News – Minnesota Senate Republicans

May 20, 2025

Howe statement on “disappointing” end of regular Session

The Minnesota Senate and House both adjourned last night with numerous budget bills left to be considered. As a result, a future Special Session will be called in the coming weeks. Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville)…

May 20, 2025

Housley expresses disappointment over end of session: “Minnesotans should be frustrated”

The Minnesota Senate and House both adjourned last night with numerous budget bills left to be considered. As a result, a future Special Session will be called in the coming weeks. Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater)…

May 19, 2025

Senate approves bipartisan State and Local Government and Elections budget agreement

The Senate today approved the final State and Local Government and Elections budget agreement, Senate File 3045, on a vote of 36–31. The bipartisan legislation, crafted through a conference committee, reflects a collaborative effort to…

May 19, 2025

Senate approves bipartisan Human Services policy agreement

The Minnesota Senate today approved the Human Services policy agreement, HF 2115, on a vote of 55 to 8. The final legislation, shaped by a bipartisan conference committee, reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Minnesota’s…

May 19, 2025

Legacy Conference Committee Report fails to uphold the spirit of the Legacy Amendment

Today the Majority passed a controversial Legacy appropriation bill that failed to gain meaningful bipartisan support. The bill has numerous issues regarding what it includes and also what it excludes: Continued land purchases by the…

May 18, 2025

Senate passes public safety bill, concerns about prison closure remain

Today the Senate passed a public safety bill without bipartisan support after the last-minute decision to close the state’s second largest prison without a single legislative hearing was included in the bill. The decision to…

May 18, 2025

Senate approves Agriculture budget and policy agreement

The Minnesota Senate today provided final approval to the Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development policy and appropriations package, HF 2446, with strong bipartisan support. Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria), Republican lead of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband…

May 18, 2025

Nelson: Pensions bill offers lifeline to teachers and law enforcement

The Minnesota Senate on Sunday approved a bipartisan Pensions package that addresses various needs cited by teachers and law enforcement. The bill spends $80 million in FY26-27 and an additional $80 million in FY28-29. With…

May 18, 2025

Lieske cottage food reform clears Senate as part of 2025 Ag budget compromise; heads to governor’s desk

Minnesota State Senator Bill Lieske (R-Lonsdale) announced on Sunday that his cottage food reform package was approved by the Senate as part of the 2025 agriculture and broadband budget compromise. The bill will now head…

May 18, 2025

Pratt in favor of pensions bill offering lifeline to teachers and law enforcement

Today the Senate passed a bipartisan Pensions package that addresses various needs cited by teachers and law enforcement. The bill spends $80 million in FY26-27 and an additional $80 million in FY28-29. With this funding,…

May 18, 2025

Kreun supports Pensions bill that offers lifeline to teachers and law enforcement

Today the Senate passed a bipartisan Pensions package that addresses various needs cited by teachers and law enforcement. The bill spends $80 million in FY26-27 and an additional $80 million in FY28-29. With this funding,…

May 18, 2025

Lieske: Senate Human Services budget would cut millions from local nursing homes

By: SENATOR BILL LIESKE On May 7, the Minnesota Senate passed its Human Services budget proposal. I opposed this bill, which I should be clear is not yet law. The House still needs to pass…

May 18, 2025

Pensions bill offers lifeline to teachers and law enforcement

Today the Senate passed a bipartisan Pensions package that addresses various needs cited by teachers and law enforcement. The bill spends $80 million in FY26-27 and an additional $80 million in FY28-29. With this funding,…

May 18, 2025

Heintzeman: Senate Democrats prioritize illegal immigrants over Minnesota citizens

Friends and neighbors, On Thursday morning, state leaders announced a budget deal that will hopefully get us to an orderly end to the 2025 legislative session. The agreement was reached by House Republicans and Democrats,…

May 17, 2025

Wesenberg critical of Veterans bill that extends benefits to Special Guerrilla Units members, fails to do same for Minnesota National Guard and Reserve Soldiers

Today the Senate passed the final Veterans budget agreement that includes a handful of beneficial policies for veterans, including provisions that combat veteran homelessness and additional funding for Veterans homes in Montevideo, Bemidji, and Preston. Unfortunately, the…

May 17, 2025

Lieske critical of Veterans bill that extends benefits to Special Guerrilla Units members, fails to do same for Minnesota National Guard and Reserve Soldiers

The Senate passed the final Veterans budget agreement on Saturday, which includes a handful of beneficial policies for veterans, including provisions that combat veteran homelessness and additional funding for Veterans homes in Montevideo, Bemidji, and Preston. …

May 17, 2025

Lucero: Housing budget fundamentally fails to address affordable housing crisis

The Minnesota Senate on Saturday approved a final housing budget agreement, which spends more than $261 million in taxpayer funds on new and existing housing programs and housing debt service. Senator Eric Lucero (R-St. Michael),…

May 17, 2025

Howe critical of Veterans bill that extends benefits to Special Guerrilla Units members, fails to do same for Minnesota National Guard and Reserve Soldiers

Today the Senate passed the final Veterans budget agreement that includes a handful of beneficial policies for veterans, including provisions that combat veteran homelessness and additional funding for Veterans homes in Montevideo, Bemidji, and Preston. Unfortunately, the…

May 17, 2025

Wesenberg against Democrats’ proposed HHS bill that shifts massive $5 billion burden on anyone seeking healthcare services

On a party-line vote, Senate Democrats this week passed a Health and Human Services budget bill that will make access to healthcare services financially out of reach for families in Minnesota. The most troubling part…

May 16, 2025

Gruenhagen: Will Democrats kill an end of session agreement to protect illegal immigrant benefits?

Friends and neighbors, Legislative leaders and Governor Walz have reached a budget agreement to wrap up the 2025 session. The agreement reflects a compromise between Republicans and Democrats in the House, Democrats in the Senate,…