Category: SD36

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 26, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly Thanksgiving! I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday — and have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Later in this week’s update, we’ll take a closer look at the state’s higher education budget.

Emergency Insulin Access

On October 18th, I appointed Representatives Michael Howard and Tina Liebling to a work group tasked with resolving the differences between the House and Senate insulin proposals. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt appointed himself to represent his caucus. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 26, 2019”

Speaker Hortman participating in Israel Study Tour in December

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman will be traveling with a bipartisan group of legislators to Israel and the West Bank December 2nd-13th. The study tour for legislators and community leaders is organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council, but participants — like Speaker Hortman and her husband — pay the expenses themselves.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Israel with this bipartisan delegation,” said Speaker Hortman. “This region holds special significance to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. As a Catholic, I’m especially looking forward to seeing sites central to my faith. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the complex political and security issues facing Israel and the region.”

Speaker Hortman will be joined by Reps. Elkins, Kiel, and Theis; and Sens. Bigham, Franzen, and Kiffmeyer, among other participants on the trip.

After arriving in Israel, participants will visit the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, and the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. They will explore environmental challenges related to the River Jordan, and tour East Jerusalem with a Palestinian-American journalist. Participants will also visit a number of Christian and Jewish holy sites, and Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum.

Later, attendees will visit the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters and Moshav Netiv HaAsara, a community that borders Gaza. Participants will stand on the banks of the Jordan River, learn more about Israel’s security situation on its border with Syria in the Golan Heights, visit the ancient port city of Akko, and receive a guided tour describing Israel’s strategic challenges along the Lebanese border. Participants will also visit Medtronic Israel and Minneapolis’ partner community, Rehovot, and St. Paul’s partner community in the Sovev Kineret region.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: November 27, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Dear Friends and Neighbors,

There is so much I am grateful for this holiday season. I have a loving wife, a daughter who consistently amazes me and makes me a proud father everyday, and thanks to you I get to be your state Senator.

I want to pause and thank you for this past year representing you in the Minnesota Senate. It is a privilege and I never take it for granted. Your input is invaluable and while we won’t always be in full agreement on all issues, we can always agree we have much to be thankful for in being able to call Minnesota home.

As the country slows down for a few days while we celebrate Thanksgiving, Let us each remember our military women and men serving our country. Many on distant shores. Also, those facing difficulties in day to day life. It is a precious time for family, friends and colleagues. Enjoy! Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: November 27, 2019”

Statement from Speaker Hortman on passing of State Representative Diane Loeffler

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — State Representative Diane Loeffler passed away today at the age of 66. Rep. Loeffler was serving her 8th term in the Minnesota House, representing District 60A. Rep. Loeffler had battled cancer, and recently the cancer recurred.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“I’m so sorry to share the news that State Representative Diane Loeffler passed away today.

“Diane was dedicated to helping people in Minnesota who were the most vulnerable — the sick, the elderly, and those with disabilities.

“She was unfailingly kind to her colleagues. In the spring, tulips from Diane’s garden graced many desks in the House Chamber.

“She will be missed by her House colleagues and her constituents.”

Rep. Zack Stephenson Update: November 7, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the cooler weather. It’s been a busy summer and fall.

Here’s an update from the Capitol:

Fighting Back Against Predatory ‘Robo-Calls’

We all have experienced it — the perpetual buzz on our mobile phones from familiar numbers, with a local area code, that are actually “spoof” calls, commonly known as ‘robo-calls.’ These calls aren’t just a nuisance — swindlers also use them to prey on senior citizens, vulnerable adults, and landline phone users, many of whom do not have caller-ID. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson Update: November 7, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe that Halloween and November are nearly here — fall is flying by! As someone who loves cross country skiing, I might be one of the few who is happy that winter is quickly approaching and that we’re projected to have more snow than usual!

But before that happens, we have to get through another dreaded time change. November 3rd marks the end of daylight saving time for the year. I think ending the spring forward and fall back every year is worthy of consideration.

This week’s update takes a closer look at the Jobs Budget enacted this year.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 26th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for people to safely discard unused or expired prescription drugs. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study found that the majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 25, 2019”

Speaker Hortman appoints legislators to work group on emergency insulin access

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Late Friday, October 18th, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman appointed Representatives Michael Howard and Tina Liebling to a work group tasked with resolving the differences between the House and Senate insulin proposals. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt appointed himself to represent his caucus.

“I’m pleased that we are moving ahead with a work group to address Minnesotans’ need for emergency access to insulin,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House DFL remains ready to complete this work as soon as possible. It’s long past time we got this done.”

Speaker Hortman asked for a report after 60 days. A letter from Speaker Hortman to Majority Leader Gazelka can be viewed below.

19-10-21 Speaker Hortman Letter to Gazelka

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: October 21, 2019

October is Here!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

School has started and fall is here. As we all return to the daily routines while the leaves change on us, I wanted to reach out and let you know some of the work that is going on as we prepare for next February’s session, and perhaps even a special session on emergency insulin for those in critical situations. Some issues are too important to wait on any schedule.

Remember to make time for the family and enjoy the crimson and gold in our trees. From our family to yours,

Image John

Emergency Insulin

Recently both the Senate and the House held informational hearings to discuss their two separate proposals for dealing with emergency insulin for those who do not have the health coverage or ability to afford their life saving medication. The primary difference between the two proposals: Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: October 21, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 18, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Fall has definitely arrived in Minnesota! The Minnesota DNR has a number of resources to help you enjoy the season, including a weekly fall colors update newsletter. You can learn more here.

Another fall staple is apple picking, and Minnesota’s apple harvest is in full swing! Minnesota-grown apples are available now at apple orchards and can be found at local grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the fall. A trip to the orchard is a great way to get the family outside and help kids understand how their food grows. Apple orchards are also a family-fun destination with some also featuring pumpkins, squash, corn mazes, wagon rides, and petting zoos.

The Minnesota Grown Directory is available in print and online, and is a great resource for finding local apple orchards or farmers markets.

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 18, 2019”

House DFL Statement on Insulin Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Governor Tim Walz called on Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka to take action on insulin affordability and begin negotiations with the House. In an October 1st letter to Gov. Walz, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced that she asked Representatives Howard, Liebling, Halverson, and Mann to serve on an Emergency Access to Insulin Work Group to meet with the Senate and resolve the differences between the House and Senate bills.

Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“Minnesotans need and deserve access to emergency insulin — which the Senate bill doesn’t provide,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House DFL remains ready to work with Senate Republicans and the Walz Administration to find a solution that serves the needs of Minnesotans and holds the pharmaceutical industry accountable. Lives are at stake and it’s time for Senate Republicans to come to the table and begin working on a compromise with us. Governor Walz and I have named the individuals who can start working on this right away. We continue to wait for Senator Gazelka to name which Senators will speak for the Senate in a work group so we can commence negotiations on a compromise. Simply reiterating that he has taken a position different from ours doesn’t help anyone get emergency access to insulin.” Continue reading “House DFL Statement on Insulin Legislation”