Dear neighbors,
It was a chilly but productive week at the Capitol. Here’s a few things that I’ve been working on lately.
MNLARS Reimbursement
The first public hearing for H.F. 131 will be next Tuesday, February 5. This legislation would reimburse Minnesotans who overpaid for their motor vehicle registration when the new system was introduced.
The Transportation Finance and Policy Division meeting will start at 12:45pm on Tuesday. Visit the committee page to learn more.
Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
We heard from the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa in Environment and Natural Resources Finance this week. Their executive director gave us an overview of the work that they do and forecasts of their budget. Conservation Corps is currently recruiting youth ages 18 to 25 for AmeriCorps service positions. If you’re interested in natural resources management or teaching children about the environment, apply to be a field crew member or youth outdoors crew member.
We’ll be hearing some new proposals in Environment and Natural Resources Finance next week. On Tuesday, we’ll hear testimony on H.F. 80, a plan to improve public land and buildings, and H.F. 340, which concerns the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The fund was established in 2008 when Minnesota’s voters passed the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. It provides resources to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.
Learn more about the work we’re doing here.
Policy Dialogue Hosted by Congresswoman Betty McCollum
This morning I went to a policy meeting hosted by Congresswoman Betty McCollum. Representatives from the Corporation for National and Community Service presented on how volunteering can improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement. Several local nonprofit workers who have worked with programs like AmeriCorps, VISTA, and Senior Corps spoke as well. We discussed how the potential reorganization of these volunteering organizations and closure of the Minnesota office would impact Minnesotans.
Constituent and Organizational Meetings
I was able to meet with firefighters, bikers, credit unions, parks advocates, and folks from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities this week. Here’s a few of the people that I spoke with.
Tom is a firefighter from South St. Paul.
Rhys, Michelle, and Matt came from South St. Paul and West St. Paul for ABATE’s Biker Day.
Pete and I had a great conversation about credit unions. Like many legislators and staff, he brought one of his kids to work this week due to school cancellations.
If you plan on visiting the Capitol, please let my legislative assistant Clay know so he can schedule a meeting.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or issues.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative