Dear Neighbors, As March comes to a close, budget bills are taking shape and committees are buttoning up their work. With approximately 8 weeks remaining, we’re on track for a timely and orderly adjournment with plenty of time to finish balancing the two year state budget. As a first term legislator, I’ve been listening, learning, and working. It has been an incredible honor to work for our community and our state. Next week on April 5th, we’ll recess for Spring Break to observe Easter, Passover, and Ramadan, and when we return on April 11th, we’ll be ready to hit the ground running as most of our work will shift from committee to voting on the House Floor.  I am learning a lot from my Muslim colleagues and our community members about Ramadan. It was great to attend Iftar, a fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims in Ramadan. Here’s an update from the Capitol: Working Toward a Clean, Green FutureLast week, the Minnesota House passed a bill ensuring that Minnesota is in the best position to unlock federal funds for clean energy projects, meet our climate goals, and transition to a cleaner future. The bill invests $115 million to unlock billions in federal funding, and will create good-paying union and family sustaining jobs and ensure everyone can benefit from this clean energy transition.  Working Toward Zero Traffic DeathsI recently presented my bill, House File 2361, legislation to create a Traffic Safety Council, which would review and modify our ‘Hands Free’ cell phone law, fund Enhanced Traffic Safety Enforcement, Rural Risk Roadways speed reduction, Safe Ride Programs (sober cab), mitigate and enforce speed in Work Zones and more. Just yesterday, Chanhassen law enforcement and the Minnesota State Patrol responded to what could’ve been a deadly crash on Highway 5 and Powers Drive, as a result of distracted driving. The council would be responsible for identifying key problem intersections and really hone in on local strategies to make driving safer for everyone. I spoke with KTTC News recently about how the council would work and you can watch the segment here. I’m grateful Shorewood Mayor Jennifer Labadie could attend the public hearing at the Transportation Committee to advocate for improving traffic safety on our roads and highways, in particular, dangerous intersections along Highway 7.  Connected to CommunityI've appreciated the time community members have been able to take to visit with me at the Capitol. This is democracy in action! I appreciate knowing what's on your mind and how we can find bipartisan solutions to making progress for Carver County.  Visting with constituents for Muslim Day at the Capitol  Appreciate the City of Chaska's partnership in funding $25.4 million in critical improvements to City Square West in Chaska including parking, public plazas, restrooms, storage and maintenance facilities, art space and more. I'm carrying this legislation and will continue to work with Chaksa City Manager Matt Podhradsky, the City Council and staff to see it through to ensure our community can take full advantage of this space.  Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative sent their best from District 48B! Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and I'm proud to support measures that help achieve affordable living. Working Toward Gun Violence PreventionAs we reel from another senseless school shooting tragedy, this time in Nashville, Americans are sick and tired of the lack of political courage to pass meaningful measures to prevent gun violence. We can’t allow this to become background noise as we go about our daily lives. This week, former U.S. Representative and gun violence survivor Gabby Giffords came to St. Paul to urge lawmakers to pass commonsense measures to help prevent more violence and tragedy. We know we can't stop all acts of senseless violence. But we also know common sense measures like universal background checks and red flag laws can make a difference — because they have made an impact where they've been enacted. And they've passed in Republican and Democratic-led states. I’m committed to getting this done for Minnesota.  Save the Date! Town Hall on April 15I’ll be hosting a town hall meeting with Reps. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn and Laurie Pryor, and Senator Steve Cwodzinski on Saturday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m.. Please RSVP here to receive the event location and details. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.  Stay Connected To stay up to date with our work at the State Capitol, you can read the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. You can also stay up-to-date with the latest by following my Facebook page. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.lucy.rehm@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5066, and I will be happy to help. I appreciate your patience as I prioritize constituents ahead of other Minnesotans who write to me. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe. Thank you for the great honor and privilege to serve you and our Chanhassen and Chaska residents in St. Paul. In community, Lucy Rehm
State Representative |