News - Page 322 - Minnesota Senate Republicans

April 18, 2019

Statement from Senator Eric Pratt on questionable IRRR hiring practices

Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake), chair of the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth, issued the following statement in response to “The Timberjay” news article that details the questionable hiring practices of the Department of…

April 18, 2019

Senator Dan Hall’s Easter Message

Happy Easter to all the people of Senate District 56 and all the residents of Minnesota! As a man of faith, I consider Easter to be the most important of our holidays. God, our creator,…

April 18, 2019

Poll: Minnesotans oppose gas tax increase

Do you support or oppose Governor Walz's proposed 20 cent per-gallon increase on the gas tax? Do you support or oppose dedicating the auto parts sales tax to transportation infrastructure like roads, bridges, and transit?…

April 16, 2019

Kiffmeyer: What is Secretary of State Steve Simon afraid voter data will reveal about voting integrity?

Statement from Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee Chair Senator Mary Kiffmeyer on the Minnesota Court of Appeals decision to require Secretary of State Steve Simon to turn over public voting records…

April 16, 2019

Statement from Senator Mary Kiffmeyer on the Court of Appeals decision to require secretary of state to turn over public voting records for inspection

“Today’s ruling comes as no surprise to those of us familiar with upholding election integrity. Voting records must be available for inspection to the public if we are to trust that our elections are fair.…

April 16, 2019

Statement from Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee Chair Senator Mary Kiffmeyer on the appointment of a new MNIT commissioner

“I look forward to meeting with newly appointed MNIT Commissioner, Tarek Tomes, within the week to discuss the support he needs to reform this beleaguered agency with a serious history of numerous failures. It is…

April 16, 2019

Sen. Westrom’s comprehensive agriculture, rural development, & housing budget bill passes Finance Cmte.

Invests in rural broadband expansion, value-added ag., manufactured/modular housing infrastructure, & more homeownership opportunities Legislation chief-authored by Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) to fund agriculture, rural development, and affordable work force housing in Minnesota passed the Senate Finance…

April 16, 2019

Jasinski: Recapping session as the legislature begins Easter/Passover break

Recapping session as the legislature begins Easter/Passover break By: Senator John Jasinski As I write this, the legislature is preparing to break for roughly one week in observance of Easter and Passover. When we return,…

April 15, 2019

Sen. Bruce Anderson legislative update: House proposes large tax increases

Friends and neighbors, The Legislature will take a brief break from April 15 through April 22 to observe the Easter and Passover holidays. When we reconvene, the sprint to the legislative May 20th deadline will…

April 14, 2019

‘Hands-free’ bill signed into law

On Friday, legislation that prohibits drivers from placing phone calls outside of ‘hands-free’ mode was signed into law. The law, known as the ‘hands-free cell phone law’, was authored by Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) and…

April 12, 2019

Sen. Paul Anderson's Legislative Update: 4/12/19

Links in Sen. Anderson's update: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senpaulanderson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ptanderson_mn?lang=en Cellphone use while driving penalties increase Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF75&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 Hands Free Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF50&type=bill&version=2&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 Higher Ed Omnibus Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF2415&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 E-12 (Education) Omnibus Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF7&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 State Gov. Omnibus Bill:…

April 11, 2019

Senator Justin Eichorn: Continual DHS failures intolerable, reform critical to CCAP success

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

Senator Mark Johnson: In light of CCAP failures, let's find solutions.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released a special review “Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls” on Wednesday, following an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The newest report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

‘Hands-free’ bill clears Senate floor, awaits governor’s signature

On Thursday, the final legislation to prohibit drivers from placing phone calls outside of hands-free mode was approved by the full Senate. The final bill, known as the ‘hands-free bill’ and authored by Senator Scott…

April 11, 2019

Sen. Jensen named to Attorney General task force on lowering prescription drug prices

Bipartisan group will create action plan to lower the costs of pharmaceuticals Senator Scott Jensen (R-Chaska) was recently named to the Attorney General’s Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices. Chosen from over 100…

April 11, 2019

Senator Dan Hall: Minnesotans deserve better than how DHS has handled daycare fraud

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

Senate is on schedule with priorities

Heading into a legislative break, the Minnesota Senate has made significant progress on passing a balanced budget. Omnibus bills are being moved to Finance Committee and have had extensive hearing and discussion in committees. “In…

April 11, 2019

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen: Auditor’s report outlines DHS failures that allowed daycare fraud to run rampant

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 10, 2019

Sen. Paul Anderson calls on MN House to hold U of M Regents elections

With legislative deadlines looming, four vacancies could go unfilled by legislature Senator Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth), Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, joined Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) in calling for a joint…

April 10, 2019

Sen. Osmek’s bipartisan bill to make penalty for texting caused accidents equal to DUI passes MN Senate

Legislation chief-authored by Senator David Osmek (R-Mound) to discourage distracted driving and raise awareness of the problem overwhelmingly passed the Minnesota Senate on a bipartisan vote. Under the proposal, the penalty for injuring or killing someone using a…