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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Rep. Fritz supports legislation to clean and protect state waters
We are very fortunate in Minnesota to live in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Unfortunately, many of those lakes are dirty.
In an attempt to clean up our lakes and maintain water quality standards, the Clean Water Legacy Act was introduced and is moving through the House. This bipartisan bill would generate $80 million a year through a proposed $3 per-month fee on municipal wastewater connections and septic systems.
This legislation makes good sense for a number of economic reasons. There are currently some towns in our state that can't get a federal permit for wastewater facilities expansion because they will discharge into impaired waters. Also, our state needs clean water to support our recreational sports, from swimming and boating to fishing. This is a large industry that is a mainstay to our state economy.
Just as important, it is our responsibility to protect and preserve our environment, including the air, land and water. If passed, this bill will help us address the dire condition some of our lakes are in, and will insure that all of our lakes are passed on to our grandchildren cleaner and healthier than they are today.
I support this legislation but I do have some concerns about the fees. For instance, I believe that low-income people should be exempt from paying the fees. And, I don't agree that an elderly couple who use very little water should pay as much as a larger family whose usage is higher.
I know that other legislators share my concerns and together we will work out a fair system of fees that
will protect our water and at the same time not hurt any of our citizens financially.
If you want to contact me regarding this or any other issue, please call me at 1-800-292-0012, email me at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn, or write to me at 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155. I look forward to hearing from you!
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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