Iowa Leaders Find Humor in Proposal to Acquire Nine Minnesota Counties
Iowa lawmakers are split on a proposal to buy nine counties from Minnesota, with mixed reactions from both states’ leaders.
Iowa, Minnesota, Counties, Legislation, Taxes, Politics
Des Moines: So, there’s this wild proposal floating around Iowa about buying nine counties from Minnesota. Some Iowa leaders think it’s a funny idea, while others are scratching their heads, wondering what’s going on.
Sen. Mike Bousselot from Ankeny is the one behind this bill. He wants Iowa to officially say it’s interested in purchasing those counties. The counties in question are Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, and Houston. Quite the list, right?
Senate President Amy Sinclair joked about it, saying she’d take southern Minnesota. She thinks it’s a quirky idea and is curious to see where it goes. House Speaker Pat Grassley is also open to discussing it, saying it’s worth a look if it helps Iowa grow.
Interestingly, neither governor from Iowa or Minnesota has commented yet. Iowa’s Gov. Kim Reynolds is keeping quiet, and Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz hasn’t responded either. But the Minnesota Democrat-Farmer-Labor Party didn’t hold back, simply tweeting “Counteroffer: No.” Ouch!
This isn’t the first time boundary lines have been a hot topic. Back in 1844, there was a proposal to extend Iowa’s northern border to the Twin Cities, but Congress shot it down. Nowadays, some states are even talking about joining forces or splitting up due to political differences.
For example, some counties in eastern Oregon want to join Idaho, and Indiana is looking into letting some counties from Illinois join them. Bousselot’s bill would kick off negotiations with Minnesota, but any changes would need approval from both states and Congress.
Bousselot calls this a “mergers and acquisitions strategy” to help Iowa grow. He’s also pointing out how Iowa has lower taxes compared to Minnesota, suggesting that folks moving to Iowa would benefit from that. But not everyone is on board. Iowa’s Democratic leaders think this idea is a waste of time and not what the state needs right now.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst said there are real issues Iowans are facing, and this proposal feels more like a publicity stunt. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner echoed her sentiments, saying Iowa has enough on its plate with its own 99 counties.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: State lawmakers weigh in on bill to let Iowa buy 9 Minnesota counties