Legislative Update – May 28, 2026
Dear neighbors,
As the dust settles from the end of the 2026 Legislative Session, I want to dive a bit deeper into the Local Jobs and Infrastructure package we passed and what it means for our district. As a longtime member of the Capital Investment Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the infrastructure needs across our state. Roads, bridges, public buildings and universities, wastewater infrastructure and so much more are covered in the bill we passed this year.
Oftentimes, local governments don’t have the ability to pay for those big-ticket items without significant increases in local property taxes. But, with state funding through bonding, we can invest in our future infrastructure while also lessening the burden on localities. More local projects also mean more local jobs, and the result is infrastructure that helps people live their lives.
That’s why we go on Capital Investment tours across the state to see the needs firsthand, and the results of past projects. Last year, I was proud to host members of the Committee in our district to hear about a couple of projects that ended up getting funding this session.
We secured $4.125 million for the South St. Paul pool project to design, construct, and equip a new swimming pool and aquatics center. The pool has been in operation since 1956 and currently leaks 12,000 gallons of water per day. We also secured $2.25 million for much-needed modernization and upgrades to the public works building, which Mayor Jimmy Francis shared with the committee last fall.
South St. Paul already has the lowest tax capacity in Dakota County, so state funds make a huge difference in improving the lives of residents.
Newport Mayor Laurie Elliott has been steadfast in her mission to improve water quality and infrastructure in our district, and I’m proud to say that we secured $4 million for inflow and infiltration, which cleans our residents’ water. Our neighbors in Newport have to pay higher-than-average costs for water and sewage, and state funding can help alleviate rising property taxes and lower costs for residents.
Earlier this session, St. Paul Park Mayor Keith Franke and Dakota County Commissioner Karla Bigham testified to the committee about the interchange at Trunk Highway 10 and 61 near the refinery. A reconstruction project would improve traffic safety on our roads, and I’m glad we secured $400,000 to begin the design and pre-design phase of that project.
Finally, the Capital Investment bill always does good work towards improving our parks and trails, and this year we brought in $300,000 for improvements and signage on the Heroes and Heritage Trail in Dakota County.
These are big wins for our communities, and these projects will improve the lives of folks across our district. I want to express my deepest thanks to all the mayors, city council members, city staff, and county commissioners who helped champion these projects and made our district a better place.
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.
For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative