With the legislative session underway as of Feb. 12, your state senator and representative are back at the Minnesota State Capitol crafting bills and deliberating on legislation that impacts our lives.
To be effective as advocates, it is imperative that we not only know who represents us (the people), but also the policies being proposed and the legislative process. We call those the three “p’s” of advocacy.
The legislative session: a quick guide
For many Minnesotans, the intricacies of the state legislative process can seem complex and daunting. Grasping the basics of how the session operates can empower citizens to better understand and engage with their government.
Each legislative session runs for two years. In odd-numbered years, the sessions begin on the first Tuesday in January. Legislators primarily focus on crafting the state’s two-year budget. The second half of each biennium, which occurs in even-numbered years, like 2024, is sometimes shorter in duration. The primary objective during this period is to pass a bonding bill to support the building of various infrastructure projects across the state, along with enacting any key policy matters that were carried over from the previous year’s session.
Between now and May 20, the scheduled final day of session, the Legislature — which is split into 29 House committees and 20 Senate committees on various topics — will take up bills, hear public testimony and deliberate key issues. For a policy bill to pass, in most cases it must be heard and passed by committees in both the House and Senate by March 22. Finance bills must meet an April 19 deadline.
In such a compact session with a lot of bills on the agenda, MCC will be busy weighing in on key issues and helping Catholics in the pews make their voices heard.
Taking action
By staying informed and engaged, Catholics can play a more active role in shaping Minnesota’s future. Subscribe to our Catholic Advocacy Network by visiting mncatholic.org join so that that you can stay up-to-date on opportunities to share your position with your legislators and learn what MCC is doing at the Capitol.
Precinct caucuses
Are you tired of feeling politically adrift? Do you believe that neither party adequately represents your values? You’re not alone. Many Catholics share this sentiment of “political homelessness.” But here’s the good news: You have the power to be part of the solution.
On Feb. 27, Minnesota will host Precinct Caucus Night. Precinct caucuses are not just meetings; they are opportunities to actively shape the direction of a political party and our state.
At these caucuses, both the Democrat and Republican parties will develop their platforms — a set of principles the party plans to follow. You have the chance to submit resolutions outlining your priorities, which will be voted on by your peers. Your resolutions can advance to influence state party platforms and shape the agenda for the coming years.
A united Catholic voice at the caucus level can be particularly impactful. By participating, you can urge political parties to adopt positions that promote human flourishing from conception to natural death. Mark your calendars for Feb. 27 and plan to attend your local precinct caucus.
The Minnesota Catholic Conference is here to support people who want to attend the precinct caucuses. Seasoned caucus-goers and people new to the process can learn more and print off sample resolutions for Democrat and Republican caucuses by visiting mncatholic.org/caucus.
