The Minnesota Legislature Is Back at Work

By Sheri Hansen | January 12, 2023

Illustration by @drawnwell.

SPOTLIGHT

The Minnesota Legislature reconvened on January 3 with new leadership and a challenging road ahead. While the Democrats hold majorities in both chambers and the governor’s office, majority margins in the legislative chambers are small, meaning compromise and cooperation will continue to be important to policy advances this year.

Below are factors likely to impact legislative outcomes this term.

New Faces

Post-census redistricting, a significant number of retirements, and other factors have led to the election of 71 new legislators this term. With the total number of House and Senate members at 201, that means 35 percent of those making policy will be learning the ropes this year, which is especially challenging on complex issues like tax policy and capital investment.

Surplus Shapes Spending

Most legislators will tell you that it is harder to govern with a surplus than it is with a deficit. The primary work of this legislature is to pass a biennial budget, a task heavily influenced by the state’s projected $17.6 billion surplus. Ideas for ways to spend the surplus are pouring in from all quarters, including a capital investment bill that uses cash and bonding to support the state’s infrastructure and public building projects.

Federal Funding Influx

From COVID relief programs to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), federal legislation has created a significant number of new ways for Minnesota and its communities to improve transportation, infrastructure, climate response, and more. Many of these programs require a state match in funding to get started, which makes passage of matches a top priority for legislative leaders. Watch for programs launching based on IRA and IIJA that will impact the building industry in 2023.

An Up-Tempo Start

In most legislative sessions, the first few weeks are all about understanding the issues, the process, and the road ahead. In 2023, bills on big issues like federal tax conformity made it all the way to the governor’s desk by the end of the second week of session.

All the Firsts

This year’s legislature features several firsts and records:

• The first time both chambers have been led by women

• The first time a person of color has been elected president of the senate

• The largest group of legislators of color in Minnesota history (35 of 201, including eight Hmong legislators)

• The largest group of LGBTQ2S+ legislators in history (11, forming the first Queer Caucus)

For more information, check out the schedule of activities for the House and the Senate. Learn who represents you and voice support for the legislative efforts that matter to you.