Local leaders express concerns at listening session

“A win for one of us is a win for all of us,” observed Waseca County Administrator Michael Johnson during a “legislative luncheon” that brought local leaders together with state-level representatives and spokespersons from national offices.

 

About 50 area leaders were present at a legislative listening session held in the county annex over the lunch hour on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

 

State representatives Keith Allen (19A), Tom Sexton (19B), Senator Gene Dornink (District 23), and John Jasinski (Senate minority leader and district 19) attended, as did spokespersons from the offices of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Brad Finstad.

 

Jasinski acknowledged that “bonding,” that is, the allotment of state funds to help with local projects, will be a highly significant element of the 2026 session.  Of his fellow senators, Jasinski said, “They know I will not vote for a bonding bill unless Waseca is in it [to receive funding].” With the senate nearly tied in the number of party representatives (34 DFL, 33 GOP) he suggested bipartisan cooperation will be the only way to move forward.

 

Senator Dornink pointed out he is not only a legislator, but also a business owner who works in the community and personally experiences the consequences of actions taken at the state capitol. He pointed out 2026 is an election year, which puts pressure on legislators to meet with community leaders and learn about local needs. He said his priorities this year include focusing bonding funds toward infrastructure needs.

 

Sexton stated that, with party divisions in an even 67-67 tie in the House of Representatives, “We’re going to have to work across the aisle quite a bit to get anything accomplished.”

 

Allen agreed, saying competition for state support is very tight, with many, many municipalities seeking funding for major infrastructure projects.

 

Spokespersons for Klobuchar and Finstad assured those present they should feel free to contact the two representatives, both of whom have a number of local offices within the district.

 

Waseca mayor Randy Zimmerman addressed the legislators thanking them for the $2.1 million which funded the city’s reconstruction project to reduce “inflow and infiltration” in the water systems under Second Street Northwest. City manager Carl Sonnenberg said that, with the Second Street project taken care of, he will be petitioning the state to allow $750,000 allotted to the project to be “redirected” toward constructing a water tower that would replace the aging structure next to city hall.

 

Sonnenberg stated three interrelated goals for the near future: moderating both utility rates and property tax increases without reducing city staff. He went on to reveal the number of city employees today is the same as it was 20 years ago when he joined the Waseca staff, yet more work is being accomplished.

 

The county’s school superintendents each spoke briefly, sharing recent accomplishments made by their staff members and students. Eric Hudspith of the Waseca district told legislators, “We don’t need any more mandates telling us what we need to do as we work with our students. The more flexibility we can get, the better we can manage for our students’ needs.” Jeremy Erler of the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) district requested more support for mental health initiatives, and expressed a hope that a statewide health insurance program could be formed. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) superintendent Michael Meihak thanked legislators for some recent changes which allowed more flexibility in funding long term facility maintenance tasks and invited legislators to contact school leaders whenever they had questions about how new rules might affect schools and students.

 

Several county department leaders took a few minutes each to share special concerns. County Attorney Rachel Cornelius addressed the 2023 law known as the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA). The Act has the consequence of allowing incarcerated individuals to shorten their time behind bars by taking part in programs aimed at rehabilitation.

 

Cornelius stated some of the people she has prosecuted and who would be eligible to reduce their sentences have committed criminal sexual conduct involving minors. She suggested having such individuals return to the community earlier than expected could be traumatic for victims, and requested that at least some elements of the law be revised.

 

Cornelius offered to bring individuals to the capitol to testify about the negative affects the new law may engender.

 

Sheriff Jay Dulas suggested the legislature should increase penalties for individuals who imitate police officers, either by wearing uniform-like clothing and equipment, or by using certain types of accessories on their vehicles. He also asked for increased penalties for drivers who endanger public safety by fleeing from a scene and asked that steps be taken to help alleviate the workforce shortage being experienced by law enforcement agencies statewide.

 

Community corrections and probation leader Jon Schiro asked that, when legislators make a change which will lead to extra work for corrections staff, they also provide funding to help facilitate the expected workload increase. He mentioned the specific example of the MRRA, explaining that releasing inmates and placing them under the supervision of corrections workers would require a significant amount of extra time for his staff.

 

Chris Howard of Land and Water Resources brought up changes to water and drainage management laws made in 2023 which will have disastrous affects and lead to vastly increased expenses if they are kept as part of the law. He requested that legislators revisit the phrasing of the statute before some of the elements he described are due to take effect.

 

Numerous other county staff members spoke, as did each of the commissioners, each one highlighting accomplishments and matters of concern.