Interim Update July has brought us a wonderful celebration of Independence Day and the observance of our nation's 250th anniversary. Across Minnesota, families, friends, and neighbors gathered for parades, community events, backyard barbecues, and fireworks to celebrate the freedoms we are blessed to enjoy. As we reflect on our country's founding, we are reminded that the principles of liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government continue to guide our nation today. I hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday and found time to celebrate with those who matter most. A Summer of ParadesI had a great time celebrating the Fourth of July in Plummer, where the community truly went all out to honor America's 250th birthday. It was wonderful to see such an incredible turnout, with more than 50 parade entries, a record number of participants in the Lions Too Fun Run, a packed Main Street for the car show, and families enjoying everything from the farmers’ market and kids' activities to bingo, live music, and great local food! Thank you to everyone in Plummer who worked so hard to organize another fantastic celebration and to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and community members who made the weekend such a success. Events like these are a great reminder of the pride and strong sense of community that make Northern Minnesota such a special place to call home.   It was a pleasure to spend time at the 125th Polk County Fair in Fertile and take part in the parade before visiting with so many friends, neighbors, and families from across the North Country. Year after year, the fair showcases the very best of our communities, from outstanding 4-H exhibits and livestock shows to local entertainment, rodeos, races, delicious fair food, and countless opportunities to reconnect with familiar faces. This year's milestone celebration drew more than 45,000 visitors, and even temperatures nearing 100 degrees couldn't keep people away. Congratulations to everyone who helped make the fair's 125th anniversary such a tremendous success. Thank you to the volunteers, organizers, exhibitors, fair staff, sponsors, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to put on another outstanding event. The Polk County Fair is a wonderful tradition that celebrates our agricultural roots, strengthens community connections, and reminds us why northwest Minnesota is such a great place to live.  Enjoying the parade with Senator Mark Johnson  Down Payment Assistance Available for Beginning FarmersFor many young and beginning farmers, purchasing land is one of the biggest barriers to getting started in agriculture. Minnesota's Down Payment Assistance Grant program is now accepting applications and offers eligible first-time farmers grants of up to $20,000 to help purchase their first farm. Applications are open through August 31st, with $1.64 million in funding available this year. Eligible applicants must have less than $250,000 in annual gross agricultural sales and provide a matching contribution to receive the full grant amount. Priority is given to farmers with annual gross farm sales of $100,000 or less, as well as producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, and specialty crops. The program is designed to help the next generation of farmers overcome the financial hurdles of purchasing farmland and continue Minnesota's strong agricultural tradition. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, I encourage you to explore the program before the application deadline. A Brief Pause Until NovemberAs we head into the late summer and fall, this will be my final legislative newsletter until after the November election due to Minnesota's legislative blackout period. State law prohibits legislators from using public resources for newsletters and other mass communications during this time to help ensure a fair election process. Although you won't receive my regular updates over the next few months, my work on your behalf won't stop. Although you won't receive my regular email updates over the next few months, my work on your behalf won't stop. To stay in the loop, check out my Facebook page that we plan to update several times a week, and you may still find my weekly updates in your local newspaper during the coming months. The Legislature may not be in session, but there is still plenty happening. I'll continue meeting with local residents, attending county fairs and community events, visiting local businesses, and listening to the concerns and ideas that help shape my work at the Capitol. Those conversations are some of the most important parts of this job because the best ideas rarely come from a committee room in St. Paul. They come from the people who live, work, and raise their families here at home. The issues we've discussed throughout these weekly newsletters don't disappear just because the communication window closes. Minnesota will continue preparing for the next legislative session, state agencies will continue serving our residents, and decisions made over the coming months will continue affecting our schools, local governments, farmers, businesses, healthcare providers, and taxpayers. Please let me know how you are affected by the new laws and policies. Our intent is to serve you well with as little interference as possible. Thank you for following along throughout the year. I appreciate all your questions, shared feedback, and the time you have taken to stay informed. An engaged and informed public makes for better government, and I value hearing directly from the people I represent. While I won't be able to communicate through this newsletter for now, my office remains open and available to help you work with state agencies, answer your questions, and assist with constituent services. Please don't hesitate to reach out by phone, email, or if you see me out in the community. I always enjoy visiting with you, and I look forward to reconnecting with you with this weekly newsletter after the election. - Steve |