The Minnesota Senate adjourned sine die Wednesday, reacting to a motion by Senate Minority Leader, Susan Kent, to end the inefficient and costly Special Session.. In response Senator Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan) released the following statement: “Today’s adjournment brings to a… Read More »Senator Carlson statement on Senate adjournment
The State Government Finance Omnibus Bill passed off the Senate Floor on Friday, June 25. While the bill includes important policy provisions and necessary funding for critical state agencies, a surprise poison pill amendment was added by Senate Republicans to end the governor’s emergency powers on July 1, while Governor Walz has announced he will end his emergency powers August 1.Ending the FEMA-mandated emergency powers will cost Minnesota $90 million in federal funding that is primarily dedicated to low-income assistance. Senate Republicans further prevented a popular non-partisan amendment to fund Greater Minnesota County Attorney’s requests to the Attorney General’s office for assistance in prosecuting serious criminal cases.
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: