speaker 2: So that was all that's the story. The judge ended 657 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:02,200 Speaker 2: up siding with ICE. 658 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:08,640 Speaker 1: Now, the judge did say that he felt ICE likely 659 00:37:08,760 --> 00:37:13,000 Speaker 1: used unconstitutional policies, but they didn't break the law in 660 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 1: doing so, and therefore it's all just circumstantial and subjective. 661 00:37:17,080 --> 00:37:19,520 Speaker 1: So Caro Levin had the proper headline, the judge won't 662 00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:23,719 Speaker 1: stop ICE from using practices alleged to be racially biased. 663 00:37:25,320 --> 00:37:28,200 Speaker 1: So how did Fox and nine cover this judge rules 664 00:37:28,239 --> 00:37:35,120 Speaker 1: ICE agents acted unconstitutional. Well, that's certainly different because that's 665 00:37:35,160 --> 00:37:38,719 Speaker 1: not at all what the judge said. So that was 666 00:37:38,760 --> 00:37:41,279 Speaker 1: the sidebar headline. The actual headline to the story was 667 00:37:41,320 --> 00:37:45,440 Speaker 1: a judge found that federal agents likely engaged in unconstitutional 668 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:48,760 Speaker 1: immigration enforcement, but stop short of telling them to stop. 669 00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:50,799 Speaker 2: I mean, the bias is just disgusting. 670 00:37:51,239 --> 00:37:54,600 Speaker 1: Thank goodness, we have Alpha News centered the American Experiment 671 00:37:54,640 --> 00:37:56,600 Speaker 1: and others. Thank you so much for checking out the 672 00:37:56,600 --> 00:37:59,520 Speaker 1: show today. If you missed any portion of today's broadcast, 673 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:02,239 Speaker 1: check out the podcast that'll be available up on the 674 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:06,160 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app. Shortly, enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. Be 675 00:38:06,239 --> 00:38:08,719 Speaker 1: careful driving around. Yes, it's my fault that it's snow, 676 00:38:08,760 --> 00:38:09,440 Speaker 1: and I'm sorry. 677 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:12,880 Speaker 2: Bunch you guys. Tomorrow morning, just after six b