Senator Grant Hauschild Hails Big Wins During 2026 Legislative Session
Property tax relief, landmark anti-fraud legislation, and over $30 million in bonding funding for Northland communities
(ST. PAUL, MN) – With the conclusion of the 2026 Legislative Session, Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) is highlighting the major wins he secured this year that will help Minnesotans with rising costs, prevent and root out fraud against taxpayers, and support the critical infrastructure and industry that powers the Northland.
“Every session I make a promise to my constituents: that I’ll focus on the issues, put aside the politics, and deliver on the policies and funding that will improve their lives, strengthen our communities, and move the Northland forward,” said Sen. Hauschild. “Despite divided government and dysfunction out of Washington, we’ve got a lot to be proud of with some big wins this year. I’m proud of what we’ve done to provide relief for family budgets, support our local schools, protect taxpayer dollars, and invest in our infrastructure.”
As Vice-Chair of the Senate Taxes Committee, Sen. Hauschild secured key provisions he chief authored in the final tax bill, including:
$125 million in property tax relief that will deliver an average refund increase of nearly $200 to 588,000 homeowners in 2026.
Created a new School Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid Program to offset voter-approved operating referendum levies in districts with seasonal recreational properties, which reduces tax rates by as much as 50% in school districts with large amounts of cabins.
Authored this year’s minerals article bill that increased investment in Iron Range school districts, local cities, and townships.
Bonding Infrastructure Projects
With a promise to deliver on district needs, Senator Hauschild secured over $30 million in funding for bonding projects throughout the Northland. This funding will help address critical infrastructure needs including wastewater treatment, local roads and bridges, and local utility upgrades.
“Communities like ours don’t have the local population or tax base that can take on all of these critical infrastructure needs, and we need the state to step up. That’s what makes passing a bonding bill so important,” said Sen. Hauschild. “This is an investment in the core needs of our communities, but it’s also a commitment to making sure every community has the help it needs to ensure our communities are strong.”
The projects receiving funding, include:
• Cook County Gunflint Trail Improvements: $1 million
• Proctor I35 Commercial Development Utility Extensions: $3.5 million
• Two Harbors Highway 61 Infrastructure: $2 million
• City of Cook Public Infrastructure: $1.5 million
• Rice Lake Sewer and Water Infrastructure: $3.8 million
• Ely Water Supply Improvements: $3.9 million
• International Falls Water Treatment Facility: $4.8 million
• Silver Bay Emergency Valve Replacement: $1.07 million • Grand Marais Wastewater Treatment Plant: $1.908 million
• Knife River Area Inflow and Infiltration Improvements: $958,000
• 148th Fighter Wing Hangar: $3.5 million
• Ranier Public Works Maintenance Facility: $554,000
• Duluth Airport Control Tower: $2 million
• Supporting Laid Off Miners
Senator Hauschild also secured an expansion of last year’s unemployment insurance benefits extension for laid-off Hibtac workers to include additional workers who were inadvertently excluded, and passed additional rulemaking authority for the Department of Health that will ensure continued development of Helium in the Northland.
Fraud Fight
Finally, Senator Hauschild highlighted two major wins in the fight against fraud. First, $75 million in funding for the modernization of county IT infrastructure to update severely outdated technology used in the administration of social services programs. The second is the creation of an Independent Office of the Inspector General with broad authority to investigate and audit state programs, agencies, and contractors. This was the top anti-fraud priority of Senate DFLers, and represents a significant step forward in the oversight of public dollars.
“This is the most significant step we have taken in a generation to prevent fraud, protect taxpayer dollars, and ensure that the most vulnerable in our state who rely on these programs are getting what they need,” said Sen. Hauschild. “This is a game-changer in the fight against fraud.”
