Dear neighbors,
The House approved one of my bills yesterday! It’s a resolution to name the South St. Paul Post Office in memory of Officer Leo Pavlak. Officer Pavlak was killed outside the building during a payroll robbery in 1933. He deserves to be recognized for his heroism and service to our community.
Officer Pavlak was survived by his wife, Pauline, and two children, Eleanor and Robert. His son and several of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren served in law enforcement. In a letter sent to legislators earlier this year, Officer Pavlak’s grandchildren called the plan to name the post office in his honor “a true and fitting memorial” that “has great meaning for all law enforcement officers but particularly for those who are his descendants.”
It was an honor to champion this resolution. I’m happy to report the House passed it unanimously.
Updates from the Capitol
Lawmakers are working hard to find compromises and develop bipartisan bills. As co-chair of the Environment and Natural Resources Conference Committee, I’m focused on reaching an agreement to protect Minnesota’s air, water, land, and wildlife. We need to preserve these valuable resources for future generations of Minnesotans.
The Minnesota Law Enforcement Association’s Board of Directors recently recognized me for my work on creating pay parity for MLEA members. I appreciate the support and hope to work with them again.
Protecting the Outdoors
Legislators have made bipartisan progress in a few areas! Yesterday, for example, the House passed a bill to protect the outdoors. This legislation will help restore and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and wildlife habitat. It uses money from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, part of Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment, to support 46 projects throughout the state. While I’m disappointed Senate Republicans removed funding for parks and trails and a bill I authored to protect lakes, rivers, streams, and drinking water, this legislation will have a positive impact on our entire state.
Supporting Veterans and Service Members
We’ve also passed legislation to support Minnesota’s veterans and service members. This bill contains funding to end veteran homelessness, construct new veterans homes, and deliver service bonuses to post-9/11 era veterans. These investments will help those who’ve served our country secure a strong and prosperous future in Minnesota.
Stay Connected
The 2022 legislative session ends on Monday, so there will be plenty of action at the Capitol this weekend. If you’d like to stay updated, you can watch our floor debates on YouTube, check out articles published by House Public Information Services, or follow my Facebook page. Keep an eye out for next week’s email as well. I’m looking forward to sharing what we accomplish!
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative