It's a wrap. How FMR’s priorities fared in the 2019 session
The 2019 Legislative Session kicked on in January with Governor Walz presiding over the only divided state legislature in the nation.
This led to some core disagreements, missed deadlines and an assorted bag of victories and compromises for Minnesota's environment and the Mississippi River.
Here’s a brief summary of the major items we were tracking, and how each turned out. >>
How the Environment Bill fared this session
Overall, the legislative session resulted in modest additional funding for some of our top priorities while many of the worst provisions were dropped. Along with our allies, we are deeply grateful to the FMR River Guardians who consistently demonstrated their strong support for the river and healthy lands and waters for all Minnesota communities. Learn more about which FMR priorities made it, which did not, and where we go from here. >>
How the Clean Water Fund fared this session
The bipartisan Omnibus Legacy Bill was passed during the Special Session and includes $261.26 million for the Clean Water Fund. Here’s what was included in the final version. >>
2019 legislative update: A special session in the works
With our Legislature's adjournment date passed and no final agreements on most policy and budget issues, a special session will be required. And most major water and conservation issues are yet to be decided. Here are our positions on some of the major issues still in play. >>
Our letter to House & Senate conferees on Forever Green
Today, FMR, along with twenty-three other organizations, signed a letter requesting legislators provide full funding for eh University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative in the final Clean Water Fund negotiations.
Session compromise looks unlikely on budget, policy ...and emoji usage?
As the May 20th session deadline looms, successful negotiations on a final budget and policy compromise appear less likely. >>
What's at stake as the final environment bill takes shape?
Legislative negotiators from the House and Senate face a number of policy and budget decisions with major implications for the health of our lands and waters as they craft a compromise environment budget and policy bill. >>
As the session draws to a close, major environmental bills remain in limbo
With less than two weeks to go in the 2019 legislative session, major decisions are yet to be made on funding and policy across a range of environmental issues at the Capitol. Here’s a brief overview of where things stand and what's at stake during upcoming negotiations. >>
FMR signs coalition letter supporting House environment bill
FMR joined 22 other organizations in a letter of support for the House Omnibus Environment Bill. In sharp contrast to the Senate's, the House bill reinstates the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens' Board and makes a strong commitment to investing in our natural resources. Here’s the letter we distributed on the Senate floor prior to the debate. >>
FMR signs on to coalition letter opposing the Senate environment bill
April 23, FMR joined 19 other organizations in formally opposing the Senate Environment Budget and Policy Omnibus Bill (SF 2314). Here's the letter we distributed on the Senate floor prior to the debate. >>