Sen. Johnson

Senator Alice Johnson: A Bonding Bill must be passed this session

I was proud to vote in favor of the 2016 Bonding Bill last week, but it unfortunately did not pass due to Republican partisan politics being placed before constituent needs. Since last week’s disappointing vote, I’ve tried to make sense of why anyone would vote against a bill that would create nearly 40,000 jobs and invests in critical transportation projects, clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and colleges and universities, among other things. So far, I’ve come up with nothing – other than partisan politics – which leads me to believe there’s no real reason to oppose this bill.

Sen. Alice Johnson – A champion for Minnesota students announces she will not seek re-election

After more than 18 years of fighting for kids and standing up for Minnesota schools in the legislature, Alice Johnson (DFL- Blaine) announced today she will not seek re-election. “When I was elected in 2012, I promised to serve for four years and have fulfilled that promise. I ran to end gridlock in St Paul and get things done by encouraging reasonable cooperation across the aisle,” Sen. Johnson said. “Last week, I turned 75 and feel proud of my accomplishments and I am hopeful for the future of Minnesota.”

DFL Senators work to expand education opportunities

Today Sen. Chuck Wiger, Chair of the E12 Committee in the Senate held a press conference with Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury), Sen. Vicki Jensen (DFL-Owatonna), Sen. Kevin Dahle (DFL-Northfield), Sen. Katie Sieben (DFL-Cottage Grove), and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook). Many DFL Senators attended to show their support for this Senate DFL Caucus priority. The proposals included agriculture educator grant, preK investments, a voluntary program to address the shocking student to counsellor ratio, funding Teacher Training and Development, and addressing the teacher shortage crisis.