Latest news with #MinnesotaCare
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Assassinated Dem lawmaker Melissa Hortman sided with Republicans before Minnesota shooting, voted to revoke...
Melissa Hortman, the Democratic state senator from Minnesota who was killed by a crazy shooter wearing a rubber mask, had just weeks before crossed party lines by voting to deny illegal migrants health care coverage. Hortman was the sole member of her party to vote with Republicans in favor of eliminating taxpayer-funded health insurance for undocumented immigrants in this year's budget plan, NY POST reported. She and her husband were shot dead on Saturday in Brooklyn Park, outside of Minneapolis, just after the suspect shot at Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, critically injuring them. Authorities are searching for Vance Luther Boetler, 57, a political appointee of Governor Tim Walz, who is suspected of leaving behind a deranged "manifesto" that lists the names of 70 people, including Walz. Days earlier, on June 10, Hortman voted in favor of a state budget plan that denied illegal immigrants over the age of 18 access to MinnesotaCare benefits.
New York Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Assassinated Minnesota Dem had just crossed party lines to cast decisive vote against illegal migrant handouts: ‘I did what leaders do'
The Dem Minnesota state lawmaker who was assassinated by a crazed gunman in a rubber mask crossed party lines just days earlier for a critical vote revoting health care coverage illegal migrants. Melissa Hortman, the state House Democratic leader, was the only member of her party to side with Republicans and vote to repeal taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage for adult illegal immigrants as part of this year's budget bill. She and her husband were gunned down on Saturday in Brooklyn Park just outside of Minneapolis, shortly after the same assassin is believed to have gravely wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Cops are on the hunt for the suspect, Vance Luther Boetler, 57, a political appointee of Gov. Tim Walz, who allegedly left behind a sick 'manifesto' listing the names of 70 politicians, including Walz, according to authorities. Advertisement 8 Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman was killed in her home on Saturday. WKTT Just days earlier, on June 10, Hortman cast the decisive vote on a state budget bill that stripped access to MinnesotaCare benefits for illegal migrants over the age of 18. 'I did what leaders do, I stepped up and I got the job done for the people of Minnesota,' she told KTTC-TV, adding that she understood the anger of her fellow DFL members. Advertisement 'They're right to be mad at me. I think some of them are pretty, pretty angry. I think that their job was to make folks who voted for that bill feel like crap, and I think that they succeeded,' she said. 8 Rep. Hortman and her husband were killed in their Brooklyn Park home by a masked gunman. AP 8 An eerie picture of the suspect wearing a latex mask and body armor was shared by the FBI. She appeared visibly upset as she said she had voted for the healthcare provision solely to uphold the budget deal, which was later passed by the state Senate. Walz is expected to sign the budget into law. Advertisement 'I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and we worked very hard to get a budget deal that didn't include that provision,' she told the House on Tuesday following a four-hour debate, The state legislature in Saint Paul is extremely narrowly divided. The state House is controlled by Republicans, who have a majority of just one seat (67-66) and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (as Minnesota Dems are called) holds the state Senate by the same margin (34-33). 8 She had voted to cut healthcare provision for illegal adult migrants in a crucial vote just days before she was killed. WKTT 8 Cops are still searching for the suspect who also killed Rep. Hortman's husband and tried to assassinate a Senator and his wife. AP Advertisement State Sen. Hoffman voted against the healthcare proposal, Alpha News reported. Although Saturday's killings are believed to be political, the specific motive for the shootings is not yet known. A photograph of a series of signs reading 'No Kings' found in the suspect's vehicle was shared by the Minnesota State Patrol in a post on X on Saturday. The slogan has become a calling card for the nationwide anti-Trump protests planned over the weekend, including several across the North Star State. 8 The suspect has been named as Vance L. Boelter, an appointee of Governor Tim Walz. AP A chilling picture believed to show Boetler wearing a creepy latex mask in doorbell cam footage was shared by the FBI on Saturday. He also sent a haunting last text message to a friend, David Carlson, at around 6 a.m. on Saturday, shortly after the shootings. 'David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both, and I wish it hadn't gone this way,' Carlson read from his phone while sitting on the front stoop, video shared by the Minnesota Star Tribune shows. Advertisement Further shocking details have emerged about this weekend's shootings. One of the victims Yvette Hoffman, used her body as a human shield to save her daughter's life, her nephew said. 8 Tributes have been left outside the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul. REUTERS 'Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s–t dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle's house and shot him 6 times and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism. My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life,' Mat Ollig wrote on Facebook. Advertisement Tributes have been paid to Hortman, a longtime speaker of the state House until Republicans won control, and her husband from across the political aisle. 'A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place,' Walz wrote on X. 8 Rep. Hortman (R) and Sen. Hoffman, pictured in 2018. MelissaHortman/Facebook 'She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated,' Walz's former running mate of Kamala Harris wrote. Advertisement President Trump said he had been briefed on the 'terrible shooting' in Minnesota in a post on Truth Social on Saturday. 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' he wrote.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Slain lawmaker tearful as she broke with fellow Democrats just five days before 'political assassination'
