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Minnesota's Blue-Green Alliance Continues to Press Legislature on Energy Independence and CAFTA St. Paul, MN – In February, organized labor (blue) and environmental organizations (green), led by the Steelworkers, met with Minnesota lawmakers to push a platform of next generation job creation, renewable energy usage, and the expansion of commuter rail capacity in the state. At the end of March, the legislature passed a bonding bill for state funding allocations. This bill included $37.5 million for the continued Northstar Rail Corridor Project construction, a 40-mile stretch from Big Lake to the Twin Cities, and an additional $5.25 million for planning of the Central Corridor, which would connect Minneapolis and St. Paul with high speed rail.
The Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance is not sitting back on its laurels, it's continuing to meet with lawmakers to again proactively address the issues facing Minnesota’s working families and its environment by sponsoring a second Citizen Lobby Day. The agenda will include a sustainable funding model for expanded rail, bus, and greenways for cycling termed, "Transportation 20/20". Additionally, the groups propose continued investment in research and development of high performance buildings, renewable energy usage, and a strong message to lawmakers to stop Minnesota from engaging in the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), as more than half of state government's have done.
The Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance is unified in its efforts to grow Minnesota’s economy, preserve and create good jobs, protect the environment, and educate state lawmakers and Minnesota families about the realities of free trade agreements, like CAFTA. |
