In his letter, Abbott acknowledged that Texas’ improper payment rate is 0.43%, but argued “more can be done.” Credit: Shutterstock / lev radin

In the wake of a viral YouTube video, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday ordered two state agencies to investigate potential fraud in childcare funding.

The Republican governor’s demand comes amid fallout from a Justice Department investigation that charged 78 people in Minnesota with misusing state and federal funds intended for childcare centers. The probe was picked-up by the mainstream media after a YouTube video created by right-wing “independent journalist” Nick Shirley racked up online traffic.

In his letter, Abbott ordered the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to conduct additional site visits as “high-risk” childcare providers and review data to ensure both agencies are taking all possible steps to prevent fraud. He also mandated that each agency enhance its online portals and fraud reporting hotlines.

“Recently, the Trump administration and independent journalists have uncovered potential systemic fraud in subsidized child care systems in states like Minnesota,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “Such fraud will never be tolerated in Texas.”

Even so, Abbott admitted in his letter to the agencies that Texas’s improper payment rate is 0.43%.

“However, more can be done to protect Texas children and taxpayers,” he added.

It’s unclear how much taxpayer money might be spent on Abbott’s latest endeavour.

In Shirley’s viral video, he visits Somali immigrant-run daycare centers in Minneapolis that he claims are stealing taxpayer dollars by enrolling in government programs despite having no students currently enrolled.

As scrutiny built of state’s childcare situation, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, announced Monday that he won’t not seek reelection.

However, there’s been no evidence to date that the fraud allegations uncovered in Minnesota are taking place in the Lone Star State.

Even so, it’s not the first time Abbott has allowed social media sensationalism to dictate policy.

In 2021, Abbott instructed Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to investigate the availability of pornographic materials in public schools amid growing online fears of adult content in school libraries.

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Michael Karlis is a Staff Writer at the San Antonio Current. He is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., whose work has been featured in Salon, Alternet, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, Orlando...