Secures Rural EMS, School District, and Local Government Wins While Beating Back Harmful Cuts
(St. Paul, MN May 7, 2025) — Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) proudly announced a series of major wins for Northern Minnesota in the 2025 Senate Tax Omnibus Bill, securing key funding for local governments, fire and EMS services, and school districts, while fighting back against harmful cuts that would have disproportionately hurt rural communities.
“This tax bill is about standing up for the unique needs of Northern Minnesota,” said Senator Hauschild. “From school districts struggling without seasonal cabin property taxes to rural EMS services stretched thin, I fought to make sure our communities weren’t left behind — and I’m proud to say we delivered.”
Key provisions championed by Senator Hauschild in the bill include:
$4.6 Million for Fire and EMS District Aid: Senator Hauschild secured $4.6 million in new funding to support the creation of regional EMS taxing districts, helping rural communities work together to deliver reliable ambulance service. This new aid program provides direct state support to communities that form shared taxing districts. It’s a sustainable model to improve emergency response across the Northland while encouraging collaboration between towns and townships.
- Seasonal Recreation Property Aid for School Districts: The bill creates a new state aid pro-gram for school districts with a high percentage of seasonal and recreational property — a long-overdue fix to a 2001 policy change that unfairly diverted cabin property tax revenue away from local school operations. This win directly benefits many Northern Minnesota school districts.
- Preserved Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Funding: Senator Hauschild successfully fought back against proposed cuts to PILT, protecting counties that manage vast amounts of tax-exempt public land and rely on state payments to fund essential services. Senator Hauschild increased funding for PILT counties during the 2023 legislative session and worked hard to protect any cuts this year.
- Protected the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act (SFIA): The Senate bill avoids the deep cuts to SFIA proposed in the House, preserving a vital program that helps keep working forest land intact and accessible for both the forestry industry and outdoor recreation — key pillars of Northern Minnesota’s economy.
- Defended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Funding: Senator Hauschild pushed back against attempts to slash AIS funding, ensuring counties have the tools they need to protect lakes from invasive species that threaten recreation and local economies.
- $11 Million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs): These locally led districts play a critical role in protecting water quality, supporting agriculture, and pre-serving natural resources. Senator Hauschild helped secure $11 million to ensure they can continue this essential work across the region.
- Creation of a Helium Tax Structure and Re-lief Areas: Senator Hauschild also led on the creation of a new tax structure for helium ex-traction that designates Helium Relief Areas, ensuring that local governments, counties, school districts, and property owners benefit directly from helium production. This new framework guarantees that helium-related revenue flows back to the communities impacted — putting Northern Minnesota first in line for relief and reinvestment.
“These wins are a direct result of listening to local leaders, first responders, school officials, and county commissioners across my district,” said Senator Hauschild. “We protected our rural values, fought off harmful cuts, and de-livered targeted aid that will make a real difference for the Northland. Now, we head into negotiations with the State House — where the balance of power is split 50-50 — and work to ensure these provisions remain in the final bill. Northern Minnesota can count on me to keep fighting for our voice in these critical negotiations”
