News – Page 325 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

Senate Republicans are Advancing Minnesota

May 5, 2017

Republicans continue to meet deadlines, include governor’s priorities in bills

Three-way budget targets still critical to timely session finish, leaders emphasize House and Senate Republican leaders today pointed out many of Governor Dayton’s major priorities have been included in the legislature’s budget bills, including over…

May 4, 2017

Sen. Nelson legislation would raise Minnesota smoking age to 21

Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) announced new legislation today – SF 2370 – that would decrease youth smoking by raising the sales age for tobacco products to 21. “Raising the tobacco age will prevent young people…

May 3, 2017

Sen. Lang’s Appleton prison language adopted by conference committee

Language requiring state corrections officials to investigate the cost of reopening an empty Appleton prison has been included in the omnibus judiciary and public safety conference committee report. The push for the language, which differs…

May 3, 2017

Draheim affordable housing bill signed by Gov. Dayton

On May 2, Governor Mark Dayton signed into law a bill exempting town homes from Minnesota’s sprinkler requirement. House File 792, which was chief authored by Sen. Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake), passed the Senate by…

April 28, 2017

Sen. Nelson honored for advocacy in medical innovation, technology

In recognition of her work in support of health innovation and medical technology, Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) was presented with the Medical Alley Association’s “Spirit of the Alley” award at their annual meeting on Thursday.…

Senate and House Republican Majorities' Budget - Advancing the Minnesota Way

April 28, 2017

House and Senate agree to joint budget targets that highlight tax relief, roads and bridges, and responsible spending

Minnesota legislative leaders announced Friday an agreement on joint budget targets between the House and Senate, meeting the April 28th deadline requested by Gov. Mark Dayton in a communication to the legislature this March. Although…

April 27, 2017

News from the Capitol: April 27, 2017

Dear Neighbors: There are just over three weeks remaining in the legislative session. In that time, we must come to an agreement with the House and the governor on the state’s budget. Conference committees, which…

April 27, 2017

Rosen’s Vikings stadium accountability bill passes Senate

The Minnesota Senate today passed House File 778, authored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center), to bring needed oversight and accountability to the organization that runs the Vikings stadium. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA)…

April 26, 2017

Freshman senators encourage leaders to agree to three-way budget targets

Freshman Republican senators sent a letter to Governor Dayton, Speaker Daudt, and Majority Leader Gazelka today expressing disappointment in the lack of progress in budget negotiations. Since budget bills were passed by the House and…

April 25, 2017

Benson: Senate Republicans delivering on tax promises

Originally published in the Anoka County Union Senate Republicans delivering on tax promises Senate Republicans are focused on your hopes and your dreams. We have long railed against high taxes, government-run health care, and wasteful…

April 25, 2017

Committee considers Sen. Lang’s Appleton prison bill

Legislation intended to reopen the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton was heard on Tuesday, as the joint House and Senate judiciary and public safety omnibus conference committee considered including it in the final budget bill.…

April 25, 2017

Senate passes major reform to teacher licensure system with bipartisan support

The Minnesota Senate passed major reforms to the teacher licensure system this week addressing governance issues with the Board of Teaching and putting in place a new tiered licensing system for teachers. The bill (HF…

April 24, 2017

Spring Grove to receive Business Development Grant

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has announced that Spring Grove will receive a $417,000 grant from the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Program. The grant will be used for a sewer…

April 24, 2017

Senate passes funding for Waseca, Rice County veterans memorials

The Minnesota Senate today passed House File 707, the 2017 omnibus Legacy Finance bill. The Legacy bill appropriates funding from the proceeds of the 2008 Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Constitutional Amendment. The bill…

April 24, 2017

Sen. Bill Weber’s weekly update for the week ending on April 21, 2017

Budget update Earlier than any session in recent memory, the Senate has passed an entire state budget. The budget checks in at just over $45 billion over the next two years. For more detailed information…

April 24, 2017

Jasinski: Latest K-12 bill makes affordable education a priority

This column was originally published in the Faribault Daily News. Latest K-12 bill makes affordable education a priority My office has received a lot of questions about what Minnesota is doing for education now that…

April 24, 2017

Draheim: Senate Republicans focused on cutting taxes

This column was originally published in the Northfield News. Senate Republicans focused on cutting taxes The state budget has risen about 30 percent in the last six years. I’m guessing your paycheck hasn’t gone up…

April 21, 2017

Westrom to co-chair agriculture budget, serve on environment budget conference committees

Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) has been appointed by Senate leadership to serve as co-chair of the Minnesota Legislature’s Agriculture Conference Committee and as a member of the Environment Conference Committee. Each conference committee is…

April 20, 2017

Sen. Nelson co-chairs final education budget negotiations

With budget negotiations ongoing, it was announced this week that Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) will co-chair the conference committee for the omnibus E12 education budget bill. Sen. Nelson, chairwoman of the Senate E12 Finance Committee…

April 20, 2017

Sen. Koran appointed to serve on two Senate subcommittees

St. Paul – Senator Mark Koran will take on a new role at the Senate with recent appointments to two important subcommittees. The freshman senator from North Branch was selected by Majority Leader Paul Gazelka…