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Dear neighbors,
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the status of the LCCMR bill, which funds environmental projects from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. I wanted to provide this brief status update. More information about the LCCMR and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund can be found here.
LCCMR Update
This past Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee advanced HF4554, the Environment and Natural Resources Supplemental and Policy Bill. Included in the bill, among other environmental items, is the LCCMR bill, which invests over $64 million from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The LCCMR Bill provides funding for various environmental projects across the state, including ten projects in the metro and affects roughly 235 jobs.
Despite the GOP Senate’s unwillingness to compromise on using the Trust Fund for wastewater grants (which is unconstitutional), we adopted an amendment that sought out a compromise. The amendment would include funding for renewable energy demonstration projects at wastewater treatment facilities. I will continue working to ensure that the Minnesota Legislature passes a LCCMR bill.
The Star Tribune has also recently published commentary on the issue. One article from former members of the LCCMR can be found here, and another article from outdoors writer Dennis Anderson can be found here.
I hope you are staying healthy and safe. Please continue to contact me with any questions or feedback.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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