Dear neighbors, I welcomed the House Capital Investment Committee to Mendota and Mendota Heights yesterday.  The committee is visiting sites across Minnesota that could receive capital investment. In Mendota, legislators learned about issues with the water system and proposed solutions, including watermain looping and pressure reduction systems. These upgrades would help protect water quality, expand municipal water service, prevent service disruptions, and double the number of fire hydrants in the city.  We also visited the historic Ohéyawahe/Pilot Knob site in Mendota Heights, where we heard about plans to: - Build two multi-purpose gathering areas,
- Erect signage along Highway 55/62, and
- Restore and enhance the site’s natural resources.
 It’s a great time to invest in projects like these. Thanks to low interest rates and Minnesota’s excellent state credit rating, we have an opportunity to improve public infrastructure and create good-paying jobs throughout the state. I’m looking forward to joining the committee this afternoon as they tour sites in South St. Paul and West St. Paul and to advocating for all the critical projects in our area. Congress Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill On a related note, Congress recently passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill. It invests in repairing our nation’s roads and bridges, expanding access to clean water, addressing the climate crisis, and more. There’s a lot of good things in the bill, but I’m particularly excited about new grant programs that will reduce collisions between wildlife and vehicles and encourage pollinator-friendly practices on roadsides. You can find more information about the infrastructure bill here. New Legislative Auditor Appointed I took a break from the Capital Investment Committee tour yesterday to attend a Legislative Audit Commission meeting in Northfield. During the meeting, I made a motion to appoint Judy Randall as Minnesota’s next Legislative Auditor. My motion was approved by other members of the commission. I’m looking forward to working with Legislative Auditor Randall. If you have any questions about the work I’m doing in our community and at the Capitol or if I can be of assistance, please feel free to reach out. You can email me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or call (651) 296-6828. Sincerely, Rick Hansen
State Representative |