Legislative Update - July 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Last weekend, the current President’s big domestic policy bill passed Congress and was signed into law. This bill is deeply troubling, and I fear the terrible impacts on Minnesotans and our country. Here are my main concerns:

• 200-250K Minnesotans losing their healthcare (16M nationwide) from the $1 trillion cuts to Medicaid. This will likely put rural hospitals especially at risk of closing and will drive up healthcare and health insurance costs for everyone else.
• Going backwards on climate change and clean energy. The bill repeals the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which made historic investments in combating climate change.
• Huge increase in the national debt for our kids to pay. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates it will increase the national debt by $3.4 trillion over ten years.
• Funding tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. All these cuts are being made to pay for a $5 trillion tax cut that especially favors the rich. This is a gigantic transfer of wealth from those who need it to those who don’t.
• Huge increase in the budget for ICE. With $170 Billion in new funding, ICE is now going to become the largest federal law enforcement agency in the history of the nation, potentially with enough funding to hire more law enforcement agents than the FBI and more detention capacity than the entire Federal Bureau of Prisons.

We will have to see if these federal changes blow a hole in the Minnesota budget we just passed for 2026-27. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be working with the Commerce Commissioner on understanding the impact on business under the purview of the Department.

Thank you Education Minnesota for hosting the #WeMakeMinnesota budget debriefing!

I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure Minnesota picks up the slack for where the federal government is failing.

Minnesota’s New Laws

While the new laws coming out of D.C. are deeply troubling, I’m proud to say the vast majority of the laws we passed in St. Paul this session are focused on improving the lives of Minnesotans - with much of our new budget and policies now in effect as of July 1st. 

As is the case with everything we passed this year, Minnesota’s new laws were reached through bipartisan compromise. For our budget, there are many areas where I wish we would’ve gone further, especially as the federal government drops the ball, but overall I’m proud of what we accomplished together. 

Minnesota Public Radio provided a brief overview of some of these laws, but if you’d like a deep dive of what’s been implemented, you can read a nonpartisan summary of all the new laws here. 

Desnoyer Park’s Annual Gathering

The Desnoyer Park Neighborhood is a hidden gem in our district. The neighborhood’s annual gathering is always a wonderful time, but also gives me the opportunity to connect with constituents. This year, I learned about the effort to beautify the park’s porta potty through building a stone structure around it and concerns over safety of Pelham Blvd and the need for improvements.

Thank you Marita for inviting me. I enjoyed learning about the vendors featuring art work and crafts of neighbors, and watching the kids engage in activities like balloon art, face painting, bubble making, and the bouncy house. A great way to end a summer day!

St. Paul Childhood Center Visit

I had the pleasure of visiting with a group of bright and thoughtful first through third graders from St. Paul’s Childhood Center, where they’re attending a summer program. We had a great conversation about my work at the Capitol and the issues that matter most to them.

These young Minnesotans spoke passionately about protecting our environment; they want to see laws that stop people from throwing plastic bottles into lakes and rivers, and make littering illegal. Their voices remind me how much hope there is in the next generation, and how important it is that we build a future they can be proud of.

4th in the Park!

The St. Anthony Park 4th in the Park Parade is one of my favorite traditions, and I always look forward to returning. I’m especially grateful to the family and friends who walked with us this year!

Like many of you, I have deep concerns about the recent actions taken by Congress and the harm they will cause to so many. But Independence Day reminds us that there is still hope, and that the work for justice and progress continues.

Pride Parade

As Pride Month concluded, I joined my friends for the pride parade! It was an honor to stand alongside our SD64 electeds Sen. Erin Murphy and Rep. Dave Pinto, and members of the Minnesota Queer Legislators Caucus as we celebrated love, equality, and community.

Happy Pride!

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

State Representative