Minnesota Senate DFLers Say New Republican U.S. Senate Proposal Would Supercede Minnesota Law, Impose Ban on Abortions
Lawmakers Say Proposed National Abortion Ban Would Take Away Reproductive Freedoms Across State
Sen. Port
Assistant Minority Leader Frentz, Senator Kunesh, and Senator Port issue statements on passage of Senate Voter ID proposal
On a party line vote of 34-32, Minnesota Senate Republicans advanced a proposal imposing unnecessary burdens on Minnesotans and their right to vote, despite already being rejected by Minnesota voters when it was proposed as a constitutional amendment in 2012.
Senate DFL Members hold press conference to discuss efforts to protect and advance democracy
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:
DFL Legislators call for action on MPCA request to address PFAS contamination
On Thursday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced findings that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination had been found in 98 out of 101 closed landfills across the state, and that 59 of these closed landfills in 41 counties have levels that exceed the Minnesota Department of Health’s health-based guidance values for PFAS. PFAS are forever chemicals that have been shown to cause adverse health effects such as changes in development, liver and thyroid function, immune response, increased kidney damage, and certain cancers.
Senate DFL women Senators demand equal rights under the law
The women of the Senate DFL gathered today virtually to rally for Minnesota to finally pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The federal Equal Rights Amendment was originally written in 1923 and finally passed by Congress in 1972. Minnesota ratified the ERA one year later in 1973. After nearly 100 years, the ERA bill was passed in the Minnesota House in 2019, but did not make it past the Republican-controlled Senate.
Senate GOP Votes to Subsidize Million Dollar Salaries for Insurance CEOs
On Monday, March 1, 2021, Senate Republicans brought a bill extending Minnesota’s “reinsurance” plan to the Senate floor. The reinsurance program subsidizes non-profit healthcare insurance providers, including $106 million in state funds and $77 million in federal pass-through funding with the goal of lowering insurance premiums on the individual marketplace. In addition, the reinsurance program also costs the state of Minnesota an estimated $100 million in federal funding for MinnesotaCare