News – Page 332 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

January 17, 2018

Senator Lang comments on assessment of Appleton prison

An assessment of the Prairie Correctional Facility – a 1,600-bed prison located in Appleton that has sat empty since 2010 – was completed and submitted to the legislature this week. The assessment of the facility,…

January 16, 2018

Statement of Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair David Senjem

In response to Governor Dayton’s $1.5 billion bonding proposal, Senator David Senjem released the following statement: “While Gov. Dayton once again proposes a bonding bill that busts the budget, the Senate Capital Investment Committee is…

January 15, 2018

Housley: After elder abuse allegations, the culture must change

Last month, horrifying instances of abuse and neglect at senior care facilities across Minnesota came to light in a Star Tribune special report. Among the many disturbing details, the report told a heartbreaking story of…

January 12, 2018

Statement from Senate Leader Gazelka and Senate President Fischbach

Statement from Senate President & Acting Lieutenant Governor Michelle Fischbach: “Despite the domino effect started by Sen. Franken’s resignation, my responsibilities as a senator have not changed. I will act as Lt. Governor as the…

January 12, 2018

Sen. Eichhorn’s statement on rejection of MPCA’s proposed wild rice standard rule change

On Thursday, an administrative law judge denied the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed changes to the sulfate standard for wild rice waters citing it “unconstitutional and void for vagueness.” In particular, the judge found…

January 9, 2018

Sen. Andrew Lang & committee tours West Central MN bonding projects; vets home in Montevideo

Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) and members of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee toured several proposed infrastructure projects in west central Minnesota, including a proposed veterans home in Montevideo. The senators toured the projects in preparation…

January 9, 2018

Jasinski: Ongoing fiasco in state’s system for licensing vehicles

This column originally ran in the Owatonna People’s Press. Ongoing fiasco in state’s system for licensing vehicles By: Senator John Jasinski On January 4, the Senate Transportation Committee held a second hearing to investigate the…

January 9, 2018

Goggin: New health care option for farmers off to a fast start

More than 1700 people across Minnesota have enrolled for health care coverage through two agricultural cooperative health plans during Minnesota’s recent open enrollment period. State Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) fiercely advocated for the health…

January 8, 2018

Senator Miller asks IRRRB Commissioner Phillips for answers related to Range Trust

State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona), the chairman of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee, has sent a letter to Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB) Commissioner Mark Phillips seeking answers to several…

January 8, 2018

Sen. Nelson: MNLARS Mayhem

Sen. Carla Nelson: MNLARS Mayhem Over the last half year, if you have purchased a vehicle or renewed your license plate tabs, you have probably experienced Minnesota’s new automotive licensing system, MNLARS. And, if your…

January 5, 2018

Senator Gazelka applauds issuance of Polymet draft permit

In response to the decision by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue a draft permit for PolyMet Mining’s proposed Iron Range copper-nickel mining operation, Senate Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) issued the following…

January 4, 2018

Senator Jasinski comments on MNLARS oversight hearing

The Senate Transportation Committee today held its second hearing this interim to investigate failures related to Minnesota’s new vehicle licensing and registration system, called MNLARS. During the course of the roughly 90 minute hearing, legislators…

January 3, 2018

Senator Bruce Anderson recognized for work on disability issues

State Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) has been recognized by the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) for his work on behalf of the disability community during the 2017 legislative session — including funding increases…

January 3, 2018

Statement from Senator Michelle Fischbach regarding her becoming acting lieutenant governor

“At 12:01 a.m. this morning, in accordance with the Minnesota Constitution, I ascended to the position of acting lieutenant governor. My primary focus will continue to be serving the citizens of Senate District 13 in…

January 3, 2018

Jasinski: Greater Minnesota deserves fair share of Corridors of Commerce funding

This column originally ran in the Owatonna People’s Press Greater Minnesota deserves its fair share of Corridors of Commerce funding By: Sen. John Jasinski Last fall, Republicans were swept into control of the Minnesota Senate…

January 2, 2018

Senate Transportation Committee to hold MNLARS hearing on January 4

A meeting of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 4 in Room 1200 of the Minnesota Senate Building in St. Paul. The purpose of the…

December 29, 2017

Senator Lang, Capital Investment Committee to tour area projects seeking bonding

Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) will join members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee on a tour of area projects seeking state funding. The tour, which will take place on Monday, January 8, is part of…

December 29, 2017

Statement from Senator Kiffmeyer on the retirement of Commissioner Baden

After Thursday’s retirement announcement of Minnesota IT Services Commissioner Tom Baden, Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) chairwoman of the Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee issued the following statement: “I thank Commissioner…

December 27, 2017

New Minnesota laws effective January 1, 2018

On January 1, 2018, a series of new laws will go into effect across Minnesota. These changes to state law join those that went into effect last summer and were passed during the the historically-productive 2017 legislative…

December 21, 2017

Statement from Senate Leader Gazelka on attorney general’s advisory opinion

In response to the advisory opinion issued by the attorney general’s office regarding the succession to lieutenant governor, Senate Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) issued the following statement: “We just received the opinion of Solicitor General Gilbert, and…