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Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,
Getting a greeting out has been challenging as my schedule has been really full. This is now a catch-up newsletter! As we head into the final days of the year, I’m focused on keeping you updated on the work happening across the Range and the conversations taking place as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
Continuing the Legislative Exchange
Ahead of the second portion of our legislative exchange, Rep. Mahamoud and I joined MPR in their St. Paul studio, for a live hour of radio, taking questions and talking through the experience so far. We were joined by my daughter, Isabelle, and Anquam’s brother, Dean, who got to watch from the control room next door. This was a great opportunity to reflect before the second portion of our exchange began in Minneapolis.
A few weeks ago, Maria and I continued with the second half of the Minnesota Legislative Exchange alongside Rep. Anquam Mahamoud and the Citizens League. We spent a full day in South Minneapolis with a well-organized, fast-paced schedule focused on understanding the needs and priorities of her district. The day centered on neighborhood redevelopment, public safety, health care delivery, workforce training, and support for small businesses.
We met with community leaders at the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, toured the Minneapolis American Indian Center, and visited Allina Health and Abbott Northwestern to discuss mental health care capacity and reimbursement challenges. Additional stops included discussions with business and nonprofit leaders along Lake Street, visits to Midtown Global Market and Mercado Central, and a stop at George Floyd Square to hear firsthand about ongoing transportation and community concerns.
The tour also included Sabathani Community Center, which provides job training and support services, and the Somali Mall, highlighting immigrant entrepreneurship and small business ownership. The day wrapped up with dinner and conversation with Minneapolis city leaders along Nicollet Avenue’s “Eat Street”, which has an incredible variety and number of restaurants to choose from!
Our districts differ greatly in size and population density, with her district having over 10,000 people per square mile, and mine with about 25 people per square mile. Anquam’s South Minneapolis district would fit into our central Range district 401 times! The exchange program underscored the value of seeing each other’s communities up close. I appreciate the Citizens League, Rep. Mahamoud, and everyone who shared their time and insight to make this time so worthwhile.
I outlined our visit in much greater detail and with more photos (over 70!) on my facebook page, which I hope you will find time to read as well.
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Visiting the Path Blazers Snowmobile Club
I recently had the chance to sit in at a monthly meeting with the Path Blazers Snowmobile Club, and it was great to catch up with everyone. President Dan Marich couldn’t be there, but Dave Houghton did a great job facilitating the meeting. We had updates from Officer Marc Johnson on any new rule changes for trails and machines, which were quite helpful. We also heard good reports from Dan Tarnowski, Joe McKenney and others about the work going into the season – if you follow them on Facebook you can see their club is very active in keeping the trails in tip-top condition. Thanks to everyone at Path Blazers for the warm welcome!
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Youth in Action at Mesabi East
Just before Thanksgiving, I spent part of a day at Mesabi East Schools meeting with students in the Youth In Action class, and it was time well spent. We talked about the size of District 7B, how representation works across the state, and why mining on school trust lands plays such an important role in funding education for every student in Minnesota. It was impressive to see the Farm to School work happening in the school greenhouse and the community involvement it encourages. Along the way, I enjoyed catching up with Janelle, Maria, Stacy and others. Thank you to Dr. Jeff Burgess for the welcome and for everything he and his team do to promote a good education on the East Range!
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Essentia Health – Duluth
I recently had the opportunity to tour Essentia Health’s Duluth campus, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a major healthcare hub for Northeast Minnesota. From the emergency room and Birth Center to the ambulance bay and rooftop helipad, the hospital is thoughtfully designed and built to serve a large regional population. Its workforce, service area, and economic impact make it one of the most significant healthcare investments in the region. Thank you to the Essentia Health team and the Minnesota Business Partnership for coordinating this informative visit.
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Mountain Iron - Buhl School Visit
At the invitation of Principal Amanda Sand, I recently visited the Mountain Iron-Buhl Public Schools for a K–12 tour and lunch at the Ranger Rock Cafe. The facility is beautiful, well-designed, and showcases outstanding teachers, staff, and students. It is a true gem in our public school system, and I appreciate the kind welcome from everyone who made the visit possible.
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RAMS Annual Dinner
I attended the RAMS Annual Meeting and Dinner last week, which drew record attendance from local leaders across the region. Having previously served on the RAMS board as a township supervisor, it was especially meaningful to return in a new role and take part in the program. It was great to reconnect with friends from townships, cities, and school boards, and to spend time visiting with community partners. In my remarks, I emphasized the importance of collaboration and relationship-building in effective governance. Programs like the Citizens League Legislative Exchange are a reminder that strong relationships help us work better together and serve our communities well.
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Please Contact Me
Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. The best method is to use my email – I am rarely near the office phone, but that number is 651.296.0170 and you can try me there too.
Have a great weekend!
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