Legislative Update – January 24, 2025
Dear neighbors,
It’s been another busy week, working in our district on the issues that our neighbors care about most. I attended the River Heights Chamber’s South St. Paul Local Issues meeting, talking with folks from the city, county, and school district about issues facing our area. This morning I was in Inver Grove Heights for the Municipal Legislative Coalition’s 2025 Regional Legislative Breakfast to hear more about the MLC’s priorities for the upcoming session, with a focus on housing availability and affordability.
I toured the University of Minnesota Bee Lab and Bell Museum alongside colleagues and spoke with researchers working on protecting our pollinators. We also met with folks from the Forever Green Initiative—a U of M program that promotes sustainable, high-efficiency agriculture that helps farmers withstand climate-change related shifts in weather. Finally, I attended the Northern Green Expo this week, which is organized by the Minnesota Landscape and Nursery Association, and met with a local business, Bailey Nurseries from Newport.
I’ve also been reviewing reports from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, in preparation for work this session on protecting our soil, water, and air from harmful corporate agriculture practices. These reports are published both for legislators and the public and can be found on the Agriculture Department’s website here.
Other Updates
The St. Paul Park – Newport Lions Club are hosting a Winter Fest on Saturday, February 8 from 8 am-5 pm in St. Paul Park. There will be outdoor sports competitions, concessions, fire pits, and plenty of events for the whole family. You can find more information here.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee. They are required to review all public comments on the proposal - this is a great opportunity to share your opinion, The public comment period closes on January 27, 2025. You can comment here.
Interested organizations can get started on proposals for funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund! The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Natural Resources (LCCMR) LCCMR's 2026 RFP includes updated funding priorities for projects that aim to protect and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources. FAQ’s and more information can be found on the LCCMR site.
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