The latest on Minnesota's 2025 election

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The pressure was on for lawmakers and DFL Gov. Tim Walz last year: They were constitutionally mandated to deliver a two-year budget.

This year, there’s less pressure to be productive — but be prepared to see plenty of grandstanding in this election-year session featuring a Republican-controlled Senate and DFL-controlled House.

“That’s OK. That’s healthy,” Walz said when asked about the legislative statements either party might try to make this session — knowing the other chamber will ignore them.

“I think the public should get a chance to see some proposals that we’re not going to agree on, but that there are distinct differences on. Then they can decide later this year [in the election],” he said in an interview with MPR News.

A bonding bill is always at the top of the list in an even-year session, and Walz has already announced a $2 billion package of public construction projects. Republicans say the plan is too big, but Walz is holding firm.

“I’m more than willing to say if there are some of these things we need to take out and move till later, we’d like to add a few things, that’s what the legislators should be doing,” Walz said. “But I think the number we’ve come up with is pretty close to what’s reasonable and what’s right.”

A bonding bill can't pass without bipartisan support. It needs a 60 percent supermajority in both the House and Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, said he’s optimistic that — just as they did for last year's budget negotiations — the governor, House and Senate can come together again to pass a plan for borrowing.

“I am very committed to making sure the infrastructure bill gets done, and you hear all four legislative leaders say that,” he said. “I don’t know that I’ve ever heard quite as much public comments early about, let’s get a bonding bill done, so that’s why I’m optimistic about that.”

The fight, though, will be over the bill's size.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Zimmerman, said a $2 billion bill is unrealistic.

“Are we willing to go above $1 billion? Yeah, we probably are for important projects like road and bridge infrastructure, wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and taking care of our state assets like our buildings at our state colleges and universities,” he said. “We’re more than willing to do that, but it’s got to be reasonable.”

Lawmakers will also consider some budget adjustments this year. The last economic forecast projected a $1.3 billion surplus. A revised number comes out next month.

Walz wants to replenish the state's “rainy day” fund, but Gazelka wants tax cuts, including an elimination of the state tax on Social Security income. 

House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, 

"We would like to see the amount of one-time spending that we have available to us this year focused on the things that matter the most," she said.

Hortman said despite election-year distractions, lawmakers will be able to get things done.

“We will work together to find those areas where we can move things forward, where there is a bipartisan compromise, where both sides are willing to find the true middle and get something done for Minnesotans,” Hortman said.

MN House Democrats seek more early childhood funding

To that end, a first-day hearing is planned in the House on an emergency insulin measure still unresolved from last session.

But it will be hard to escape politics, with all 201 legislative seats on the ballot in November. Several policy proposals will be considered mainly for show with no hopes of becoming law this year.

For example, Senate Republicans will pass things that House Democrats have no interest in, including school choice tax credits and Voter ID. House Democrats are expected to pass gun control, paid family leave and other bills that Senate Republicans won’t touch.

“That is not a waste of time. That is to communicate with Minnesotans our different visions and approaches to the problems that face the state, so that people can make a good decision when they go vote in November,” Hortman said.

Gazelka said despite feeling a shift toward politics this year, he hopes lawmakers can stay focused. 

“We still just need to focus on making sure we get the things done that we should and can get done,” he said.

What to watch at the Legislature this year: 

Gov. Walz lays out final pieces of $2 billion borrowing plan

What should Minnesota do with its budget surplus?

Energy negotiations unravel at the Capitol, leaving little accomplished

Questions abound after leadership changes at Human Services Department

Walz to push gun control, insulin affordability in 2020

Revised insulin bill to get swift consideration 

What survived the 2019 session — and what didn't

Tax relief for farmers, social security recipients

MN House leaders not committing to floor vote on legal cannabis this session

DFLers say no way

Politics and Government News

Shows

Morning Edition

NewsPartners

Tim Pugmire

Author

There’s less pressure to be productive during this election-year legislative session, but be prepared to see plenty of grandstanding featuring a Republican-controlled Senate and DFL-controlled House.

Legislative session that starts Tuesday could be light on accomplishments

Evan Frost | MPR News

Two men sit at a table next to each other.

A woman speaks into a microphone next to a man.

Legislative session that starts Tuesday could be light on accomplishments

Go Deeper.

Like this?