photo credit: Ron Burg Fine Portraits, West St. Paul

REP. RICK HANSEN
CANDIDATE PROFILE

August 12, 2008

The difficult issues facing Minnesotans in the months and years ahead will require responsible, strategic leadership from lawmakers committed to making our state a better place to live for all our citizens. This requires legislators to work together to get things done.

This year we did. We worked together to balance the budget, finished on time, and made strategic investments to provide long-term economic stability for our state. I worked hard to pass bipartisan transportation and capital investment legislation to rebuild our state’s failing infrastructure, providing jobs statewide. We also made smart investments in research and development efforts in high-potential, high-tech industries, an emerging renewable energy economy, and other forward-thinking economic development efforts.

Those important investments will grow good-paying jobs and help build a stronger foundation for a more competitive Minnesota economy. In the interest of every Minnesotan I remain committed to making our state a competitive economic force in a modern, global economy.

We must also continue investing in Minnesota’s human capital – our students who embody the future of this community and our state. That’s why I have worked diligently to reinvest in early childhood, K-12, and higher education to provide a world-class learning environment for all our students. After almost a decade of budget cuts and disinvestment from a Republican-controlled legislature, our new DFL majority was able to work in a bipartisan manner to address the long-neglected needs of our schools. Still, there is more to do to make Minnesota’s education system a leader again. I am committed to this incredibly important work.

We made groundbreaking progress this year for our transportation system, providing the most significant investment in road and bridge safety since 1988. With 297 bridges in the same or worse condition as the I35W Bridge that collapsed last August, this crucial investment was long overdue. We also secured needed funding for the Central Corridor rail line between Minneapolis and St. Paul. But more must be done to reduce gridlock on our freeways and maintain safety for all Minnesota commuters.

That’s why I will continue my efforts with legislation to fix the Lafayette Bridge, get the Robert Street Corridor study on-track to connect with the Central Corridor line, evaluate the impact of sound barriers on Hwy 52 to reduce freeway noise in our communities, explore possibilities for a pedestrian bridge over Hwy 110 in Mendota Heights, and improve safety and access to area bike and hiking trails. I will continue my work with area residents and the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to address airport noise issues, to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods. These are difficult issues, but efforts I am strongly committed to for the benefit of our communities.

I have served our community in public office since 1996 – first in government at the county level, and now finishing my second term in the State House. Throughout years of service I have taken my responsibilities seriously, listening and acting in the best interest of our community, always aware of the direct impact my decisions have on our shared future. The voters of House District 39A can look to my record of responsive, community-based leadership, and have the strongest confidence in my ongoing commitment to making a tangible difference in their lives, and strengthening the future of our communities.

I am proud of the work we’ve done together to make our communities a better place to live. I ask for your vote this November.

About Rick Hansen

Rick Hansen was elected to represent District 39A in 2004. He serves on the Environment & Natural Resources Committee and Regulated Industries Committee. He is also a member of the Legislative Audit Commission.

Rick Hansen was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on March 1, 1963. He is married to Suzanne Savanick Hansen and they have one son, Evan, born on May 2nd 2004.

Rick was raised on the family farm in rural Freeborn, Minnesota by his parents; Jim and Marge Hansen. He has one brother, Bob Hansen, who lives with his wife Tonya and two children, Ryan and Anika in rural Freeborn.

Rick graduated from Freeborn High School in 1981. He graduated magna cum laude from Upper Iowa University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1985. He received a Master of Science degree in Soil Management from Iowa State University in December of 1987.

Rick began work at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) in January of 1988. He worked on a pesticide use survey and helped develop a pilot project for empty pesticide container recycling. This project became a national model and Rick was invited to participate in a federal United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Container Recycling Committee.

In 1991, Rick became a Supervisor in the MDA’s pesticide applicator certification and training program. In this role he has worked with continuing education programs to train pesticide applicators in Minnesota. He has become a national leader in certification issues. He has served on multiple committees and was invited to participate in a US EPA pesticide security meeting several months after September 11. Rick resigned his MDA position on January 4, 2005 when he was sworn in as State Representative.

In 1996, Rick was elected to the Dakota County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board. He represents District 1, which includes Mendota, Lilydale, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Burnsville, and Sunfish Lake. He was re-elected in 2002. He served for 5 years as Chair of the Dakota County SWCD. Rick resigned his positions as SWCD Supervisor when he became a State Representative.

Rick is President of Harmony Cedar, Inc, a small business specializing in sales of Amish furniture and gifts. He owns farms in Fillmore and Freeborn Counties.

Rick served as the Co-Chair of Dakota Citizens for Our Land & Water in 2002 to successfully pass the referendum for the Farmland & Natural Areas Program.

Suzanne works as the Sustainability Coordinator for Macalester College in Saint Paul and Evan attends Dodge Nature Preschool in West Saint Paul.