By Assistant Majority Leader,
Grant Hauschild
The 2026 legislative session is underway at the Capitol, and while this is not a traditional budget year, there is still important work ahead for the Minnesota Legislature in the months before we adjourn in May.
We are beginning this session with encouraging news about Minnesota’s fiscal outlook. The state’s February Budget Forecast shows a projected $3.7 billion surplus in the near term and a $377 million balanced outlook for the years ahead. That kind of stability does not happen by accident. It reflects responsible budgeting and careful fiscal stewardship that I have been strongly advocating at the Capitol.
Strong finances matter because they allow Minnesota to invest in our priorities while maintaining a stable budget. At the same time, we all know that a positive forecast at the Capitol does not automatically mean families feel relief at home. Many communities across Northern Minnesota continue to feel pressure from rising property values, inflation, and higher local costs. That is why much of my focus this session is on making sure our fiscal strength translates into fairness and relief for our region.
One area where the Legislature must continue to lead is protecting taxpayer dollars. Minnesotans deserve confidence that public funds are spent responsibly and that fraud is rooted out wherever it occurs. As far back as last year, the Minnesota Senate was already leading on fraud and passed legislation to create an independent Office of Inspector General that would investigate fraud and strengthen oversight of government programs across state agencies.
This proposal would bring Minnesota in line with many other states that already have independent watchdog offices responsible for identifying waste, fraud, and abuse. It is a commonsense reform that strengthens transparency and accountability while protecting taxpayer dollars. The Senate has done its job by passing the legislation, and now it is time for the House to act so we can get this office established.
Another major priority for me this year is property tax fairness for Northern Minnesota communities.
Across much of our region, seasonal recreation properties make up a large share of the local tax base. In some communities they account for 20 to 50 percent of total property value. Yet for decades, a large portion of the school levy generated from those properties has been redirected away from the local school districts where those cabins are located.
I have introduced legislation that would allow seasonal recreation property taxes to once again support the local school operating levy in the communities where those properties exist. Importantly, this proposal does not raise anyone’s taxes. Instead, it simply ensures that more of the existing tax base is counted locally, which can actually lower the burden on homesteaded properties and year-round residents in many Northland communities.
I am also introducing a property tax refund proposal aimed at helping homeowners across Northern Minnesota who have seen their property valuations climb sharply in recent years. This would be on top of the $515 Taconite Homestead Credit we passed for Northland homeowners in 2024. Rising valuations combined with inflation and growing cost pressures on local governments from the Federal ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ have translated into higher property tax bills for many families. My proposal would expand refund eligibility and provide meaningful relief for homeowners feeling that squeeze.
Local governments are facing new financial pressures as federal policy decisions shift mandates and responsibilities downward. When Washington pushes costs onto states and communities, it is often local taxpayers who feel the impact. That makes it even more important that we use our strong fiscal position in Minnesota to provide stability and relief where we can.
Even in a narrowly divided legislature, there is still an opportunity to make progress on issues that matter to Minnesotans. Strengthening oversight of taxpayer dollars, protecting our strong fiscal foundation, and delivering property tax relief for Northern Minnesota are priorities I will continue to push as the session moves forward.
Our communities deserve leaders who show up, work together, and focus on practical solutions. That is exactly what I intend to do this session on behalf of the Northland.
