Senator Kiffmeyer: Legislative Update
Friends and neighbors, As many of you know, the end of the Legislative Session is upon us. While this is a very busy time with lots of moving parts, I remain committed to doing what…
Senator Draheim's Weekly Update 5/7
Neighbors,We have one week left of session as we negotiate our way toward a new two-year budget. Conference Committees met this week in full force flushing out ideas and adopting similar language. I’m looking forward…
Senator Mathews Legislative Update
Friends and neighbors, Voter ID Election integrity is an issue everyone should support. This past week, Senate Republicans passed a Voter ID bill that is widely supported by Minnesotans and Americans alike, with studies showing…
Senator Kiffmeyer: Walz is moving too slow
Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) released the following response to Governor Walz’s announcement Thursday of a plan to reopen Minnesota: “This is simply not enough. Governor Walz is toying with Minnesota, changing the requirements to…
Legislative Update from Senator Utke
Friends and neighbors,This past week, the Senate and House started meeting in Conference Committees. A conference committee’s work is to prepare a version of the bill that is acceptable to both houses (Senate & House of Representatives) and…
Legislative Update from Senator Ruud
Happy Mother’s Day—wishing all moms a wonderful weekend! The final weeks of the 2021 Legislative Session are here—we are working hard in St. Paul to pass a balanced budget after a difficult year. The legislature will…
Senate Passes Natural Gas Innovation Act to Increase Renewable Energy Resources
On Thursday, Senator Bill Weber’s (R-Luverne) Natural Gas Innovation Act passed with bipartisan support, 53-14, off the Senate floor. The legislation, S.F. 421, establishes a regulatory framework enabling Minnesota’s natural gas utilities to provide customers…
Senate Passes ECO Bill to Give Consumers More Choice and Save More Money On Energy Costs
On Thursday, Senator Jason Rarick’s (R-Pine City) Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) bill passed with bipartisan support, 38-27, off the Senate floor. The legislation, S.F. 227, expands Minnesota’s existing Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) program to…
Senator Coleman: Walz cannot hold Minnesota hostage
Senator Julia Coleman (R-Chanhassen) released the following statement in response to Governor Walz’s reopening plan: “The changes Governor Walz is promising are simply not good enough or soon enough. The endgame for his emergency powers…
Senator Rosen: Gov. Walz’s Covid-19 changes ‘too weak and too slow’
Senate Finance Chairwoman Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) today released the following response to the Governor’s announcement of a reopening plan. “Gov. Walz’s reopening plan is too weak and too slow. Minnesotans are ready to reopen right…
Gazelka: Not Good Enough, Not Soon Enough
ST. PAUL, MN – Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka released the following response to the Governor’s announcement of a reopening plan today: My reaction today is simple: Not good enough and not soon enough. The emergency…
Senator Dornink urges Governor and House Democrats to prioritize local water infrastructure projects
On Tuesday, the Capital Investment Conference Committee met and discussed using federal funds to prioritize the Public Facilities Authority grants. These PFA grants are essential to cities in need of infrastructure projects. Senator Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) has…
Senator Ruud, Minnesota Senate Approves Voter ID Requirement
The Minnesota Senate on Monday approved a broadly popular bill that would require Minnesotans to present a valid photo identification for in-person, absentee, and mail-in voting. The bill also establishes a new voter identification card that…
Sen. Karin Housley and Rep. Keith Franke Team Up to Protect Minnesota Charities, Bars and Restaurants
Representative Keith Franke (R-St. Paul Park) and Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) are teaming up to protect Minnesota charities, bars and restaurants from an unprecedented attack to eliminate electronic gaming in the state. House File 2366…
Senator Kiffmeyer refuses to change e-pull tabs used for Local Charitable Gambling, supporting no changes to current law
Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) joined her Senate Republican colleagues at a press conference expressing opposition to any changes to the state’s electronic pull-tab (e-pull tab) gaming rules. The proposed changes would negatively impact charitable…
Senate passes Senator Osmek’s legislation helping prisoners reintegrate after release
On Wednesday, Senator David Osmek’s (R-Mound) prisoner reintegration legislation passed with a unanimous vote on the Senate floor. Senate File 519 requires the Department of Public Safety’s to provide critical information and services to help recently released…
Senator Ingebrigtsen, Senate, Approve Widely Popular Voter ID Requirement
Today, the Minnesota Senate approved a broadly popular bill that would require Minnesotans to present valid photo identification for in-person, absentee, and mail-in voting. The bill also establishes a new voter identification card that would…
Senate approves funding for home and community-based service providers
The Minnesota Senate recently approved a health and human services budget that captures federal funding to provide a boost to home and community-based services providers. Home and community-based services (HCBS) provide opportunities for at-risk individuals…
Benson Responds to Dramatic Increase in Overdose Deaths
ST. PAUL, MN – Senator Michelle Benson (R- Ham Lake), Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, released a statement by video on the dramatic increase in overdose deaths reported by the Minnesota Department of Health…
Senator Miller statement in support of protecting electronic pull tabs for local charities and hospitality businesses
Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) today issued a statement making clear his opposition to any changes to the state’s electronic pulltab (e-pulltab) gaming rules that would negatively impact charitable organizations or the establishments that…