All Videos - Minnesota 2021 - 2021 1st Special Session (Page 13)
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Kent Eken Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
Senator Kent Eken was recognized for his service and delivered a reflective farewell-style speech about his legislative career and family history in public service. He described how his father’s experience advocating for special education for his intellectually disabled brother shaped his own interest in politics, and he tied that story to broader themes of education, disability services, and long-term care. He also spoke about the Minnesota Miracle, praising it as a bipartisan effort that improved education funding and quality across the state.
A major theme of the remarks was the importance of bipartisanship, civility, and personal relationships in the Legislature. Eken thanked several colleagues and mentors, including Roger Moe, Leroy Stumpf, Keith Langseth, Senator Scoy, Senator Tomassoni, Senator Gazelka, Senator Bakk, and Representative Marcourt, and said Minnesota’s divided Legislature still shows it is possible to get things done. He expressed concern about polarization and said more attention should be paid to long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities, warning that demographic changes will create a major crisis if not addressed.
Eken also used a flying anecdote to argue that lawmakers should “turn on the landing lights” and confront difficult problems rather than ignore them. He said he planned to return to teaching after leaving the Senate and encouraged young people to get involved in public life. The remarks ended with thanks to colleagues and applause; no bill votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the portion provided.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Susan Kent Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
Senator Susan Kent delivered a farewell address marking her 10 years of Senate service, reflecting on her election in 2012 and the 3,422 legislative days she served. She spoke about the emotional difficulty of leaving, her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, and her appreciation for the Senate staff, nonpartisan and partisan offices, advocates, stakeholders, and colleagues who helped the institution function. She also thanked specific staff members and members of her own team, including her legislative assistants, research and media staff, and leadership colleagues.
Her remarks emphasized the purpose of legislative work, especially education and creating opportunities for children and all Minnesotans. She said the legislature has a responsibility to listen to constituents who are not always heard, to work through disagreements, and to remember that lawmaking is a team effort. She described the legislature as a river that continues beyond any one member’s service, and said public service should focus on improving people’s lives.
Kent also offered personal thanks to her community, family, husband Chris, and son Andrew for their support during her time in office. She said her decision not to seek reelection was driven by important personal reasons, but that she remained deeply grateful for the privilege of serving and intended to stay engaged in some form after session ended. No bills were considered and no votes were taken in this segment.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Michelle Benson Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
Senator Michelle Benson delivered a farewell floor speech reflecting on her 12 years in the Minnesota Senate, thanking nonpartisan staff, sergeants, revisers, legislative librarians, government relations professionals, and colleagues for helping turn ideas into law and for making the institution work. She said the job felt like earning a master’s degree and emphasized the value of the people who supported her, challenged her, and helped her serve effectively.
She shared a personal story about serving on the Health and Human Services Committee while nine months pregnant, including returning for a vote after a cesarean section, and recalled a moment when Senator Marty held her newborn daughter and told her she was beautiful. Benson used that memory to underscore the humanity and connectedness that can exist even amid contentious legislative battles, and she thanked her caucus for partnership, challenge, lessons, and friendship.
Benson also thanked her staff, family, and friends for their support, saying they helped her through difficult work and made her better at the job. She encouraged staff to build networks, skills, and cross-aisle relationships, and closed by saying she was grateful for the trust placed in her, that she loved the people she served with and the people of Minnesota, and that she was ready to return to her family and begin the next chapter.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Patricia Torres Ray Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The meeting featured a farewell presentation honoring Senator Patricia Torres Ray, who was recognized for 16 years of Senate service and 5,619 total Senate and legislative days. In her remarks, she thanked members, her constituents, family, staff, volunteers, and supporters, and reflected on her path from arriving in the United States unable to speak English to becoming the first Latina immigrant elected to the Minnesota Senate. She also described the significance of a sarape gifted to her family and the symbolism of its colors, including inclusion, party affiliation, and peace in Colombia.
Torres Ray emphasized that her success was made possible by public opportunities such as ESL education, public college, affordable housing, food security, and health care, and argued these should be available to all Minnesotans. She urged members to use their votes and power to create better opportunities for people of color, immigrants, the poor, and other marginalized communities, and to address inequalities and policies that have harmed Indigenous people and descendants of slaves.
