Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’re enjoying summer as we work to bounce back from the major flooding that occurred in our region and elsewhere in Minnesota. As all levels of government have been collaborating to assess the damage and set a roadmap forward in the communities impacted, it’s been inspiring to see neighbors step up for one another.
In preparation for catastrophes like this, our state has a Disaster Assistance Contingency Account. As a result of these dedicated state resources, along with anticipated funding from the federal government, a special session of the legislature is unlikely to be necessary to address public infrastructure damage. Many areas have a lengthy road to recovery, but we’ve been tested before, and I’m confident we’ll continue pulling together to overcome this adversity.
Delivering for the Range
This past session at the State Capitol I was honored to continue my track record of helping seniors and working families, creating economic opportunities, and delivering resources for our communities to thrive. Top highlights from this session include:
Permitting Modernization
My legislation to comprehensively reform Minnesota’s environmental permitting and review process became law. Representing the first meaningful permitting reform in 14 years, the measure will streamline the process so multiple agencies responsible for environmental reviews can coordinate their activities, along with a set of deadlines. This action will bring some certainty to companies looking to invest in projects here in Minnesota to create good-paying jobs.
Ambulance Service Assistance
Lawmakers delivered a $30 million package of aid to Emergency Medical Services providers. Many ambulance departments are facing dire situations as a result of funding and personnel shortfalls. There will be more work ahead for the Legislature to come up with long-term solutions to this problem, but this is a great first step to ensure these critical services can be viable.
Helium
The discovery of a helium reservoir near Babbitt is one of the most promising economic growth opportunities our region has seen in a while. To ensure our communities can benefit from the extraction of this natural resource, it was vital for the Legislature to quickly develop a regulatory framework and royalty structure. I successfully chief authored a bill this session to do just that.
Direct Aid to Communities and Property Tax Cuts
I worked with Sen. Grant Hauschild to deliver an $80 million funding package, with significant investments in the core Iron Range. The bill utilized taconite taxes, which are paid in lieu of property taxes, to ensure the communities that generate the wealth through mining are able to enjoy the benefits through investments in schools, recreation projects, and other investments in communities. The legislation also increased the Taconite Homestead Credit from an average of $289-$315 per homeowner to $515 per homeowner – a nearly 77% increase. This represents a significant permanent property tax cut for Rangers.
340B Prescription Drug Reform
The House approved my bill to prohibit discriminatory practices against hospitals and health care providers that participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. This program allows providers to obtain discounts on outpatient drugs, benefiting vulnerable patients, especially in rural Minnesota. Despite the law, pharmaceutical companies have been denying these discounts to providers if they partner with community pharmacies like Thrifty White or Walgreens.
Federal lawmakers are working on a broader solution, but given the slow pace of action in Washington, it’s important for states like Minnesota to lead on this issue. My bill will make a major difference for hospitals in Virginia, Aurora, Cook, and Hibbing, and I’ll put the needs of our rural hospitals ahead of the profits of drug companies every day of the week.
For a more complete recap, I’d encourage you to check out my column in the most recent Mine Edition from the Mesabi Tribune.
Stepping Aside
As you’ve probably heard by now, I won’t be seeking reelection this November. Having dedicated the last 20 years of my life to fighting for the Iron Range, stepping aside isn’t easy, but it’s the right decision for me and my family at this time. I’m deeply proud of all we were able to accomplish – together – to strengthen opportunities for folks on the Range to have a better life. My legislation directly led to $701 million of investments in our state, with $168 million in funding for the core Iron Range communities that I have represented over the past six years. I also successfully ensured no anti-mining bills received a public hearing. Any of these bad ideas getting traction would be harmful to our economy and our way of life and I’m proud I was able to stop them from seeing the light of day.
None of this would have been possible without the engagement of local leaders, our partners in labor, the business community, and neighbors who care about preserving and improving our way of life. I want to express my tremendous gratitude to everyone in our district for the opportunity to serve the past six years. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, or whether you agreed with me or not, everyone’s voice matters. I may no longer be a legislator after January, but I’m not going anywhere. You can bet I’ll always be Range First and will continue to advocate for the people of our region however I’m able.
Last Update
Whether seeking reelection or not, legislators cannot send certain unsolicited communication during an election period. Therefore, this will be my last newsletter until after November. I still encourage you to contact me if I can ever be of assistance with a state-level issue or if you’d like to share your input with me until my service ends in January.
Thank you so much for the honor of representing the Iron Range at the State Capitol. Have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Dave Lislegard
State Representative