News – Page 304 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

March 15, 2018

Sen. Koran’s manufactured affordable housing bill heard in committee

Bill aims to lower affordable housing costs for taxpayers and tenants Senator Mark Koran presented legislation in the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee that would reform Minnesota’s affordable housing grant structure to…

March 15, 2018

Republicans take action to protect elderly Minnesotans with the Elder Care and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act

Senate Republicans, led by Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Chair Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), announced a proposal to prevent elder abuse in long-term care facilities and repair the broken state reporting system that…

March 13, 2018

Senate Republicans advance school safety proposals

Bills include flexible funding for building security, mental health, school counselors, and more Senate Republicans advanced multiple bills focused on school safety this week, adopting a comprehensive approach to mental health and facilities security. Three…

chamberlain school performance cap Cropped

March 13, 2018

Republican proposal aims to close achievement gap with simpler, more transparent school rating system

Minnesota parents would soon have a much easier time determining if their child’s school is meeting their needs thanks to a new bill sponsored by Senator Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes). The proposal, Senate File 2816,…

March 13, 2018

Senator Housley responds to governor’s elder care recommendations

In response to Governor Mark Dayton’s proposal to combat elder abuse in Minnesota, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Mary’s Point), chairwoman of the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee, issued the following statement: “While the…

March 12, 2018

Sen. Jensen letter on public safety bills

Dear neighbor, The topic of gun violence has risen to the top of America’s collective conscious following the Parkland Tragedy and other recent mass shootings across our country. We all share in the same goal:…

March 12, 2018

Senator Bruce Anderson legislative update: new developments in MNLARS

Neighbors, It was a busy week of committee hearings at the capitol. The Veterans Committee, which I chair, met Thursday to hear a few non-controversial bills. We also were formally introduced to Major General Jon…

March 12, 2018

Republican legislators unveil Medical Assistance work requirement proposal

Republican legislators unveiled Monday a new proposal to bolster Minnesota’s workforce and lift Minnesotans out of poverty by implementing work or job training requirements for able-bodied adults currently on Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s version of Medicaid.…

March 12, 2018

Senate Transportation Committee passes initial MNLARS funding plan that includes strict legislative oversight

On Monday, the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee passed legislation to address the failure of Minnesota’s new licensing and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS. The legislation, Senate File 3133, authored by Senator Scott…

March 12, 2018

Goggin legislative update: Mental Health, MNLARS, and Eagles. Oh my!

Neighbors, Session is already moving at a chaotic pace. Time is even more compressed this year than last year due to our abbreviated schedule. Committee deadlines are just around the corner, so the pace won’t…

March 9, 2018

Legislative update from Senator Weber – March 9, 2018

Dear neighbors, We’re wrapping up the third week of the 2018 legislative session. With the first committee deadline — the deadline by which a bill must be heard in at least one committee — already…

March 9, 2018

Sen. Nelson’s academic balance bill passes Education Policy Committee

Sen. Carla Nelson’s Academic Balance Bill Passes Education Policy Committee A bill requiring academic balance passed the Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee. Authored by Senator Carla Nelson, Chairwoman of the Education Finance Committee, the legislation…

March 9, 2018

Sen. Westrom applauds Gov. Dayton for admitting fault to MNLARS mess

Senator Torrey Westrom applauded Governor Dayton for assuming sole responsibility for Minnesota’s new failed automotive licensing system, MNLARS. During a Tuesday, March 6 press conference, Governor Mark Dayton stated in response to a question about MNLARS,…

March 9, 2018

Republican Senators introduce legislation to support Minnesota mining and reduce household water costs

Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) and Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) introduced legislation to lift restrictions on mining in Minnesota and keep household water bills low. The bill is necessary to protect jobs in Northern Minnesota,…

March 8, 2018

Sen. Paul Anderson’s bill honoring Officer Bill Mathews passes committee

Sen. Paul Anderson’s Bill Honoring Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews Passes Committee Legislation honoring fallen Wayzata Police Officer Bill Mathews passed the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 7. The bill, chief-authored by…

March 8, 2018

After DMV debacle, Senate Republicans propose major changes to Minnesota’s information technology agency

Recent MN.IT projects plagued by botched rollouts and busted budgets (St. Paul, MN…) Senator Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) introduced a bill to restructure Minnesota’s information technology agency, MN.IT, after another disastrous public software system rollout…

March 7, 2018

Rosen: Battling the Opioid Addiction Crisis in Minnesota

Battling the Opioid Addiction Crisis in Minnesota By: Senator Julie Rosen March 1 was Opioid Awareness Day at the Capitol – one of the most important awareness events we hold each year. Opioid Awareness Day…

March 7, 2018

Republicans to introduce legislation cracking down on individuals misrepresenting their pets as service animals

Prompted by a rise of individuals misrepresenting their pets as service animals, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) and Representative Steve Green (R-Fosston) will introduce legislation that establishes penalties for individuals found to be guilty of…

March 7, 2018

Senator Benson statement on damning legislative auditor report on Office of Health Facility Complaints’ handling of abuse allegations

In a blistering new report on Minnesota’s Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC), the office of the Legislative Auditor determined that the agency has failed in its mission to adequately protect the elderly and vulnerable…

March 6, 2018

Sen. Westrom supports increase to MN school safety

Sen. Torrey Westrom Supports Increase to Minnesota School Safety Senator Torrey Westrom and his colleagues in the Minnesota State Senate announced plans to fund additional school safety measures throughout the state’s schools. The proposed legislation…