No bill was debated or voted on in this excerpt. The only procedural note at the end was that five additional individuals remained to speak, with a combined 96 years of Senate experience.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Chris Eaton Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The meeting featured a farewell presentation for Senator Chris Eaton, recognizing his 12 years in the state Senate and 3,860 days in the Legislature. In remarks accepting the honor, Eaton reflected on his service and said it was a privilege to serve, noting that he often felt humbled to be in the body. He quoted Helen Keller and spoke about the values that guided his work, including compassion and public service.
Eaton focused much of his comments on the issues that shaped his legislative career. He said his work with people with mental and physical challenges, mental health, and substance use disorder was deeply personal, especially after losing his daughter to addiction. He urged colleagues to treat addiction and depression as illnesses, like diabetes or heart disease, and to reduce stigma. He also spoke about climate change and environmental stewardship, saying he hoped the Legislature’s work would help limit damage.
He thanked his family, constituents in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, and colleagues across the Senate. Eaton also highlighted the importance of unions, saying his union membership gave him health care, a living wage, and medical leave, and he hoped more Minnesotans could have similar opportunities. He closed by expressing gratitude for the support of his husband, children, grandchildren, and others who helped him throughout his career. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in this segment.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Senator Tom Bakk Says Farewell to the Minnesota Senate May 25th, 2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
This was a farewell floor speech honoring Senator Tom Bakk’s long Senate career and legislative service. He reflected on his election in 2002, his years in the chamber, and the people who helped him, including staff, family, constituents, and colleagues. Much of the speech focused on his personal path into politics, his work as a carpenters’ union business manager, and the sacrifices made by his sons and wife in supporting his public service.
Bakk also discussed several major institutional and policy themes from his time in the Legislature. He described his role in the Capitol renovation and the creation of the Senate office building, and he used that history to argue for legislative autonomy, transparency in conference committees, and stronger public participation in the lawmaking process. He criticized late-stage dealmaking, urged leaders and the governor to work directly with the members and chairs who know the bills, and said the Legislature should meet its constitutional responsibilities on time rather than treating June 30 as the real deadline.
He closed with broader advice to members: represent everyone in their districts, protect the dignity and traditions of the institution, be careful stewards of public money, and remember that the work matters more than individual status. He also noted that the chamber has become less collegial over time and suggested that more informal opportunities for members to gather could help rebuild relationships across party and regional lines. No formal vote or bill action was taken in the speech itself.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Ami Wazlawik departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
Representative Wazlawik delivered a retirement speech on the House floor reflecting on the experiences that led her into public service, including work as a sexual assault and domestic violence advocate and as an AmeriCorps reading tutor in a high-poverty school. She said those experiences, along with constituent stories about sexual assault, disability services, pollution concerns, and addiction, shaped her commitment to public service and reminded her that “somebody should do something about that.”
She also reviewed several accomplishments from her time in the Legislature, emphasizing bipartisan work and efforts to help Minnesotans. She cited legislation to support farmers’ mental health, environmental protections, safeguards for assisted living residents and direct care workers, opioid response measures, insulin affordability, child care support, bans on toxic chemicals like TCE and PFAS, investments in schools, expanded medical cannabis and broadband access, and pandemic recovery efforts for workers, businesses, and local governments.
Wazlawik thanked her legislative assistant, a mentor, the Neighborhood Concerned Citizens Group, her parents, her constituents, and DFL colleagues. She closed by quoting Nelson Mandela on the significance of making a difference in others’ lives, framing that idea as the guiding principle of her work.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Media Availability: Post Session Comments - 05/23/2022
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Summary:
The meeting centered on end-of-session negotiations over a package of budget and policy bills, including tax relief, public safety, education (K-12), health and human services, transportation, housing, and a bonding bill. Leaders from both parties and the governor described the bills as very close overall, but said talks broke down late at night, leaving several major items unfinished. Supporters of the package emphasized that it would provide tax cuts, including a permanent Social Security tax exemption and lower income tax rates, while also funding education, nursing homes, child care, law enforcement, and transportation projects tied to federal infrastructure dollars.
