Rep. Rick HansenSTATEMENT

Minnesota House of RepresentativesDistrict 52A 651-296-6828 rep.rick.hansen@house.mn

247 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2015

Rep. Hansen Responds to Governor Daytons Veto of Agriculture and Environment Bill SAINT PAUL, MN Today, Governor Dayton vetoed the agriculture and environment policy and finance omnibus bill. Despite a nearly $2 billion budget surplus, the bill proposed a $62 million cut from forecasted funding for the environment portion of the bill. The bill raids dedicated environmental funds committed to clean up landfills, eliminated the MPCAs Citizens Board, and granted polluters amnesty from enforcement and penalties. Governor Daytons veto letter indicated the bill, undermines decades of environmental protections.

Rep. Rick Hansen issued the following statement:

I applaud Governor Daytons veto of the agriculture and environment omnibus bill. The inclusion of the language on buffers and funding for avian influenza are a step forward in the right direction, but the bad clearly outweighs the good. This bill was full of earmarks and policy items carved out for special interest groups who believe the amount of money they give to political campaigns determines public policy. This veto sends a strong message that Governor Dayton stands with Minnesotans and is not beholden to special interests. This bill would have done irreparable harm to our clean air and drinking water.

I hope the new budget will be negotiated in the light of day and available to Minnesotans and with enough time to be properly evaluated for a better Minnesota.

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