News - Page 157 - Minnesota Senate Republicans

March 30, 2022

Pratt, Senate overwhelmingly pass legislation calling for financial divestment from Russia and Belarus

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February, the Senate unanimously passed legislation that divests Minnesota’s state pension fund from Russia and Belarus. Notably, this bill also codifies Executive Order 22-03 barring Minnesota from contracting…

March 30, 2022

Senator Weber Presents Legislation Establishing Southwestern Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarship

(St. Paul, MN) On Monday, Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) presented legislation to establish a Southwestern Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarship. “In the Southwest corner of the state, we run into a problem where we face a…

March 30, 2022

Senator Westrom's Statement on Avian Flu Outbreak

Senator Torrey Westrom, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Finance & Policy Committee, released the following video statement with his comments on the recent avian flu outbreak in Minnesota. Watch Video Statement

March 30, 2022

Kiffmeyer: Ensuring affordable health insurance and supporting Minnesota’s firefighters

Friends and neighbors, In 2016, due to Obamacare forcing the end of the MN Comprehensive health insurance program (created decades before for Minnesotans with pre-existing health conditions), premiums skyrocketed and led to the near collapse…

March 29, 2022

Senate Higher Education Committee hears Jasinski bill for Owatonna Learn to Earn workforce development program

The Minnesota Senate’s committee on Higher Education today heard a bill by Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault) that would help Owatonna and Steele County recruit and retain talented workers by providing funding for Owatonna’s Learn to…

March 29, 2022

Senator Rarick: Enterprise Minnesota and the Importance of Supporting Manufacturing

This week, I presented legislation to fund the growth acceleration program (GAP) offered by Enterprise Minnesota. The funding will support our smaller manufacturing businesses across the state, allowing them to improve business services and products.…

March 29, 2022

Senators Abeler and Housley introduce $1.322 billion budget priority to address long-term care workforce crisis

ST. PAUL, MN – Senators Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) today introduced the $1.322 billion budget priority of the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee. This proposal would help address critical short-term…

March 29, 2022

Senate unanimously passes Housley’s legislation calling for financial divestment from Russia and Belarus

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February, Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) authored important legislation that divests Minnesota’s state pension fund from Russia and Belarus, and codifies Governor Walz’s Executive Order…

March 29, 2022

Innovative Howe Legislation Would Exempt Testing Equipment from Sales Tax

Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) has authored innovative legislation that would exempt diagnostic testing kits and equipment from sales tax in the state of Minnesota. This bill would cover tests and devices such as COVID at-home…

March 28, 2022

Howe bill addresses Hometown Heroes Act—makes clarifications regarding coverage and application

In the 2021 Legislative Session, Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) authored the Hometown Heroes Act, which was included in the Senate’s final Judiciary budget. The bill addressed the alarmingly high incidence of cancer, cardiac issues, and…

March 25, 2022

Senator Bruce Anderson’s News from the Capitol – March 25, 2022

Friends and neighbors, This week at the Capitol, a bill I authored this session was heard in the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. S.F. 3987 would help Minnesotans with disabilities continue to…

March 25, 2022

Senator Andrew Mathews: The Future of Nuclear Power in Minnesota

Nuclear power is a carbon-free, clean-energy source, that provides base load generation and serves as the most resilient form of generation. Our community is located near the Monticello nuclear power station which, along with Prairie…

March 25, 2022

Senate Jobs Committee approves Jasinski bill for Owatonna Learn to Earn workforce development program

The Minnesota Senate’s committee on Jobs and Economic Growth this week approved a bill by Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault) that would help Owatonna and Steele County recruit and retain talented workers by providing funding for…

March 25, 2022

Senator Weber Presents Legislation to Improve Highway 13 in Murray County

This week, Senator Bill Weber (R- Luverne) presented legislation appropriating money for flood mitigation and road widening on County State-Aid Highway 13 in Murray County. “As we’ve seen for years, this is a part of…

March 25, 2022

Legislative Update from Senator Ruud

This week is National Agriculture Week, when we recognize the important work of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers. Thank you! Legislation Funds Shooting Sports FacilitiesSenator Carrie Ruud presented legislation SF4098 in the Environment Policy Committee that seeks…

March 24, 2022

Senate Veterans Committee approves additional funding for Preston veterans’ home

The Minnesota Senate Veterans Committee today approved a bill authored by Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) that would provide additional funding for new construction projects at the veterans' homes in Preston, Bemidji, and Montevideo. "The…

March 24, 2022

Lang bill funds key equipment for new Veterans Homes across the state

Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) today presented legislation in the Veterans Committee that funds the purchase of equipment for 3 new Veterans’ Homes across the state. Last year, these homes in Bemidji, Preston, and Montevideo secured federal…

March 24, 2022

Duckworth Bill Protects Victims of Trafficking, Passes with Unanimous Bipartisan Support

Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) presented legislation today that establishes juvenile court guardianship for at-risk youth in Minnesota. The legislation ensures that at-risk juveniles, many of whom have been victims of trafficking, have access to guidance, financial assistance,…

March 24, 2022

Senator Limmer champions legislation to address organized retail crime

ST. PAUL, MN – “In 2020, 75% of retailers saw an increase in organized crime, and I authored my bill in response to this drastic surge,” said Senator Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove). “Currently, 34 states have already defined…

March 24, 2022

Ruud authors bill to renew Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) has authored legislation that renews Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Enacted in 1988 with the support of 77% of Minnesota Voters, this ENRTF became a constitutionally dedicated…