News – Page 160 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

February 25, 2021

Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, Senate, pass legislation allowing Minnesota businesses to reopen

On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate successfully passed bipartisan legislation to allow businesses to be open with no state-imposed limitation so long as the business owner maintains their own COVID safety preparedness plan. This will allow…

February 25, 2021

Rosen Capitol news roundup: Vaccine access for rural Minnesota

Capitol news roundup: Vaccine access for rural MinnesotaBy: Senator Julie Rosen Things have been busy around the capitol lately! Here is a roundup of a few big items we have been working on that you…

February 25, 2021

Jasinski: Protecting students from future school closures

Protecting students from future school closuresBy: Senator John Jasinski One of the things I hear about most frequently is that parents want to get their kids back into the classroom full time. The governor finally…

February 25, 2021

Senator David Osmek authors legislation to help prisoners reintegrate after release

On Thursday, Senator David Osmek (R-Mound) presented SF 519 in the Senate’s Committee on Transportation. The legislation reforms the Department of Public Safety’s responsibilities when prisoners are eligible for release by providing critical information and…

February 25, 2021

Senator Mark Koran pushes for expanded rural broadband

On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee heard three bills that provide funds for the rural broadband grant program and appropriation for the programs. Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) co-authored one of the…

February 25, 2021

Senator Rich Draheim pushes for expanded rural broadband

On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee heard three bills that provide funds for the rural broadband grant program and appropriation for the programs. Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) authored one of the…

February 25, 2021

Senator Miller supports funding to expand high-speed internet access in Greater Minnesota

The Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on Wednesday heard three bills that provide funding to expand broadband access in underserved and unserved areas of Minnesota through the Border-to-Border Broadband program. “High-speed internet has become…

February 25, 2021

Senate education committee tackles achievement gap by aiming to hire more teachers of color in Minnesota schools

The Senate Education Committee this week heard a series of bills aimed at closing Minnesota’s persistent achievement gap by boosting the ranks of teachers of color within Minnesota’s school system. The committee heard bills that…

February 25, 2021

Senator Coleman Moves Bill to Give Schools Greater Flexibility & Hire More Teachers of Color

A bill to revise teacher hiring and dismissal policies, authored by Senator Julia Coleman (R-Chanhassen), was heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. The bill reduces restrictions placed on school districts when hiring new…

February 25, 2021

Senator Ruud on Concerns with MDH Data Collection: “We shouldn’t be asking our seniors their sexual and gender preferences”

Yesterday the Senate’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care convened to discuss concerns over the Minnesota Vaccine Connector website, and the lack of transparency regarding the Governor’s decision-making process for vaccine distribution. After being invited…

February 24, 2021

Senator Eichorn Statement on Minnesota Supreme Court PolyMet Ruling

(St. Paul) – Today the Minnesota Supreme Court handed a major legal victory to PolyMet’s proposed Northern Minnesota copper-nickel mine. Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) released the following statement on today’s ruling: “This ruling is…

February 24, 2021

Senator Howe’s Bill to Increase Surcharge for Electric Vehicles Receives First Hearing

Yesterday Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) presented a bill that would increase Electric Vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid surcharges. This legislation seeks to make the EV surcharge the same equivalent as the current gas tax. “This…

February 24, 2021

Senate Transportation Committee approves bill to keep children safe at school bus stops

The Senate’s Transportation Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that will crack down on distracted and reckless drivers who ignore school bus stop arms in an effort to make sure kids are always safe when…

February 24, 2021

Senator Housley Pressures MDH: “Prioritize our Seniors and get rid of invasive questions as part of vaccine sign-up”

Today, Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater), Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, held a committee hearing to discuss concerns over the Minnesota Vaccine Connector website, and the lack of transparency regarding the…

February 24, 2021

State Senator Carrie Ruud Receives “Standing Ovation” Award from Minnesota Citizens for the Arts

Last week Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) was recognized as the recipient for the prestigious “Standing Ovation” award presented by the Minnesota Citizens for the Arts for her support of the arts through the Legacy…

February 24, 2021

Senator Nelson, Rep. Schultz introduce bill to expand access to lower-priced alternatives to brand name prescription drugs

State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) and State Representative Jennifer Schultz (DFL-Duluth) today announced the introduction of a new bill aimed at making lower-priced, non-name brand versions of common biological prescription drugs available to more Minnesota…

February 24, 2021

Senator Kiffmeyer Legislative Update

Friends and neighbors, Local Control of Schools Last week, the Senate passed SF 2, a bill that would end the governor’s authority to close schools or restrict student learning during a pandemic or any emergency. …

February 24, 2021

Senator Goggin bill to spur economic development in Lake City secures first committee approval

The Minnesota Senate’s local government committee on Tuesday approved a bill authored by Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) that would authorize Lake City to establish its own port authority, which would allow the community to…

February 23, 2021

Housley on Governor’s Update Regarding Equal Access to Vaccines: “No more excuses, Governor—put our seniors first before expanding vaccination efforts”

Today Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm announced plans to expand vaccination efforts to low-income groups and minority communities. Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) issued the following statement in response: “I…

February 22, 2021

Senator Miller honored with Betty Bednarczyk Courage Award by SEIU Healthcare Minnesota

Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller was recently honored with the Betty Bednarczyk Courage Award by Service Employee International Union’s (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota arm. Senator Miller was selected for his advocacy of worker protections during the…