Legislators tackled local issues during session

When we think of the Minnesota State Legislative Session we often think primarily of those issues that affect the entire state. In doing so we may overlook the bills that specifically address the needs of our local area.

The recently completed 2023 session made some big decisions for the state as a whole, but it also considered some issues that are specific to Dodge and Olmsted Counties.

While legislators are charged with making decisions that affect the entire state, they also are expected to look out for their districts and are accountable to the people who elected them.

During 2023 session, Sen. Carla Nelson authored a number of bills but three of those specifically were directed towards Dodge County. She also authored a number of bills that reflected the needs of Olmsted County, portions of which, including Byron, are in District 24.

Bills passed that were specifically local related to Kasson flood Mitigation, the Wasioja Seminary, and the Dodge County Solid Waste Transfer Station.

The flood mitigation bill provides $5 million for replacement and renovation of sanitary sewer and stormwater infrastructure and systems, a water main, and roadway restoration.

Flooding near and above the 100-year elevation has occurred four times in the last 15 years. These high levels were reached in both 2007 and 2010 and in 2019 it happened twice.

The funding will result in construction of a stormwater impoundment upstream of Highway 14 and lower the 100-year flood elevation by approximately two feet and replace city infrastructure in the hardest hit areas of Kasson.

The bill relating to the Solid Waste Transfer Station provides $2.1 million for the county to build a new transfer station. The current building is at its limit and unable to handle an expansion of the municipal solid waste and recycling that is brought to the site.

Annually the county took in about 10,000 tons of solid waste and 2,000 tons of single-stream recycling with those numbers increasing about 6% annually.

A third bill will provide $2.1 million for the Wasioja Civil War Era Seminary. The money will be used for stabilization of the ruins. The ruins are part of a historic district and one of the only locations with a direct connection to Minnesota’s involvement in the Civil War. The buildings in the historic district serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Minnesotans and the losses sustained in the Civil War.

It is always refreshing to know that although they have to consider what is best for the entire state, local legislators still remember the people in their district.

Congratulations to area’s high school graduates

The high school graduation season is now upon us.

Byron and Hayfield held their graduation ceremonies last Friday night. This weekend it is the Kasson-Mantorville and Triton districts turn. K-M graduation ceremonies are Friday night and Triton has its ceremony Sunday afternoon. The Alternative Learning Center of the Zumbro Education District held their graduation ceremonies Wednesday afternoon.

There are also students who are receiving high school diplomas from area private or parochial schools and also through homeschooling programs.

To all these graduates, we at the DCI say congratulations on completing one milestone event and for all your future accomplishments.