Saint Paul, Minnesota - The incoming House Republican majority has taken the unprecedented step to remove Rep. Jean Wagenius from her position as designated minority lead on the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Wagenius is in her 15th term and is the 4th most senior woman in the Minnesota House. Wagenius has served on the Environment Committee since her first term in 1987 and has served as Chair of the Committee. Speaker-designate Daudt has removed Wagenius from the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee in its entirety.
Speaker Paul Thissen released the following statement:
“I am deeply disappointed that Speaker-Designate Daudt has taken the unprecedented step of refusing to accept the individual the minority caucus has designated as its lead on a Minnesota House Committee. So much for the 'balanced approach' the Republicans touted repeatedly during the campaign. Again, the Republicans campaign rhetoric does not match its actions.
"Just because House Republicans don't take climate change or protecting Minnesota's water and air seriously doesn't mean that the majority of Minnesotans agree with them. Rep. Jean Wagenius is a woman of great integrity who would bring much needed experience to the important work of the environment committee.”