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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL)

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Legislative Update - January 23, 2019

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Dear neighbors,

Committee Hearing Tomorrow

The Environment and Natural Resources Finance committee will meet tomorrow at 12:45pm. There will be a presentation on the Closed Landfill Investment Fund (CLIF) and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust (MLCAT), followed by discussion of House File 233. This bill, which I wrote, would fund some continuing projects and improvements to public land and buildings.

You can watch the hearing live here.

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Federal Shutdown Impacts Minnesota Zoo Conservation Program

I wanted to share a letter I received from John Frawley, the Director of the Minnesota Zoo. The federal shutdown has threatened the state Prairie Butterfly Conservation Program both financially and logistically. This program supports the Minnesota Zoo’s efforts to save the endangered Poweshiek skipperling from extinction. Since many of their key partners are employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they have also been unable to plan and coordinate their conservation efforts. Read the letter here.

Last week my House DFL colleagues and I sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he end the shutdown and re-open the government.

Legislative Audit Commission

I am honored to announce that I’ve been appointed to the Legislative Audit Commission. This bipartisan commission reviews the spending of public funds and government financing. Three Representatives and Senators from the majority and minority caucuses serve on the commission for two year terms. In the coming weeks, we’ll be considering wastewater infrastructure, state arts board grants, and economic development and housing. Learn more about the Legislative Audit Commission here.

As always, feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Rick Hansen

State Representative