Democratic Governor-elect Tim Walz has been in communication with Republican leaders as he begins his transition into office, and Lieutenant Governor-elect Peggy Flanagan says they’d love to meet with the entire G-O-P caucus in the House and Senate. “We are certainly interested in moving things forward and avoiding gridlock, and I think the best way to do that is to build relationships with folks on both sides of the aisle,” Flanagan says.
Significant areas of disagreement have already emerged, two months before the start of the 2019 legislative session. Those include health care, a gas tax increase, and measures to lessen gun violence.
Flanagan is of Native heritage and indicates issues of concern to indigenous people will “absolutely” be on her agenda. “It was a historic election and I feel a great responsibility to make sure that Native folks in this state have representation and have a voice,” she says.