Dear Neighbor,
Just a quick note to pass along information regarding local meetings on property taxes, Dairy Day at the Capitol and a committee update regarding mining.
PROPERTY TAX LISTENING SESSIONS
Reps. Josh Heintzeman, Steve Drazkowski and I will host two town hall meetings Saturday, Feb. 14 to gather input on property tax matters. Yes, that day is Valentine’s Day, but the meetings are early enough in the day where they should not conflict with special plans.
One of my top legislative priorities is finding ways of lowering area property tax rates. This is a problem that continues to escalate and these local meetings provide great opportunities for people to provide their local legislators with input regarding their property tax situations. Information we receive from area citizens will be very helpful as we consider legislation and look for ways to alleviate the challenges people face.
Here is the schedule:
Saturday, Feb. 14
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Brainerd: 9 a.m., Central Lakes College cafeteria (501 West College Drive)
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Aitkin: 2 p.m. Westside Church (810 Second Street N.W.)
DAIRY DAY
It was good to see a good turnout for Dairy Day at the Capitol last Wednesday. Dairy is huge in our state and we are among the nation’s largest producers. This industry drives an estimated 38,000 jobs in Minnesota, with an estimated total economic impact of $11.5 billion annually. The bottom line is it takes a lot of people to get those jugs of milk or blocks of cheese to your refrigerator.
You can’t overstate how important dairy remains to Greater Minnesota and I am pleased to be serving both Agriculture Finance and Agriculture Policy committees in the House. The House Agriculture Policy Committee conducted a meeting on Dairy Day and it was well attended. We had great testimony from citizens. The dairy industry has seen big changes over the years, but there still are vibrant operations in our district and family farmers remain passionate about their way of life.
MINING UPDATE
We have been receiving good testimony in the committee I serve pertaining to mining and outdoors recreation. We are on the front edge of plans that have huge impacts on our state economy. Polymet in Babbitt is very slowly and methodically moving through the permitting process, something that is intended to bring the first copper nickel mining to northern Minnesota. A Polymet spin-off in Tamarack is closer to us and would be a new economic driver in the northern part of our District 10B.
I will keep you posted and hope you can join us for either of the property tax listening sessions on Feb. 14.
Take care until then,
Dale