 Dear Neighbors, In my second term as your State Representative, I’ve worked hard to prioritize communicating and reaching out to you and members of our community through town halls, office hours, constituent meetings, emails and phone calls, and of course this e-newsletter. That’s why it’s important that I give you a heads up about an important deadline -- July 22nd -- that will change the way I can communicate with you through the end of the year. This Friday, July 22nd marks the 60-day deadline out from the legislative session after which state law prohibits members of the legislature from proactively reaching out to constituents through town halls and e-updates from my legislative office. This law is designed to keep our elections fair and competitive by ensuring that incumbent candidates don’t use official resources for an advantage in the months leading up to an election. I can still respond to your calls, emails and events if you reach out to me and our office. Though this is an important measure in election fairness, it is also hard for me because I believe district outreach and sharing information is extremely important so you can know about my work and our work together in the community. Please continue to reach out to my office - you can always reach me at rep.kaohly.her@house.mn. And I will continue to provide information and resources in the interim through my official Facebook and on Twitter. First Indigenous Regent for UMNOur House Higher Education Committee frequently discussed the importance of having Indigenous representation on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents, a board that often makes decisions affecting Native students and the sovereign tribes in Minnesota. This week, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced the appointment of Tadd Johnson to the board, making him the first Indigenous regent in state history. This historic appointment is made possible by the continued advocacy of tribes and community members across the state to see representation at every level. Congrats, Regent Johnson! Minnesota Protects Abortion AccessAfter the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Minnesota has an important role in providing safe and legal abortion care to women in Minnesota and those traveling from neighboring states who have rushed to ban abortion. This week, I joined my colleagues in the Reproductive Freedom Caucus to tour Whole Woman’s Health Clinic, met their amazing staff, and learned about the compassionate, safe, and affordable abortion care they are providing. This clinic, like abortion clinics throughout Minnesota, is seeing an uptick in out-of-state patients seeking abortion care in Minnesota as other states restrict and ban abortion access. And we received some good news on that front this week with the state court ruling striking down many of Minnesota’s outdated and harmful abortion restrictions. A Ramsey County District judge struck down: - 24hr abortion waiting period - forcing doctors to give patients misinformation - dual-parent notification for minors - ban on abortion care from advanced-practice clinicians The district court held that these unnecessary restrictions violated the rights provided in the Minnesota Constitution. Women who are making a tough decision about their own healthcare shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the care they deserve and need. This will help clinics like Whole Woman’s Health provide more timely and responsive care and expand the pool of available providers at a moment when that is urgently needed to serve the uptick of patients.  It is critical we stand up and stand together for reproductive freedom for everyone. I’m proud to have stood with thousands of Minnesotans and my fellow members of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus Sunday at the March for Abortion Access. We’re working to protect and expand reproductive healthcare in our state, not only for Minnesotans, but so we can care for those who need abortion access in our entire region. I was honored to have a moment to share my abortion story, a heartbreaking procedure that saved my life after we found that my fetus was non-viable and ectopic. It’s hard to share, but it’s incredibly important for people like me to normalize this medical news for other women out there who are struggling.  Hometown HeroesAs a result of the bipartisan Hometown Heroes Assistance Program we passed into law, we’re already seeing an immense impact on firefighters' lives across the state – with free health and wellness resources to protect our hometown heroes and their families.  You or a firefighter you know can access these free benefits and support today. Learn more about the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program here https://mnfireinitiative.com/hhap/. Connecting with MinnesotansThe Desnoyer Park neighborhood picnic gets better every year. I was so happy to be out in the community, supporting this wonderful event. Neighbors, friends, and family came out for food, face painting, giant bubble making, games, and raffles. After two years of not gathering, we take none of this for granted. Looking forward to next year’s festivities!  On July 1, Minnesota legalized THC products derived from hemp in food and drink products. Chief author of the bill State Representative Heather Edelson, Mayor Melvin Carter, and I toured the Nothing but Hemp shop located in my district. I appreciated the time CEO Steven Brown spent sharing his business model, operations, and consumer protection precautions. The new bill makes important steps toward legalization and regulation, along with making THC products that look like they’re meant to be for kids illegal. Minnesotans have been asking for legalization of cannabis and decriminalization for years. This is a first step. Democrats look forward to continuing this work with advocates.  Thank you for your time!During the interim, please follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, you can reach me by email at rep.kaohly.her@house.mn or call 651-296-8799. Sincerely, Kaohly Vang Her State Representative |