ACTION ALERT – Urge legislators to fund local parks & trails grant programs!

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it abundantly clear that local parks and trails are essential for our health and well-being. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) bill in both the Minnesota House and Senate includes $2.6 million for the DNR’s local parks and trails grant programs, as well as millions in funding for individual projects. There are only two weeks until the legislative session ends on May 18, but the bill is currently stalled because of a dispute over a minor portion of the bill.

We need your help to ensure that the Legislature passes the LCCMR bill this session!

Please email key legislative leaders and committee chairs and urge them to pass the LCCMR bill to achieve the dual goals of supporting local parks and trails while also creating new jobs that are essential to helping our state rebound from the pandemic. The LCCMR bill spends the earnings from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which must be used to fund environmental programs such as these grant programs.

Please contact:

• Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka – sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn
• Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman – rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn
• Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen (chair of the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Finance Committee) – sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@senate.mn
• Rep. Rick Hansen (chair of the House Environment & Natural Resources Finance Division) – rep.rick.hansen@house.mn
• Click here to send an email to all four of them

Your message:

• Ask them to pass an LCCMR bill before May 18 that includes $2.6 million for the DNR’s local parks and trails grant programs.
• These grant programs provide essential matching funds for local parks and trails that are not eligible for Legacy grants.
• These grant programs and other projects in the LCCMR bill will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs without adding to the deficit. Failure to pass a bill leaves money behind that cannot be used for other purposes.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of local parks and trails. Health experts and government officials at all levels emphasize that citizens should continue to go outside and be active while maintaining safe physical distances.
• Share examples of the importance of local parks and trails in your community and how these grants can help.

Any questions?

Contact Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.