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School would get over $5 million for athletic facilities, Vets on Lake to get $400,000; legislation also hikes homestead credit
Permanent tax cuts and millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements on the Iron Range - including several projects in the Ely area - are part of legislation that advanced this week in St. Paul.
Tuesday, the House Property Tax Division passed its ‘Division Report’ on to the full House Tax Committee.
Included in that package is a massive increase in the Taconite Homestead Credit, which has been frozen since 1998, as well as nearly $80 million in funding for projects across the region.
Included on that list is a $5 million windfall to the Ely School District, for improvements to district athletic facilities.
Another $250,000 is set aside in the bill for renovations at Veterans Memorial Field, the historic and heavily used baseball park located on the school campus.
Also identified in the legislation are:
• Veterans on the Lake in Ely - $400,000 for housing facility replacement;
• Pioneer Mine Historical Site in Ely - $50,000 for maintenance and displays;
• Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club - $25,000 for trail maintenance and equipment;
• Prospector Loop ATV - $25,000 for trail maintenance and equipment;
• Babbitt ATV/Snowmobile Club - $25,000 for trail maintenance and equipment;
• City of Tower - $3 million for water infrastructure;
• Lake Vermilion Cultural Center - $100,000 to renovate the historical facility in Tower;
• Bois Forte Band of Chippewa - $50,000 for food shelf expenses;
• Northland Foundation - $500,000 for flood and economic relief programs for border area businesses.
The legislation is being advanced in the house by State Rep. Dave Lislegard (D-Aurora), while companion legislation is proposed by State Sen. Grant Hauschild (D- Hermantown).
The Ely speech team participated in the section meet on April 12th at Duluth Marshall. Two outstanding students, Esther Anderson, third in poetry and Leo Stalmer, second in prose will represent Ely at the state speech meet. Both of these students are seniors and are ending their speech careers speaking at state meet April 19 at Shakopee High School. “It has been my pleasure to have coached both of these students over the years, and for them to attend the state meet is a credit to their hard work and dedication to speech. This is my final year as head speech coach and ending it at the state meet with these two students is a real privilege,” said head speech coach Donna Kari.
The Senate Tax Commit tee was set to debate the plan on Thursday.
"Senator Hauschild and I are working with a 'Range First' focus to cut taxes and invest in our local commu - nities," Lislegard said via a news release. “This package continues our commitment to building a better life for seniors and families in our region by improving our schools, taking advantage of economic opportunities, and growing tourism, and more to strengthen the core Iron Range."
The area lawmakers are proposing the largest increase in the Taconite Homestead Credit since it was frozen in 1998. It would increase the credit from the current average of $289-$315 per homeowner to $515 per homeowner - a roughly 77 percent increase.
The updated credit would be ongoing each year, mak- ing the cut permanent.
“By increasing the Taconite Homestead Credit, we can provide relief to Iron Range families immediate- ly and permanently," said
Hauschild. "After a 26-year freeze, it’s the right thing to
do for the Iron Range." In addition to properties in the Ely district, the Taconite Homestead Credit will apply in the Nashwauk-Keewatin, Cook County, Greenway, Chisholm, Lake Superior, Hibbing, Mt. Iron-Buhl, St. Louis County, Mesabi East, and Rock Ridge districts.
Ron Pittman, Cherry Township Supervisor, was
among those who testified
Tuesday in support of the plan.
"We need property tax relief, and Rep. Lislegard’s bill deserves your support,"
Pittman said. "My neighbors, many senior citizens, and working people appreciate Rep. Lislegard’s effort on our behalf."
