ST. PAUL—The League of Minnesota Cities has recognized 25 state lawmakers, including Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL-Aurora), Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely) and Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), as 2024 Legislators of Distinction. Chosen legislators are honored for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year’s state legislative session. Hauschild was also recognized by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
Legislators of Distinction are approved annually by the League’s Board of Directors in recognition of the collaboration of state and city officials needed to successfully serve shared communities and meet the unique needs of rural, urban, and suburban residents across Minnesota.
To be eligible for the award, legislators must achieve one or more of the following criteria:
• Be generally and reasonably accessible to League representatives
• Seek input on issues of importance to cities
• Listen to League concerns and be receptive to League-provided information on issues
• Sponsor and/or support League initiatives
• Speak out on behalf of the interest of cities
• Demonstrate the importance of partnership between the state and cities
Rep. Lislegard led efforts to secure one-time aid for rural ambulance services and pilot programs aimed at exploring alternative emergency medical service delivery models. He was also a leader in finding workable alternatives to legislative proposals to require replacement funds for any city infrastructure project receiving state funds. As Chair of the Property Tax Division, Rep. Lislegard focused on preventing property tax shifts onto homeowners and was consistently available and interested to discuss issues that cities brought forward.
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“Because I represent the most rural Senate District in the State of Minnesota, I believe it’s my duty to properly represent our small cities and towns across our State. I know firsthand as a former City Councilor how critical the work of our local governments are because they’re often the first point of contact our citizens have with their government,” said Senator Hauschild. “It’s vital that we enact policies that help Minnesota cities and small towns do their work, and I’m honored to be recognized by these groups for the work I did to advance our shared goals in the 2024 legislative session.”
During the 2024 Legislative Session, Senator Hauschild delivered a number of legislative victories for Minnesota cities. This includes his work on rural Emergency Medical Services and the “Iron Range” bonding bill that invests over $80 million in improvements for cities throughout Northeastern Minnesota.
Sen. Hauschild’s steadfast advocacy has proven himself a true champion for Greater Minnesota. As Chief Author of the EMS bill in the Senate, Sen. Hauschild was a driving force for pushing the EMS legislation across the finish line,” said CGMC President & St. Joseph Mayor Rick Schultz. “His energy and diligent work throughout the session was critical to its success, delivering much-needed aid to Greater Minnesota communities.”
On his selection by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), Sen. Hauschild was recognized for leading efforts to secure aid for rural ambulance services and for his work as a member of the Senate Tax Committee, where “he consistently worked to ensure city needs were addressed and supported efforts to craft workable legislative solutions to numerous issues.”
Rep. Skraba regularly checked in with League staff to identify and understand city perspectives. He made himself readily available to discuss cities’ concerns, consistently worked to get those issues addressed, and supported efforts to craft workable legislative solutions—often drawing on and referring to his experience as a city official.’’
Award winners received a letter of appreciation and a certificate. A copy of the acknowledgement letter was also sent to the mayor of each city in the legislator’s district.
Visit the League’s website to view a full list of the 2024 Legislators of Distinction.
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