Strengthening Rural Healthcare

One of my first stops last week was in Crookston to visit RiverView Health. I met with CEO Carrie Michalski and saw their 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, which serves as a lifeline for the region. However, the reality facing our rural hospitals is dire; RiverView is currently operating with fewer than 30 days of cash on hand and has had to rely on borrowing just to meet payroll.

To address these unsustainable pressures, I am closely monitoring the implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and advocating for the approval of the state’s Directed Payment Program (DPP). These initiatives are essential to ensuring our hospitals receive fair federal matching funds and can keep their doors open to provide the care our families deserve.

Empowering Our Manufacturers

In Roseau and Karlstad, I hosted roundtables at Polaris and visited Mattracks to discuss the impact of federal tax and trade policies. Our local manufacturers are a crucial part of the Northwest region, and I'm committed to ensuring trade policies support them. 

I was proud to discuss the wins for our businesses included in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), such as restoring permanent 100% immediate expensing and depreciation for research & development. This allows our businesses to invest in new equipment and stay competitive. Additionally, I am exploring legislation to limit the export of aluminum scrap to ensure our domestic producers have the materials they need to grow without it being shipped to foreign countries like China.

Additionally, I visited Central Boiler to discuss the EPA’s attempt to tighten emissions standards for hydronic heaters. I am working to ensure that any future regulations are based on real-world data and developed in collaboration with manufacturers to avoid hurting small businesses and rural households.

Investing in the Next Generation

I spent a wonderful morning at Roseau High School speaking with the 9th-grade civics class about the importance of our American political system. Following the lecture, I toured the school's impressive Industrial Arts department. This program serves as a direct career pipeline to employers like Polaris, because they use industry-standard equipment to prepare students for high-demand manufacturing jobs. 

To support this mission, the OBBB expanded Workforce Pell eligibility to include shorter, workforce-relevant certification programs. This ensures that students pursuing technical education can access the same federal support as those pursuing four-year degrees.

Protecting Our Farmers

Finally, I visited Steve Porter’s Deer Farm in Kittson County. The state is currently attempting to phase out deer farming, which is a direct attack on generational family farms. My office is fighting to protect the rights of these farmers and ensure that federal tax dollars only go to states that treat their deer farmers fairly. We cannot allow political agendas to eliminate a part of our agricultural industry.

We also discussed the importance of delisting grey wolves from the endangered species list. The House passed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act in December, which does just that. I urge you all to call Minnesota Senators Smith and Klobuchar and ask them to support this legislation that would protect livestock and keep rural families safe. 

Senator Amy Klobuchar's Office: 202-224-3244

Senator Tina Smith's Office: 202-224-5641

You can watch our video on these topics here. 

Mobile Office Hours

My office will hold mobile office hours in Milan on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Milan City Hall. 

This is an opportunity for you to connect with my office, share your comments or concerns on policies, and ask questions. They can also help you with any issues you might be having with a federal agency. For questions regarding the mobile office hours, please contact my office at 320-403-6100.

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