The League of Minnesota Cities has recognized 35 state lawmakers, including Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault), as 2023 Legislators of Distinction. Chosen legislators are honored for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year’s state legislative session.

“I am honored to be recognized by the League of Minnesota Cities with the Legislator of Distinction award,” Senator Jasinski said. “As a former city councilor and mayor of Faribault, I am acutely aware of the opportunities and challenges that cities both large and small face on a daily basis. That is why it is so important to have a strong partner like the League advocating on behalf of local communities at the state capitol. I look forward to continuing our partnership to shape policies that allow all Minnesota communities to thrive now and long into the future.”

Sen. Jasinski was instrumental in securing long term funding for the Small Cities Assistance Account, which was a 2023 legislative priority for the League. The ongoing funding will benefit more than 700 cities in Minnesota with populations below 5,000. He regularly checked in with League staff to identify and understand city concerns in a wide range of legislation and to discuss how those could be addressed.

Legislators of Distinction are approved annually by the League’s Board of Directors in recognition of the collaboration of state and city officials needed to successfully serve shared communities and meet the unique needs of rural, urban, and suburban residents across Minnesota.

To be eligible for the award, legislators must achieve one or more of the following criteria: 

1. Be generally and reasonably accessible to League representatives
2. Seek input on issues of importance to cities
3. Listen to League concerns and be receptive to League-provided information on issues
4. Sponsor and/or support League initiatives
5. Speak out on behalf of the interest of cities
6. Demonstrate the importance of partnership between the state and cities

Award winners received a letter of appreciation and a certificate. A copy of the acknowledgement letter was also sent to the mayor of each city in the legislator’s district.

The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization dedicated to helping cities throughout Minnesota build quality communities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action. The League serves its more than 830 members through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services. For more information, visit lmc.org.