Legislative Update – May 17, 2025
Dear neighbors,
This week, Governor Walz and leadership from both parties in the House and Senate announced a budget framework for the end of the legislative session. Now that this global budget agreement is in place, legislators are working in conference committees with the Senate and the Governor’s team to craft the final versions of our budget bills to be passed on the House Floor. That work will take place over the weekend and up to our May 19 adjournment deadline.
In order to pass a state budget and keep Minnesota moving, Democrats had to accept compromises and take bad policy that many of us oppose to avoid a potential government shutdown. In these last few days of the legislative session, I will be working to ensure our state budget protects the progress we made in 2023 and 2024, responsibly balances the budget, and improves the lives of Minnesotans in our district. I will evaluate each of these budget bills individually to ensure they benefit our district and will vote accordingly.
Hmong American Day
On Wednesday, I was proud to join veterans and community members for the Hmong SGU Remembrance Day, a holiday established in 2019 to honor the members of the Hmong Special Guerrilla Units in Laos who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War and the Secret War. I was glad to join our legislative leaders in the Minnesota Asian and Pacific Caucus for this event.
SSP Compensatory Aid
Last night, as the House debated our K-12 Education Budget bill, I rose to speak about the impact of proposed cuts in compensatory aid and the disproportionate impact they would have on our South St. Paul schools. A cut of $1.5 million may seem small in the context of the entire education budget, but that would be a cut of $517 per student in South St. Paul Schools.
I voted for the bill on the basis of hope. A hope that in further negotiations, our House co-chairs can work together to find a solution that holds South St. Paul, and all the other districts that rely on compensatory aid, harmless, and continue to fund the great schools in our district. You can watch my comments here.
Intern Spotlight
Thursday was the last day for my intern, Miles Eldridge. Miles is a graduating political science senior at Macalester College, and it was an honor to have him as my intern and teach him about the legislative process during such an eventful session.
Miles shared some thoughts about his internship, saying it was the highlight of his semester, and that he’s made great connections here and learned about how the Legislature works, how different legislative staff help representatives best serve their constituents. He also appreciated the opportunity to see the process firsthand, immersing himself in how the House operates and how representatives interact with constituents, advocates, and each other.
Miles has a passion for public service and making a difference in the world, and said this internship helped him see what good public service looks like. I want to thank Miles for his own public service, helping me and my office out this session, and we wish him the best of luck as he graduates and looks to continue his career in public service.
If you know someone interested in an internship at the House, I’d encourage them to apply through the Sergeant-at-Arms’ office later this year. More information can be found here.
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