Urdahl Recognized as a 2024 Legislator of Distinction

The League of Minnesota Cities has recognized 25 state lawmakers, including State Representative Dean Urdahl, as 2024 Legislators of Distinction. Chosen legislators are honored for specific actions that aided efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year’s legislative session.
 
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. 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.
 
To be eligible for the award, legislators must achieve one or more of the following criteria:
Be generally and reasonably accessible to League representatives,
Seek input on issues of importance to cities,
Listen to League concerns and be receptive to League-provided information on issues,
Sponsor and/or support League initiatives,
Speak out on behalf of the interest of cities, and
Demonstrate the importance of partnership between the state and cities.
 
Rep. Urdahl is retiring after a distinguished legislative career during which one of his priorities was making sure the state prioritized water, sewer, and transportation funding through the passage of strong capital investment bills. During his final session, Rep. Urdahl continued to push for a strong bonding bill and supported city efforts to find workable alternatives to legislative proposals to require replacement funds for any city infrastructure project receiving state funds.