To the Editor,

It is good to be back home following the conclusion of the 2024 legislative session. It is an honor to represent the communities and people of Senate District 9. After taking some time to reflect on the end of the session, I would like to share my thoughts on its disappointing conclusion.

All session, my Republican colleagues and I worked in good faith to pass bipartisan policies. But instead of working with members of the minority, Democrats crammed every item on their partisan wish list into a single backroom-assembled bill. They then forced a vote on this massive legislation in the final minutes of session, with zero transparency or debate. The resulting 1,494-page bill raises taxes, increases energy costs, and threatens constitutional rights, all while ensuring political appointees receive pay raises.

With total control of all three branches of government, Democrats had every opportunity to properly pass their ‘priority bills’ the last two years. Instead, they spent weeks defending a colleague who was arrested and charged with felony burglary just to push through their agenda. Now that session is over, DFL Chair Ken Martin, Governor Walz, and some Democrat senators are calling for Senator Mitchell’s resignation. It seems they are ready to cast her aside now that they no longer need her vote. This shows a staggering abuse of political power and a lack of accountability. The people of Minnesota deserve better.

Though I wish this legislative session could have gone differently, I would like to highlight some key bipartisan bills that made it to the finish line.

Improving Minnesotans’ access to life-saving care

This session, a group of bipartisan legislators and I authored legislation to improve the life-saving services provided by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. I am thankful to share that we passed a $30 million aid package for rural EMS, which provides more than $4 million for West Central Minnesota. Notably, the package launches a sprint medic pilot program in Otter Tail and Grant counties. To quickly connect Minnesotans to care, the program authorizes trained medical staff to be the first response and determine if an ambulance is necessary.

Securing religious freedoms in Minnesota

Senate Republicans also successfully amended the 2024 Minnesota Human Rights bill with language that reinstates religious liberty protections, which a Minnesota law passed last session removed. The amendment puts the statutory framework with religious exemptions in the Human Rights Act back in line with the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions. With the unanimous passage of this legislation, we are protecting the right of our religious institutions to make decisions consistent with their faith. 

Getting Minnesotans into high-demand jobs

This session, my legislation to help more Minnesotans obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) also became law. State law previously allowed a public higher education institution to offer third-party testing, but it required that the program consist of 180 instructional hours. My legislation removes this 180-hour requirement, opening CDL testing up to any Minnesota State institution that offers the training. This will get Minnesota students into high-demand jobs and help our economy have the workforce needed to be successful.

Other key legislation passed this session includes policies I authored to

Provide $250,000 for a mental health engagement services pilot project in Otter Tail County

Take a more proactive approach to seniors’ critical care transitions and placement options by streamlining the Senior LinkAge Line–a state resource to help Minnesotans think through long-term care options

Reform the statewide volunteer firefighter pension plan to make it more attractive to volunteer firefighters

I always encourage constituents to contact me with any questions or to offer their ideas. Please reach out by email at sen.jordan.rasmusson@mnsenate.gov or by phone at (651) 296-4875.

By Sen. Jordan Rasmusson

Fergus Falls