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Minnesota is a special place. Our lakes, rivers and streams; forests and wilderness areas; clean air and natural areas are a part of our way of life and who we are. We have a duty to be good stewards of our Great Outdoors: to protect it and restore it so we can pass it on to our children and grandchildren.
To pass Minnesota to future generations in as good or even better shape than we found it, MEP has selected four priority issues for the 2008 legislative session:
• Great Outdoors and Heritage Amendment
• Clean Energy Minnesota
• Transportation Choices 2020
• Outdoor Traditions Investment
As Minnesotans, it’s our responsibility to put our values into action and protect our Great Outdoors for all Minnesotans to enjoy today and tomorrow.
Minnesota’s Great Outdoors: Enjoy it. Protect it. Pass it on!
Click here to download more information on these issues.
Legislative Session Update - April 18, 2008
On three of the top four priorities of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, the Minnesota Legislature has made significant – and in some cases historic - progress.
Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
- In the first week of session, the Minnesota Legislature approved this constitutional amendment, which will be on the November 2008 ballot. Voters will be able to approve dedicated funding for Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams; forests and natural areas; arts and cultural heritage; parks and wildlife habitat; and drinking water.
- This accomplishment followed 10 years of debate and discussion.
Transportation Choices 2020
- The Minnesota Legislature made history by overriding the Governor’s veto to provide funds to relieve traffic congestion, expand transit, and improve Minnesota’s roads. (Since 1939, only 14 of 447 gubernatorial vetoes have been overridden.)
- The long-overdue funds will create a transportation system with multiple options to get people where they need to go.
- In addition to reducing traffic congestion and getting us where we need to go, increased transit options are a critical part of the solution to reduce Minnesota’s global warming pollution.
Outdoor Traditions Investments
- While not every important project was funded, the Minnesota Legislature and Governor Tim Pawlenty did approve a long-term funding package with a strong emphasis on protecting Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and streams; conserving lands; and maintaining and enhancing parks and trails.
Action Needed on Clean Energy
Much debate at the Capitol this year has centered on how to take the right steps toward energy independence and reducing global warming pollution.
Legislators need to take action soon in order to reach the goal, set by law in 2007, to reduce global warming pollution by 80 percent by 2050.
There is not much time left in the session to make transformational changes necessary to move toward greater energy independence; the most significant opportunity, awaiting final approval, is in passage of Clean Car legislation.
Cleaner Cars
- We are close to reaching agreement on legislation that would reduce emissions from new cars and trucks.
- The good news is that some agriculture groups now understand that this legislation will help farmers by boosting the ethanol industry; keeping hard-working trucks and equipment on the road; and cleaning up our air at the same time.
- Passing the Clean Cars Act would be an important milestone in moving toward cleaner air, lower global warming pollution and greater energy independence
Green Solutions
- The Legislature may soon pass the Green Solutions Act, providing study funds for a regional cap & trade system to reduce global warming pollution.
- We are pleased that legislators are moving forward to study this system. However, Minnesota may miss an important opportunity to shape the regional policy if it does not take a more specific action outlining Minnesota’s stance.
- At a minimum, we urge the Minnesota Legislature to adopt the principles and policies approved by the Minnesota Climate Change Action Group.
Growing Better Fuels
- Unfortunately, the Legislature missed the opportunity to lay the groundwork for the next generation of biofuels and ethanol in the session’s first bonding legislation.
- We will continue to work with farmers, industry, researchers and legislators to reach agreement on the best mechanism to grow better energy fuels, while protecting our water and lands.
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