Accessibility menu
State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
PROGRESS ACHIEVED THIS YEAR AS SESSION ADJOURNS ON-TIME
ST. PAUL – After five months of committee work, negotiations, and several weeks of long, sleepless nights due to extended debate on the floor, the hard work of legislators in the Minnesota House finally paid off. The final hours of the legislative session were packed with activity, passing a number of large finance bills all the way up to the midnight deadline. And under new leadership, the Legislature finished its job on time for the first time in eight years – without the need for a special session.
"The people of Minnesota expect us to get our job done on time – and we did," said freshman Representative Karla Bigham (DFL – Cottage Grove). "While not all of our goals were met this year, I am pleased with the overall results of this session and eager to continue working hard to meet those goals next session."
The DFL-controlled House and Senate passed a strong legislative package this session, focused on funding the basics and moving Minnesota toward progress in the years to come. Among the achievements that will highlight the success of this year's session are:
· A 6.5% increase over base for our school districts (statewide average was 5.8%).
· Increased funding for early childhood education programs.
· Health care reform including coverage for over 37,000 additional Minnesota kids without insurance.
· Increased funding for nursing homes.
· Holding tuition increases to a ten year low.
· The strongest renewable energy standard in the nation designed to reduce Minnesota's reliance on foreign energy.
· An 80 percent reduction of carbon emissions by 2050.
· Increased benefits and resources for Minnesota veterans.
· Outlawed predatory lending practices.
"We focused on the basics this session and achieved good things for the state of Minnesota," said Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL – Inver Grove Heights). "By focusing on the basics, we were able to begin the work of building a strong foundation for the future of our state."
Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) was particularly pleased that some key environmental legislation went through this year, including the renewable energy standard, the capping of carbon emissions that cause global warming, policies that will preserve and improve our watersheds and wetlands, and legislation that will protect our state from invasive species including the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Carp, Zebra Mussel, and Eurasian Milfoil.
"As a dedicated conservationist and environmental advocate representing a district surrounded by the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, I am proud of this legislation," said Hansen. "The environmental bills we passed this year balance protection of our state's vast natural resources with sound recreation and economic opportunities. Protecting our waters, improving habitat, and providing outdoor opportunities will improve Minnesota's quality of life."
However, Hansen expressed his disappointment that the long-debated dedicated funding proposal that would let voters decide to increase the sales tax by 3/8 of a percent for the outdoors, did not reach a final vote. Because of an extended and contentious budget debate on the House floor in the final hours of session, the conference report was not heard for a final vote.
"I was very disappointed that the bill was derailed in the final hours of the legislative session," said Hansen. "It is extremely important that we pass this bill as soon as possible to let Minnesota voters decide just how important our valuable natural resources are in this state."
Rep. Bigham also expressed her disappointment that despite several attempts by the Legislature to pass a comprehensive property tax relief bill, the Governor stood as an impasse to achieving this important progress.
"Governor Pawlenty made the wrong choice in vetoing this essential legislation," said Bigham. "Property tax payers will again face record increases in property taxes in the coming year after four years of drastic increases that are pushing seniors and young families out of home ownership. I will continue to work hard next session to make significant and permanent property tax relief a reality for all Minnesotans."
Session is scheduled to reconvene on February 12, 2008.
News Items
- Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - (Posted: Dec 27 2012 8:34AM)
- Need Holiday Gifts? Consider DNR Gift Cards - (Posted: 2012-11-27 00:00:00)
- Looking Forward to Serving, Getting the Job Done - (Posted: 2012-11-14 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.