The legislative team at Flaherty & Hood coordinated and staffed the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) “Legislative Action Day” on Jan. 30 Despite subzero temperatures and icy road conditions, more than 50 city leaders from across the state still made the trek to St. Paul for the annual lobby day event.

The day kicked off with a membership meeting and a legislative update from Flaherty & Hood shareholder attorney Bradley Peterson, followed by presentations by Flaherty & Hood lobbyists Elizabeth Wefel, Shane Zahrt and Scott McMahonon on the CGMC’s top legislative priorities including Local Goverment Aid, water infrastructure, child care and transportation. In addition, Flaherty & Hood environmental attorney Gretel Lee gave a presentation on the topic of specific conductance and how it pertains to municipal wastewater permits.

The meeting was followed by lunch and a keynote speech by Gov. Tim Walz, who reiterated his support for Local Government Aid and pledged to make “community prosperity” a top priority when he crafts his budget in February.

Legislative Action Day attendees and F&H legislative team members then spent the rest of the afternoon meeting with legislators. In keeping with CGMC tradition, the day was capped off with a legislative reception and dinner at Mancini’s, where a bipartisan mix of more than 70 legislators representing both rural and urban districts mingled with CGMC members over a meal of steak or walleye.