Fraud in Minnesota

Most of us are all too familiar with the headlines regarding rampant fraud within Minnesota's state government. It is disconcerting (to say the least) after 35+ years of helping clients "pay their fair share" of Federal and Minnesota income taxes. I've always tried to advise my clients on ways to legally minimize their income tax obligation. It is more important than ever to pay attention to these suggestions. No one is going to come and rescue us from this mess. 

Enough has been written and reported on (everywhere) about the devastating fraud that has occurred and continues to occur in Minnesota. We have a big election coming up in November...please pay attention and get out and vote.

You can look up contact information here for your Minnesota State Senators and Representatives.

https://gis.lcc.mn.gov/iMaps/districts/

I've written to my state representatives and told them about my displeasure with the current state of affairs. In short, Minnesota needs to revamp it's broad welfare state from the ground up and rout out fraud, waste and abuse. Income taxes, sales taxes, and vehicle registration fees all need to be reduced in a meaningful manner in order for Minnesotans to begin to believe that state government can be trusted.

On a more positive note, and partly why this state level fraud epidemic is so shocking to me is that I personally have been in business in Pine City...Pine County for 35 years. I've paid attention to my local community and believe we were and still are fortunate to have honest folks running our city and county government. I've always known that Minnesota had expansive welfare programs but I always thought most of the folks on those programs were eligible for benefits based on strict criteria established by the state. (WRONG!)  On a local level, we don't even think about government most of the time because things run so smoothly here (for the most part). Yes...there are always issues and concerns, but never fraud. "Hats off" to our former long time Mayor Robbins and County Commissioners who do an outstanding job. And thanks also to city council members who served and continue to serve with little or no pay. I was blessed to be in Pine County for 35 years! The Minnesota that I knew and loved is no more.