Wednesday 3/29 Call to Action

Wednesday

Yesterday, DJ Trump signed an executive order (EO) cutting many of the policies put in place by President Obama. Read more about it here:
http://www.npr.org/…/trump-takes-aim-at-a-centerpiece-of-ob…

According to Rachel Maddow, the EO is expected to be tied up in litigation for about a year. It is horrible but we have time to work against it.

1. Let's start by going local.
HF 888-Omnibus environment and natural resources finance bill.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php…
According to Watch Your Reps MN, "Environmental and Natural Resources Omnibus Bill, guts the jurisdiction of the Environmental Quality Board and allows companies to draft their own environmental impact assessments to give to the board. Prohibits the state from adopting any rules that ban lead shot. While a ban should be a tool of last resort, we should not take tools permanently off the table. Makes it so landowners do not have to comply with riparian buffer requirements unless the state offers to pay 100% of the costs." The bill also takes away approximately 90 million dollars from environmental programs.

The HF 888 is so bad, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) took his name off of the bill. The bill, was originally a reflection of Governor Dayton’s budget, but has changed dramatically during the committee process.
Rep. Hansen, the DFL Lead on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement:
“Today I removed my name as an author of the Environment Finance Bill. What was once a bipartisan effort has devolved into partisan politics of cutting state programs and veto bait for the Governor. Instead of focusing on the budget, this bill has more than 80 pages of policy provisions that roll back environmental protections. It rolls back Governor Dayton’s buffer initiative, guts the Environmental Quality Board, and cuts $94 million from current funding that protects our air, water, and natural resources. The people of Minnesota don’t want to cut programs for outdoor recreation or that keep our water and air clean. I cannot lend my name to such a bill any longer.”
Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul) is the DFL-Lead on the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance. Rep. Hansen has authored nation leading legislation on pollinator and environmental protections.

This House will be voting on this on Thursday. Take time today and call your state representative and senator today. Let them know how important these environmental programs are to you.

2. Another Local Action-Early Education Budget Cuts
The republican budget falls about $500 million short of Governor Dayton's intention to fund early education programs in Minnesota. Check out these articles.
https://www.usnews.com/…/education-bill-would-eliminate-ear…

http://www.inforum.com/…/4241792-early-childhood-education-…
Call your state representative and senator and let them know education is important to you.

3. U.S. legislation. Today is a good day to revisit issues from earlier. Instead of rehashing them all here, feel free to pay a visit to The Power of Many blog. http://powerofmanymn.blogspot.com/

Franken-202-224-5641
Klobuchar-202-224-3244
House of Representative switchboard: (202) 224-3121
MN Legislators: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legislators

4. Out and About

Today! Wednesday, 3/29 The Power of Many Happy Hour!!!
7-9 p.m. The Happy Gnome 498 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102

Saturday 4/1 Health Care Town Hall Meeting w/ local legislators
10 a.m.-12 p.m. Metcalf Junior High
2250 Diffley Rd, Burnsville, Minnesota 55337

5. Finally, a bit of good news. Check out this statement from Senator Amy Klobuchar. A great reminder that your phone calls, letters and office visits make a difference.