Minn. lawmaker: No bottled water for state workers

Here's a proposal that will cause some chatter at the water cooler.

A Minnesota state lawmaker wants government employees to switch from bottled water to the tap.

A bill introduced in the House Thursday aims to discourage state agencies from providing bottled water for visitors and employees. The legislation would require them to use drinking fountains or tap water instead.

Democratic state Rep. Paul Gardner of Shoreview says he doesn't want the bill to become law, but hopes to catch the attention of lawmakers about state spending on bottled water.

Gardner estimates it costs the state a $1 a gallon for bottled water when tap water is available. He says the state should cut unnecessary costs in tough economic times.

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