As a former legislator, I know well the challenges that lawmakers will face when they convene on Jan. 5. With the COVID-19 pandemic and its profound damage to our economy, education system and way of life as the sobering backdrop, Republicans and Democrats in Minnesota's divided Legislature will have to work together if they hope to accomplish much.
Lessons learned in 2020 should serve as guideposts to a successful outcome in 2021 for all Minnesotans.
Lesson 1: Minnesotans chose divided government. This is a diverse state with divided government. Now more than ever it is critical for lawmakers to find common ground and de-emphasize division.
While President-elect Joe Biden won Minnesota by a comfortable margin, Republicans performed well in state legislative races, retaining a slim majority in the Minnesota Senate and gaining a handful of seats in the DFL-controlled Minnesota House. With a DFL governor and divided Legislature, neither party will have total control of the state's policy agenda.
This dynamic should encourage legislators to set aside the more dogmatic elements of their agenda and focus instead on regaining our state's equilibrium.
Lesson 2: The budget situation is volatile. When the 2021 legislative session convenes, the governor and Legislature will begin crafting the state's biennial budget to fund E-12 education, public health programs, public safety, and other state programs and public services. This is never an easy task, but fortunately the latest forecast shows the state budget situation improving, with a manageable $1.3 billion deficit expected for the fiscal year 2021-22.
With the state on stronger fiscal footing than previously projected, the next budget should not require a massive overhaul. Given the uncertain economic conditions and the ongoing impact of COVID, this is not the time for drastic permanent changes in spending or state tax policy.
Lesson 3: Minnesota businesses stepped up in a time of need. Although the pandemic has impacted Minnesota businesses in varying degrees, 2020 was a challenging year for all Minnesota businesses. Employers have been focused on responding to the pandemic, adapting to a changing work environment while keeping employees and customers safe, and navigating state and federal directives. Furthermore, we learned this year that public-private partnerships can help address major challenges facing the state.