MNLeg

How a Week in Michigan Might Change the World

June 20, 2024 | By Avonna Starck

Keeping with the tradition of throwing professionalism out of the window and sharing my open and honest thoughts, I’d like to tell you how I’m processing the National PFAS Conference. You are kind enough to financially support our work, I want to return the favor with the unfiltered truth.

I spent

Dana Strande, Michael Strande, Nora Strande, Avonna Starck, Rob Bilott

Plastic bag caught on fence by river. Credit: Jennifer Schlicht

Ending Minnesota's Plastic Bag Ban Preemption: A Case For Local Control

March 8, 2024 | By Kyle Rosas

We know plastic bags are bad. We know they take forever and a year to break down. We know they leach toxic chemicals into our soil and water as they sit in landfills. And we know that if we want to vote to enact a plastic bag ban in our municipality, we should be allowed to do so. That is how democracy works.

Passing Amara’s Law: How a decade-long friendship between a Democrat and Republican made a difference in Minnesota

December 8, 2023 | By Avonna Starck

We all deserve safe and clean water, regardless of which party is in the majority or the zip code we live in. We all want legislators who support bills promoting the health and safety of our communities. PFAS were developed in Minnesota and now — driven by our cross-aisle friendship — they’re ending in Minnesota.

PFAS Victory in Minnesota - Thanks To Your Support!

May 30, 2023 | By Avonna Starck

We fought off attacks from high paid lobbyists, who flew in from around the country, to represent industry’s interests at the sake of our water and our health. They argued that corporate profits should be put above Minnesotans and we refused to let that message win. And it didn't. WE won, passing the nation's strongest PFAS legislation, and several other critical policies to protect the state we love.

Cumulative Impacts Win for MN & Next Steps for Environmental Justice

May 23, 2023 | By Sasha Lewis-Norelle

With the 2023 legislative session ending, Minnesota joins New Jersey and New York in passing cumulative impacts legislation. This bill is the culmination of years of work, community advocacy and organizing, research, and building power at the legislature to protect our overburdened communities - and the movement for environmental justice is growing.

Sasha Lewis-Norelle at Frontline Communities Protection Act Press Conference

Testimony on HF24, Full Replacement of Lead Service Lines in Minnesota

February 23, 2023 | By Avonna Starck

House File 24 is Minnesota’s opportunity to rid our communities of lead service lines once and for all. With unprecedented federal funding, the support of labor unions, the opportunity to create good jobs with a prevailing wage, and the ability to protect Minnesotans from lead, now is the time to take swift and decisive action.