Legislative Update – October 26, 2023
Dear neighbors,
This week I welcomed members of the House Capital Investment Committee to South St. Paul to tour the Public Works Facility and hear presentations about infrastructure improvements there. The committee also heard proposals on funding for North and South Newport Infrastructure improvements as well as the City of Inver Grove Heights proposal to address elevated radium levels in city water reported earlier this year.
As a longtime member of the Capital Investment Committee, I have always advocated for projects that will strengthen our communities and protect our constituents. Infrastructure projects like these are critical in ensuring our water is safe, clean, and drinkable now and into the future.
Last session, I was proud to secure billions of dollars in local investments for road and other infrastructure projects desperately needed for our communities. Next session I am looking forward to continuing that progress by working with our partners at the local level. You can read my full press release here.
Lawns to Legumes Event
I’d like to invite you all to attend an event I am hosting this Saturday, October 28 from 3:00-4:00 pm at the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Center at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for those interested in applying to the Lawns to Legumes program, which offers Minnesotans funding for installing pollinator-friendly native plants in their residential lawns! I will be joined by fellow state legislators Rep. Brad Tabke, Rep. Lucy Rehm, and Sen. Kelly Morrison as well as staff from the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources which oversees the program. RSVP and learn more here!
Environment Committee Hearing on CWD
This Monday the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which I chair, heard an update on the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in the deer population. During the legislative session we passed dramatic reform relating to chronic wasting disease, at the meeting we covered how the state has responded to these reforms and what impact they will have. You can read more in our nonpartisan Session Daily.
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the legislative session. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at Samuel.ONeill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative