senate Archives - Page 7 of 18

MN Dems Put Gun Restrictions in Must-Pass Bill

April 4, 2019

KVRR Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota House Democrats slid two controversial gun control measures into a must-pass spending bill Thursday, daring Senate Republicans to hold a vote. Democrats said they had little choice but to include both measures – universal background checks and extreme risk protective orders – because the Senate would’ve blocked standalone bills. By putting them in a…

House Democrats Add To Walz’s Transportation Budget, Senate Republicans Vote Down Tax Increases

Democratic governor's proposals include a 20 cent gas tax increase

April 2, 2019

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL, MN — Democrats who control the Minnesota House unveil a transportation budget expanding on Gov. Tim Walz’s spending and taxing proposals. At the same time, a Republican-controlled Senate committee votes down his transportation tax increases. The House Democratic transportation budget mostly mirror’s the Democratic governor’s proposals, including a 20 cent gas tax increase. There are some differences on license…

Hands-free driving requirement clears MN Senate, allows scarves, hijabs to hold phone

March 25, 2019

KVRR Staff,

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – On Monday, the Minnesota Senate voted overwhelmingly to ban drivers from using cell phones except in hands-free mode. The Senate’s 56-10 vote followed a similarly overwhelming vote in the House earlier this month. It clears the way for negotiations between the two chambers over their differing versions. The hands-free bill got stuck in the Senate a year ago, and family members of…

Republican-controlled Senate Votes to Terminate President Trump’s National Emergency Declaration on Border

March 14, 2019

KVRR Staff,

WASHINGTON (AP) – In a stunning rebuke, the Republican-controlled Senate has voted to terminate President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. North Dakota Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer voted against ending the national emergency declaration. Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith voted in favor of it. The Senate voted 59-41 for a resolution…

UPDATE: House Passes Border Bill, Sends to President’s Desk

February 14, 2019

KVRR Staff,

U.S./Mexico borderWASHINGTON (AP) – Hard-fought legislation that gives President Donald Trump 55 additional miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border – well short of what he requested – is on the way to his desk after a bipartisan House vote. The House voted 300-128 with Republican North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Democratic Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson both voting in…

ND Senate Strikes Down Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Discrimination Bill

January 25, 2019

Site Staff,

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Senate once again rejects a bill prohibiting housing and workforce discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The vote failed by a 27-20 margin. Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman of New Rockford says people are leaving the state because they don’t feel accepted. Republican Sen. Diane Larson of Bismarck says no one testified in…

North Dakota Senate Passes Bill that Would Toughen Seat Belt Laws

North Dakota is one of 15 states requiring drivers to have a second offense to be pulled over

January 23, 2019

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NORTH DAKOTA — In North Dakota, you can’t get pulled over for not wearing your seat belt unless you have another offense. A new bill moving through the legislature would make you see flashing lights if you’re not buckled up. The bill narrowly passed the Senate 24–23 and now moves to the House for a vote. “If I see somebody who’s…

House Passes Repeal of Sunday Shopping Restrictions, Senate Will Decide Fate Of Bill Next

North Dakota House voted to repeal the longstanding Sunday business restrictions by a vote of 56-35

January 17, 2019

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, ND — State Rep. Kathy Skroch made a passionate plea before the North Dakota House. The Republican from Lidgerwood said, “For the sake of our well-being, for the good of our families and our state, we must not strip the last remnants of the North Dakota Sunday closing laws.” That plea was not enough as the North Dakota House voted…

Sen. Tina Smith Among Lawmakers Looking to Give Federal Contract Workers Back Pay

January 16, 2019

TJ Nelson,

WASHINGTON – “I am now a single mother, I lost my husband last year, I bought me a house in the process. Ma’am, I’m worried about how I’m going to pay my mortgage. I don’t want to get upset,” Smithsonian employee Audrey Murray said. Audrey is 59-year-old federal worker who has gone without pay since January 1st. A group of senators…

Democrat Melissa Hortman Elected Minnesota Speaker of the House

State Representative Is From Brooklyn Park

January 8, 2019

TJ Nelson,

ST. PAUL, MN — The 2019 Minnesota Legislature is in session. The House and its new Democratic majority were called to order around noon, while the Senate, where Republicans hold a two-vote majority, convened soon afterward. Democrat Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park was elected as House speaker. New Democratic Gov. Tim Walz told reporters he’s ready to cooperate with lawmakers from…