SW Minnesota Today

Though the Minnesota Senate unanimously advanced Senate File 12, providing $30.4 million in aid to disability service providers, the House DFL Majority did not bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls) responded and said it is apparent that the state's disabled citizens are at the bottom of the priority list.

“The fact that the Minnesota Zoo readily received aid while disability service providers are struggling to stay open and some are closing under heightened costs of operation and stringent mandates is an absolute outrage," Dahms said, according to Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus. "The disabled are of infinitely more worth than zoo animals."

He said it's a personal issue for him and that service providers are a ray of hope for people who want to lead fulfilling lives, but need some help along the way.

“Minnesota Management Commissioner Myron Frans and Gov. Tim Walz showed the most interest in implementing Senate File 12 when they used it as a bargaining chip against some portions of a supplemental budget bill. The disabled and the people who care for them are not up for debate in the negotiation process. We are talking about highly essential workers who care for human life," Dahms said.