Minnesota lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday for a short legislative session that will be dominated by the fallout from several deadly shootings, the state’s fraud scandal and the federal immigration surge.
Gov. Tim Walz and other lawmakers honored former House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home in June. Walz said he and Hortman were “partners” and she was his “security blanket” at the Legislature.
DFL Sen. John Hoffman, who was also shot nine times that same night, survived the attack and returned to the Capitol on Tuesday.
Lawmakers have a busy stretch ahead of them. The narrowly divided House and Senate have just three months to try to pass legislation before a May deadline to adjourn.
Ahead of the midterm elections in November, both parties also want to tackle affordability issues, as well as a package of construction projects in a bonding bill that is also on the table for debate.
Legislators gaveled into session at noon and held a memorial on the House floor for the Hortmans.
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