| Neighbors,
I hope you've been making the most of the warm weather and spending time with family, friends and neighbors! If you're heading to the State Fair, stop by the Minnesota House booth to catch up! We'll be in the Education Building on Cosgrove Street, just north of Dan Patch Avenue.
Though the Legislature won't be in session until February 11, I wanted to take a minute to give you a quick update.
In our busy lives, it's nice to be able to take a night to spend with our neighbors. I hope you all had a great time celebrating National Night Out!
New Laws
Several (but not all) new laws from our work this session took effect this month, including the new hands-free law, which you may have known about but can have any remaining questions answered on the Office of Traffic Safety website.
Other new laws that took effect this month will:
- Protect seniors and vulnerable adults who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from retaliation after they file a complaint.
- Fully incorporate the wage theft prevention and enforcement measures passed this year. Minnesotans deserve to be paid for their work, and the laws we passed this year will ensure those who deny workers their wages will be held accountable.
- Improve transparency in our health care system by requiring clinics to disclose facility fees so patients aren’t surprised by higher out-of-pocket costs.
- Make it easier for people with disabilities to obtain disability license plates and permits.
- Allow deployed service members to participate remotely in local government meetings.
At the Capitol
Earlier this month, I attended two important events. The first was the executive order relaunching the Children’s Cabinet to focus on equity, results, and accountability for Minnesota's children and families.
The second was the Mom’s Demand Action and Protect Minnesota rally. We cannot ask Minnesotans to focus on children if we do not also call on legislators to do their job in protecting those same children from gun violence. It's time for the Republican-led Senate to hold hearings on two bills passed by the House: red flag laws and background checks.
There is a medical need to legalize marijuana but equally important is decriminalization it. Our POCI communities have been disproportionately punished for far too long. It’s time to take bold actions on cannabis. The House is leading by hosting community conversations around the state to talk about how we will create an inclusive regulatory framework. Join the first event on Thursday here.
In the Community
Reminder that you can always reach out if there's a community event you think I should be at, or a group you think I should hear from! Here are some of the events I've gone to to learn how we can be intentional about making our state work for everyone.
I met with May and Eric from the Children's Defense Fund of MN and learned about supporting young children and their families
Super fun to support my colleagues, Rep Mann and Rep Cantrell, in their school supply drive. Their efforts mean students will have the necessary materials to have a successful school year. Great job!
I joined the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers for a heartwarming conversation about not only my immigration story, but those of others.
With CEO and Co-Founder Evan Sallee at Fair State Brewing Cooperative. Our small businesses need support to grow and thrive. They are the engine what drives our city’s economy.
I attended a Close the Border Camp rally because families are seeking safety and security, and it's being treated as a crime. The way they are being treated is unconscionable.
Women still do not have the same rights and protection under our constitution. I was on MPR with Angela Davis talking about the Equal Rights Amendment with former Rep and founder of ERA MN Betty Folliard. You can listen here!
Stay In Touch!
Though we're not in session I want to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions you may have as new laws take effect and we shape our plans to make our state more equitable and fair during next year's session. You can reach me at (651) 296-8799, or at rep.kaohly.her@house.mn. I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Kaohly Her
State Representative - District 64A |