A Democrat lawmaker who broke with her party over health care coverage for illegal migrants was seen near tears just five days before she was fatally shot. Minnesota Rep Melissa Hortman was seen welling up as she cast a vote in favor of repealing eligibility for undocumented adults to access the state's subsidized health insurance scheme. She was the lone Democratic vote on Tuesday in favor of the motion to restrict access to MinnesotaCare. The vote passed by 68 to 65. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Hortman's decision did not come lightly. Following the late-night legislative session, which adjourned just before 11 pm, she appeared visibly emotional in a post-meeting interview. 'What I worry about is that people will lose their health insurance. I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and I'm...' Hortman, 55, said, with tears welling in her eyes. After briefly pausing to compose herself, she continued: 'We worked very hard to try to get a budget deal that wouldn't include that provision. 'And we tried any other way we could to come to a budget agreement with Republicans and they wouldn't have it.' Hortman's decision was met with an immediate backlash from her party and constituents as many viewed her vote as a betrayal of the progressive values she had long championed. 'This bill is cruel. It is inhumane. And it will cost real human, Minnesotan lives,' Democratic Representative Jamie Long said. 'They turned all of those things down, because all they wanted was to make sure that the 17,000 people were left out to die, that we worsen our healthcare system and that we decrease our tax revenue,' Democratic Senator Alice Mann said at a Monday press conference denouncing the repeal. Despite the criticism, those close to Hortman said her vote reflected a deep-seated belief in fiscal responsibility, as the state faces a projected $6 billion budget deficit by 2028, CBS reported. Just days later, on Saturday, Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has labeled a 'politically motivated assassination.' The alleged shooter, Vance Luther Boelter, a former appointee of Walz's, posed as a police officer and was found with a manifesto naming nearly 70 individuals - including Hortman - indicating a coordinated plan to target political figures. Just before his attack on the State Representative, Boelter gravely injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, shooting them while they were asleep in their Champlin home - eight miles from Hortman's suburban neighborhood. An extensive search effort followed as members from local police, sheriff's deputies, and the FBI scanned the Minnesota suburb for any signs of the alleged killer who remains at large. Though authorities have confirmed the discovery of Boelter's alleged manifesto, a clear motive for the early morning shootings has not been revealed. The tragedy comes on the same day protesters were set to gather in St Paul for planned protests against President Donald Trump in events promoted as 'No Kings' demonstrations. The gatherings were timed for the same day Trump will be attending a military parade in Washington, DC, to mark the Army's 250th anniversary - and amid heightened tensions with National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles to counter anti-ICE protests there. The tragedy has since drawn widespread condemnation as leaders from both parties have denounced the violence and called for unity. Speaking at a press conference Saturday, Walz said: 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence. Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' President Donald Trump added: 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the deaths of Hortman and her husband. 'With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,' Demuth said in a statement. Reaction: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (pictured) called the killings 'an act of targeted political violence' while speaking at a press conference on Saturday Hortman, a lawyer and legislator for two decades, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. She represented a safely Democratic district and consistently won re-election by large margins. She was instrumental in advancing major legislation in 2023, including expanding abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana and mandating paid family and medical leave. In 2024, during a partisan deadlock, Hortman led a Democratic boycott in a dispute over chamber control. Once election challenges were settled, she allowed Republican Lisa Demuth to assume the speakership. She is survived by her two children. Her husband, Mark, was also killed in the Saturday attack.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A Democratic legislator was assassinated; right-wing influencers coughed out disinformation
Getty Images Just hours after Minnesotans learned that Democratic House leader Melissa Hortman had been assassinated, right-wing influencer Collin Rugg, who has 1.8 million followers on X, posted a report that hinted that she'd been killed because of a recent vote on ending undocumented adults' ability to enroll in MinnesotaCare, a subsidized health insurance for the working poor. Mike Cernovich, another right-wing influencer who has 1.4 million followers on X, took Rugg's post and amped it up, but in the 'just asking questions' style of many conspiracy theories: 'Did Tim Walz have her executed to send a message?' They were deeply ignorant about the MinnesotaCare issue. Walz and Hortman — who was instrumental in passing legislation allowing undocumented people to sign up for MinnesotaCare as speaker of the House in 2023 — negotiated a compromise with Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature to end eligibility for adults, but keep it for children. They did so to win necessary Republican support in the 67-67 House to pass a state budget. Without it, state government would have shut down on July 1. Both Hortman and Walz signed the compromise agreement in mid-May. This week, Hortman spoke tearfully about how difficult the vote was for her, but she was bound to vote yes on the issue because of the prior agreement. Rugg and Cernovich's posts were shared widely and just the start of the disinformation. Once law enforcement sources began revealing a suspect, right-wing influencers ran with an insignificant detail: That Vance Luther Boelter was a 'Walz appointee.' Like many states, but even more so here, Minnesota is home to hundreds of nonpartisan and bipartisan boards and commissions, which are composed of thousands of people who typically win the appointment by simply volunteering. There are currently 342 open positions on Minnesota boards and commissions. Boelter was appointed to the Workforce Development Council