Politics
JUST IN: Tim Walz Embroiled In Yet Another Major Scandal In Minnesota
Minnesota’s child care assistance program, which allocates millions in taxpayer dollars to daycare centers, is under scrutiny as state and federal investigations mount. Reports reveal that at least 62 child care centers receiving public funding are being investigated, raising concerns about oversight under Governor Tim Walz’s (D-MN) administration.
State lawmakers have vowed to crack down on fraud in government programs, but the growing list of violations suggests that the problems have only worsened. One center, Quality Learning Center Daycare, located in downtown Minneapolis, has been flagged for 95 violations between 2019 and 2023, including failing to keep hazardous materials away from children and maintaining no records for at least 16 children.
Despite the alarming record, the daycare still received nearly $8 million in taxpayer funds. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) placed the facility on a conditional license in 2022, but shockingly removed the designation in 2024, allowing funding to continue.
Another facility, the Minnesota Child Care Center in South Minneapolis, received over $11.5 million in child care assistance funding since 2018. The facility was cited for multiple violations between 2021 and 2023, including failing to conduct background checks on staff. Despite these serious infractions, the state continued funneling taxpayer dollars into the center according to KSTP 5 Eyewitness News.
The DHS has defended its inability to cut off funds, citing state law restrictions that only allow payments to be halted in cases of fraudulent attendance records, operating after a suspension, or a provider refusing access to records. However, state lawmakers argue that the oversight has been severely lacking.
“Are we keeping kids in Minnesota safe?” House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth asked when presented with the findings. “What you’re showing me here brings that very much into question.”
One of the figures behind the infamous Feeding Our Future scam—a $250 million fraud scheme that rocked the state—was also linked to a Minneapolis child care center that received taxpayer money. The individual who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2023 for stealing $1 million in the Feeding Our Future case, also operated Intisar Child Care Center, which received $1.8 million in public funding before its license was revoked.
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With 62 active investigations into CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) funding recipients, the extent of the problem remains unknown. Lawmakers have called for hearings to examine the issue, but there is no indication of immediate action from the Walz administration.
For now Minnesota taxpayers are on the hook for tens of millions in funding to child care centers, some of which are failing to meet even the most basic safety requirements.
Earlier in the week, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that Republicans lacked a quorum to conduct business after Democrats boycotted the legislative session. This nullified Republican Lisa Demuth’s election as House Speaker, forcing negotiations.
Democrats lost their House majority in November, tying both parties at 67 seats. A power-sharing deal collapsed when a court ruled a Democrat was ineligible over residency issues. Republicans then barred another Democrat from being seated over ballot concerns, prompting the boycott.
Governor Walz scheduled a special election to resolve the deadlock, but the court ruled he acted prematurely, delaying the process. Both parties must now negotiate while awaiting a new election date. Meanwhile, Democrats expect to reclaim their Senate majority after an upcoming special election.
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