Hansen: Small Programs Can Have Big Impact

Editor's Note: Rick Hansen represents District 39A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

In the midst of a tough economic climate and in a time when government is attacked and looked on with skepticism, it’s easy to forget the good things that government can accomplish. Small things matter and as we see contentious debates on taxes and spending, it’s important to remember the smaller efforts that aren’t big spending items, but still serve purposes of incredibly high value.

One of these smaller programs of high value is Conservation Corps Minnesota. Started in the 1930s as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the program provided natural-resource jobs to unemployed young men so they could support their families during the Great Depression. After Congress stopped funding the program in 1981, the Minnesota Conservation Corps was created by the Minnesota Legislature to offer youth and young adult programs through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In 2003, the program became independent and continues to partner with the Minnesota DNR to work on successful projects across the state.

The collaborative program provides training and work for 15-25 year olds, who have the highest unemployment rate of any group in our state. In 2010, Conservation Corps Minnesota did more than 300,000 hours of work statewide. Young men and women worked on invasive species management, home energy improvements, trail improvements, and tree and vegetation removal, among other initiatives.

Conservation Corps Minnesota receives $455,000 each year in general fund dollars and then the program leverages that money into additional dollars through partnerships for on-the-ground projects. This year the program is engaging over 400 youth and young adults in hands-on natural resource and community service work in Minnesota.

The Republican majority’s Environment and Natural Resources Finance Bill would have cut this program by 55 percent to $256,000 in 2012 and $156,000 in 2013. The Republican budget would then completely eliminate funding for the program in 2014-2015. Few other programs would have been subjected to that level of cuts. Fortunately, Governor Dayton vetoed the bill and his budget proposal would keep the same level of funding for the program as the previous biennium.

The looming government shutdown would also have a significant, negative impact on Conservation Corps Minnesota. The program works with the Department of Natural Resources, which is expected be at bare minimum staffing during a shutdown.

The small things matter. This program is about protecting our natural resources. This is about the teenager in the house next door having a summer job. This is about educating and providing jobs to the age group with the highest unemployment. Programs like Conservation Corps Minnesota have a great purpose, cost our state little—and are incredibly cost effective over the short term and long term—and create jobs.

It’s programs like this one that the Republican majority is willing to, in essence, eliminate to protect the wealthiest two percent of Minnesotans. Any budget compromise should contain a discussion of what we want our state to become. Do we want to be a state that encourages partnerships, protects our environment, and offers opportunities for our young people? Or would we rather be a state that continues to diminish economically and environmentally, just to protect those who already have the most?

We hear so much nowadays about what government can’t do that it’s easy to forget what government can do for people. Government can do great things, foster job growth and promote programs with smart public-private partnerships. Conservation Corps Minnesota is one example of that and we should work to continue it and other effective programs, even during tough budgeting times.

You can find out more about Conservation Corps Minnesota and how to get involved online at www.conservationcorps.org.