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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL)

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Legislative Update - February 26, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

Greetings!

I hope you are savoring this very mild winter with its early hints of spring.  I’m working hard preparing for the start of the legislative session.  Community events offer a fun break and a chance to connect with so many in our area.

We can’t take clean water for granted

This weekend I’ll be at the Governor’s Water Summit. While Minnesota is blessed with some of the largest supplies of fresh water, we have clearly not been good stewards of it. Both our surface waters (lakes and rivers) and ground water (in underground aquifers) are in peril.

 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that in Central Minnesota, 60% of groundwater is unsafe to drink due to nitrate pollution above safe levels.  Where there are municipal water treatment plants, the costs go up dramatically to deal with this.  In the worst cases, people dependent on wells may have to switch to using purchased bottled water. 

Half of the lakes and rivers in Southern Minnesota are unsafe for swimming or eating fish caught from them most of the year.  Agricultural runoff is a major contributor to this problem.

While responses to this level of pollution will cost billions over the next decades, the good news is we can do much more in prevention. That is the cheapest and quickest way to make a difference. The buffer bill passed last year is a big start, but there is more work to do. 

Chlorine is another contributing pollutant, especially harmful to aquatic plant and animal species, and road and sidewalk salts are the main contributors. Once it is absorbed into lakes and rivers it can’t be removed effectively.  You can help by eliminating or minimizing your use of salt by using traction sand or a sand/salt mixture whenever possible. Our cities have done a good job of minimizing their use through better technology and management. 

I look forward to learning more from the experts and working with the attendees to develop practical routes forward.  Clean water is important for our health, recreation, and the natural environment.

For more details on the Water Summit, including breakout session topics and on-line survey, go to the event homepage. A creative on-line way to participate is available via web-based livestream for those not able to attend that want to assist in setting the priorities. Input will be accepted through March 4.  

Budget forecast encourages clear priorities and solid fiscal management

An updated budget forecast was released today and the projected state surplus has shrunk from $1.2 billion to $900 million.  As a Finance Committee lead, I was invited to a briefing on it this morning. 

Minnesota’s economy continues to do well (7th lowest unemployment rate in the nation).  But we are not immune from the impacts of the slowing global economy and the fallout impacts of a strong dollar.  While tax receipts are projected to be at a lower level as a result, federal funds for the Children’s Health Insurance Program helped reduce state expenditures in that area.

The state economist says the risk going into the future is more likely to be a downside result rather than an improving picture. Their projections do not show as robust a surplus going forward into the next two year budget (and would result in a deficit if inflation were factored into the expenditures).

The Commissioner of Management and Budget urged caution in using these surplus funds for major on-going commitments.  That’s a disappointment for those who hoped for major new funds for a variety of uses without raising taxes. It also increases the competition for priority consideration.  We will receive an updated budget in a few weeks and that will help us better assess our options.

We need to focus our attention on creating opportunities for success for those struggling in an economy that still leaves too many behind.  Student debt, wage stagnation, long waiting lists for early childhood programs and other services, and seniors challenged by higher medical costs are signs of those problems.  Your ideas on the budget and the items most worthy of priority are always welcome. I’ve been getting a lot of email on them already. Thank you!

Thanks to all for the good ideas and feedback!  It’s active and engaged citizens that make democracy work. Whether it’s writing or emailing, or voting regularly, you all make a difference in helping shape our future. It’s an honor to serve you.

Diane