Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.  Legislative Update from Rep. Kari RehrauerNeighbors, Last week was a busy one in Saint Paul. I spent the week dashing across the Capitol from bill hearing to bill hearing, presenting legislation to make life more affordable for Minnesotans.  One of my primary focuses this session has been working on housing issues. This week, I testified in support of a bill to keep private equity firms from pricing out Minnesotans in manufactured housing communities. You can find a clip of the hearing here. Last week in the Housing Committee, we also heard our Yes to Homes legislative agenda that would jump start the production of more homes - especially the kind of homes that are too often blocked because of over-regulation. We put together this agenda with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and organizations and advocate groups that rarely see eye-to-eye. It’s an incredibly broad coalition, all seeking the same goals: - Build more homes
- Build them faster
- Build them to be affordable
As a former Coon Rapids City Councilmember, I’ve seen firsthand how local zoning can crush the creation of housing. Demand for housing is greater than supply, which drives up cost. That is why part of the package addresses regulation barriers so we can develop more housing of all types. You can learn more in this Star Tribune op-ed, co-authored by our Housing Committee Chairs. Peter Butler, Coon Rapids City Councilmember, also came to testify in committee about the importance of passing this legislation. You can watch his testimony here. I also introduced a bill that would increase the homestead credit and renter’s credit, putting more dollars back in the pockets of Minnesotans across the state. (Don’t forget – Tax Day is April 15th!) Making Higher Education Affordable I've also been working on HF3432, which would grant in-state tuition rates for new Minnesotans. I presented the bill to the Higher Education Committee last week. Under current law, in-state tuition eligibility is largely tied to high school attendance within the state, but that leaves out many people who have put down roots here as adults and are contributing to our economy every single day. This bill would create an employment-based route to in-state tuition. If you secure a job in Minnesota before applying to a higher education program, you could qualify for in-state rates, bringing down the cost of attendance significantly. People move to Minnesota for lots of things – our beautiful lakes and parks, the friendly people, the high quality of life – but people also move to our state for opportunity. We should be making it easier for new Minnesotans to invest further in themselves and in our state, not harder. You can read all about the hearing here. Coon Rapids Arbor Day Plant Sale! The 2026 Arbor Day Plant Sale is underway. Several varieties of trees and shrubs are available for purchase at wholesale prices! Native plant kits are also available again this year.
There's a limit of four trees/shrubs per Coon Rapids household. No limit on native plant kits.
Order and pay online for delivery the week of April 27. Plants are sold first come, first served until sold out or Friday, April 17. You can learn more here.  Stay ConnectedStay up to date on the happenings of the legislative session by following my official Facebook and Instagram pages. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive updates in your inbox here. Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account.??To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at rep.kari.rehrauer@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-1729. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Chloe, at 651-296-5486 or via email at chloe.keller@house.mn.gov. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol.?? In community, Rep. Kari Rehrauer |