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 offer $825 million bonding proposals
In January, Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a $1.5 billion capital investment or "bonding" bill. Dubbed the “Jobs Bill,” the package included much-needed investments in Minnesota’s water resources, including drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for communities across the state. >>
Great news: Governor vetoes wild rice bill!
Gov. Mark Dayton has fulfilled his promise to veto the wild rice bill (HF 3280)!
The bill would have abolished a longstanding state water quality sulfites standard. It would have violated the federal Clean Water Act, inevitably inviting litigation and turmoil into an already challenging situation. >>
House and Senate move to claim Clean Water Fund money for property tax rebates
Both the House and Senate are moving to use of Clean Water Funds to fund a property tax credit, a clear violation of the Legacy Amendment. >>
Water Action Day 2018 a success!
Approximately 750 people joined us at the Capitol to urge legislators and Gov. Mark Dayton to invest in clean water and protect Minnesota's great outdoors. >>
Help us stop 10 bad water bills at the MN Legislature
Ten bad water bills have been introduced this legislative session that are going to the House and Senate for passage. These bills undermine basic environmental science, roll back existing protections or block public participation in environmental decisions.
Chloride reduction bill: Alive and kicking
As we noted in the State of the River Report, chloride or salt pollution is a growing problem for Minnesota's waters. This session, FMR and our allies have been advancing a bill in the Minnesota Legislature to reduce it.
We're happy to report that the bill has garnered bipartisan support. However, it will most likely be wrapped into the House and Senate omnibus bills, making its fate murky at best. >>
Respect public input — No fast-tracking Enbridge Line 3
In one of the more controversial moves of the legislative session, a key House committee is considering a bill granting immediate approval of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 project. >>
Budget Forecast means $22 million repaid to state’s Clean Water Fund
The forecast shows a projected budget surplus of $329 million for the 2018-19 biennium. As a result, $22 million will be repaid to the Clean Water Fund to hlep protect our state's waters.