Republican leaders argued Democrats had delayed negotiations, moved backward on some offers, and failed to prioritize law enforcement, literacy, special education, and long-term care facilities. They said the House Democrats and governor were not willing to accept stronger public safety provisions and criticized the failure to pass a bonding bill. Democratic leaders and the governor countered that Republicans were focused too heavily on tax cuts for higher-income Minnesotans and corporations, and said the majority had failed to compromise on child care, mental health, education, and community supports. Both sides acknowledged that public safety, HHS, and K-12 education were the hardest areas to resolve.
No final agreement was reached during the regular session deadline, and the bonding bill also fell apart. Leaders discussed the possibility of returning in a special session, with some saying the window for finishing was brief and others saying they were not interested in extending talks without a firm agreement. The governor said he had signed 23 bills into law and remained optimistic that the remaining bills were about 90 to 95 percent complete, while legislative leaders said they would continue negotiations and meet again the next morning.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Rena Moran departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
The transcript is a farewell-style floor speech by Representative Moran of Ramsey, reflecting on 12 years in the Minnesota House and thanking constituents in District 65A, family, campaign volunteers, legislative assistants, committee staff, and House administrative staff. She described her personal journey from arriving in Minnesota homeless and jobless to serving in the chamber, and said her district’s support and the trust of colleagues made her service possible.
Much of the speech focused on the work of the House and the importance of representing people who are often not heard in the political process, including people experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, children in the child protection system, and those facing medical bills. She praised bipartisan work with Representatives Albright, Kresha, and Garofalo, and thanked Speaker and leadership for the opportunity to serve as chair of Ways and Means after Representative Lyndon Carlson stepped down.
Representative Moran also emphasized the need to address systemic racism, citing the Select Committee on Racial Justice and its report as important work that should not be forgotten. She urged members to take the recommendations seriously, to be kind and patient with one another, and to listen more than they speak. The speech ended with thanks to the House and an expression of hope to continue public service in another role; no votes or formal actions were taken in the excerpt.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Tony Albright departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
Representative Albright delivered a farewell-style floor speech focused on thanking legislative staff, colleagues, and family for their support over his 10 years in the House. He named many individuals in the chamber and staff offices, praised their work, and reflected on the personal relationships and mentorship that shaped his service. He also thanked his wife and family for supporting his legislative career.
The member reflected on his first day in the Legislature, his preference for a specific kind of pencil, and a story about obtaining them from staff. He described the significance of serving in the chamber, noting the small number of people who have ever held the office and emphasizing that legislators represent real people and make personal decisions with lasting consequences. He also recalled the building’s renovation period, temporary working conditions, and the mix of joyful and difficult moments shared by members over the years.
Albright closed by recounting how he came to run for the House in 2013 and expressing gratitude for the experience of serving. No bills were debated, and no votes or formal actions were taken in this excerpt beyond his concluding remarks and thanks to the members.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Jim Davnie departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
Representative Davnie delivered a farewell-style floor speech reflecting on his 22 years in the House and thanking family, chamber staff, caucus staff, media, research, nonpartisan staff, and his education team for their support. He spoke about the importance of constituent service, noting work on issues such as health insurance, unemployment, rental assistance, property tax refunds, and DMV problems, and said the job is about helping people directly. He also reflected on serving South Minneapolis, the challenges of 2020, and his belief that his role was to tell his community, “I work for you.”
Davnie emphasized his focus on children and families, his pride in public policy work, and his appreciation for Minnesota’s growing diversity and for learning from communities different from his own. He highlighted experiences such as community iftars, wild rice harvesting on Leech Lake Nation, and attending a colleague’s family funeral as examples of broadening his perspective and respecting the dignity of all Minnesotans. He closed by expressing gratitude for the privilege of serving the state and community, and the chamber responded with applause.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Bob Dettmer departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
Representative Dettmer delivered a farewell speech reflecting on his service in the legislature and his military career, saying it had been an honor to serve and that his wife had endorsed his retirement. He shared two personal stories about his family: one about his twin sons returning silver dollars he had given them years earlier when they graduated from West Point, and another about his wife arranging for him to return from deployment in time to surprise his daughter at her graduation concert. He used these stories to emphasize the importance of family support, especially his wife’s role.
