Latest news with #GrantHauschild
Axios
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Key makers rattled by Minnesota metal ban
Key makers say they'll be locked out of Minnesota's market without an exemption from a new state ban on toxic metals. Why it matters: A law meant to protect kids from harmful materials could also make it harder for Minnesotans to obtain or replace keys for homes, cars, boats and more. State of play: The law, passed in 2023 as part of a broader spending bill, makes it illegal to import, manufacture, sell or offer keys and other items containing certain levels of lead and cadmium. Other products covered by the ban include toys, clothing, kitchenware and school and art supplies. Context: The law's backers say the goal is to reduce exposure to metals that can harm health and development, especially for children and the workers who make such products. Ingesting cadmium, which is an increasingly popular alternative for lead, can cause vomiting and organ damage, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Yes, but: Those lobbying for a change, including the auto and boat industries, say "commercially viable" alternative materials for making keys and FOBs aren't available. Titanium, for example, would be "extremely expensive," require new machinery and risk wearing out locks and ignitions faster, the recent president of the Security Hardware Distributors Association wrote lawmakers in a letter. What they're saying:"We don't have another option," DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild, who's pushing for the key carve-out in the Senate, told Axios. "I don't want to be in a place where Minnesota outlaws keys." Between the lines: Critics have also pointed out that Minnesota's new standard is more stringent the European Union or California, the only other state to pass such a ban. The other side: DFL Rep. Rick Hansen, who authored the original ban, told Axios that the state needs to reduce exposure to "dangerous elements like lead and cadmium." "As parents know, kids put keys in their mouth," he wrote. Zoom out: Lawmakers are also seeking carve-outs for lead-containing pens and mechanical pencils used by architects and cadmium paints and pastels that artists say are crucial for capturing vibrant colors. "This is the only government in the universe that outlaws cadmium paint for artistic purposes," Rep. Bjorn Olson (R-Fairmont) told a committee recently of the proposal to exempt art supplies. Friction point: MPCA doesn't support full product exemptions "due to the toxic properties of these metals and their availability to the general public," spokesperson Becky Lentz told Axios. But it is working collaboratively with industries" to determine whether they need more time to comply with the law. It's recommended a three-year extension for pens and FOBs, but not traditional keys. The intrigue: A representative for the agency acknowledged in a recent committee hearing that keys are a challenging case and said it's still evaluating questions about testing and potential alternative materials. Where it stands: Language exempting keys from the law was amended into a commerce policy bill in the Senate. Hauschild said he'll seek to add the key carve-out into a separate environmental package this week. DFL lawmakers in the House, meanwhile, recently moved to exclude keys from draft exemption language under consideration for one of that chamber's budget bills. What we're watching: Whether the provision ultimately makes it into a budget bill.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
EMS emergency widens despite millions invested in 2024
The Brief Minnesota's EMS emergency has not been resolved and directors are urgently asking the legislature for more money. They declared an emergency last year and said it would take $120 million to fix, but only received $30 million. This time around, they're asking for $50 million per year, plus continuing workforce investments, and an adjustment to Medicare-Medicaid reimbursements. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Lawmakers are getting urgent requests for money to keep Minnesota's EMS system from folding, just a year after getting $30 million to address the issue. Costly to prepare The paramedics at Perham EMS cover 400 square miles of Otter Tail County. It's mostly rural and lake country, so it's not especially busy, but the equipment and personnel always need to be ready to go, which can be costly. "Because of the large areas we are responsible for, we can't just run fewer trucks or scale back service," said Perham Area EMS director Becca Huebsch. "Because when someone calls 911, they need immediate expert care." What got funded Rural emergency medical services announced their own emergency last year and said they needed $120 million to fix it and keep ambulances running in Greater Minnesota. They got about $30 million. Perham EMS used its portion to retrofit an old ambulance so it could stay in service. They also worked on a rapid response pilot project to help fill staffing gaps. But they still need a lot more help. "These rural services are so underwater that even the little bit of aid they get didn't make a dent," said Sen. Grant Hauschild, (DFL-Hermantown). New funding request Instead of asking for the $90 million EMS directors didn't get last year, they're now asking for $50 million every year. They want the workforce investment to continue, and they want to the state to fix as much of the Medicare-Medicaid reimbursement as they can. Right now, they only get reimbursed if they drop off a patient at the E.R. And they say any changes at the federal level could make the situation even worse. "If there are cuts to the Medicare or Medicaid programs, even by a percentage or two, it's devastating to our ambulance services," said Michael Juntunen, president of the Minnesota Ambulance Association. What's next Fitting $50 million into a shrinking budget will be tough, but legislators from both parties are working on this and hoping they can find some room.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cleveland-Cliffs to temporarily idle 2 Minnesota mines; 630 workers laid off
