The DNR is holding a contest for what the new Critical Habitat license plates should look like.  Perhaps it is because I work for an organization that has a loon in the logo, but I am rather partial to the loon plate myself.  Of course, I also like to use the expression, “back in my day…” 

Nonetheless, you can help choose a winner with this link. Vote early, vote often.

For those who like to connect the dots in news and politics, yesterday’s news has three compelling reasons to press all candidates for public office on whether they intend to lead or obstruct progress to cut global warming pollution.

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The election is one week from today. Our volunteers have been (and continue to be) amazing; their dedication and hard work stuns me. They’re excited about everything, whether it’s phone banking or talking to people at at bus stops in extreme weather.

I was talking with one volunteer this morning, and he says he volunteers because he believes in our work. “Hey, I wouldn’t be handing flyers out on my bus if I didn’t care about this,” he told me. “I really think this is part of the answer to some of our transportation problems.”

I agree. If you agree, and you’d like to hang out with some really cool people, VOLUNTEER! Whether you like flyering, holding signs on street corners, writing letters to the editor, or phone banking, we have something for you. We can’t do this without your help. And, most importantly, we wouldn’t want to.

Give us a call at 651-767-0298 or email PatienceC@tlcminnesota.org. Or you can grab somebody holding a “Vote Yes!” sign and ask how you can help. They’ll point you in the right direction.

And THANK YOU! With your help, we’re going to win this one!

Today’s topics: Development, Energy, Global Warming, Great Outdoors, Mercury, Off-Highway Vehicles, Solid Waste, Transportation, and Water.
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Thanks to some hard working folks at Minnesota Public Radio, you will be able to find election results here on Loon Commons as they are being reported out from the Secretary of State’s office on Tuesday night. 

Perhaps you’ve already noticed the reporting box on the left side of the page.  The results will be updated automatically, approximately every 10 minutes or so (though you’ll need to refresh your browser to see the latests numbers - or click around the site as long as your here).   

And while we wait for election night to come, I have a question for you.  Are there particular legislative races that would be interesting to track the results for as well?  Do you have thoughts on what might be the top 10 races that could sway control of the State House?  If so, either post your thoughts in a comment below or send me an e-mail.   

The LCCMR’s most recent meeting led once to ask: Where, oh where, have the committee members gone? (more…)

Today’s topics: Agriculture, Development, Energy, Habitat, Northeastern Minnesota, Open Space, Transportation, and Water.
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The Conservation Security Program is one of the most innovative agricultural conservation programs to ever emerge out of our nation’s capital. Called CSP for short, this initiative rewards farmers for utilizing production practices that save soil, improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat, along with numerous other environmental benefits. It’s a significant departure from general federal commodity programs, which actually penalize farmers for diversifying out of commodity crops like corn and soybeans into diverse systems such as grass, hay and soil-friendly rotations.

CSP has gained the support of family farm, sustainable agriculture and environmental groups because of its potential to produce real environmental benefits on working farmland. Minnesota Environmental Partnership groups such as the Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Project and the Izaak Walton League have been pushing hard to make this program the major conservation initiative in the 2007 Farm Bill.

CSP has been underfunded and only available in a few watersheds since it was launched in the 2002 Farm Bill. Despite the slow start, it has shown great potential for not only protecting the environment, but also improving it. I’ve been on numerous Midwestern farms that are enrolled in CSP, and what they’ve done to balance stewardship with economic viability is impressive.

One of these farms in the Greg and Cathy Koether livestock operation in northeast Iowa. Greg recently talked to me about how he used to feel like a second-class farmer because the commodity programs punished him for taking extra care of the land and diversifying out of row crops. But earlier this year their farm was accepted into CSP. That means the Koethers are now getting a financial reward for a job well done. Just as importantly, it means the family is getting a pat on the back from the government — and indirectly from taxpayers. Their ecologically sustainable farm is being valued for what it truly is — a public good.
You can hear for yourself what a difference CSP has made in one farm family’s life. Check out Ear to the Ground No. 24. The pride in Greg’s voice says it better than any blog ever could.

Today’s topics: Civic Engagement, Education, Energy, Global Warming, Non-Native Invasive Species, Northeastern Minnesota, Open Space, Transportation, and Water.
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This morning, the Minnesota Supreme Court denied the petition to overturn the Transportation Amendment.

We’re pleased that the Court upheld the right of Minnesotans to decide whether they support reliable funding for transit and roads. And we believe that Minnesotans are smart enough to make this decision themselves.

These are some of the reasons Transit for Livable Communities supports the Transportation Amendment:

• First Reliable Source of Funding for Transit in State History: Right now, $0 is guaranteed to transit projects–this has led to years of service cuts, fare increases, and no real plan to expand transit in the future. The Transportation Amendment would guarantee $120 million per year, giving transit the reliable source of funding that roads have had for 50 years.
• Necessary to Avoid Bus Service Cuts, Fare Increases, and to Keep Key Transit Projects on Track: If the Transportation Amendment doesn’t pass, transit projects will face up to $30 million per year in budget cuts–the largest cuts in Metro Transit’s history. This means more service cuts and fare increases. It also seriously jeopardizes proposed light rail and commuter rail projects, including Central Corridor and Northstar, and bus rapid transit projects, including the I-35W and Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit.  
• Supports Transit Without Hurting Other Programs: Right now, the tax paid when you buy a car goes into the general fund, which is a large pot of money that funds many state programs. Budget forecasts show an increasing state budget, and the Amendment will be phased in over five years. Education, health care, and other services will not be hurt by passing this Amendment; in fact, a strong transit system supports these vitally important state programs.   
• Greater Investment in Transit=Greater Benefits for All Minnesotans: The past five years of bus service cuts force too many people to wait over a half hour in the freezing cold just to get to the grocery store, school, or their doctor’s appointments. This is unacceptable. Minnesota needs a strong transit system; passing the Transportation Amendment is the first step toward getting there.

If voters reject the Transportation Amendment, legislators will likely conclude that Minnesota doesn’t really care about transportation–at least not enough to pony up the dollars to support it. And they will conclude that doing nothing is an acceptable response.

We say this is unacceptable. And this is why we at Transit for Livable Communities strongly encourage you to “Vote Yes” on November 7th.

If you’d like more information, contact us. We’ve been living and breathing this Amendment for months on end, and we know all about it. Give us a ring at 651-767-0298 or email tlc@tlcminnesota.org.

You can also check out the Minnesotans for Better Roads and Transit webpage at www.voteyesmn.org. The Amendment is supported by over 1,000 organizations, including progressive, member-based organizations that include teachers, farmers, labor leaders, and other people who want to see improvements in Minnesota’s transportation system.

If you’re really gung-ho about the Amendment, you should volunteer with us. We’re hanging out at bus stops, light rail stops, and park’n'rides to talk to people about the Amendment. I’ve been out a few times, and I must say it’s one of my favorite parts of the day. I love to talk to Minnesotans and answer their questions about this Amendment. Nerdy? Possibly. A really fun couple hours? Absolutely. Check out our volunteer calendar at: http://www.tlcminnesota.org/calendar.html and contact Patience Caso if you’re interested in helping out: 651-767-0298 or PatienceC@tlcminnesota.org.