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Legislative Update – October 17, 2025

Dear neighbors,

I was proud to join CMRJB workers in solidarity at Twin City Tanning in South St. Paul this week. Workers have gone on strike to protest their employer’s refusal to bargain in good faith with the union. These workers are highly skilled, and work with dangerous tools and chemicals every day, and deserve dignity, respect, and to have their voices heard. 

Tanner Strike

Workers at Twin City Tanning are asking for fair wages and benefits, and I’m standing with them in hopes they can reach a worthwhile agreement that supports our working families. You can read more in this Pioneer Press article. [ [link removed] ]

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Legislative Auditor Report

Hansen Audit Commission

This week, the Legislative Audit Commission, which I serve on, met to hear the Legislative Auditor’s report on the Department of Natural Resources Timber Harvest Decisions in Wildlife Management Areas.  

The report found that a lack of plans, poor documentation, unclear guidance, and conflicting goals have resulted in uncertainty as to whether the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has met statutory requirements to harvest timber in wildlife management areas (WMAs) only for the benefit of wildlife and related recreation. You can read the full report, [ [link removed] ] or this article from the Star Tribune on yesterday’s meeting. [ [link removed] ] 



As a member of the Audit Commission and the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I’ll be digging into these findings to see what laws need to be changed to ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect public lands like Wildlife Management Areas, which are meant for you, the public, to enjoy.  

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2024 Unsung Caretaker Award!

This past week, Deb Griffith, Community Affairs Liaison for South St. Paul, was recognized as one of Upstream MN’s 2024 Unsung Caretaker Award recipients. This award celebrates individuals, communities, or organizations across Minnesota who go above and beyond to care for our shared natural spaces. Deb was nominated by Dr. Suzanne Hansen for her ongoing commitment to sustainability here in South St. Paul.  

Deb serves on the South St. Paul Sustainability Task Force and has helped bring events like the SSP Environmental Expo to life. She has also played key roles in bringing the Dakota County Fix-It Clinic to town, reducing plastic bag use at the South St. Paul Farmers’ Market, and organizing the SSP Annual River Cleanup. Through her work, Deb also supports creative programs like the Unique Container Contest and sustainability-themed youth activities through the Mayor’s Youth Task Force. Deb also played a key role in helping save Lucy from the landfill.  

Deb shared: "It is an honor to be nominated and humbling to be chosen. My thanks to Suzanne Hansen for nominating me, and to the residents that participate and understand the importance of ‘Thinking Green’ in South St. Paul.”  

Please join us in congratulating Deb on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you to all who contribute to making South St. Paul a cleaner, greener place to call home! 

SSP Award

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Local Events

As we head into fall and the Halloween season, we’re lucky to have great events in our district for families to come together in community.  

Next Thursday, you can join the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force, the South St. Paul Sustainability Task Force, Complete Weddings & Events, and Neighbors, Inc. for the 2nd Annual *SSP Great Pod-kin Patch* — a creative and family-friendly event to raise funds and collect laundry detergent donations for Neighbors, Inc. 

The Great Pod-kin Patch is a glowing outdoor display made from upcycled laundry pod containers and other recycled items, all decorated by residents, youth, and community groups. The patch will be lit from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in front of South St. Paul City Hall, and you can find more information here [ [link removed] ]. 

You can also head out to Marie Avenue on Halloween night for *The Great Halloween Get Together,* a South St. Paul tradition, offering a safe and fun environment for families to trick or treat. It's free and open to all residents. More details here [ [link removed] ]. 

SSP

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Stay in Touch!

Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-6828.

For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here [ [link removed] ], and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page [ [link removed] ].

Sincerely,

Rick Hansen
State Representative






*Representative Rick Hansen*

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-6828
Email: [email protected]
Website: [link removed]







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