The Minnesota Historical Society 2012 Legislative Agenda

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2012 Legislative Agenda for History

The 2012 Legislative Session began on January 24.    This year’s session is expected to be a short session, with the major item of business to be the passage of a capital budget.

Fortunately, the most recent state budget forecast showed a small surplus, so the Legislature and the Governor likely will not need to deal with the state’s operating budget until next year.

For the Capital Budget, the Minnesota Historical Society has three requests, outlined below:

• Oliver Kelley Farm Revitalization, Elk River (PDF about the project)
• Historic Sites Asset Preservation (statewide)
• County and Local Historic Preservation Grants (statewide)

Please take a moment to contact your legislators to express your support for history, including the Oliver Kelley Farm Revitalization project.    

And, join us for the 7th Annual History Matters Day at the Capitol on President’s Day, February 20th at the Minnesota State Capitol.    Learn more about History Matters Day at the Capitol below.

PROPOSAL TO DIVERT LEGACY FUNDS FOR VIKINGS STADIUM

Update as of January, 2012 --- At this point, there does not seem to be a great deal of support for using Legacy funds for the construction of a Vikings stadium.   However, until a stadium deal is finalized,  everything is “on the table.”  Stay tuned for the final resolution of this issue.

Oct. 26, 2011 --- In a recent media report a member of the Minnesota House raised the possibility of using funds from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund /Legacy funds to pay for the proposed Vikings stadium.  While this concept is contrary to both the intent of the voters and the language of the constitutional amendment, it seems to be getting some consideration and should be taken seriously.

Please take a few moments to contact your House and Senate member, as well as the Governor, to express your opposition to using Legacy funds for funding a Vikings stadium.  

The best way to do this would be to call your legislator and the Governor, either at their office or at home or both.   You can find your legislator online. If you are not able to talk to your legislators directly and need to leave a phone message, please also send an email to your House and Senate members to express your opinion.   Make sure that you mention that you are a constituent.     

The discussions for the Vikings funding package is moving quickly, so please take action as soon as you are able, and please let us know what feedback you are getting.

Thank you for your help with this.

State of Minnesota Support is Crucial For History

Each year, the Minnesota Legislature makes important decisions on the state’s budget, both from the general fund and from Legacy funds,  including funding for the Minnesota Historical Society and history partners across the state. With the help of state funding, which makes up just over half of the Society’s operating budget, the Society is able to offer engaging educational programming about Minnesota’s history statewide at the Minnesota History Center, at historic sites and via our award-winning website, www.mnhs.org

Since education is a top priority for our state, educating our citizens, young and not-so-young, about our past should be a priority too.

We recognize that the state faces a difficult economic situation, but in times like these, building community by learning about our shared past is more important than ever. Supporting the past is an investment in our future.

Please take a minute to remind your legislator that history matters to you.   

And, advocacy is not just for legislative session times -- make sure that you keep in touch with your legislator in their district.  Show off the great history work that is taking place across the state.

History Matters Day

Join history fans at the Capitol to show legislators that History Matters!    Each year, history fans will gather at the Capitol to learn more about history activities across the state, and to let legislators know about the great educational work that his happening with the help of state general fund dollars, Legacy funding and capital budget dollars.

History Matters Day at the Capitol will take place this year on  Presidents Day, February 20, 2012 from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Capitol Rotunda.      

• For more info on the day contact Jackie Swanson at 651-259-3130 or jackie.swanson@mnhs.org
• For key messages for the day. (Coming soon)

If you are unable to attend, send a message to your legislator