Current Office: Representative
First Elected: 11/02/2004
Next Election: 2012
Party: Democratic/Farmer/Labor

General

Gender: Female
Family: Husband: Mark; 2 Children: Colin, Sophie
Birth date: 05/27/1970
Birthplace: Fridley, MN
Home City: Brooklyn Park MN
Religion: Catholic

Profession

Vice President, John's Auto Parts, 2003-present Attorney, Rider, Bennett, Egan and Arundel, 2000-2002 Owner, Melissa A. Hortman, Attorney at Law, Practicing Attorney, 1997-2000 Attorney, Central Minnesota Legal Services, 1996-1997 Law Clerk, Judge John Sommerville, Hennepin County, 1996 Legislative Correspondent, United States Senator John Kerry, 1991-1992 Legislative Intern, United States Senator Al Gore, 1991 Businessperson

Education

JD, University of Minnesota Law School, Twin Cities, 1995 BA, Political Science/Philosophy, Boston University, 1991

Committees

Civil Law
Division on Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Division on Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight
Redistricting
Taxes

HF 2795 Expands Gambling
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1921 Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2341 Requires Physician to be Present When Abortion Drugs are Administered
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

View More

HF 2795 Expands Gambling
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1694 Authorizes the Sale of Certain Fireworks
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1921 Increases Requirements for Abortion Providers
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2341 Requires Physician to be Present When Abortion Drugs are Administered
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 657 Amends Ticket Sales Practices
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 545 Requires State Budget to Include Federal Insolvency Contingency Plan
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 2337 Repeals Business Property Taxes
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2738 Requires Photo Identification to Vote
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 2083 Requires state to use reserves to pay school debt
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 1467 Expands the Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1870 Authorizes School Districts to Dismiss Teachers Based on Performance
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 25 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 20 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 4 Higher Education Appropriations
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 2 2011-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 1308 Prohibiting Same-Sex Marriage
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1426 Congressional Redistricting Plan
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 86 Carbon Dioxide Emissions Ban Removal
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

HF 1425 Legislative Redistricting Plan
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 1047 2012-2013 Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 760 2011-2012 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

SF 40 Act Amending Licensing and Codes for Education
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 1 Environmental Review Requirements
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 4 Repealing the Ban on Construction of New Nuclear Power Plants
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Nay

HF 130 2010-2013 Biennium Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 1 2010-2011 Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 341 Domestic Partner Death Rights
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 2037 2010-2011 Budget Amendments
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 1671 2009-2011 Biennium Budget Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2700 Omnibus Bonding and Budget Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2168 General Assistance Medical Care Program Modifications
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 2323 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 97 Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 971 School Anti-Bullying Policy Requirements
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 108 Primary Seat Belt Law
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 885 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 1362 Health Budget
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 1362 Health Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 885 Tax Law Amendments
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1231 2010-2011 Cultural and Outdoor Resources Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2081 2010-2011 Economic Development Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

Ending Prohibition on New Nuclear Power Plant Construction
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

State Funding for Abortions
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

SF 2082 2010-2011 Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 1797 Federal Stimulus Transportation Funding
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 960 Modification of the Definition of Dependents for Local Government Benefits
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 6 2008 Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 6 2008 Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition
Stage: Concurrence Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2965 Surrogate Mother Regulations
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 3391 Health Care Reform Bill
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 3001 Modifying State Education Policies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 100 Public Funding for Stem Cell Research
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Dean Amendment: Stem cell research that does not destroy, injure or create human embryos
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3149 Homeowner and Property Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Howes Amendment: Gas Tax Holiday
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Severson Amendment: Income Tax Refund
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 875 Minimum Wage Increase
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Walker Amdt to SF 3001 Sex Education in Schools
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3195 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap and Trade Program Report
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 3569 Workers' Lung Health Study
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Brod Amendment: Voter Registration Training
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Emmer Amnd. Voter Identification Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

Buesgens Amnd. Amendment Prohibiting Grants for Groups Involved in Political Activity
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2369 Background Checks for Coaches
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Prohibiting Grants for Groups Associated with Abortion Providers
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2822 "Good Faith" Requirement for Insurance Companies
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Breaches of Insurance Policy
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 380 Capital Improvements Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 3201 Omnibus Tax Bill
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

Seifert Amendment: Restriction of State Aid Based on Compliance with Immigration Laws
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2285 Funding for Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Override of Veto
Vote: Yea

HF 464 School District Health Insurance Pool
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 238 Smoking Ban
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 646 Cyber-Bullying
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 238 Smoking Ban
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Prohibiting Public Funding for Abortions
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2171 2008-2009 Health and Human Services Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

H Amendment Resident Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1989 2008-2009 Higher Education Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

SF 1997 2008-2009 State Government Budget
Stage: Passage With Amendment
Vote: Yea

HF 886 Capital Improvement Budget
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 110 Great Lakes Water Resources Compact
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Yea

SF 762 Clean Water Legacy Act
Stage: Conference Report Vote
Vote: Nay

SF 2460 University of Minnesota Football Stadium
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 1443 Voter Registration Photo ID
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

HF 4142 Property Tax - Rebate Checks
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

H 2480A99 Referendum for Hennepin County Sales Tax Amendment
Stage: Amendment Vote
Vote: Yea

HF 2480 Baseball Stadium Financing, Construction, and Operation
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

SF 2734 Sales Tax Dedicated to the Environment and the Arts Constitutional Amendment
Stage: Passage
Vote: Yea

HF 2680 Teacher Training Program for Qualified Professionals Provided
Stage: Passage
Vote: Nay

View Less