Associations Next: A Wild Ride

In this episode we are joined by Government Affairs Director Valerie Dosland, and Government Relations Specialist Alana Martinson, who take us through the wild ride of the 2023 Minnesota legislative session. They remind us of the importance of having a government relations strategy for your association.

1. Despite the partisan dynamics, the legislative session saw instances of collaboration and bipartisanship. Some bills and initiatives received support from both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the potential for finding common ground on certain issues. This collaborative approach among the House, Senate and Governor’s office resulted in the successful passage of several bills, demonstrating that bipartisan cooperation can lead to effective governance and the achievement of shared objectives. 
2. The session discussed had a historic budget surplus of over $17 billion, which provided opportunities advance priorities and accomplish goals for our association clients and for other lobbyists. 
3. The session saw a DFL trifecta, with the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party controlling the governor’s office, the House, and surprisingly, the Senate. This contributed to the passage of many bills and the implementation of priorities such as paid family leave, labor provisions, tax changes, and investments in areas like education. 
4. The session highlighted a surge of retirements among legislators before the 2022 elections, and an influx of new legislators with ambitions and high levels of activity. The increased number of bill introductions posed challenges in tracking and managing the legislative process. Furthermore, the session witnessed a diversification of representation in the legislature, with more legislators of color, the first African-American president of the Senate, and vocal caucuses advocating for specific priorities, such as the queer caucus. These factors demonstrated a generational change and its impact on legislative outcomes.  
5. It’s extremely important for people from all parts of Minnesota (and from all walks of life) to provide information to legislators. Associations are a key resource to educate legislators and state agencies about positive and negative impacts of proposed legislation.