News – Page 31 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

January 30, 2024

Senate GOP HHS Committee Lead Utke responds to House hearing on assisted suicide bill

Senate Republican Health and Human Services Committee Lead Paul Utke (Park Rapids) released the following statement on the house hearing of HF1930/SF1813, a bill to allow for assisted suicide: “It’s really no surprise Democrats are continuing…

January 30, 2024

Drazkowski: Federal government overstepped with raids on private Minnesota dairy farms

By: Senator Steve Drazkowski One issue that motivated me to run for office all those years ago was frustration with government’s growing intrusion into private citizens’ lives. Not only has that issue worsened under years…

January 30, 2024

Draheim: What to expect in the 2024 legislative session

By: Senator Rich Draheim The 2024 legislative session begins on February 12, and there are several key issues I expect we will be grappling with over the coming months. First, we need to address the…

January 30, 2024

Lucero, legislators visit Buffalo High School

A contingent of state legislators visited Buffalo High School on January 29 to tour and discuss the Phoenix Learning Center (PLC). Sen. Eric Lucero (R-Saint Michael), Sen. Jason Rarick (R-Pine City), Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple…

January 30, 2024

Senator Westrom joins Agriculture Committee members to tour dairy farms in Melrose

On Monday, Jan. 22, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria)–Republican lead of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee–joined House and Senate Agriculture Committee members to tour dairy businesses in Senate District 12. First, Sen. Westrom…

January 26, 2024

Senator Westrom visits Knute Nelson Care Center to discuss challenges facing nursing homes and home health care

On Monday, Jan. 22, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) visited Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria to discuss the current issues facing Minnesota’s long-term care providers. We had a very productive meeting and discussed the many challenges facing…

January 22, 2024

Jasinski: Ongoing problems with Southwest Light Rail

Ongoing problems with Southwest Light RailBy: Senator John Jasinski By now there have been so many horror stories about Southwest Light Rail (SWLRT) that it borders on ridiculous. You will remember, this is the project…

January 17, 2024

Senator Miller unveils Minnesota Sports Betting Act 2.0

Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) has announced an updated sports betting bill aimed at bringing various stakeholders and legislators on both sides of the aisle together to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. The Minnesota…

January 17, 2024

Gruenhagen: MN is a top destination for migrants from New York

Friends and neighbors – Last week I wrote a newsletter demonstrating just two ways that Minnesota Democrats have prioritized illegal immigrants. There was a troubling story in the newspaper the other day noting that Minnesota…

January 16, 2024

Housley statement on Walz bonding proposal

ST. PAUL – Senate Capital Investment Committee Lead Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) released the following statement responding to Governor Walz’s proposed bonding bill: “I’m still gathering information from constituents, stakeholders, and my caucus which priorities a…

January 16, 2024

Drazkowski: Minnesota gets a new flag and seal

By now you have probably seen the new flag and seal selections. Some of you may have even followed along with the commission meetings during which the flag and seal were chosen, and modified, from…

January 16, 2024

Eichorn and Davis on the Thunderhawk mascot

To the editor: We are incredibly disappointed in the decision and have written a letter to Education Commissioner Willie Jett to ask Commissioner Jett to clarify if any funds are available, so this burden isn’t…

January 16, 2024

Draheim: Reviewing more critical infrastructure projects needed in our area

I was delighted to once again host the Senate Bonding Committee in December as they visited our area to see firsthand the critical infrastructure projects that will shape the future of a couple of Greater…

January 16, 2024

Jasinski: Red Flag, earned sick laws took effect January 1

As we begin 2024, two controversial new laws passed by the Minnesota legislature last session have gone into effect. While I opposed both of these new laws, I believe it is important to understand the…

January 16, 2024

Lieske: The latest on Minnesota’s new flag and seal, Red Flag laws, and earned sick time

Friends and neighbors, A few weeks ago, Minnesota’s State Emblems Redesign Commission settled on new designs for our flag and seal. I have been getting quite a bit of emails and calls about both. Judging…

January 16, 2024

Gruenhagen: Minnesota Democrats prioritize Illegal Immigrants

Friends and neighbors – A few months ago, I wrote about how President Biden’s border failures are impacting us here in Minnesota, where illegal immigrants are arriving at shelters in Hennepin County in large numbers.…

January 15, 2024

Senator Rasmusson: Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement visits Fergus Falls to hear from community members

On Thursday, Jan. 11, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement (LCPR) held a listening session at the Fergus Falls City Hall. Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) invited other members of the Commission to visit the district he represents…

January 12, 2024

Senator Julia Coleman to host open office hours on Thursday, Feb. 1, in Victoria

Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) today announced she will host open office hours on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event will take place at Victoria City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1670…

January 11, 2024

Wesenberg responds to MDHA guidance telling individuals to kill wolves in certain circumstances

Wolf and deer management have been a hot topic in recent months and in a recent release on their Wolf.Report website, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) called for home and landowners to kill wolves…

January 11, 2024

Rep. Backer and Sen. Rasmusson host EMS Task Force Field Hearing in Elbow Lake

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Task Force held a field hearing in Elbow Lake at the Grant County Social Services Building. Representative Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) and Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) invited other…