Dear neighbors, It’s going to be an exciting week at the Capitol! We’re planning to pass several major bills in the House, so please stay tuned for updates.  Supporting Minnesota Workers and Businesses Yesterday, we passed a bill to provide $1,500 bonus checks to more than 600,000 frontline workers, including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and food service and retail workers. These Minnesotans kept our state running while facing increased risks of exposure to COVID-19. They deserve to be compensated for their sacrifices and hard work. The bill also replenishes the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund so businesses won’t face increased payroll taxes and makes hourly school employees eligible for unemployment benefits. Paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and other employees who support students deserve to receive the same benefits as other workers. You can read more about this legislation here. Investing in MinnesotaThe House also voted to invest $225 million in the outdoors, clean water, arts and culture, and parks and trails. Funding for these investments comes from the Legacy Amendment, which voters approved in 2008. This amendment raises state sales taxes by just 0.375 percent, but it generates millions of dollars to invest in the future of our state. The bill we passed yesterday contains legislation I authored to protect Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, streams, and drinking water sources. It will help replace lead service lines that can contaminate drinking water; test water for PFAS, neonicotinoids, and microplastics; and more. The bill also contains funds to restore more than 80,900 acres of wildlife habitat, support the arts, and maintain parks and trails throughout the state. More information about this bill is available here, and you can view a fact sheet here. More InformationOther bills we passed last night will strengthen farming and food production, expand access to broadband, and reduce housing costs. If you’d like to read more about them, check out Session Daily. It’s a great nonpartisan source for news from the Capitol. The Environment and Natural Resources bill that I’m championing will be heard on the House floor this Thursday! If you’d like to watch the debate, a livestream will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel. Community Events and Activities South St. Paul Bike SaleThe annual South St. Paul Bike Sale will take place on Saturday, May 7 at Central Square Community Center. Participants will be able to view the bikes at 9:30 a.m., and the sale will start at 10:00 a.m. This is a cash-only event, and the proceeds will go to a local Boy Scout troop.  If you have questions or feedback you’d like to share with me, please feel free to reach out. You can contact me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn or call (651) 296-6828. Sincerely, Rick Hansen
State Representative |