Legislative Update - December 13, 2023
Dear Neighbors,
Thank you to everyone who came out to our Lawns to Legumes Information Session at the Croatian Hall on Sunday! We had a great turnout of people interested in making their lawns more pollinator-friendly. Thanks to staff from the Board of Water and Soil Resources and University of MN Bee Lab for sharing your expertise. You can learn more about the program here.
Connecting Students to the BWCA
In a recent meeting of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), which I co-chair, we heard a presentation from the group Friends of the Boundary Waters. The group uses dedicated environmental funds to help students visit the Boundary Waters for the first time–with experienced guides and outdoor education teachers.
The group put together a great short video showing some of the previous trips, which you can watch here or by clicking below. I am glad to see our environmental funds being put to such great use.
I also want to share this video update on the Mississippi riverbed drilling for soil testing, done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. St. Paul District Geologist gives a walk-through of the process showing how they take samples and test them for environmental hazards. You can watch it here!
2024 Session Building Update
Recently construction began on the grounds of the State Office Building, where representative’s offices, nonpartisan staff, and more agencies are held. This construction will last throughout the next year, and impact access to the building and committee rooms.
Meetings will still be available this upcoming session and committee hearings will continue to remain open to the public. I will share more information as we get closer to session beginning on February 12th.
Deer Hunting Update
Finally, you may have see renewed calls in the press for a wolf hunt in Minnesota, with lobbying groups claiming that healthy wolf populations are harming wild deer numbers–and our hunting economy in turn.
Reporter Christopher Ingraham cautions us that blaming wolves for declines in the deer harvest may be misplaced, as population declines are likely also the result of harsh winters and a lack of habitat. Once again this illustrates that data and science, not anecdotes, must be the basis of our policymaking here in St. Paul.
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