News - Page 220 - Minnesota Senate Republicans

February 12, 2021

Senator Nelson statement on Gov. Walz relaxing Covid restrictions: ‘A focused prevention effort, instead of a one-size-fits-all policy, remains the best direction going forward.’

Minnesota Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Walz relaxing Covid business restrictions. “I appreciate the governor’s willingness to relax some Covid restrictions but I remain concerned about the…

February 12, 2021

Legislative Update from Senator Ruud

Greetings District 10! It’s been another busy week in St. Paul with committee hearings to discuss and debate legislation. Please note the Governor announced today loosening restrictions on restaurants, businesses, weddings and additional venues. Executive…

February 12, 2021

Senator Utke Legislative Update: COVID Vaccines, Education, and the Budget Forecast

Friends and neighbors, While many folks will be enjoying a holiday on Monday February 15, the Senate will be in session continuing to work hard to pass common sense legislation that benefits ALL Minnesotans. I…

February 12, 2021

Senator Newman on Gov. Walz’s Covid adjustments: The governor is ‘continuing his one-man rule and abusing his emergency powers’

Minnesota Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Walz slightly adjusting Covid business restrictions. “It might look like the governor is showing mercy on Minnesotans, but in reality he…

February 12, 2021

Senator Pratt Statement on Governor Walz Changing COVID Restrictions

Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) today released the following statement in response to Governor Walz changing COVID restrictions: “I’ve been a strong advocate for allowing our businesses to open, but with proper notice so that…

February 12, 2021

Senator Jasinski responds to Gov. Walz adjusting Covid restrictions: “these changes are nothingburgers”

Minnesota Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Walz slightly adjusting Covid business restrictions. “I am glad restaurants are allowed to remain open later, but the rest of these…

February 11, 2021

Senator David Senjem presents "Matthew's Law" in Senate Judiciary Committee

On Monday, Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester) presented legislation requiring the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) to consult with law enforcement and treatment and mental health experts to craft a model policy…

February 11, 2021

Senator Mark Koran Applauds Broadband Expansion in Chisago County

1,001 homes, farms, and businesses in Chisago County will soon have access to high-speed broadband access. That is thanks to a partnership between the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) and Midco after…

February 11, 2021

Senator Rarick presents Energy Conservation and Optimization bill in Senate’s Energy and Utilities Committee

On Thursday, Senator Jason Rarick presented the Energy Conservation and Optimization “ECO” bill in the Senate’s Energy and Utilities Committee. The legislation would expand on Minnesota’s existing Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) program to include load…

February 11, 2021

Senator Jasinski pushes to raise the growler cap and support Minnesota breweries

Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault) today held a press conference with Sen. Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) to declare support for Minnesota Breweries by removing the “growler cap” threshold. Many Minnesota breweries surpass production thresholds every season and…

February 11, 2021

Newman: Senate Education Committee approves bill to suspend Gov. Walz’s controversial social studies standards

The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would suspend for two years the implementation of Gov. Walz’s controversial new K-12 social studies standards. The proposed changes have drawn criticism for advancing a…

February 11, 2021

Senator Draheim, Senate, raise questions about the impact of Walz’s youth sports mask mandate

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing with the Minnesota Department of Health to discuss the current statewide youth sports mask mandate. The subject has received backlash from families…

February 11, 2021

Senator Housley Pushes for Raising the Growler Cap and Supporting Minnesota Breweries

Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) today held a press conference declaring support for Minnesota Breweries and removing the “growler cap” threshold. Many Minnesota breweries surpass production thresholds every season and are then limited to the number…

February 11, 2021

Majority Leader Gazelka supports legislation requiring legislative oversight for future peacetime emergencies

On Tuesday, the Senate’s State Government Finance & Policy Committee heard legislation that would reassert a fair balance of governing power between the legislative branch and the executive branch during future states of emergency. The…

February 10, 2021

Sen. Mathews: Senate Education Committee passes bill suspending Gov. Walz's controversial social studies standards

The Senate Education Committee today approved a bill that would suspend for two years the further development and implementation of Gov. Walz’s controversial new K-12 social studies standards. The proposed changes have drawn criticism for…

February 10, 2021

Senate Education Committee approves bill to ease burden on schools by delaying new educational standards for two years

The Senate Education Committee today approved a bill that would suspend for two years the implementation of any new educational standards in an effort to ease burdens on students and teachers who have experienced severe…

February 10, 2021

Sen. Gazelka and Sen. Rosen react to increased tax collections

(ST. PAUL, MN) – Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R- East Gull Lake) and Senate Finance Chair Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) released the following statements in light of the state’s increased collections of revenue for the month…

February 10, 2021

Senator Ingebrigtsen applauds legislation requiring legislative oversight for future peacetime emergencies

February 10, 2021

Senate approves bill to expand vaccine access in rural Minnesota

The Minnesota Senate this week approved a bill to significantly expand vaccine access by allowing dentists with appropriate training to administer the flu and the Covid vaccine to patients. The legislation gives Minnesota additional flexibility…

February 9, 2021

Duckworth Passes Bipartisan Bill to Expedite Vaccine Availability

On Monday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation allowing dentists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine after the completion of appropriate training. The legislation is co-authored by Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville) and gives Minnesota additional flexibility with its…