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In the face of divided chambers and sharp partisan divides, we talked to West St. Paul’s state legislators. State Senator Matt Klein joined the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of eight DFL state senators who hope to be a moderate voice embracing bipartisan solutions. On the House side, DFL legislators are following the party line, albeit with very different tones.
So what’s happening?: If you’re not following the Minnesota legislature drama, it rivals a made-for-TV storyline.
- Short version: The Minnesota House and Senate are closely divided with two contested seats in the House that will make the difference between an even DFL/GOP split and Republican control.
- Walkout: The House DFL boycotted the session to deny Republicans a quorum (the Minnesota Supreme Court had to weigh in on that, siding with the DFL) and now Republicans are working on a recall campaign for all DFL representatives.
- Why?: It’s all about control of the House chamber for the next two years. Will it be an evenly split power-sharing agreement or will it be in Republican control? Until that’s sorted out, the House is unable to conduct normal business.
West St. Paul Representatives Speak Out
“Responsible legislators in both parties and both chambers know that we must pass a budget this year, and that it will need to be bipartisan,” said Klein, whose legislative district includes the southern half of West St. Paul, striking the moderate tone of the Blue Dogs. “Accepting that at the outset I believe will simplify our goals and speed our work.”
Klein also seems hopeful that the unprecedented gridlock will work itself out: “The House will organize eventually, and then we will focus on the urgent work before us.”
He’s not alone in his optimism.
“Bipartisanship is absolutely possible right now,” said Rep. Mary Frances Clardy, whose district includes the southern half of West St. Paul. “We have to work together to balance the state budget by June 30th. I have good working relationships with my House Republican colleagues so am optimistic about finding common ground that doesn’t roll back our progress from the ‘23-’24 biennium.”
But others are striking a more strident tone. Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega, who represents the northern half of West St. Paul, used language including “fake,” “sham,” and “illegitimate” to describe Republican efforts in a recent email update to constituents.
“Minnesotans have sent a message that they expect DFLers and Republicans to work together. Instead, Republicans are desperate for power—including overturning a lawful election in Shakopee,” Perez-Vega said in a statement in response to our questions, referring to one of the House seats at stake, which Brad Tabke won by 14 votes in an election where 20 ballots were lost and Republicans have threatened to not seat Tabke. “Democrats simply won’t let them succeed with their reckless power grab,” said Perez-Vega.
What Can They Get Done?
In the wake of competing rancor and hopeful bipartisanship, what can the legislature actually accomplish? Everyone mentioned passing the budget, which is the bare minimum to avoid a state government shutdown.
Klein mentioned several other bipartisan goals:
- Combatting fraud and abuse in state agencies.
- A bonding bill with no strings attached.
- No new taxes.
- Cut the deficit by cutting spending.
Senator Sandy Pappas, whose district includes the northern half of West St. Paul, was not able to respond to our questions by our deadline. But as chair of the Capital Investment Committee, which would handle a bonding bill, she urged cooperation for a bonding bill in a DFL press release.
“Minnesotans cannot afford more gridlock at the Capitol that has led to the backlog of projects we see today,” Pappas said. “I urge my fellow legislators to work together and get us back on track for our infrastructure needs.”
Clardy said other bipartisan goals include education and helping Minnesotans in the face of federal tariffs: “I can’t speak directly for Senator Klein, but I imagine he is also interested in finding solutions that lower costs for working families, seniors, and more.”
Political Skepticism
Republicans are skeptical of bipartisan overtures and the Blue Dog Coalition.
“This rhetoric stuff is not worth the paper it’s written on,” GOP Minority Leader Senator Mark Johnson told MPR. “Until the action is done, I will remain skeptical. But open to working with them.”
“Our GOP colleagues may want to reject our overtures of bipartisan work, but Minnesotans support it and have been demanding it,” Klein said. “We will continue to do our best work and invite Republicans to join us in it.”
This week the House fight returns to the Minnesota Supreme Court for another round as Republicans try to force DFL members back to the capitol. The negotiations continue, with no end in sight.
“People want to see us working together,” Clardy said. “I see this as an opportunity to co-govern.”
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Feb. 6, 2025 Update: Agreement Reached
And just like that, there’s an end in sight. The Minnesota House reached a power-sharing agreement yesterday.
