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Loon Commons: The MEP Blog
A forum for current and emerging environmental and conservation issues in Minnesota.

Archive for the 'LCCMR' Category

Policy Update: Governor signs omnibus energy, enviro policy bills

Friday, May 27th, 2011
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…)

Policy Update: Final weekend of session will feature action on enviro bills

Friday, May 20th, 2011
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…)

Policy Update: Omnibus policy and finance bills expected to move fast

Friday, May 13th, 2011
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…)

Policy Update: With one week left for policy bills, lots of stinkers remain

Friday, April 29th, 2011
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…)

Policy Update: Lots of concerning bills up after Legislature’s break

Thursday, April 21st, 2011
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…)

Policy Update: Senate passes coal bill; House action will wait until after break

Friday, April 15th, 2011
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…)

Is proposed legislative action harming our environment and legacy??

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Learn more about the potential damage to our environment being proposed by our Legislature.—
Check out the League of Women Voters- Minnesota website and their Capitol Letter that highlights some of the environmental issues at the legislature today.

Scroll down to the Environment section by Gwen Myers, LWV Minnesota Volunteer Lobbyist and Our Sky-Blue Waters at Risk
http://www.lwvmn.org/Page.aspx?pid=448

Legislature is making our worst fears come true

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

Read what John Weiss from Rochester Post Bulletin has to say about our legislators raiding legacy funds.

http://tinyurl.com/3oa87yd

Policy Update: Budget bills await conference committee; coal bills could be up next

Friday, April 8th, 2011
April 8, 2011

I am writing this article as the Twins are playing their first home game. The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day all around! Wish I was at the game!

The Legislature has finished another busy week that featured many hours on the floors as they debated and voted on many of the budget bills. With all the general cuts that are being used to close the $5 billion budget gap, the debate has been heated. Many of these cuts are deep into program after program that have be developed and delivered over the years. The pain is real and the concern is being expressed. (more…)

Policy Update: Environmental budget bills pass with troubling provisions

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011
April 2, 2011

It is April and the sun is shining as I write this week’s recap, update, and predictions for the future surrounding the environment, energy, conservation, and other issues at the State Legislature.

Most of the action this week surrounded the environmental budget bills. In a rare situation, the House and Senate versions of the bill were considered at the same time on the floors of both chambers on Thursday midday! (more…)

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