Inside the Capitol

With March Madness fast approaching, millions of Americans are gearing up to fill out brackets and place bets on NCAA tournament games. Unfortunately, for many, this isn’t just a casual office pool—it’s part of a growing sports betting industry that preys on vulnerable individuals, especially young men, and college students.

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The Catholic Church in Minnesota has long been a beacon of faith, service, and community. Beyond its spiritual and moral leadership, the Church is also an economic powerhouse, providing billions in services that uplift communities and reduce the burden on taxpayers. To better quantify this impact, the Minnesota Catholic Conference commissioned Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota. This report provides a first-of-its-kind look at how Catholic institutions contribute to the economic and social well-being of our state. 

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Governor Walz’s proposed budget, released this January, targets Minnesota’s nonpublic school students by eliminating nonpublic pupil aid and transportation aid—cutting more than $100 million in aid over the biennium. This proposal defunds essential services such as busing, textbooks, nursing, and counseling that support students regardless of their school choice. 

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The 2025 Minnesota legislative session has begun under unprecedented circumstances. In the Senate, a 33-33 tie following the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic has led to a temporary power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans. Meanwhile, the House is facing gridlock. What began as a 67-67 tie has shifted to a narrow 67-66 Republican majority, after one DFL candidate was disqualified for not living in the district he sought to represent. With DFL members boycotting proceedings and pending litigation before the Minnesota Supreme Court, it is uncertain when normal legislative operations will resume in the House.

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November and December are a time of looking back at the prior year and looking ahead to the new one—in the Church and at the State Capitol. In the Church, we end the liturgical year (right after the general election) with the feast of Christ the King, remembering that no matter who is in public office, the Lord is on the throne.

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Election Day has passed, and leaders have been chosen at every level of government. So, what happens next? This is when the real work begins.

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Across the country, the conversation around sports gambling continues to heat up, with 38 states already having passed laws to legalize the practice. Proponents argue that it generates revenue, but the data from states that have legalized sports betting tell a darker story. Instead of economic windfalls, these states have seen increased financial instability, rising debt, and other alarming social consequences. Some of these states are already rethinking legalization. Unfortunately, Minnesota is now in the crosshairs, with sports gambling advocates once again planning to press lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session. 

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Civility has a bad name these days, especially in an election year.  It is seen as being weak, or an unwillingness to “speak truth to power.”  If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention, as the saying goes. 

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