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State Representative Mike Benson
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4378
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
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REP. BENSON: IMPROVING PERMITTING PROCESS WOULD CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
ST. PAUL – In an effort to bring more job opportunities to Minnesota’s workforce, State Representative Mike Benson (R-Rochester) said a bill that would improve Minnesota’s complex and uncertain permitting process for potential business expansion would be a good first step.
“We’re certainly not going to reduce environmental standards, but we need to improve the permitting process and expedite approval rates,” Benson said. “We have businesses that have the money and are ready to expand and invest in our state, but faced with the uncertainty of a permitting process that could take a year or more, we’re scaring them away to other states.”
Benson said the permitting changes would include establishing a 150-day goal for the MPCA and DNR to issue permits; eliminating district court review of environmental review decisions with challenges going directly to the Court of Appeals; allowing an applicant to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) rather than state agency or local unit of government; and requiring that final decisions on permits be made within 30 days of the final approval of an EIS.
Benson said improving Minnesota’s job climate is the top priority of the 2011 session.
“States and legislatures across America are all trying to do the same thing - find ways to create more jobs,” Benson said. “With a more efficient permitting process, Minnesota can improve its business climate and entice more companies to either expand or move to our great state and put more people to work.”
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