News – Page 308 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

January 26, 2018

Statement of Senate Majority Leader Gazelka regarding respect in the workplace

In an effort to continually improve the working environment at the Senate, I have directed Senate Counsel and the Senate’s Human Resources Department to begin the work of reviewing and updating the Senate sexual harassment…

January 25, 2018

Senate Tax Committee Chair holds town hall meetings to solicit public input on potential tax relief and reform

Federal tax reform has created an opportunity to improve Minnesota’s tax code; public input is needed Senate Tax Committee Chair Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes) and local state senators will be soliciting public input in six…

January 25, 2018

Statement from Senator Kiffmeyer on Gov. Dayton’s appointment of new MN.IT Commissioner

After Wednesday’s announcement from Gov. Dayton’s office of the appointment of new Minnesota IT Services commissioner Johanna Clyborne, Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) chairwoman of the Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee…

January 24, 2018

Statement of Sen. Warren Limmer regarding Raheel Raza

“After meeting with human rights activist Raheel Raza, I am shocked by DFL House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman’s incendiary comments labeling her an extremist. Ms. Raza is a practicing Canadian Muslim and an outspoken opponent…

January 24, 2018

Statement from Senator Housley following joint Senate hearing

The Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee and the Senate Human Services Finance and Policy Committee held a joint hearing on Wednesday to continue oversight of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Department…

January 24, 2018

Senator Miller to hold series of meetings around the district in advance of 2018 legislative session

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) will be holding a series of events around Senate District 28 to hear input from stakeholders about priorities for the upcoming 2018 legislative session. These visits will cover…

January 23, 2018

Jasinski: Tell MnDOT to include Highway 14 in next round of Corridors of Commerce funding

Residents of Steele and Dodge Counties, and individuals across Minnesota, will have an opportunity to stress the importance of completing the Highway 14 expansion directly to the people in charge of determining which projects are…

January 23, 2018

Senate committees meet Wednesday to continue oversight of health department, Office of Health Facility Complaints

On Wednesday, January 24, the Senate Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee and the Senate Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will hold a joint hearing to continue oversight of the Office of Health Facility…

January 18, 2018

Sen. Dahms to join area state representatives in holding town halls across Senate District 16

In the coming weeks, Senator Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) will join the area state representatives in holding a series of joint town hall meetings across Senate District 16. The meetings will be open to the…

January 18, 2018

Senator Newman, Republicans unveil website aimed at informing public on MNLARS debacle

As the troubled rollout of the new Minnesota Licensing and Vehicle Registration System (MNLARS) continues, a website to inform the public of the status of MNLARS and capture feedback from frustrated Minnesotans debuted today. The…

January 18, 2018

Senate Republicans react to Minnesota’s failure to attract new Amazon headquarters

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa) released the following statement: “When companies like Amazon look to expand, they often conclude that Minnesota’s taxes and regulations will make it difficult for them to compete in the…

January 17, 2018

Senator Lang comments on assessment of Appleton prison

An assessment of the Prairie Correctional Facility – a 1,600-bed prison located in Appleton that has sat empty since 2010 – was completed and submitted to the legislature this week. The assessment of the facility,…

January 16, 2018

Statement of Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair David Senjem

In response to Governor Dayton’s $1.5 billion bonding proposal, Senator David Senjem released the following statement: “While Gov. Dayton once again proposes a bonding bill that busts the budget, the Senate Capital Investment Committee is…

January 15, 2018

Housley: After elder abuse allegations, the culture must change

Last month, horrifying instances of abuse and neglect at senior care facilities across Minnesota came to light in a Star Tribune special report. Among the many disturbing details, the report told a heartbreaking story of…

January 12, 2018

Statement from Senate Leader Gazelka and Senate President Fischbach

Statement from Senate President & Acting Lieutenant Governor Michelle Fischbach: “Despite the domino effect started by Sen. Franken’s resignation, my responsibilities as a senator have not changed. I will act as Lt. Governor as the…

January 12, 2018

Sen. Eichhorn’s statement on rejection of MPCA’s proposed wild rice standard rule change

On Thursday, an administrative law judge denied the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed changes to the sulfate standard for wild rice waters citing it “unconstitutional and void for vagueness.” In particular, the judge found…

January 9, 2018

Sen. Andrew Lang & committee tours West Central MN bonding projects; vets home in Montevideo

Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) and members of the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee toured several proposed infrastructure projects in west central Minnesota, including a proposed veterans home in Montevideo. The senators toured the projects in preparation…

January 9, 2018

Jasinski: Ongoing fiasco in state’s system for licensing vehicles

This column originally ran in the Owatonna People’s Press. Ongoing fiasco in state’s system for licensing vehicles By: Senator John Jasinski On January 4, the Senate Transportation Committee held a second hearing to investigate the…

January 9, 2018

Goggin: New health care option for farmers off to a fast start

More than 1700 people across Minnesota have enrolled for health care coverage through two agricultural cooperative health plans during Minnesota’s recent open enrollment period. State Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing) fiercely advocated for the health…

January 8, 2018

Senator Miller asks IRRRB Commissioner Phillips for answers related to Range Trust

State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona), the chairman of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee, has sent a letter to Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRRB) Commissioner Mark Phillips seeking answers to several…