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| Date: | April 6, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Senator Paul Gazelka Statement on Environment Omnibus Budget Bill Passage |
St. Paul – The Senate Environment, Commerce and Energy omnibus finance budget bill for FY2012-13 passed in the State Senate by a vote of 37-28. The legislation, Senate File 1029, contains the general fund appropriations for the Environment and Natural Resources; Commerce and Consumer Protection; and Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications budget areas. The legislation appropriates $203,931,000 of general fund dollars to the Environment and Natural Resources budget for FY2012-13. Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Brainerd) serves on the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and was instrumental in the committee’s decision to allocate more than $17.5 million to combat terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. Senator Gazelka gave the following statement regarding the Environment bill’s passage.
“I’m proud of the work we completed for this bill – we focused on streamlining government operations and redesigning how services are delivered for Minnesotans. The bill illustrates our commitment to Minnesota’s outdoor legacy by prioritizing our limited funds to preserve and protect our natural resources. We had the opportunity in committee to hear from constituents, advocacy groups and department officials who provided critical insight on the issues. I am so grateful for their input,” said Senator Gazelka.
Among the many aspects of the Environment omnibus bill are two provisions that Senator Gazelka chief authored. Senate File 304 honors Brainerd resident Terry McGaughey by renaming the Paul Bunyan Trail bridge that crosses Excelsior Road in Baxter, MN: “the Terry McGaughey Memorial Bridge.”
“It’s only fitting that the Paul Bunyan Trail bridge be named for ‘the father of the Paul Bunyan Trail’ himself. Terry McGaughey was a tremendous advocate of the outdoors and without his enthusiasm and hard work, the trail would be incomplete,” said Senator Gazelka.
Senate File 678 expands the current game and fish licensure lottery preferences provision for military service members to include those who have received Purple Heart medals and to veterans who became disabled while in service.
“When our service men and women return home, many choose to enjoy the peace and quiet of Minnesota’s great outdoors with friends and family. My bill gives Purple Heart medal recipients and disabled veterans a better chance of obtaining the proper licensure to hunt and fish,” said Senator Gazelka.
