Dear neighbors,
The floor session on Thursday went till midnight. The lights were out in the rotunda during recess.
New Role on the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
This morning I was honored to be elected co-chair of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). This commission makes funding recommendations to the legislature for projects that protect and enhance our environment and natural resources. Many are from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). This fund, which was approved by Minnesota voters in 1988, uses proceeds from the state lottery and investment income to conserve our state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources. Learn more about the LCCMR at www.lccmr.leg.mn.
The LCCMR has a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for reviewing and selecting projects for funding from the ENRTF. Learn more and submit a proposal here. Draft proposals are due Friday, March 15.
State Help for Constructing School Facilities
A legislative audit for the Debt Service Equalization program was released today. The program was designed to help eligible school districts construct and renovate their facilities. Fewer school districts have received this aid recently in comparison to when the program began. The audit offers recommendations for expanding access to this program and providing state help to more school districts. A summary and the full report are available here.
Coming Up
There will be lots going on in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division this week. Tomorrow we’ll be meeting at 12:45pm to continue hearing Governor Walz’s budget recommendations for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and several bills.
On Thursday, the Center for International Environmental Law will give a presentation on plastics and we’ll hear two additional bills. The first would invest in a University of Minnesota climate study and the second concerns the Clean Water Fund.
A full list of the proposals we’ll be hearing is on the committee webpage. The site also has audio and video archives and meeting minutes.
Join me at the Harmon Park Neighborhood Center this Sunday for a town hall. I’ll share some updates on the progress we’ve made at the Capitol and listen to questions from community members.
When: Sunday, March 10 from 1 to 3pm
Where: Harmon Park Neighborhood Center, 230 Bernard Street W, West St. Paul, MN 55118
I always appreciate hearing from constituents, so please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative