Ewald at the Capitol

The 2023 Legislative Session Begins

The 2023 legislative session began this week with in-person floor sessions in both bodies after almost three years of virtual legislating at the Minnesota Capitol. Governor Tim Walz was inaugurated to his second term on the eve of the first day of session. Lawmakers in both bodies were sworn in on Tuesday before session officially began at noon.

With this new freshman class, Minnesota swore in a historically diverse legislature. There are a record number of people of color, women, and people who identify as LGBTQ, the House and Senate are both led by women, and Bobby Joe Champion is the first Black president of the Senate.

While the first floor sessions in the House were sleepy this week, the Senate spent hours Wednesday determining a proposal to allow remote voting.

Walz Inaugurated for a Second Term

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannagan were sworn into office for their second term on Monday. Constitutional officers Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and State Auditor Julie Blaha were also sworn in during the inauguration ceremony at the Fitzgerald Theatre. Governor Walz’s second term will have him presiding over a DFL majority House, Senate, and a full DFL slate of constitutional officers. During his inauguration, Walz mentioned several priorities he hopes to advance this session including:

Investing in public education, including special education and universal school meals
Climate change mitigation efforts, including the goal to make Minnesota carbon emission-free by 2040
Paid family leave program
Expand voting rights, including automatic voter registration
Conform the state tax code to federal law
Legalizing adult use of marijuana

DFL Lays Out Priorities

The DFL holds a slim majority in both the House (70-64) and the Senate (34-33). This week, the House and Senate DFL also announced their priorities for the 2023 legislative session. Many priorities have long been on the DFL’s agenda, including addressing housing needs, voting access, climate change, and paid family leave.

Investments in education to close budget gaps, universal meals, and support student mental health
Funding to address the high cost of child care and other investments in early education

Paid family leave and earned sick time
Transitioning to 100% carbon-free energy sources of energy by 2040
Grow home ownership and reduce the cost of housing
Ensure worker safety, pay, and benefits

Improve infrastructure

Expand access to high-quality affordable healthcare
Expand voting rights and increase participation in voting
Legalize adult use of marijuana