Tag: Speaker Hortman

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Before we get to the updates, I encourage you to head over to my Facebook page and offer your opinion on our recent time change. If Minnesota did away with springing forward and falling back every year, which time should we stick with: standard time or daylight saving time? While you’re commenting, you can also check out a great letter from my new favorite constituent. You can find the post here.

Hands-free cell phone use while driving

Standing with Minnesotans who’ve lost loved ones in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

On Monday, the House passed the hands-free cell phone bill (HF 50). Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia have hands-free cell phone laws. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2019”

Minnesota House DFL to release framework for Minnesota Values Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators will announce committee targets and the framework for the Minnesota Values Budget at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 25th.

WHO: Speaker Melissa Hortman, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, Majority Whip Liz Olson, Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Rep. Paul Marquart

WHAT: Press conference to announce targets and framework for the Minnesota Values Budget

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

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2019

Speaker Hortman and House DFLers’ letter to President Trump and Congressional Delegation

Today, Speaker Melissa Hortman and Minnesota House DFLers have sent the letter accessible with the link below to both President Trump and our Minnesota Congressional Delegation asking for DED (Deferred Enforcement Departure) protections for Minnesota’s Liberian community be extended.  These are set to expire on March 31, forcing people who’ve lived here for decades, some all their lives, to leave Minnesota and the United States.

Minnesota has one of the largest Liberian communities in the United States.  These people came her seeking asylum from the genocide going on in their country.  The country of Liberia continues to experience unrest.

You can read the letter below: Continue reading “Speaker Hortman and House DFLers’ letter to President Trump and Congressional Delegation”

House DFL leaders to hold press conference before vote on bill addressing Minnesota’s opioid crisis

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – During this 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 p.m.

WHERE: Press Conference Room B971, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

 

House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis

Legislation funds comprehensive strategies; holds Big Pharma accountable

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House is prepared to vote Monday afternoon on HF 400, a bill authored by Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth), the House Majority Whip, aimed at ending the state’s opioid crisis. The legislation has robust strategies for prevention, education, intervention, training, treatment and recovery.

“Minnesotans truly can’t wait any longer for leaders in this state to take meaningful action to address the terrible tragedies caused by this crisis,” Rep. Olson said. “The bill we’re set to pass today off the House floor looks at the issues around opioids in a holistic way, delivering resources to our communities to save lives. It also ensures long-overdue accountability for the drug makers who have profited off this crisis, and so-far have refused to be part of any solution.” Continue reading “House DFL set to take action to end Minnesota’s opioid crisis”

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

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 15, 2019

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you’ve recovered from the jump forward to daylight saving time. I’ve been tired all week! I support doing away with the spring forward and fall back every year. I don’t seem to be alone either — legislation has started moving through committees in both the House and Senate! The tricky question is whether to stick with daylight saving time or standard time. Stay tuned — I think there will be more discussion on the topic.

Here’s a quick update from the Capitol.

Protecting and expanding access to reproductive health

At an event in support of reproductive health care

Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 15, 2019”

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.”