Tag: Rep. Winkler
Minnesota House Expected to Approve Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill Today
SAINT PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve the hands-free cell phone bill (House File 50) during today’s floor session. Legislators are taking action in response to victims of distracted driving who want to prevent more deaths.
“Distracted driving fatalities are continually on the rise,” said chief sponsor and Transportation Division Chair Frank Hornstein. “Requiring ‘Hands-free’ mode will deliver common sense safety measures to combat these preventable tragedies.”
Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have hands-free cell phone laws. According to WCCO’s latest Reality Check, crashes and fatalities on the road decrease when states have hands-free cell phone laws on the books.
“Minnesotans deserve to be safe on our roadways,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “There is clear evidence from other states that these types of laws save lives. We’ve heard so many heart-wrenching stories from Minnesotans of family members lost because people are on their smartphones instead of focusing on the road. It’s long past time we got this done.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve Hands-Free Cell Phone Bill Today”
DFL Lawmakers, Hands-Free Cell Phone Advocates Announce Monday Morning Press Conference
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – DFL lawmakers and Minnesotans who support the hands-free cell phone bill (House File 50) are holding a press conference Monday, March 18 at 11 a.m. in Capitol Room B971. This is an opportunity for members of the press to hear directly from Minnesotans and ask questions before the entire Minnesota House votes on the bill later in the day.
What: Press conference about the hands-free cell phone bill (House File 50).
Who:
- Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
- House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
- Rep. Frank Hornstein (chief sponsor of HF 50)
- Minnesotans with family members killed as a result of distracted driving
- Minnesotans who support the hands-free cell phone bill, including public safety leaders and business leaders
When: Monday, March 18 at 11 am
Where: Capitol Room B971
House DFL leaders to hold press conference Monday before vote on bill addressing Minnesota’s opioid crisis
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – During Monday afternoon’s floor session, the Minnesota House is set to vote on HF 400, a bill authored by House Majority Whip Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth) aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. Prior to the session, House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park) and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will join Rep. Olson for a press conference at 1:30 p.m. at the State Capitol.
The legislation contains a comprehensive set of education, intervention, treatment and recovery strategies, including creation of an Opioid Stewardship Advisory Council. The bill holds pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the crisis through registration fees which will be deposited in an Opioid Stewardship Fund.
WHAT: Press conference previewing House consideration of HF 400, legislation to address Minnesota’s opioid crisis
WHO: Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), bill author and House Majority Whip; House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL – Brooklyn Park); and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley)
WHEN: Monday, March 18, 2019, 1:30 pm
WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul
Statement from House DFL Leadership on Legislative Auditor report on Child Care Assistance
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on today’s report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP):
“The Child Care Assistance Program is critically important for Minnesota families struggling with the high costs of child care,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to make sure assistance is going to those who truly need it. We will be working with the Walz Administration and advocates to ensure the integrity of this program.”
“Any misuse of public funds is serious and must be addressed, but using unsubstantiated allegations as an excuse for Islamophobic attacks on an entire community is reprehensible,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We will continue to support the families that rely on this vital program, and improve the affordability and accessibility of child care.”
Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) and state Senator Karin Housley (R – St. Marys Point) have introduced legislation that would rededicate the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park.
“We are honoring Walter Mondale’s lifelong devotion to public service and his foresight in preserving the St. Croix Scenic Riverway as a national treasure,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Vice President Mondale has left us a legacy of rugged and pristine beauty which we will enjoy for generations to come, and so it is fitting that we recognize him in this way.”
“Interstate Park is the first such interstate park in the nation. For decades, Minnesotans have marveled at its storied history and natural beauty,” Senator Housley said. “It’s only fitting that we renew the spirit of bipartisanship that led to the park’s creation by naming the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park after its original champion, Walter Mondale.” Continue reading “Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park”
Private prison ban is heard in Legislature
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Legislation authored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and state Senator Ron Latz (DFL – St. Louis Park) that would ban private prisons in Minnesota was heard the House Corrections Division this morning. HF 1237 was held over for inclusion in a future Corrections bill. SF 1678 is the Senate companion.
“Criminal justice is a core responsibility of government,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Minnesotans deserve strong public safety and private prison companies fail to deliver. House DFLers are working to make sure Minnesotans’ rights are protected ahead of corporate profits.”
If enacted, the bill would prohibit the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs from housing inmates in facilities that are not owned and operated by the state, a local unit of government, or a group of local units of government. Continue reading “Private prison ban is heard in Legislature”
Statement from Majority Leader Winkler on committee hearings on gun violence prevention
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division announced that it would be holding its committee hearing on gun violence prevention legislation at the State Capitol. House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement:
“We wanted to hold a committee hearing on gun violence prevention in a school to offer students and parents an easier opportunity to offer their thoughts on an issue that has caused so much fear and stress for families. Instead of welcoming that discussion, the gun lobby directed their activists to badger local school district officials, including asking for gun carry requests because schools are gun-free zones. The gun lobby knows that the public isn’t on their side, so they have to resort to these tactics.
“Despite the loud voices of a few extremists, Minnesotans have been clear that they want us to address gun violence. House DFLers will pass gun violence prevention legislation this session.”
Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition Kick Off 2019 Push for Driver’s Licenses for All
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and a statewide, multi-organization coalition kicked off their 2019 legislative efforts for driver’s licenses for all, regardless of immigration status.
“Immigrants came here for the promise of freedom and opportunity, and they contribute to the culture, economy, and community of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “All Minnesotans deserve to be able to work, live and take care of their families. Ensuring everyone has access to driver’s licenses will improve public safety for everyone, grow the state economy, and treat our immigrant communities with dignity and respect. This is the year for us to get this done.”
“Denying immigrants the right to a driver’s license means we’re denying people living in our communities access to jobs and opportunity, endangering public safety, and criminalizing families’ efforts to participate in civic life,” added state Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL – Minneapolis). “That’s destructive for families, for businesses, and for Minnesota. It’s time to make our roads safer, and to reject a politics that would divide people living side by side as neighbors.” Continue reading “Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition Kick Off 2019 Push for Driver’s Licenses for All”
Majority Leader Winkler and Coalition to Kick Off 2019 Campaign for Driver’s Licenses for All
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 21st, Minnesota House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler will join a broad coalition and representatives from the business community and law enforcement to kick off the 2019 legislative push for driver’s licenses for all. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators are committed to passing a state law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.
Speakers will include Minnesotans from across the state who are directly impacted by the current laws, business and law enforcement leaders who support the change, human rights groups and legislators.
Who:
- Majority Leader Winkler
- Rep. Aisha Gomez
- Rep. Rod Hamilton
- multi-organization coalition members
- religious leaders
- representatives from the business community, law enforcement, and
- other legislators
What: Press conference to kick off 2019 legislative push for drivers license for all
When: 11:00 AM, Thursday February 21st, 2019
Where: Minnesota State Capitol, first floor stairs leading to the Minnesota Supreme Court