Dear Neighbor,
The Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation district shared some good information during a recent meeting I had with people from that group. It was particularly interesting to hear about projects the SWCD has with farmers and cities to protect and improve water quality in our region. They have done a lot of good with state and federal dollars they have received to help manage our resources.
On a side note, the SWCD is partnering with the Stearns County Parks, the DNR, sporting groups and others to conduct the eighth annual Take a Day off on the Mississippi River on Saturday, July 30 this year. This event is geared toward family fun and attendees are able to receive instruction while participating in a number of outdoor activities. Click here for more details, including contact information if you have any questions.
A Legislative Water Commission took place this week to discuss the DNR's new report regarding its "Negative Impacts to Surface Waters" program. This issue is impacting our area, including questionable restrictions the DNR has placed on Cold Spring – which ends up leaving the city looking at a big bill for a new well that might not even be necessary.
It was good the meeting took place, but I was not satisfied with the process because stakeholders were not provided ample time to testify. I am authoring legislation to help resolve this issue for Cold Spring by developing a new well site.
A number of bills I have authored are receiving hearings. One bill moving through the process would bring Minnesota into conformity with the federal Hometown Heroes Act related to public safety officers (police, fire, paramedic). My bill modifies “killed in the line of duty” with the definition found in the federal Hometown Heroes Act for purposes of awarding benefits to the survivors of public safety officers who are killed in the line of duty.
Accidental-death benefits would apply to all public safety officers (instead of only peace officers) and coverage would include officers who die from work-related heart attacks, strokes, and vascular ruptures.
We also heard in committee a list of libraries seeking funding from construction grants that are available to improve access. Cold Spring is among the applicants and I can personally attest to that fact that facility needs improvements.
Other bills I am working on would help schools fill short-term vacancies on school boards more efficiently, and make the Rocori district whole for a funding it was shorted in joining the state's Q-Comp program.
Good luck,
Jeff