Cleveland-Cliffs has confirmed its plans to idle two of its plants on Minnesota's Iron Range, resulting in 630 workers being laid off. The Ohio-based steel manufacturer has informed state authorities of the impending changes, which will lead to the temporary idling of its Minorca mine near Virginia and the partial idling of Hibbing Taconite (Hibtac). A statement from the company, reported by the Duluth News Tribune, states that the idles "are necessary to re-balance working capital needs and consume excess pellet inventory produced in 2024." The 630 employees "will be impacted following the completion of the 60-day WARN period," the statement continues, adding: "We remain committed to supporting our employees and communities while monitoring market conditions." Cleveland-Cliffs owns Minorca Mine in its entirety, and is the majority owner of HibTac, with U.S. Steel a minority owner. MPR News reports the two mines employ around 4,000 people combined. The news first emerged via a statement from State Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), who said it comes at a time of challenges in the automobile industry, a major customer for the Iron Range's taconite pellet supplies, and against a broader backdrop of fears over a potential recession amid President Donald Trump's ongoing tariff war. View the to see embedded media. "This is difficult news for our Steelworkers, their families, and our entire Iron Range community. Mining isn't just an industry here – it's our way of life," said Senator Hauschild. "The men and women who work in our mines are the backbone of the Range, and their hard work has built and sustained communities across Minnesota for generations. When our Steelworkers hurt, we all hurt.' "But in Minnesota, we have each other's backs. We go out of our way to help one another—not because it makes us feel good, but because we know that life is easier when we stand together. And right now, we need to stand with these Steelworkers and their families as they navigate this uncertain and difficult time." Rep. Spencer Igo (GOP-Wabana Township) described the decision as "a devastating announcement for our region." "I've been in discussions with both Cleveland-Cliffs and local union leaders to ensure that those impacted have access to the resources and assistance they need during this difficult time," he said. "Our mining industry has been the backbone of Northern Minnesota for generations and steel is the backbone of our country, but policies at both the state and federal levels have made it harder for our domestic production to thrive. We need leadership that prioritizes American workers, strengthens our local industries, and brings stability back to our economy. I will continue fighting to ensure that mining remains a strong and vital part of our region's future."
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Northland senator calls on Trump to reverse U.S. Forest Service firings in Minnesota
With thousands of forestry workers among the Trump Administration's mass federal firings, one state senator from a heavily impacted district is urging the president to undo the decision. Sen. Grant Hauschild, a DFLer who represents northeastern Minnesota including Hermantown and a chunk of St. Louis County, sent a letter on Thursday to President Donald Trump as well as U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber — a Republican whose district covers Hauschild's. It comes after the Trump Administration embarked on the laying off of around 2,000 "probationary, non-firefighting" forest service employees. While it's not been made clear how many employees are impacted in each state, the Star Tribune reported this week that it includes staff at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. Per a news release, Hauschild said the move "significantly impacts northern Minnesota, including the dedicated teams managing the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters." "These employees are more than just Forest Service Employees; they are Northern Minnesotans who are raising their families in our communities," said Hauschild in a statement. "Their roles are crucial in maintaining the delicate balance of our environment, preserving natural beauty, and ensuring public safety through forest management and conservation efforts. Without adequate staffing, the ability to manage these resources sustainably and safely is compromised, risking environmental degradation and economic loss." Though the "total number of Minnesota Forest Service workers affected is unclear," the release notes, the Superior National Forest was already "100 staff short" before the job cuts, Hauschild's office claims. The release says the firings directly impact the service's ability to "manage forestry, law enforcement, fire management and other critical duties." 'These cuts will only hurt Northern Minnesota," said Hauschild, per the release. "I urge President Trump to reverse this decision, and I call on Congressman Stauber to speak up and join me in fighting for our constituents."
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labor and business leaders push for faster environmental permitting — and other labor news
Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, speaks in support of his bill that would speed up environmental permitting alongside Republican lawmakers and business and union leaders on Feb. 13, 2025. (Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer) Take a seat in the Break Room, our weekly round-up of labor news in Minnesota and beyond. This week: a bipartisan push to speed up permitting; masonry contractor pleads guilty to tax evasion; construction worker pleads guilty to rape on job site; Minneapolis marks $2 million milestone in recovered wages; and First Avenue workers ratify first union contract. Trade unions and business leaders have unified around a bipartisan bill aimed at speeding up the environmental permitting process, which they say has choked off investment and cost the state thousands of good-paying jobs in construction, manufacturing and mining. 'We're doing nothing to change (Minnesota's) environmental or labor standards with this bill. What we're doing is we're trying to make it easier for applicants to go through the process,' said Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, during a news conference on Thursday. The coalition of business groups and unions — including those representing laborers, carpenters, operating engineers and ironworkers — say Minnesota's current laws allow opponents to delay projects to death. For example, Minnesota's air permitting review takes about six times as long as Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin, according to a study by the Minnesota Chamber Foundation. Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, pointed to a proposed OSB board factory in his district that was expected to create 150 jobs. Huber Engineered Woods scrapped plans for the plant in Cohasset because of lengthy permitting delays following objections from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe over potential pollution. 