Legislative Update – January 30, 2023
The past few weeks I have been learning the ropes of the job, attending committee hearings, meeting with constituents, and voting on legislation to move Minnesota forward! Friday morning, I joined the Morning Show on KYMN 95.1 FM to talk about everything going on in the legislature this past week, which you can listen to here and catch me live on-air every Friday at 7:20 AM.
Agriculture Committee Work
In the Agriculture Committee, of which I am the Vice Chair, we have been hearing presentations from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture about all the ways MDA supports Minnesota farmers—and how we can use our budget surplus to help our agricultural producers thrive. Thursday night while on the House floor, I submitted my first Agriculture bill for introduction—which I did with co-authors from both political parties. Ensuring our growers have financial and ecological stability shouldn’t be partisan and I will continue to work with those who have good ideas about how to best support Minnesota’s farming communities.
100% Clean Electricity by 2040!
The last eight years globally have been the hottest on record, and Minnesota is among the top states currently seeing rapid changes to our climate. Scientists know that climate change driven by fossil fuels is impacting our environment, infrastructure, and our health. Minnesotans in our district know that extreme weather has disrupted our lives in the form of floods, drought, large rain events, and unpredictable frosts and thaws. Our state has long been a leader in clean energy, and with our farmers on the front lines of these changes, I feel it’s my moral obligation to take action now for future generations' well-being.
Last Thursday, the House DFL majority passed the 100% by 2040 bill, a landmark piece of legislation that will help our state address climate change head-on and prepare for a carbon-free future. Action at the state level is urgently needed to help the U.S. meet our climate goals. This legislation would require that the state’s utilities use entirely carbon-free sources for electricity production by 2040. This would put us on track with over 20 other states adopting similar goals.
Not only is this legislation critical to protecting our land, water, and air, but it also makes economic sense. Unsubsidized wind power is the cheapest form of electricity, and producing solar energy is cheaper than building new fossil fuel plants or importing fossil fuels from other states. This bill ensures that we remove barriers to setting up carbon-free and renewable power sources and invest in jobs right here in Minnesota. I was proud to cast my vote in support of the 100% by 2040 bill on the House floor and will continue working to address and combat climate change this session.
Biden moves to Protect Boundary Waters
Last week, news broke that the Biden administration has taken action to protect over 225,000 acres of national forest land near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the next 20 years. This move made land near the BWCA ineligible for mineral leasing after studies found that mining those areas could cause irreparable harm to the watershed. I was glad to see President Biden take this important step forward in protecting our natural resources. Minnesotans know the importance of protecting our air, soil, water, and wildlife and this action will help preserve the BWCA for future generations of Minnesotans to enjoy!
Stay Connected!
To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.kristi.pursell@house.mn.gov or 651-296-0171, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe!
Sincerely,
Kristi Pursell
State Representative