First 2021 Special Session Convenes
Senate DFL Update: June 18, 2021
Tag: Senate DFL Week in Review
Senate DFL Week in Review: April 16, 2021
2021 Budget Bills on the Floor
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.
Judiciary Budget fails to meet community demands
The Senate this week passed its judiciary budget bill. The committee was given a $90 million target, which allows for some investments in the state’s court and corrections system, and in some public safety requests. Of the target, $20 million of that target was reserved for disaster assistance for our local communities.
The bill, however, is a stark portrait of what the Senate Republican priorities aren’t; the bill contains no policing and criminal justice reform, no justice programs, and little in the way of reducing the intersectional causes behind crime and recidivism. Read more >>
Consumer protection, clean energy absent from Republican budget bill
Senate Republicans passed a budget bill this week intended to address consumer protection and energy issues. Although the name of one of the committees that generated the bill is Commerce and Consumer Protection, the legislation contained little for actual Minnesota consumers. And in sharp contrast to the clean energy priorities of the DFL House and Governor Walz, the bill falls woefully short of funding energy project that will bring the state closer to a carbon-free future. Read more >>
Higher Ed bill passes floor; heads to conference committee
The Senate’s higher education omnibus budget bill passed with a floor vote of 38-29, with most DFLers voting no due to the bill’s low budget target and lack of funding for the coming two years. Read more >>
POCI CAUCUS
Senate DFL Week in Review: March 5, 2021
Supporting Minnesota’s Working Families
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.
Senate DFLers support working families
As Minnesotans recover from the devastating effects of a global pandemic, they need support at home, in the workplace, and help to stay connected. The Senate DFL recognizes that everyone, from birth through aging, should have access to affordable health care, safe and affordable housing, and economic security. Read more >>
Minnesota continues strong progress in vaccine distribution
Minnesota continued to be among the national leaders in COVID-19 vaccine distribution this week and was helped by the approval of a third vaccine. As the Walz Administration continues to lead vaccine rollout efforts in Minnesota, the state now ranks third in the nation in the percentage of doses received that have been administered. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: March 5, 2021”Senate DFL Week in Review: February 26, 2021
Governor’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget
and everything happening in the Legislature this week
Governor’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget
The Senate Tax Committee heard more than 90 minutes of mostly supportive testimony about Governor Walz’s tax budget proposal this week. The message was very clear: Minnesotans understand that responsible revenue will support investments to enable workers, families, and businesses to recover from the pandemic. Read more >>
COVID-19 vaccine updates: new priority groups, community sites, and resources available
Governor Walz announced that the vaccine priority groups will remain the same until at least 70% of Minnesotans aged 65+ are vaccinated, with the goal to reach this benchmark by the end of March. At that point, eligibility will expand to people with specific high-risk health conditions and targeted essential workers. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: February 26, 2021”Senate DFL Week in Review: September 19, 2021
Senate DFL announces 2021 legislative priorities
As the most diverse caucus in the history of the Minnesota Senate, Senate DFLers offer a vision for a better Minnesota with priorities that will improve people’s lives and protect their fundamental rights. This week, members of the Senate DFL held a press conference to announce their priorities for the 2021 legislative session. Their goal is to be committed to work together to build the state all Minnesotans deserve. Read more >>
Minnesota launches the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector
A new tool launched this week will help Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Current eligibility for vaccines is still limited to Minnesotans over 65, health care workers, long-term care residents, childcare, and K-12 personnel, but the Vaccine Connector will be a helpful way to notify other Minnesotans once it’s their turn to get a shot and connect them to resources to schedule an appointment. Read more >>
Bill to reopen schools provides no resources to help with pandemic
Legislation passed this week in the Minnesota Senate that would prohibit future governor’s from directly safeguarding schools and students during peacetime emergencies. The bill provides no re-opening plans or resources for districts to use to keep students and staff safe. Although there have been seven special sessions in 2020, no hearings were held on school re-openings or other plans to help school districts with pandemic protocols or procedures. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: September 19, 2021”Senate DFL Week in Review: September 5, 2021
Celebrating Black History Month
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.
Senate DFL celebrates Black History Month
February 1 through March 1 is recognized federally and state-wide as Black History Month. In recognition of that, DFL members are taking time to reflect and listen to those who have consistently been underrepresented in our Legislature. As we take this month to reflect on their legacy, we take up the mantle of change. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: September 5, 2021”Senate DFL Week in Review: January 22, 2021
Clean Cars rules
and everything happening in the Legislature this week
Clean Cars rules continue to be topic of discussion in Republican Senate
Senate Republicans held two hearings this week to once again discuss Governor Walz’s proposed Clean Cars rules, despite having held hearings on the topic within the past year. A joint hearing was held by the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee and the Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, and another hearing on the topic was held later in the week by the Transportation Committee. Read more >>
Minnesota vaccination plans prep for expansion
The Health and Human Services Committee received an update from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on vaccine rollout and the new community pilot program that started this week. Vaccinations in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are moving steadily, either through a federal pharmacy program or in partnership with local vaccinators. Read more >>
Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: January 22, 2021”Senate DFL Week in Review: April 24, 2020
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Senate DFL Week in Review: April 26, 2019
WEEK SIXTEEN: April 26, 2019
With just over three weeks left of the 2019 session, legislators have worked long hours to debate, discuss, and pass budgets in Finance or on the floor for various issues from ag to transportation. Deep divisions remain over spending and taxes, with House DFLers working to improve our state by making honest investments in education, health care, public safety, transportation, and transit. In contrast, Senate Republican budgets are effectively deep cuts to important programs that make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Their budget would contribute to even greater inequality, increase the cost of health care, reduce services for our most vulnerable, and close more than 30 state parks. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: April 26, 2019”
Senate DFL Week in Review: April 13, 2018
WEEK SEVEN: April 13, 2018
The legislative session last year ended in chaos – a result
of the Republican majority’s decision to pursue shadowy last-minute backroom deals instead of conducting their work in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and consistent with Minnesotans expectations of their state government. The Republican majority this year appears to be comfortable with repeating an approach that shut average Minnesotans out of the conversation. With five weeks left before the Legislature is required to adjourn, Republicans have yet to release a tax, bonding, or supplemental budget proposal. Minnesotans deserve better than late-night deals that take place behind closed doors. DFL senators are holding the Republican majority accountable and will be talking about the need for fair, transparent conversations about major issues that affect all Minnesotans. Continue reading “Senate DFL Week in Review: April 13, 2018”