Tag: Melissa Hortman

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: January 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you had a great holiday and that your 2020 is off to a good start!

I wanted to invite you to an informal legislative discussion on Thursday, January 9th from 6-8 PM. The event will be held at Ramsey City Hall in the Alexander Ramsey Room (7550 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey). State legislators from Senate Districts 35 and 36 and House Districts 35A, 35B, and 36A have also been invited to attend. The discussion is free and open to the public.

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Speaker Hortman on conclusion of investigation into Rep. Long’s employment at the University of Minnesota

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On September 20, Speaker Hortman directed House Research to retain an outside investigator to review, on behalf of the House, questions raised by Rep. Swedzinski and Rep. Daudt about Rep. Jamie Long’s employment at the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab. The House retained Amy Schwartz of the law firm Ballard Spahr for this purpose. The investigation has been completed and found no wrongdoing on the part of Rep. Long.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“The report we received from a neutral third party completely exonerates Representative Long from all allegations of impropriety made by Representatives Swedzinski and Daudt.”

The full report can be found here.

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 24, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This is easily one of my favorite times of the year: the snow, the decorations, the music, the events, and the family traditions are something I treasure every year. I hope your holiday is filled with family, laughter, and love.

Hortman family
The Hortman family Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 24, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 19, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

This week’s email update covers some recent news before taking a closer look at our new state environment budget.

Minnesota Liberians to receive permanent status and opportunity to apply for citizenship

This week, the U.S. Senate voted to approve a defense spending bill that includes a measure giving members of Minnesota’s large Liberian community an opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship. The bill passed the U.S. House last week, and President Trump has said he will sign the bill.

Earlier this year, the President announced a one-year extension of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. These protections were scheduled to end on March 31st. Before his announcement, I sent a letter to President Trump and members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation asking them to extend DED for Liberians. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: December 19, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 26, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly Thanksgiving! I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday — and have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Later in this week’s update, we’ll take a closer look at the state’s higher education budget.

Emergency Insulin Access

On October 18th, I appointed Representatives Michael Howard and Tina Liebling to a work group tasked with resolving the differences between the House and Senate insulin proposals. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt appointed himself to represent his caucus. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: November 26, 2019”

Speaker Hortman participating in Israel Study Tour in December

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman will be traveling with a bipartisan group of legislators to Israel and the West Bank December 2nd-13th. The study tour for legislators and community leaders is organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council, but participants — like Speaker Hortman and her husband — pay the expenses themselves.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Israel with this bipartisan delegation,” said Speaker Hortman. “This region holds special significance to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. As a Catholic, I’m especially looking forward to seeing sites central to my faith. I’m also looking forward to learning more about the complex political and security issues facing Israel and the region.”

Speaker Hortman will be joined by Reps. Elkins, Kiel, and Theis; and Sens. Bigham, Franzen, and Kiffmeyer, among other participants on the trip.

After arriving in Israel, participants will visit the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, and the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. They will explore environmental challenges related to the River Jordan, and tour East Jerusalem with a Palestinian-American journalist. Participants will also visit a number of Christian and Jewish holy sites, and Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust memorial and museum.

Later, attendees will visit the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters and Moshav Netiv HaAsara, a community that borders Gaza. Participants will stand on the banks of the Jordan River, learn more about Israel’s security situation on its border with Syria in the Golan Heights, visit the ancient port city of Akko, and receive a guided tour describing Israel’s strategic challenges along the Lebanese border. Participants will also visit Medtronic Israel and Minneapolis’ partner community, Rehovot, and St. Paul’s partner community in the Sovev Kineret region.

Statement from Speaker Hortman on passing of State Representative Diane Loeffler

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — State Representative Diane Loeffler passed away today at the age of 66. Rep. Loeffler was serving her 8th term in the Minnesota House, representing District 60A. Rep. Loeffler had battled cancer, and recently the cancer recurred.

Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“I’m so sorry to share the news that State Representative Diane Loeffler passed away today.

“Diane was dedicated to helping people in Minnesota who were the most vulnerable — the sick, the elderly, and those with disabilities.

“She was unfailingly kind to her colleagues. In the spring, tulips from Diane’s garden graced many desks in the House Chamber.

“She will be missed by her House colleagues and her constituents.”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 25, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s hard to believe that Halloween and November are nearly here — fall is flying by! As someone who loves cross country skiing, I might be one of the few who is happy that winter is quickly approaching and that we’re projected to have more snow than usual!

But before that happens, we have to get through another dreaded time change. November 3rd marks the end of daylight saving time for the year. I think ending the spring forward and fall back every year is worthy of consideration.

This week’s update takes a closer look at the Jobs Budget enacted this year.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 26th is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a chance for people to safely discard unused or expired prescription drugs. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study found that the majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 25, 2019”

Speaker Hortman appoints legislators to work group on emergency insulin access

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Late Friday, October 18th, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman appointed Representatives Michael Howard and Tina Liebling to a work group tasked with resolving the differences between the House and Senate insulin proposals. Minority Leader Kurt Daudt appointed himself to represent his caucus.

“I’m pleased that we are moving ahead with a work group to address Minnesotans’ need for emergency access to insulin,” said Speaker Hortman. “The House DFL remains ready to complete this work as soon as possible. It’s long past time we got this done.”

Speaker Hortman asked for a report after 60 days. A letter from Speaker Hortman to Majority Leader Gazelka can be viewed below.

19-10-21 Speaker Hortman Letter to Gazelka

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 18, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

Fall has definitely arrived in Minnesota! The Minnesota DNR has a number of resources to help you enjoy the season, including a weekly fall colors update newsletter. You can learn more here.

Another fall staple is apple picking, and Minnesota’s apple harvest is in full swing! Minnesota-grown apples are available now at apple orchards and can be found at local grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the fall. A trip to the orchard is a great way to get the family outside and help kids understand how their food grows. Apple orchards are also a family-fun destination with some also featuring pumpkins, squash, corn mazes, wagon rides, and petting zoos.

The Minnesota Grown Directory is available in print and online, and is a great resource for finding local apple orchards or farmers markets.

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: October 18, 2019”