Legislation
SAFEGUARDING MINNESOTA’s GREAT OUTDOORS LEGACY
Upholding the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment — Outdoor Traditions Investment
Minnesota’s Great Outdoors is what makes our state so special. Our abundant lakes and rivers, rolling prairie lands, noble forests, and lush parks and trails contribute to our state’s jobs and economy, the health of our families, and our treasured Minnesota way of life.
Our deep appreciation for our Great Outdoors led to the overwhelming passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in 2008. The Minnesota Constitution now specifies that dedicated money from the amendment must supplement traditional sources of funding for these purposes and not be used as a substitute. As elected officials continue to grapple with the worst budget crisis in our states’ history, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership is committed to upholding the voters’ overwhelming mandate to pass on a Great Outdoors legacy to our children and grandchildren.
In the last decade, the Minnesota Legislature has at times shown its commitment to our Great Outdoors by allocating over 22 percent of the funds in the capital investments bill to environmental and conservation projects. Even in difficult financial times, elected officials must protect our Great Outdoors by maintaining this traditional level of funding. We cannot allow constitutionally-protected funds for our lakes, rivers and streams, natural areas and wildlife habitat, and parks and trails to be raided to solve short-term state budget problems.
The capital investment projects supported by MEP member organizations are smart investments that create needed jobs and protect our waters, natural lands, and access to the outdoors.
Click here to see a full list of outdoor traditions investments projects.
Transit Investments That Keep Minnesota Moving
Our communities depend on a strong public transportation system to reduce harmful emissions in our air and toxins in our water, and to encourage thoughtful development patterns. Transportation Choices 2020, first introduced in 2004, provided Minnesota with a transit vision that included:
- eight new transitways;
- doubling public transit ridership by 2020;
- improved bus and park & ride facilities;
- revenue for local governments for bike and pedestrian facilities; and
- expanded transit options in Greater Minnesota.
In 2008, the Minnesota Legislature took a major step towards achieving that vision when it approved the largest investment in our transit infrastructure in history. Despite facing the worst deficit in Minnesota’s history in 2009, state lawmakers protected that investment, allowing the state to move forward on several critical transitway projects while maintaining bus service. But without additional funding, including a bonding package of more than $90 million in 2010, Minnesota’s vision for a 21st century transportation system cannot be attained.
Public transit makes our region more vibrant and successful, connecting our region and shaping communities that we are proud to call home. With an additional 1.2 million new residents living in Minnesota over the next 20 years, Governor Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature must invest in a public transportation system that provides new jobs, grows our economy, expands transportation choices, and protects our Great Outdoors.
Click here to see a full list of important transit projects.
Information and status of the House bill: House File 2700
Information and status of the Senate bill: Senate File 2360
Click here to download a PDF fact sheet on Safeguarding Minnesota’s Great Outdoors Legacy.
For more information on this issue, contact
Patience Caso of MEP at 651.290.0154 or patiencecaso@MEPartnership.org
John Tuma of MEP at 651.290.0154 or johntuma@MEPartnership.org
To read more about all of MEP’s priority issues for the 2010 legislative session, click here to download a PDF of the 2010 MEP Legislative Priorities Briefing Packet.
