So what happened this past legislative session? Here’s our brief overview:

State Budget

Defending traditional sources of funding for our Great Outdoors was a significant part of MEP’s work at the Capitol this year. (more…)

Written by Sierra Club intern Ben Hellerstein

Photo by CERTs

Across the state, Minnesotans are building a clean energy economy from the ground up. Our Clean Energy Tour on July 13 took us to the small town of Spicer, located about 90 miles west of Minneapolis, where local residents and institutions are working to break their dependence on imported sources of energy, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money on their utility bills. (more…)

2011 Regular Session Ends in a Draw

Disturbing Trend for Special Exemptions Threatens Minnesota’s Great Outdoors

While we wait for a Special Session to resolve Minnesota’s budget crisis, it is time to take stock of what happened and what didn’t happen to Protect Minnesota’s Great Outdoors in the 2011 Regular Session.

Heading into the regular session, we knew we would have to play defense.  However, none of us fathomed how much of our energy would be expended to stop bad bills that threaten Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams, natural areas, wildlife habitat and Clean Energy Future. (more…)

June 3, 2011

How is your summer going so far? Warm enough for you?

How would you like to spend part—if not all—of your summer at the State Capitol trying to balance the budget! (more…)

May 27, 2011

“It ain’t over till it’s over,” said New York Yankee great Yogi Berra.

That’s the way a lot of lobbyists, advocates, agency staff, and legislators felt when the 2011 legislative session came to an end at midnight on May 23. Five months of action and drama, but still no budget and deficit resolve. “Extra innings,” Yogi would say! (more…)

May 20, 2011

What are you doing this weekend?

I will be spending some quality time at the State Capitol as we continue to work with the 201 legislators on legislation of major importance to Minnesotans and to our environment and conservation traditions and values. (more…)

Twin Cities Metro Transit would be cut $109.44 million and transit in greater Minnesota cut $7.62 million under the transportation finance bill that is likely to go to Governor Dayton tomorrow. According to the Metropolitan Council, which oversees Metro Transit, the cuts would mean a 50 cent fare increase and 22 percent service cut – a devastating outcome that they estimate would mean a loss of 22 million transit rides a year and pink slips for 450 transit employees. (more…)

May 13, 2011

I am writing this update on Friday afternoon in advance of a long evening back at the Capitol as the House and Senate confer the environment budget bill. The House version is HF1010 and the Senate version is SF1029. The two sides have met a number of times in the last week and are expected to reach final agreement yet tonight (Friday). (more…)

May 6, 2011

I am writing this update on Friday morning in advance of a long afternoon and evening sitting and watching the House and Senate confer the Environment Budget Bill. The House version is HF1010 and the Senate version is SF1029. The two sides met once about a week ago and will meet again to try to agree on dollars and policy issues.

There are two full weeks left in the 2011 legislative session! On May 23 at midnight they have to adjourn to a date certain in 2012—probably in February. It appears that a special session in June will be necessary in order to reach any agreements in terms of dealing with a $5 billion budget shortfall and how to fund state government for the next two years. (more…)

April 29, 2011

I am writing this update on Friday afternoon. It is close to 70 degrees outside and most folks are looking to get there!

The Legislature returned this week to continue their work toward adjournment at midnight of May 23. The committees met long and often to get bills passed out of policy committees to meet the first deadline. The Agriculture Budget bill is finished and signed into law. All other budget bills are in conference committee. Most of the committees have met this past week to review the differences in the House and Senate versions of the spending bills for state agencies and all the programs and projects that the state pays for with general funds. (more…)