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Local officials are responding after an Iowa senator said he plans to propose a bill in the Iowa Legislature for the state to purchase the nine counties along the southernmost part of Minnesota.

Republican Iowa Sen. Michael Bousselot made the announcement Tuesday at the Land Investment Expo, which was shared on a social media post. The counties included were Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore and Houston counties.

“Make Minnesota Iowa Again,” Bousselot posted on X. “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!”

Republican District 23A Rep. Peggy Bennett of Albert Lea said while she admires much of the way Iowa handles its government and the way it is heading with taxes and freedoms — and she would like Minnesota to work toward being that way— she did not think the bill would go anywhere.

“As far as a bill, it’s just a show bill,” Bennett said. “Legislators do this to poke things and make points. I think he’s making a good point that there’s a lot of people in southern Minnesota who like what Iowa’s doing.”

Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray described the proposal as “interesting,” but said he would have to get a whole lot more feedback to make a decision about whether he supported it.

He referenced others who have talked about joining other states in other areas before, and said he didn’t know how serious anyone could ever get about it because it would need approval by both states.

The proposal has been met in the public with mixed reactions.