Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update about what’s happening at the Capitol this week.
Governor Proposes Buffer Zones
Governor Dayton recently released a proposal that would require every riparian waterway in Minnesota to include 50 feet of buffer zone. He wants the DNR to use aerial surveillance to ensure enforcement and fine Minnesotans not in compliance.
I am concerned that much of rural Minnesota was left out of the conversation before formulating this buffer zone idea. Not only would it potentially be costly and unnecessary for many farmers, home and lake property owners, who already pride themselves on their conservation efforts to protect land and water, but it would also be very difficult to enforce.
I am certain we will be hearing more about Governor Dayton’s controversial proposal in the legislature this session.
Workforce Housing
This week in the Job Growth and Energy Affordability Committee, legislators heard about an issue important to many folks up in my district—workforce housing. The affordability and availability of homes within a reasonable proximity of a person’s job is important to our communities and there is definitely a demand for more housing.
In Northwest Minnesota, so many of the current workforce housing programs aren’t working as they should, and state and local leaders need to come together to put forward workable solutions to fix this problem. As session progresses, I know this will be an important issue for myself and many Greater Minnesota legislators. I will be authoring some bills to try to address the issue…stay tuned.
Hearing on Timberwolves
In the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee this week, I was able to testify about the recent court ruling that ended timber wolf hunting and trapping in Minnesota and share the effects it is having in my district. Bringing forward the concerns of livestock producers and sportsmen, I discussed how imperative it is to keep the wolf population at a reasonable number.
Tied into that ruling on wolf hunting is a bill I will be introducing that ensures farmers who made verified claims due to elk or wolf damage are reimbursed through the Department of Agriculture’s depredation fund. Because the Department of Ag asked for less money last biennium than in years past, there are now $70,000 in unpaid claims as of the first of January and the fund is dry. What’s more, with the wolf hunt now illegal, those claims are expected to continue to rise.
I will be working to get my bill passed this session, placing more money in the depredation account and also covering unpaid claims from the past two years. It’s a reasonable solution to farmers whose livestock is being destroyed by wolves in our district and across the state.
Disaster Assistance Bill
On Wednesday, the Ways and Means Committee heard House File 164, a bill that will reimburse certain counties from last summer’s flood and heavy rain damage. The bill matches federal transportation dollars for road repair, and funds erosion, sediment and water-quality cost-share projects on private land.
Roseau, Marshall and Lake of the Woods Counties all requested reimbursement and are included in the bill.
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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
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