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Dear Neighbors,
Monday will be a busy day at the Capitol as I will be presenting three bills on the House Floor for a full vote. We will pass the 2023 Environment, Natural Resources, Climate, and Energy Budget, which makes a historic investment in protecting our environment. This bill will pay past debts and right past wrongs while also laying a foundation for the future in protecting our environment for all Minnesotans. You can read more about the bill here and I will share more in my next update.
I will also be presenting the 2023 State Lands bill, which allows the Department of Natural Resources to purchase and sell land to better fulfill its mission of protecting our natural resources and enhancing access to our state parks and trails. Finally, the House will take up a bill to address safety concerns at the DNR?s Drill Core Library in Hibbing, Minnesota.
Floor debate will begin in the afternoon around 1 pm, and updates will be posted to the Minnesota House Public Information Facebook and?Twitter. The proceedings will be live streamed here. I encourage you to tune in if possible, and I will update you all once the bills pass!
Earlier this year, Holcim MWR Inc., formerly Aggregate Industries, petitioned to annex 119.5 acres of land in Grey Cloud Island Township to the city of Cottage Grove. Speaking with folks in the community and attending town meetings, I heard concerns about the environmental impact of the operation as well as the financial impact the annexation would have on both communities. You can read more in a recent Fox 9 article.
Holcim has decided to withdraw its petition effective April 11 and will reevaluate its options. I appreciate the work that Grey Cloud Island Township has done on this issue and support them in their efforts to protect their community and our environment for future generations.
Yesterday I was able to step off the House Floor and meet with Mary Fridgen, a music teacher from Woodbury Elementary and Nick Jasiczek, a science teacher at East Ridge High School. I am proud to report that DFLers are making record investments into our schools because we know we must ensure all children are set up for success in our public education system.
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On Wednesday, the House passed legislation investing over $820 million to continue the important work of restoring, enhancing, and protecting Minnesota?s most treasured spaces and places and increasing access for all. With investments in our outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage, this bill will help us address water contamination by PFAS, restore prairies, forests, wetlands and more, as well as enhance our parks and trails throughout the state. We are also making strides to support BIPOC, LGBTQ, and smaller organizations who have historically been left out of Legacy funds. I was proud to support this bill.
We also passed the largest investment in higher education in nearly four decades. Whether it?s a tuition freeze across the Minnesota State system, addressing the U of M?s tuition shortfall, investing in our tribal colleges, or ensuring today?s students are prepared for tomorrow?s jobs, our Higher Education budget is a crucial component in making Minnesota an Education State.
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the legislative session. You can reach me by email at?[email protected]?or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at?[email protected].?
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative
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