Legislative Updates

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

by Alicia Uzarek

update

June 5, 2018

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. >>

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

by Trevor Russell

update

June 4, 2018

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.. >>

What got funded in the final 2018 bonding bill

by Trevor Russell

update

May 31, 2018

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. >>

How clean water crops fared this session

by Trevor Russell

update

May 30, 2018

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

How chloride legislation fared this session

by Trevor Russell

update

May 30, 2018

One of the most promising pro-environment legislative initiatives this session was about reducing chloride (salt) pollution. Here's how chloride legislation fared this session.

Gov. Dayton signs off on Enviro Trust Fund raid!

by Trevor Russell

update

May 30, 2018

In a major defeat for Minnesota's environment, Gov. Dayton has signed off on the legislature's $98 million of the state’s Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund to pay for debt on state bonds.