Dear Neighbors,
The 2021 Legislative Session started on January 5th, and due to the pandemic, it was unlike any swearing-in day in Minnesota history. For the safety of staff and members, the vast majority of members were sworn in over Zoom.
Minnesota Supreme Court Associate Justice Paul Thissen gives the oath of office remotely to a group of House members. Photo by Paul Battaglia.
I’m honored to continue serving as Speaker of the House and lead our efforts to build a Minnesota that works better for everyone.
Being sworn in as Speaker of the House. Justice Thissen was kind enough to stand on a lower step to help hide the massive disparity in our height!
This session we will continue to focus on the things Minnesotans value: recovering and rebuilding from COVID, and ensuring Minnesotans have affordable health care, great educational opportunities from pre-school through job training, and economic security. Our first focus will be on helping Minnesotans get through the pandemic and preparing our state to thrive after it. The Minnesota House DFL majority will strongly advocate for our policy goals and vision for the state as will the Republican-led Senate. I’m confident we will be able to work together as we have in the past, to compromise, and find agreements that are in the best interest of Minnesotans.
Unfortunately, the violence in Washington D.C. on January 6th and heated rhetoric in our own state got 2021 off to a stressful start. It’s not going to be easy, but we have to work together to ensure that better days are ahead. It’s clear that our democracy is fragile, and we must protect and strengthen it.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input. I appreciate hearing from you! You may reach me at 651-296-4280 or rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn. You may also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page. Thank you!
I hope that you and your family are staying healthy and warm.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman