Dear Neighbors,
At the Capitol, our hearts are still heavy following the tragedy that took place in Burnsville Sunday morning, with two police officers and a paramedic losing their lives responding to a domestic violence incident. Every single day, members of law enforcement and other first responders jump into action to keep others safe, uncertain about what they may encounter when they arrive at a scene. And every single day, we need to have their backs, and respect and admire these heroes for their selfless, invaluable service.
We’ve wrapped up the second week of the legislative session, and it’s been a busy schedule of committee meetings, floor sessions, and meetings with folks who’ve made the trip down from northern Minnesota. This week, the Iron Ore Alliance and the Association of Minnesota Counties both held their annual legislative events in Saint Paul. Both of these gatherings provided opportunities to bring together a bipartisan group of lawmakers to listen to their priorities. St. Louis County Commissioners Annie Harala and Paul McDonald also testified before the House Property Tax Division, which I chair, about the impact of last year’s historic investments in County Program Aid and Local Government Aid.
Our work continues to create greater economic security for families and grow our state’s middle class. For more frequent updates from the State Capitol, ‘like’ my Facebook page.
Securing the Future of Ambulance Providers
Over the past several months I’ve had the honor to serve on the Emergency Medical Services Task Force. We’ve held public hearings across the state to hear directly from first responders, community leaders, and residents about their concerns regarding the future of their local ambulance providers.
It’s clear long-term solutions are needed to address challenges including an aging population, fewer volunteers, and geographic challenges. Providers are forced to cover bigger areas, with fewer people and more needs, and the federal reimbursement system that worked well for decades is now broken. In the short term though, departments urgently need resources to keep the lights on.
Yesterday, I was honored to join EMTs and fellow legislators to advocate for the Emergency Ambulance Aid bill. The bipartisan legislation would deliver an immediate $120 million to EMS providers that are struggling to maintain their operations. Watch my remarks from the press conference here.
Keeping Taconite $$$ on the Range
Republican Sen. Jason Rarick of Pine City recently introduced a bill to add language to the statute establishing the Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) to expand the region to the Cromwell, Moose Lake, and Willow River School Districts. By expanding the TAA, the newly added communities and school districts outside the Iron Range would be eligible to receive a portion of Taconite tax proceeds collected and distributed by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). This would result in less funding staying on the Iron Range – for use by our communities – while the mining tax dollars get sent outside the Range. This is unacceptable.
I’ve spent my entire career fighting for mining and our local communities on the Iron Range. From my initial layoff at LTV to my time as a local Range City Councilor, Mayor, and now State Representative, I’ve made it my mission to protect the core Iron Range. This proposal is a direct threat to our region, and we need every community member, local elected leader, and mining stakeholder to call this out for what it is. A robber baron proposal to steal our communities' money.
Northern News Now and the Mesabi Tribune both covered this half-baked plan. Rest assured that as long as I’m in this position, this proposal will never become law.
2024 Legislative Survey
Bar none, the biggest part of my job is listening and being responsive to those I have the opportunity to represent. To that end, I invite you to take my 2024 Legislative Survey. The survey contains an assortment of questions about how last year’s work at the Capitol has impacted folks, what you’d like to see from the Legislature this session, and your views on some topics specific to our region. It only takes a few minutes, so I’d be grateful if you’d share your input by taking the survey.
Throughout the session, I hope you’ll reach out to me to share your input and ideas. Email me at rep.dave.lislegard@house.mn.gov or call me at 651-296-0170. Also, if you don’t already do so, ‘like’ my Facebook page here. Remember: I work for you, and it’s my honor to have the opportunity to represent the Iron Range at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Dave Lislegard
State Representative