Rep. Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, announced Monday she is retiring from the Legislature and will take a job with powerhouse lobby firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen.

"It is humbling to have had the support of the community I grew up in," Lenczewski said in a statement. "I am proud to have been elected by Bloomington residents nine times to the Legislature and twice to the City Council. It has been my great pleasure to work with Bloomington residents and people across Minnesota to solve problems."

Lenczewski was chair of the powerful Taxes Committee during the 2013-14 session when the DFL Legislature, at the urging of Gov. Mark Dayton, introduced a fourth income tax tier to raise revenue from the wealthiest Minnesotans, while also substantially increasing cigarette taxes. The 2014 session saw big tax cuts after the economic recovery began to produce state surpluses.

Lenczewski is known in the Legislature for deep knowledge of tax policy and no-nonsense speaking style.