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Dear neighbors,
Here’s a brief update on the work that I did last week and a few upcoming events.
Eureka Recycling Tour
On Friday, I had an opportunity to tour Eureka Recycling with several colleagues. Eureka processes 400-450 tons of recycling each day and uses the data they collect to reduce waste. It was fascinating to see the recycling process in action!
You can take a virtual tour of the facility and learn more at https://eurekarecycling.org.
Legislative Audit Commission Hearings
The current Legislative Auditor and Deputy Legislative Auditor are both up for reappointment. The Legislative Audit Commission is holding two hearings to review their performance. The next one will take place on Thursday, November 7 at 1 p.m. in Room G23 of the State Capitol.
On Friday, November 15 at 1 p.m., the Legislative Audit Commission will vote on their appointment. If they’re reappointed, Legislative Auditor Nobles and his Deputies will serve another six-year term.
This is an important vote because the Office of the Legislative Auditor is responsible for overseeing the Legislature and enhancing the effectiveness of state programs. If you’d like to follow along with the meetings, you can tune in live here.
Bonding Tours Continue
The House Capital Investment Committee, which I’m a part of, is conducting a series of tours throughout the state. Local governments and state agencies have submitted $5.3 billion of requests to improve aging buildings, wastewater treatment plants, parks and trails, and more. We’re traveling across Minnesota to learn more about these proposals.
Next week, we’re embarking on the final leg. We’ll be attending tours and presentations and discussing infrastructure needs with local officials and community members in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and nearby suburbs. The information that we gather will help us decide which projects should receive an extra boost of state investment when the Legislature reconvenes next year.
Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, we recognize all the brave service members who have worn our nation’s uniform. No matter the branch in which they served or where they were stationed, our veterans deserve deep appreciation for their brave sacrifices. However, it’s not enough to thank our veterans once a year. We have a responsibility to ensure that the men and women who have served our country have opportunities to succeed and thrive in our communities throughout the year.
This year, lawmakers delivered full funding for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs to support those currently wearing the uniform and those who have served previously. Veterans Service Organizations, Honor Guards, the Gold Star Program, and the Minnesota GI Bill received funding as well. We also expanded C.O.R.E., a program that addresses veteran homelessness; provided support for the Helmets to Hardhats program, which helps veterans enter building and construction apprenticeships; and funded Veterans’ Voices, a Minnesota Humanities Center initiative that amplifies and preserves veterans’ stories and experiences.
As we reflect on the sacrifices that our services members have made – and continue to make – let’s all commit to ensuring that when their missions are finished, they will return home to supportive and caring communities. This Monday, please join me in saluting all who have served our country.
The annual State of Minnesota Veterans Day Celebration will once again take place at the Veterans Memorial Community Center (9055 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077). All are welcome to come and honor those who have served. A free community breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 10 a.m. More information about the event is available here.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or feedback of if I can ever be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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