News – Page 191 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

July 30, 2020

Senator Housley: No clear direction forward after today’s decision

Today, Governor Walz announced his decision on school reopening for the state of Minnesota. Senate Republicans have encouraged the Governor to allow local districts to decide the best way to safely educate students this school…

July 30, 2020

Sen. Pratt: Giving schools flexibility on reopening is the right decision, but Governor’s announcement should have been made weeks ago

Minnesota state Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement providing guidance to schools on reopening. “The governor’s decision to lean toward giving schools flexibility on…

July 30, 2020

Senator Benson approves local control for schools; wonders if state plans are workable

(St. Paul, MN) – Back to school plans were announced by Governor Walz on Thursday. The administration is allowing local districts to plan their initial return, though under state guidelines and with the knowledge that…

July 30, 2020

Senator Mathews: Give local districts complete control to implement Gov. Walz’s school plan

July 30, 2020

Sen. Nelson: Guidance on re-opening schools is the right choice, but late decision is disappointing

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tim Walz’s announcement providing guidance to schools on re-opening. “If the governor’s actions today are additional guidance for informed…

July 30, 2020

Senator Utke Disappointed in Back to School Announcement

(St. Paul, MN) – Back to school plans were announced by Governor Walz on Thursday. The administration says they are allowing initial decisions to be made locally, but in collaboration with the state. The Department…

July 30, 2020

Senator Osmek responds to President Trump’s tweet suggesting potential election delay

On Thursday, July 30, President Donald Trump tweeted, floating the idea of delaying the November 3 presidential election. President Trump suggested the delay as based on allegations that increased mail-in voting due to the coronavirus pandemic…

July 29, 2020

Senator Benson on Senate Covid Hearing: “Transparency is the key to recovery”

The Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, chaired by Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), is holding an informational hearing on the state’s COVID-19 response on Wednesday. Senator Benson made the following statement…

July 28, 2020

Sen. Nelson: Districts should have final say on reopening schools

Districts should have final say on reopening schools By: Senator Carla Nelson Note: This column originally ran in the Rochester Post Bulletin. Sometime soon, Gov. Walz is expected to announce a decision about whether or…

July 28, 2020

Senator Jensen: Free speech carries the day

In late June, Senator Scott Jensen M.D. (R-Chaska) received notice from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice that his license was under review after two allegations regarding public comments were filed against him. The first…

July 24, 2020

Senator Rarick: Second Special Session Recap

(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Legislature was called to special session once again this month. It is required by statute to vote on Governor Walz’s emergency powers relative to the COVID-19 pandemic; I and…

July 24, 2020

Gazelka: Commissioner using state resources to request public support of Governor a very poor decision

(ST. PAUL, MN) – Senator Gazelka released the following statement on the recent communication from Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove that provided sample letters of support for businesses, parents and educators, and health care…

July 24, 2020

Leaders Praise Senator Limmer’s Police Accountability Bill

Legislation will not defund or dismantle police (ST. PAUL, MN) – Amid the continued drama surrounding this year’s legislative session that endured a COVID-19 pandemic, the death of George Floyd, followed by riots, burning, and…

July 24, 2020

Senator Utke: Second Special Session Recap, “Civil liberties are at risk”

(St. Paul, MN) – The Minnesota Legislature continues to be called to special session once a month to vote on Governor Walz’s emergency powers continuation. There have been several funding decisions made, but for the…

July 23, 2020

Sen. Carrie Ruud honored with Energy Champion Award from Coalition for a Secure Energy Future and Lignite Energy Council

Joel Johnson, Director of The Coalition for a Secure Energy Future (The Coalition) presented Senator Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point) with this year’s “Energy Champion” award for her dedication to an all-of-the-above energy strategy for Minnesota…

July 23, 2020

Senator Housley’s bill to reduce driver’s test backlog signed by Governor Walz

Today Governor Walz signed Senator Karin Housley’s (R-St. Marys Point) bill aimed at improving wait times for Minnesotans taking driver’s tests and written permit tests. The bill, Senate File 4, would allow written permit tests to…

July 23, 2020

Limmer: Police reform bill shows we can come together on issues that unite

(ST. PAUL, MN) – Senator Warren Limmer, Chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee released the following statement following the signing of the Police Reform Bill passed in special session this week: “As the chief author, I’m…

July 23, 2020

Gazelka: ‘One (size-fits-all) Minnesota’ mask mandate is a terrible way to support 5 million individuals

(ST. PAUL, MN) – Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka released the following statement on a statewide mask mandate: “Once again, I find myself asking why one-size-fits-all is the only option for a mask mandate. Businesses and…

July 23, 2020

Senator Miller, Minnesota Senate pass police reform in special session

On the final day of special session, the Minnesota Senate passed a package of police reforms. During the previous special session, the Senate passed five police reform bills, which included a ban on chokeholds, a…

July 23, 2020

Senator Ingebrigtsen: “Governor Walz continues his Czar like reign with new statewide mask mandate

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) released the following statement responding to Governor Walz announced mandate requiring masks statewide: “Governor Walz continues to use his power like a Czar issuing executive order after executive order to rule…