Newsmakers: Sen. Ann Rest Reflects on DFL-Dominated Session
Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, sat alongside other party leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as he signed the biennial budget bill into law Wednesday on the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul.
The ceremony took on a celebratory tone at times as the DFL leadership took advantage of a power “trifecta” to pass progressive bills into law.
“We have really spoken to and heard from Minnesota families and they are encouraging us to move forward with the values that are embodied in our bills,” said Sen. Rest. “Governor Walz has been extraordinary in his support of legislative initiatives that are going to help us be a leader in the country.”
Rest chairs the Senate Tax Committee. She is the only person in state history to have led both the House and Senate Tax Committees. Rest praised the bipartisanship theme of much of the group’s work this session.
Sen. Ann Rest speaks with CCX News following the budget bill signing.
“We work together. There are many, many GOP initiatives in our tax committee. The two members of the Republican party who are on the tax committee work very closely with me. They were excluded from nothing in terms of bringing that bill together,” said Rest. “They had a hard time voting for the tax increases, but in every other measure, they had full participation. That’s how I run a committee and that’s how it’s going to be next year.”
After 40 years in the legislature, Rest said she spends little time between sessions not working ahead to the next one.
“That’s my life, it’s what I enjoy. I don’t need a vacation from that.” she said. “We’re going to move forward and I think we have good ideas and good policies to bring to the people of Minnesota next year.”
Also See: Gov. Walz, DFL Lawmakers Celebrate End of Session with Budget Bill Signing
