Republican lawmakers in Minnesota are advancing a proposal to establish an independent statewide Office of the Inspector General, saying the move is aimed at rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in state government programs.
Supporters of the measure argue that a centralized watchdog with investigative authority would strengthen oversight across agencies, improve transparency, and help prevent large-scale misuse of public funds. They say recent fraud cases have exposed gaps in monitoring and accountability that require structural reform.
Under the proposal, the Inspector General’s office would operate independently from existing agencies, with powers to audit programs, investigate misconduct, and refer cases for prosecution when necessary.
The proposal is expected to face debate in committee as legislators weigh how to balance oversight reforms with existing enforcement structures. If enacted, the office would represent one of the most significant changes to Minnesota’s government accountability system in decades.
