We can save taxpayer money, and stop the privatization of water.
Governor Pawlenty Asked to Think Outside the Bottle
Saint Paul, MN – Minnesotans are calling Governor Pawlenty to cut bottled water spending and invest needed resources in public water systems. Today leaders of the local Think Outside the Bottle campaign presented a letter with their request to the Governor’s office. Similar actions and appeals were made in all 50 states during the national call to action.
“Not only is cutting bottled water a common sense way to save taxpayer money, but it sends the right message about the importance of maintaining Minnesota’s vital public water systems,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
Last summer, Mayor Rybak helped introduce and pass a resolution at the U.S. Conference of Mayors that encourages all mayors nationwide to phase out taxpayer spending on bottled water. A study prepared for the Conference also found that investing in public water systems has significant economic benefits, including job generation and increasing GDP.
Last year, the State of Minnesota spent over $165,700 on bottled water.This includes a $75,000 contract and extra spending by the state agencies. It does not include additional spending from other agencies and other state institutions. The University of Minnesota spent over $178,400 on bottled water last year. That’s enough to give 40 full-ride scholarships every year.
“Quick action by governors can send the message that in these difficult economic times, state government can both cut waste and invest in shared public resources, like water, upon which local economies rely,” said Eleanor Fort, Minnesota Think Outside the Bottle organizer.
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