Senate Democrats have announced a wide-ranging package aimed at preventing fraud in state programs, strengthening oversight, and rebuilding trust with Minnesotans. The proposal includes the creation of a statewide Office of Inspector General (OIG), which would give Minnesota a single watchdog with authority to investigate fraud across all state agencies. The OIG would act earlier when fraud is suspected, coordinate investigations across departments, and freeze payments when investigators identify potential fraud or noncompliance. The plan also includes updates to the Minnesota False Claims Act, which allows the state to pursue civil penalties against people who knowingly submit false claims for taxpayer dollars. The package also includes significant IT upgrades to help counties track services, flag suspicious activity, and share information more efficiently.