Minnesota already has a large and complex government structure. Between state agencies, local governments, boards, commissions, and departments, there is no shortage of authority overseeing public programs and taxpayer dollars. Yet some lawmakers are now proposing the creation of a new Office of Inspector General (OIG), which supporters claim would improve accountability and fight fraud. While that may sound appealing on the surface, creating another powerful government office may actually create more problems than it solves.

There are roads—and then there is Route 66. Known as the “Main Street of America” and the “Mother Road,” Route 66 is more than a stretch of pavement. It is a living piece of history, a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the American spirit. Stretching over 2,400 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California, this iconic highway has connected generations, carried dreams westward, and shaped the cultural identity of the United States.

This week marks a remarkable milestone—100 years since the Ford Motor Company helped shape one of the most defining features of modern life: the weekend. What feels routine today—working Monday through Friday and enjoying two days off—was once a radical and even controversial idea. In the early 20th century, long workweeks were the norm, with many laborers working six days a week, often under grueling conditions. When Henry Ford made the decision in 1926 to officially adopt a five-day, 40-hour workweek for his factory workers, he didn’t just change his company—he helped change the rhythm of everyday life across America and eventually the world.

Over the past several years, Minnesota has become the unlikely center of one of the largest public assistance fraud crises in the country. What began as isolated scandals has evolved into something far more troubling: a systemic vulnerability in programs designed to serve the most vulnerable—low-income families, seniors, the disabled, and those in need of basic care. Federal prosecutors have described it in stark terms: “industrial-scale fraud.” And the numbers are staggering.