State Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings)
A top Republican predicts no expansion this year of the state’s new buffer law for reducing runoff into rivers and lakes, after Governor Mark Dayton was forced to back off from his push to include private ditches in the new requirement. Republican Representative Denny McNamara says, “We’ve really got a lot to work on to implement what we’ve already done, and that’s some major stuff.” Governor Dayton says he will not cease his efforts to improve Minnesota’s water quality. McNamara says he hopes there will be significant bonding money this year for the Reinvest in Minnesota and Conservation Reserve Enhancement programs.