New report shines a light on bipartisanship in Minnesota politics

“We’re not divided because we’re awful. We’re divided because we’re human and because we’ve set up systems to divide us.”

Those are words shared by Shannon Watson at a press conference today held by Majority in the Middle. Watson is the founder and executive director of the group, which examines the work being done across both sides of the aisle to determine the state of bipartisanship, which they put out every year in a report.

This year’s report, which can be found here, found that bipartisan work continues in the Minnesota legislature, with several bills this year seeing sponsorships across party lines. Watson says it’s important to recognize this work, especially when both sides of the aisle can seem so divided.

“If there is one lesson that emerges clearly from this research, it is that bipartisan behavior is not an accident. It is a product of structures and incentives and intentions,” says Watson. “Bipartisanship is not disappearing, it’s just simply less visible than the conflict that dominates the headlines, the social media, and particularly our campaign seasons.”

She also touched on the importance of continuing to share your voice, both with your community, and your representatives.

“Legislators often hear from people who are really happy or really unhappy about an issue, and they hear from advocates who have an agenda. They hear from lobbyists who are being paid to persuade them there’s nothing wrong with any of that. Who they generally don’t hear from is constituents who want that compromise and collaboration, which polling shows is what most Americans want. So the very best thing that constituents can do, if this is of value to you, is let your legislators know that you care.”