Minnesota lawmakers returning Tuesday to the state Capitol bring with them heaviness of experience — a series of events since they last met have brought much heartbreak along with calls for action.
When lawmakers gaveled out last June, they were exhausted by months of hard-fought compromises in a closely divided Legislature. However, the session ended on a relatively high note, with legislative leaders striking a deal which both sides touted as a work of bipartisanship.
That feeling was quickly shattered. Just days later, one of the key leaders in those negotiations — Democratic Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former House speaker — was assassinated at her home along with her husband, Mark. Authorities say the same attacker also shot another lawmaker — Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home.
In August, two children were killed and more than three dozen other people injured during a welcome back mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis.
As fraud in the state’s social services programs became a national story in the fall, Minnesota became the target of the largest immigration operation in history. The operation was criticized for aggressive tactics, the arrests of legal immigrants and the fatal shootings of two Minneapolis residents by immigration agents.
“It has been just a horrific year for Minnesota and for all of us down here at the Capitol,” said House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids. “When you add together the importance of the moment, the incredible emotions that people feel about all of these things and a looming election and people running for office, I think it will make it a very challenging session.”
These tragedies and challenges will all test the resolve of lawmakers as they begin a new session.
The assassination in June of Stephenson’s predecessor, and connected political violence brought calls for new safety measures for lawmakers. The Capitol now has metal detectors and bag scanners at its entrances, and other security measures have been implemented or will be under discussion this session.
“I want to make sure Minnesotans hear loud and clear from me that we have, I think, put in place, a number of provisions that will make this place — the government that we are a part of together — safe and secure, so that our kids from across the state can come on their yellow school busses and visit the Capitol,” said DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul.
The deadly shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School sparked fresh debate over gun restrictions and other school safety measures.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth said GOP members want to address mental health in schools and ramp up safety protocols in both public and private schools. She said gun law changes will get discussions but there is no guarantee of a floor vote.
“If those bills are introduced this year, they’re going to be referred to committees,” the Republican from Cold Spring said. “And they’ll have their full committee hearings and with votes taken, and so that’s really where we are at on it.”
Democrats have been pushing for tougher gun restrictions, including bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. Many families from Annunciation are lining up behind the proposals.
“Minnesotans clearly want action. They want weapons of war off the streets,” Stephenson said. “This is an issue that’s not controversial, except inside the Capitol building.”
Legislative leaders said fraud will be a key issue, too. A bill creating an Office of Inspector General is among the proposals expected to get attention and up-or-down votes.
“Here’s one that hopefully will be able to staff up and use an effective way to really give people confidence that their dollars are being used in an effective way,” said Senate GOP Leader Mark Johnson.
A bill setting up the office won Senate approval last session but it didn’t make it through the House. If the chambers pass competing versions, it will require more negotiations and additional votes.
Republicans and Democrats are promoting other anti-fraud measures, including seeking more power to shut off funding to providers that have conduct that comes under question and requiring state regulators to do more to track use of taxpayer dollars.
That focus on fraud, however, has been clouded by the federal government’s response. President Donald Trump’s administration ordered a surge in agents to Minnesota to investigate and it morphed into an immigration operation. The tactics used by ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge set off public resistance and fury around the country over the broader immigration enforcement push.
DFL lawmakers are pushing for changes that would set standards for federal agents operating in the state and to give Minnesotans the ability to sue the government when harm is done.
As legislators comb through the last nine months, Demuth said they’ll also be carrying a lot of grief of their own because of Melissa Hortman’s killing. Hortman’s desk in the House chamber will remain empty with a framed photo of her to remind people of the loss.
“If I had one hope going forward and intention, as far as it depends on me as speaker and then leader of the Republican caucus is that we would still extend grace to people that are still grieving and will continue to,” Demuth said.
The session begins at noon Tuesday, with a tribute to Hortman. The 2026 session must end by May 18.
About the Author
Peter Cox is a general assignment reporter for MPR News. He is currently covering politics at the Minnesota Capitol and has worked at MPR News since 2014.
