News - Page 390 - Minnesota Senate Republicans

March 23, 2015

Republicans unveil $7 billion transportation plan for roads & bridges without raising gas tax

Will repair or replace 15,500 lane miles and 330 bridges without a tax increase On Monday, House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown), Senate Republican Leader David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers), House…

March 17, 2015

After three years, $200 million, and thousands of lives disrupted, Governor Dayton finally admits MNsure is a bust

Republicans reject governor’s plan to ignore MNsure problems for another year. (St. Paul, MN…) Republican leader David Hann (Eden Prairie) released the following statement in response to Governor Dayton’s letter proposing the creation of a…

March 13, 2015

FAQ: Everything you need to know about the Minneapolis school district proposal

Senate Republican Leader David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) recently introduced a bill to split the Minneapolis School District into six smaller districts. The new districts would be free from many of the state educational mandates that sometimes…

March 12, 2015

Analysis: 100% of teacher layoff policies favor seniority over teaching ability

An analysis by Senate Republicans found that 100% of Minnesota teacher contracts examined use seniority as the primary factor in teacher layoff decisions. These findings debunk recent claims by Governor Dayton, the Department of Education,…

March 5, 2015

Senate Republicans announce K-12 reform: “Your School, Your Needs” Part II

Focus is on closing achievement gap, strengthening teachers, empowering parents Minnesota Senate Republicans announced the second part of their “Your School, Your Needs” K-12 reform plan today focusing on policy changes that will close the achievement…

March 2, 2015

"Fireworks Freedom" bill repeals fireworks ban

By: Senator Torrey Westrom Perhaps the most widely known fact about me is that I am blind. It happened because of a farm accident when I was a young boy. At first losing my sight…

February 25, 2015

VIDEO: "Toddler Tax Credit" is a tax cut for families

Senate Republicans unveiled yet another tax cut plan to help return the state surplus to hardworking taxpayers. Minnesota families endure one of the highest costs of childcare in the nation, and even those parents fortunate enough…

February 24, 2015

Senate Republican education proposal focuses on “Your School, Your Needs”

An innovative Senate Republican education proposal would provide a burst of funding directly to Minnesota classrooms while relieving districts of costly, burdensome state mandates that have long tied the hands of school boards, principals, and teachers:…

February 19, 2015

Statement of Senate Republican Leader David Hann on Commissioner Salaries and the Deficiency Bill

Senator David Hann reacted to reported changes in the deficiency bill that will temporarily roll back salaries for Gov. Dayton’s commissioners until July 1, 2015, and return oversight of commissioner salaries to the legislature in the…

February 18, 2015

VIDEO: Senator Michelle Benson takes MNsure executives to task over MNsure audit

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released their findings on MNsure with this introductory paragraph: We concluded that MNsure’s failures outweighed its achievements in its first year of operations. There were widespread problems with MNsure’s online enrollment…

February 17, 2015

Legislative Auditor releases scathing MNsure audit

In a scathing MNsure audit summarized below, the Office of the Legislative Auditor blasted the health exchange for its failures: We concluded that MNsure’s failures outweighed its achievements in its first year of operations. There were widespread problems…

February 16, 2015

Minnesotans deserve a vote to protect electronic data privacy

Senate Republicans recently introduced the “My Life, My Data” constitutional amendment. If adopted, Senate File 32 would give Minnesotans the opportunity to vote to explicitly protect electronic communications and data from unreasonable searches and seizures. For…

February 12, 2015

Senate Republicans: Major Changes in Store for MNsure health insurance system

After two years of failure and a lack of accountability, Senate Republicans today proposed several significant reforms to the MNsure health insurance system. The ideas range from changing the makeup of the current MNsure Board,…

Saluting Service - Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus

February 10, 2015

“Saluting Service” gives veterans opportunities to live, work in Minnesota

Republican legislators, along with the advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America, introduced several bills today aimed at providing veterans with increased opportunities to live and work in Minnesota. The “Saluting Service” package focuses on targeted…

February 6, 2015

Senator Tomassoni Finally Sees Conflict, Quits Lobbying Job

Under immense pressure from his district and here in St. Paul, Senator David Tomassoni (DFL- Chisolm) resigned today as Executive Director of the Range Area Municipalities and Schools (RAMS). Here is Senate Republican Leader David…

February 4, 2015

Data Privacy Amendment passes first hurdle in the House

This week the House Civil Law and Data Practices Committee heard and passed a bill that would allow Minnesotans to vote on adopting a constitutional amendment to protect their data privacy. If voters approve the…

February 4, 2015

VIDEO: Senate DFL blocks eminent domain reforms

This week the Senate Environment and Energy committee discussed a bill that would protect Minnesota landowners from being forced out of their homes with money meant to fund parks and trails. In 2008, voters approved the Clean…

January 29, 2015

“Met Council Accountability Act” will bring local control and budget accountability to regional board

Several suburban legislators today introduced two separate bills reforming the Metropolitan Council that together make up the “Metropolitan Council Accountability Act” of 2015. SF 71 brings significant reform to the Met Council appointment process by…

January 27, 2015

Dayton's budget: More taxes, more spending, no reform, no inspiration

Senate Republicans were critical of Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget announcement today, pointing out the massive increases in taxes and spending without any real reforms in education and healthcare. Gov. Dayton’s budget proposal increases state government…

January 26, 2015

Gov. Dayton Retreats to His Comfort Zone on Transportation: Raise Gas Taxes!

In a move that surprised no one, Gov. Mark Dayton proposed to solve a Minnesota problem by raising gas taxes. Dayton’s proposal to apply a sales tax to wholesale gasoline, raise vehicle registration fees and…