Minnesota's 2020 legislative session has been an unusual one, to say the least. But even in the midst of a pandemic that has upended life as we know it, one feature of adjournment is expected to be a constant: Retirement speeches.
Members of both chambers will gather Monday, albeit some remotely, to wrap up business and bid adieu to departing colleagues. That could take a while.
Eighteen legislators — 14 members of the House and four senators — have already announced that they won't run again this year. Another, Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein, DFL-New Brighton, is seeking a Senate seat.
The list of departing lawmakers includes the Legislature's longest-serving member: Rep. Lyndon Carlson, DFL-Crystal, who was first elected in 1972. Also retiring are Rep. Jean Wagenius, DFL-Minneapolis, who joined in 1987, and Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, with four decades of service.
It's not just seniority going out the door. The departures will leave at least a dozen committee leadership posts vacant, setting the stage for high-stakes musical chairs in January.
More members could still call it quits before Election Day. The filing period opens Tuesday and doesn't end until June 2. But with a special legislative session coming next month, late-deciding members may have time for a floor farewell as well.
Influential young voters
Minnesota cracked the Top 10 in a new ranking of states where young voters are expected to have the most influence on the outcome of the presidential election.
The Youth Electoral Significant Index, compiled by researchers at a Tufts University center known as CIRCLE, cites traditionally high turnout rates among young voters in the state and the potential for a close race as forces behind Minnesota's No. 9 ranking. Voting laws and population trends also played a role.
