Tag: HD36B

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”

Statement from Speaker Hortman on special session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, Governor Walz called for a special session to be convened at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“We have a bipartisan agreement to pass a balanced state budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. We look forward to completing this work to benefit Minnesotans with Republicans and Governor Walz.”

Speaker Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 6, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota House of Representatives has been busy the last few weeks, working to pass our Minnesota Values Budget off of the House floor. Now conference committees have started meeting to work through the differences between the House and Senate budget bills.

Here’s a quick update.

Full Minnesota Values Budget passed off the House floor

Continue reading “Speaker Hortman (HD36B) Update: May 6, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all have been safe and warm through this week’s snow, ice, and sleet storm. The Minnesota House of Representatives has been busy with budget bills moving through committee. We’re entering our Easter/Passover break, but when we’re back, there will be a flurry of activity passing bills off the House floor, then working to find common ground with the Senate.

Here’s a quick update.

Full Minnesota Values Budget released

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 13, 2019”

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

Dear Neighbors,

We had a big week at the Capitol — we have been unveiling our budget bills after releasing the framework of the Minnesota Values Budget, and Governor Walz had his first State of the State address. Here’s a quick update.

Governor Walz’s First State of the State

Greeting Governor Walz before his State of the State address

Governor Walz delivered his first State of the State address on Wednesday, April 3rd. Instead of a traditional scripted speech, Governor Walz spoke off the cuff, sharing the stories of Minnesotans. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 7, 2019”

House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education

Two-year tuition freeze is cornerstone of Democrats’ new budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee today announced a new budget that puts students first by making college more affordable, reducing debt, and improving health and safety on campus. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 775,000 Minnesotans with student debt totaling $27.1 billion.

A fact sheet with more information about the budget is available for download here (this version includes corrected information about average benefit increases for full-time students enrolled in the state grant program).

Minnesotans from all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at earning a quality post-secondary education,” said Chair Bernardy. “The House DFL Higher Education budget eases the financial burden on working families and students, expands eligibility for grants, and will fill gaps in Minnesota’s workforce shortage.”

The budget freezes tuition for Minnesota students at all of the state’s two- and four-year public colleges and universities, and increases financial support for working families by investing an additional $35.4 million in the state grant program. As a result, full-time students who benefit from the state grant program will receive on average more than $400 per year more in financial assistance, and 1,900 more Minnesotans will become eligible for the first time. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Governor Walz’s State of the State Address

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on tonight’s State of the State Address from Governor Tim Walz:

“The stories told by Governor Walz were like so many we have heard from Minnesotans across the state: we want good schools, affordable health care, and economic security. We care about our neighbors, and we want to see one another succeed,” said Speaker Hortman. “As session continues, I’m optimistic we can find solutions and pass a budget that will ensure that Minnesota is a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

“We share Governor Walz’s vision of a Minnesota that leads the nation and a politics that is focused on improving people’s lives,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The policy decisions made here have a real impact, and House DFLers are committed to building a brighter future for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.”