Government Affairs Director
Ewald Consulting
MASA Lobbyist
While distant on the horizon, the start of the legislative session (January 14, 2025) will be here sooner than we expect. MASA’s legislative committee will meet in the fall to determine MASA’s legislative priorities, and we have been gathering your ideas for the legislative committee. If you have ideas about topics to consider, please email Deb Henton or me at valeried@ewald.com and we will bring your ideas to the legislative committee.
Budget outlook
While the official budget forecast will be released later in fall, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) has provided monthly projections which showed good news. The May monthly update showed the state closed out fiscal year 2024 with over $500 million more than forecast and the July monthly update shows that projected revenues are coming in mostly as forecasted with a small surplus of $9 million. This is promising news, but that could change throughout the as we await MMB to release the official budget forecast in December.
2024 election will bring new faces
While most of the attention is on the presidential election, certain offices are also on the ballot this election session. Most notably, all 134 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives are up for re-election.
While it is difficult to predict the outcome of any election or the impact the presidential election will play this year, it is safe to say the state house races will be closely watched to see if the balance of power changes. Currently DFLers hold 70 seats and Republicans hold 64 seats which means the majority could switch if Republicans gain four seats. The make-up of the state house will change regardless of the majority control due to the number of members who will not be returning due to retirement, seeking other offices, or primary election losses with over 20 members not returning for these reasons.
Advocacy: a continuous effort even in an election year
This ever-shifting election landscape underscores the need for you to continuously develop and strengthen your legislative relationships. Advocacy is a year-round effort and not just relegated to the legislative session. State legislators appreciate opportunities to connect with their school district to learn about the district and issues of importance. This also applies to candidates running for the legislature.
Advocacy tools have not changed, and I have shared this list before but as a reminder, here are ways you can engage with your elected officials.
- Arrange one-on-one meetings in your district to discuss specific concerns and share information about the district’s achievements and challenges. These meetings are an opportunity to establish a personal connection, strengthen current relationships, and explain your district’s needs in detail. And, once a connection is established, find out the best way to stay in touch throughout the year – what does the legislator prefer?
- Invite legislators to tour your district, visit a program, or attend special events held in the district. This allows them to get to know the district and see what you do to serve kids and families.
- Host a legislative event with your entire legislative delegation. You can use this to highlight a specific school, discuss your legislative priorities, and help you interact with them more intentionally than you normally can during the legislative session.
- Attend legislative town hall events/community meetings hosted by your state legislator or other events in your community where you might be able to interact with your state legislator.
- Share information related to the district via email and offer to be a resource for them on issues impacting your district.
- Stay informed. You can do so by engaging with MASA, subscribing to your elected official’s newsletters (you can find this information for state representatives here, and for state senators here).
These connection points will help them learn about your district. It provides them with an opportunity to ask questions they might have and allows you to hear from them about what they hope to see in the next legislative session.
Thank you for your advocacy efforts. I know the start of the school year is a busy time for you, but your work helps MASA advocate on your behalf at the state capitol!