Category: SD36

DFL Lawmakers, Hands-Free Cell Phone Advocates Announce Monday Morning Press Conference

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – DFL lawmakers and Minnesotans who support the hands-free cell phone bill (House File 50) are holding a press conference Monday, March 18 at 11 a.m. in Capitol Room B971. This is an opportunity for members of the press to hear directly from Minnesotans and ask questions before the entire Minnesota House votes on the bill later in the day.

What:  Press conference about the hands-free cell phone bill (House File 50).

Who:

  • Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
  • House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
  • Rep. Frank Hornstein (chief sponsor of HF 50)
  • Minnesotans with family members killed as a result of distracted driving
  • Minnesotans who support the hands-free cell phone bill, including public safety leaders and business leaders

When:  Monday, March 18 at 11 am

Where:  Capitol Room B971

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 15, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’ve recovered from the jump forward to daylight saving time. I’ve been tired all week! I support doing away with the spring forward and fall back every year. I don’t seem to be alone either — legislation has started moving through committees in both the House and Senate! The tricky question is whether to stick with daylight saving time or standard time. Stay tuned — I think there will be more discussion on the topic.

Here’s a quick update from the Capitol.

Protecting and expanding access to reproductive health

At an event in support of reproductive health care

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 15, 2019”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 15, 2019

WEEK Ten: Friday, Mar. 15

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It was a long week at the Legislature especially due to the fact the first deadlines were Friday. Many hearings ran long as we did our best to give important bills time to be discussed and considered for potential advancement. After this week, we will know which bills will move forward or have stopped moving for the year. Just because we didn’t make a deadline doesn’t mean the bill stops. There will be more opportunities to have amendment discussions and to search for other vehicles to move our bills.  Below is a link to see what I’ve been working on thus far.

My list of Bills

You are always welcome to give me feedback and let me know what matters to you. I hope this information is useful to you, stay safe and warm out there and expect another update next week. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 15, 2019”

House DFL leaders to hold press conference Monday before vote on bill addressing Minnesota’s opioid crisis

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – During Monday afternoon’s floor session, the Minnesota House is set to vote on HF 400, a bill authored by House Majority Whip Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. Prior to the session, House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park) and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will join Rep. Olson for a press conference at 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol.

The legislation contains a comprehensive set of education, intervention, treatment and recovery strategies, including creation of an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council. The bill holds pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis through registration fees which will be deposited in an Opioid Stewardship Fund.

WHAT: Press conference previewing House consideration of HF 400, legislation to address Minnesota’s opioid crisis

WHO: Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), bill author and House Majority Whip; House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park); and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley)

WHEN: Monday, March 18, 2019, 1:30 pm

WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 15, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Every day that I have the honor of serving you and our community at the legislature, I continue to be inspired by your stories. I have been working on several bills that are inspired by the stories I’ve heard, with the intention of making Minnesota better for everyone. Here are some of my updates from the past week:

Consumer Protection for College Graduates

Along with the rest of the country, Minnesota is experiencing a student debt crisis. Minnesotans currently are burdened by $27.1 billion in student debt, an amount that has increased by 127% since 2007. Part of the problem is that the student loan system is endlessly complex and difficult to navigate. To make things worse, student loan servicing companies are known to engage in deceptive and misleading practices. As I talk to people with student loans, I hear one consistent complaint: there is no one on the side of the student. This year, I am working hard to change that. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 15, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Legislative Auditor report on Child Care Assistance

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on today’s report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):

“The Child Care Assistance Program is critically important for Minnesota families struggling with the high costs of child care,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to make sure assistance is going to those who truly need it. We will be working with the Walz Administration and advocates to ensure the integrity of this program.”

“Any misuse of public funds is serious and must be addressed, but using unsubstantiated allegations as an excuse for Islamophobic attacks on an entire community is reprehensible,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We will continue to support the families that rely on this vital program, and improve the affordability and accessibility of child care.”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 8, 2019

WEEK Nine: Friday, Mar. 8

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The pace at the legislature ever increases and we passed two bills that went to the Governor this week. Our first deadline nears and I am providing another link to my bills and where they stand below:

My list of Bills

As always give me feedback and let me know what matters to you. I would also like to take a moment to recognize International Women’s Day. I know the two most important women in my life are my wife Yvette and my daughter Hope. They make me a better man everyday.Take this day to celebrate all the wonderful women in your life, look for another update next week, and stay safe and warm out there!

Image Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 8, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 8, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Another week has flown by at the State Capitol. Here’s a quick update.

First bills signed by Governor Walz

Signing my first bill enrollment as Speaker.

Governor Walz signed the first bills of the Legislative Session this week. As Speaker of the House, I play a role in the final steps of how the bill gets signed into law. Once a bill has passed the House and Senate, the President of the Senate and I have to sign the final form of the bill — also known as the enrollment — and only when it gets that 3rd signature from the governor does the bill become a law. It was pretty neat to sign my first one as Speaker this week. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 8, 2019”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 8, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone is having a good week. I spent this week advocating for legislation that would create a safer and more environmentally friendly Minnesota, and I am excited to share these updates (as well as a few others) with you. See below:

Clean Energy

Monday was a big day at the Capitol. I was honored to stand behind Gov. Walz as he announced his plan to get Minnesota to 100% carbon free energy by 2050. One core element to the Governor’s plan is my bill, Clean Energy First (HF1405), which requires that any new power generating facilities built in Minnesota be renewable except under exceptional circumstances.

As I stood with the Governor, I thought about my daughters. I thought about how I want them to be able to enjoy the same Minnesota I know and love. I thought about how I want them to be able to pass that same Minnesota along to their own children. I think about that every day that I’m lucky enough to do this job, and that’s why I’ll keep fighting. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 8, 2019”

Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced their One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy – a set of major energy policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2050. The policies build on the success that Minnesota has already achieved in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of clean energy resources to power the state while ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.

Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) is the chief author of HF 700, which prompts Minnesota to move towards 100 percent clean energy and complete the transition by 2050. The bill has already had an informational hearing in the House. Rep. Long released the following statement:

“I was proud to stand with Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan as they announced their plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and am honored to carry the bill in the House,” said Rep. Long. “It’s time for Minnesota to take the lead on addressing climate change. Thank you to Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for charting a bold course for our state on clean energy.” Continue reading “Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota”