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Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus

Thursday, December 27, 2012

(St. Paul, Minnesota) — State Representative Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) has been chosen to serve on a bipartisan committee of regional lawmakers that will lead state legislative efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

 

The 12-person Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Executive Committee was elected by fellow caucus members in December. It is made up of the chair and vice chair of the caucus and one additional legislator from each of the eight states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes basin.

 

“I’m honored to serve on the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus Executive Committee,” said Rep. Hansen. “With the growing threat of the spread of invasive species and a number of other policy challenges, it is imperative that we work together as a region to tackle these problems more effectively. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus in the weeks and months to come.”

 

Through its mix of programming, advocacy and activities, the caucus provides a forum for the regional exchange of ideas and information on key Great Lakes issues. Its goal is to strengthen the role of state and provincial legislators in the Great Lakes policymaking process.

 

In the past, for example, the caucus has facilitated regional discussions on passage and implementation of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.

 

It has pushed for federal passage of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an improved Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and an expedited timeline for a federal study recommending how to keep Asian carp from entering the lakes via the Chicago Area Waterway System.

 

The caucus also maintains a legislative tracker that monitors bills being considered in state capitols and Washington, D.C.

 

Rep. Hansen and other members of the recently elected Executive Committee will guide caucus efforts in 2013-2014. Planned activities already include workshops for legislators in Michigan and Minnesota, webinars on Great Lakes policy, and a regional meeting this summer in Duluth, Minnesota.

 

Minnesota Sen. Ann Rest serves as chair of the nonpartisan Great Lakes Legislative Caucus. Membership in the caucus is open to all state and provincial legislators in the 10 Great Lakes states and provinces.

 

The Midwestern Office of The Council of State Governments provides staffing services for the caucus, which is funded by a grant from the Joyce Foundation. CSG is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving all three branches of state government. For more information about the caucus, please contact Lisa Janairo at ljanairo@csg.org or 920.458.5910 or visit www.greatlakeslegislators.org.