2024: A Year of Political Whirlwinds in Minnesota
This year was dominated by politics and the presidential election. While I wish I could claim indifference, my role as a politics and state government reporter proves otherwise. My focus remained primarily on the Minnesota Legislature and the candidates vying for seats within it. The state Legislature, as a regular reminder, holds the power to determine how billions of your tax dollars are allocated to schools, roads, parks, healthcare, social services, and countless other essential areas.
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party navigated a relatively modest agenda this year, a stark contrast to their groundbreaking 2023 session. Playing it safe in an election year, DFL lawmakers passed only a few bills amidst frequent, and sometimes literal, shouting matches with Republicans. Then, in August, Minnesota found itself thrust into the national spotlight when Governor Tim Walz was chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. The outcome, as many know, saw the Democrats lose their trifecta, leaving lawmakers to prepare for a split Legislature in the 2025 session with Republicans holding a one-seat majority – at least for now. Adding to the year’s turbulence, a recent court ruling declared the Democratic candidate in House District 40B ineligible due to residency issues, temporarily handing Republicans a larger majority pending a special election and potential Supreme Court appeal. It’s been a truly whirlwind year.
My Favorite 2024 Stories
Below are some of my favorite stories from the *Minnesota Reformer* in 2024:
* The 2024 Legislative Session: Notable events included a GOP senator’s proposal to eliminate the Algebra II requirement, DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell’s felony arrest for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home, the passage of a bill increasing payroll taxes for the state’s paid leave program (launching in 2026), and the Democrats’ eleventh-hour passage of a massive, 1,400-page “tax” bill with minimal actual tax provisions, amidst Republican protests.
* Failed Legislation: Many bills failed to pass despite the DFL majority, including those on physician-assisted suicide, mandated infertility treatment coverage, the creation of a redistricting commission (and constitutional amendments for a full-time Legislature), and increased corporate financial disclosure. These bills face even longer odds in the now-split Legislature.
* Nonprofit Funding: Deena Winter and I investigated the $1.1 billion allocated to nonprofits in 2023. Many bypassed standard grant processes, receiving legislatively-named grants directly from lawmakers amidst a $17.5 billion surplus. This lack of oversight, coupled with recent allegations of fraud within state agencies, suggests potential changes to funding practices in 2025.
* Optometry Scope-of-Practice Battle: My investigation uncovered a behind-the-scenes struggle where optometrists, after a decade of lobbying, were thwarted by DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman. The connection between this decision and donations from a wealthy ophthalmologist and her husband to DFL causes remains unclear, despite Hortman’s denial of any influence.
* Election Coverage: My year began with coverage of the Ilhan Omar-Don Samuels primary race, followed by profiles of both candidates. The unexpected withdrawal of President Biden, Harris’s nomination, and her choice of Walz as her running mate dominated the latter half of the year. This led to a trip to Mankato to gauge public reaction to Walz’s potential vice presidency, further investigation into Walz’s handling of 2021 unrest using ProPublica’s data, and reporting on the GOP Senate candidate’s ties to utility companies and a questionable tax break. My reporting also included the alleged domestic abuse and controversial statements by Representative Jeff Dotseth, who nonetheless won reelection.
* Post-Election Analysis: Following Walz’s loss, Patrick Coolican and I explored the implications. Despite repeated requests, Governor Walz has yet to grant an interview. His future plans – another gubernatorial run or even a presidential bid – remain uncertain.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Next year will bring the challenge of covering a split legislative session, a new experience after years of covering Minnesota’s DFL trifecta and North Dakota’s Republican supermajority. I’m eagerly anticipating the drama to come. See you next year!
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