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wave of pre-emption legislation erodes local authority <br />problem: <br />Several bills introduced during the 2017 legislative <br />session collectively serve to undermine Minnesota’s <br />robust city-state partnership. <br />This historic principle is based upon a shared vision and <br />must allow communities and locally elected officials to <br />tailor that vision to the unique needs of their citizens. <br />Cities use a comprehensive, legal, and open process <br />to develop ordinances. Through this process they often <br />serve as laboratories for public policy. Obstructing this <br />authority will impede innovation that has proven to result <br />in statewide benefits. <br />©2017 League of Minnesota Cities. All Rights Reserved. <br />for more information: <br />Anne Finn <br />Intergovernmental Relations Asst. Director <br />Phone: (651) 281-1263 <br />Email: afinn@lmc.org <br />DID YOU KNOW? <br />To date, more than two dozen bills that restrict local <br />decision-making—on issues ranging from prohibition <br />of plastic bags to the authority to set a local minimum <br />wage—have been introduced in 2017. <br />background: <br />The League has historically supported the <br />principle of local control, and opposed <br />threats to local control at federal and <br />state levels. League legislative policy SD 2 <br />states that “City government most directly <br />impacts the lives of people and therefore, <br />local units of government must have <br />sufficient authority and flexibility to meet <br />the challenges of governing and providing <br />citizens with local services.” <br />A core value of the League is that locally <br />elected decision-makers are in the best <br />position to determine what health, safety <br />and welfare regulations best serve their <br />constituents. <br />league of minnesota citiescity issue fact sheet <br />2017 <br />league-supported solution: <br />• Reject legislation that erodes the fundamental principle <br />of local control in cities across Minnesota. <br />• Continue to actively work together and communicate <br />about our communities in a way that respects the <br />authority each form of government is given by voters. <br />Gary Carlson <br />Intergovernmental Relations Director <br />Phone: (651) 281-1255 <br />Email: gcarlson@lmc.org