Inside the Capitol

The Christian life is a marathon. As Matthew 24:14 reminds us, “the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” This message resonates with Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) staff as we reach the midpoint of the legislative session. While the speed and intensity at the Capitol have increased, the number of bills with the momentum needed to pass this year has shrunk now that the March 27 policy bill deadlines have passed.

Deadlines are the Legislature’s way of funneling thousands of introduced bills into a workable list. Think of them as the chopping block for legislation with little to no movement. These deadlines are necessary because there is only so much time in a legislative session. For context, of the more than 9,000 bills introduced this year, only around 50 will reach a final vote.

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When a couple marries and is hoping to have children, but find themselves struggling with infertility, they can feel devastated and desperate for a solution to the problem. Fortunately, there are increasingly effective and ethical avenues to treat the underlying causes of their infertility. Turning to assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is not the answer.

An insurance mandate (S.F. 1961) that would require employers to cover IVF and similar technologies is moving at the state Capitol. If IVF becomes covered in state and private health plans, more people will turn to this option, which is fraught with ethical dilemmas amidst low success rates. There are better solutions than making taxpayers and insurance payers cover expensive assisted reproduction.

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One of the biggest complaints that Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) staff receives, from both the public and legislators, about our public policy work is that “we are not doing enough” about a particular issue, usually the most cherished issue for that person at that moment.

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Imagine a federal government program that could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in scholarships for educational achievement each year and does not cost the state one penny.

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One of the most common questions staff from the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) receives is: “Does my voice really make a difference?” The answer is a resounding yes — and one of the best ways to make your voice heard is by attending the fast-approaching precinct caucuses.

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Americans spend lots of time following national or international politics but often cannot name their mayor or the person who represents them at their state capitol. Yet, some of the most important issues related to our communities are decided at state and local levels.

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This column was originally published in the Catholic Spirit on November 14, 2025.

A recent Pew Research Center poll shows that 47% of men under the age of 30 believe online sports betting has harmful effects on society, a sharp increase from 34% in 2022. This shift is telling. Young men are the primary drivers of online sports gambling and are seeing the consequences firsthand.

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Pope Leo recently echoed a phrase used by Pope Francis: “Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it serves the common good.” When considering how to best love our neighbor, becoming a politician, or running for a local board or commission is not likely top of mind. But it is in these roles that we can live out the charge shared by our current and recent popes to help bring about the common good in our communities.

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