St. Paul Reporter

Minnesota State Representative Isaac Schultz has raised concerns following a recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. The court ruled that, under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, it is discriminatory to restrict access to sporting events based on sex or perceived sexual identity. This decision followed a case where USA Powerlifting denied entry to a transgender woman, who is biologically male, prompting legal action supported by Gender Justice.

Schultz expressed strong opposition to the ruling, stating: "The potential end of women’s sports can be laid directly at the feet of Tim Walz, Keith Ellison, and the Democrat appointed justices on the Minnesota Supreme Court." He noted that Republicans had introduced bills HF 12 and HF 1233 in the last session to protect girls’ sports by amending state law but said both were blocked by Democrats. Schultz added: "Democrats blocked both bills this year, but House Republicans will reintroduce them when the House reconvenes in February. Our female athletes deserve their own spaces where they can compete on a level playing field."

He also addressed concerns about fraud within state programs managed by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Schultz cited findings from a September Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee hearing which revealed that DHS suspended payments to 115 providers and flagged over $100 million in suspicious claims. Some individuals reportedly discovered they were billed for services never received or had their identities used by non-existent providers.

Referring to media coverage and former Legislative Auditor Jim Nobles’ commentary in the Star Tribune, Schultz accused DFL leadership of minimizing oversight: "Nobles confirmed that DFL leadership actively tried to downplay the problem, shield DHS from scrutiny, and silence the very watchdog meant to expose waste and corruption." He continued: "As former Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said, 'We can’t prosecute our way out of this—everyone needs to grab a shovel.'"

Schultz also criticized federal government actions during an ongoing shutdown led by Democrats. He argued that efforts are being made at both state and federal levels to expand government-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants while neglecting service members' pay. According to Schultz: "Here in Minnesota, Democrats tried to copy that same failed approach, providing state taxpayer-funded MinnesotaCare to illegal immigrants at a projected cost of hundreds of millions of dollars... As of September, a total of 20,694 illegal immigrants had signed up, already triple what Democrats promised for the entire year."

In closing remarks addressing his constituents as October ends, Schultz encouraged community engagement and offered updates via social media channels.