Legislative Update - April 28, 2023

Dear Neighbors,

On Thursday, we finished voting on our 2023 budget bills! These bills incorporate the vast majority of the House of Representatives' work this session. I appreciate all my colleagues’ hard work in creating a budget that centers the needs of our state and ensures we are improving the lives of every Minnesotan. From St. Paul to St. Peter and Minneapolis to Moorhead, we heard the perspectives of all Minnesotans. I am proud this budget recognizes the diversity of our state. We ensured people of color, LGBTQ+ people, our religious communities, and so many more were heard and a part of this process.

You can read all of the budgets here: Higher Education, Legacy, Environment and Clean Energy, Housing, Veterans, Elections, State and Local Government, K-12 Education, Agriculture, Transportation, Early Learning, Children & Families, Jobs & Labor, Human Services, Pensions, Commerce, Judiciary & Public Safety, Tax, and Health.

Most of these bills now go to conference committees - a committee of state representatives and senators who iron out differences between their corresponding budget bills. So, I can’t guarantee what will be in the final budget yet, but I am happy to report both the House and Senate are moving in the same direction. Stay tuned!

Updates

The House passed our 2023 Tax bill. First, this is the largest tax cut in Minnesota history, targeted at those most in need. Between 2018 and 2021, the adjusted gross income (AGI) of filers of those earning less than $20,000 annually fell by 9%, while the AGI of filers over $500k grew by 117%. Minnesotans expect those who profited most during the pandemic to pay their fair share. That’s why I am proud of my provision to create a millionaires tax on the top 0.8% of earners. It’s a new highest rate of 10.85% for those earning $1 million (married/joint), $600,000 (single), or $800,000 (head of household).

This week, I rallied with Moms Demand Action volunteers at the Capitol. Hundreds of volunteer advocates are why we have pushed our gun violence prevention legislation through this session. Never bet against moms! 

As a result, our Public Safety budget includes provisions for extreme risk protection orders for those who present a risk to themselves or others and for universal background checks on every gun sale. Again, this is common sense legislation.

The Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus and I were honored to host Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kin Moy. We cannot solve problems in silos. Working with our Federal Government officials is a must to ensure Minnesota continues growing and thriving. We discussed the U.S. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2023, Minnesota's many exports, and ways communities here can engage and advance U.S. foreign policy - like hosting the 2027 World Expo in Bloomington

Stay in Touch

If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by email at rep.kaohly.her@house.com or call (651) 296-8799 or like my Official State Representative Facebook Page.

Sincerely,  

Kaohly Vang Her

State Representative