A Tale of Two Policy Bills
This week Democrats passed two controversial policy bills off the floor: the Labor policy bill and the Education policy bill. Both have many problems. I want folks to be aware of what’s in them. Let’s…
Labor policy omnibus is bad for workers, fails to make Minnesota more competitive for businesses
Senate Democrats this week passed a labor policy omnibus bill that fails to increase employment opportunities and make Minnesota a competitive place to grow a business. The bill contains burdensome policies that will ultimately increase…
Senate Republicans vote to repair last year’s tax bill and avoid early tax hikes on small businesses, entrepreneurs
Today Senate Republicans voted to repair last year’s tax bill that wrongly moved the date to end the Net Operating Loss (NOL) to 2023 instead of 2024, causing higher taxes for small businesses and entrepreneurs…
Labor policy omnibus is bad for workers, fails to make Minnesota more competitive for businesses
Senate Democrats today passed a labor policy omnibus bill that does little to increase employment opportunities or make Minnesota a competitive place to grow a business. Instead, it contains burdensome policies that will ultimately increase…
Education policy omnibus further burdens schools, fails to put students first
Today Senate Democrats passed a partisan, mandate-heavy education policy omnibus bill. The legislation fails to address the three areas where schools need the most support: increasing academic success, providing mandate relief and improving school safety.…
Gruenhagen: The doctors who oppose assisted suicide
Friends and neighbors, As you know, Democrats in the legislature this session have indicated they wanted to legalize assisted suicide in Minnesota. As I have written before, this is a terrible idea. It sends a…
Jasinski proposes $25 million road boost for small towns and cities
Small cities, towns, and townships across Minnesota could soon get an infusion of $25 million for street and road repairs under legislation authored by State Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) that is moving through the Senate. …
Education policy omnibus burdens schools, fails to put students first
Yesterday Senate Democrats passed a partisan, mandate-heavy education policy omnibus bill. The legislation fails to address the three areas where schools need the most support: increasing academic success, providing mandate relief and improving school safety.…
Nelson applauds Net Operating Loss repair
The Minnesota Senate finally approved a repair to a legislative error that would have hit Main Street Minnesota businesses with a $15 million tax hike. Minnesota State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), a co-author of the…
Education policy omnibus further burdens schools, fails to put students first
Today Senate Democrats passed a partisan, mandate-heavy education policy omnibus bill. The legislation fails to address the three areas where schools need the most support: increasing academic success, providing mandate relief and improving school safety.…
Senator Lieske Celebrates Local Ag Education Grants
Minnesota State Senator Bill Lieske (R-Lonsdale) today praised two schools in his district for receiving competitive grants from the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) to enhance agricultural education programs. Farmington High School was awarded…
Sen. Draheim congratulates Lake Crystal Wellcome and Tri-City United on winning agriculture grants
On March 26, the Minnesota Agricultural Education Leadership Council (MAELC) announced it awarded agriculture education grants to Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial High School and Tri-City United High School to support programs that strengthen agriculture, food,…
Lieske: Giving Minnesotans a say in the flag debate
Friends and neighbors, Thursday on the Senate Floor I supported a motion to immediately bring up for a vote a bill that would give Minnesotans a voice on the new state flag and seal designs.…
Koran: Religious freedom must be protected!
Dear Friends and neighbors, This week in the dark of night – after midnight – Democrats deliberately launched an attack on the freedom of religious groups and faith-based schools. Here is what happened: Senate Democrats…
Draheim: Public health projects, not luxury amenities
By: SENATOR RICH DRAHEIM One of my big criticisms of last year’s bonding bill was that it included too much waste. There are communities across the state that have urgent needs, but Democrats chose to…
Lucero: Unfunded mandates crushing school budgets
TO THE EDITOR: Last year the Democrat-trifecta passed a hyper-partisan K-12 education funding budget filled with unfunded mandates. The result has been to further crush school budgets in our community and across the state that…
Gruenhagen: Democrats are attacking your religious freedom
Friends and neighbors, Concerning news from the Minnesota Senate this week. In the middle of the night, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee rejected an amendment that would have protected religious freedom…
Drazkowski: Time to eliminate southern Minnesota’s shotgun-only deer hunting zone
By: SENATOR STEVE DRAZKOWSKI Did you know that in southern Minnesota you cannot hunt deer with a rifle? I can assure you that hunters in our area are well aware of this antiquated rule. As…
State graduation rate drops, student test scores warrant concern
ST. PAUL – Senate Education Policy Committee Lead Republican Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) released the following statement on the state’s graduation rates: “Graduating from high school is such an important indicator to track, but I am concerned…
High Costs, Higher Burdens
As we head into the second half of session, Democrats have continued the trend of bringing forward unacceptable bills that come with high costs, and oftentimes higher burdens. We’re seeing this in the education policy…