Environment, mining in focus at Ely area Democratic caucus

National issues were put on the backburner during the Democratic caucus held Tuesday in Ely, as state and local issues made up the bulk of resolutions passed.

Roughly 20 Democrats from Ely and the surrounding townships gathered inside the theater at Vermilion Community College for the caucus, which focused heavily on environmental issues.

The caucus began with Carol Orban reading statements from Senator Amy Klobuchar.

“At stake is the very direction in which we want to take our state and nation. On the ballot this year is nothing less than the fate of our most fundamental freedoms as Americans. Extreme Republicans are once again threatening to undermine our freedom to vote and to organize,” said Amy Klobuchar in part of her prepared letter.

A statement from Democratic candidate Jen Shultz was also read to the assembly, in which she called out Republican congressman Pete Stauber, who she is running against again this year.

“Pete Stauber has only contributed to the dysfunction and division at a time when Americans are facing historic challenges. Our current Congressman has been a colossal disappointment.

Well, what did we expect?” said Shultz.

No Republican representative of the Iron Range was spared, as Orban aired her grievances with state representative Roger Skraba.

“He doesn’t understand what a representative is supposed to do, or he doesn’t want to,” said Orban.

Orban then read a letter from the Democratic mayor of International Falls Harley Droba, who will be running against Skraba in the next election. Orban said how Droba told her that Skraba has been difficult to work with.

After the initial statements and electing precinct officers and delegates, the Democratic caucus moved on to passing resolutions.

One of the first resolutions passed was on the hot-button topic of banning sulfide mining from the BWCAW and its adjoining water bodies.

Last year, the Biden administration passed a 20year moratorium on new mining activity for more than 225,000 acres of federal land just outside the BWCAW, which put many local mining projects, such as Twin Metals copper-nickel mine, in jeopardy.

The Democrats at the caucus on Tuesday passed the resolution to ban all the BWACW’s adjoining water bodies, as proposed by Wendy Nelson.

They also approved the resolution to withhold all permits for copper, nickel, and sulfide mines in Minnesota until it can be proven that a mine could be operated safely elsewhere.

EMS was also a concern for the caucus goers.

The caucus unanimously passed a resolution for Minnesota to consider emergency medical services personnel as essential workers and that mileage for services be funded and reimbursed at full cost in rural areas, including transportation and mileage back to facilities.

“We have some funding issues,” said Frederica Musgrave, who proposed the resolution. “I wanted to present something so that the DFL knows we here in Ely consider this important, the funding and also the designation of them as essential workers.”

On a state and national level, the Ely area democrats want to ensure everyone has health care provided on the state and national level.

They passed a resolution for the DFL to prioritize the adoption of a single-care universal national healthcare system that provides accessible, affordable healthcare for all by enacting the Minnesota health plan at the state level and the Medicare for All Act of 2023.

“Health care debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States right now,” said Betty Firth. “We currently have a billion-dollar for-profit industry that deprives working people, seniors, and people of color of affordable, accessible quality care.”

Other resolutions that passed were:

• For affordable housing in rural Minnesota.

• For passing the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment

a resolution to support the development of regional food systems and regenerative farming practices.

• To support tribal sovereignty.

• To address the shortage of childcare in rural Minnesota.

• That the DFL demands the legislature investigate how to protect LGBTQ students, educators, and staff from the rising level of personal and professional attacks.

• For comprehensive sex education in schools

• To have electors vote in the electoral college vote as they were told to vote.

• To ensure safe drinking water for Minnesotans.

• To ban single use styrofoam and promote sustainable options at restaurants.

• To have our government oppose any effort to circumvent or weaken state and federal environmental laws or protections involving administrative procedures and permitting.