This week, the Senate began to debate final budget bills on the Senate Floor…here are some Special Session updates.
Senate Legacy Bill Passes—Protects & Maintains Treasured Resources!
This week, with unanimous bipartisan support, the Minnesota Senate passed the final Legacy Finance bill I authored. This bill appropriates $645.6 million to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, the Clean Water Fund, the Parks and Trails Fund, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Senate File 21 provides key appropriations that will preserve, protect, and maintain Minnesota’s natural resources.
“It is important that we maintain our state’s natural resources, and the appropriations in this bill focus on doing just that—I am very proud of the work we have done and continue to do to restore and preserve our state’s natural treasures. We are surrounded by incredible beauty across Minnesota, and we must continue to protect our lands, habitats, and waters for future generations. I am happy that the Senate and House committees were able to come to an agreement that prioritizes our resources and funds important recommendations without including any controversial policy provisions. This bill is the result of hard work from both legislative bodies.”
In 2008, Minnesotans voted to amend the State Constitution to include the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment (referred to informally as the Legacy Amendment). This amendment allocated three-eighths of one percent of the sales tax to contribute to four funds that aim to protect drinking water sources, re-store and enhance habitats across the state, preserve arts and cultural heritage, support parks and trails, and protect and enhance lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Legacy funding does not have a base, and every project must be newly appropriated for each biennium, except for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, which must be newly appropriated every year.
The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk for a final signature.
Meat Cutting & Butchery Program Grants included in Final Agriculture Budget
This year I authored legislation that would provide an appropriation of $2 million dollars to two-year colleges in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for meat cutting and butchery programs. This language was included in the final Agriculture Budget Bill that passed this week.
Currently, there are processing shortages in the livestock industry and workforce shortages, which were further exacerbated by COVID-19—and there are only seven training programs in North America, none of which are in Minnesota.
“I’m happy we were able to include these grants in the agriculture budget because this language presents an exciting opportunity for growth in the butcher and meat cutting industries, specifically for Central Lakes College. In this line of work, training for students coming out of high school is extremely important, and not everyone wants to attend a four-year college. This funding makes the new program possible—we can train students and keep these bright entrepreneurs in our State.”
This issue is a top concern for family farmers and those is the agriculture industry—the legislation addresses the following issues: processing shortages experienced by livestock producers; workforce shortages facing processors; inclusion of slaughter in the workforce training program.
“This is an exciting bipartisan bill that provides a new opportunity to our colleges, students, and anyone looking for a new line of work.”
Broadband Funding for Rural Communities
The Minnesota Senate on Tuesday passed the Jobs and Economic Growth bill, which prioritizes economic recovery for the entire state and helping Minnesotans get back to work, without adding new burdens or regulations that would hinder small business from recreating jobs. Included in the bill is language providing a $70 million American Recovery Plan investment in broadband development.
Also passed on Tuesday was the Agriculture and Rural Development bill, which also provides an additional appropriation of $700 thousand for Broadband development purposes.
“Last year, we made significant progress in funding broadband expansion for Greater Minnesota, but it was immediately clear that further efforts would be needed, and I’m glad to see these important funds in multiple bills this year. The pandemic highlighted the fact that internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Rural communities are often left behind when it comes to broadband infrastructure, and this important funding will help those communities thrive.”
IRRRB Recommends Cohasset Plant
This week, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) recommended for approval $15 million in funding assistance for the construction of the new Huber Engineered Woods (HEW) oriented strand board (OSB) manufacturing facility in Cohasset. This project is the largest new construction investment in the Minnesota timber industry in decades—as a member of the IRRRB Board, I am pleased.
This is a huge win for the people in northern Minnesota—it is a positive example of government wisely partnering with employers to provide great economic opportunities of Minnesota. The $440 million OSB project will bring roughly 150 direct jobs to Cohasset and up to 400 spinoff jobs associated with plant operations. Between 300 and 400 construction jobs are anticipated to build the plant on more than 400 acres of property near Cohasset.
City of Baxter—Whiskey Creek Project
The Minnesota Senate passed the Environment Policy & Finance bill this week, the legislation funds the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) 2020 and 2021 spending recommendations which include special environment and natural resource projects, primarily from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. In total, 165 projects across Minnesota will receive funding to protect, conserve, preserve, and enhance air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
That is good news for the city of Baxter and Brainerd and the entire route of the Mississippi river. The Whiskey Creek (storm water project) is included in the LCCMR funding. Completing this project will help save our great river—I am proud to be co-author of the legislation.
Background information: This Whiskey Creek project located in the city of Baxter was ranked second highest for removal of phosphorous out of fifty-nine projects by the Mississippi Headwaters Board and after a report identified hot spots for pollution, the city developed a study to refine the treatment & cost for the watershed site at Whiskey Creek. The project benefits are many—the river currently does not meet water quality standards and over two million people drink out of the Mississippi river daily, this project will increase water quality. This watershed is ranked top five in Minnesota for the ability to produce clean water for downstream drinking water. The project will capture and treat stormwater runoff from 400-acres of highly imperious developed land and will ultimately control watershed-flows and improve water quality within Whiskey Creek and the Mississippi River. Completing this project will help save our great river!
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As always please feel free to contact my office with any questions you might have. My office can be reached by phone at (651) 296-4913 or at sen.carrie.ruud@senate.mn.
Talk to you soon!
Carrie Ruud