 Dear Neighbors,
This week’s legislative loop highlights more of the progress we’re making for Minnesota and our Chanhassen and Chaska families.
On Monday, we passed the Elections Policy Bill, which focuses on improved voter access and election transparency. It targets policy areas where the state can improve voter turnout and ensure that if voting is restricted, voters have a means of redress.
 We also approved the Public Safety Policy Bill on a unanimous vote. The bill continues our comprehensive approach to public safety and crime prevention with support for victims, criminal justice reform, policy modernization, and more.
Last evening, the House passed a labor policy package that includes provisions to strengthen the minimum wage, ban shadow non-competes, and increase pay transparency. We also advanced a K-12 education policy bill that prioritizes policies to improve the experiences of students in Minnesota schools while also making sure the state is measuring and holding schools accountable for meaningful academic outcomes. We also approved bills stabilizing Minnesota’s Disaster Assistance Contingency Account and allowing photos of hunting and fishing licenses to count as proof of license.
Eliminating Junk Fees and Ensuring Ticket Price Transparency
We are all familiar with buying a ticket to a concert, sports game, or other event and seeing extra “service” and “convenience” fees added that provide no additional value to consumers. DFLers are passing legislation to require fair, transparent ticket prices and other important protections for consumers. Ending these practices is the right thing to do and will help Minnesotans plan and budget better in the future.
I spoke on the House floor about the importance of price transparency and what it means for seniors on a fixed income, single parents, and working families, which you can see by clicking on the image below.
Expanding Insurance to Cover Prosthetics & Wigs
DFLers are laser focused on making sure all Minnesotans can work, go to school, run errands and afford their lives with dignity. Two bills that are advancing would require insurance companies to cover the costs of wigs for people undergoing cancer treatment, and the costs for prosthetics for those who need them. As families work through a new transition in their lives or navigate a new diagnosis or health challenge, the last thing they should have to worry about is their financial security. These are common sense proposals I support, and will advocate for as we continue to pass legislation that puts Minnesotans first.
Expanding Green Transportation Infrastructure
As more and more electric vehicles are being driven on Minnesota roads each day, the state will need more EV charging stations to accommodate the demand for power. That's why I'm offering legislation that would provide single-family homes, two-family homes, and townhouses on-site parking to provide an electric-vehicle-capable space per dwelling unit or parking space. The bill had a hearing in the House Labor Committee this week, and is being considered for possible inclusion in its a supplemental finance bill.
Connected to Community
I appreciated SouthWest Transit Chief Executive Officer Erik Hansen taking time out of his day to meet with me to discuss the incredible transportation services SouthWest Transit provides in our region. I was impressed to learn that 20% of SW Transit users do not own a vehicle and rely entirely on this transit service. I'm excited to keep the conversation going to make sure we're investing in our residents, and all we can benefit from with robust public transportation infrastructure. You can learn more about SW Transit and their routes here.
It was great to meet with the Minnesota School Board Association to learn more about how our investments in education will help lower class sizes, increase access to mental health support, and get students more one-on-one resources in Special Education and English Language learning.
Keep in Touch
Please feel free to contact me anytime at rep.lucy.rehm@house.mn.gov. Due to technical constraints, email replies to this email will not reach me. Please send me an email at the address above directly with questions, input, or ideas.
Thanks for your input!
Enjoy the weather this weekend.
In community,
Lucy
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