A Wasted Special Session
The Senate adjourned from the special session early this morning. A week of negotiations on how best to spend federal CARES dollars, assemble a bonding bill, and pass police accountability reforms ultimately broke down over…
Senator Nelson: Senate did its job during special session, but I am disappointed in lack of compromise on key issues
The Senate adjourned from special session early Saturday morning, after a week of negotiations on how to distribute federal COVD assistance, assemble a bonding bill, and pass police accountability changes ultimately collapsed over stalemates with…
Senator Westrom Calls on Gov. Walz to Stop Slowing Down Rural Broadband Bill: “There is a need for speed with emergency broadband funding”
(St. Paul, MN) – Friday, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed the final version of legislation to distribute emergency broadband funding. In the wake of the spring COVID-19 wave, $27 million will be quickly available to increase vital…
Senator Utke on the end of special session: Governor Walz has “walked away from positive actions”
(ST. PAUL, MN) – The Senate adjourned from the special session early this morning. A week of negotiations on how best to spend federal CARES dollars, assemble a bonding bill, and pass police accountability ultimately broke…
Senator Miller applauds passage of emergency broadband funding in Senate
On Friday, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed a bill to distribute $27 million of emergency rural broadband funding. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a stark need for better broadband access in many rural communications for…
Senate Passes Bills for COVID funds, Police Accountability; Adjourns After No Cooperation From House
(ST. PAUL, MN) – The Senate adjourned from the special session early this morning. A week of negotiations on how best to spend federal CARES dollars, assemble a bonding bill, and pass police accountability ultimately broke…
Senator Nelson applauds passage of emergency broadband funding
The Minnesota Senate on Friday unanimously approved legislation to distribute $27 million of emergency rural broadband funding to unserved areas of Minnesota. The outbreak of COVID-19 has emphasized the importance of improving broadband access, particularly in…
Senator Benson, Senate Prioritize Dentist’s Covid Aid
(St. Paul, MN) – Dentists providing services to patients on Medical Assistance (MA) are floundering as they balance quality care and the costs of mandated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In response, the Minnesota Senate passed Senate…
Minnesota Senate passes emergency broadband funding
Friday, the Minnesota Senate unanimously passed legislation to distribute emergency broadband funding. In the wake of COVID-19, $27 million will be available to increase vital broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of the state for education,…
Senator Draheim, Senate Reaches Final Agreement on Emergency Broadband Funding
On Friday, the Minnesota Senate passed the final version of legislation to distribute emergency broadband funding. In the wake of the spring COVID-19 wave, $27 million will be quickly available to increase vital broadband infrastructure…
Senator Rarick Advances Emergency Broadband Infrastructure Funding
(St. Paul, MN) – Friday, the Minnesota Senate passed the final version of legislation to distribute emergency broadband funding. In the wake of the spring COVID-19 wave, $27 million will be quickly available to increase vital broadband…
Senator Nelson applauds teacher and parents for their efforts, renews call to give them every tool to maximize learning
Statement from Senator Carla Nelson, Chair of the Senate Education Policy and Finance Committee: “I applaud our school teachers and paraprofessionals that spent just eight days to prepare for three months of distance learning…
Gazelka: Inability to make a decision will hamper learning
(ST. PAUL, MN) – Statement from Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka on the lack of direction for schools provided today from MDE and MDH. “Today’s announcement from the Minnesota Department of Education was a non-announcement.…
Senator Nelson Helps Pass Police Accountability Laws
The Minnesota Senate passed five bills with seven major changes to policing and the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board this morning. “These changes have bipartisan support and are part of the national discussion encouraging police…
Senator Mathews: House DFL political games threaten distribution of federal COVID assistance
(St. Paul) – Today, Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives broke a compromise to fairly distribute federal COVID aid to communities across Minnesota. That compromise had previously been agreed to by all four legislative…
Senator Housley responds to MDH guidance for outdoor visits at long-term care facilities
Late Wednesday night, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted guidance for outdoor visitation at long-term care facilities. In response, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee, issued…
Senator Rarick: House’s delay of aid funding could “leave our area high and dry”
(St. Paul) – Today, Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives will break a compromise to fairly distribute federal COVID aid to communities across Minnesota. That compromise had previously been agreed to by all four…
Senator Utke: House Majority “owes the people of Minnesota an apology”
(St. Paul) –Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives are set to break an agreement to fairly distribute federal COVID aid to counties, cities and townships across Minnesota. That compromise had previously been agreed to…
Senator Pratt, Minnesota Senate approves fair distribution of federal COVID assistance
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation that fairly distributes federal COVID-19 assistance to local governments across the state. The bill, Senate File 47, passed by a vote of 62-4, and awaits action by the Minnesota…
Senator Lang, Minnesota Senate approves fair distribution of federal COVID assistance
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Senate passed legislation that fairly distributes federal COVID-19 assistance to local governments across the state. The bill, Senate File 47, passed by a vote of 62-4, and awaits action by the Minnesota…