He also quoted 2 Timothy 4:6-8, saying he had “fought the good fight” and “finished the race,” and reflected on the friendships he had built across party lines. He stressed the importance of building bridges rather than burning them, and said disagreements should be handled within caucus rather than on the House floor.
Dettmer thanked legislative staff, including his legislative assistant, researcher, and media writer, as well as leadership on both sides of the aisle. He closed by highlighting his work with veterans and military affairs and urging the legislature to continue prioritizing service members and honoring the institution’s Civil War heritage. The speech ended with applause; no bill was debated and no vote was taken.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Todd Lippert departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
Representative Lippert delivered a farewell-style floor speech announcing his retirement and reflecting on his service. He said his faith shaped his political views, emphasizing themes of caring for creation, justice for the poor, and welcoming the stranger, and he described his background in small-town and rural communities. He spoke at length about the struggles facing rural Minnesota, including farm loss, poverty, job shortages, climate change, aging populations, caregiving needs, and workforce shortages, while also noting the contributions of immigrants, refugees, and tribal nations.
Lippert argued that rural and urban communities share common needs such as housing, schools, health care, and mental health care, and said the state must be a strong partner because big business will not solve these problems. He urged coalition-building across race and geography and warned against turning neighbors into enemies, saying leaders should build bridges and dismantle fear. He also referenced recent moments of listening and solidarity in the chamber, including Representative Richardson’s remarks about the Buffalo shooting, as examples of the kind of cross-difference relationships Minnesota needs.
No bill was debated and no vote was taken. The only action was Lippert’s announcement that his work would continue in a different form as he thanked constituents, colleagues, and family for their support and service together in the House.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
Rep. Tama Theis departing member remarks 5/23/22
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Summary:
This was a farewell speech by Representative Tice reflecting on her time in the House and announcing her retirement. She joked about being confused with another member, recalled a 2019 trip to Israel, and described how she entered the Legislature through a special election with little orientation and a steep learning curve. She thanked colleagues who helped her, including Representatives Hoppe, Hanson, Swizzinski, and Torkelson, and said the experience made her a better representative.
Tice also spoke about the personal values and influences that guided her service, including her faith, Esther 4:14, her coaching background, and The Four Agreements. She emphasized being adaptable, not taking things personally, not making assumptions, and doing her best. Her remarks were largely appreciative and reflective, focusing on relationships, growth, and the memories she made in the chamber.
No bills were discussed and no formal votes or legislative actions were taken in this segment. The speech ended with applause from the chamber.
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Minnesota 2021 1st Special Session
DFL Press Conference: Reacting to Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade - 05/23/2022
Summary:
The meeting was a press event responding to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade and introducing the Minnesota Beyond Roe leadership agenda for abortion access. Megan Peterson of Gender Justice and the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition said the agenda seeks to remove medically unnecessary abortion restrictions, create protections in a post-Roe environment for people traveling to Minnesota for care, and improve affordability. Shayla Walker of Our Justice described reproductive justice as bodily autonomy and said her organization is seeing rapidly rising demand for abortion funding, travel, lodging, and Plan B support, with requests increasing from 241 in 2019 to nearly 700 by mid-2022.
Several legislators voiced support for the agenda and framed the ruling as a threat to reproductive freedom and other rights. Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Kelly Morrison, Rep. Athena Hollins, and Senate DFL Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen said abortion is health care, warned that the decision would disproportionately harm low-income people and communities of color, and said Minnesota should protect patients, providers, and out-of-state visitors. Morrison highlighted three bills in the agenda: the PRO Act, the Patient’s Right to Know Act, and the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act. Port said she would lead those measures in the Senate, and Lopez Franzen said Senate DFL efforts to bring nine bills to the floor earlier in the year were blocked by Republicans.
The speakers also discussed practical preparations for increased demand in Minnesota, including coalition coordination, fundraising, regional organizing, telehealth medication abortion, additional physician staffing, private navigators, and transportation and hotel support. In response to questions, organizers said the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act is intended to protect patients and providers from civil or criminal actions in other states, though they noted the legal landscape is evolving. The event ended with calls to mobilize voters and supporters, including a planned July 17 march for abortion access, but no formal votes or legislative actions were taken at the event itself.