Fast times at the state capitol: Daudt shuffles Wagenius, Hansen committee assignments

A friend sent us an email from Speaker Kurt Daudt to the House members and staff that shows some shifting around of committee membership.

Most significantly, environmental champion Jean Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) is moved to Pat Garofalo's Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance committee, while Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) leaves the Rules Committee and gains a seat on Rod Hamilton's Agriculture Finance Committee.

What's the Environment and Natural Resource Policy and Finance Committee's loss after Daudt disregarded the DFL caucus's choice for that committee's minority lead is Job & Energy's gain. Here's an overview of her service in the legislature and background.

The addition of Hansen to Ag Finance means that there's another member who is steeped in ag policy and practice on the committee, since Hansen not only owns and works farmland in Freeborn and Fillmore Counties, but also worked for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for many years. He earned a masters degree in soil management at Iowa State University, according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.

Other than that, he's totally one of those metro-centric legislators about whom the Republicans and Rangers keep telling us scary bedtime stories.

According to his offical page, Hansen is the minority lead on Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Finance.

Here are the changes from Daudt's email:

Rep. O'Neill: off Transportation Policy & Finance, added to Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance.

Rep. Lucero: added to Transportation Policy & Finance

Rep. Wagenius: added to Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance

Rep. Johnson, C.: added to Agriculture Policy (to fill an opening)

Rep. Hansen: off Rules, added to Agriculture Finance

Rep. Freiberg: off Agriculture Finance, added to Rules

 

The size of Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance is increased by 2 members (1 GOP, 1 DFL).

 

Additionally, Rep. Knoblach is added as an ex-officio member to all Finance committees.

Photo: Port-a-potties at the state capitol, both actual and metaphor.  The public is always welcome.

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