Dear Neighbors, The tools we’ll use in our work this session became clearer this week when the recent budget and economic forecast was released. The new, improved budget forecast shows Democrats have Minnesota on the right path. The transformational budget we enacted during the historically productive 2023 Legislative Session has laid the groundwork for enduring prosperity, sustained growth, and a future where every Minnesotan can thrive. For my work as Chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, this forecast not only shows the positive impact of our recent investments and policies, it also provides us with the capacity to address some of Minnesota’s dire infrastructure needs. Touring communities throughout the state last fall, the House Capital Investment Committee saw hundreds of projects worthy of state investment, far outpacing our bond capacity. As we craft our proposal for this year’s Capital Investment Bill, today’s numbers show that more projects - those that protect what we have, build what we need, and address communities too often left behind - have the ability to be funded this year. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver the Capital Investment Bill Minnesotans deserve. Addressing Pollutants in Minnesota’s WaterThis week, the House Capital Investment Committee held a joint hearing with the House Environment Committee on PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) contamination and the effect of these “forever chemicals” on water infrastructure throughout the state. We heard testimony from the Attorney General’s office on the status of settlements between 3M and the state of Minnesota in 2018, as well as recent federal settlements between the District Court of South Carolina and 3M and Dupont that apply to some public water systems in Minnesota. The state has a duty to invest in our water infrastructure, but we must also investigate the factors contributing to a polluted water supply. For too long, corporations have played it fast and loose with pollutants, leaving taxpayers to pick up the bill. As we craft legislation this year that’ll fund improvements to our infrastructure, we’ll also be looking at ways for corporations to pay their fair share for the problems they create. WCCO News covered our hearing, and the 3M PFAS payout, which you can watch here: |