News – Page 53 – Minnesota Senate Republicans

February 7, 2024

Duckworth: SRO fix is a bipartisan priority that needs open, transparent hearings

ST. PAUL – Senator Zach Duckworth (R- Lakeville) released the following statement regarding a Democrat-proposed Student Resource Officer fix bill posted for a hearing in the Minnesota House of Representatives next week: “After spending all…

February 6, 2024

Looking Ahead to Another Legislative Session

As February begins, it’s time to start considering the upcoming Legislative Session. Since 2024 is a Bonding Year, not only does that mean session starts a bit later on February 12, but it also means…

February 5, 2024

Gruenhagen: Stop assisted suicide in Minnesota!

Friends and neighbors – I wanted to alert you to a bill legalizing assisted suicide that has been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature. On January 25, it was approved by a committee in the Minnesota…

February 5, 2024

Leader Johnson statement on Democrat efforts to make Minnesota a sanctuary state

Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) issued the following statement regarding Democrat efforts to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. “Attempts to make Minnesota a “sanctuary state” – especially following recent surges of migrants…

February 5, 2024

Jasinski statement opposing Democrat proposal to make Minnesota a “Sanctuary State”

Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault): issued the following statement in response to news reports that Democrats in the Minnesota Legislature will be introducing legislation to make Minnesota a “Sanctuary State,” which would bar state and local…

February 5, 2024

Sen. Jasinski warns Clean Transportation Standard Working Group recommendations lead to high gas prices

Yesterday the Minnesota Department of Transportation released recommendations from the Clean Transportation Standard Working Group. The working group is studying how meeting aggressive carbon targets impacts both consumers and various industries. “States that have implemented…

February 5, 2024

Jasinski: Feedback on the new flag; local charities at risk

Feedback on the new flag; local charities at risk By: Senator John Jasinski Over the last few weeks, I have received a tidal wave of feedback about the new state flag and seal designs. Constituents…

February 2, 2024

Sen. Jasinski warns Clean Transportation Standard Working Group recommendations lead to high gas prices

ST. PAUL – Yesterday the Minnesota Department of Transportation released recommendations from the Clean Transportation Standard Working Group. The working group is studying how meeting aggressive carbon targets impacts both consumers and various industries. “States…

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…