Tag: House of Representatives

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”

House Dems demand records from Trump’s communications with Putin

Three Democratic chairmen in the House are pressing for records and interviews related to President Trump‘s communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following reports that he sought to destroy records detailing such contacts.

Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the chairmen of the House Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Reform committees, respectively, wrote separate letters to acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Michael Pompeo asking that they turn over personnel records detailing the president’s contacts with Putin.

The three chairmen also want access to the interpreters who sat in on Trump’s meetings with Putin.

View the complete March 4 article by Olivia Beavers on The Hill website here.

Lawmakers announce “Responsible on Cannabis” approach for key House public hearings

Committees to consider bills impacting marijuana enforcement, CBD, medical cannabis program

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday afternoon, three committees in the Minnesota House are scheduled to hold public hearings on legislation impacting Minnesota’s cannabis policies. As part of the “Responsible on Cannabis Day” event, Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division, and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, are moving forward with a responsible approach to the issues of legalization, enforcement, and the state’s medical cannabis program.

“With as many moving parts as there are on the topic of cannabis, it’s extremely important for us to bring all Minnesotans to the table for a legitimate conversation on the issue,” said Rep. Mariani, chief author of HF 717, which would create a Cannabis Task Force to examine the potential legalization, taxation, and regulation of cannabis production, sale, and use. “Minnesotans have diverse viewpoints about this topic, as do legislators. While we take other steps like those in the bills we’re considering today, a task force will allow us to gather input from regular Minnesotans and affected stakeholders, and puts us on a clear path toward taking whichever steps on this issue are the most viable.”

“It’s clear that our state’s current approach to marijuana isn’t working, and harms Minnesotans in a number of ways,” said Rep. Moran. “From those who can’t access it to treat an illness, to those who have been caught up in the criminal justice system and the unjust racial disparities which come with enforcement, it’s time for Minnesota to move in a new direction, and the bills scheduled for hearings today will allow us to do that.” Continue reading “Lawmakers announce “Responsible on Cannabis” approach for key House public hearings”