Peyton Crotty, a field representative for U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, told Pine County commissioners on Tuesday that the congressman is monitoring changes to federal benefit administration that could shift costs to counties and is working on targeted federal assistance for local needs.

"He commends Pine County quite a bit for keeping their error rates below that 6% threshold," Crotty said, describing the county's SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) error rates as well below the figures that are a concern at the state level. Crotty explained the administration is seeking overall state error rates below 6 percent; if the statewide rate remains above 6 percent, counties that have low error rates could nonetheless face short‑term financial burdens because the state is responsible for the statewide calculation.

Sam Little, Pine County public health director (filling in for Becky), added that a separate cost shift is occurring for administrative funding: federal funds that historically covered roughly half of administrative costs are being cut, potentially requiring local governments to cover more of the cost. "That cost shift is gonna be directly shifted down to the local government," Little said.

Crotty also reported that his office sent documentation supporting tariff exemption requests for a locally important manufacturing facility; he said the congressman's team will pursue tariff exemptions where federal rules allow. "We're gonna be working on those tariff exemptions," Crotty said, adding the office is accepting Community Project Funding (CPF) requests for fiscal 2026 and prioritizes hard infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges and water systems.

Commissioners asked whether changes in federal tax credits for solar projects would affect a large solar farm in northern Pine County that has Public Utilities Commission approval but had not yet started construction. Crotty said he would follow up with the congressman's D.C. team and get back to county staff; he asked the county to provide details so his office could investigate.

Crotty offered ongoing assistance and said he would meet county staff, including Rebecca and Sean Sullivan (the congressman's healthcare staff in D.C.), to clarify outstanding questions.