As Minnesota lawmakers prepare to convene for the highly anticipated 2026 legislative session, significant issues are on the table, including immigration enforcement and fraud, which top the agenda for both Republicans and Democrats. With bonding responsible for funding various state projects, legislators face dialogues about requests from communities and potential hurdles ahead. The session marks the first without former Speaker Melissa Hortman, adding a layer of uncertainty to legislative dynamics. Community engagements like town halls reflect ongoing concerns, with local lawmakers emphasizing the need to address critical topics such as healthcare, particularly Medicaid coverage that could impact over 220,000 residents. Leaders are urged not to allow a repeat of previous gridlock as they outline their priorities, setting the stage for a session where partisan divides and responses to recent tragic events will be closely monitored.