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The Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS) has been advocating for the communities of the Taconite Assistance Area (TAA) in northern Minnesota for over 80 years. Members include more than 60 public sector units of government who take part in advocating for the citizens of the Iron Range. Our membership includes cities and townships from across Itasca, St. Louis, Aitkin, Lake, Cook and Crow Wing Counties in addition to all the public schools in the TAA. We have a long history of advocating for local government aid, support for our mining and timber industries, economic opportunities for our region, in addition to a strong and vibrant public education system for our citizens.
Last week, we were disappointed with the news that Senate Republican leadership decided it wasn’t worth their time to return to St. Paul. RAMS recently sent a letter to Governor Walz and our Minnesota elected officials calling on them to finish the work they started this session, including additional funding for our students and public schools, a tax bill that provides some of the largest relief ever to Minnesota taxpayers, and passing a much-needed Capital Investment, or bonding bill.
Traditionally, the even year Legislative sessions are “bonding years” — a year when our state helps fund important capital improvement projects such as infrastructure and community needs. With the Legislature adjourning last month without a bonding bill, communities are left wondering how these projects will get done without this important funding component. Here in northern Minnesota, important water infrastructure projects in Buhl, Gilbert, and Virginia are left wondering how they will pay for their projects without partnership from the state. In Hibbing, the fate of their new public safety building is in limbo without partnership from the state. Residents near the St. James and Canisteo pits are wondering how the state will deal with rising water levels without the investment by the state through a bonding bill.
Crumbling infrastructure and the need for public investment does not have geographic boundaries. These problems exist across our state, regardless of if the Legislative district is blue or red. We call on Legislators from both sides of the political aisle to go back to work and to pass a bonding bill that helps all of Minnesota.
The legislature also discussed a potential solution for the special education funding gap that our schools face. Currently, our schools must cover unfunded costs regarding special education services they provide to our students. The possible state solution that was discussed would have meant over $800,000 more per year for the Hibbing District so that they can help address the needs of all our students. Or, for the Grand Rapids school district, it would mean almost $1.5 million per year to help pay for that programming. Those are just two examples of the tremendous impact this investment would have on our schools. We ask our Legislators to come back to the table and approve this additional education funding so that every child, regardless of which town they live in, or what part of Minnesota they live in, can have access to a public school system that provides them with an education for their future.
Finally, the Legislature came so close to passing a tax bill that would have benefitted all Minnesotans. There was a bipartisan agreement on tax relief, but for whatever reason, it did not cross the finish line. The compromise tax bill included significant increases for Local Government aid (LGA) that helps towns keep providing necessary services without raising taxes on its citizens. There was an expansion of the child tax credit, helping families raising young children. And there was property tax relief for homeowners. There was help for our Iron Range schools. Furthermore, senior citizens on Social Security would have seen the elimination of the state taxes on those Social Security benefits. The tax bill was a good compromise between both parties and RAMS calls on the Legislature to go back to the table and pass the tax bill.
RAMS asks the residents of the Iron Range to stand with us and call upon all Legislators to get the job done. Fund our schools. Increase Local Government Aid to cities. Pass a bonding bill. And pass a tax relief bill. Our communities in rural Minnesota deserve this. It’s now up to Governor Walz, Leader Miller, Speaker Hortman and our elected state representatives and senators to get back to work and come through for the people of Minnesota.
SCOTUS / ROE
The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a moment for deep grief, rage, and action. Reject the attempts of right-wing extremists to roll back our fundamental rights. This is an assault on our freedom and dignity. My Body, My Choice. Bans off our bodies. Make our voices heard to the world. Reproductive rights are human rights. Women’s rights are human rights. Protect choice and bodily autonomy. And remember to vote this fall for forward-thinking candidates and legislators who will not set the clock back 50 years. Roe is on the ballot. Climate chaos, gun safety, democracy, and so much more is on the ballot. We won’t go back.
Denny FitzPatrick, Grand Marais
Roe V Wade ruling shows erosion of civil liberties
The recent ruling of the Supreme Court in overturning Roe v Wade illustrates the effect of a highly skewed Supreme Court whose composition, driven by politics, consists primarily of extreme conservatives. Their decision reflects an erosion of our civil liberties and there’s more to come. Our main hope is legislative action, unlikely in the current balance of power, and maybe not even in my lifetime. But it will come. It is a hallmark of Americans that we will not endure repression indefinitely.
Pat Bland, Croftville
Fill in the blank, but make it personal
I must admit that the title of Ann Mershon’s most recent article immediately caught my attention. What came to mind right away was the motto we see on our coins, and that was probably the response of many people. But that wasn’t really where the article was going.
The main theme of the article was trust, and its various forms and objects. The issue of trust today is certainly one that we all must deal with daily. It really is a challenge to determine who and what is to be believed and trusted. How can we really know who is telling the truth and who is just using us for selfish purposes?
We humans, on our own, are rather flimsy in our integrity from time to time. And that’s because we are seriously flawed. The Bible describes it this way: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Yes, we all have that common flaw: sin. Might as well own up to it. Our Creator should know. He knows everything. And He’s holy. Perfect. And when He speaks, He speaks Truth. In fact, Jesus calls Himself The Truth. And He has proven Himself to be just that. He became the remedy for our flawed nature. He gave His life, His all, to make us new, free from the penalty and domination of sin.
If we are truly looking for the Trustworthy, the Truth, Jesus is our starting point. He never lies, and He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We can count on Him. Our forefathers had it right when they presented the motto, “In God We Trust”. But a motto is just words unless it is rooted in the Truth and growing in the heart. It must not be a general statement, for how can we know what is in the heart of another? It must become a personal declaration and belief, and then, when many are of the same heart, it becomes a collective statement. What a joyful thing to be able to declare “In God I trust”, “In God we trust”. It is where true life begins.
Marsha Hansen, Tofte
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