News – Page 277 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

May 23, 2019

Senator Relph secures funding to study possible Northstar extension

Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud) announced funding to study extending the Northstar Commuter Rail to St. Cloud is included in the final transportation budget agreement. The provision is part of the larger omnibus transportation budget.…

May 23, 2019

Statement from Sen. Michelle Benson on the bipartisan health and human services bill

Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) released the following statement on the bipartisan health and human services budget bill: “Putting the Omnibus HHS budget bill together was a difficult task…

May 23, 2019

Jobs, energy, and commerce budget prioritizes workforce development, cracks down on wage theft

An agreement on the jobs and economic growth, energy, and commerce state budget has been reached by legislative leaders, providing funding for state agencies, cracking down on wage theft, and encouraging economic growth in a…

May 23, 2019

Environment and natural resources budget agreement prioritizes access to Minnesota outdoors, environmental preservation, and animal disease protection

An agreement has been reached on a comprehensive environment and natural resources budget that makes significant investments in Minnesota’s environment over the next two years emphasizing tackling Minnesota’s critical environment priorities with efforts to address…

May 23, 2019

Judiciary and public safety budget prioritizes funding for corrections officers and criminal sexual conduct reform

The Minnesota Senate is set to approve this year’s Judiciary and Public Safety budget in the upcoming special session. ‘Protection of the people’ is one of the first statements in Minnesota’s constitution and the focus…

May 23, 2019

Senate set to cut taxes on middle-class, conform with federal code, and provide relief to business and cities

The Minnesota Senate is set to hear and pass a tax bill in special session that includes federal conformity, small business and farmer tax relief, and the first income tax rate cut in nearly 20…

May 23, 2019

Jasinski’s AIR Grants included in final budget agreement

Local and regional airports throughout Greater Minnesota will be eligible to receive grants to boost economic development beginning as soon as this summer. The new program, authored by Senate Transportation Committee Vice Chair John Jasinski…

May 22, 2019

Senate Republicans prioritize rural broadband, value-added agriculture, and affordable workforce housing in final agriculture budget bill

Also invests in farmer mental health, manufactured housing, and home ownership During the upcoming special session, the Minnesota Senate is set to approve the final comprehensive agriculture, rural development, and affordable housing budget bill championed…

May 22, 2019

Veterans budget agreement invests millions in supportive services, honors veterans legacies

A bipartisan agreement has been reached on a two-year veterans budget. When passed, the funding will help servicemen and women in their transition home with comprehensive services while recognizing their sacrifices with three designated days…

May 22, 2019

Senator Eichorn, Senate, approve a historic bill to combat opioid addiction

The Minnesota Senate tonight took a monumental step toward combatting Minnesota’s ongoing opioid addiction crisis by overwhelmingly approving Senate File 751, the opioid stewardship fund bill. The legislation creates a new Opiate Epidemic Response Account…

May 22, 2019

State government budget agreement includes Help America Vote (HAVA) funding, cybersecurity reforms

An agreement has been reached on a comprehensive two-year state government finance bill that funds government operations and makes substantial reforms to state agency contracts, budgeting, information technology, and oversight. The legislation secures Minnesota election…

May 22, 2019

Senator Hall, Senate, approve a historic bill to combat opioid addiction

May 22, 2019

Sen. Draheim, MN Senate pass final higher education budget that puts students first

Bill caps student tuition, increases financial assistance programs, and seeks cost savings for students On a broad bipartisan vote of 62-3, Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) joined his Minnesota State Senate colleagues in passing the…

May 22, 2019

E-12 Education Bill Provides Boost to Minnesota Schools, Keeps Students Safe

The Minnesota Senate is set to approve a comprehensive E-12 education budget during the upcoming special session that will increase the per-student funding formula for schools 2% in 2020 and an additional 2% in 2021.…

May 22, 2019

Landmark elder care protections, assisted living licensure signed into law

On Wednesday, monumental legislation that includes a series of protections for elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans and an extensive framework for the licensure of assisted living facilities was signed into law. The Elder Care and Vulnerable…

May 22, 2019

Final budget agreement guarantees funding for Roberds Lake cleanup

Roberds Lake in Faribault will finally receive badly-needed cleanup assistance thanks to a provision included in the final state budget agreement legislators and Gov. Walz negotiated this weekend. The Roberds Lake provision was championed by…

May 22, 2019

Transportation budget agreement invests billions in roads and bridges, includes MNLARS fix

An agreement has been reached on a comprehensive transportation funding package that invests billions in Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure over the next two years – without a gas tax, vehicle sales tax, orlicense plate tab fee increase –…

May 21, 2019

Final Senate Republican higher education budget puts students first, aims to lower college costs, and develops Minnesota’s workforce

Bill caps student tuition, increases financial assistance programs, and seeks cost savings for students On a broad bipartisan vote of 62-3, the Minnesota State Senate passed the Senate Republican higher education budget that puts the…

May 21, 2019

Senate approves historic bill to combat opioid addiction

The Minnesota Senate tonight took a monumental step toward combatting Minnesota’s ongoing opioid addiction crisis by overwhelmingly approving House File 400, the Opioid Stewardship Fund bill. The legislation creates a new Opiate Epidemic Response Account that…

May 21, 2019

Senate Republican higher education budget puts students first, aims to lower college costs, and develops Minnesota’s workforce

On a broad bipartisan vote, the Minnesota State Senate passed the Senate Republican higher education budget that puts the needs of students and families first by boosting scholarship funds, capping student tuition, and bolstering successful…