Grant Hauschild

In the final days of the legislative session, we secured and passed a bipartisan budget agreement in St. Paul that proves something important. That government works best when we focus less on political theater and more on solving real problems. 
For months, I’ve said our top priority for this session should be lowering costs, responsible budgeting, protecting rural health care, and restoring trust in government. What we passed reflects exactly that. It delivers meaningful wins for northern Minnesota and puts families ahead of partisan politics. 
Several major priorities I chief authored and fought to include throughout negotiations are on their way to becoming law. Together, they represent one of the most consequential packages for northern Minnesota in years. 
First, we passed my legislation for $125 million in direct property tax refunds for Minnesota homeowners. Property taxes are crushing families across the Northland. Rising home valuations, inflation, grocery costs, and higher local government expenses are squeezing household budgets. Families deserve relief now, not years from now. This will put money directly back into the pockets of homeowners across Minnesota. 
Second, we restored Seasonal Recreation Property Aid to northern Minnesota schools. For decades, many rural school districts have struggled with an unfair tax structure where large amounts of seasonal property value do not adequately support local schools. School districts like Ely, International Falls, Lake Superior, Grand Rapids, St. Louis County, Cook County, and others have carried that burden for far too long. We’re correcting that imbalance and providing sustainable support for rural schools without raising taxes. 
Third, we secured critical rural hospital stabilization funding. Rural health care is under enormous pressure. Hospitals and clinics across Greater Minnesota are dealing with workforce shortages, uncompensated care, rising costs, and growing uncertainty from federal health care changes under the Big Beautiful Bill. If rural hospitals fail, entire communities suffer. This funding helps protect access to emergency care, labor and delivery services, mental health care, and lifesaving treatment close to home. 
Crucially, we passed a bonding bill that invests in critical infrastructure in communities across the Northland while keeping local taxes lower. In northern Minnesota, bonding bills matter because they help reduce pressure on local property taxpayers, create jobs, and support foundational needs like water treatment and local roads and bridges. 
Families will also see relief through a $254 million reduction to car tab fees. Minnesotans are tired of seeing everyday costs climb higher and higher. Lowering car tab fees was one way we could provide relief for Minnesotans facing ever increasing inflation.  
Just as importantly, this agreement takes fraud prevention seriously. 
Minnesotans are rightfully angry about fraud and abuse in public programs. They expect accountability, oversight, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I’m proud to say we delivered the strongest anti-fraud reforms Minnesota has ever seen.  
We created an independent Office of Inspector General with real investigative authority to detect and stop fraud. We are investing $75 million in county IT modernization so frontline workers and investigators are no longer relying on outdated systems that make oversight harder and fraud easier to miss. 
I’ve spent significant time working directly with county leaders and frontline workers who showed legislators just how outdated these systems are. In some cases, the technology used to administer major public programs is over 35 years old. That is unacceptable. Modern systems help protect taxpayer dollars, improve efficiency, and allow workers to focus more on serving families instead of fighting broken technology. 
This agreement reflects what responsible government should look like. It delivers targeted relief without reckless spending. It addresses fraud instead of just talking about it. It invests in rural health care and schools instead of ignoring Greater Minnesota. It lowers costs for families while making government more accountable. 
Most importantly, it shows what is possible when legislators focus on practical solutions instead of performative politics. 
Northern Minnesota sent me to St. Paul to just deliver. This agreement does exactly that.