Category: SD36

Extended distance learning increases need to guarantee pay for frontline school employees,

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement that distance learning will be extended through the end of the school year:

“Minnesota’s schoolchildren miss their teachers and they miss their friends. This pandemic has changed so much for so many of us — including what it means to go to school and how we deliver an education,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz’s decision to continue distance learning until the end of the school year is the right call. This decision highlights the need for the Minnesota Legislature to pass legislation immediately to ensure all school employees continue to get paid through the end of the school year. Our teachers and hourly school employees have never been more important to our children and families. They deserve economic security and our support — especially during these difficult times.” Continue reading “Extended distance learning increases need to guarantee pay for frontline school employees,”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on COVID-19 testing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement of a statewide testing strategy in Minnesota:

“Expanding Minnesota’s ability to test for COVID-19 is a critical step in protecting our health and getting Minnesotans back to work,” said Speaker Hortman. “The expanded contact tracing is also important. It’s essential for Minnesota’s leaders to be guided by science and public health expertise in their decision-making. I’m pleased Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Minnesota’s health care providers were able to move quickly to provide expanded testing for our state.”

“We are continuing to tackle this crisis because of the joint work of the Legislature, Governor Walz, his administration, the people of Minnesota, and the institutions of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The Governor’s announcement today is another step in the right direction.”

The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee will hold a hearing on COVID-19 testing on Thursday at 12:45 pm.

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and are taking care of yourselves. The Legislature had a busy week passing legislation and holding remote committee hearings on COVID-19-related issues. We are continuing to work closely with Governor Walz and do all we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time.

Here’s a quick update.

Legislature passes the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

alec smith insulin act

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate passed the conference committee report on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. The legislation establishes an emergency insulin program for the Minnesotans who need it most, with insulin manufacturers financially participating in the solution. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 17, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Earlier this week, I wrote that I wanted Minnesota to follow something of a middle road approach, where we start to reopen businesses that are safe to reopen, while continuing restrictions that are necessary to flatten the curve and prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases. I continue to advocate this approach to the Governor. I was pleased to learn today that the Governor will reopen a number of outdoor recreation opportunities, including golf courses, shooting ranges, and boating businesses. This is a good step forward and I hope we continue to tailor the restrictions to fit the moment we are in.

Under this executive action, facilities that may reopen or remain open include:

  • Bait shops for live bait
  • Outdoor shooting ranges and game farms
  • Public and private parks and trails
  • Golf courses and driving ranges
  • Boating and off-highway vehicle services, including:
    • Marina services
    • Dock installation and other lake services
    • Boat and off-highway vehicle sales and repair, by appointment only

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 17, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 17, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope everyone is keeping in touch with their loved ones while staying safe. As we pass another week of shelter at home I know it is taking a toll on everyone. I still miss the days of sitting down with friends, colleagues and constituents to have conversations and coffee.

Progress is being made and I continue to advocate on behalf of our citizens. Working across the aisle I have pushed as hard as possible promoting safety while at the same time allowing businesses that can function safely to function. It is a careful balance to be struck. The Governor is opening up some outdoor activities that can be done safely which in turn will affect businesses related to those activities.

Safety and caution are still absolute necessities, as we balance that with the need to provide for our families with economic means. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 17, 2020”

Rep. Phillips Releases Hopeful “Many Voices One Message” Video

Minnesota elected officials, celebrities, and citizens unite during the COVID-19 pandemic

MINNETONKA, MN – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) released an uplifting mobile video featuring a bipartisan group of Minnesota elected officials, celebrities, and citizens. In the “Many Voices One Message” video, familiar faces unite around a message of hope and gratitude, and urge Minnesotans to stay home and stick together as uncertainty around next steps in the COVID-19 pandemic looms.

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CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND SHARE ON FACEBOOK
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON TWITTER

Participants in order of appearance:

  • U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips
  • U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar
  • Joy Marsh Stephens
  • Hennepin Co. Sheriff David Hutchinson
  • Shanti Shah
  • Chen Zhou
  • James Denton
  • Andrew Zimmern
  • U.S. Rep. Angie Craig
  • State Sen. Paul Anderson
  • Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde
  • Ava
  • Bella
  • Allina Health Vice President of Medical Affairs, Dr. Ryan Else
  • Nelima Sitati Munene
  • State Rep. Zack Stephenson
  • Bloomington City Councilwoman Jenna Carter
  • State Sen. Melisa Franzen
  • Mo
  • State Sen. Steve Cwodzinski
  • State Rep. Kelly Morrison
  • Nausheena Hussain

House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Senate Republicans held a virtual press conference on a housing proposal that includes some housing assistance paired with language that would weaken Governor Walz’s Executive Order on prohibiting evictions during the peacetime emergency. Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Housing leaders released the following statements:

“I support a bill that prioritizes the needed $100 million in housing assistance,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Republicans in the Senate are seeking to speed up and expand the number of cases where evictions are allowed, and the Minnesota House DFL opposes those proposed policy changes.”

“The priority of Governor Walz and the Minnesota House is to ensure Minnesotans can stay safe at home and afford to keep the roof over their heads. That is why we support moving forward quickly to pass $100 million in housing assistance for Minnesota homeowners, renters, and landlords,” said Rep. Alice Hausman. “Housing advocates and landlords alike agree that funding at this level is necessary and there is no reason we shouldn’t proceed.” Continue reading “House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 14, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I wanted to share with you a brief update on what is happening at the Legislature this week.

Emergency Insulin Bill Passes

Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, an emergency insulin program accessible to the Minnesotans who need it most. The landmark legislation is named after Alec Smith, who lost his life because he could not afford his insulin. The legislation ensures that Minnesotans have access to affordable insulin if they face an emergency, with insulin manufacturers participating in the solution.

The credit for this legislation goes to Nicole Smith-Holt, James Holt, and the incredible advocates who never stopped fighting to make this day a reality. It’s thanks to the many Minnesotans who shared their stories and shed light on the unnecessary and painful loss of their loved ones due to the high price of insulin. You can read my full statement and more about the legislation here. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 14, 2020”

Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 4556 today, a package of COVID-19-related legislation.

“The legislation we passed today will provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clearly more work to do to safeguard the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans. We will continue working with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate to help Minnesotans during this public health crisis.”

“This is the fourth package of legislation we have passed in the last month to provide Minnesotans with resources and economic security during this difficult time,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are continuing to adapt to serve the public as we were elected to do.”

The legislation includes the following: Continue reading “Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package”

Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 11, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Passover and Easter to all those who celebrate. It is a strange time doing these things in isolation when normally we would gather with friends, family and community members. It is important to remember that while we are safely distancing ourselves, we can still stay in touch with our friends, family and community via safe methods.

Zoom has proven to be a valuable tool, phone calls, emails, skype and google hangouts. In this time we do have a plethora of valuable platforms to connect with each other so that while we may not share a table, we can share our presence with each other. As we see the needs of safety extend protective policy further, it is that much more important we do not lose sight of everyone important to us.

I’ll keep you updated as best I can as the situation progresses and will keep advocating for our citizens. Stay safe out there, take care of yourselves and each other. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 11, 2020”