Senator Aric Putnam

Aric Putnam represents Senate District 14, which covers the communities of St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, Haven, and Minden Townships. Learn more about Sen. Putnam. Read more news from Sen. Putnam.

Three Bills to Address the Child Care Crisis in Greater Minnesota Championed by Senator Aric Putnam Heard in the Jobs and Economic Development Committee

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Wednesday, the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee heard three bills (SF 1610, SF 1611, and SF 1612) championed by Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) that would work to solve the childcare crisis in Greater Minnesota and support people and business who do this important work.   

Tuition-Free College Passes in Senate Higher Education Committee

Bill would help nearly 60,000 Minnesotans attend college without tuition or fees

SAINT PAUL, MN – A bill to create a tuition-free college program for tens of thousands of middle- and low-income Minnesota students passed the Senate Higher Education Committee on Tuesday. The legislation would fund grants for all Minnesota resident students with a family adjusted gross income of $120,000 or less. Prior to the hearing, several DFL Senators spoke in favor of the proposal.

Social Security Tax Elimination Heard in Senate Taxes Committee

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee heard Senator Aric Putnam’s bill (SF 15) to eliminate 100% of the tax on Social Security benefits. It would also reform taxes on pension income of state employees who are not eligible to participate in the social security system, which includes first responders, police officers, firefighters, and some teachers across the state.

Senator Aric Putnam Votes to Deliver Frontline Worker Checks and Replenish Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

The Minnesota Senate passed legislation delivering $750 payments to 667,000 frontline workers and replenishing the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund Friday, in a bipartisan vote of 65-1. The $3.3 billion package is a win for the Minnesotans who stepped up and did the right thing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will help the state continue its recovery, said Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud).