Lieske: Giving Minnesotans a say in the flag debate
Friends and neighbors, Thursday on the Senate Floor I supported a motion to immediately bring up for a vote a bill that would give Minnesotans a voice on the new state flag and seal designs.…
Koran: Religious freedom must be protected!
Dear Friends and neighbors, This week in the dark of night – after midnight – Democrats deliberately launched an attack on the freedom of religious groups and faith-based schools. Here is what happened: Senate Democrats…
Draheim: Public health projects, not luxury amenities
By: SENATOR RICH DRAHEIM One of my big criticisms of last year’s bonding bill was that it included too much waste. There are communities across the state that have urgent needs, but Democrats chose to…
Lucero: Unfunded mandates crushing school budgets
TO THE EDITOR: Last year the Democrat-trifecta passed a hyper-partisan K-12 education funding budget filled with unfunded mandates. The result has been to further crush school budgets in our community and across the state that…
Gruenhagen: Democrats are attacking your religious freedom
Friends and neighbors, Concerning news from the Minnesota Senate this week. In the middle of the night, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee rejected an amendment that would have protected religious freedom…
Drazkowski: Time to eliminate southern Minnesota’s shotgun-only deer hunting zone
By: SENATOR STEVE DRAZKOWSKI Did you know that in southern Minnesota you cannot hunt deer with a rifle? I can assure you that hunters in our area are well aware of this antiquated rule. As…
State graduation rate drops, student test scores warrant concern
ST. PAUL – Senate Education Policy Committee Lead Republican Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) released the following statement on the state’s graduation rates: “Graduating from high school is such an important indicator to track, but I am concerned…
High Costs, Higher Burdens
As we head into the second half of session, Democrats have continued the trend of bringing forward unacceptable bills that come with high costs, and oftentimes higher burdens. We’re seeing this in the education policy…
Pratt bill creates “Shakopee Area Workforce Development Scholarships” to address workforce shortages in Shakopee
Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) has introduced legislation that creates a Shakopee Area Workforce Development Scholarships pilot program. This unique pilot would create a scholarship program that would create a public-private partnership between local businesses, the…
Gruenhagen: Happy Easter!
Friends and neighbors, Easter is not just a special time to celebrate with family and friends. It is also a reminder of God’s amazing love for us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.…
Senator Rasmusson authors bipartisan regulatory reform legislation
During the 2024 legislative session, a bipartisan group of legislators introduced legislation to make Minnesota more competitive from a business perspective. SF 4876, which Senator Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) co-authored as the lead Republican, would help…
Senate Minority Leader Johnson State of the State response
“Tonight the Governor played his top ten list, and like many hits, the tune has gotten a little stale. “While education funding has steadily increased, too few dollars are reaching the classroom. Every kid…
Pratt bill addresses concerns with teachers’ pensions – receives first hearing
Amidst numerous concerns regarding changes to teachers’ pensions, Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) and Representative Danny Nadeau (R-Rogers) introduced bipartisan legislation that addresses concerns raised by educators over excessive penalties and provides teachers a benefit that will increase…
Senator Coleman’s legislation to educate coaches on eating disorders passes committee, incorporated into education policy omnibus
On Thursday, March 14, the Senate Education Policy Committee heard legislation, authored by Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia), to educate Minnesota coaches on eating disorders. SF 3771 would require the Minnesota State High School League to provide school coaches…
Senate Taxes Committee hears Sen. Coleman’s legislation to provide a sales tax exemption for the Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex
On Tuesday, March 19, the Senate Taxes Committee heard legislation, authored by Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia), to provide a construction sales tax exemption for the upcoming Chanhassen Bluffs Sports Complex project. SF 3385 would exempt materials, supplies, and equipment used…
Koran: Protect Religious Freedom in Minnesota
Friends and neighbors — Over the last week, I’ve received numerous emails regarding what took place in a committee meeting while most of Minnesota was sleeping. Last week in the dark of night – after…
Senator Westrom makes a motion to give Minnesotans a voice on the new state flag
Watch Senator Westrom’s floor speech on SF 4771 On Thursday, March 21, Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) made a motion on the Senate floor to immediately bring up for a vote a bill that would give…
Draheim: Repairing the damage to schools caused by last year’s mandates
Friends and neighbors, The Repair Minnesota session continues. This week we are talking about repairing the damage caused to schools by last year’s education mandates. Despite $2.2 billion in new education funding last year, school…
Giving Our Schools More Flexibility
Last week on the Senate floor we passed a bill that makes education forecast adjustments. There are no new provisions, it’s just correcting funding due to incorrect fiscal notes from last year. It does reflect…
Another Land Transfer Proposal
Once again, the same metro legislator who brought forward the White Earth Land Transfer is attempting to get another land transfer bill pushed through. Senator Mary Kunesh from New Brighton introduced a bill that transfers…