July 2025 Community Newsletter
Welcome to the July 2025 Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans Newsletter!
This month, we will be looking at state legislative updates, upcoming events, and other opportunities. To receive this newsletter directly to your inbox,
sign up here.
2025 Legislative Session Update
On Monday, June 9, Minnesota lawmakers returned after three weeks of negotiations to complete the state’s next two-year budget in a one-day special session. With the most closely divided legislature in state history, with a tied House and one-vote DFL majority in the Senate, lawmakers were able to meet a bipartisan compromise to avoid a potential partial shutdown of state government on July 1.
With the budget now finished, here are some highlights from the priority areas for Asian Pacific Minnesotans identified in the 2024 Community Priorities Survey:
Access to Healthcare
- Spoken Language Medical Interpreting Working Group established
- Disability service cuts a major focus for reducing structural imbalance
- MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults ended
Culture and Heritage
- Changing approach to appropriations leads more competitive than direct funding decisions
Jobs and Wages
- $1M per year for competitive grants for economic development in Southeast Asian communities
- $250k per year to CAAL for women entrepreneurs and Asian owned businesses
- $250k per year to AEDA for workforce development
- Adjustments made to Paid Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time programs
Access to Housing
- Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training Program
- Community-based First-Generation Homebuyer Assistance program
Veterans
- Providing Veteran status and limited benefits eligibility to SGU veterans
While the state’s next budget is set, there is a possibility that lawmakers will have to return before the start of the next regular session to address changes in the federal budget, such as potential federal cuts to Medicaid.
Community Events in August
Saturday August 9, 2025: 3-11 pm
Sunday August 10, 2025: 2-10 pm
425 Rice St., St. Paul, MN 55103
Saturday August 16, 2025: 11 am - 9 pm
State Capitol Grounds
Information from Our Partners
MNsure: Free, Expert Help with Health Insurance
Want help applying for health insurance? MNsure-certified navigators offer free, expert help.
If it’s your first time, a navigator can help you:
- fill out an application
- see what you qualify for
- understand next steps
If you’re eligible for a private health plan, they can connect you with a broker for more advice.
And many navigators speak languages other than English! Navigators like Melanie Thao are passionate about helping Minnesotans get covered.
MN Center of Excellence Newcomer Education for Wellness
Newcomer Education for Wellness (NEW) is a free resource designed to help refugees, immigrants, and newcomers to the U.S. navigate the health care system and take care of their health. Subscribers will receive free, accessible health education videos in their own language texted directly to their phone. No identifiable information is required, and phone numbers are only used to send educational health videos.
These videos are made for newcomers to the U.S. – and anyone else who wants to learn more about their health in their own language. NEW videos are designed to be accessible regardless of language or literacy, so all can understand and use the information with confidence.
The videos are available in Arabic, Burmese, Dari, English, French, Haitian Creole, Karen, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili. Video topics will cover interpretation services, health care facilities, dental and vision care, stress management, and healthy eating.
Reminder from the Department of Revenue: Claiming Your Renter's Credit
Previously, renters filed a Renter’s Property Tax Refund return (Form M1PR) to claim the Renter’s Credit. Refunds typically went out this time of year.
As a reminder, you now claim the credit on your Minnesota Individual Income Tax return (Form M1). You no longer file Form M1PR to claim it.
When will I get my refund for the Renter’s Credit?
If you claimed the Renter’s Credit on Form M1, it was already credited to you. The credit decreases how much you owe or increases any refund due on your return.
How do I know if I got the credit?
To verify, check to see if you filed Schedule M1RENT, Renter’s Credit, and Schedule M1REF, Refundable Credits, with your income tax return.
What if I did not file an income tax return?
Since the credit is part of your Form M1, you must file it to claim the Renter's Credit. Visit our
File an Income Tax Return webpage for more details, including due dates and electronic and paper filing methods.
What if I forgot to claim the Renter’s Credit?
If you already filed but did not claim the credit, you can amend your return. See the Forgot to Claim the Renter’s Credit section on our
Renter’s Credit webpage.
Where can I find more information?
The Minnesota Trade Office is Now Accepting Nominations: Governor's International Trade Awards
Nominations Due Friday, August 15, 2025
The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is accepting nominations for the 40th Annual Governor’s International Trade Awards. As this year marks an incredible four-decade milestone, these prestigious awards are given out each year to honor Minnesota companies that have excelled in the international marketplace. Award recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony to be scheduled in early 2026.
Award Categories
The following four award categories are open for nominations for Minnesota companies that successfully export goods and services:
- Manufactured Goods:
- Small-sized company (<100 employees)
- Medium-sized company (100-500 employees)
- Agricultural Commodities/Processed Food: Any size company
- Services: Small- to medium-sized company in any industry sector (less than 500 employees)
- Large Company (greater than 500 employees) in any industry sector
Eligibility
Any Minnesota-based company that matches one of the award categories and has not received the award in the last ten years is eligible to apply.
Award Criteria
- Significant portion of business is international.
- Demonstrated growth in international business over the past three years, with continued likelihood of growth.
- Increased or maintained employment in Minnesota through the expansion of international trade activity.
- Entered new international markets or expanded in existing markets.
Application Process
Complete the
application form with the required supporting narrative and submit to Jackie Geiger by email at
jackie.geiger@state.mn.us no later than Friday, August 15, 2025. Self-nominations or nominations by business colleagues will be accepted, and all submitted information will remain confidential.
Department of Human Services Refugee and Immigrant Helpline
The Refugee and Immigrant Helpline, 1-800-814-4806, is a connection to helpful information, resources and services in your community. Our navigators are here to provide support and guidance you can trust. We value your privacy.
Not sure where to get started? Just ask, and we can help. We welcome every person and every question. If a navigator isn’t available right away, leave a voice message or send an email 24/7 to get a call back.
2025 Unity Summit, Save the Date!
This year’s 2025 Unity Summit, hosted by Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC), will be on September 16-17 in Washington, D.C. More than 150 AANHPI leaders, nonprofits, policymakers, and allies will convene to:
- Strengthen collaboration across our communities,
- Amplify advocacy efforts and policy priorities, and
- Showcase data, resources, and solutions to advocate for our causes.
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