Yesterday, Bluestem Prairie published a draft of a letter circulating among DFL Senators in MN Senate Environment & Energy Chair asks colleagues who opposed HF846 to sign letter.
We noted that only 10 DFL Senators had voted to the bill: Majority Leader Bakk, Kent Eken, Vicki Jensen, Lyle Koenen, Jim Metzen, Tom Saxhaug, Rod Skoe, Dan Sparks, Leroy Stumpf, and Dave Tomassoni (Page 4744 of the Journal of the Senate).
Only one Republican voted against the bill. Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen of Alexandria opposed the bill; a source in his district tell us that the inclusion of an industrial hemp measure tainted the bill in the former Douglas County sheriff's eyes. He's a staunch opponent of any cannabis-derived product.
Who voted "no" to the bill, but didn't sign the letter? Terri Bonoff, John Hoffman, Alice Johnson, Ann Rest, Matt Schmit, and Kathy Sheran.
Perhaps what's remarkable about those who did sign is the number of freshmen senators, including those in swing districts, who have raised their voices.
Here's the signed letter:
Senate Letter to Governor Dayton Re Environment Bill in Special Session
Photo: Pinelands, via DNR.
Correction: An earlier version of this post had headline featuring an incorrect number of senators signing the letter. We regret the error.
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