Dear Neighbors,
Here is an update with the latest news from the Capitol.
Buffers
On Thursday, a long list of county commissioners including some from Kittson County, along with a wide array of agriculture groups sent a letter to Governor Dayton and legislative leaders urging them to find a workable compromise on buffers, citing the challenges facing farmers to meet existing implementation dates. You can read the letter by clicking here.
As Chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, we have been hearing all session from county leaders, farmers, ranchers and landowners about their frustration that Governor Dayton won’t work with us to make commonsense changes to the buffer law including pushing out the implementation date. Up here in Northwest Minnesota, rural groups and local leaders are adding their voice and asking for compromise. I hope Governor Dayton will listen.
In the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee Report which was sent to Governor Dayton earlier this week, we made several changes to the buffer law including moving the implementation date out and clarifying that public ditches are subject to the long-standing 16.5 foot buffer requirement which was the original intent of the law.
Budget Negotiations
The Legislature began sending compromise budget bills to Governor Dayton this week that were agreed upon in conference committees. Our balanced budget bills fund key priorities including education, middle-class tax relief and roads and bridges. We are committed to getting our work done on time and hope that Governor Dayton either signs these bills into law or gets serious about making meaningful negotiation offers so we can reach a final agreement.
Also passed this week is the environment budget bill which I authored and helped craft this session. The bill aims to improve Minnesota's regulatory permitting process, clarify the state's buffer law to ensure fair treatment for farmers, and preserve Minnesota's place as a prime destination for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. It’s a great bill that protects our environment while making commonsense changes that serve our farmers, taxpayers, landowners, local governments and communities across the state.
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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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