White Bear Lake legal ruling suspended by Legislature
New legisation 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 "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. >>
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. >>
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. >>
River Guardian happy hour: Legislative session wrap-up
Another Legislative session over, another beer!
Join us to raise a glass to a good fight with several significant accomplishments. We'll hear from FMR's Capitol Crew Experts Trevor Russell and Molly Pederson about the good, the bad and the ugly this session. We'll also share the stats about FMR River Guardians' great advocacy throughout the session and give you a glimpse into upcoming advocacy opportunities.
All are welcome, but please RSVP below so we know how much food to bring.