Dear neighbors, My colleagues and I are busy getting ready for the 2022 legislative session. I’ve spent the past few weeks talking to community members, drafting bills, and making sure I’m prepared to hit the ground running when session begins on Monday, January 31. Improving Safety on Lafayette BridgeCrashes on the northbound side of Lafayette Bridge – which connects St. Paul to the southeastern suburbs – have increased significantly over the past six years, and traffic problems are common. In response, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has installed a new message board to help drivers choose the right lane, preventing confusion, backups, and crashes. However, more needs to be done to make the bridge safe for Minnesotans. I met with several lawmakers and MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher to discuss this important issue yesterday. In addition to reviewing recent updates, we discussed potential safety improvements and possible funding sources. When the legislative session begins, I plan on introducing legislation to make Lafayette Bridge safer, less congested, and easier to navigate. Update on PFAS ContaminationThe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently released a report on residential well sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic chemicals that can damage human health and our environment. Over the course of 2021, the MPCA collected samples from the wells of numerous homes in the east metropolitan area. The report details the agency’s findings and recommendations for the future. I look forward to reviewing it and continuing work on this issue. You can read more about the MPCA’s well sampling project here. Upcoming EventsCommemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr.The City of South St. Paul and several local faith communities are inviting Minnesotans to attend a commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr. next week. The free, nondenominational event will be held at Luther Memorial Church on Monday, January 17 at 9 a.m. You can learn more about the event and how to RSVP here.  Introducing ScotlandI’m pleased to introduce you to Scotland Kraker, my new Legislative Assistant! Scotland is a recent graduate of Macalester College, where he majored in Political Science, minored in Russian Studies, and was a member of the college’s mock trial team and radio staff. During the 2019 legislative session, Scotland interned for my office while taking a class on state government. If you’d like to set up a meeting with me or share a message, you can reach Scotland at scotland.kraker@house.mn or call (651) 296-5496. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or call (651) 296-6828. Sincerely, Rick Hansen
State Representative |