News – Page 134 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

June 3, 2021

Legislative Republicans Blast Governor’s Response to Emergency Powers Bill

Republican leaders yesterday proposed legislation that would act as an off-ramp to end Governor Walz’s emergency powers that have been in effect for the past 15 months. The bill would allow the Governor to continue…

June 2, 2021

Legislative Republicans Propose Off-Ramp to Emergency Powers

ST. PAUL, MN – Republican leaders today proposed an off-ramp to end emergency powers Governor Walz has held on to for 15 months to manage the COVID pandemic. The bill as proposed would allow the Governor…

June 1, 2021

Senator Mary Kiffmeyer Legislative Update

Friends and neighbors, I have heard from many of you regarding confusion over rental assistance for those who may have become behind on rent over the course of the pandemic as well as assistance for…

May 26, 2021

Rosen: Senate Passes Bill to Protect Minnesotans’ Medical Privacy Rights from Vaccine Passports

The Minnesota Senate recently took action to protect Minnesotans’ medical privacy rights from COVID-19 vaccine passports and contact tracing. The bill prohibits state and local units of government from mandating a person disclose their personal…

May 26, 2021

Senator Howe Statement of Condolence regarding the passing of Conservation Officer Sarah Grell

Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) today released the following statement in response to the passing of Conservation Officer Sarah Grell:“My heartfelt condolences are with the family of Conservation Officer Sarah Grell, who died on Monday in…

May 25, 2021

Senator Rich Draheim’s Column on Government Oversight

Over the past few months Minnesota has received over $2.8 billion in COVID Relief money from the federal government and there’s been no transparency on how that money has been spent. It wasn’t until the…

May 25, 2021

Housley’s bipartisan bill to increase access to checking accounts signed into law

Today, the bill that increases access to checking accounts at banks and credit unions was signed into law. The legislation, authored by Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater), passed the Senate last month with a unanimous vote.Language…

May 25, 2021

Senator Mary Kiffmeyer: Remembering the heroes behind Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer in Minnesota. In normal years, it’s the big weekend where people really come out of hibernation after a long winter. Lakes are packed, patios are crowded, and…

May 21, 2021

Legislative Update from Senator Ruud

The 2021 Legislative Session ended on Monday, as it was the Constitutional date of adjournment. There are budget agreements in place—however, the State Legislature will return for a Special Session sometime in June to finish…

May 19, 2021

Senator Ingebrigtsen: Budget focuses on Minnesotans and their communities with no new taxes

On Monday, State legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz announced a framework for a bipartisan budget agreement that doesn’t raise taxes on Minnesotans and limits the Governor’s ability to spend the federal funds received due…

May 19, 2021

Senator Weber: Budget agreement supports Minnesota families, doesn’t raise taxes

On Monday, State legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz announced a framework for a bipartisan budget agreement that doesn’t raise taxes on Minnesotans and limits the Governor’s ability to spend the federal funds received due…

May 19, 2021

Senator Koran: No new taxes and investment in Minnesota Priorities key takeaways from budget agreement

On Monday, State legislative leaders and Governor Tim Walz announced a framework for a bipartisan budget agreement that doesn’t raise taxes on Minnesotans and limits the Governor’s ability to spend the federal funds received due…

May 19, 2021

House and Senate’s second annual Feeding Minnesota food drive exceeds goal

Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) and House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) today announced the results of the second annual Feeding Minnesota food drive. In just 2 weeks, the House and Senate-led effort raised…

May 18, 2021

Chamberlain Supports Summer School Funding with Federal Dollars

Senate Education Chair Roger Chamberlain (R- Lino Lakes) released the following statement in advance of Governor Tim Walz’s visit to Chamberlain’s district to announce summer school funding: “We said it all year: The Governor’s argument…

May 18, 2021

Newman: Senate Passes Bill to Protect Minnesotans’ Medical Privacy Rights from Vaccine Passports

On Friday, the Minnesota Senate took action to protect Minnesotans’ medical privacy rights from COVID-19 vaccine passports and contact tracing. The bill prohibits state and local units of government from mandating a person disclose their…

May 18, 2021

Legislative Update from Senator Utke

Friends and neighbors, Currently, Minnesota has the only divided state government in the nation. Republicans control the Senate, while the DFL holds the House and governor’s office. Some of the issues causing a stalemate, and…

May 17, 2021

Senator Eichorn, Senate Pass Authorization to Build Bemidji Veterans Home Project

The Minnesota Senate today authorized federal funding to be used to construct, equip, and furnish the Bemidji Veterans home project. The provision was included in a larger State Government policy bill that passed with bipartisan…

May 17, 2021

Senator Dornink praises PPP conformity, Hometown Heroes, with no tax increases

Today it was announced a budget agreement between the Senate, House, and Governor was made and Minnesota will be funded through the next two years. Senator Gene Dornink (R-Hayfield) has spent this Legislative Session focusing on Minnesota…

May 17, 2021

Senate Passes ECO Bill to Give Consumers More Choice and Save More Money On Energy Costs

(St. Paul, MN) On Monday, Senator Jason Rarick’s (R-Pine City) Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) bill passed with bipartisan support, 58-9, off the Senate floor. The legislation, S.F. 227, expands Minnesota’s existing Conservation Improvement Program…

May 17, 2021

Senator Utke: The Case for Voter ID

A couple weeks ago, the Senate approved a broadly popular bill that would require Minnesotans to present a valid form of photo identification for in-person, absentee, and mail-in voting. If signed into law, this bill…