Iowa Senator Proposes Buying Part of Minnesota

This: an Iowa state senator has a unique idea to grow his state. Instead of building new towns or attracting more residents, he thinks Iowa should buy a chunk of Minnesota. Senator Michael Bousselot suggested this in a post on X, starting with "Make Minnesota Iowa Again! " He believes that lower taxes and more farm-friendly policies would make the deal attractive for Minnesotans. The senator talked about this at the Land Investment Expo, mentioning Iowa's budget surplus and Minnesota's projected deficit as reasons why this could work. The targeted area includes nine counties in southern Minnesota: Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Nobles, and Rock. These are mostly rural, with strong farming communities. The total population of these counties is about 185, 000 people. The senator thinks this move could bring more investment into Iowa's farmland and agriculture. This proposal is not just about land; it's about politics and economics. The region is known for its conservative politics, which might align more with Iowa. Plus, Minnesota could use the cash to manage its state differently. However, this idea is not without controversy. Some might see it as a wild suggestion, while others could view it as a creative solution to state budget issues.