Senator Grant Hauschild schedules town hall in Grand Marais, will meet with local officials

In recent weeks, Senator Grant Hauschild has traveled across Senate District 3 to host public town halls and meet with local governmental officials.

The town hall and subsequent meetings are an opportunity for Senator Hauschild to provide an update on the Minnesota Legislature and to hear directly from his constituents about the issues they are concerned about.

On March 8, Senator Hauschild hosted a town hall in Hermantown at the YMCA Essentia Wellness Center.

“The best way to advocate for my constituents in St. Paul is to hear directly from them. I look forward to providing an update about our work at the Capitol, the challenges of federal budget uncertainty, and to help answer any questions folks may have,” Senator Hauschild said in a March 5 press release ahead of the Hermantown event.

Then, on Sunday, March 16, Senator Hauschild traveled to International Falls to host a town hall at the Backus Community Center. Approximately 100 people attended the town hall, according to a Facebook post by Senator Hauschild.

This Friday, March 21, Senator Hauschild will travel to Grand Marais to meet with Cook County officials and representatives at 10 a.m. at the Cook County Courthouse to discuss legislative priorities and uncertainty regarding federal funding. Minnesota State Representative for District 3A Roger Skraba will also be in attendance to co-host the event.

Hauschild and Skraba will meet with Cook County Assessor Bob Thompson, Emergency Management Director Mike Keyport, Soil and Water Conservation District Director Illena Hansel, CEO of North Shore Health Kimber Wraalstad, Superintendent of ISD 166 Chris Lindholm, Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson, and several Cook County Commissioner’s, among others. Topics identified during the meeting are emergency management funding, property tax classification, mental health state funding shifts, the wastewater treatment facility, SF542, HF1912, SF1861, and more.

Following the meeting, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Senator Hauschild will host a community town hall at the Cook County Community YMCA in Grand Marais.

In a press release, Senator Hauschild said he invites the public to the town hall so he can hear directly from his constituents about the issues that matter most.

“From state policies most important to Northern Minnesota to concerns about federal budget decisions affecting our communities, this is your opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage in an open and respectful conversation,” Senator Hauschild said in the press release.

Alex Gugala, the executive director of the Cook County YMCA, told WTIP that the town hall would be located in the gym.

“The gym will be closed from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for set up, the town hall, and then take down,” Gugala said. There will be no other interruptions to YMCA services outside of the gym closure, he said.

WTIP will be attending the March 21 legislative event with Cook County officials and the public town hall.

Kalli Hawkins March 18, 2025