Dear neighbors, As I mentioned in my last email, legislators are currently working on omnibus bills – packages of legislation that outline our plans for a specific area of the budget. The committee I chair, the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, approved an omnibus bill on Thursday. With $275 million worth of investments, this legislation will help preserve our environment, protect Minnesotans from harmful chemicals, aid communities as they respond to climate change, and create opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors. You can read more about the bill here. Update on Bills I AuthoredSome of the bills I authored this session made it into the larger omnibus bills and will be heard on the House floor soon. The E-12 Education bill, for example, includes funding for equalization aid that will benefit South St. Paul Public Schools. This will help lower taxes and ensure South St. Paul students receive the same high-quality education as students in other school districts. The State Government bill includes legislation I authored that would require local governments to allow homebuyers to install managed natural landscapes on their private property. Under this legislation, Minnesotans could grow native plants and install rain and pollinator gardens. Legislation I authored to create a Highways for Habitat program is included in the Transportation bill, along with $1 million of funding for the new program. It would enhance roadsides throughout Minnesota with pollinator-friendly plants, wildlife habitat, and vegetative buffers. Community Events and ActivitiesRiver Clean-UpI joined more than 70 volunteers at a river clean-up event in South St. Paul this weekend! It was a great opportunity to connect with community members while doing something good for our environment.   Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or call (651) 296-6828. Sincerely, Rick Hansen
State Representative |