It was called to my attention that Carlson is authoring - as chief author - two environmentally protective escrow bills. First, less a focus of the post, SF 1505 in the current session, "Relating to nuclear waste; requiring commissioner of commerce to collect and hold in escrow fees paid by ratepayers for permanent repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste," which is an essential safeguard for the public that when high-level waste storage becomes a national long-term reality, in Utah, Nevada, of some state with the proper climate and geology and a large amount of open vacant land, the money will be already pooled to assure that Minnesota's temporarily stored high-level waste can be properly disposed.
But that's not the major escrow of interest these days.
Nonferrous mining. Carlson is lead author again, of SF 2349 [Companion House Bill HF 2560] with the short description noting his bill relates to, "Nonferrous metallic mineral mining financial assurance." That's another way to say, "Protect against Potential PolyMet Abuse." Text of the bill includes this screenshot excerpt [click it to enlarge and read]:
That is reassuring. And if you read the entire bill, again this link, in its entirety it is reassuring in patching some holes regarding "ferrous" mining while primarily focusing on "nonferrous" concerns [iron=ferrous; while copper, nickel, platinum, etc. = nonferrous; for those not already familiar with the terminology].
Most of the nonferrous ore exists in sulfide form, which, without detail here, is substantially more unfriendly to the environment in the course of mining and refining processes than other ore forms, such as oxides as exist with iron mining and refining, or with aluminum, where the necessary refining in electrochemical cells is problematic. (See, representative links already given in an earlier Crabgrass post concerning sulfide mining peril, this link.)
Text of the Carlson nonferrous escrow bill represents a major step toward reassuring all skeptics of mining company practices that there shall be, if the bill is enacted, an escrow so that PolyMet cannot run the economic life out on the ore body they wish to exploit, and then leave town with a mess behind.
Be wise instead of learning again the hard way.
Make sure a pool of money is brought into being up-front, before any ore is disturbed, or any building started. And make sure it stays sufficient, as conditions change over time, and is not merely viewed as a decent level of escrow at the beginning of things.
My understanding is the Sens. Bakk and Rukavina oppose the bill. That should be a factor in DFL voting for the next governor. If you want an escrow to protect the State and its residents, you would not want an opponent of that very reform step heading the executive branch, holding a veto pen. That's simple to understand, but unfortunately too easy to forget.
Healthcare problems and reform at the State level. Sen. Carlson has been active in his district in recognizing the scope and nature of the problem and has hosted a district meeting on the Minnesota Health Plan. (Sen. Carlson is not, however, identified as a coauthor of that bill in the current session form, SF 0118.)
The SD 48 status quo, and opportunities. Now, SD 48, what we have is a global warming skeptic who cosponsored with Michele Bachmann when she was a state senator a bill to force "intelligent design" via Santorum wording upon the schools of the state - luke-warm creationism - to be foisted off on students as if it were science.
I like Jim Carlson better. We can gain improvement in SD 48, even if not Jim Carlson or a John Marty - they are rare, but the DFL has Mike Starr again running, and others presently seeking the seat. May one of them go on to Novermber and unseat the incumbent. Put an end to those who would shoehorn creationism teaching into Minnesota schools. It has no place there, and those pushing that agenda have no place in the legislature. Replace what is not working top shape. Surely, the Republican incumbent is personable enough, and not inept. But that does not mean an upgrade is inadvisable. To the contrary, you'd upgrade your automobile after a few years even if comfortable with it. Upgrade time is this November.
................
Final thought - vote for Jim Carlson if in District 38, and wherever you are, help fund the campaign. Check this link, for the entire listing of bills for which Carlson is chief author. It is enlightening. There's a Wikipedia page, here. Per this campaign website link, Jim Carlson has been endorsed by Walter Mondale and Arne Carlson; (individuals offering more substance than a Crabgrass notice); along with organizations such as, Take Action Minnesota, DFL Feminist Caucus, Minnesota Clean Water Action, Education Minnesota, and other prominent organizations, again, see this link. He has all the credentials that way.
Details on Carlson, his family, his work history and personal milestones, this link.
There is a campaign site issues page, here, the lead item stating:
Education. An investment in education is an investment in the future growth of our state and nation. Research has shown that investment in early childhood education is the best, most efficient policy with the greatest return. If our children are to compete in the global marketplace, we need to continue our state’s legacy of having the best education system in the nation. Jim will make it a top priority to relieve skyrocketing college tuition costs.
Most importantly for now, donate to the campaign via this webpage.