Legislative Update - Summer Newsletter

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope our very rainy start to summer is treating you and yours well! The elevation of our district largely keeps us out of the flood zones, but you don’t have to go far to be impacted along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. If you’re out and about, be sure to check the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s road status updates here to see how your travels may be impacted - and stay safe!

I’ve been staying dry at a whole host of local events. Here’s the latest on what I’ve been up to, and some resources that are available to our community:

USA Gymnastics comes to the Twin Cities

This week, we welcomed USA Gymnastics to the City of Minneapolis. Top athletes from across the country will compete to qualify for the Paris Olympics. It was an honor for me to be a part of bringing the gymnastics Olympic trials to Minnesota. As a young refugee girl I had to forge my parent’s signatures to play sports. Girls of my time and generation were not allowed to engage in this type of activity. To be a small part of creating space for athletes to vie for a spot for their one moment in time to be the best in the world is truly humbling.

This was a team effort with Rep. Matt Norris, Rep. Erin Koegel, Sen. Foung Hawj, Sen. Kelly Morrison, and Rep. Dean Urdahl, with support from Governor Tim Walz, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Mayor Jacob Frey.

This’ll be a jam-packed weekend showing off the best the US has to offer in gymnastics. Whether you want to see the competition in person or on TV, you can find a schedule of events here. 

Keeping Minnesota Pro-Choice

Two years ago, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 597 U.S. 215 (2022), overturned 50 years of legal precedent, paving the way for states to ban abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution of the United States does not confer a right to abortion. Although the Minnesota Legislature passed bills to protect reproductive rights in Minnesota, we must stay vigilant in protecting our freedom of choice.

This week, I met up with champions like Sen. Kelly Morrison and other advocates to reflect on our work. 

As co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, I helped lead efforts to pass several key pieces of legislation that not only reinforced our current laws enabling access to abortion, but also broke down existing barriers and expanded protections for Minnesotans and all who would seek reproductive care in our state. This was a top priority of the DFL trifecta, especially as other states move backwards on reproductive rights. In Minnesota, we know that reproductive care is health care, and it’s staying that way. 

Coalition of Asian American Leaders

This week also saw the Coalition of Asian American Leaders’ (CAAL) Legislative Debrief event, covering our recent legislative accomplishments. From immigration reform, to workforce development, to education, CAAL worked with legislators to bring investments to the AAPI community. Thank you for giving time for legislators to share the wins and disappointments of the past biennium as well. 

Being on the same panel with Rep. Samantha Vang, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, Rep. Sandra Feist, Rep. Liz Lee, Sen. Foung Hawj and Sen. Bobby Joe Champion is always a pleasure.

If you missed it, I provided an overview of our accomplishments in my previous legislative update, which you can find here. 

Lawns to Legumes

Do you want your lawn to be more pollinator-friendly? Minnesota residents can now apply for spring 2025 Lawns to Legumes funding. The Lawns to Legumes program aims to increase habitat for at-risk pollinators in residential settings across the state by providing people with cost-share funding, workshops, coaching, and gardening resources.

Anyone can apply to be reimbursed for up to $400 in costs associated with establishing new pollinator habitats in their yards. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2024. If you previously applied for the program, you must reapply to be considered for spring 2025 funding. 

Apply online at Blue Thumb’s website. For more information about Lawns to Legumes, visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources’ website. 

E-Bike Rebate Update 

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is continuing to work with their external technology providers to reopen applications for the e-Bike Rebate. The Electric-Assisted Bicycle Rebate (e-Bike Rebate) is designed to reduce the cost for Minnesota residents to buy a new e-bike at eligible retailers, providing a discount of up to $1,500 on a qualifying e-bike. I encourage you to read the Department of Revenue’s update here, as the application process will re-open July 2 at 11:00 am.

Stay Connected

Even though we’re not in session, 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. I look forward to seeing you this summer!

Sincerely, 

Kaohly Vang Her

State Representative