Category: SD36

Sen. John Hoffman Update: May 5, 2017

Welcome to week seventeen. With just over two weeks left to negotiate a more than $40 billion budget for the next two years, there is a wide gulf between House and Senate Republicans and DFLers. Caucus leaders from both parties met behind closed doors with Governor Dayton this week to outline a framework to begin budget negotiations.

Before numbers can be agreed to, Governor Dayton has made it clear Republicans must remove the more than 600 policy provisions currently in the budget bills. These provisions run the gamut from halting any future light rail projects to limiting the department of agriculture from governing the use of harmful pesticides to eliminating 40-years’ worth of campaign finance reforms. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman Update: May 5, 2017”

Erik Paulsen Voted To Hurt My Mom: Rep. Peggy Flanagan

The following article by William Bornhoff of the Patch Staff posted the following on the St. Louis Park Patch website May 4, 2017:

St. Louis Park’s state representative took to Twitter Thursday to criticize Congressman Erik Paulsen’s vote for American Health Care Act.

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN — Republicans in the House of Representatives, including Minnesota Third District’s Erik Paulsen, voted to pass the American Health Care Act Thursday by the slim margin of 217-213 with no Democratic votes. GOP leadership has partially recovered its wounded pride after its embarrassing first attempt to pass the bill ended in abject failure in March.

In response, St. Louis Park state Rep. Peggy Flanagan, who represents an area within Paulsen’s district, issued a series of critical tweets at the Republican: Continue reading “Erik Paulsen Voted To Hurt My Mom: Rep. Peggy Flanagan”

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 2, 2017

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

Dear Neighbors,

There are three weeks left in the legislative session. Here’s an update on what’s happening at the Capitol.

Joint Budget Targets

On Friday, the House and Senate Republican majorities set joint budget targets. These targets are a first step in final budget negotiations that will take place between the House, Senate, and Governor over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, the targets they set will underfund E-12 and higher education, and also cut several areas, including health and human services – despite the fact that the state has a budget surplus. The Republican legislative majorities underfund schools and cut other areas of state government to make way for super-sized spending in the tax bill, which is weighted toward tax cuts for corporations and the rich. We are working with Governor Dayton to achieve full funding for our schools, and investments in the areas that will keep Minnesota’s economy strong into the future. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: May 2, 2017”

Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 28, 2017

Welcome to week sixteen. The Senate Republicans released their targets this morning and I am disappointed with what I see. When Governor Dayton took over 6 years ago, we had frequent budget deficits and an unwillingness to compromise. Governor Dayton and the DFL majority decided to fix this by taxing the top 2% of Minnesotans and ended up with balanced budgets for the past 4 years. The current Senate and House majorities have inherited this balanced budget and their proposals are going to undo this and result in the State of Minnesota having a deficit next biennium.  Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 28, 2017”

Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 21, 2017

Rep. Melissa Hortman (36B) – Legislative Update

 

Dear Neighbors,

The House and Senate have passed all the major budget bills, and now the House and Senate will work on budget compromise bills to send to Governor Dayton for final consideration. In order to finish session on time, the legislature must adjourn by May 22nd.

Minnesota has a $1.6 billion budget surplus and a stable economy. Unfortunately, so far the Republican majority is choosing to prioritize tax cuts for corporations and the rich instead of investing in the areas that have made Minnesota’s economy strong, like education. I am hopeful for a bipartisan compromise that will make investments in Minnesotans and budget responsibly for the future. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman Update: April 21, 2017”

Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 21, 2017

Welcome to week 15. I hope you had a good Passover/Easter week. There have been many conference committees meeting this week as there are major differences between the Senate, House, and Governor’s budget proposals that affect the next two years. Conference committees will need plenty of time with their budget targets to come to agreements. From there they still need to be voted on in each legislative body and then sent to Governor Mark Dayton. Governor Dayton has sent letters highlighting priorities and if these bills don’t match them. I would expect him to veto. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 21, 2017”

Leader Hortman’s “White Male” Comments on the Minnesota House Floor

We guess that “snowflake” term being tossed about on the conservative side of the political mindset in this country could well be applied to these white, male Minnesota state legislators who seem to have no clue of what racism — or sexism for that matter — is. Their own words clearly show that lack of understanding and compassion along with a firm belief that white males are above others in the social strata.

House Leader Hortman on the State Budget Surplus

The following statement was released by Leader Hortman February 28, 2017:

Today, MMB released the February Economic Forecast, revealing a projected $1.65 billion surplus.

House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“Minnesota’s economy is strong and stable, but we must take care to maintain and improve it. Some of our roads and bridges are crumbling. College costs are too high. Good paying jobs with good benefits are hard to find in too many of our communities. Continue reading “House Leader Hortman on the State Budget Surplus”