Legislative Update – May 2, 2024
Dear Neighbors,
We are in the midst of long days on the House Floor, with debate stretching to just before midnight most evenings. House DFLers are passing legislation that improves the lives of working and middle class families across Minnesota.
In between floor sessions and debates, I was glad to take time at Three Rivers Park’s Day at the Capitol to visit lambs from Gale Woods Farm and talk to staff about plans for habitat restoration, climate resiliency, and trail expansion.
House Passes 2024 Environment Bill!
Yesterday I was proud to present the 2024 Environment and Natural Resources Budget and Policy bill, which includes significant investments in tree planting and addressing emerald ash borer, policies strengthening and enforcing Minnesota’s air quality statutes, and substantial provisions dealing with the state’s solid waste problems. The bill passed on a vote of 68-63 and you can watch the debate here.
After last year’s historic investments in environmental stewardship, we are not slowing down in our mission of preventing pollution and protecting our air, water, soil, and wildlife. This year the legislature is investing over $19 million in trees, increasing oversight and penalties for repeat polluters, and taking major steps to address landfills and our solid waste issue.
You can read the full press release here and watch my closing comments here.
Capital Investment Update – Kayla’s HOPE
This week the Capital Investment Committee met to continue working on our 2024 Bonding bill, which would fund local projects throughout the state and build the foundation to improving people’s lives. We have put together a proposal that has important funding for infrastructure, tree planting, early childhood facilities support, and more.
The bill also includes funding for projects at colleges and universities around our state, including pedestrian bridge improvements for suicide prevention barriers at the Washington Ave. bridge at the Twin Cities Campus. According to the Hennepin County Water Patrol, in 2023, most Hennepin County bridge deaths involved this site.
We heard heartbreaking testimony from Kayla’sHOPE, and the family of Kayla Gaebel, who died from suicide on the bridge in 2023. I want to thank Kayla’s family and everyone else who came to the committee in support of this critical funding. Structural suicide prevention barriers save lives, and we must pass a bonding bill that includes that funding this year.
Minnesota’s suicide prevention and mental health crisis service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People can call, text, or online chat at 988 to connect to the Minnesota Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline Centers. More information about Minnesota's 988 Lifeline services can be found on their website.
House Floor Action
The House continues to debate and pass supplemental budget and policy bills on the floor, covering important issues such as education, labor, housing, the environment, and more. Our work this year builds on last year’s historic successes and works to improve the lives of working and middle class Minnesotans. Recently, the House has passed:
- A broadly bipartisan bill investing $240 million in our outdoors, clean water, parks and trails, and cultural heritage from the Legacy Amendment fund.
- A K-12 Education bill that boosts resources for the READ Act to improve literacy, moves forward solutions for student wellbeing, and enhances support for teachers.
- A Children and Families bill that reforms our child protection system and builds on historic investments in economic support for families, food security, and emergency shelter.
- A Transportation, Labor, and Housing bill that invests in railroad safety and public transit, enhances worker rights and safety, improves housing stability for renters and seniors, and funds homelessness prevention.
We passed a Pensions and Retirement bill with bipartisan support, which prioritizes educators’ retirement security, improves our pension systems’ health, and strengthens the benefits retirees can expect. Also passed was a bill addressing the “kidfluencer” industry that safeguards young content creators with protections for safety, fair compensation, and future financial security.
Community Events
On Saturday, May 4 from 1:00-4:00 pm, the South St. Paul Arts Council will be hosting a “design your own mug” event at the Croatian Hall. The event is free, and no registration is needed.
On Saturday, May 18 from 8:00am-5:00pm the South St. Paul Garden Club will be holding their plant sale at 1900 Burma Lane. Proceeds will benefit the Dodge Nature Center Fund of the SSP Educational Foundation. I hope you can make it!
Stay in Touch!
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. 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