Iowa state Sen. Mike Bousselot (R-Ankeny) announced a proposal for his state to buy nine counties in southern Minnesota to “grow Iowa.”
Bousselot pointed to using Iowa’s multi-billion budget surplus and the conservative lean of Minnesota’s southern counties to build his case.
“It’s about 180,000 people that would become Iowans,” he said. “They’d have a little bit more money in their pocket to buy Minnesota gear. They could still buy Gopher gear. But it would also not change the electoral math. And that political sensibility is important for a Democrat-led Senate, a Democrat governor and a split-control Minnesota House.”
Bousselot promoted his bill on X, calling to “Make Minnesota Iowa Again!” He also said the former Minnesota residents would have lower taxes and a better managed state.
Make Minnesota Iowa Again!
Our new Iowans, former MN residents, will have lower income, sales, business taxes. A more farm friendly state. And a better managed state.
Gov. Walz may say it’s just “rocks and cows” but we see opportunity! https://t.co/m1vk3pkUvs
— Michael Bousselot (@MBousselot) January 14, 2025
The proposal comes at the same time Indiana lawmakers are pushing for counties in southern Illinois to “secede” and join the Hoosier state, an idea that was thoroughly rejected by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) responds to the Indiana General Assembly considering a bill to encourage Illinois counties to secede:
“Well it’s a stunt … Indiana is a low-wage state that does not protect workers, does not provide health care for people when they’re in need. I… pic.twitter.com/fLb1FFWLMt
— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) January 15, 2025