Legislative Update from Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Legislative Update from Rep. Kari Rehrauer

Neighbors,  

I hope you had a safe and happy Fourth of July.  

On our 250th Anniversary, the United States is the world’s oldest democracy and has been historically considered the world’s shining example as its premier democracy.  

We must remember the ideals our forefathers founded this nation on. Upon our nation’s founding, the American Revolution and the American ideal was all aboutpower to the regular people, not the rich – and not a King. That holds true today – that freedoms start with the people and that anyone could pursue the American Dream.  

Our Declaration of Independence makes it clear:  

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” 

Today our country is being psychologically divided into separate camps at odds with each other by media-fueled extremists, when in reality, we all have more in common with each other than what divides us.  

We love our families, we want to raise our children in safety and with the hopes they will do better than ourselves someday, and we want to have peace in our lives.  

Minnesota is a beacon of light in the darkness. The people of Minnesota set the example of standing up for their neighbors in January. The members of our legislature can set an example of leading with dignity and honor and upholding the ideals our forefathers set out to create.  

As a Minnesotan, I want to see us recapture the strength and unity we have when we treat everyone with dignity, honor, and respect. We can do this if we commit to it every day. 

Delivering for our Veterans

As DFL Vice-Chair of the Veterans Committee, I’m incredibly proud of the work we did this term to deliver for Minnesota Veterans. Some of the highlights include:  

• Securing $26 million in federal VA funding 
• Establishing formal “Veteran of the Secret War” status for Hmong and Lao Veterans 
• Increasing National Guard pay by 45% for lower ranks 
• Providing free entry to the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for disabled Vets 
• Lowering property taxes for more military families  
• Lowering taxes and feed on vehicle purchase and registration for disabled Vets 

Paid Family Medical Leave is Working

When we passed Minnesota's Paid Leave law in 2023, we made a simple promise: no one should have to choose between their paycheck and caring for themselves or the people they love.  

Six months in, more than 75,000 Minnesotans have already been approved for Paid Leave benefits, allowing workers to take paid, job-protected time off to welcome a new child, recover from a serious health condition, or care for a loved one. More than 38,000 families have used the program for bonding leave with a new child. 

The program is reaching the people it was designed to help. More than half of applicants earn less than $78,000 per year, nearly half live outside the Twin Cities metro, and before Paid Leave, many of these workers had no access to paid family or medical leave through their employers. That's especially important because, nationwide, only about 27% of workers have access to paid family leave through their jobs. 

Strong families build strong communities, and Paid Leave is helping ensure that Minnesotans can care for themselves and their loved ones without sacrificing their financial security. I'm proud to have supported this landmark investment in working families, and I'll continue working to protect and strengthen programs that help make Minnesota one of the best places in the country to live, work, and raise a family. 

Stay Connected

This is the final newsletter you’ll receive from me until 2027. Minnesota law requires that certain official communications halt 60 days after legislative adjournment in election years to not give an unfair advantage to incumbents. However, you can still reach out to my office with any questions, comments, and concerns. 

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 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.??      

All my best,??      

Rep. Kari Rehrauer