Tag: HD36B

Dear Neighbors,

March is here, but with the snow today it’s clear that Spring isn’t coming anytime soon. The legislative session continues to fly along — we’ve completed week number 8 and we have 11 weeks to go.  Here’s a quick update from the Capitol.

Common-Sense Gun Violence Prevention Legislation Moving Forward
Two common-sense gun violence prevention measures — criminal background checks and extreme risk protection orders — passed out of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division this week.

Minnesotans — especially young people and gun violence survivors — have said loud and clear that they want us to take action to address the epidemic of gun violence in our communities. I support these common-sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to others or themselves. You can read more about the hearings here. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 1, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

February 2019 is now the snowiest February on record for the Twin Cities, and we still have almost a week left! While the snow keeps falling, the Minnesota House of Representatives is hard at work. Here’s a quick update from the Capitol.

Sovereignty Day at the Minnesota House of Representatives
On Monday we held Sovereignty Day in the Minnesota House of Representatives. This was an educational event for legislators that included tribal history and culture, sovereignty, and the interplay between federal, state, and tribal law. Minnesota has 11 federally-recognized tribes that are sovereign nations. It was also a historic day: leaders from all 11 tribes had never been in the House chamber together before. Continue reading “Speaker Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 22, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I know we’ve had a lot of snow and cold lately, but as someone who loves to ski, I’ve been enjoying it! I understand I might be one of the few though. Here’s an update from another busy week at the Capitol.

Legislative Deadlines
On Monday, I joined Governor Tim Walz and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka to announce additional deadlines for the legislature as we get closer to the end of session. The House and Senate always have deadlines for bills to move through the committee process, but these new, additional benchmarks will help insure more of the end of session negotiations happen earlier, and provide more transparency for the public.

Under these innovative new deadlines I developed, all major finance bills must pass off the House and Senate floors and conference committees must be appointed for those bills by May 1st. Conference committees complete the important work of reconciling the House and Senate approaches to crafting the state’s budget. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 15, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’ve been able to stay safe and warm during our recent cold snap. Thankfully, warmer temperatures are coming this weekend. Here’s a quick update from the Capitol.

Town Hall Meeting
We had a great discussion at last Saturday’s town hall meeting with Sen. Hoffman and Rep. Stephenson. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to join us! Continue reading “Speaker Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: February 1, 2019”

Dear Neighbors,

The 2019 Legislative Session is underway. It is an honor and privilege to serve in the Minnesota House. As we embark upon the next two years at the State Capitol, I’m committed to serving in a way that reflects our shared values, and delivering solutions which give everyone a true opportunity to succeed.I also have the additional honor to serve as the Speaker of the House. In my view, the Speaker serves as the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives — not the DFL House or the Republican House, but the Minnesota House. It’s my role to help House members, regardless of party, govern effectively as a team and help Minnesotans succeed. We’ll do that by being inclusive and giving all legislators opportunities to lead, build consensus, and get the work done. We share a trust – to recognize that those who came before us built Minnesota to be a phenomenally successful state.  It’s our obligation to keep Minnesota strong for the generations who will follow us.

It was an honor to be joined at the swearing-in ceremony by Joan Growe, former Secretary of State, and former Speakers Dee Long and Margaret Anderson Kelliher — the other two women to serve as Speaker of the Minnesota House. Continue reading “Speaker Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: January 18, 2018”