Tag: Tim Walz

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on temporary closure of Minnesota schools

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement on Governor Walz’s announcement regarding closure of Minnesota schools:

“Governor Walz’s decision to temporarily close Minnesota schools is in the best interest of Minnesotans, and we appreciate the thoughtful way his executive order addresses the need for care and meals for our children. The Minnesota House of Representatives has also introduced legislation to ensure our hourly school workers are compensated for days canceled due to COVID-19, and we are working to enact this quickly. We will continue working closing with Governor Walz and his Administration, along with Senate Republicans, as we navigate this pandemic.” 

 

House DFL Leadership Statement on Governor Walz’s Supplemental Budget

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s supplemental budget proposal:

“Governor Walz has put forward a reasonable and responsible proposal that makes needed investments while preserving our state’s fiscal stability and flexibility in a time of great uncertainty,” said Speaker Hortman. “Minnesota House DFLers are looking forward to our continued partnership with the Governor as we work on our budget proposals and our state’s response to COVID-19.”

“This is a time to be cautious and ensure we’re addressing the public health issues and economic concerns in front of us,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We welcome the Governor’s supplemental budget proposal and continue to stand ready to work with him on our budget and COVID-19 preparedness.”

 

Common Sense Legislation on Insulin

January 31, 2020

This week, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan joined DFL legislators to announce commonsense legislation to improve access to affordable insulin in Minnesota. Taking the best from both Democrat and Republican proposals, this compromise bill would increase access to affordable insulin, hold Big Pharma accountable, and is ready to be implemented. The Governor and Lt. Governor stood with insulin advocates, including Jett, a 9-year-old with diabetes, and Alexis, a Minnesota college student with diabetes.

On Monday, the Governor headed up to Melrose to hear from local internet provider Arvig on how the border-to-border broadband grant he signed into law will allow the company to improve broadband services for more than 400 locations in Greater Minnesota. Continue reading “Common Sense Legislation on Insulin”

One Year of One Minnesota

This week marked one year since Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan took office. From meeting with Minnesotans at nearly 600 events in more than 100 communities across the state to passing a budget that invests in our schools, protects access to health care, and lifts up local communities, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor have governed with One Minnesota at the heart of everything they do.

Below are some of their key accomplishments from the last year:

Building One Minnesota: To ensure all voices are included at the Minnesota State Capitol, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan have visited more than 100 towns in every corner of Minnesota and participated in nearly 600 events since they were elected. In one of the only divided governments in the country, Governor Walz worked across party lines with legislative leaders last session to pass a budget that improves the lives of Minnesotans. This was the first time in more than 40 years that a legislative budget passed without a single vetofrom the Governor, and the first time in over a decade that a Governor has reached a bipartisan biennial budget deal with the Minnesota State Legislature on time. Continue reading “One Year of One Minnesota”

Gov. Tim Walz to Trump on refugees: ‘The inn is not full in Minnesota’

Governor gives consent to refugee resettlement after new executive order by the president.

Gov. Tim Walz notified the Trump administration Friday that the state will continue to welcome refugees, pointedly saying that the “inn is not full in Minnesota.”

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Walz wrote that he rejects the intent of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order requiring state and local governments to independently approve the resettlement of refugees in their communities. The DFL governor also sought to highlight the contributions of immigrants and refugees.

“Minnesota has a strong moral tradition of welcoming those who seek refuge,” Walz wrote. “Refugees strengthen our communities. Bringing new cultures and fresh perspectives, they contribute to the social fabric of our state. Opening businesses and supporting existing ones, they are critical to the success of our economy.”

Continue reading

Governor Walz working to help Minnesotans breathe easier

While the White House and GOP continue to force an American backslide on climate change, Governor Walz is taking initiative to make Minnesota a climate-conscious state. Walz has directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to implement clean car standards, modeled after standards already in place in 14 other states. The initiative, Clean Cars Minnesota, may reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by two million tons by 2030. This change will allow Minnesotans access to more options in vehicles with better fuel-economy, boost the state’s economy, combat climate change, and improve air quality.

Clean Cars Minnesota will also save Minnesotans money at the pump, an estimated total of $320 million a year by 2030. Other states that adhere to clean car standards have saved drivers $88 billion dollars. The new set of standards will also allow manufacturers to offer a wider selection of fuel-efficient vehicles, unleashing a new market of new and used car choices for consumers. As another added bonus, the program will make an impact towards reducing Minnesota’s reliance on foreign oil.  Continue reading “Governor Walz working to help Minnesotans breathe easier”

Statement from Speaker Hortman on Clean Car

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement on today’s announcement from Governor Walz that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be implementing clean car standards:

“I applaud Governor Walz for taking this important step. Climate change threatens the health of Minnesota’s crops, wildlife, lakes — and our people. Transportation accounts for a large portion of carbon pollution — and while we have significantly reduced carbon pollution from electricity by moving to renewable energy like wind and solar — it is time to reduce the carbon pollution coming from cars. As a result of the Walz Administration decision today, Minnesota consumers will have access to a wider selection of efficient vehicles – which will save them money.”

The DFL in 2020: Safety and Security

Governor Walz recently sat down with the Associated Press and outlined several of his major goals for the next year. At the top of the list were two items: gun safety reform and insulin access.

We applaud Governor Walz and DFLers in the Legislature for working on solutions to these crucial issues. Every Minnesotan deserves safety and security, whether it’s safety from gun violence or the security that comes with access to insulin. Here are the plans DFLers have put on the table: 

Emergency Insulin

The price of insulin has been skyrocketing recently because big pharmaceutical companies have a monopoly on the drug. They have spent years hiking costs on diabetics who need insulin to survive, all to make a quick buck. The result is that a single vial of insulin, which costs roughly $30 in Canada, can cost over $300 in the United States. Continue reading “The DFL in 2020: Safety and Security”