'If they were still in this state, they would still be in permitting. And they are open in another state right now operating,' Eichhorn said. The Minnesota Chamber Foundation estimates the state could gain $260 million to $910 million in economic activity if it operated like other states. The bill (HF8/SF577) would speed up the permitting process by creating more stringent deadlines for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to approve or deny permits, requiring the agency to issue separate permits for construction and operations, and limiting local governments to one 60-day extension in making wetlands conservation determinations. The bill also creates an 'ombudsman for business permitting' and requires petitions for environmental reviews to include 100 people who live or own property near the proposed project. (Currently, petitions can include signatures from anyone who lives in the state). Last year, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill that shortened and streamlined permitting for clean energy projects and power transmission lines. That bill enjoyed broad support among Democrats, but some appear skeptical of the new, more comprehensive effort to speed up environmental reviews. During a committee hearing on Thursday, Rep. Sydney Jordan, DFL-Minneapolis, voiced opposition to the provision putting geographic limits on who can petition for environmental reviews, even for projects on public lands. 'We're talking about land that is owned by the people of Minnesota,' Jordan said. 'It feels very upsetting to hear that we feel like they should not have a voice on their land, the water that they drink and the air that they breathe.' Environmental groups called the bill 'a solution in search of a problem,' pointing out the vast majority of permitting decisions on priority projects already meet statutory timelines, and when they don't, it's because of changes to the project, incomplete applications or other deficiencies. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi claimed victory on Wednesday in the first major wage theft case his office has closed since hiring a dedicated wage theft investigator in 2022 — though no one was actually charged with or convicted of wage theft. Todd Konigson, the owner of Stillwater Masonry Restoration Inc., pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and will pay $70,178 to the Minnesota Department of Revenue for failing to file a quarterly withholding tax return in 2018. Konigson, who now lives in Florida, will be on probation and barred from operating a construction business in Minnesota for up to three years or until the debt to the state is repaid. At that point, the felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor. Choi's office originally charged Konigson with 16 counts of tax evasion and fraud in December 2023 following a criminal investigation by the state Department of Revenue. Prosecutors allege Konigson pocketed money withheld from workers' paychecks instead of sending it to the Department of Revenue. They also alleged Konigson misclassified workers as independent contractors but claimed them as employees to receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan. Konigson's company was a union contractor at the time, and the president of the bricklayers' union, Doug Schroeder, said there were workers who were shorted pay and cheated out of health insurance, pension payments and vacation money for years. The union-related benefits fund was able to recoup fringe benefits for about a dozen workers through third parties such as general contractors. Konigson's lawyer, Thomas Beito, rejected prosecutors' portrayal of the guilty plea as a triumph over wage theft. 'He didn't plead guilty to any wage theft nor was he charged with any wage theft because there wasn't any wage theft,' Beito said in an interview. 'If they had the evidence to go after him for wage theft, you can be darn sure that they would have.' Choi said his office pursued tax charges rather than wage theft as 'the path that would be most favorable for a conviction.' During the Wednesday news conference he also said they have 'a lot of cases in the pipeline.' 'We want to put contractors on notice that we are out there investigating,' Choi said. Minnesota made wage theft in excess of $1,000 a felony in 2019. There have been no convictions since then, although charges are being pursued in at least two cases in Hennepin and Stearns counties. A construction worker pleaded guilty on Thursday to raping a co-worker in an apartment bathroom during construction of Viking Lakes, a sprawling multi-use Eagan development built by the Wilf family, owners of the Minnesota Vikings. Juan Diego Medina Cisneros, a 31-year-old Mexican citizen, was charged in Dakota County two-and-a-half years ago but wasn't apprehended until last June by border patrol agents at the Gateway International Bridge in Texas. Medina Cisneros will serve 36 months in prison followed by 10 years probationary release. The assault came to light as the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters union was helping workers report allegations of wage theft on the Viking Lakes development by two subcontractors — Absolute Drywall and Advantage Construction. Absolute Drywall employee Norma Izaguirre told her supervisor about the rape in an apartment bathtub she was cleaning, but the company determined it was a consensual relationship and owner Dan Ortega fired Izaguirre soon after. Izaguirre watched Thursday's court proceeding over Zoom, wiping away tears as Medina Cisneros admitted to the assault in Spanish through an interpreter. She also has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which is investigating her allegations of sex discrimination, and could bring a lawsuit against the contractor. The city of Minneapolis announced it had reached an important milestone this week in its effort to crack down on wage and hour violations, recovering $2 million for workers through various enforcement actions since 2018. The city highlighted $145,000 settlements with Unparalleled Parking and Unparalleled Security for alleged sick leave violations, a $43,000 settlement with Amigos One Stop for alleged overtime pay violations and a $22,000 settlement with Plymouth Academy preschool for allegedly paying subminimum wages. Two of the cases highlighted were brought to the city's attention by the nonprofit worker center Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL). Some 230 unionized service and event workers across First Avenue's seven Twin Cities venues ratified their first union contract over the weekend. UNITE HERE Local 17 said the three-year contract includes 'big raises' — 25% or more for non-tipped workers over the life of the contract — plus longevity pay and improved scheduling. The contract also requires the company to use workers' stated names and pronouns, which the union touted as protections for LGBT workers.
