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. >>
FMR supports the call to reinstate the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens’ Board
Earlier this session, FMR joined with organizations from across the state to ask legislators to restore the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Citizens’ Board. >>
Senate proposes major environmental rollback
The Minnesota Senate’s proposed environmental budget bill (SF 2314) makes crippling cuts to general fund spending for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (86% cut), Department of Natural Resources (17%) and Board of Water and Soil Resources (39%). And that’s not all. >>
MPR News: Lawmakers push funding boost for Forever Green
Check out Minnesota Public Radio's recent coverage of our coalition's press event on one of our major legislative priorities this session: The University of Minnesota's Forever Green Initiative to research and develop clean-water crops. >>
Environmental Trust Fund restored!
On March 5, Gov. Tim Walz signed bipartisan legislation to fix last year’s controversial use of Minnesota’s voter-approved Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund. This is a win for taxpayers and our environment, and restoring the fund was a major priority for FMR this session. Here’s what happened. >>
Position announcement: Agricultural Policy Coordinator [FILLED]
The Agricultural Policy Coordinator is a new position that will develop and advocate for agricultural policy priorities and work to establish an effective agricultural-water coalition. The position is open until filled. >>
Legislation could protect public wells with clean-water crops
Legislation introduced this month would fund the Working Lands Drinking Water Program. The program will help farmers plant and sell alternative crops that protect drinking water while maintaining farm profitability. As a pilot initiative, it's limited to the state's most vulnerable wellhead areas — places where conservation crops can protect public health. >>