Sens. Erin Maye Quade and Scott Dibble attend a presentation in Dakota County (left). Rep. Kristin Robbins, reviews her notes in St. Paul. Photos: Minnesota Senate/Minnesota House Info
Ten miles away, members of a separate committee convened by majority Senate Democrats descended on a Dakota County government office to learn about how President Trump's "big, beautiful bill" could strain local governments and their outdated computer systems.
Why it matters: The dueling hearings offered a preview of the policy — and messaging — battles expected to dominate next year's session and the 2026 elections.
In a nutshell: Republicans are focusing on fraud in state programs, while Democrats are decrying the local impacts of Trump-backed policies and spending cuts.
State of play: The Legislature isn't in session, and lawmakers won't return for official business until mid-February.
Yes, but: Both the House fraud prevention panel (the only committee Republicans control in the tied chamber) and the Senate's select committee on the state impacts of federal policies have been meeting regularly during the interim.
That allows them to dig into their respective issues — and keep them in the spotlight.
What we're watching: Majority Senate Democrats also held a working group hearing on gun proposals in the wake of the Annunciation attack.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) told reporters this week that she expects a full floor vote on additional gun restrictions next year.
Questions remain about whether such measures could pass either chamber.
