Dear Neighbors,
With less than three weeks until adjournment, I’m pleased to report the House has approved major components of the state budget.
Here’s an update from St. Paul:
Affordable Housing
At the end of last week, the Minnesota House approved a new Housing budget, which included agriculture funding as well. The House DFL’s budget delivers a $26 million funding increase for housing opportunities, supports Minnesota’s agriculture industries, and invests in food access programs.
The Housing components of the budget increase investments to address homelessness, build workforce housing, and provide financial empowerment, and training to help low-income renters achieve homeownership. The bill makes progress in rental assistance for people with mental illness and stable housing for students experiencing homelessness. While the need is greater than we can fully fund, we are moving in the right direction and will continue our efforts in the future.
Environment & Natural Resources Budget
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I am pleased to announce that the House Environment & Natural Resources budget was approved by the House this week. Our budget addresses long term problem-solving to environmental issues facing our state. It would help communities respond to a variety of issues: prevent emerald ash borer spread; manage aquatic invasive species; control the outbreak of chronic wasting disease; as well as improve waste management, and reduce the use of plastic.
Additionally, the budget includes a plan to plant one million trees a year for four years and establishes a Lawns to Legumes program that would help homeowners convert their lawns to pollinator-friendly habitat. It also increases support for pollinators by making the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee the official state bee and protecting the endangered species. MPR recently published an article about the importance of this bee; you can read it here.
The House also passed an amendment to protect Minnesota’s vulnerable wolf population by prohibiting an open hunting season on the animals. Read more about it from the Pioneer Press here. |
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| I made a new friend at Three Rivers Parks District Day this week. |
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Water Forum this Saturday
I’d like to invite you to an exciting opportunity in the community this Saturday, May 4. Conservation Minnesota is hosting a water forum, where you can learn more about water quality efforts, challenges, and how you can make a positive impact. The event runs from 9:00 a.m.-noon at the School of Environmental Studies. I’ll be attending and am looking forward to hearing from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, in addition to many other environmental experts.
You can find more details here. I hope to see you there!
Keep in Touch
Once the Senate approves their respective budget bills, lawmakers from each chamber will form a conference committee to reach agreement on a final budget. I’ll keep you posted on the differences within the proposals, and progress made in negotiations.
Please continue to reach out with questions, input, on the state budget, or any other issue of importance to you.
I appreciate your feedback.
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative |
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