Mary Blitzer
In our world of seemingly constant bad news, I want to take a moment to thank activists and share about the Minnesota Senate legislative oversight hearing last week. This was the first-ever oversight hearing on polluter capture of state agencies. Senators and Minnesotans clearly said to agency leaders: Environmental laws are not suggestions; they must be enforced. And given the many terrible actions at the Federal Level, like the recent removal of BWCA protections, state level action is needed more than ever.
Together we:
- Demanded Agency Accountability. At the hearing, agencies were forced to respond to Senators and the expert testimony about nitrate pollution in our drinking water and nitrogen climate pollution; mismanagement of public lands (Wildlife Management Areas); and improper regulation of air pollution from the HERC trash burner.
While the agencies’ responses were often not substantive or adequate, this gives us a starting place. For example, in the case of Wildlife Management Areas, the DNR went furthest yet in guaranteeing power to the DNR scientists who are charged with protecting wildlife and habitat rather than timber-aligned interests.
- Showed up – Hearing room at capacity. We filled the 150-seat hearing room and spilled into the overflow room. This was a clear testament to our organizing work and deep commitment. Senators and agency leaders saw how many Minnesotans care.
It was also really heartwarming to see Senator Hawj and Senator McEwen’s faces (who, as the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, convened the hearing) when they came out of the hearing room to cheers.
- What to do now? You can help build on this momentum:
- Like/share/comment on this post: Instagram. Facebook. Bluesky. X. Commenting is most impactful, something simple like ‘I was there!’ or sharing something more detailed – like what you noticed most about the hearing – would be great.
- Write Sen. Hawj & Sen. McEwen a thank you. Just a personal email is the most meaningful or even a handwritten note. It’s a hard job and thanking our champions matters.
Ultimately, we have to stay active and keep pushing. Let’s recognize and lift up environmental champions like Senator Hawj and Senator McEwen, and encourage other state officials to follow their lead. And, we need our next Governor to realize that this issue matters to Minnesotans and hold their agency leadership accountable to their missions.
On a personal level, it was uplifting to be there with so many volunteers who care. Grateful to be in the fight with you all. - Mary Blitzer
“For many years, time after time, case after case, our state agencies — which should be accountable to the people — have been unresponsive when Minnesotans have rung the alarm bell on pollution in their communities across the state,” said Senator McEwen.
“We know that agency staff, who are experts in their fields, work tirelessly to preserve our state’s natural resources and public health. But political interference coming from the top has often prevented those public servants from doing their jobs.
“Clean air and clean water are fundamental human rights. It is the duty of our state agencies to use our existing laws to protect Minnesotans and our environment from corporate polluters. This oversight hearing is a win for everyone who has been fighting for better legislative oversight for years. It shed light on the ways that even with strong and enforceable environmental protection laws that have been on the books for decades, political actors have continued to use our agencies to protect and side with corporate polluters. This is unacceptable, and we can fix it.” - Senator McEwen
Join in at upcoming events with us.
