The omnibus environment and energy finance bill made it past the governor mostly intact.
The law to fund parks, museums, zoos and renewable energy initiatives, as well as implement new rules for debt settlement managers, was signed May 7 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty minus a provision regarding surface water assessments.
Pawlenty vetoed a $15 million biennial appropriation from the environmental fund targeted for surface water assessment and monitoring. His budget recommendation calls for the activity to be funded from the Clean Water Fund, using the newly dedicated sales tax, which is a result of a constitutional amendment passed last November to fund outdoor and arts programming.
He said the environmental fund will be nearly insolvent in the “not too distant future,” and funding through the Clean Water Fund will provide long-term fiscal stability for the program.
Sponsored by Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), most of the law takes effect July 1, 2009.
HF2123*/SF2099/CH37
Doling out resources
Omnibus environment and natural resources law also contains energy provisions
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Published 6/1/2010
Definitions matter
Language for environment and energy spending called into question
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Published 5/13/2010
Supplant or supplement?
Some think constitutionally dedicated funds may be filling traditional funding void
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Published 4/29/2010
Sinking the law on sunken timber
DNR intends to let sleeping logs lie
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Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Earth, wind and fire
Figures and statistics on Earth Day and the environment
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Published 4/15/2010
Minnesota Index: Quality of life
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's quality of life
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Published 3/25/2010
Talkin’ trash
PCA discovers interpreting the letter of the law isn’t easy
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Published 3/18/2010
Land wHOa!
Audit suggests DNR has more land than they can manage
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Published 3/11/2010
Safe Drug Disposal Act
Leftover drugs find their way to fish and teens
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Published 2/11/2010
At Issue: Money for outdoors, arts gets green light
Legacy bill passes but still needs work
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: Unearthing the state’s past
Legacy bill moves through final process quickly, awaits floor action
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Funding environment and energy
Conferees make additional spending cuts
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Published 5/8/2009
First Reading: Wildfire in slow motion
Emerald ash borer ignites prevention policies
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Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Animal, vegetable, mineral … or chemical?
Toxic Free Kids Act survives House floor omnibus debate
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Control-alt-delete
Electronic waste collections called ‘too successful’
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Published 4/10/2009
Minnesota Index: Extreme weather
Figures and statistics on weather records in Minnesota
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Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Spending new proceeds
Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council considers projects for new tax receipts
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Published 2/6/2009