St. Paul, MN – Following the recent adjournment of the Minnesota Legislature, there's a pressing need to reflect on the session's conclusion and emphasize the critical importance of bipartisanship and responsible governance.
The session's finale was marked by the unprecedented passage of a 1,430-page omnibus bill by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) majority. The bill was introduced with only one hour remaining, and the bill text was not available via print or online, raising concerns about transparency.
No debate was allowed on the bill, and the Speaker refused to recognize any member of the minority to speak. In doing so, she effectively silenced the voices of 2.7 million Minnesotans. Worse, with the bill not being available to read, members of the majority passed major legislation without knowing what its effects could be on the people of Minnesota.
“While the majority does have the right and responsibility to govern, the minority has the read to be heard. The legislature must prioritize transparency, accountability, and bipartisan cooperation, and unfortunately, that’s not what we experienced on Sunday night,” said members of the Suburban Solutions Caucus.
The events of the session's conclusion underscore the urgency of fostering a culture of collaborative engagement to ensure that the government effectively serves the interests of all Minnesotans.
The Suburban Solutions Caucus noted, “Democrats had two years of unobstructed power over state government. It is not the job of the minority to pass the majority's bills, but to voice the concerns of our constituents. What they have said is that they want us to pursue common-sense policies, not hyper-partisan legislation found on the extremes of both the Left and the Right.”
The Suburban Solutions Caucus was formed to do just that. It strives to find space in the middle that allows for bipartisan legislation focusing on suburban families and their welfare.
“With our goals of creating bipartisan and commonsense legislation, our members have been some of the most effective in passing bills to better our communities and ensure our constituents’ voices are heard throughout the legislative process,” representatives said. “With such an ugly end to session, it’s imperative that the next legislature turn their focus away from partisan politics and start listening to the voices of the people of Minnesota.”
The legislature will reconvene in January 2025 after a fresh round of elections set to conclude on the evening of November 5, 2024.
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