Category: SD36

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: August 1, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Amid discord and divide in Washington D.C., Minnesota stands out as a national leader. As one of the only divided state legislatures in the country (Alaska being the other), the DFL-led House and Republican-led Senate found compromise and delivered on a two-year state budget. Balancing the budget in a bipartisan way wasn’t the only thing we got done- Republicans and Democrats together fought to keep Minnesotans safe, protect workers from stolen wages, and to address the opioid crisis that is devastating families across the state. Many of these new laws went into effect on July 1. A few other significant pieces of legislation I authored and co-authored for our state and community also went into effect.

Locally for our community, I garnered bipartisan support in the House and Senate to take the first steps towards building a new bridge across the Mississippi River between Ramsey and Dayton. Everyone in the northwest suburbs knows that a new river crossing is needed, but no progress has been made on this issue for almost 20 years. Even with competing regional projects among our split state legislature, I fought for its funding in the final transportation budget bill and was successful. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will begin the highway corridor and bridge improvement planning study for the new river crossing soon.

One new law that that I authored took effect earlier this month and will help victims of sexual assault by getting rid of the “marital rape exception.” This antiquated decree was used to shield perpetrators from prosecution in certain instances if they were married to the victim. Jenny Teeson is one of the brave Minnesotans who shared her experience with me of being drugged, raped, and videotaped by her former husband. When she sought justice, the legal system said her case could not proceed because of the old law. Every Minnesotan deserves justice when they are the survivor of a crime, and I am proud to have carried the bipartisan bill to move this law out of the 19th century and recognize rape is a crime regardless of marital status. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: August 1, 2019”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: July 30, 2019

Mid-Summer Report

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope our Minnesota summer has treated everyone wonderfully. I have been fortunate to share in so many memories this summer as people around the state share their time with me. It has been a joy to meet new people and spend time with old friends.

New laws are taking effect, more events are on the way and as always there is more work to be done. I look forward to collaborating with everyone to continue making Minnesota an even better place for all of us.

Sincerely,

John

Laws Taking Effect

Marital Rape Exemption: July 1st those who commit this horrific crime in wedlock can finally be appropriately charged for this crime. I was co-author on this bill working in a bi-partisan manner to ensure justice could be dealt as it always should have. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: July 30, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on bipartisan negotiations on the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act:

“I appreciate the work done by a bipartisan group of legislators to address insulin affordability and emergency access this interim,” said Speaker Hortman. “While it’s encouraging that they appear close to agreement on how a program would function, it seems the funding source remains a sticking point. Insulin costs have nearly tripled in the last two decades and the corporate greed fueling this crisis is unconscionable. That’s why the DFL majority in the Minnesota House passed and sent to conference a complete plan that would both help Minnesotans and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable. We remain ready to move forward. I’m hopeful in the coming weeks we will be able to get an agreement with Senate Republicans on funding.”

“House DFLers remain committed to addressing the high price of insulin and standing up to the pharmaceutical companies profiting off of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “This bipartisan progress is positive news, but there is more work to be done to finalize the funding source and ensure Minnesotans have access to the insulin they need to survive.”

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

Dear Neighbors,

The summer is flying by — it’s hard to believe it’s nearly August!

National Night Out and Night to Unite events are just around the corner, happening on Tuesday, August 6th. These events are designed to help you get to know your neighbors, strengthen police and community partnerships, and have fun!

You can learn more about participating or hosting a block party in your neighborhood by visiting the Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids websites.

Meeting Liberia’s Speaker of the House
This week, I had the opportunity to meet the Honorable Dr. Bhofal Chambers, Speaker of the House for the House of Representatives in Liberia. It was nice to meet him, show him around the House chamber, and discuss a variety of issues, including Liberia’s economy and security. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 25, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on changes in leadership at the Minnesota Department of Human Services

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Governor Walz announced Tony Lourey’s resignation as commissioner of the Department of Human Services, and appointed Pam Wheelock as acting commissioner.

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

“We are grateful to Tony Lourey for his years of service and dedication to Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “The work of the Department of Human Services is critical to the people of Minnesota and we are ready to work with Governor Walz and his administration to ensure its success.”

“We have confidence in the Walz administration and look forward to working together with Interim Commissioner Wheelock to make sure the Department of Human Services serves the needs of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler.

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 3, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Independence Day is tomorrow — I hope you get a chance to enjoy some beautiful weather and fireworks!

Coon Rapids has a number of activities planned for the 4th of July, including fireworks at 10pm on Thursday. You can find the full list here. Brooklyn Park will be holding an ice cream social this Saturday from 12pm-4pm at the Historic Eidem Farm.

The view from my home is appropriate for the week of Independence Day: red (lilies), white (Shasta daisies), & blue (delphinium)!

New Laws as of July 1
July 1, 2019 marks the start of Minnesota’s new two-year state budget and a number of new laws go into effect. Here are some of the highlights: Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: July 3, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 24, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

With the budget complete and session over, I wanted to take some time unpacking each of the ten major budget bills in my e-updates. This week, I’ll start with the E-12 Education Budget Bill.

E-12 Education Budget
All Minnesota children deserve a world-class education, and the Minnesota House DFL made that a goal from the first day of session.

In April, under my leadership the House passed an E-12 Education Budget bill that included a $900 million increase in funding. We would have provided a 3 percent and 2 percent increase to the general education formula over the next two years along with significant funding for special education, funding for programs to increase the number of teachers of color in the state, funding for varied pathways to post-secondary education (both college and career/technical), and funding to help schools meet the specific needs of students. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 24, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on insulin, prescription drug affordability

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements after Governor Walz’s insulin roundtable event this morning:

“Minnesotans shouldn’t lose their lives because they can’t afford lifesaving medications they need, like insulin,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House stands ready to take meaningful action on insulin affordability and hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable.”

“Senate Republicans killed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act and sold out to Big Pharma,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The skyrocketing price increases for drugs like insulin have to do with one thing: greed. House DFLers are committed to addressing the high prices of prescription drugs and standing up to the pharmaceutical companies profiting off Minnesotans.”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 7, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the start of summer! With a wet and cold spring, it took a little longer than we may have liked, but it’s finally here.  Right now, my whole yard and house are full of the scent of lilacs, and my husband and I are enjoying dinners on the deck. June is an awfully nice time to be in Minnesota!

The Minnesota House of Representatives finished its work on a new two-year budget for the State of Minnesota during a one-day special session that ended on May 25th.

We’re pleased to have enacted a budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. While the budget didn’t contain everything DFLers wanted, this bipartisan agreement with Governor Walz and Senate Republicans is in the best interest of Minnesotans.

Top highlights of the budget include: Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: June 7, 2019”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: June 6, 2019

End of Session Report

Dear Friends and Neighbors and welcome to the final weekly session update for the 2019 legislative session.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. It was a quiet weekend of contemplation as my family and I attended events memorializing those men and women who gave their lives for our nation. Let us always also honor those who have served and thank those wearing the uniforms of our military today.

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The brief special session has finally come to a close and our state has a strong two-year budget. As a divided legislature there were some hard discussions and negotiations that took place to create that budget. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: June 6, 2019”