Thoughtful process hijacked? Let's consult the law

Counterpoint

A recent commentary ("A thoughtful process gets hijacked," Dec. 29) unfortunately failed to include relevant background on the role and structure of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) and its parent organization, the Legislative Coordinating Commission.

The LCCMR is a commission of appointed legislators and citizens whose primary function is to make funding recommendations to the Legislature for environment and natural-resource projects funded by Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund dollars, which are derived from a portion of state lottery proceeds.

The LCCMR itself, as an appointed commission, is purely an advisory body.

Staff members who work with the LCCMR are unclassified, at-will legislative employees and fall under the supervision of the Legislative Coordinating Commission as outlined in Minnesota Statute 3.303.

This statute defines the role of the Coordinating Commission in matters related to personnel of joint boards and commissions of the Legislature.

It is hard to imagine House leaders, Republican or Democrat, going against state law and handing important human resources functions and decisions over to an appointed commission such as the LCCMR.

New environmental priorities emerged between the time the original recommendations were put forth.

In reviewing LCCMR recommendations for 2011, it was apparent that some projects of immediate concern, such as aquatic invasive species, chronic wasting disease and wild rice water standards development were not funded.

We stand by our decision to redirect LCCMR dollars away from some nonemergency environmental education and research projects to these higher priorities.

Overall, the final package signed into law spent virtually the same amount as recommended by the LCCMR -- but in some different areas.

A collaborative LCCMR process involving citizens, elected officials, state agencies, scientists and other interested parties will continue to advance recommendations to protect, preserve and promote Minnesota's greatest assets -- our natural resources.

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