Tag: Melissa Hortman

Statement from Speaker Hortman on budget agreement

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, the House, Senate, and Governor reached a bipartisan agreement on budget targets.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“Minnesota House DFLers are committed to building a Minnesota that works better for everyone. We reached a bipartisan budget agreement with Governor Walz and Senate Republicans that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. While the budget agreement does not contain everything we would have liked, we worked together and achieved a compromise that is in the best interests of Minnesotans.”

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”

Speaker Hortman Works for Session Transparency

On April 8, Speaker Hortman sent a letter to Majority Leader Gazelka asking to come together with her for a public discussion of budget targets as this legislative session moves towards its end: Continue reading “Speaker Hortman Works for Session Transparency”

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”

Legislators and coalition members to hold press conference ahead of House floor vote on Driver’s Licenses for

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, House Majority Leader Ryan Winker, Speaker Melissa Hortman, a bipartisan group of legislators, and the Freedom to Drive coalition will hold a press conference ahead of the House vote for Driver’s Licenses for All. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators have been working to pass a law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.

Who:

  • House Majority Leader Winkler
  • Speaker Hortman
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez
  • Rep. Rod Hamilton
  • Freedom to Drive coalition members, religious leaders
  • representatives from the business community, and law enforcement

What: Press conference ahead of House floor vote for Driver’s Licenses for All

When: 10:45 AM, Friday April 5th, 2019

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

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”