Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is instructing two Texas agencies to investigate any misuse of taxpayer dollars in the state's child care programs. (Getty Images)
Abbott noted that Texas already has a relatively low "improper payment rate" of 0.43 percent, compared with Minnesota’s roughly 11 percent, thanks to the agencies’ strong anti-fraud processes already in place.
While the agencies already conduct routine audits of providers and in-person visits to facilities, "more can be done to protect Texas children and taxpayers," Abbott said in the letter.
CRITICS WARN MINNESOTA LEGISLATION NOW TAKING EFFECT IS SETTING UP THE 'NEXT BILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing mounting scrutiny over the state’s handling of widespread fraud across multiple public aid programs. (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)
HHSC and TWC will provide a progress report to the governor’s office on Jan. 30, followed by a final report in late February.
"I will continue to work with executive branch agencies to fight fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and promote accessible, affordable, high-quality childcare for Texans," Abbott added.
The move comes just hours after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced that he is suspending his reelection campaign amid allegations that the state attempted to cover up widespread fraud in his state’s social programs.
The scandal, which emerged in early December, involved individuals from the Somali-American community accused of defrauding public aid programs.
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While the schemes began with the Feeding Our Future case, which reportedly exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the pandemic, investigators have since uncovered what they describe as a web of interconnected fraud spanning multiple sectors, including child care, Medicaid, housing and autism services.
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/abbott-orders-comprehensive-fraud-probe-texas-child-care-funding-minnesota-scandal