LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS
“BLACKOUT BILL” APPROVED BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS
Last week I told you about an expensive plan that would require utilities to generate or acquire 100 percent carbon free energy by the year 2040. I mentioned it was being fast tracked. In actuality, it is now being steamrolled.
This proposal was heard in exactly one House committee before heading to the Minnesota House floor. Reliable energy impacts every area of this state and drives every industry in this state, whether its food production or daycare. Attempts to have this bill heard in numerous other relevant committees – such as Labor and Industry, Environment, and Sustainable Infrastructure – were all blocked by House Democrats.
The biggest problem I see with the plan – and trust me there are many to choose from – is that rural co-ops are not being consulted. What’s worse is that they provide 1/3 of the power currently generated in this state, yet they have not been brought to the table because Democrats know they won’t support their idea so they don’t respect their opinions.
What House Democrats want is the green energy policies that are in place in California, which has proven to increase the cost of energy and has led to blackouts. Think about that: California’s weather makes a blackout inconvenient but not necessarily life threatening. Just think if we had a lengthy blackout here next week with single degree highs in temperature. That’s literally a matter of life and death.
As I said in the energy committee, Democrats need to be more concerned about doing the right thing than snagging a headline. It is irresponsible to ram this bill through the process.
A report from the Center of the American Experiment (CAE) estimates that the Walz/Democrat plan to move to 100 percent carbon free electricity by 2040 will cost $313 billion, or nearly $3,900 per family per year. It is arguably the most important bill we will debate this year, and the Democrats are treating it like a non-controversial no-brainer.
BUDGET FORECASTS TO INCLUDE INFLATION?
Minnesota House Democrats have also approved legislation that requires inflation to be included in the forecast. I didn’t support this bill either.
Basically, this bill puts government spending on autopilot, which is just exactly what most taxpayers do not want. The bill does not specify what inflation measures the Minnesota Management and Budget Office would use. Every two years the legislature decides how much to spend on the state budget and where. Including inflation almost guarantees significantly more spending whether its effective or not.
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