District 39A Legislator is Urban Voice in Green Acres Debate

Rep. Rick Hansen (D-District 39A) said he was busy at the Minnesota State Capitol last week reviewing Green Acres legislation which could affect property taxes. He said as the only metro legislator on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee, he considers it his job to watch for unintended consequences that will affect urban communities. Check this link for more information. 

Hansen, who traditionally has served as an active participant in environmental legislation discussions, was removed from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council by House Speaker Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-32B). Patch will have more information on the replacement early this week.

Meanwhile,  a major budget reduction bill was sent to conference committee after passing the House and Senate. The bill includes a billion dollars in cuts to higher education, state aid to cities and health and human services.

Both Sen. James Metzen (D-District 39) and Hansen voted against the measure in their respective bodies.

Metzen said he does not support the Republicans' approach to fixing the budget deficit, and is waiting for the governor’s budget proposal, scheduled to be released Feb. 15.

Here’s what’s happened this past week with other bills authored or co-authored by your legislators:

Rep. Rick Hansen

New activity:

—A bill providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to SF145. HF277, introduced Jan. 31

—Hansen co-signed a bill adjusting DMV fees. HF347, introduced Feb. 3 by Rep. Larry Howes (R-District 4B)

Existing legislation:

— A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF74, introduced Jan. 13
—A bill providing $25 million in bonds for conservation easements to be purchased by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, with priority given to flood prone land in southeast Minnesota awaits a hearing in the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee. HF109, introduced Jan. 18
—A bill co-sponsored by Hansen to encourage school districts to incorporate mental health education into grades 7-12 curriculum awaits a hearing in the Education Reform committee. HF37, introduced Jan. 10

Sen. Jim Metzen

New activity:

—Metzen co-signed a bill allowing 911 fees to be collected from pre-paid wireless services. SF236, introduced Jan. 7 by Sen. Doug Magnus (R-District 22)

—Metzen co-signed a bill to modify inspection and planning requirements for manufactured homes. SF225, introduced Feb. 3 by Sen. John Pederson (R-District 15)

Existing legislation:

—A bill providing bonding money for inflow and infiltration projects awaits a committee hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. This is the companion bill to HF74. SF49 introduced Jan. 18

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen providing $1 million to the city of South St. Paul to replace a pumping station on the floodwall awaits a hearing in the Capital Investment Committee. SF145, introduced Jan. 27 by Sen. Katie Sieben (D-District 57)

—A bill co-sponsored by Metzen to update the effective dates of a lead poisoning prevention statute awaits a hearing in the Jobs and Economic Growth committee. SF139, introduced Jan. 27 by Sen. Ted Lillie (R-District 56)