By Luke Fischer

As cities plan and prepare for a new state legislative session in 2024, we present you with the League’s annual legislative preview issue of Minnesota Cities magazine. Within these pages you will find articles on League legislative priorities, and on communicating effectively with legislators. There is also a piece that features looking-ahead interviews with some of the best — our Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) team. I’m proud of our work at the Capitol, and hope that you find these articles useful in the coming year.

For those who routinely keep score in state legislative activity, you will likely recall that the 2023 session saw a record number of bill introductions and moved at a fast pace that often resulted in limited opportunities for constituent input. In some cases, the breakneck speed and volume of activity resulted in significant progress for issues of importance to city government. In others, it meant that important voices were not heard, and some stakeholders were not at the table.

As a result, the 2023 session was a mixed bag for cities. There was a bevy of funding for projects and programs that directly address local needs. We’ve seen city officials statewide lean into these programs and continue to make investments that improve the quality of life for residents. At a practical level, increases in public safety aid have helped police and fire departments address critical needs. New funding for housing has meant that local projects have been able to come out of the ground in communities needing them the most.

But the Legislature also handed down more than its share of unsolved puzzles to local decision makers. Our city officials are faced with navigating complex questions about how the city-school relationship should proceed when it comes to the use of school resource officers, how earned sick and safe time requirements impact vital city services like snowplowing, and what a regulated legalized marijuana market might look like with limited guidance and rulemaking from the new Office of Cannabis Management (just to name a few!).

This year’s legislative session is slated to convene Feb. 12. Some are approaching the session with hope that momentum will continue from the prior year, while others are longing for a more tempered pace with more opportunity for input — and maybe even a little more compromise. Whatever happens is going to happen quickly, and the League staff is poised to contribute and respond. And, as always, we need your involvement to be successful. What else can city officials do? Here are a few suggestions:

Work with legislators on both sides of the political aisle. As local officials, you are not bound by partisan expectations that sometimes influence the decisions of lawmakers. You have an opportunity to put community ahead of politics.

Watch what’s happening constantly. The sheer volume of bills introduced in 2023 was overwhelming for everyone — even lawmakers responsible for the introductions. It’s important to monitor legislative activity that could impact your community. You can do that by subscribing to the League’s weekly Cities Bulletin newsletter at lmc.org/bulletinsubscribe.

Personally connect with your legislators. This is a common refrain you’ve heard from the League for a long time — but it’s critical to have a good relationship with your lawmakers. As nonpartisan leaders in your community, you’re viewed as trusted resources once you’ve established solid relationships and rapport. Reach out at the beginning of the session to the folks representing you at the state level. While at it, make clear that your priority is community over partisanship.

Contextualize proposed legislation. Legislators hear from many organized advocacy groups with many specific interests when they consider bills. It’s essential that local leaders consider the real-world impacts of proposed legislation on their own cities, and the community of cities in our state. Your city often supplies the framing that influences discussions in legislative committees and floor votes.

Be positive with your legislators. Just like city council members, state legislators don’t always hear from folks when they get things right. It’s important to find opportunities to build amiable and productive relationships with lawmakers that acknowledge the tough decisions they sometimes face. Express gratitude when your legislator supports policies that benefit Minnesota cities.

Use the League of Minnesota Cities as a valued resource. Our IGR staff members are the go-to folks for all things legislative at all times of the year. The League’s website is chock-full of toolkits, issue papers, advocacy tips, magazine and news articles, legislator contact information, and much more. Tap into these resources frequently — that’s why we’re here.

Luke Fischer is executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Contact: [email protected] or (651) 281-1279.