Tag: House District 36B

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and your family staying well.

House committees continue to hold remote public hearings to discuss additional measures that provide flexibility to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, one of those measures was my bill that would deliver additional assistance to our small businesses.

Multiple news reports have shown that the economic relief measures passed by the federal government have largely gone to big business and the well-connected, leaving small businesses hung out to dry. That is why I am authoring legislation that would provide small businesses with much needed support. My bill reserves money for the smallest of the small: businesses with 6 employees or less. I am pleased to tell you that it passed out of the House Jobs Committee on Friday. You can watch my opening remarks here. Whether a business survives the pandemic should not depend on whether they have a high-powered lobbyist or a huge legal department.

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 27, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This week, we saw some strong steps taken in Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. We are continuing to lead the nation in addressing this crisis due to the hard work and sacrifice of so many Minnesotans. Thank you for all you are doing to maintain social distancing and keep people safe.

Here’s a quick update.

COVID-19 Testing Breakthrough

On Wednesday, Governor Walz was joined by the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare, and other public health experts to announce a statewide testing strategy to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools.

Funded in part by $36 million from the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund that the Legislature passed in late March, the partnership will establish the capacity to deliver 20,000 molecular and 15,000 serology tests per day. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 24, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on COVID-19 testing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement of a statewide testing strategy in Minnesota:

“Expanding Minnesota’s ability to test for COVID-19 is a critical step in protecting our health and getting Minnesotans back to work,” said Speaker Hortman. “The expanded contact tracing is also important. It’s essential for Minnesota’s leaders to be guided by science and public health expertise in their decision-making. I’m pleased Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Minnesota’s health care providers were able to move quickly to provide expanded testing for our state.”

“We are continuing to tackle this crisis because of the joint work of the Legislature, Governor Walz, his administration, the people of Minnesota, and the institutions of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The Governor’s announcement today is another step in the right direction.”

The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee will hold a hearing on COVID-19 testing on Thursday at 12:45 pm.

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 17, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and are taking care of yourselves. The Legislature had a busy week passing legislation and holding remote committee hearings on COVID-19-related issues. We are continuing to work closely with Governor Walz and do all we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time.

Here’s a quick update.

Legislature passes the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

alec smith insulin act

On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate passed the conference committee report on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. The legislation establishes an emergency insulin program for the Minnesotans who need it most, with insulin manufacturers financially participating in the solution. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 17, 2020”

House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Senate Republicans held a virtual press conference on a housing proposal that includes some housing assistance paired with language that would weaken Governor Walz’s Executive Order on prohibiting evictions during the peacetime emergency. Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Housing leaders released the following statements:

“I support a bill that prioritizes the needed $100 million in housing assistance,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Republicans in the Senate are seeking to speed up and expand the number of cases where evictions are allowed, and the Minnesota House DFL opposes those proposed policy changes.”

“The priority of Governor Walz and the Minnesota House is to ensure Minnesotans can stay safe at home and afford to keep the roof over their heads. That is why we support moving forward quickly to pass $100 million in housing assistance for Minnesota homeowners, renters, and landlords,” said Rep. Alice Hausman. “Housing advocates and landlords alike agree that funding at this level is necessary and there is no reason we shouldn’t proceed.” Continue reading “House DFL encourages Senate GOP to support $100 million in housing assistance”

Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 4556 today, a package of COVID-19-related legislation.

“The legislation we passed today will provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clearly more work to do to safeguard the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans. We will continue working with Governor Walz and the Minnesota Senate to help Minnesotans during this public health crisis.”

“This is the fourth package of legislation we have passed in the last month to provide Minnesotans with resources and economic security during this difficult time,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We are continuing to adapt to serve the public as we were elected to do.”

The legislation includes the following: Continue reading “Minnesota House passes fourth COVID-19 legislative package”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 10, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

As the COVID-19 pandemic and our statewide peacetime emergency continues, I hope you are staying safe and healthy. With Passover underway and Easter this Sunday, I know it’s hard to stay at home and be separated from friends and family members. Please know that the social distancing is working. The sacrifices we’re making and hardships we’re dealing with are saving lives, keeping our health care system from being overwhelmed, and giving us more time to prepare.

Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. We will get through this.

Minnesota Legislature approves COVID-19 workers’ compensation for frontline responders

first responders

On Tuesday, the Legislature passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. Governor Walz signed the bill into law Tuesday night. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 10, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. Governor Walz’s Stay At Home order begins late tonight, and I urge you to stay home if at all possible.

Here’s an update on our state’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Minnesota Legislature passes COVID-19 assistance package

House action Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 27, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman on legislative activity

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement on legislative activity:

“State Representatives are working to craft measures to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions. We know that Minnesotans are facing significant medical concerns and financial hardships, and the Minnesota House of Representatives is working hard with the goal of a legislative session on Thursday to pass legislation to safeguard their health and economic well-being.

“The House is working via informal working groups, which mirror the existing committee structure. We are working to create opportunities for the public to engage and offer their feedback. In addition to reaching out to their representatives directly, members of the public may use a feedback form on the House website. We are working to implement a virtual committee hearing process that would be open to the public as soon as possible. DFL State Representatives alone have received input from and responded to thousands of constituents over the last week. We encourage members of the public to continue reaching out to their legislators. Continue reading “Statement from Speaker Hortman on legislative activity”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy — and practicing social distancing. We are in some very challenging times, but I remain confident in Minnesotans’ ability to help each other make it through.

Here’s an update on our state’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Updated actions and guidance from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health

Schools closed to students

Last Sunday morning, Governor Walz announced that schools will be closed to students from March 18-Friday, March 27 in order for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2020”