Leader Long blasts Rep. Franson’s extreme comments dismissing climate change reality

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – During a House Capital Investment Committee discussion on Tuesday, March 24 about future weather trends and infrastructure, committee co-chair Rep. Mary Franson (R – Alexandria) made comments dismissing climate change. She stated, “When we talk about climate change, I don't get upset about it. I don't get worked up about it because my faith is not in climate change. It's not in scientists dictating what we should and should not do to save the environment because my faith is in Jesus Christ, right? He's the same today, tomorrow, and forever, yesterday, and so, you know, if you've read the good book, you know how it ends; it's not with climate change.”

House DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis) issued the following statement:

“Rep. Franson’s extreme remarks have no place in any arena of serious policymaking. Minnesotans believe in science and are concerned about the scientific consensus that climate change is causing real harm to our state. Scientists aren’t concerned about climate change because the world is ending; they are concerned about the quality of life for people living on our planet now and in the future.

“Rains are becoming more intense, temperatures are rising year-over-year, and the weather is becoming more unpredictable, with conditions changing frequently between wet and dry extremes. Anyone with eyes can see these trends, and our infrastructure can’t always handle these conditions.

“As legislators, we have a responsibility to future generations of Minnesotans, and that includes ensuring our roads, bridges, water infrastructure, and public buildings – not to mention habitats, waterways, and forests – are all resistant to extreme weather events. For a co-chair of the committee charged with making these critical investments to turn a blind eye to this reality, and undermine the critical planning necessary to protect our infrastructure, is deeply concerning.”

Rep. Franson’s comments come just one week after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued a report showing how climate change could cost the state of Minnesota as much as $47 billion annually by the end of the century.

Her remarks can be viewed via Dropbox file here or on YouTube beginning at 1:43:27.