How groundwater and drinking water fared this session
Protecting drinking water and groundwater must be a top priority for Minnesota, and citizens expect this of their state government. Sadly, the legislative session has come and gone with no progress to show for it, paired with a threat to delay the state’s Groundwater Protection Rule.
This session, five major bills were introduced that (for better or worse) addressed groundwater and drinking water-related topics. >>
Legislators hold drinking water protections hostage
In a surprising move, GOP chairs of the Minnesota House and Senate made headlines by threatening to delay proposed drinking water protections if Gov. Mark Dayton fails to sign an unrelated ag policy bill.
Our letter to Gov. Dayton: Please veto the Wild Rice bill
The "Wild Rice” bill, HF 3422, proposes limiting and even eliminating protections for wild rice, Minnesota's state grain. Although Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed an earlier version of the bill, a revised version was passed and is awaiting gubernatorial action. This revised language does not represent a consensus and is opposed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, environmental groups, and several tribal nations.
Our letter to Gov. Dayton on the Environmental Trust Fund raid
FMR and our allies urge Gov. Mark Dayton to veto the raid of Minnesota's environment trust fund. Learn more from the Star Tribune or FMR's Legislative Updates blog. >>
White Bear Lake legal ruling suspended by Legislature
New legislation has been signed into law that prevents the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from complying with a judge’s court-ordered conservation measures for White Bear Lake. >>
Star Tribune's Dennis Anderson: Enviro Trust Fund raid is 'contrary to what Minnesota voters approved'
FMR and the Star Tribune's Dennis Anderson agree: Raiding Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund to service the debt on bonding projects is appalling.
Said Anderson, who opined on the issue from a sportsman's perspective: "In an unprecedented move and contrary to what Minnesota voters approved when they voted for the lottery, legislators this session cooked up a plan for the ENRTF to pay obligations on bonds the state will issue..."
Bad to worse: Raid on Environmental Trust Fund balloons to $98 million!
In an unprecedented move, a much-feared $47 million-dollar raid on the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund ballooned to a $98-million raid in the Minnesota legislative session’s final hours. >>
House & Senate eye raid on Environment Trust Fund
We have a new leader in the clubhouse for bad ideas this legislative session: The Minnesota House and Senate are looking to raid $47 million from the state’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund to pay debt service on bonding projects! >>
Star Tribune details the Legislature’s White Bear Lake bill
Recommended reading: Check out this well-done Star Tribune article about our Legislature’s effort to suspend a judge’s ruling that requires state and local action to protect groundwater in the north and east metro. >>
Action alert: Urge 5 changes to MN bonding bill
It's the last week of Minnesota's 2018 legislative session and your support is needed! Ask Gov. Mark Dayton and your legislators to make five changes to the bonding bill to better support clean water and parks. >>