Neighbors, The House Capital Investment Committee visited our region last week to view projects for possible consideration in the 2024 bonding bill. I was joined by Rep. Tina Liebling and Rep. Andy Smith to greet the group and travel with them during their various stops. You can read the joint Rochester House delegation news release here. Among the stops, the committee toured Riverfront Public Realm, a three-acre site along the Zumbro River, to redevelop for multi-use, including recreation and education. This project will work to connect downtown to the river and offer opportunities for the community. We also stopped at Graham Park, which includes construction of facilities and amenities to support and facilitate open-air performances, community events, cultural connections, a covered pavilion, and adaptive reuse of historic structures on the property. Graham Park hosts many community events including the fair, farmers market, hockey tournaments, celebrations, and so much more. The committee also stopped at the Resource Recovery and Carbon Capture facility and learned about Olmsted County's recently adopted 10-year solid waste management plan which identifies strategies for rethinking "waste" and addressing materials in terms of resource management. The project involves capturing material and carbon for a resource. Lastly, we visited the Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Heintz Center, hearing about a renovation project to modernize facilities and support equity in industry and public safety. The committee also heard from the Rochester International Airport which is seeking funding for the reconstruction of a parking lot and the addition of solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations, as well as a funding request for Lake Zumbro Park   Celebrating ADA at the White HouseRecently, I joined disability advocates, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris at a White House celebration to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.   Drivers Licenses for AllAs of October 1st, all Minnesota residents are eligible to earn a Driver’s License, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. This is a major move toward safer roads, as it will allow us to decrease the number of unlicensed, uninsured drivers on our roads and increase the amount of title and taxpaying Minnesotans driving on our streets and highways.  High School Page ProgramOver the last 45 years the High School Page Program has provided students with an opportunity to learn and serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The program gives students a unique, challenging, and enriching educational experience. Throughout their week in Saint Paul, High School Page Program participants are engaged in activities designed to help them understand the legislative process, state government, public policy, public service, politics, and much more. The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is open to all Minnesota high school students in their junior year. Program participants are selected in the fall of each year based on a formal process which includes an application, faculty recommendation, and an essay. You can learn more here. Energy Assistance ProgramOpen now until May 31, 2024, the Energy Assistance Program helps pay energy bills for eligible Minnesotans. This program is free and provides benefits up to $1,400, with additional support to respond to emergencies. Both renters and homeowners can qualify, and eligibility is based on income and household size. This program is federally funded and administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. You can access application materials here. Free Covid TestsThis fall, Minnesotans will once again be able to order free rapid-antigen COVID tests through the federal government’s at-home testing program. Each household can order up to four tests to be delivered directly to your home. These tests are intended to be used by the end of this year and will begin shipping this week. For more information or to place your order, you can visit COVIDTests.gov. Stay Connected with the LegislatureDuring the legislative interim, please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so call or email any time. You can find my information on my House website. You can also like my Facebook page, and follow me on Twitter. It is an honor to represent you at the State Capitol. Sincerely, Kim Hicks State Representative |