Dear neighbors,
Session Started
On Tuesday, I was sworn in for my eighth term in the Minnesota House. I’m glad to be serving you and look forward to working together this session. Here’s an update on what’s been going on at the Capitol.
The swearing-in ceremony was just the beginning of a busy week. Yesterday my colleagues and I participated in trainings on sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias. There was a short floor session in the afternoon and 31 new bills were introduced and read for the first time. Each was referred to a committee, where discussion on them will begin next week.
After the floor session concluded, there was a memorialization of my friend and former Rep. Tom Rukavina, who sat next to me in the House chamber for eight years. I shared my memories of Tom and the tremendous feeling and belief he had in the people of Minnesota. Click here for my remarks or here to watch the entire memorialization.
Today, I’m attending the annual DNR roundtable. Experts, policymakers, and others who are concerned about our environment gather at this event to discuss conservation and management of Minnesota’s natural resources. Here is the agenda.
Committees
I’ll be chairing the first Environment and Natural Resources Finance committee meeting next week. I’ll also be serving on Agriculture and Food Finance & Policy, Capital Investment, Environment and Natural Resources, and Ways and Means.
You can find the schedule and more information about each of these committees, including meeting agendas, minutes, and video and audio archives here.
Where to Find Me
Part of this week’s transition was moving into my office and welcoming new staff members. Clay Schwartzwalter, my Committee Legislative Assistant, is still getting set up, but you should feel free to reach out to him by email at clay.schwartzwalter@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-1926.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any issues or concerns you may have. I can still be reached at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or 651-296-6828. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Sincerely,
Rick