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Marshall Today
By the People, for the People
Minnesota Lawmakers Outline Session Priorities, Uncertainty Ahead of Key Deadlines
Rep. Chris Swedzinski and Sen. Gary Dahms discuss budget, bonding, and fraud concerns as the legislative session nears critical junctures.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:19pm
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As Minnesota lawmakers race to meet key deadlines, the state capitol building is depicted in a fractured, high-energy painting style, reflecting the legislative session's frenetic pace and unresolved priorities.Marshall TodayMinnesota state lawmakers Rep. Chris Swedzinski and Sen. Gary Dahms joined a legislative update hosted by the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, outlining priorities and uncertainties as the 2026 legislative session enters a critical stretch with major decisions still unresolved and key deadlines approaching.
Why it matters
With only a few weeks left before crucial deadlines, Minnesota legislators are grappling with a range of pressing issues, including the state budget, bonding bill, tax policy, and efforts to address fraud in government programs. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant impacts on local communities and taxpayers across the state.
The details
Rep. Swedzinski said legislators are 'right in the middle of it,' noting that committees are working through deadlines and budget discussions following the Easter break. Key priorities include the bonding bill, tax conformity, and budget adjustments. Lawmakers are also looking for potential savings in the budget to potentially provide tax relief. Efforts to modify policies such as earned sick and safe time and paid family leave have seen limited progress. Sen. Dahms described a similar sense of uncertainty in the Senate, with a key deadline approaching on April 17. He said some issues, including immigration and gun-related bills, may reach the floor but are unlikely to advance due to the election year. Both lawmakers pointed to a recently passed Senate bill addressing prescription drug discounts for hospitals as a key development. Tax policy remains another area of disagreement, with efforts to move a pass-through entity tax provision stalling. Budget concerns also extend to long-term care and services for people with disabilities, with the lack of spending targets complicating the process. Lawmakers expressed concern about shifting costs to local governments, warning that state decisions could result in higher property taxes.
- The 2026 legislative session is entering a critical stretch, with major decisions still unresolved and only a few weeks remaining before key deadlines.
- A key deadline is approaching on April 17.
The players
Rep. Chris Swedzinski
A Minnesota state representative who joined the legislative update and discussed the priorities and uncertainties facing the 2026 legislative session.
Sen. Gary Dahms
A Minnesota state senator who joined the legislative update and shared his perspective on the session's progress and the challenges ahead.
What they’re saying
“We've got a few big weeks ahead of us here.”
— Rep. Chris Swedzinski
“There's a lot of stuff up in the air.”
— Sen. Gary Dahms
“I think what we're probably going to see is hopefully we see a bonding bill... but I don't think we're going to see a lot going on past that.”
— Sen. Gary Dahms
“We're kind of far apart on taxes.”
— Rep. Chris Swedzinski
“Until we get to that position... we have to get to something like that before we're going to get this thing moving totally in the right direction.”
— Sen. Gary Dahms
What’s next
The Minnesota legislature will need to reach agreements on key issues like the bonding bill, budget adjustments, and tax policy before the session adjourns in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
With time running short and significant disagreements remaining, Minnesota lawmakers face a challenging path to resolve the state's pressing legislative priorities before the 2026 session concludes. The outcome of these negotiations will have far-reaching impacts on local communities and taxpayers across the state.
