## A Whirlwind Year in Minnesota Politics: 2024 in Review
2024 was a year dominated by political upheaval in Minnesota, culminating in a dramatic shift in legislative power. As a politics and state government reporter, I was deeply immersed in the action, primarily focusing on the state legislature and the pivotal election cycle. The legislature, the body responsible for allocating billions of dollars to schools, infrastructure, healthcare, and social services, was at the heart of my reporting.
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party, facing an election year, adopted a more cautious approach than its groundbreaking 2023 session. Their modest agenda faced significant resistance from Republicans, often resulting in heated confrontations. Then, in August, Governor Tim Walz’s selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate thrust Minnesota into the national spotlight. The subsequent election resulted in a loss of the DFL’s trifecta, leaving the legislature poised for a split session in 2025 with a Republican majority, at least temporarily. This was further complicated by a recent court ruling that overturned the election of a Democratic candidate due to residency issues, solidifying Republican control until a special election.
This year’s legislative session yielded some notable highlights and lowlights: A Republican senator proposed eliminating the state’s Algebra II requirement; DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell faced felony charges for allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s home; a bill increasing payroll taxes for the state’s upcoming paid leave program passed; and the session concluded with the DFL pushing through a massive, largely symbolic “tax” bill amid Republican protests.
Many significant bills failed to pass, even with the DFL’s initial majority. These included measures on physician-assisted suicide, mandated infertility treatment coverage, the creation of a redistricting commission (and the shift to a full-time legislature), and increased corporate financial transparency. Given the current legislative split, these bills face an uphill battle in 2025.
My colleague Deena Winter and I investigated the allocation of $1.1 billion in state funds to nonprofits in 2023. Our investigation revealed how many organizations leveraged legislative connections to bypass standard grant processes, receiving direct funding from lawmakers amidst a substantial budget surplus. This practice raises concerns about oversight and accountability, especially given recent allegations of fraud within state agencies. This issue is likely to garner renewed attention in the upcoming legislative session.
Another significant investigation focused on a behind-the-scenes struggle over optometrists’ scope of practice. Optometrists, seeking to expand their ability to prescribe medications, faced opposition from DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman. The investigation explored a possible connection between Hortman’s actions and campaign donations from a wealthy ophthalmologist who publicly opposed the optometrists’ efforts. While Hortman denied any link, the situation highlights the complexities of campaign finance and legislative decision-making.
My election coverage began with the primary race between U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar and Don Samuels. Omar secured a decisive victory. I also profiled both candidates, offering insights into their political platforms and personal struggles. The year’s biggest political bombshell was President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, leading to Harris’s nomination and Walz’s selection as her running mate. I traveled to Mankato to gauge public reaction to this unexpected development.
Further reporting delved into Governor Walz’s handling of civil unrest following police killings in 2021, utilizing emails obtained through a collaboration with ProPublica. Additionally, I covered local elections, highlighting the ties between a GOP Senate candidate and utility companies, as well as a tax break she received for a home she didn’t reside in. I also reported on allegations of domestic abuse against Representative Jeff Dotseth.
Following the election and Walz’s unsuccessful vice-presidential bid, I attempted to interview him, but my request remains unanswered. His future political plans remain uncertain.
Looking ahead to 2025, I eagerly anticipate covering the dynamics of the split legislature – a new and exciting challenge. This will be a significant departure from my previous experience with Minnesota’s DFL trifecta and a Republican supermajority in North Dakota.
See you next year!
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