Legislative Update: January 31, 2025

Dear Neighbors, 

I wanted to give you an update on where the Minnesota House stands.

Like my DFL colleagues, I have been focused on work in our district. However, we hope to collaborate with Republicans soon in St. Paul. Until a power-sharing agreement is signed that honors the will of the voters, I’ll continue working hard in our community. 

Last week, The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the Republicans’ attempted power grab in the Minnesota House was invalid. Therefore, every action they took since January 14th was unconstitutional. At the heart of the quorum denial is the Republicans’ stated desire to try to overturn the election of DFL Representative Brad Tabke, who the voters in Shakopee elected, and whose election was certified and affirmed by a court. It would be an appalling and unprecedented abuse of power to throw out an election and disenfranchise the 22,000 Minnesotans who voted in Shakopee in November.

In addition, the voters elected a tied legislature at 67-67. I believe Democrats have made reasonable offers to Republicans, allowing them to run the Minnesota House while there is a temporary vacancy in District 40B. We’re asking to govern under shared power if the House returns to a 67-67 tie after the special election in 40B. This is a common-sense agreement.

In this tumultuous time, I will continue to work in whatever way I can to protect democracy, ensure that everyone has access to stable housing, lower costs for working families, protect our most basic freedoms, and secure a brighter future for all Minnesotans. 

Below are some highlights from some recent meetings.

Touring the Hmong Cultural Center Museum

The Hmong Cultural Center Museum received state legacy funding in the 2023/2024 biennium, and these funds were used to expand exhibits and develop curriculum. Programs offered by the museum include ESL and citizenship classes or new Americans. I remember my parents and grandmother studying to take their citizenship test, and I saw the struggles and fights of my elders. I never take one moment of my life in America for granted. 

Touring Island Pezi Cannabis

I was proud to vote for the legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2023, increasing options for people to treat conditions like PTSD and chronic pain while providing relief for the thousands of minor offenders who have been unfairly swept up in our criminal justice system.  

The House DFL Commerce members toured the Island Pezi cannabis dispensary at Prairie Island. This vertically integrated facility sources all of its products and materials locally and uses sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. 

Supporting Saint Paul Teachers

I had a productive meeting with representatives from the St. Paul Teachers' Retirement Fund Association. We discussed the health of the plan, investment returns, and legislative priorities for the upcoming year. 

Pensions can be useful tools for recruiting mid level career educators into Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and for developing strategies to move SPTRFA to fully funded status. Though I am no longer a member of the Legislative Commission on Pension and Retirement, I look forward to working with all of our pension plans this coming year.

United Hmong Family Meeting with Mayor Carter

For over 40 years, the Hmong Freedom Festival has celebrated Hmong history and culture with the largest Hmong sports event in the United States. I recently joined Leaders of the United Hmong Family and met with Mayor Melvin Carter to discuss this continued partnership. 

This year’s festival will be from June 28th to June 29th.

Rondo Community Land Trust Tour

Since 1993, the Rondo Community Land Trust has served as a community-based affordable housing/commercial land trust operating in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. Rondo CLT builds community wealth and neighborhood stability through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, rental housing, commercial space, and other community assets.

Thank you Rondo Community Land Trust and staff for sharing your vision and approach with us. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and are looking forward to our ongoing partnership in this work.

Department of Public Safety Meetings

As a firearm owner, I know the importance of responsible ownership. That’s why I wrote a bill to help hold firearm owners accountable and give our law enforcement another tool to help keep our communities safe and free of gun violence.

I met with Public Safety Commissioner Drew Evans to discuss the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension bonding requests in Mankato and Bemidji facilities, the Reporting Lost and Stolen Firearms bill, and fraud. I look forward to continuing working with state officials to ensure Minnesotans are protected and safe.

Future Forward

I met with Moses and Brendan of Future Forward who are fighting to ensure state-employed interns who are Pell grant eligible are paid a minimum wage of $15. I am committed to this initiative and crafting legislation to move it forward.

Discussion on Independently Owned Pharmacies

St. Paul Corner Drug first opened its doors in the 1920s and has served as a community staple since. Despite its longevity, independent pharmacies are struggling.  According to the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, the number of independently owned pharmacies in Minnesota has dropped from 478 to 156 in the past two decades.

I joined my colleagues in a discussion with St. Paul Corner Drug on the complexity of Rx reimbursement, the challenges the industry faces, and the impact that closures have on communities. The House DFL and I are committed to working on improving the system so that it can work better for independent pharmacies.

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