ST. PAUL – The 2023-2024 legislative biennium concluded Monday and Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, said that despite great concerns regarding a variety of spending, tax increases, controversial policies, and more, there is still much to be celebrated for Northeastern Minnesota.
“The last two years have been a whirlwind with the DFL in control of all three levels of state government and the aggressive pursuit of their agenda,” said Skraba. “While there was a lot that happened these last two years that I did not support and voted against, I am pleased that Sen. Hauschild and myself were able to cut through the noise and work together to secure several major victories for our region.”
Skraba said that an EMS funding bill was a key part of final negotiations and will provide critical funding to keep ambulance and emergency services operational in Northeast Minnesota.
“Making sure that we can provide assistance for our local ambulance services so that they can continue operations was a top priority this year,” said Skraba. “I am so grateful that we were able to get this across the finish line and make sure that folks in our area know that when they dial 911, they can depend on emergency services arriving in a timely manner.”
Local providers set to receive funding include:
- Babbitt Ambulance Services
- Bigfork Ambulance Services
- Bois Forte Tribal Government
- City of Cook
- City of Hoyt Lakes
- City of International Falls
- Grand Portage Tribal Government
- Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department
- Lake County Ambulance Services
- City of Littlefork
- City of Orr
- City of Tower
- Cook County Hospital District
- Ely Area Ambulance Service
- Blackduck Ambulance Association
- Essentia Health EMS
In addition to securing critical funding for these emergency services providers, Skraba said that bipartisan work on funding for a variety of projects across the region was able to make it across the finish line in the Taxes bill.
A total of $23.71 million dollars in project funds will be coming to the region to help with a variety of infrastructure projects. They include:
- $160,000 to Grand Portage for a playground
- $950,000 to Buyck for a new fire department and training hall
- $750,000 to the Voyageur Trail Society
- $2.25 million to Cook County for affordable senior housing and a solid waste transfer station
- $3 million to Tower for water management infrastructure
- $3 million to Silver Bay for street and sewer infrastructure
- $200,000 for cafeteria renovations in Babbit and Tower Schools
- $250,000 for baseball renovations at Ely High School
- $200,000 to Cook County Higher Education Board
- $500,000 for economic relief program for businesses and resorts damaged by the 2022 and 2023 floods
- $100,000 for Lake Vermilion Cultural Center
- $50,000 to Bois Forte food shelf
- $25,000 for Northwoods Friends of the Arts
- $50,000 for Pioneer Mine historical site in Ely
- $150,000 for the Lake Superior School District
- $200,000 for Babbitt ADA compliance in city parks
- $250,000 to a variety of local snowmobile and ATV clubs
Skraba continued, “Even though a bonding bill did not pass this year, we were still able to find a creative way to make sure many local, public infrastructure projects could receive funding. I am proud that we could get this work done despite the dynamics that made this legislative session especially difficult.”
Skraba encourages local residents to continue reaching out to his office if they need assistance in a matter related to state government. He can be reached at 651-296-2190 or rep.roger.skraba@house.mn.gov.
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