Tag: House DFL

House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House Education Policy Chair Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) today is announcing a new event taking place at the Capitol this Friday, March 1 called “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day.” The event is a House DFL Majority initiative inspired by students, parents, and public education advocates.

What, When, Where, Who

In conjunction with “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day,” the Education Policy Committee will meet in Room 5 of the State Office Building Friday, March 1 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to advance a conversation with our fellow Minnesotans about this important priority. During this public hearing, students, parents, educators, administrators, advocates, and House DFLers will share their hopes, dreams, and challenges as it relates to health and safety in our schools. Members of the press and members of the public are invited to attend and participate.

“In the Minnesota House, we are committed to ensuring that students, educators, employees, administrators, and members of the public are healthy and safe while in school to the fullest extent possible,” said Rep. Youakim. “This is a priority for the House DFL Majority and should be for all elected officials, regardless of political party.” Continue reading “House DFLers Announce “Health and Safety in Our Schools Day” on March 1”

Low-income Student Driver’s Education Bill Crosses First Hurdle

SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights) presented legislation in the Education Policy Committee to expand access to driver’s education for low-income students between the ages of 15 and 19. The bill (H.F. 987) would allow school districts to pay a portion of the cost of enrollment on behalf of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

“There was a time when taking driver’s education was considered a rite of passage, and young drivers were often trained for free through the public school system. Today, a driver’s education course can cost around $400,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson. “Driver’s license fees are one of the hidden barriers that prevent low-income students from attaining their driver’s license, and the mobility and opportunities that come with it. This bill is about equal access to education, employment, housing, and services for all.”

In the 1970s, 95 percent of students received driver’s education as part of the public school curriculum. Today that number is just 15 percent. Continue reading “Low-income Student Driver’s Education Bill Crosses First Hurdle”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Governor Walz’s Budget

Saint Paul, Minnesota — Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the budget proposal released today by Governor Tim Walz:

“Minnesotans value providing world-class educational opportunities for all of our children, affordable and accessible health care, and greater economic security,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor’s Walz’s budget reflects these Minnesota values, and we share these goals. We will review the details of the Governor’s budget and the February economic forecast, then we will begin to craft the House budget proposal over the next several weeks.”

“The Governor’s budget reflects the promises we made on the campaign trail, and what Minnesotans have told us they want,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “This is an honest budget, reflecting the reality that the Minnesota we want requires investment. It is a budget that invests in Minnesotans, no matter what they look like or where they come from. We applaud Governor Walz, and are excited to work on behalf of all of us.”

House DFL Majority Releases New Episode of Minnesota Values Podcast

House DFLers today released a new episode of the Minnesota Values Podcast. Co-hosts Jamie Long and Liz Olson interview Rep. Kelly Moller of Shoreview about HF 10.

Click here to listen to the new episode on SoundCloud.

About the Minnesota Values Podcast

The Minnesota Values Podcast is a new show that takes you behind the scenes at the State Capitol for a conversation about how House DFLers are putting Minnesotans’ values into action. Co-hosts Jamie Long of Minneapolis and Liz Olson of Duluth will bring you new episodes on a recurring basis throughout session. Subscribe and listen on iTunes, Stitcher, or at soundcloud.com/mnValuesPod.

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Line 3 process

Saint Paul, Minnesota — Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement on the continuation of the appeals process on the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline:

“This is a process that belongs in the executive and judicial branches of government, not in the legislature. Political interference and Republican finger-pointing will only make it more challenging to come to a final decision. We expect that this process will result in a fully-vetted and sound outcome.

“While the Line 3 project is under review, House DFLers will push to create quality jobs by investing in infrastructure, transportation, higher wages, and better benefits for Minnesotans.”