Draheim school bus safety bill passes Senate
The Minnesota Senate today passed a bill making it a crime for people to trespass on school buses. Under Senate File 1339, failure to leave a school bus after a driver’s warning would be a…
With 72 hours left, legislature announces new joint targets representing compromise
After discussing budget targets Friday with Governor Dayton, House and Senate Republican majorities developed new joint targets representing a compromise between the governor and the legislature’s positions. Since their initial joint budget offer, Republicans compromised…
Sen. Relph’s “McKenna’s Law” signed by governor
Legislation aimed at ensuring all children in Minnesota’s Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) system have access to adequate legal representation was signed into law. The bill, authored by Sen. Jerry Relph (R-St.…
Rosen statement on bipartisan REAL ID bill
Senator Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) issued the following statement on the passage of House File 3, the REAL ID compliance bill, by the Senate. “Finishing REAL ID was an urgent priority this year. We’ve all…
Governor vetoes bipartisan teacher licensure reform bill
Thursday Governor Dayton vetoed HF140, a bill that would have overhauled Minnesota’s badly-broken teacher licensure system. The bill was passed by both the Minnesota House and Senate on bipartisan votes, and had overwhelming support from…
Jasinski comments on passage of REAL ID bill
Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) issued the following statement on the passage of House File 3, the REAL ID compliance bill, by the Senate. “When I came to the legislature, I started making a list of…
Senator Goggin statement on REAL ID
Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) issued the following statement on the passage of House File 3, the REAL ID compliance bill, by the Senate. “Minnesotans have been waiting for a REAL ID fix for a…
Draheim comments on passage of REAL ID
Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) issued the following statement on the passage of House File 3, the REAL ID compliance bill, by the Senate. “I have always been committed to making sure Minnesota is ready…
Goggin statement on Gov. Dayton’s license tab fee increase proposal
Yesterday, Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a $320 million increase to license tab fees as part of ongoing budget negotiations. Sen. Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) issued the following statement opposing the increases. “We’ve been down this…
Gov. Dayton's license tab fee increase = $735 per car
Gov. Dayton has reintroduced an increase in license tab fees, which was previously off the table, as part of his latest budget offer. His proposal increases license tab fees by a total of $321 million…
Legislature sends teacher licensure reform bill to governor's desk
Today the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate passed and sent to Governor Dayton's desk the conference committee report for HF140, a bill that creates a tiered teacher licensure system. The bill passed on a bipartisan…
Response to Gov. Dayton's tab fee increase proposal
Yesterday, Gov. Dayton reintroduced an increase in license tab fees, which was previously off the table, as part of his latest budget offer. His proposal increases license tab fees by a total of $321 million…
Response to Gov. Dayton's tab fee increase proposal
Senate Transportation Chair Scott Newman released the following statement: Governor Dayton’s proposal to increase tab fees by $320 million is a complete reversal of what he indicated he would accept in a transportation plan last…
Chamberlain, Senate Republicans send $1.15 billion tax relief bill to Gov. Dayton
Minnesota Senate Republicans once again delivered on a top priority by sending Gov. Mark Dayton the first significant, sweeping tax relief plan (HF 4) in years. The $1.15 billion tax relief proposal helps nearly every…
Legislation designating Atomic Veterans Day passes Senate
Legislation honoring atomic veterans awaits action by the House after its unanimous Senate passage. The bill, authored by Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca), designates July 16 as Atomic Veterans Day in Minnesota, recognizing the hundreds of…
Legislation designating “Kenneth L. Olson Highway” passes Senate
Legislation designating a portion of state Highway 23 in Paynesville as the “Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth L. Olson Highway” unanimously passed the Senate on Monday. The bill, authored by Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) and…
Sen. Dahms, Rep. Torkelson encourage residents to attend town hall meetings
State Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) and State Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) invite area residents to attend their joint town meetings on Wednesday, May 24. Sleepy Eye: 7:15-8:15 a.m. at the Brown County REA Building,…
Senator Ruud encourages young women to apply for NFWL/NRA Bill of Rights scholarship
Senator Carrie Ruud from Breezy Point is encouraging young women of Minnesota to apply for a scholarship and an opportunity to meet elected women from across the country. The National Foundation for Women Legislators and…
Senate majority leader responds to vetoes of Republican budget bills
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka issued the following statement: "While not unexpected, it's very disappointing that Gov. Dayton did not sign any of the five budget bills the legislature passed this week to fund agriculture,…
Letter from agricultural and farm advocacy groups to Gov. Dayton regarding buffers
Major agricultural and farm advocacy groups in Minnesota have sent a letter to Gov. Dayton and legislative leaders urging changes to the state's buffer law. You can download a PDF of the letter here, while…