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Dear neighbors,
The Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee held a public hearing this morning, our second one in as many days. Several Minnesotans – including environmental advocates and state officials – joined us to compare and discuss two budget plans that were approved by the House and the Senate. I’m happy to report that our House bill received significant support! Testifiers praised measures that would prevent air pollution, protect pollinators, enhance water quality, protect Minnesotans from PFAS and other chemicals, and more. If you’d like to learn more about these exciting measures and how they compare to what the Senate is proposing, you can watch the hearing here. A side-by-side comparison of the two bills is available here.
I stopped by Amore Coffee on my way to the Capitol to chair the public hearing this morning. Every day is a great day to support a local small business!
2020 Census Update
The U.S. Census recently announced how many congressional seats and electoral college votes each state will get for the next decade. Minnesota maintained all eight of our congressional seats with a narrow margin of just 26 people. Everyone who completed the Census helped achieve this impressive feat.
Minnesota led the nation in self-response rates! 75.1 percent of households responded to the 2020 Census online, by mail, or by phone, and Dakota County residents did even better than the state average. We should all be proud of a self-response rate of 83.1 percent.
Upcoming Events and Activities
The South St. Paul Garden Club’s 30th annual plant sale is just around the corner. Folks can stop by Alleva gardens (2024 Third St. N., on the corner of 21st and 3rd) to buy plants or speak with gardeners on Friday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 15 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The proceeds will support kindergarteners’ field trips to Dodge Nature Center and high school students pursuing higher education in horticulture or landscape design. Please note that masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced.
The Officer Scott Patrick Memorial 5K Walk/Run is also coming up. You can register online or at Mendota Heights City Hall for this event, which will take place on Saturday, June 5 at 9 a.m. The proceeds will benefit Special Olympics of Minnesota.
Please keep sharing questions, ideas, and feedback and let me know if I can be of assistance. You can reach me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or 651-296-6828.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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