Legislative Team

Our seasoned staff boasts years of legislative experience. Legislative Director Allison Wolf served as nonpartisan Senate Counsel for almost 12 years and has lobbied for the Nature Conservancy.  She began her career as a staffer in the United States Senate. MCEA’s Board and legislative committee brings additional expertise, with former state Speaker of the House Dee Long, former Senate Finance Chair and DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam, and former House Research staffer, John Helland.

Before each session, MCEA's Environmental Defense Team conducts research into likely anti-environment legislation, with the help of volunteer law students through the Minnesota Justice Foundation. The volunteers and MCEA staff review anticipated legislatoin to prepare to defend long-standing environmental policies and laws as necessary.

Federal Legislation

While the bulk of our legislative work is at the state level, federal attacks during 2010 and 2011 have made it necessary to become more closely engaged with federal legislation. Working with other Minnesota groups as well as national organizations, MCEA meets with Members of Congress and their staff, analyzes the Minnesota impact of federal proposals, and encourages members to let their views be known. For more help with contacting your Congressional representatives, visit our Federal Legislation page.

State Legislation

Stay abreast of our work at the Minnesota State Capitol by checking in frequently to see what's new during the legislative session - visit our State Legislation page.