Tag: Melissa Hortman

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: June 26, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Neighbors and Friends,

The 2017 legislative session ended a few weeks ago. I want to provide an update on what happened in the E-12 education budget area this year.

Despite a budget surplus, the Republican majorities repeatedly proposed underfunding our E-12 schools and eliminating free, voluntary pre-K, which would have led to teacher layoffs, increased class sizes, and fewer opportunities for students. With a budget surplus, it was extremely disappointing that funding education was such a low priority for the majority. I worked with Governor Dayton and DFLers to increase the education funding target, and the final result was an increase in school funding of 2% in each of the next two years. As a result, Anoka-Hennepin Schools will see an increase of $192 per pupil next year, and Osseo Area Schools will see an increase of $135. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: June 26, 2017”

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 30, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Neighbors and Friends,

The 2017 legislative session is over. In spite of a $1.65 billion surplus, the Legislature went into overtime and had a four-day special session last week. Governor Dayton called legislators into special session after reaching an agreement on the framework to complete the state budget. Unfortunately, the Republican legislative majorities took several days (and nights) to finish drafting the budget bills. Worse, throughout the four days of the special session, Republicans continued to ignore Governor Dayton’s requests that controversial policy provisions be removed from budget bills.

When the regular legislative session ended at midnight Monday, May 23rd, 70% of the major budget bills were unresolved including education, health and human services, and state government finance. A proposed package of tax legislation also stalled, as did a bonding bill to address infrastructure needs statewide. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 30, 2017”

Letter: Bravo to Melissa Hortman

To the Editor:

The Sun Post’s April 13 edition that described in detail Minnesota House Minority Leaders remarks to break up the 100 percent white male card game in the retiring room to attend an important debate as “controversial” deserves comment.

So as not to assume that this writer may be politically biased, for the record, let me state that I am not a Republican. Nor am I a Democrat. I am politically independent.

Bravo to Melissa Hortman! This young lady deserves praise, not retribution. She reminds me of the late popular television character Mary Tyler Moore. Her boss, ed Abner praised her for having “lots of spunk.”

The Republican majority House members who believed playing cards in the retiring room was more important than participating in a floor house debated termed Hortman’s actions as being inappropriate were not elected and paid to play games. Hortman had every right to call them to task and to engage them in an important House floor debate.

Instead of an apology request for Hortman, the 100 percent white male Republican house members’ actions could and should be termed to be disgraceful.

Stanley J. Kondziolka, Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park Sun-Post, May 2, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 2, 2017

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are three weeks left in the legislative session. Here’s an update on what’s happening at the Capitol.

Joint Budget Targets

On Friday, the House and Senate Republican majorities set joint budget targets. These targets are a first step in final budget negotiations that will take place between the House, Senate, and Governor over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the targets they set will underfund E-12 and higher education, and also cut several areas, including health and human services – despite the fact that the state has a budget surplus. The Republican legislative majorities underfund schools and cut other areas of state government to make way for super-sized spending in the tax bill, which is weighted toward tax cuts for corporations and the rich. We are working with Governor Dayton to achieve full funding for our schools, and investments in the areas that will keep Minnesota’s economy strong into the future. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 2, 2017”

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 21, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

 

Dear Neighbors,

The House and Senate have passed all the major budget bills, and now the House and Senate will work on budget compromise bills to send to Governor Dayton for final consideration. In order to finish session on time, the legislature must adjourn by May 22nd.

Minnesota has a $1.6 billion budget surplus and a stable economy. Unfortunately, so far the Republican majority is choosing to prioritize tax cuts for corporations and the rich instead of investing in the areas that have made Minnesota’s economy strong, like education. I am hopeful for a bipartisan compromise that will make investments in Minnesotans and budget responsibly for the future. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 21, 2017”

House Leader Hortman on the State Budget Surplus

The following statement was released by Leader Hortman February 28, 2017:

Today, MMB released the February Economic Forecast, revealing a projected $1.65 billion surplus.

House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“Minnesota’s economy is strong and stable, but we must take care to maintain and improve it. Some of our roads and bridges are crumbling. College costs are too high. Good paying jobs with good benefits are hard to find in too many of our communities. Continue reading “House Leader Hortman on the State Budget Surplus”