It is a ridiculous idea that shows just how out of touch some in the legislature have become. And it passed the House Environment Committee last night by a vote of 10-6. If you are like me, you'll say enough is enough.

This new law would require the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to harvest Black Walnut and other timber from our State Parks. The state would cut trees that took 50 to 100 years to grow. They would cut them in parks that have been specifically created to "preserve and manage Minnesota's natural, scenic, and cultural resources for present and future generations".

Why you ask? Its a one-time revenue gimmick that will be imperceptible in the context of a solving $5 billion deficit.

It is truly unprecedented. For over 110 years, Minnesota has had both State Forests for managing timber and State Parks to preserve our natural resources for Minnesotans to enjoy. We have both because State Parks aren't supposed to be logging operations.

110 years of past precedent. 100 years to replace the trees in our State Parks. It's all being thrown away for a one-time budget gimmick. I would call that the new definition of shortsighted. At the capitol, proponents think it is leadership.

It is up to each of us to let them know they are wrong.