 Dear Neighbors, I hope you’re having a great week! It was another busy one at the Capitol with more late nights in St. Paul as we continue to discuss and vote on policy and proposed supplemental budget packages aimed at improving the lives of hard-working residents and families. As I mentioned in my previous update, supplemental budget bills are moving through finance committees. As a member serving on three finance committees, I’d like to give brief highlights on each bill. Education FinanceThe Education Supplemental Budget bill builds on the legislature’s investments last year by adding $37 million in new Read Act funding to improve literacy, expands Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs by 5,200 seats beginning in 2025, and improves the delivery of special education and English learner funds. The bill also includes several provisions to ensure that teachers and paraprofessionals have the training they need to meet student needs, including a pilot program to pay student teachers. I spoke in support of the bill in committee and you can see my remarks by clicking the image below.  Ag FinanceA landmark provision in the Agriculture Supplemental Budget bill addresses the groundwater nitrate crisis. Drinking water coming from wells can have dangerous nitrate levels, which has been proven to cause elevated risks of cancer and birth defects. Starting in 2026, a new Private Well Drinking-Water Assistance Program would direct user fees on fertilizer towards the mitigation of groundwater pollution caused by fertilizer use. This program would fund water quality improvements statewide for Minnesota homes with wells having nitrate levels above ten milligrams per liter.  Our Farm Tour from 2023 provided important insights for provisions we included in the Ag bill. Climate Finance The Climate Supplemental Budget bill helps assist with the transition to a 100% clean energy process. In the fall of 2023, the Public Utilities Commission convened stakeholder meetings with more than 30 different groups from labor, utilities, state agencies, environmental groups, clean energy advocates, and others to find ways to make Minnesota’s permitting laws for renewable energy more efficient without sacrificing important oversight and regulations. Recommendations of these stakeholder meetings are in the bill and will remove roadblocks to reaching 100% carbon-free energy by 2040 by eliminating redundancies, increasing transparency, and making the permitting process consistent and efficient.  Solar for Schools is already extremely popular across Minnesota. A positive clean energy initiative that's already taking shape! Connected to Community & Capitol VisitorsI had a great meeting with constituents visiting the Capitol with the Land Stewardship Project who were advocating for clean water, manure management reform, small- and mid-sized livestock farmers.  It was great to attend and meet with Minnesota veterans at the Veterans Day on the Hill on Wednesday! I appreciated seeing 3rd generation Army veteran and constituent Dr. Kristy Janigo and Chaska veteran and consitituent Dan Tengwall at the Capitol Rotunda. Both spoke at the rally and have been fierce advocates of improving veterans' mental health and wellness.  I recently had the chance to meet former Majority Leader and U.S. House of Representatives, Dick Gephardt of Missouri, and Zach Wamp of Tennessee, who were in St. Paul to testify in support of my colleauge Rep. Bahner's bill. The nation-leading legislation called "Minnesota Kids Code" aims to protect children’s data, health, and safety online.  Free Park Day!On Saturday, April 27, all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas will be offering free admission to everyone– no vehicle permits needed! In Minnesota, we are lucky to have amazing state parks all across the state, and these fee-free days are a great opportunity to experience them! You can find out more information about the fee-free days here.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to contact me anytime at rep.lucy.rehm@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5066. Thank you for sharing your ideas, questions, and feedback with me! It’s an honor to represent our Chanhassen and Chaska residents and families in the Minnesota House of Representatives in St. Paul. In community, Lucy |