Legislative Update from Rep. Rehm

Dear Neighbors,

We are now at the halfway point of the legislative session. Last week my colleagues and I worked diligently toward committee deadlines in order to ensure bills could advance. I also met with a number of constituents.

As we celebrate the end of Ramadan and look ahead to Passover and Easter,this is a season of togetherness, goodwill, and renewal, yet increased ICE activity in Minnesota has prevented many from worshiping safely. I'm proud of the many neighbors who have volunteered their time to ensure people can pray freely in what should be protected houses of worship. I wish you and your loved ones a safe and peaceful holiday.

Advocating for SouthWest Transit

I’ve heard from many in our area with concerns about a proposal that would eliminate SouthWest Transit. HF4111 would consolidate all of the Twin Cities metropolitan area’s transit operations under the umbrella of Metro Transit, which is overseen by the Met Council.

While I can appreciate the general goal of strengthening our metro transit system, I am concerned that any abrupt changes to our local transit would be especially disruptive to seniors, college students, and those living on a limited income or with disabilities. SouthWest Transit has been a cornerstone service that our communities have enjoyed and relied on for more than 40 years. I voted against eliminating SWTransit and will continue to monitor the legislation. Thank you to everyone who testified before the Transportation committee and/or wrote emails voicing your concerns.

Initiatives I'm Working On

All of us deserve to be safe in our communities; and keeping people safe across the state has been a top priority this session. 

Last week, I presented legislation in the House Transportation Committee that improves school bus safety, and extends the criminal penalties to include all transit workers, not just drivers, in cases of assault. I’ve also been working on legislation that would ensure local anonymous threat reporting systems are in place in our schools. By making it easier for students to report credible threats, especially when it comes to firearm safety, we’re taking preventative steps toward safer classrooms and school spaces. All of these measures are advancing and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support. 

Photo credit: Michele Jokinen, House Photography

I also spoke on the House floor last week, reading a first-hand account from a father whose two children were attending school mass at Annunciation Church on August 27, the day of the horrific shooting. You can click on the image below to watch my remarks.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. and I am committed to passing legislation that would ban weapons of war from being sold or purchased in the state of Minnesota. These tragic shootings have caused significant harm, both seen and unseen, in our communities. Our children and our families deserve better and these mass shootings should never be dismissed as normal. I am committed to doing all I can to end the scourge of gun violence and will continue to push for a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines.  

On Thursday, DFL colleagues and I brought three common-sense bills forward — two on gun safety and one to keep ICE out of schools without a judicial warrant. Instead of honest debate, the other side simply blocked us. Shutting that down — especially with grieving parents watching and our students experiencing the level of trauma and learning loss that they are— is unacceptable. 

School security upgrades are a good start, but we also need to limit access to dangerous guns, improve mental health care, and keep our kids safe. I'm asking my colleagues across the aisle plainly: come to the table and work with us. The people of Minnesota deserve better than this.

We’re also getting closer to a full House floor vote on establishing an independent Office of Inspector General. Any public dollar that isn’t used to help who it’s intended to, is unacceptable. Creating good policy and legislation requires thorough vetting to ensure we’re following the Constitution, not duplicating work already being done by other agencies, and making sure we’re not doing anything to jeopardize funding we receive or put vulnerable people at risk.

Connected to Community

We all know someone who has had someone in their life with Alzheimer's disease. Grateful to Kelly, Matt, and Jennifer from our area advocating on behalf of the 100,000 + Minnesotans living with it, along with their family caregivers. I’m proud to co-sponsor legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved treatment for Alzheimer's. Currently this treatment is only covered if a person is 65 years old or older.

With food shelf visits at a record high of 9 million, it was timely to meet with the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf, as a part of a larger coalition with Hunger Day at the Capitol. Even before Operation Metro Surge, they've been holding our neighbors together amid harmful federal SNAP, Medicaid cuts, and tariffs, which have threatened food security.

This year’s priorities include, but are not limited to, sustained funding for the Minnesota Food Shelf Program and the Regional Food Bank Grant. I'm grateful for all of their time, energy, and compassion in getting our neighbors what they need.

This year's Mental Health Advocacy Week 2026's theme, "Keep the Door Open for Mental Health Care," is timely.

Access to mental health and substance use treatment, care, services, and support is in jeopardy without what has always been a long-standing federal/state partnership. I met with constituents advocating for mental health care access. Medicaid cuts hurt everyone. We all do better when we all do better.

Keep in Touch

This week, the Minnesota House is in recess to observe Eid, Passover, and Easter. However you observe, I hope your celebrations are peaceful and filled with light.

Thank you for the honor of serving our Chanhassen and Chaska neighbors at the State Capitol.

In community,

Lucy