Tag: Rep. Winkler

Minnesota House Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the COVID-19 response legislation for hourly school workers.

“During this challenging and unexpected time of distance learning, Minnesota’s school staff have stepped up in extraordinary ways,” said Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis), Chair of the Education Finance Division. “Recognizing the value that they create every day for students we propose holding school districts financially whole so that they in turn can keep their Education Support Professionals, bus drivers, food program and other hourly staff whole during any school closures related to the current public health crisis.”

“Our teachers and hourly school employees have never been more important to our children and our families,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We need to ensure that all school employees continue to get paid through the end of the school year. They deserve economic security and our support — especially during these difficult times.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on local jobs and projects bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“It’s disappointing to see the minority leader threaten to block much-needed investments in local jobs and projects in our communities,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz and his Administration have served the people of Minnesota well during this crisis, and his thoughtfulness is why Minnesotans overwhelmingly approve of his actions. Ending the peacetime emergency declaration before the emergency has passed would be reckless.”

“Minnesota needs to build its way out of the COVID-19 crisis, not play games with Governor Walz’s needed emergency powers,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Minnesotans in every part of the state need a strong local projects and jobs bill, and DFLers in the House are committed to delivering it with no strings attached. Workers need jobs that are safe, and we intend to create as many of them as we can.”

 

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

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on last night’s vigil for workers who have become infected with COVID-19 while on the job. 

“Our first responders, health care, and essential workers are putting themselves on the front line of the battle against this pandemic every day,” said Speaker Hortman. “We owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude. The Minnesota House of Representatives will continue to do all we can to support these heroes.”

“All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity to be healthy and safe. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, our first responders, nurses, and health care workers are the people making that happen,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “They are serving Minnesotans well at great personal risk to themselves and their families. They have our deepest appreciation, and we will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to do their jobs safely.”

 

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 18, 2020. The Governor also announced that starting May 4, retail businesses and other non-critical businesses may begin offering curbside pick-up and delivery. 

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

“During this pandemic, Minnesota’s government is faced with excruciating choices as we work to preserve the health, safety, and economic well-being of Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “I am pleased to see some increased flexibility for businesses and consumers under the Governor’s announcement today. The sacrifices we have made have been difficult for all of us, but have been necessary to allow us the time to prepare for the surge that appears increasingly inevitable. We cannot lose sight of the reason we all are sacrificing so much — we are working to preserve as many lives as we can. The Walz Administration and our health care professionals have used this time well to dramatically upgrade our level of preparedness. We have substantially more hospital capacity, ventilators, and personal protective equipment than we did when the stay-at-home order began. We have to stick together and keep doing all we can to slow the spread of this disease so we have the supplies we need to care for Minnesotans and to protect our health care workers.”

“Now is not the time to retreat. If we continue to fight this virus, we can build a stronger, safer, and better Minnesota as we come out of this crisis,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Calls to disregard public health concerns now will further delay our efforts to get more Minnesotans safely back to work. Instead of putting Minnesotans’ health at risk, we should continue focusing on how to safeguard Minnesotans’ health and well-being now and into the future. That’s exactly what Governor Walz and his Administration are trying to do.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on allowing certain

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement that certain non-critical businesses can reopen:

“Minnesotans’ work ethic is unparalleled across the country — we are a hard-working and productive state. Minnesotans care about one another’s health and we share a commitment to taking action to lessen the risk posed by COVID-19,” said Speaker Hortman. “The steps Governor Walz outlined today for office, industrial, and manufacturing workplaces are a welcome signal that together we have made progress slowing the spread of this disease, and that we are learning the steps we must take to keep each other safe moving forward. I appreciate that Governor Walz and his team are continuing to follow the science and are putting Minnesotans’ health and safety first. Our foremost concern continues to be ensuring that we can protect our health care system from being overwhelmed, and that we can protect health care workers who are risking their lives to treat Minnesotans.”

“Minnesotans need as much economic security as we can provide during this public health crisis, and those least likely to have it are being hardest hit,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “House DFLers are working to ensure the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans now and into the future.”

 

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.

 

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”

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.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on first Minnesota death from COVID-19

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the first death in Minnesota from COVID-19:

“Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the Minnesotan who passed away,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to do all we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable among us during this crisis. I strongly encourage all Minnesotans to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and to stay home if at all possible.”

“We are facing a challenge unprecedented in recent history, but we are confident in Minnesotans’ ability to do what we need to do and help each other make it through,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We are going to continue doing everything we can to help Minnesotans navigate this crisis. I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of this Minnesotan.”