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What to expect from the 2025 legislative session amid a contentious start

The 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session begins at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. There is already contention mounting in the House chambers, as House Democrats are threatening to boycott without a power-sharing agreement with Republicans. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate chamber is tied 33-33 following the death of DFL Sen. Kari Dziedic. A special election to replace Dziedic will be held on Jan. 28. NewPublica’s Senior Strategic Advisor, Edwin Torres DeSantiago, taps into his extensive experience working in Public Affairs to share what we can expect during this year’s session.

What are the major issues or points of focus in the 2025 legislative session?

This year’s session will center on balancing a two-year state budget amid a projected deficit, while also confronting significant policy debates. Republicans and Democrats will spar over public safety measures, with the GOP highlighting “law and order” initiatives and Democrats determined to preserve reforms from the previous two years. In healthcare and human services, legislators will revisit the extensive reforms enacted in 2023; Democrats will seek to sustain coverage, while Republicans focus on rooting out fraud and controlling expenditures. Meanwhile, recently passed environmental and energy laws may be revised, particularly around environmental justice and infrastructure, though a House tie or near-tie could make progress in this arena more challenging.

What impact did November’s election have heading into this year’s session?

November’s election upended the previous DFL “trifecta,” as one House seat was disqualified due to residency issues, giving Republicans a 67-66 edge until a special election later in January, and the Senate sits at a 33-33 tie following Sen. Kari Dziedzic’s death. This temporary deadlock has led to a power-sharing arrangement in the Senate and leaves both parties without absolute control in the Legislature, opening the door to heightened negotiations—and potential stalemates—until those special elections conclude.

This is a budget-writing year. Can you explain how that affects which policy may or may not move forward?

Because this is a budget-writing year, lawmakers will concentrate primarily on passing a two-year spending plan, granting top priority to issues that involve direct funding, such as education, human services, and transportation. Every proposed appropriation is subject to scrutiny—especially in a Legislature divided by slim margins—making it more difficult for costlier new policy initiatives to gain traction. Given the added pressure of long-term deficit projections for 2027–28, legislators will likely postpone or pare down ambitious proposals unless they can achieve genuine bipartisan consensus.

What is causing the current tensions in the House. Why are House Democrats threatening to boycott ahead of the start of session?

Republicans are asserting their 67-66 lead as a valid majority, but Democrats maintain that 68 members are needed for quorum based on the House’s full complement of 134 seats—a view backed by Secretary of State Steve Simon. If Democrats withhold their attendance, Republicans cannot conduct official business unless they legally contest the quorum requirement. House DFLers also accuse the GOP of using this short-lived advantage to establish committee leadership and rules that would remain in place for two years, and they are pushing for a power-sharing arrangement until the special election.

Is there anything specific to watch out for in the Senate?

The Senate is currently split 33-33, prompting a bipartisan power-sharing agreement that divides committee and floor leadership duties until the Jan. 28 special election. If Democrats recapture the seat (which they likely will given the strong DFL leaning of the district), they will assume a narrow 34-33 majority; however, a Republican upset—though unlikely — would grant the GOP full control. During this interim period, contentious bills may slow or stall, as both parties focus on bipartisan compromises and await the special election’s results.

After an unsuccessful vice-presidential campaign, Tim Walz returns to the governor’s office. What can we expect from him and his team?

After a high-profile national campaign, Governor Tim Walz returns to Minnesota with two years left in his term and a renewed focus on the state’s priorities. Leveraging insights gained on the national stage, he remains firmly in control of the executive branch and is well positioned to preserve key achievements from the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions. With the Legislature nearly evenly split, Walz is poised to seek practical compromises rather than sweeping reforms, supported by his administration’s commitment to sound fiscal management, strong social programs, and a stable economic climate. As both chambers work to organize, he may take on an even more prominent role in brokering bipartisan agreements and fostering collaborative leadership.

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