News – Page 279 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

April 16, 2019

Jasinski: Recapping session as the legislature begins Easter/Passover break

Recapping session as the legislature begins Easter/Passover break By: Senator John Jasinski As I write this, the legislature is preparing to break for roughly one week in observance of Easter and Passover. When we return,…

April 15, 2019

Sen. Bruce Anderson legislative update: House proposes large tax increases

Friends and neighbors, The Legislature will take a brief break from April 15 through April 22 to observe the Easter and Passover holidays. When we reconvene, the sprint to the legislative May 20th deadline will…

April 14, 2019

‘Hands-free’ bill signed into law

On Friday, legislation that prohibits drivers from placing phone calls outside of ‘hands-free’ mode was signed into law. The law, known as the ‘hands-free cell phone law’, was authored by Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson) and…

April 12, 2019

Sen. Paul Anderson’s Legislative Update: 4/12/19

Links in Sen. Anderson’s update: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senpaulanderson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ptanderson_mn?lang=en Cellphone use while driving penalties increase Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF75&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 Hands Free Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=HF50&type=bill&version=2&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 Higher Ed Omnibus Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF2415&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 E-12 (Education) Omnibus Bill: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF7&version=latest&session=ls91&session_year=2019&session_number=0 State Gov. Omnibus Bill:…

April 11, 2019

Senator Justin Eichorn: Continual DHS failures intolerable, reform critical to CCAP success

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

Senator Mark Johnson: In light of CCAP failures, let’s find solutions.

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released a special review “Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls” on Wednesday, following an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The newest report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

‘Hands-free’ bill clears Senate floor, awaits governor’s signature

On Thursday, the final legislation to prohibit drivers from placing phone calls outside of hands-free mode was approved by the full Senate. The final bill, known as the ‘hands-free bill’ and authored by Senator Scott…

April 11, 2019

Sen. Jensen named to Attorney General task force on lowering prescription drug prices

Bipartisan group will create action plan to lower the costs of pharmaceuticals Senator Scott Jensen (R-Chaska) was recently named to the Attorney General’s Advisory Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices. Chosen from over 100…

April 11, 2019

Senator Dan Hall: Minnesotans deserve better than how DHS has handled daycare fraud

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 11, 2019

Senate is on schedule with priorities

Heading into a legislative break, the Minnesota Senate has made significant progress on passing a balanced budget. Omnibus bills are being moved to Finance Committee and have had extensive hearing and discussion in committees. “In…

April 11, 2019

Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen: Auditor’s report outlines DHS failures that allowed daycare fraud to run rampant

The Office of the Legislative Auditor released its special review Child Care Assistance Program: Assessment of Internal Controls on Wednesday following up an initial investigation into daycare fraud allegations. The report found the Department of…

April 10, 2019

Sen. Paul Anderson calls on MN House to hold U of M Regents elections

With legislative deadlines looming, four vacancies could go unfilled by legislature Senator Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth), Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education, joined Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) in calling for a joint…

April 10, 2019

Sen. Osmek’s bipartisan bill to make penalty for texting caused accidents equal to DUI passes MN Senate

Legislation chief-authored by Senator David Osmek (R-Mound) to discourage distracted driving and raise awareness of the problem overwhelmingly passed the Minnesota Senate on a bipartisan vote. Under the proposal, the penalty for injuring or killing someone using a…

April 10, 2019

Benson: DHS will get their IT money when we see a path to program integrity

Today Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) called on the Department of Human Services (DHS) to get their house in order after a third data breach was reported. As Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee,…

April 9, 2019

Senator Dan Hall co-authors legislation to discourage distracted driving and raise awareness

The Minnesota Senate passed legislation co-authored by Senator Dan Hall (R-Burnsville) on Monday to discourage distracted driving and raise awareness of the problem. The bipartisan legislation increases the penalty for injuring or killing someone using a…

April 9, 2019

Sen. Anderson: Higher Education budget focuses on workforce development & accountability

Today, Higher Education Committee Chair, Senator Paul Anderson (R- Plymouth), released the committee’s biennial budget bill. The bill leverages $100 million in new investments to protect students and families from increased costs by boosting scholarship…

April 8, 2019

Sen. Andrew Mathews joins MN Senate in overwhelmingly passing bipartisan bill tackling opioid crisis

Passed overwhelmingly, legislation targets multi-faceted approach in addressing opioid epidemic Senator Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca) joined his Minnesota State Senate colleagues in overwhelmingly passing bipartisan legislation that tackles the ongoing opioid addiction crisis through a multi-faceted approach.…

April 8, 2019

Sen. Chamberlain: House tax plan a “disaster”

Democrat tax plan would raise $1.35 billion in new taxes Senate Republicans today released the following statement in response to the House Democrat proposal to raise $1.35 billion in new taxes on Minnesotans: Senate Taxes…

April 8, 2019

Sen. Abeler: Human Services budget helps those who need it the most

The Senate Human Services Reform Committee released its budget proposal on Sunday night. Senate File 92 prioritizes people with the greatest needs and strongly focuses on program integrity measures to eliminate fraud and wasteful spending. Though on…

April 8, 2019

Sen. Westrom authors legislation strengthening financial protections for grain elevator cooperatives

Legislation is in response to the recent Ashby Farmers Cooperative Elevator fraud Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) chief-authored legislation to strengthen financial protections for farmers and cooperative grain elevator members in Minnesota following recent incidents…