Accessibility menu
State Representative Leon Lillie
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1188
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Column/LTE
OUR PARKS AND TRAILS - AN INVALUABLE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE
Minnesota has a long tradition of responsible environmental stewardship. Because our parents and grandparents made wise decisions to protect Minnesota’s lakes, streams, forests, and prairies, we can enjoy the state’s many natural wonders today.
State parks and trails built over the last century have given Minnesotans close access to the natural treasures that make our state so uniquely beautiful. That commitment to thoughtful, aggressive environmental protection is just part of the common sense formula that has made Minnesota’s standard of living second to none in the United States.
As Minnesotans we have a responsibility to continue that tradition of thoughtful stewardship, for the sake of our children and grandchildren. It will be the far-sighted decisions we make today that ensure they too can enjoy our great outdoors for generations to come.
With more Minnesotans staying traveling in-state for vacation to save money during this recession, it’s more important than ever to make sure our state parks and trails are in good shape.
But more than for our own personal enjoyment, Minnesota’s parks and trails help attract thousands of out of state tourists every year. In fact, tourism accounts for 16 percent of the state’s economy with visitors bringing $11 billion into our state annually, and spending $694 million in state sales tax revenues.
Clearly Minnesota’s parks and trails are vital economic and environmental assets. But our work maintaining these important resources is far from over. Our parks and trails are in serious need of attention. Maintenance and repairs have been piling up for decades, as parks and trails passed down by previous generations begin to deteriorate.
Not all of these needs can be met immediately. Instead, maintaining our parks and trails will require a long-term commitment from Minnesotans and legislators alike. This session the Legislature is working hard to address many of these needs while providing an economic benefit to the state during this difficult economic recession.
The bonding bill is one of Minnesota’s most important tools in that effort. By leveraging the state’s short-term borrowing authority, we can make smart investments in our environmental infrastructure at state parks and trails across Minnesota. Specifically, the House bonding bill (HF2700) proposes:
• $5.7 million for making needed repairs at Minnesota state parks
• $10 million for repairs on Minnesota’s aging state trails
• $21 million to connect Minnesota’s existing trail system
By giving priority to projects that can be completed this construction season, we are focused on putting an optimal number of Minnesota construction workers back on the job while making a lasting, positive impact on our environment. These targeted investments will:
1) Address immediate maintenance needs on our state parks and trails;
2) Pay off in the short-term with needed jobs; and
3) Produce lasting environmental and recreational benefits for generations to come
Enacting smart environmental policies requires that lawmakers set priorities, and consider the long-term consequences of the decisions we make today. Generations that came before us understood those basic concepts, and today Minnesotans still benefit from their responsible actions. By following their example this session, we can continue the work necessary to leave Minnesota’s great outdoors even better than we found it.
Leon Lillie
State Representative
District 55A
rep.leon.lillie@house.mn
(651) 296-1188
News Items
- SUPPORTING RESPONSIBLE HOMEOWNERS AND STABILIZING NEIGHBORHOODS - (Posted: 2012-03-01 00:00:00)
- Email Update -- Feb. 16, 2012 - (Posted: 2012-02-16 00:00:00)
- 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION PREVIEW - (Posted: 2012-01-26 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.