http://nolanforcongress.org/BWCA-Land-Swap
(CROSBY, MN) . . . Former US Congressman Rick Nolan, DFL endorsed candidate for Congress from Crosby, Minnesota, issued the following statement after careful reading of the engrossed text of HR -5544 dealing with the exchange of school trust lands in northern Minnesota, authored by U.S. Representative “Chip” Cravaack, Republican (MN-08) and passed by the US House of Representatives on a largely party-line vote:
"I strongly support the school trust land swap proposal passed on a bipartisan basis by the Minnesota Legislature, signed into law by Governor Dayton and supported by the entire Iron Range Legislative Delegation. I applaud this leadership. It is long overdue and will be good for increased school funding and for increased growth in the natural resources economy of our district.
I am disappointed that Rep. Cravaack tried to rush a bill through Congress to capitalize on this, however, then stood by while his tea party Republican friends took out provisions that would have provided up to $1.0 million in annual payments* to Cook, Lake and St. Louis Counties. These federal payments were originally agreed to when these lands were permanently taken out of the local tax base many decades ago. Local taxpayers will suffer and it is directly due to Chip Cravaack’s actions.
If I were in Congress now, I would also insure that every effort be made to protect the rights of hunters, fishermen, snowmobilers and others to continue to enjoy our great Northwoods. This legislation does not contain any such guarantees and shows Representative Cravaack’s lack of concern or understanding of how these changes can affect the lives of those of us who live in northern Minnesota.”
* Note: The Congressional Budget Office cost estimate for HR-5544 includes a $1.0 million annual outlay estimate to St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties for payments in lieu of taxes guaranteed under the “Thye-Blatnick” funds authorized as permanent legislation in 1948 in exchange for permanent removal of these lands from county tax rolls.
* This permanent legislation was overridden in an amendment offered by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Hastings during Rules Committee hearing prior to House Floor action, creating a dangerous precedent for these Minnesota counties.
I wasn't aware of the $1 million outlay provision. This bill definitely needs some changes.
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