GUEST Column

BY DISTRICT 54B REP. TONY JURGENS

Rep. Jurgens announces legislative redistricting plan

ST. PAUL – A panel of five state judges has released its redistricting plan for the Minnesota Legislature, which was necessary due to population changes from the 2020 census. State Representative Tony Jurgens (R-Cottage Grove) says the current House District 54B, which he represents, will not undergo serious changes.

“The good news for Hastings is that the city itself was not split into two legislative districts,” Jurgens said. “The same cannot be said for Cottage Grove, as three state representatives will represent the city beginning in January.”

Jurgens said much of the current House District 54B will become the new House District 41B. To compare the two, the future district will contain all of Hastings and more of Cottage Grove but will no longer include Afton. Nininger Township and much of Denmark Township are also included.

The Legislature and Governor were unable to work out a redistricting agreement, so a panel of judges was assigned to create a plan. The Minnesota Constitution requires redistricting every decade after each census.

Jurgens said the new legislative district boundaries will take effect in January.