Dear Neighbor,
We are in the final stretch of the legislative session, with less than a month to go. As budget negotiations continue, I will keep you updated on the priorities for our community.
Here is an update from the Capitol:
CONSERVATION & ENERGY MEET-AND-GREET
A reminder that tonight you're invited to an informal meet-and-greet with our Senate District 43 legislators and Conservation Minnesota. Details below:
What: “Conservation and Energy Meet-and-Greet” with local leaders, Senator Chuck Wiger and Representatives Leon Lillie and Peter Fischer. This is an informal meeting to discuss conservation topics such as renewable energy, clean water, recycling, and more. This is a great opportunity to connect with your state leaders to learn what they are working on as well as share your concerns.
When: Wednesday, April 26th at 7:00pm
Where: Maplewood Public Library, Community Program Room (3025 Southlawn Dr, Maplewood, MN 55109)
For whom: This is an open meeting for folks who live in the White Bear Lake, Oakdale, North St. Paul, Maplewood, and Mahtomedi areas who care about conservation and the environment.
RSVP: All who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to Julie Drennen at julie@conservationminnesota.org or (612) 767-1569.
See more on Conservation Minnesota’s website.
CONSTRUCTION SEASON
Construction season has begun, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation has released a map and an itemized list of its construction projects for the year.
If you're interested in how these projects might affect your commute, be sure to take a look.
WHITE BEAR LAKE AUGMENTATION
White Bear Lake is one of the east metro's greatest assets, and we need to do everything we can to protect it. But as we know, the water level on the lake continues to be a problem.
I've been pleased to see that local community efforts to conserve water are already starting to pay off, and I'd like to build on that success as your legislator.
One concrete way I can do that is to make it easier to reuse storm water. Thankfully, my bill to do just that made it into the omnibus Environment budget bill, so there is a good chance it will pass by the end of session. As always, I will keep you updated.
CLEAN ENERGY
Yesterday was the first ever “Clean Energy Business Day.”
Minnesota’s clean energy businesses rallied against legislative measures this session to erode clean energy progress and set back our clean energy economy.
Now, more than ever, Minnesota must build on our progress as a growing clean energy economy. We cannot afford plans that take us backward on renewable energy and energy independence. I support Minnesota's clean energy economy.
BONDING BILL
The Governor has released his bonding bill. The Republican-controlled Senate has released its bonding bill. And the Democrats in the House have released our bonding bill (with my name as a coauthor). But with just a few weeks left in session, we are still waiting on a full bonding bill from the House majority.
Projects in Minnesota are stalled. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Yet leaders in the House refuse to release their bill to invest in statewide infrastructure while interest rates are still low - costing us millions.
MPR recently laid out the status of the bonding bill and where we stand here:
The next few weeks will see a flurry of legislative activity. I will do my best to keep you informed as we move forward.
Sincerely,
Rep. Peter Fischer