Questions raised over Minnesota state senator’s role in securing funding for company [Video]

A Minnesota state senator is facing questions about possible conflict of interest concerns regarding funding for a company approved last year.

In 2023, Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, authored a bill in the Human Services Committee — a committee he chairs — seeking $3 million for a company called Pathfinders Solutions.

Hoffman started a nonprofit in 2021 that helped people dealing with addiction called Begin Anew. The vice chair of the Begin Anew board of directors is Joe Morris, who is also the co-founder of Pathfinder Solutions.

The bill ultimately passed through Hoffman’s committee and received final approval in an omnibus bill. It was signed by Gov. Tim Walz in May 2023, which meant Pathfinder Solutions — Morris’ company — received the $3 million.

Hamline University professor David Schultz told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that Hoffman’s role in securing the …