Dear Neighbors, I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying a happy and healthy start to 2024. In addition to getting new bills ready for our legislative session, I’ve been busy meeting with advocates, leaders, and residents in our community to identify how we can build on our historic accomplishments from last year to address the unique challenges and opportunities facing Minnesotans. I’ve enjoyed meeting with you all. This year, I will be serving on the following committees: In addition, I am serving as MAP Caucus Chair for the second year. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to serve as an active, collective voice to meet the needs of Minnesotans. Thank you for your phone calls, emails, and visits. I’m looking forward to continuing working together for Woodbury and Minnesota in 2024. Please reach out to my office if I can be of any help in the future. Here is an update from Saint Paul.  Cold Weather Rule While we’ve seen the frigid weather from January warm up recently, I still want to include a quick reminder about Minnesota’s “cold weather rule” now in effect, which protects residents from having their electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. To ensure your service is safe from disconnection, you must make and keep a payment plan agreed to by your utility provider. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website.  Central Park Renovation Project Updates This month marked the beginning of construction for the Central Park Renovation Project in Woodbury. Central Park has been an essential space for our community, which many families (including my own) have enjoyed. I am honored and proud to be a part of this project to ensure we have a vibrant community center to foster the character and values of Woodbury. Central Park hosts one of my favorites, the public library. As a new American, I spent countless hours learning English and studying in public libraries. Projects like Central Park are an instrumental part of a community's foundation and identity and provide a sense of belonging. For more details, check out this article. EV Vehicle Rebates UnderwayLast session, we passed an Electric Vehicle Rebate Program allowing residents to receive a rebate of up to $2,500 for a new EV purchase and $600 for a used purchase. Electric cars, plug-ins, or hybrids purchased or leased on or after May 25, 2023 are eligible. Applications went live last week, and you can find more information at https://mn.gov/evrebates. Keep in TouchYou can contact me at rep.ethan.cha@house.mn.gov or 651-296-1147. You can follow me on Facebook as well. I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature and look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Ethan Cha State Representative |