Tag: House District 36B

House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget

Democrats’ budget lowers costs for Minnesotans, holds Big Pharma accountable, gives doctors and patients more control over care

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday, April 3 the House DFL Majority announced a new Health and Human Services Budget. The budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable, addressing health disparities, improving health care for women, and expanding coverage options for Minnesotans.

A fact sheet with more information is available for download here.

“Minnesotans should be able to count on receiving quality health care at a price they can afford. Unfortunately, the deck has been stacked against Minnesotans in favor of insurance companies, Big Pharma, and pharmaceutical middlemen,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division. “This bill will help keep Minnesota a leader in health care by putting patients ahead of profits. It offers solutions to reduce costs, expand coverage, and improve the health of all Minnesotans.” Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget”

Wednesday at 11: House DFL Majority to Announce Health and Human Services Budget

LeSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the House DFL Majority is holding a news conference to announce a new Health and Human Services budget.

The House DFL’s HHS proposal budget lowers the cost of health care, addresses rising prescription drug prices, increases the quality of coverage, and gives patients and their doctors more power over their care.

WHAT: News Conference Announcing House Health and Human Services Budget

WHO: Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman; Majority Leader Ryan Winkler; Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division

WHEN: Wednesday, April 3 at 11 AM

WHERE: Room 181, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Saint Paul

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 30, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather. The pace of the legislative session continues to pick up. We unveiled our budget targets this week, and now committees will begin crafting their budget bills. Here’s a quick update.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians Extended

Standing with community members, Governor Walz, and Attorney General Ellison in support of our Liberian community.

On Thursday, President Trump announced a one-year extension of the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. These protections were scheduled to end on March 31st.

Last week, I sent a letter to President Trump and members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation asking them to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 30, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Senate Republican Budget Targets

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the budget targets released by Senate Republicans today:

“Senate Republicans are using a tried-and-true Republican gimmick of moving the goalposts to hide how much they’re shortchanging Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “Their budget won’t get Minnesota children the world-class schools they deserve. It will put affordable health care further out of reach for Minnesotans. And the Senate Republican budget won’t increase economic security for our families and give them the chance to succeed. As the House and Senate begin moving budget bills forward, House DFLers are committed to building a state that will work better for everyone.”

“Minnesota will be moving backwards under the Senate Republican budget,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The choices will be clear for Minnesotans: continue down the Republican path that prioritizes corporations, the wealthy, and health insurance companies; or the DFL budget that will make honest investments in the things Minnesotans value: affordable health care, great schools, safe & inclusive communities, and reliable roads, bridges, and transit. The House DFL is committed to responsible budgeting, correcting the destructive Republican budgets, and building a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Before we get to the updates, I encourage you to head over to my Facebook page and offer your opinion on our recent time change. If Minnesota did away with springing forward and falling back every year, which time should we stick with: standard time or daylight saving time? While you’re commenting, you can also check out a great letter from my new favorite constituent. You can find the post here.

Hands-free cell phone use while driving

Standing with Minnesotans who’ve lost loved ones in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

On Monday, the House passed the hands-free cell phone bill (HF 50). Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have hands-free cell phone laws. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019”

Minnesota House DFL to release framework for Minnesota Values Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators will announce committee targets and the framework for the Minnesota Values Budget at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 25th.

WHO: Speaker Melissa Hortman, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Majority Whip Liz Olson, Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Rep. Paul Marquart

WHAT: Press conference to announce targets and framework for the Minnesota Values Budget

WHERE: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2019

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”

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. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 1, 2019

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”