Senate DFL Research provides three important services for DFL State Senators: Research, Media and Constituent Services. Staff members are assigned specific issue areas to follow as a researcher and are considered the internal experts on that issue for DFL Senators and staff, providing background information for constituent inquiries. Staff members are also assigned a number of DFL Senators to provide a wide range of media services. The office Director reports to the Minority Leader.
Senate Minority Research provides information to constituents of DFL Senators. Examples of specific functions and services provided include:
Date timeline | Description |
---|---|
July 1 | State fiscal year begins each year, and in odd-numbered years, state fiscal biennium begins. |
July through December | Groundwork is laid for upcoming legislative session. Ongoing budget activity, budget-related events, trends, and issues are analyzed for their fiscal policy implications. Budget divisions, committees, and legislative commissions hold special meetings to examine pending issues. |
End of November | Department of Finance issues November Forecast of state revenues and expenditures. |
Beginning of January | Legislature convenes, begins official budget hearings and committee hearings to discuss pertinent issues and bills. Staff drafts bills and amendments upon request of Senators. |
Fourth Tuesday in January in odd-numbered years, or third Tuesday in February, if a new governor has just been elected | Governor issues detailed budget for following biennium. |
Mid February | Governor issues detailed budget and policy bills for the next biennium. |
End of February | Department of Finance issues February Forecast of state revenues and expenditures. |
March to June | Legislature finishes committee and budget hearings, bills are debated and voted on in floor sessions, and conference committees meet to finalize bills. Governor signs or vetoes legislation. |
Monday following third Saturday in May | Constitution mandates end of regular session. |
Name | Title | Office | Phone Number |
---|---|---|---|
Luke Bishop | Media Relations Specialist | G300 MSB | 651.296.0475 |
Krista Broton | Director Research | G300 MSB | 651.296.7423 |
Jacque Clinton | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.1113 |
Nathan Coulter | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.7089 |
William Freeman | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.7425 |
Ryan Majerus | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.0178 |
Bahea Manasra | Director of Community Engagement | 2210 MSB | 651.296.3521 |
Christopher Morgan | Legislative Assistant | G300 MSB | 651.296.4113 |
Bailee Payne | Media Relations Specialist | G300 MSB | 651.296.3350 |
Elizabeth Stein | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.7422 |
Cassie Tommerdahl | Researcher | G300 MSB | 651.296.9271 |
Skyler Vilt | Media Relations Specialist | G300 MSB | 651.296.1939 |