fireworks ban

"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…
Toddler tax credit

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…
MNsure audit

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…
data privacy

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…
Senator Tomassoni

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…
data privacy

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…
eminent domain

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…
alzheimer's research

Senator Nelson Authors Alzheimer’s Research and Support Act

Creating an Alzheimer’s research program and connecting resources to people with Alzheimer’s and the families that care for them. (St. Paul, MN) A group of bipartisan and bicameral lawmakers, all with personal ties to Alzheimer’s…

"We overbuilt."

Senate Republican Leader David Hann released the following statement regarding the new Capitol floor plan: “We overbuilt.” The new Capitol floor plan released today reveals a decrease of only 18,000 usable square feet from the…
retire in minnesota

Senate Republicans Introduce “Retire in Minnesota Act”

Bill will phase out taxes on Social Security income, make Minnesota more welcoming for retirees In an effort to help Minnesota seniors and retirees, Republican Senators today proposed the “Retire in Minnesota Act” (RIMA), which…
education

Recipe for Real Education Reform

By: Senator Roger Chamberlain During the past several years I’ve written a lot about education. It’s an emotional issue and it has been frustrating to witness the continued deconstruction of public education. It’s why education…