Legislative UpdateDear Northlanders, The Northern delegation of House Republicans is standing strong together for mining. Devastating news hit the Iron Range with news of 600 layoffs for miners in Hibbing and Virginia. Following the layoff’s, Cleveland Cliffs made statements that “tariffs have nothing to do with their decision and explained how steel tariffs have long played a crucial role in protecting the US economy, national security, and industrial base from the adverse effects of global steel overproduction.” I was proud to join Reps. Spencer Igo and Cal Warwas; Al King from United Steelworkers (USW) Local 6115 president at Minorca Mine; and Mike Jugovich, St. Louis County Commissioner at a press conference on April 2, 2025 to discuss the Minnesota Miners Relief Act, which extends unemployment insurance benefits for steelworkers and their families?impacted by layoffs at Hibbing Taconite Company and Minorca Mine. The bill also makes clarifications to Minnesota’s regulatory standards and permitting process. The Minnesota Miners Relief Act will receive its first committee hearing Wednesday in the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. Senator Farnsworth and Senator Hauschild attended the press conference and joined House Representatives in supporting our miners. Mining is the heart of Northern Minnesota, with the technology and resources to become an economic engine for our state. Did you know the School Land Trust endowment payments to public schools comes from money from mining? The interest continues to allow schools to have revenue yearly. Just imagine the positive financial impact for schools and communities if mining revenues flourished. Currently Hermantown schools receive $140,414, Proctor Schools $124,637, Lake Superior Schools $86,384, Duluth Schools $561,506, Hibbing Schools $145,544, Ely Schools $34,932, Minneapolis $1,960,415 and St. Paul Schools $2,158,307 to just list a few examples of the entire state. The reality is mining matters for our region, for our schools, and for the entire state. Those who live and work in Northern Minnesota know the Iron Range successfully mined for over 100 years, honoring clean water, and fresh air. Now, it is vital that elected representatives join in bipartisan fashion to ensure a pathway of stability for miners, surrounding businesses, and their families. The Iron Range provided the necessary resources during World War II, and today the Range could play a vital role in America's critical mineral dominance to have critical minerals mined for technology devices used daily as well as clean energy initiatives. I have no doubt Minnesota miners will mine better than anywhere else. It is time to give our Minnesota miners the opportunity for the next generation of mining. This requires bold leadership beyond unemployment benefits. Bold leadership provides hope for a future of thriving for the Iron Range and the entire northland for today and for future generations. Thank you to my colleagues Rep. Igo and Rep. Warwas for leading the way. Click here to watch the video below.  Click here to hear the message from the representatives from the iron range.  Visitors Great to have the Rice Lake Mayor and her son at committee to testify for a public safety facility bonding project. Events Wonderful to see neighbors stop to visit with me to ask questions at Purple cat coffee house in Proctor this past Saturday.  Join myself, Rep. Skraba and Senator Hauschild on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Two Harbors Highschool for a Townhall. This Sunday I will be on PBS Duluth at 5 p.m. for an hour. Make sure you tune in as I talk about what has been happening here in Saint Paul. |