Legislative Update - Driver’s Licenses for All

Dear Neighbors, 

Starting this month, more of our neighbors are now able to earn a driver’s license regardless of immigration status as a result of legislation we passed early this year. This law reverses the short-sighted 2003 law prohibiting those without U.S. citizenship status from obtaining a driver’s license in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Department of Driver Vehicle Services has a wide variety of information on its website, including step-by-step guides in multiple languages outlining what is needed to take the written test and behind-the-wheel test, and how to schedule those appointments. Minnesota statute also requires ALL drivers to be insured. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have questions or need assistance.

New Funding for a New School Year

We’re a month into the new school year, and students in our district and across the state are back in the classroom with a historic amount of new funding and resources. For St. Paul schools alone, we invested over $85 million in our students!

This funding is already in action, and does the following:

The Playwright’s Center

It’s been an honor to partner with my Congresswoman Betty McCollum to secure funding to enable the groundbreaking for The Playwrights' Center last month. Congresswoman McCollum secured $4 million in community project funding, and I brought in nearly $5 million through this year’s Capital Investment Bill. It took 3 bienniums, but the fight was worth it.

Playwright fellow Katie Ka Vang shared with me that The Playwrights’ Center is one of the few left in the country. The experience with this organization is known to transform artists’ lives. Investing in the arts means telling the stories of those often invisible, creating jobs, stimulating the economy & healing communities. We are truly blessed to have this gem in St. Paul.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available!

Minnesotans can once again order free rapid at-home COVID-19 tests. Every home in our state can order eight tests once a month while supplies last. Even if you have ordered before, you can order again. Order tests here. The website is available in English, Hmoob/Hmong, Soomaali/Somali, Español/Spanish, and more!

Japan Trade Mission

Last month, I had the honor of traveling to Japan with legislative colleagues, Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on a trade mission trip. Japan is Minnesota's 4th largest trading partner. They are one of the largest importers of pork, poultry, corn and soy. USA Facts reported "In the 1st quarter of 2023, the real GDP growth rate for agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting in Minnesota was 109.8% per year, the highest in the state."

Stay In Touch

Please feel free to reach out during this legislative interim with any questions or comments you may have. You can contact me and my office at rep.kaohly.her@house.mn.gov or 651-296-8799. Also feel free to follow along on my official Facebook page.

Thank you again for the incredible honor of representing our community in the Minnesota House, and thank you for all of your support as we delivered for Minnesotans this year. 

Sincerely,  

Kaohly Vang Her

State Representative