Legislative Updates

FMR is proud to be a leading voice in protecting the Mississippi River and all the people and wildlife who depend on it. 

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Legislative Updates
FMR advocates call on MN to protect our drinking water!

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Hat’s off to FMR’s advocates! On August 15, FMR staff hand-delivered 226 comments from River Guardians and other advocates calling on the state to both implement and improve a new state rule to protect our groundwater. >>

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Legislators delay MN groundwater protection, Dayton says 'no'

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A new state rule aimed at reducing groundwater contamination by farm fertilizers could be delayed by a legislative move made formal on Monday, June 11. But Gov. Mark Dayton is calling the move unconstitutional and has instructed the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to proceed as planned. 

At this time, public hearings about the new and much-needed water protection rule are still on the calendar, including one in Farmington, Monday, July 16. Expect a River Guardians Action Alert this July as well. >> 

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State approves $15 million for big N Mpls. river project

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The 2018 Minnesota legislative session resulted in very good news for a 48-acre riverfront site in North Minneapolis known as the Upper Harbor Terminal. An influx of $15 million state dollars will help kickstart its redevelopment into housing, offices, stores, restaurants, an amphitheater, parks and trails. >>

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How our environment and the Mississippi River fared during the 2018 legislative session

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While many of the most troubling bills and provisions were eventually defeated this Minnesota legislative session, a mixed bag of stand-alone items were passed and signed into law. ...And, oh yeah, the Legislature unnecessarily raided $98 million from the state’s voter-approved Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund.. >>

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What got funded in the final 2018 bonding bill

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Gov. Dayton has signed the Legislature's 2018 bonding bill.

The governor used a line-item veto to remove one controversial provision but (reluctantly) approved the rest of the bill — including an unprecedented $98 million raid of the state’s Environmental Trust Fund.

Here’s a summary of what got funded, what got line-item vetoed and what got raided. >>

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How clean water crops fared this session

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Here’s how Working Lands and Forever Green legislation fared this session.

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