Minnesota Republican Party Caucus Research

Legislative Role

Senate Republican Research provides three important services for Republican 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 Republican Senators and staff, providing background information for constituent inquiries. Staff members are also assigned a number of Republican Senators to provide a wide range of media services. The office Director reports to the Majority Leader.

Functions and Services

Senate Majority Research provides information to constituents of Republican Senators. Examples of specific functions and services provided include:

• Research: Researchers attend committee hearings in their research areas and work closely with the Republican members of the various committees. Our internal research analyses are designed exclusively for Republican Senators and staff. We provide Republican Senators with the impact of proposed legislation, the pros and cons of implementation, and background information indicating the impact on our constituencies.
• Media: Senate Majority Research provides Republican Senators a wide range of media services including press releases, news advisories, speeches, setting up press conferences, recording radio actualities, television/cable programming, photography services and graphic design. A daily News Digest linked to state political news is distributed electronically to Republican Senators and staff.
• Constituent Services: Our office responds to constituent inquiries, assisting Republican Legislative Assistants in answering letters from constituents.

Timeline/Calendar Highlights

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.

Staff List

Name	Title	Office	Phone Number
Rachel Aplikowski	Minority Media Relations Director	G300 MSB	651.296.4906
Ed Cook	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.0129
Greg Exley	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.0671
LaRissa Fisher	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.1930
Dave Fraser	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.9191
Bryce Hingst	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.297.1760
Madeline Hoy	Media Relations Specialist	G300 MSB	651.296.8614
Andy Larson	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.2011
Linnea Michaelson	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.1416
Daniel Mickelberg	Director of Minority Research	G300 MSB	651.296.4106
Paige Pearson	Media Relations Specialist	G300 MSB	651.296.0270
Jillian Reynolds	Media Relations Specialist	G300 MSB	651.296.5307
Nick Sherlock	Media Relations Specialist	G300 MSB	651.296.4158
Tom Tschida	Researcher	G300 MSB	651.296.1530