There was a somber presence throughout the chambers on the first day of the Minnesota Legislature.
The new weapons screenings at the entrance to the Capitol were a reminder of the many acts of violence that have happened since the Legislature adjourned in June 2025 — shortly before former Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were assassinated.
About two months after that June shooting, there was the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. And recently, two months of increased immigration enforcement action in the state saw the killings of Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.
In the House chamber, Hortman's colleagues paid tribute to her in a ceremony. There were flowers placed on Hortman’s empty desk, and state leaders recounted her mild manner and contributions to Minnesota.
Just outside the Senate chamber, Sen. John Hoffman ascended a flight of steps, where he was met with applause and a standing ovation from his colleagues on the Senate floor.
Sen. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also targeted by the same alleged gunman who authorities say killed Melissa and Mark Hortman.
Hoffman called for a return to humanity and service in politics and urged his peers to work in good faith.
"When you survive an attempted assassination, you look at the world differently. The noise fades and that posturing fades,” said Sen. Hoffman. “The chatter becomes irrelevant. What remains is what is truly important: family, community and the responsibility that we have to care for one another."
As the ceremony concluded, a string quartet played in the rotunda as lawmakers gathered for a reception.
Afterwards, Gov. Tim Walz, who is not seeking reelection, outlined his approach to his final session as lawmakers now face a May 18 adjournment deadline.
“I’m not going to jam things through that put difficult situations on members who are working for a greater good, but it means I’m going to be the one in the middle of them that brings people together,” Walz said. “It means I think I can take difficult positions if it means getting things done.”
Whether he and the Legislature are successful will be apparent by end of May. Today, though, was a day for remembering at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
