Tag: Speaker Hortman

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 13, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all have been safe and warm through this week’s snow, ice, and sleet storm. The Minnesota House of Representatives has been busy with budget bills moving through committee. We’re entering our Easter/Passover break, but when we’re back, there will be a flurry of activity passing bills off the House floor, then working to find common ground with the Senate.

Here’s a quick update.

Full Minnesota Values Budget released

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 13, 2019”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 7, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

We had a big week at the Capitol — we have been unveiling our budget bills after releasing the framework of the Minnesota Values Budget, and Governor Walz had his first State of the State address. Here’s a quick update.

Governor Walz’s First State of the State

Greeting Governor Walz before his State of the State address

Governor Walz delivered his first State of the State address on Wednesday, April 3rd. Instead of a traditional scripted speech, Governor Walz spoke off the cuff, sharing the stories of Minnesotans. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 7, 2019”

House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education

Two-year tuition freeze is cornerstone of Democrats’ new budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee today announced a new budget that puts students first by making college more affordable, reducing debt, and improving health and safety on campus. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 775,000 Minnesotans with student debt totaling $27.1 billion.

A fact sheet with more information about the budget is available for download here (this version includes corrected information about average benefit increases for full-time students enrolled in the state grant program).

Minnesotans from all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at earning a quality post-secondary education,” said Chair Bernardy. “The House DFL Higher Education budget eases the financial burden on working families and students, expands eligibility for grants, and will fill gaps in Minnesota’s workforce shortage.”

The budget freezes tuition for Minnesota students at all of the state’s two- and four-year public colleges and universities, and increases financial support for working families by investing an additional $35.4 million in the state grant program. As a result, full-time students who benefit from the state grant program will receive on average more than $400 per year more in financial assistance, and 1,900 more Minnesotans will become eligible for the first time. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Governor Walz’s State of the State Address

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on tonight’s State of the State Address from Governor Tim Walz:

“The stories told by Governor Walz were like so many we have heard from Minnesotans across the state: we want good schools, affordable health care, and economic security. We care about our neighbors, and we want to see one another succeed,” said Speaker Hortman. “As session continues, I’m optimistic we can find solutions and pass a budget that will ensure that Minnesota is a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

“We share Governor Walz’s vision of a Minnesota that leads the nation and a politics that is focused on improving people’s lives,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The policy decisions made here have a real impact, and House DFLers are committed to building a brighter future for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.”

Legislators and coalition members to hold press conference ahead of House floor vote on Driver’s Licenses for

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, House Majority Leader Ryan Winker, Speaker Melissa Hortman, a bipartisan group of legislators, and the Freedom to Drive coalition will hold a press conference ahead of the House vote for Driver’s Licenses for All. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators have been working to pass a law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.

Who:

  • House Majority Leader Winkler
  • Speaker Hortman
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez
  • Rep. Rod Hamilton
  • Freedom to Drive coalition members, religious leaders
  • representatives from the business community, and law enforcement

What: Press conference ahead of House floor vote for Driver’s Licenses for All

When: 10:45 AM, Friday April 5th, 2019

Where: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget

Democrats’ budget lowers costs for Minnesotans, holds Big Pharma accountable, gives doctors and patients more control over care

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday, April 3 the House DFL Majority announced a new Health and Human Services Budget. The budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable, addressing health disparities, improving health care for women, and expanding coverage options for Minnesotans.

A fact sheet with more information is available for download here.

“Minnesotans should be able to count on receiving quality health care at a price they can afford. Unfortunately, the deck has been stacked against Minnesotans in favor of insurance companies, Big Pharma, and pharmaceutical middlemen,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division. “This bill will help keep Minnesota a leader in health care by putting patients ahead of profits. It offers solutions to reduce costs, expand coverage, and improve the health of all Minnesotans.” Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget”

Wednesday at 11: House DFL Majority to Announce Health and Human Services Budget

LeSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the House DFL Majority is holding a news conference to announce a new Health and Human Services budget.

The House DFL’s HHS proposal budget lowers the cost of health care, addresses rising prescription drug prices, increases the quality of coverage, and gives patients and their doctors more power over their care.

WHAT: News Conference Announcing House Health and Human Services Budget

WHO: Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman; Majority Leader Ryan Winkler; Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division

WHEN: Wednesday, April 3 at 11 AM

WHERE: Room 181, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Saint Paul

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 30, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather. The pace of the legislative session continues to pick up. We unveiled our budget targets this week, and now committees will begin crafting their budget bills. Here’s a quick update.

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians Extended

Standing with community members, Governor Walz, and Attorney General Ellison in support of our Liberian community.

On Thursday, President Trump announced a one-year extension of the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. These protections were scheduled to end on March 31st.

Last week, I sent a letter to President Trump and members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation asking them to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 30, 2019”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Senate Republican Budget Targets

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the budget targets released by Senate Republicans today:

“Senate Republicans are using a tried-and-true Republican gimmick of moving the goalposts to hide how much they’re shortchanging Minnesotans,” said Speaker Hortman. “Their budget won’t get Minnesota children the world-class schools they deserve. It will put affordable health care further out of reach for Minnesotans. And the Senate Republican budget won’t increase economic security for our families and give them the chance to succeed. As the House and Senate begin moving budget bills forward, House DFLers are committed to building a state that will work better for everyone.”

“Minnesota will be moving backwards under the Senate Republican budget,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The choices will be clear for Minnesotans: continue down the Republican path that prioritizes corporations, the wealthy, and health insurance companies; or the DFL budget that will make honest investments in the things Minnesotans value: affordable health care, great schools, safe & inclusive communities, and reliable roads, bridges, and transit. The House DFL is committed to responsible budgeting, correcting the destructive Republican budgets, and building a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”