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Letter to the Editor: This year’s legislative session was unlike any other. For the first time in modern history, we began with an evenly divided State Senate with 33 Democrats and 33 Republicans, forcing both parties to come to the table, share power, and govern together.
As a proud member of the moderate Blue Dog Coalition, I’ve always believed in pragmatic, common sense leadership that puts people over politics. That’s exactly what we delivered through a recently agreed upon bipartisan budget framework that reflects fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and makes smart investments in Minnesota’s future.
But let’s be honest: despite the work done in the Senate since day one, the tied makeup of the State House—and the delay it caused in organizing—created real challenges in finishing our work on time. That’s why a special session is now necessary to finalize several key pieces of legislation.
And I’ll be at the center of that effort as a member of both the Taxes and the Jobs & Labor Conference Committees. In the Special Session, I’ll be fighting for priorities that matter to our region:
• Protecting Local Government Aid for small towns and rural communities that rely on it to fund essential services.
• Securing seasonal recreation property aid that gives northern schools a fairer share of funding, something I’ve pushed for since my first day in office.
• Extending unemployment benefits for our laid-off Iron Range Steelworkers at HibTac and Minorca Mines. Both the Senate and House have now passed versions of this extension with broad bipartisan support, and I’m confident we’ll get it across the finish line.
• Investing in long term rural EMS and ambulance services—a top priority to make sure people in our region get the emergency care they need.
• Passing a jobs bill— to ensure that critical infrastructure, wastewater, and other essential projects are supported with state dollars to ease the burden on local property owners We’ve made real progress this year but our job isn’t finished. I’ve spent the session working closely with mayors, superintendents, business owners, labor leaders, and first responders to bring their voices to the Capitol. And I’ll keep doing that as we negotiate the final bills.
These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They’re real-world issues with real consequences for the people of Northern Minnesota. And I’m committed to making sure our communities are not forgotten.
A t a t ime w hen p olitical d ysfunction feels all too common, I’m proud that we’ve reached a bipartisan budget deal that shows what serious governing looks like. Now it’s time for both chambers to finish the job.
Minnesotans expect results and I’m ready to deliver just as I’ve always promised I would.
Sen. Grant Hauschild, Assistant Majority Leader
Hermantown, MN
