Greetings and winter salutations! I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and everything this time of the year has to offer: peace, gratitude, joy, and reflection. Though the winter solstice today marks the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, it's actually a turning point towards longer days! The Earth's tilt, once at its maximum tilt away from the sun, starts to inch back, allowing sunlight slowly back into our days. So, celebrate the solstice as a goodbye to the darkest days and a hello to the gradual return of sunshine! ?? Chanhassen’s Tour of Lights is a great way to make spirits bright and celebrate the season. Strolling through Chanhassen or Chaska's beautifully decorated city park at night is also an enjoyable way to celebrate the holidays.  As we close the chapter on 2023, I look back on what an incredible year we’ve had in Minnesota and our communities. I continue to remain humbled to have the deep responsibility of working for our neighbors in Chanhassen and Chaska. Many new initiatives took place this year on July 1 and August 1 as a result of our work in St. Paul. On January 1, more will go into effect, including expanding coverage for breast cancer diagnostic testing, the “Red Flag” law, which helps keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, new workplace safety standards for Minnesota’s refinery workers, free menstrual products in all K-12 public schools, restrictions of certain types of political contributions made by foreign-influenced corporations, and more. Also going into effect on the first of the year, all Minnesota workers will now be eligible for earned sick and safe time. Employers must, at a minimum, allow employees to earn one hour of paid safe and sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 48 hours per year. Although these don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what the legislature accomplished this year, Minnesotans continue to face rising costs for essentials like child care, food, housing, and health care, and we’re committed to continue making a difference. Please feel free to send me your priorities and input anytime at rep.lucy.rehm@house.mn.gov. Kudos to Chanhassen ElementaryEarlier this month I was invited to Chanhassen Elementary School to celebrate with teachers, students, parents, and staff on their hard work earning a National Blue Ribbon School Award. It’s no secret families love living here in large part because of our high quality public schools - it was so rewarding to see Chanhassen Elementary getting the accolades they deserve! I appreciated seeing the impact firsthand of strong state investments in our schools that have earned our community national recognition in excellence.  Solar for SchoolsRecently I was invited to the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley to see how funding I authored via legislation helps them deliver their Solar for Schools Program. This program is an initiative blending environmental stewardship with educational enrichment in Minnesota schools and classrooms. It empowers our schools to embrace renewable energy while fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability among our future generations. I'm proud to have championed these strong investments with Senate co-author Kelly Morrison.  Help with Heating Assistance As we anticipate colder days ahead, resources are available to help Minnesotans struggling with their heating costs this holiday season, including the Energy Assistance Program which can provide families with up to $1,400 – helping renters and homeowners afford their utility bills. To ensure service is safe from disconnection, Minnesotans must make and keep a payment plan that they and their utility provider agree on. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s website.  Stay Vigilant Against FraudA new popular scam targeting seniors in Minnesota called a ‘Phantom Hacker’ scheme, involves scammers who impersonate financial or government agencies to gain access to your financial information, try to convince you to transfer your money into a ‘secure account’ for safekeeping, or to try to use your money to purchase valuable goods. A good reminder: a financial or government institution will never reach out to you asking for you to send them money or valuables. The best thing you can do if someone on the phone asks for access to your banking information is hang up, and contact law enforcement. If you or a loved one thinks they have fallen victim to a Phantom Hacker, please contact the police immediately. For information on scams targeting seniors, and what you can do to protect yourself visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Senior Fraud consumer page. Stay Healthy this Holiday SeasonGetting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu are the best gifts we can give to loved ones and frontline health care workers as we gather for upcoming festivities. You can find information, data, and guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website. Minnesota’s 2023-24 Fall Flu Guide is accessible online here. Checking in with your health care provider is always recommended. The holidays can be an extra difficult time for people. Remember to slow down, check in on your loved ones, call a friend or relative you haven’t seen in a while and reach out to those who may be struggling this time of year. Mental health resources are a phone call away. If you need suicide or mental health crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat to connect with a trained crisis specialist. The U.S. Surgeon General has declared loneliness to be an epidemic. Let’s continue to reach out to our friends and neighbors and connect during these dark days of winter. Please continue to reach out anytime at rep.lucy.rehm@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5066 with questions or input. Don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to get a cup of coffee in the district or meet in St. Paul for a conversation. You're also welcome to follow me on my Facebook page for more community and Capitol news. With boundless appreciation to all those who make our days brighter, happy holidays and best wishes for a healthy and Happy New Year. Happy Solstice! Be the light! Lucy "One kind word can warm three winter months." -Japanese proverb  |