2024 Minnesota Legislative Session: Democrats' Troubled Agenda and Broken Promises

The 2024 legislative session is underway in St. Paul with Democrats holding the trifecta reins of power for the second consecutive year. As the DFL looks to push forward its agenda, the glaring shortcomings of last year cast a long shadow over what's to come.

Last session, Democrats championed a record-breaking $72 billion state budget and $10 billion in new taxes. The promises made were proven to be mere illusions, and now, as leaders claim a "scaled-back priority list," Minnesotans are left wondering what this legislative session will truly deliver.

The spotlight this year is on a bonding package for infrastructure projects. Instead of addressing genuine concerns and ensuring fiscal responsibility, House Speaker Melissa Hortman dismisses them as "unfinished business" that can be swiftly handled.

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth rightfully calls out the spending problem, asserting that "Minnesota doesn't have a revenue problem. We have high taxes. Minnesota has a spending problem. And House Republicans firming standing up to say, 'No new spending.'"

As if the broken promises weren't enough, Democrats are doubling down on their divisive tactics, pushing for an equal rights amendment to the state constitution with a partisan twist—using it as a tool to protect abortion rights that are already protected by the state Supreme Court and statute. The blatant disregard for bipartisan collaboration raises questions about the true priorities of the Democrats in the state.

Other contentious issues, such as the so-called "right to die" bill on assisted suicide, highlight a lack of focus on the fundamental issues affecting everyday Minnesotans.

The unresolved controversy surrounding school resource officers and the refusal to revisit a flawed flag redesign further underscore the Democrats' inability to address the concerns of their constituents.

As Governor Tim Walz anticipates a "low-key" session, it seems the Democrats are attempting to downplay their failures of the past year. The so-called cleanup bills and vague promises of addressing issues don’t mean much in the face of broken commitments and unfulfilled obligations.