Senate Report by Dan Sparks

Clean water has been an issue of growing concern nationally and it is no different here in Minnesota. We have been looking at ways we can all work together to do better on this issue.

One part of that equation is dealing with the many needed upgrades to our wastewater and drinking water systems throughout the state. These are often costly but necessary improvements that are part of our local government infrastructure. However, local governments, especially in smaller communities, cannot afford to complete these projects.

In January, Gov. Dayton announced water quality to be a top priority, and said he will devote $220 million in capital bonding to modernize the state’s aging infrastructure for wastewater and drinking water and to protect groundwater from contamination. Of this bonding, $167 million is to assist communities across the state with water infrastructure, and an additional $53 million for water quality protection initiatives to help leverage millions of federal dollars to implement conservation practices to restore and protect water quality across the state.

These investments will directly help our community. One of the projects on that list is making the sewer and clean water connections from Albert Lea to the Stables area. The state would invest just over $3 million to see this project completed. This has been a long time coming and it is good to see that this could finally get done. Every Minnesotan deserves clean drinking water, regardless of where they live and these investments help ensure that.

I was able to visit about this and a number of other issues with Albert Lea city leaders this past week. On Wednesday, Mayor Rasmussen, Council member Baker, City Administrator Adams, Assistant Administrator Jerry Gabrielatos, Economic Development Director Ryan Nolander, Albert Lea Children’s Center Director Kim Nelson, Chamber Director, Randy Kehr, and Ellen Kehr were in St. Paul to lobby on behalf of the city with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cites.

They do a great job advocating for the city and trips like these to St. Paul are helpful in addressing our shared priorities.

One of their top priorities is a strong investment in local government aid. This state aid helps stabilize communities and hold down local property taxes. I am proud to say the Senate is leading on this issue, and I am a strong supporter of our position, which will bring the cities back to 2002 funding amounts.

We also discussed a number of other issues including bonding projects, workforce housing and child care and family issues that will help the city continue to be a strong and desirable place for people to live and work.

In addition to Albert Lea, Austin and Blooming Prairie sent representatives on Wednesday.

Throughout the week many other constituents, representing a large variety of interests, traveled to St. Paul to discuss their priorities: firefighters, Farm Bureau, nurses, corn growers, pork producers, disabled persons and their care takers, builders, beverage distributors, dairy farmers, Realtors, transportation advocates, veterans, arts and education advocates. I appreciate the time they take and their commitment to these causes.

If you have questions or concerns about legislation and the session, I encourage you to contact my office at 651-296-9248 or at sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn.

 

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, is the District 27 senator.