Dear neighbors,
We’ve made a lot of progress at the Capitol this week! After many hours on the floor, the House has approved new budgets for E-12 education, jobs and energy, health and human services, taxes, and agriculture and housing.
Photo Credit: Catherine Thompson
This photo of our beautiful Minnesota Capitol was taken when I stepped out onto the loggia at dusk to take a phone call.
Taxes – Leveling the Playing Field
On Thursday evening, the House approved our tax budget, which would close corporate loopholes and invest much of the revenue in Minnesota schools. It reduces taxes for many families, small businesses, senior citizens, veterans, and farmers and simplifies the filing process for everyone. These reforms would make our tax system fairer.
The tax budget would also increase local government aid, which helps cities and counties keep property taxes competitive and fund important services such as streets and public safety. My legislation to provide additional funding to the City of Lilydale and the City of West St. Paul was also included.
A fact sheet with more information and a breakdown of the numbers is available here.
Arbor Day
I led a bipartisan group of legislators in handing out trees to our colleagues to celebrate Arbor Day. This annual bipartisan tradition has been celebrated for 25 years. There’s nothing else like it at the Minnesota Legislature! This year we distributed Norway (Red) Pine, the official state tree.
Some of my colleagues and I wrote a letter inviting people to plant trees for Arbor Day and sharing our plan to plant millions of them! You can read it here.
Photo Credit: Glen Stubbe
Scotland Kraker and Max Popkin, my dedicated interns, preparing the Norway Pines for distribution.
South St. Paul Plant Sale
The South St. Paul Garden Club will sell perennials, lilies, hosta, rhubarb, strawberries, and more at their 28th Annual Plant Sale. The proceeds will be used for kindergarteners’ field trips to Dodge Nature Center and scholarships for high school seniors pursuing higher education in horticulture or landscape design.
When: Friday, May 17 from 8am – 5pm and Saturday, May 18 from 8am – 12pm
Where: Alleva Gardens, 2024 Third Street N, South St. Paul, MN 55075
I hope you’re able to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Action at the Legislature will resume on Monday, so please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative