Dear neighbors,
It’s an exciting week at the State Capitol! The House and Senate have finished passing supplemental budget bills – legislation that outlines how we believe the state should use our historic budget surplus. While there’s some common ground, many of the bills look pretty different. For example, House DFLers passed a bill that includes $241 million to protect our environment and natural resources for future generations of Minnesotans. The Senate’s bill contains less than $8.5 million.
The Star Tribune printed an article about these bills recently, and House Public Information Services compared the two proposals in a Session Daily article. The Session Daily piece also summarizes the first meeting of the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee. This group of ten lawmakers – five appointed by the House and five appointed by the Senate – is trying to find a bipartisan compromise. I’m proud to be one of the leaders of this group!
When the conference committee met yesterday, we heard from a University of Minnesota professor and experts from Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Their testimony, which you can watch here, highlighted the importance of taking action this year. If we don’t address disparities and invest in solutions to issues like chronic wasting disease, these problems will only get worse.
The conference committee has approved policies that are identical in the two bills. We also found policies that were similar and voted to adopt the House language in these cases. This is a good first step. I hope we can find more things to come together on.
Delivering Funds for Our Environment and Affordable Housing
On Monday, the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee met to discuss legislation that would help secure funding for important projects. One of the bills we heard would add a constitutional amendment to the ballot. If voters approved it, Minnesota would establish a fund to create more housing. Like the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, it would be funded by proceeds from the state lottery.
The committee also heard my plan to reform the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. This legislation would decrease partisanship and increase the power of citizens on the commission. Both bills have bipartisan support! If you’d like to learn more, check out the Session Daily article about them.
Community Events and Activities
Stride for Packer Pride
The 14th annual Stride for Packer Pride is just around the corner! This 5K and fun run is a great opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors and to help local students. Proceeds from the event are used to support South St. Paul students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 21 at 9:00 a.m. If you’d like to register or volunteer, please visit www.strideforpackerpride.com.
Plant Sale at the South St. Paul Garden Club
The South St. Paul Garden Club’s annual plant sale is next week! Hundreds of perennials will be available on Friday, May 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The proceeds will be used to bring South St. Paul elementary school students to the Dodge Nature Center so they can learn more about nature, horticulture, and plants.
If you have any questions about the work I’m doing in our community or at the Capitol, please feel free to reach out. You can call (651) 296-6828 or email me at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative