Dear neighbors,
I had the opportunity to work with several elected officials from our area this week. Here’s an update on some of the legislation we’ve been working on together.
Serbian Hall Restoration
I’ve introduced a bill to restore Serbian Hall (HF 2303), a museum that preserves and celebrates the history of Serbian immigrants in Minnesota. The restored building would be used for community gatherings and curating historical artifacts. Representative Anne Claflin, my colleague from South St. Paul, and Alex Stojmenovic of the Serbian Cultural Center of Minnesota testified for the bill at the first public hearing on Wednesday. South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis and Community Affairs Liaison Deb Griffith also lent their support.
Women’s Suffrage
Rep. Claflin introduced two of her proposals at the same public hearing. Her legislation would provide funding to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage (HF 1017) and construct a monument commemorating the first U.S. woman to vote in South St. Paul (HF 2029). I’m supporting both of these plans.
You can learn more about all three of these bills by listening to the hearing here.
Flood Preparation in South St. Paul
As the snow swiftly melts, the City of South St. Paul is preparing for possible flooding. More information on the potential for floods and how to prepare yourself and your home for emergencies is available here.
If you’d like to help protect South St. Paul, volunteer to fill sandbags this weekend. Sign up for a shift and bring shovels and gloves if you have them.
When: Saturday, March 23, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: South St. Paul Public Works Building, 400 E. Richmond St., South St. Paul, MN 55075
Mendota Heights Tree Sale
The spring tree sale has begun in the City of Mendota Heights. They are offering a variety of shade trees that provide food and habitat for birds and other animals, improve our air quality, and replace the canopy cover that we’ve lost to the Emerald Ash Borer. Check it out online here or at www.treetrust.org.
Please continue to share your ideas to move our state and community forward.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative