News – Page 332 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

March 12, 2018

Goggin legislative update: Mental Health, MNLARS, and Eagles. Oh my!

Neighbors, Session is already moving at a chaotic pace. Time is even more compressed this year than last year due to our abbreviated schedule. Committee deadlines are just around the corner, so the pace won’t…

March 9, 2018

Legislative update from Senator Weber – March 9, 2018

Dear neighbors, We’re wrapping up the third week of the 2018 legislative session. With the first committee deadline — the deadline by which a bill must be heard in at least one committee — already…

March 9, 2018

Sen. Nelson’s academic balance bill passes Education Policy Committee

Sen. Carla Nelson’s Academic Balance Bill Passes Education Policy Committee A bill requiring academic balance passed the Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee. Authored by Senator Carla Nelson, Chairwoman of the Education Finance Committee, the legislation…

March 9, 2018

Sen. Westrom applauds Gov. Dayton for admitting fault to MNLARS mess

Senator Torrey Westrom applauded Governor Dayton for assuming sole responsibility for Minnesota’s new failed automotive licensing system, MNLARS. During a Tuesday, March 6 press conference, Governor Mark Dayton stated in response to a question about MNLARS,…

March 9, 2018

Republican Senators introduce legislation to support Minnesota mining and reduce household water costs

Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) and Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) introduced legislation to lift restrictions on mining in Minnesota and keep household water bills low. The bill is necessary to protect jobs in Northern Minnesota,…

March 8, 2018

Sen. Paul Anderson’s bill honoring Officer Bill Mathews passes committee

Sen. Paul Anderson’s Bill Honoring Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews Passes Committee Legislation honoring fallen Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews passed the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 7. The bill, chief-authored by…

March 8, 2018

After DMV debacle, Senate Republicans propose major changes to Minnesota’s information technology agency

Recent MN.IT projects plagued by botched rollouts and busted budgets (St. Paul, MN…) Senator Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) introduced a bill to restructure Minnesota’s information technology agency, MN.IT, after another disastrous public software system rollout…

March 7, 2018

Rosen: Battling the Opioid Addiction Crisis in Minnesota

Battling the Opioid Addiction Crisis in Minnesota By: Senator Julie Rosen March 1 was Opioid Awareness Day at the Capitol – one of the most important awareness events we hold each year. Opioid Awareness Day…

March 7, 2018

Republicans to introduce legislation cracking down on individuals misrepresenting their pets as service animals

Prompted by a rise of individuals misrepresenting their pets as service animals, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) and Representative Steve Green (R-Fosston) will introduce legislation that establishes penalties for individuals found to be guilty of…

March 7, 2018

Senator Benson statement on damning legislative auditor report on Office of Health Facility Complaints’ handling of abuse allegations

In a blistering new report on Minnesota’s Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC), the office of the Legislative Auditor determined that the agency has failed in its mission to adequately protect the elderly and vulnerable…

March 6, 2018

Sen. Westrom supports increase to MN school safety

Sen. Torrey Westrom Supports Increase to Minnesota School Safety Senator Torrey Westrom and his colleagues in the Minnesota State Senate announced plans to fund additional school safety measures throughout the state’s schools. The proposed legislation…

March 6, 2018

Senator Housley comments on legislative auditor’s report

In response to a scathing report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Health Facility Complaints, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), chair of the Senate Aging…

March 5, 2018

Goggin: Senate Republican Priorities will Advance Minnesota in 2018

Senate Republican Priorities will Advance Minnesota in 2018 By: Senator Mike Goggin At this time last year, I made it clear what my priorities would be for the 2017 legislative session: passing emergency health care…

March 5, 2018

Jasinski: Senate Republicans’ Advancing Minnesota agenda focuses on working families

Senate Republicans’ Advancing Minnesota agenda focuses on working families By: Senator John Jasinski I am a big believer in transparency. Last year, Republicans announced our Advancing Minnesota agenda early because we wanted to be clear…

March 2, 2018

Legislative update from Senator Andrew Lang – March 2, 2018

Dear District 17: We’re off to a busy start in St. Paul. Here are some highlights from the first full week of session: Budget surplus Earlier this week, state officials released the annual February budget forecast.…

March 2, 2018

Senator Weber’s weekly update for March 2, 2018

Dear neighbors, With the second week of the 2018 legislative session behind us, the pace has picked up considerably here at the Capitol — and things are moving quickly! I wanted to take a moment…

March 2, 2018

Rosen: Minnesota Public Facilities Authority awards water infrastructure grants to southern Minnesota communities

Two communities in Martin County and one in Faribault County are set to receive grants from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) to upgrade their wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. Blue Earth, Northrop, and Welcome…

March 1, 2018

Jasinski to carry ‘Minnesotans for Ridesharing’ bill

A new coalition committed to bringing ridesharing to all of Minnesota launched at the Minnesota State Capitol on Thursday. “Minnesotans for Ridesharing” includes business organizations, non-profits, restaurants, hospitality venues and individuals who believe the Minnesota…

March 1, 2018

Sen. Paul Anderson’s bipartisan sex trafficking prevention bill receives hearing

Sen. Paul Anderson’s bipartisan sex trafficking and exploitation prevention bill receives first hearing Bipartisan legislation aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and trafficking received its first hearing in the Minnesota Senate Committee on E-12 Policy. Chief…

March 1, 2018

Sen. Paul Anderson: Budget surplus result of growing economy due to tax relief

On February 28, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced that the State of Minnesota has a $329 million budget surplus. This is a $518 million positive change from the $188 million deficit projected by MMB…