With the 2014 elections in the rearview mirror, the focus has turned to the fast-approaching 2015 legislative session. For the first time since 1985, Democrats control both the Governor’s Office and the Senate, while the Republicans control the House of Representatives. Democrats pursued an aggressive agenda while controlling all of state government during the 2013 and 2014 sessions including balancing the budget through tax increases and budget cuts, additional education investments, MNsure legislation, all-day kindergarten, and a minimum wage increase. Continuing such an agenda will not be possible with the Republican takeover of the House. However, both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders have struck an optimistic tone that they will be able to find common ground, as long as the other party is willing to compromise.
Click here to read the full Inside the Minnesota Capitol blog post written by Winthrop & Weinstine Director of Government Relations, John Reich.