Within the wake of a viral YouTube video, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered two state companies to analyze potential fraud in childcare funding.
The Republican governor’s demand comes amid fallout from a Justice Division investigation that charged 78 individuals in Minnesota with misusing state and federal funds supposed for childcare facilities. The probe was picked-up by the mainstream media after a YouTube video created by right-wing “unbiased journalist” Nick Shirley racked up on-line visitors.
In his letter, Abbott ordered the Texas Workforce Fee (TWC) and Well being and Human Companies Fee (HHSC) to conduct further web site visits as “high-risk” childcare suppliers and evaluation knowledge to make sure each companies are taking all potential steps to forestall fraud. He additionally mandated that every company improve its on-line portals and fraud reporting hotlines.
“Not too long ago, the Trump administration and unbiased journalists have uncovered potential systemic fraud in sponsored little one care techniques in states like Minnesota,” the Republican governor stated in an announcement. “Such fraud won’t ever be tolerated in Texas.”
Even so, Abbott admitted in his letter to the companies that Texas’s improper cost charge is 0.43%.
“Nonetheless, extra might be achieved to guard Texas kids and taxpayers,” he added.
It’s unclear how a lot taxpayer cash could be spent on Abbott’s newest endeavour.
In Shirley’s viral video, he visits Somali immigrant-run daycare facilities in Minneapolis that he claims are stealing taxpayer {dollars} by enrolling in authorities applications regardless of having no college students presently enrolled.
As scrutiny constructed of state’s childcare scenario, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, introduced Monday that he received’t not search reelection.
Nonetheless, there’s been no proof to this point that the fraud allegations uncovered in Minnesota are happening within the Lone Star State.
Even so, it’s not the primary time Abbott has allowed social media sensationalism to dictate coverage.
In 2021, Abbott instructed Texas Schooling Company (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to analyze the provision of pornographic supplies in public faculties amid rising on-line fears of grownup content material at school libraries.
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