Minnesota can lead the way on bipartisanship

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Election Day is a week away and most voters are ready. They also begin to wonder, after all the games have been decided, how can newly elected leaders move forward when there is still so much division? Minnesota’s 2025 legislative majority—whether DFL, Republican, or a combination of the two—has a unique opportunity to lead and demonstrate that bipartisanship is possible.

We are on the board of Majority in the Middle, a grassroots organization that advocates less bitterness in politics. And as former legislators, we know that Minnesotans want the Legislature to work together. Still, arguments persist among party leaders and some voters that a single-party agenda is the only way to get things done. Others believe a split government is a recipe for gridlock.

A truly joint session is more about processes than ideology. With a few procedural changes, agreement can be reached – without anyone compromising deeply held values.

When all parties come to the table and participate in good faith, leadership can bring to light the issues that all caucuses agree on and advance these issues as standalone bills. Issues that cause disagreement can still populate the omnibus bills that tend to pass party votes. In this way, the full majority agenda can be accomplished while also passing more bills that have unanimous or overwhelming bipartisan support.

Individual members already work across the aisle, so there should be plenty of choice. One of the ways Majority in the Middle encourages bipartisan work is by tracking accounts and amplifying results. Our 2024 State of Bipartisanship report showed that during the 2023-2024 biennium, all but two 134 members of the House of Representatives had sponsored or co-sponsored bills with members of both parties, and all 67 members of the Senate had sponsored and co-sponsored bills. with members of both parties. Bills exist with bipartisan support, and with a change in process, leadership can build on all that common ground.

Each term of office is short. There is still much to achieve, and restructuring bills in this way may require some extra effort. But along with adhering to Minnesota’s single subject rule, this restructuring can demonstrate to the public that common ground exists, and that their calls for greater bipartisanship are being heard.