This week, Governor Walz and legislative leaders unveiled their outline for state spending after weeks of anticipation. We are concerned that the amount of funding for lead line replacement will be grossly insufficient.
Cities have made great progress, but many still have lead lines remaining and state funding will be exhausted through the 2026 construction season. Federal dollars stop next year, and if the Legislature does not act before it adjourns, next year’s construction season will replace less than half the pipes we removed this year. That means there’s no chance that communities will meet the state OR federal deadline to replace all lead pipes.
In order to keep the momentum going, the State absolutely must appropriate $100 million for lead line replacement in its bonding bill. We are doing our part. The Governor and lawmakers must do theirs.
We need your help to call upon the Legislature to act!
ACT NOW:
Contact Governor Walz and legislative leaders as soon as possible and urge them to appropriate $100 million for lead line replacement.
Tell them:
- Greater Minnesota cities are counting on them to pass a bonding bill that includes $100 million for lead line replacement to ensure that Minnesotans statewide have access to clean water.
- Without an additional appropriation, the lead line replacement program will run out of funds next year and the state will not have enough money to fund the 2027 construction season. This will not only increase costs, but projects could lose contractors and skilled tradespeople who have been engaged in this work to other states.
- $100 million is necessary if Minnesota wants to meet its goal, and the federal mandate, for removal of these lines. Many cities across the state are already investing millions to upgrade drinking water and wastewater facilities. The added cost of removing these lines is simply too expensive for cities or homeowners to do it themselves.
- Lead pipe replacement is a rare issue that delivers on every front: public health, good jobs, and long-term savings for cities that would otherwise face far costlier remediation down the road.
- They made a promise to Minnesotans. Tell them to keep it.
Contact info:
- Contact Governor Walz using the contact form here.
- Click here to email House and Senate legislative leaders. If the link does not work in your email, you can find contact info for House leadership here and Senate leadership here.
Questions?
If you have any questions about bonding or this Action Alert, please contact CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson at bmpeterson@flaherty-hood.com or 651-259-1911.
