Hennepin County spent $310,000 on lobbyists in 2023 to influence state and federal lawmakers.
The Hennepin County Board intergovernmental relations committee got an annual update of those efforts Nov. 14. Lobbying costs for the county are expected to be similar next year, with the exact amount set in December when commissioners approve the 2024 budget.
A summary provided by county officials shows that $120,000 was spent on lobbying the federal government and the remaining $190,000 was dedicated to influencing state lawmakers on a variety of topics including infrastructure, housing and social services.
Commissioner Marion Greene, who represents District 3, noted that the county had a number of important funding and policy successes during a busy legislative session when lawmakers approved a nearly $70 billion two-year budget.
"Our team was ready to be partners with legislators during that intense session," Greene said. "I'm so impressed with our team."
A big win this year was the Legislature's approval of $26 million for an anaerobic digester the county wants to build in Brooklyn Park to dispose of organic waste. To get the money, the County Board needs to approve a plan to close the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC) on the edge of downtown Minneapolis that burns garbage to create energy.
The HERC is a controversial facility that environmental and social justice advocates say has a disproportionate impact on the county's most at-risk populations. But some county staffers argue the incinerator's emissions are well below acceptable levels and that burning trash is better than sending it to a landfill.
In October, the County Board ordered staff to come up with options by February to close the HERC between 2028 and 2040.
