House Speaker Demuth addresses fraud in Minnesota, run for governor

MINNESOTA (FOX 9) - Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Dehmith spoke about her goals for the state as she runs for governor against Tim Walz, who is running for his third term. 

Fraud prevention

Oversight and audits:

Speaker Demuth spoke about her efforts to establish the Fraud Prevention and Agency Oversight Committee in response to widespread fraud reported in Minnesota.

She cited the Feeding Our Future scandal, fraud in the autism service sector, and the other fraud cases being prosecuted across the state.

"It's always important to recognize that when fraud happens in this state, it means those tax dollars are not going to the people that need it the most, it's going to fraudsters," Speaker Demuth said. "And so, the work that our fraud committee was able to do this year, plus with the national attention and the U.S. Acting Attorney Joe Thompson, and really shining a light on this, we know that fraud here in Minnesota has to stop. 

Education

Test scores:

Speaker Demuth also addressed her concerns of lagging test scores at Minnesota public schools.

"We need to actually focus on local control, allowing schools to do what they need for their learners in those areas," Speaker Demuth said. "We can have state standards, but right now we've gone too broad, in other things that aren't getting down to the basics of reading, and math, and science. The things that are going to be important for students, no matter what they want to do after high school, if it's a trade school, or if it's going to a four-year university, or into the workforce, all kids need to be equipped."

Bipartisanship

The other side:

Dehmith believes she has unique experience in negotiating with Gov. Tim Walz and other Democrats, setting her apart from other GOP candidates. 

She highlighted her role in achieving bipartisan agreements with the late Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed in her home in an act of political violence.

"We did that this entire year, getting a state budget passed," Speaker Demuth said. "We were able to deliver, and I led the charge on delivering $5 billion in reduction in spending, we still have a deficit coming up, but we were able to do good things. I have always been able to respectfully work across the aisle, agreeing that we're not gonna agree on everything, but the violent political rhetoric has to stop."