The Minnesota Senate advanced the omnibus state government, elections, veterans, and military affairs bill (H.F.1952) Monday on a vote of 38-28. The bill makes cuts to the operating budgets of the Department of Revenue, Minnesota Department of Management and Budget, Minnesota IT Services, and the Department of Administration.
The leaders of several of Minnesota’s largest employers including Cargill, Medtronic, 3M, Best Buy, Target, and C.H. Robinson have spoken out against nationwide voting suppression efforts, and have reaffirmed their support for the fundamental freedom to vote. The support comes in response to legislative efforts that have been introduced in 47 states that would interfere with the ability of voters to cast their ballot.
On a party line vote Wednesday, Senate Republicans moved forward the State Government Omnibus Budget Bill, which includes $23 million of budget cuts. These budget reductions to state agencies would create significant cuts in staffing levels, impede agency responsiveness, increase waiting times for services, and reduce the quality of services provided.
On Friday, April 9, 2021, Senator Jim Carlson (DFL- Eagan) and Senator Melisa Franzen (DFL- Edina) will host a virtual STEM Advocacy Day at the Capitol to advocate for STEM education funding. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. The event will include presentations from student robotics teams and dialogue with STEM nonprofits in attendance. In advance of the virtual event, Senators Carlson and Franzen released the following statements:
On Monday, March 22, 2021, Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent (DFL- Woodbury), Senator Jim Carlson (DFL- Eagan), Senator Lindsey Port (DFL- Burnsville), and Senator Kent Eken (DFL- Twin Valley) held a press conference to discuss the Senate DFL’s priority for protecting and advancing democracy. Following the press conference, the legislators released the following statement:
On Monday, March 22 at 10 A.M., Senator Susan Kent (DFL- Woodbury), Senator Jim Carlson (DFL- Eagan), Senator Lindsey Port (DFL- Burnsville), and Senator Kent Eken (DFL- Twin Valley) will convene a virtual press conference to discuss the Senate DFL’s… Read More »Senate DFL Announces Protecting and Advancing our Democracy Press Conference