When Alexandria Republican state representative Mary Franson was appointed in early December to be the minority lead for the Minnesota House Sustainable Infrastructure committee, the veteran lawmaker didn't take the news calmly.
In a statement to the Alexandria Echo Press, Franson shared her fears:
The creation of this new committee makes me wonder if this was an organic decision by the Democrats, or if this is a part of a global movement that is being pushed by Klaus Schwab and the World Economic Forum,” Franson said
Read the whole fearfest at the Echo Press. Don't look up.
The committee meets for the first time on Wednesday. Here's the agenda:
Agenda:
1. Member and Staff Introductions
2. Presentation by the National Conference of State Legislators on the IIJA and IRA
We don't see Schwab on the agenda, but maybe he'll drop in.
What's the committee about? On December 20, Carol Cummings reported for WCCO News in New House committee to focus on climate resilient, sustainable infrastructure:
As extreme weather takes its toll on critical parts of Minnesota communities, state lawmakers in the newly DFL-controlled legislature next year cite curbing climate change as a top priority and see an opportunity to make investments in innovative infrastructure projects.
Among the tasks at the capitol when lawmakers return to St. Paul next month is passing matching funds to leverage the $7.4 billion Minnesota will get from the federal infrastructure law over several years. Most of the money—more than $6 billion—requires a state share, according to the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget.
Lawmakers adjourned last year without approving those funds. Shaping the two-year budget discussion next year will also include a historic budget surplus, much of it one-time money.
"We're not just looking at a two-year budget cycle, but we're really looking at reshaping the way our state works," said Rep. Koegel, DFL-Spring Lake Park.
She will chair a new sustainable infrastructure committee—formed, she said, to meet the moment and get "the best bang for our buck" with the influx of resources to invest in infrastructure. It will work alongside the climate and energy, transportation and capital investment committees.
We want to make sure we're building things that last and that we're doing very thoughtful planning," Koegel said. "Making sure that we're looking at more than one benefit when it comes to a project. If we have a road ripped up already that we're replacing a water main in—is there an opportunity for us to harden our electrical grid at the same time?"
Only Massachusetts has a similar legislative committee, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but 25 have some sort of state-led office or working group focused on climate resiliency.
State data show trends that Minnesota's winters are warming and the state is getting wetter, experiencing more intense and frequent rainfalls. "Mega-rain" events have been two-and-a-half times more likely to occur in the last two decades than in the 20th century, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
This can wreck roads, bridges and stormwater systems and run up big bills for local governments. For the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, state investments to improve local infrastructure is a top priority for the 100 members outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro. . . .
We hope the WCCO news report allows Franson to sleep at night, and she is able to work with the chairs of the climate and energy and transportation committees, who serve on the new committee.
Photo: Alexandria Republican state representative Mary Franson. From the Daily Kos article, Fanatical Republican Extremist of the Day: Mary Franson- 2022 Update.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen@gmail.com as recipient.
I'm on Venmo for those who prefer to use this service: @Sally-Sorensen-6
Comments