Legislative Update – November 14, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
I was proud to attend South St. Paul VFW’s Veterans Day event last Saturday, as VFW Post 295 Commander Terry Pieper led the Annual Cognac toast. Thank you to all our veterans for your service to our state and our country.
Cottage Grove Bonding Tour Stop
This morning I introduced our local government partners from the City of Cottage Grove and Washington County as they presented to the House Capital Investment Committee during our Metro Area bonding tour.
The City is seeking state funds to realign County Rd 19 and 100th Street South to create an alternate connection to US Highway 61, reducing congestion at Jamaica Avenue and Highway 61. Improving infrastructure and realigning County Road 19 and 100th Street South will help all those who work, visit, and live in our district.
As a member of the Capital Investment Committee I am committed to working on this project and more in the 2024 session.
MPR Story on Feral Hogs
You may have heard me this morning on MPR talking about feral hogs coming to Minnesota. For background: In 2016, a group of domestic pigs escaped from a farm in Marshall County and later gave birth to many piglets, which could lead to a wild hog population in Minnesota.
I’ve called on state agencies to look into this issue so that the legislature can come up with clear plans and protocols on how to deal with feral hogs and limit potential damage. I plan on addressing this more during next year’s legislative session. You can read more here: Minnesota officials ready for potential feral pig invasion | MPR News
Commission on Minnesota Resources meeting
This Thursday at 9:00am, the Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), which I co-chair, will be meeting to hear updates on completed projects and discuss upcoming plans for project selection in 2024 and 2025. The meeting will be streamed live here and more information on the agenda can be found here.
State Budget Update
The FY 2022-2023 Biennium Budget Close Report from the MN Office of Budget and Management was recently released. It shows that the FY 2022-23 biennium ended with a balance $820 million higher than estimated at the end of the 2023 legislative session.
The difference between the estimated and actual ending balance, $820 million, will be added to the projected surplus for the FY 2024-25 biennium, which was estimated to be $1.583 billion when enacted in May.
Stay in Touch
Please continue to share your questions, ideas, and feedback throughout the year. You can reach me by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my legislative assistant Sam O'Neill at 651-296-3305 or via email at samuel.oneill@house.mn.gov.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative