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…)

April 22, 2011

Happy Earth Day! How will you be celebrating? There are lots of events happening throughout Minnesota (see a short list here), but even if you can’t get to an organized outing, you can still help fight to the assault on our Great Outdoors: Send a note to your elected officials. (more…)

April 21, 2011

I am writing this report on Thursday this week! The Legislature met on Monday and took the rest of the week off for the Holidays. It is like spring break without the beach!  (more…)

This Earth Day (April 22), the Living Green Expo is challenging each Minnesotan to take a personal pledge to make at least one change that will positively impact the earth.

“As the world around us is turning green with spring, it’s an ideal time for Minnesotans to think about ways to live a little greener,” says Steve Morse, executive director of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), a nonprofit coalition of more than 80 conservation and environmental organizations that produces the Living Green Expo.  (more…)

April 15, 2011

It is Friday afternoon and both the Twins and the Legislature is out of town. The Twins are in Tampa Bay and the 201 Legislators are getting ready to go home for a full week of Easter Break! (more…)

[Editor's note: In an effort to help inform our members about state and federal budget issues, Minnesota Environmental Partnership is working with the Minnesota Budget Project to cross-post updates about the budget.]

A last-minute budget deal to avert a federal government shutdown on April 8 includes approximately $38 billion in spending cuts for the current fiscal year 2011 that ends on September 30. According to an analysis by the Washington Post, more than half of the cuts, or about $19.8 billion, come from education, labor and health and human services.
Some of the cuts, measured compared to Fiscal Year 2010 funding, include: (more…)

April 14, 2011

Written by Nancy Lange
Energy Program Director, Izaak Walton League of America – Midwest Office

Courtesy of Izaak Walton League of America / Click for high-res version

Who thinks importing more coal power from North Dakota is just the ticket for Minnesota?  Minnesota’s State Senators, that’s who.  Today, 42 Minnesota State Senators voted to lift restrictions on new coal power projects, signaling that Minnesota is ready to send even more of our energy dollars over the border to North Dakota and other coal producing states.  (more…)

[Editor's note: In an effort to help inform our members about state and federal budget issues, Minnesota Environmental Partnership is working with the Minnesota Budget Project to cross-post updates about the budget.]

Transit is a basic public service, getting people to and from work and school, and reducing congestion and pollution. Public transit helps the downtown office commuter avoid rush-hour headaches and high parking fees, but it is particularly important for those who either can’t afford a car or who can’t drive. (more…)

State and federal lawmakers are retreating from environmental standards and environmental leadership, says Gene Merriam, president of the Freshwater Society. He warns that Minnesota is in danger of “joining other states in a race to the bottom – in the pollution we accept, and in the scientific evidence we ignore.”

Read his column published in the Freshwater newsletter and reprinted April 9 by Minnpost.com.