Dear Neighbors,
The legislature resumed its work on Tuesday, beginning what is expected to be a fast, 10-week legislative session. I look forward to getting back to work for the folks of Northwest Minnesota, focusing on middle-class tax relief and fixing our roads and bridges this session.
As always, if you have ideas, questions or input about what is happening at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to serve you!
Twin Metals Mine
On Sunday, Governor Mark Dayton sent a letter to Twin Metals Minnesota, informing them that he has instructed the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to not authorize any new access or lease agreements to enter state lands for their proposed copper/nickel/precious metals mine in Northern Minnesota.
After dancing around the issue for years, Governor Dayton has now made it clear that he does not support safe mining or bringing jobs to Northern Minnesota. It's disappointing that he is instructing his state agencies to place additional roadblocks to Twin Metals mine, siding with extremist environmental activists instead of relying on our state's thorough environmental review permitting process.
Twin Metals has already invested millions in the region and is bringing jobs to the area. By rejecting facts, science and a rigorous review process, he is not only risking this project, but future investments and job creation in Greater Minnesota.
Twin Metals and Polymet mines are important projects for our state, for job creation and for the economy of Northern Minnesota. I will keep you updated on this issue as more news becomes available.
Flood Mitigation Legislation
In the Environment and Natural Resources Committee this week, two of my bills were heard that will help with flood mitigation in Northwest Minnesota.
The first bill, House File 2685, appropriates $187,000 for Fiscal Year 2017 for a grant to the Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers Watershed District, matching funds with North Dakota to conduct hydraulic modeling of alternative floodway options. This funding will help flood mitigation in Oslo, as well as three bordering townships in North Dakota.
The second bill, House File 2722, is a $26 million bond for flood mitigation projects and improvements in communities across the state including Halstad and the Middle Snake Tamarac Rivers, Red Lake and Roseau Watershed Districts to name a few.
While I'm hoping that we won't have any flooding this spring, flood mitigation is an important investment for our state and local communities.
Follow me on Facebook!
To stay up-to-date on what’s happening at your State Capitol, feel free to “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RepDanFabian.
*****
My door is always open to the needs and priorities of our area. Please feel free to let me know if I can be of assistance to you and your family. I am here to serve you!
Dan
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/01A