Dear Neighbors, This week, the House is preparing to enter a special session. Special sessions aren’t unusual in Minnesota, especially when government control is divided. In fact, the only recent year we avoided one was in 2023, when DFL leadership in the House, Senate, and Governor’s office collaborated to pass one of the most impactful and forward-thinking budgets in state history. This year, with Republican lawmakers at the negotiating table, we’ve faced significant challenges. Unfortunately, we’ve seen GOP members delay floor action, even on broadly supported, bipartisan bills, in an effort to reverse past progress and push us into a special session. This comes even though legislative committees did their work and met deadlines on time. In many negotiations, Republicans have introduced last-minute demands that have little to do with the budget itself. Instead of focusing on what’s best for Minnesota families, they’ve prioritized proposals that benefit wealthy individuals and large corporations, often at the expense of working people and our most vulnerable neighbors. These demands have been backed by special interest groups that do not reflect the values or needs of most Minnesotans. That’s why DFL legislators held a press conference to call out these last-minute tactics and reaffirm our commitment to delivering a fair, balanced budget. You can watch the press conference here. Thank you for staying engaged—we’ll keep you updated as we return to finish the job. Meeting with our Community Grand Old DaysGrand Old Day is the official start of summer in Saint Paul! Since 1973, the Grand Avenue Business Association has brought our community together for this iconic celebration. Spanning 30 blocks along Grand Avenue, this year drew more than 200,000 people, one of the largest one-day festivals in the Midwest! Thank you to the friends, neighbors, and visitors who made this year’s event so special. It was a joy to celebrate alongside so many of you. I’m incredibly proud to represent this vibrant neighborhood and the local businesses that make Grand Avenue a true destination. I’m already looking ahead to next year!  1MN History MakersI was truly honored to join an incredible panel at the 1MN History Makers event as we closed out Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I can’t think of a more inspiring way to mark the occasion than by sharing space with such brilliant, insightful, and dynamic leaders. The conversation was filled with wisdom, humor, and a deep sense of purpose. It reminded me how powerful our voices are when we come together—and how much hope there is for a future grounded in equity, inclusion, and shared humanity. I left the event renewed in my belief that every one of us has a role to play in shaping a more just and compassionate world.  Fighting PFAS Contamination I had the opportunity to join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ERDC team and their partners—General Atomics and Bay West—for a firsthand look at groundbreaking technology designed to combat PFAs contamination. During a live demonstration, they showcased their supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) system, a compact, scalable, and proven method for the permanent and safe destruction of harmful PFAs and PFOA chemicals. This issue is deeply personal to me. My family has lived in the East Metro for generations—North St. Paul, Oakdale, Maplewood, and Woodbury. Over the years, too many of my relatives, some as young as high school students, have been diagnosed with debilitating autoimmune diseases. Our communities are ground zero for PFAs contamination, and we can’t afford to look the other way. We have a responsibility—not only to hold polluters accountable but also to pursue and invest in real solutions to clean up our environment and protect public health. A heartfelt thank you to the City of Lake Elmo for hosting this important event and to Congresswoman Betty McCollum for her tireless leadership on this critical issue.  Medicaid Matters Town Hall This past Saturday I joined Congresswoman Betty McCollum, along with my fellow State Representatives, for an important conversation at the Medicaid Matters Town Hall. The event featured a panel of expert speakers who highlighted the real-life consequences of the GOP’s "Billionaire Tax Giveaway” bill. This proposal would strip healthcare coverage from 20,000 Minnesotans. Congresswoman McCollum offered critical updates on this harmful legislation and its far-reaching impact. In these challenging times, I’m grateful to be part of a community that is committed to protecting the most vulnerable. We have a responsibility to speak truthfully about what this bill does, and to fight for the healthcare access every Minnesotan deserves.  Stay ConnectedPlease 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 |