This August, the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) named Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild and Minnesota House Representative Roger Skraba as 2026 Legislators of Distinction. LMC noted their work this last legislative year to support the people they represent and help their communities put them above the crowd, using collaboration across party lines to achieve their goals. Both Skraba and Hauschild have spoken at length on the power of working together to find common ground in order to better serve those in northeastern Minnesota’s District 3, where the region’s industry shakeups and now-yearly wildfires, among other issues, require extra care to navigate.
The recognition is bestowed on Minnesota legislators yearly, with 23 lawmakers (14 representatives and 9 senators) being chosen for this year’s round, a mix near-even between the two major political parties. It is based on, according to the LMC, being “reasonably accessible to League representatives” and working to support concerns voiced by the League; regularly reaching out to constituents for their input and speaking out on their behalf; and ensuring their local concerns are heard at a state level, and there is healthy communication between state and cities.
Skraba could not be reached for comment, but a letter from LMC states that he was chosen for the recognition based on his consistent communication with the League and his work in the House Capital Investment Committee pushing for state support of essential local government infrastructure.
Senator Hauschild released a statement on the Distinction, highlighting his work on property tax relief and other “practical solutions” for local problems, stating, “Strong cities are vital to a strong Northland, and I’m proud of the collaboration between the Legislature and our local mayors, council members, city staff, and residents who know their communities best.” His recognition by LMC, as stated in their letter, is due to his work in the Senate Tax Committee, along with offering a voice concerning a number of other issues from environmental to data centers.
The City of Silver Bay’s Council acknowledged the LMC’s awards for both Hauschild and Skraba and stated: “We thank both the Senator and Representative for their support of Silver Bay and congratulate them on this recognition.” Both legislators have been active presences at recent local events for Silver Bay, with both attending the opening of the new Trailhead Center and Skraba sitting in on the public hearing for the upcoming clinic closure. Hauschild recently secured state funding for flood hazard mitigation, stating the funding is “critical for helping Silver Bay have the right infrastructure in place to reduce the risk of flooding in our community and is another example of the strong partnerships we need between the state and local communities.”
The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership association in operation since 1913. Though initially part of the University of Minnesota, it has been an independent organization since 1974. The League’s membership today stands at 842 cities (out of the 856 total in the state), 12 townships, 69 special districts, and one joint powers entity. The League’s goal is to ensure the voices in smaller governments can be heard on a state level, pushing for non-partisan collaboration between local, state, and federal levels to make healthy, beneficial policies. In their words: “The League’s core philosophy is based on the fundamental principle of local control – that means supporting and advocating for elected officials and the residents they serve to make policy decisions that are right for their own communities.”
