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On Tuesday, Nov. 29, the State Canvassing Board made elections official, although two election outcomes remain uncertain. The board approved plans for taxpayer-funded recounts in House districts 3A and 3B because the vote count difference was less than .5%.
Since our last update, House minority leadership has been elected, committee structure has been decided and chairs have been appointed. Expect more updates on committee member assignments in upcoming issues of Ewald at the Capitol.
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Despite Gov. Tim Walz’s successful re-election bid, the executive branch is going through changes. Gov. Walz reappointed just 16 cabinet members, leaving 6 positions vacant. The open positions include commissioners in the departments of Health, Education, Revenue, Public Safety, Labor and Industry, and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Gov. Walz hopes to fill these positions by mid-December. Expect updates on the new commissioners in upcoming issues of Ewald at the Capitol.
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The latest round of leadership elections for the 2023-2024 biennium has concluded with House Republicans electing Representative Lisa Demuth (Cold Spring) to serve as the minority leader. Following her election, she appointed Rep. Paul Torkelson (Hanska) to serve as Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Jim Nash (Waconia) to serve as Minority Whip; as well as Rep. Dave Baker (Willmar), Representative-elect Elliot Engen (White Bear Lake), and Rep. Spencer Igo (Grand Rapids) to serve as Assistant Minority Leaders.
As a reminder, the following Senators and Representatives were elected to leadership positions:
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- Majority Leader: Sen. Kari Dziedzic (Minneapolis)
- President of the Senate: Sen. Bobby Joe Champion (Minneapolis)
- Minority Leader: Sen. Mark Johnson (East Grand Forks)
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- Speaker of the House: Rep. Melissa Hortman (Brooklyn Park)
- Majority Leader: Rep. Jamie Long (Minneapolis)
- Minority Leader: Rep. Lisa Demuth (Cold Spring)
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Committee Chairs Announced
Recently the Minnesota House and Senate DFL caucuses announced their committee structure and chairs for the 2023-2024 biennium. Leaders in both bodies will appoint members later this month. Under the new committee structure, the House will have 29 committees, and the Senate will have 20. Here is a list of the new committees and their chairs:
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The Minnesota Management and Budget Office (MMB) is set to present the November 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast Tuesday, Dec. 6. The forecast will shape the governor’s budget recommendations for the 2024-25 biennium, which are likely to come mid-to-late January, and set the framework for budget priorities for the legislature.
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Ewald Government Relations Team
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