Sen. Branden Petersen Made a Lasting Mark on the Minnesota Senate, Will Be Missed
Statement of Senate Republican Leader David Hann on the resignation of Sen. Petersen: “Branden Petersen brought a unique and valuable perspective to the Republican Caucus and to the entire Senate. His approach to the issues…
Proposed new rule will jeopardize high school students’ ability to take college courses
Changes would harm Minnesota’s successful concurrent enrollment program (St. Paul, MN…) Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) voiced her opposition to the Higher Learning Commission’s (HLC*) plans to implement new qualifications for teachers who teach college courses…
65 Republican legislators request Planned Parenthood investigation
Governor Dayton: Planned Parenthood Federation of America came under scrutiny last week after an undercover video showed Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood’s senior director of medical services, detailing how some of their affiliates are performing…
Senate Republicans Call for End to Taxpayer Funding of Planned Parenthood
Minnesotans do not support trafficking body parts of aborted babies Senate Republican leaders announced today they will introduce legislation to halt all state funding of Planned Parenthood in light of new revelations that the abortion…
Democrats Look the Other Way as Gov. Dayton Grants Huge Raises for His Commissioners
Statement from Senate Republican Leader David Hann regarding Gov. Dayton’s salary increases for commissioners: “I wish I could say I’m surprised the governor gave his closest advisors exorbitant raises today, but this is what we’ve…
Senate Republicans Call on Gov. Dayton to Limit Commissioner Raises
Highly paid commissioners shouldn’t get a better deal than the employees they supervise (St. Paul, MN…) Senate Republicans called on Gov. Mark Dayton today to limit commissioner raises to no more than what he negotiated with…
Republican response to Supreme Court decision in the King v. Burwell healthcare case
Senate Republican Leader David Hann (Eden Prairie) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the King v. Burwell healthcare case: “Today’s ruling makes it clear Minnesota never should have wasted…
Senate Republicans deliver resolution to budget crisis, avert a government shutdown
Democrats’ unprecedented violation of special session agreement further jeopardized state budget (St. Paul, MN)… Senate Republicans delivered a victory for the people of Minnesota today, finally bringing the long, drawn-out legislative session to a close…
Senator Nelson Proposes Deadline Reform to Avoid Last Minute Lawmaking
Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) proposed adding a new legislative deadline for House and Senate leaders to help the legislature get their work done on time in budget-setting sessions. Senator Nelson would add a fourth deadline…
UPDATE: Senate Republicans push to avoid shutdown
For the second day in a row, Senate Republicans took steps to continue funding government operations in the event of an impending shutdown. For the second day in a row, the DFL majority prevented this common sense measure.…
Senator Matt Schmit’s Support for Gas Tax Increase Holding Up Budget Deal
Senate Republican Leader David Hann called on Senator Matt Schmit (DFL – Red Wing) to end his support for a 56% increase in the gas tax in order to break the deadlocked budget negotiations at…
VIDEO: Democrat tax bill doesn’t deliver
Despite having a $2 billion surplus in the state budget, the Democrat-led Senate failed to deliver any substantial tax relief this week in their tax bill. The bill contains minimal cuts for a select few,…
Democrats increase transportation taxes on drivers and consumers
Senate Democrats just don’t listen. Recent polls show the majority of Minnesotans oppose a new gas tax, and 75% of Minnesotans approve of the Republican plan to put more money toward roads and bridges without raising…
Senate Democrats threaten to hold transportation funding hostage
In a stunning reversal, Democrat Majority Leader Tom Bakk told the Pioneer Press that Senate Democrats may not be willing to pass transportation funding and tax cuts this year. Bakk’s comments could be taken as a threat to hold popular…
VIDEO: Senate Democrats Double-Down on Funding for Controversial $90 Million Senate Office Building
Initial payments were approved today to fund the controversial $90 million Senate office building after a heated debate in which every Democrat doubled down to fund the building and not a single Republican voted for…
Senator Jeff Hayden Faces New Ethics Complaint
Senate leaders filed additional ethics charges against embattled Senator Jeff Hayden today including a charge he lied to the Subcommittee on Ethics. The new charges allege Hayden lied to the Subcommittee about his knowledge of…
Republicans introduce income tax cut: “It’s time for family surpluses.”
Republicans today proposed cutting income tax rates by half a percentage point for all Minnesota taxpayers. The across-the-board rate reduction joins other Republican tax initiatives including exempting Social Security and veteran’s pensions from state income…
Senate Republicans put Rothman on notice regarding his upcoming confirmation
Senate Republican members of the Senate Commerce committee sent a letter to Commissioner of Commerce Mike Rothman outlining the questions he will be asked at his upcoming confirmation hearing. Topics range from inaccurate claims regarding MNsure premium increases…