Legislative Update - May 2, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

We have reached a busy time of the Legislative Session, spending our days passing budget bills on the House Floor. After these bills pass the House, we enter negotiations with the Senate and the Governor on a final version that we must pass before our May 19 adjournment date.

In a 67-67 tied House, all our budget bills result from compromises between DFLers and Republicans. The bills aren’t perfect, but we’re fighting for a budget that supports Minnesota workers and families.

Meeting with our Community

AAPI RISING: Identity, Resilience, and Leadership Summit

We had an inspiring day at the AAPI RISING: Identity, Resilience, and Leadership Summit, where powerful voices came together to explore the intersectionality of identity, share stories of resilience, and celebrate the strength of our communities. The event fostered deep connections and renewed energy, setting the stage for attendees to step into — or continue growing into — bold, transformative leadership across Minnesota.

CAPI USA was founded in 1982 by a coalition of church groups helping Southeast Asian refugees settle in Minnesota in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. Since then, CAPI has embraced new refugees and immigrants from all over the world. 

At a time where we are seeing intolerable actions by our federal government, CAPI is creating an engaging and empowering space for the AAPI community. 

MN Zej Zog Gala

I had such an uplifting time with Hmong educators at the MN Zej Zog Gala. We heard inspiring stories from teachers, including a touching retelling of a teacher’s impact from keynote speaker Chenue Her. We saw the performances from Cypher Side Dance School, the entertaining artistic expressions from various singers and comedian/writer Mai Neng Moua, and impressive vendors selling Hmong jewelry, educational materials, handicrafts, and so much more. Our community is rich and plentiful!

MN Zej Zog is a Hmong-led nonprofit born from over a decade of grassroots volunteer efforts and comprises a network of 500+ educators, parents, youth leaders, and community members dedicated to fostering sustainable change through collaboration and leadership. They strive to empower the community and preserve Hmong heritage for future generations.

Recent Town Halls

When the world feels like it is in disarray, surround yourself with courage and hope. Thank you to all who attended our Saint Paul and Stillwater Town Halls! While chaos is happening at the federal level, our community is standing together to defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. I spoke out at our recent town halls about the attacks on our civil liberties by the Trump administration. As long as I am around, I will fight for justice.

Honoring and Recognizing our Hmong and Lao Veterans

Our Hmong and Lao veterans who served valiantly in the Secret War risked everything for American interests, and were promised support that never fully materialized.

I joined many of them last week at a press conference highlighting their service. Under the Veterans budget bill that we passed, they will finally receive the honor and recognition they have always deserved for their service to our country.

Minnesota has a moral responsibility to recognize these heroes who later built vibrant communities in our state, and this initiative represents a critical step toward fulfilling our long-overdue commitment to these courageous individuals who sacrificed so much.

You can hear my remarks on the floor here.

Community Updates

House Passes Public Safety and Judiciary Budget Bill

I voted alongside my colleagues to pass the House Public Safety and Judiciary budget bill. Under Democratic leadership, Minnesota has become a safer state with improved outcomes in our justice system, and we can’t afford to go backwards now. This bill works to protect our historic reforms and needed investments, preventing regressive legislation, all while improving victim services, police training, and data protections for judges.

A lot of this bill was about stopping bad GOP proposals and maintaining our historic progress from the last two years, but we achieved some major new wins as well. This bill takes direct action to combat the chaotic actions of the Trump Administration that harm victim services and put Minnesotans’ safety at risk. By funding life-saving victim services programs that help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes, this bill is keeping Minnesota safe.

House Passes 2025 Commerce Budget 

Our state government has a responsibility to protect people and create a fairer, safer Minnesota for all. Last week, we passed the Commerce committee budget bill, ensuring stronger oversight of the financial securities industry, preventing skyrocketing insurance rates, and safeguarding basic needs like access to water. 

It’s another way the DFL continues to focus on putting Minnesotans first!

Minnesota Making Progress on Clean Energy 

In 2023 and 2024, DFLers made generational investments in a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient energy system, putting Minnesota on the path to 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2040. 

The latest Minnesota Energy Factsheet shows our policies are working and our investments are paying off, creating high-paying clean energy jobs, lowering costs for families, and building a greener future:

? A new record low in carbon emissions, cutting another 4% between 2023 and 2024.

? Residents and businesses saved more than $307 million in energy costs from the Energy Conservation Optimization (ECO) Act.

? Minnesota is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for overall energy efficiency, and No. 10 nationwide!

Here at the Capitol, I’m dedicated to protecting our progress from those who are seeking to repeal the legislation that made this positive change possible.

State of the State Address

Recently, Governor Walz delivered his State of the State Address. While cruelty and cuts dominate the headlines out of Washington, here in Minnesota, we’re choosing a different path—one grounded in compassion, progress, and real results. As Trump and his allies continue dismantling the programs and policies meant to help everyday people, we’re standing strong with Governor Tim Walz and DFLers to make Minnesota the best place in America to raise a child. 

Every person deserves security, opportunity, and freedom—and that’s why we’re fighting to protect the investments we’ve made in schools, health care, clean energy, public safety, and caring for our kids and seniors. In times like these, Minnesota is fortunate to have steady, values-driven leadership.

Stay Connected

Please continue to reach out to my office at 651-296-8799 or rep.kaohly.her@house.mn.gov, and you’ll hear back from me or my Legislative Assistant, Emma. I always appreciate hearing from you!

You can also follow along on my official Facebook page, and subscribe to these regular emails if you haven’t already. 

Thank you again for the incredible honor of representing our community!

Sincerely, 

Kaohly Vang Her