Tag: Melissa Hortman

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”

Minnesota House Passes Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA- Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives 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. Alec’s Bill passed on a vote of 111-22.

“Minnesotans should not lose their lives because they can’t afford the insulin they need to survive,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Thanks to the advocacy of thousands of Minnesotans, and to Representative Michael Howard’s dedicated leadership, this legislation is on its way to the Governor’s desk. The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act will provide emergency access, long-term affordability, require insulin manufacturers to be part of the solution, and is ready to implement right now.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Passes Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act”

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”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on extended Stay at Home Order

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — This afternoon, Governor Walz announced an extension of his Stay at Home Executive Order, directing Minnesotans to limit movements outside of their homes until May 4, 2020.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“Minnesotans have done a great job of social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we are not out of this crisis yet,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz and his team have done an excellent job following the data and making strong decisions to protect Minnesotans. Today’s extended Stay at Home order is no different. I strongly encourage Minnesotans to stay home as much as you can, maintain social distancing, and wear a mask when in public.”

“What Minnesota is doing seems to be working, and we have to keep it up,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Lives are on the line and our long-term economic future is in jeopardy if we don’t get this right. I thank Governor Walz for continuing to make responsible decisions in the best interest of Minnesotans. The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work with the Governor to do everything we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on State of the State

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s second State of the State address:

“Governor Walz and his Administration have shown incredible leadership and have served the people of Minnesota well during this crisis,” said Speaker Hortman. “The Minnesota House of Representatives will continue working with the Governor and doing everything we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time and into the future. Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. Despite the challenges and uncertainty before us, we remain confident in our ability to come together and pull through.”

“During this pandemic, we appreciate Governor Walz and his team’s strong work to protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Despite the challenges we’re facing, we know Minnesotans will meet the moment. The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work hard on behalf of our constituents, and we know there are more issues we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We are already looking ahead and exploring options to address the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 3, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’re about a week into Governor Walz’s Stay at Home order — I hope you are staying healthy and safe. Minnesotans have done an excellent job social distancing, but we need to keep fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19, prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, and save lives.

COVID-19 Public Dashboard

Today, Governor Walz unveiled a new State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the spread of the virus in the state and provides current data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment, and testing. The dashboard will be updated daily and is available here.

During his video address, the Governor also highlighted the state’s priorities during the Stay at Home order, including efforts to collect data about COVID-19; increasing the number of ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment needed to care for a surge in patients; and developing strategies to address the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 in Minnesota — both now and after we come out of this crisis. You can watch the Governor’s comments here. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 3, 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”