Day One of 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session
(ABC 6 News) – It really depends on how you look at it: through the DFL lens, last session was historic, and they want build on that and tweak a few things. But from the GOP’s point of view, 2024 will be a fix-it session for last year’s many “mistakes.”
After nearly nine months back in their home districts, lawmakers returned to St. Paul on Monday.
Both sides have different agendas to tackle the same issues.
“We are going to improve on things we did last year, we are going to protect the things we did last year and then we are going to expand and improve them as well,” said Sen. Liz Boldon (DFL).
Democrats say they come ready to build on the victories last session. But Republicans have come back to the capitol motivated for change.
“It is disrespectful to our communities that you push something through, and you got these unintended consequences and it’s just a horrid thing they didn’t allow debate,” said Rep. Duane Quam (R).
Many Minnesotans want clarification on how school resource officers can operate in schools. Both parties agree a fix needs to happen.
“The school resource officers, we need to make sure that law is tightened up so that school resource officers can do their jobs,” said Sen. Carla Nelson (R).
“It’s a good policy that we passed. We want to be sure that our kids are safe and feel safe in schools. And we’ll just clarify that language,” said Boldon.
Last year’s session also legalized adult use of cannabis. But Republicans say there have been many bumps along the road since it was legalized.
— RELATED: Minnesota’s cannabis conundrum —
“I heard locally, one of the stores that going to be one our retailors and so one. Just some commonsense fixes and things that aren’t going to work, the bill is passed, and we need to make it the best we can,” said Rep. Peggy Bennett (R).
Democrats say tweaks to the legislation are to be expected.
“We ended prohibition over a century ago and we are still passing bills on liquor restrictions or not restrictions. So, we’ll probably keep doing this for a long time in the legislature. We’ll definitely be cleaning it up and listen to what the people of Minnesota want from us,” said Rep. Andy Smith (DFL).
This is a shorter session than last year, so lawmakers will be forced to act quickly to get legislation passed.
The last day of the 2024 session is May 20.