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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

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Legislative Update (May 10, 2013)

Friday, May 10, 2013

Dear neighbor,

 

Last Tuesday, the House debated the omnibus energy bill. This proposal requires a 40% renewable energy standard by 2030 for investor-owned utility companies like Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Alliant. It also includes a 4% solar mandate with a 10% solar mandate goal. Setting these kinds of arbitrary renewable energy standards will make energy more costly and less reliable for all Minnesotans. Furthermore, it simply ignores the inefficient and expensive nature of the energy sources being mandated. Renewable energy technology remains expensive and less efficient than current energy sources. The energy mandates in this bill will result in higher energy bills for everyone. House Democrats gave a special exemption for the Iron Range. It’s unfortunate the entire state didn’t receive an exemption from the impact of this bill. I regret to report that the bill passed the House. I’m hoping the conference committee version of the bill will be less costly for Minnesota families.

 

As you probably know, the House took up the gay marriage bill on Thursday. With no finalized budget bills passed, House Democrats believed it was the right time to debate the redefinition of marriage. I’ve been open and honest in my support for keeping the definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I was disappointed that the bill passed the House and was surprised with the number of DFL votes in support of redefining marriage. I voted against changing the definition of marriage in our state laws. Unfortunately, I was in the minority in the House on this issue. The Senate is expected to take up the bill on Monday.

 

As always, I can be reached via email at rep.steve.green@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-9918. Mail can be sent to Rep. Steve Green, 231 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Steve