by Walz's predecessor Gov. Mark Dayton and reappointed by Walz. It was the equivalent of calling a Sunday school volunteer an 'appointee of the bishop.' No matter, the Murdoch media machine, specifically the New York Post, had their headline: 'Former appointee of Tim Walz sought….' Cernovich had his greasy foil hot dog wrapper and began constructing a hat: 'The Vice President candidate for the Democrat party is directly connected to a domestic terrorist, that is confirmed, the only question is whether Tim Walz himself ordered the political hit against a rival who voted against Walz's plan to give free healthcare to illegals.' Walz had no such plan. He had signed an agreement to end eligibility for undocumented adults. Joey Mannarino, who has more than 600,000 followers on X, was more crass: 'Rumor has it she was preparing to switch parties. The Democrats are VIOLENT SCUM.' It was a ridiculous 'rumor.' One of the last photos of Hortman alive was an image of her at the Democratic-Farmer-Labor's big annual fundraising event, the Humphrey-Mondale dinner, which took place just hours before her assassination. No matter, Cernovich wanted his new friends in federal law enforcement to act: 'The FBI must take Tim Walz into custody immediately.' Finally, fresh off his humiliating defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump, world's richest man Elon Musk quote-tweeted someone again falsely alleging Hortman was killed by 'the left' and added: 'The far left is murderously violent.' The suspect's 'hit list,' according to an official who has seen the list, comprised Minnesotans who have been outspoken in favor of abortion rights. CNN reported that it also included several abortion clinics, which doesn't sound like the work of 'the left.' Right-wing influencers marred Hortman's death and smeared Walz on a pile of lies. In a different, saner world, they would be humiliated and slink away. But the smart money is that during the next moment of national crisis and mourning, they will again lie for profit. Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Slain lawmaker broke down as she defended brave vote days before 'politically motivated' shooting
Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman was on the verge of tears after casting a controversial vote that broke with her party, just five days before a 'politically motivated shooting' claimed her life. The slain State Representative cast the lone Democratic vote on Tuesday in favor of repealing eligibility for undocumented adults to access MinnesotaCare, the state's subsidized health insurance program. The vote passed 68–65, according to the Minnesota Legislature. Hortman's decision did not come lightly. Following the late-night legislative session, which adjourned just before 11 pm, she appeared visibly emotional in a post-meeting interview. 'What I worry about is that people will lose their health insurance. I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and I'm...' Hortman, 55, said, with tears welling in her eyes. After briefly pausing to compose herself, she continued: 'We worked very hard to try to get a budget deal that wouldn't include that provision. And we tried any other way we could to come to a budget agreement with Republicans and they wouldn't have it.' Hortman's decision was met with immediate backlash from her party and constituents as many viewed her vote as a betrayal of the progressive values she had long championed. 'This bill is cruel. It is inhumane. And it will cost real human, Minnesotan lives,' Democratic Representative Jamie Long said. 'They turned all of those things down, because all they wanted was to make sure that the 17,000 people were left out to die, that we worsen our healthcare system and that we decrease our tax revenue,' Democratic Senator Alice Mann said at a Monday press conference denouncing the repeal. Despite the criticism, those close to Hortman said her vote reflected a deep-seated belief in fiscal responsibility, as the state faces a projected $6 billion budget deficit by 2028, CBS reported. Just days later, on Saturday, Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has labeled a 'politically motivated assassination.' The alleged shooter, Vance Luther Boelter, a former appointee of Walz's, posed as a police officer and was found with a manifesto naming nearly 70 individuals - including Hortman - indicating a coordinated plan to target political figures. Just before his attack on the State Representative, Boelter gravely injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, shooting them while they were asleep in their Champlin home - eight miles from Hortman's suburban neighborhood. An extensive search effort followed as members from local police, sheriff's deputies, and the FBI scanned the Minnesota suburb for any signs of the alleged killer who remains at large. Though authorities have confirmed the discovery of Boelter's alleged manifesto, a clear motive for the early morning shootings has not been revealed. The tragedy comes on the same day protestors were set to gather in St. Paul for planned protests against President Donald Trump in events promoted as 'No Kings' demonstrations. The gatherings were timed for the same day Trump will be attending a military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark the Army's 250th anniversary - and amid heightened tensions with National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles to counter anti-ICE protests there. The tragedy has since drawn widespread condemnation as leaders from both parties have denounced the violence and called for unity. Speaking at a press conference Saturday, Walz said: 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence. Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' President Donald Trump added, 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the deaths of Hortman and her husband. 'With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,' Demuth said in a statement. Hortman, a lawyer and legislator for two decades, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. She represented a safely Democratic district and consistently won re-election by large margins. She was instrumental in advancing major legislation in 2023, including expanding abortion rights, legalizing recreational marijuana and mandating paid family and medical leave. In 2024, during a partisan deadlock, Hortman led a Democratic boycott in a dispute over chamber control. Once election challenges were settled, she allowed Republican Lisa Demuth to assume the speakership. She is survived by her two children. Her husband, Mark, was also killed in the Saturday attack.
