Health care workers, business owners and residents remain locked in the daily crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Violent crime has surged. Student test scores have fallen. Minnesota legislators will confront an urgent, lengthy list of challenges Monday when they gather at the State Capitol or dial in from home offices to launch the next legislative session. They also have a significant financial cushion to address some of the needs. Here are some of the top issues heading into the 2022 session:

Bonding

The Legislature typically passes a construction borrowing bill in nonbudget years. Gov. Tim Walz proposed a $2.7 billion package, while House Democrats have suggested roughly $3.5 billion in capital investments. Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Tom Bakk said he would be surprised if this year’s bill surpassed 2020’s historically large $1.9 billion package.

Budget surplus

Minnesota has a projected $7.7 billion budget surplus, although economists and budget officials will revise the number with updated data in February.

The House and Senate and Walz have dueling ideas for how to spend the surplus.

With a two-year budget already in place, lawmakers do not have to pass any supplemental spending but are hoping to reach deals on some areas.

COVID-19

Legislators intended to give out $250 million in bonus pay months ago to workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic but ran into an impasse over who should qualify . Walz and House Democrats are now suggesting bumping that sum to $1 billion, but Senate Republicans say they want to stick with a targeted relief plan for longterm care and health care workers.

Education

Democrats want to spend billions from the surplus on education , arguing the extra money is an opportunity to help schools rebound from the pandemic’s toll. Walz is calling for a 2% boost in the state’s per-pupil education funding formula and adding 6,000 slots to the state’s pre-K program. Senate Republicans want to target test scores, reading skills and graduation preparation.

Elections

Republicans continue to call for legislation requiring voters to show a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot.

A GOP photo ID bill passed the Senate last year. It would allow voters without such ID to submit a provisional ballot and later give election officials proof of identity. Democrats say the legislation would damage Minnesota’s same-day voting registration system.

Families

House DFL members and Walz say the state needs to address the high cost of child care. The governor wants to raise payment rates for providers, which he said would increase access to affordable care for 30,000 children.

Democrats are also renewing a call for a statewide paid family and medical leave program. Republicans say the best way to help families is to lower taxes.

Health care

Walz is once again pushing to add a public option to the state’s health insurance marketplace, while dozens of legislative Democrats are pushing a universal health care proposal. Republicans don’t back either plan and are instead seeking to extend a program that takes the risk of the most expensive claims off insurers with direct aid, known as reinsurance.

Housing

Walz proposed $450 million for “safe and affordable” housing projects, of which $250 million would go toward Housing Infrastructure Bonds to fund multifamily housing development.

House Democrats have called for more spending to add and preserve housing for renters and homeowners. Democrats are also pushing for funding to address homelessness.

Marijuana

House Democrats teed up the issue of legalizing marijuana for adult use last session when they passed the proposal for the first time in state history. In his supplemental budget, Walz added funding to legalize marijuana and establish an expungement board to review past marijuana-related offenses.

Senate Republicans remain steadfast in their opposition.

Public safety

Proposals to confront a persistent spike in crime are shaping up as a dominant theme of the 2022 session. GOP proposals i nclude tougher sentencing guidelines for carjackers and repeat offenders who commit crimes with firearms.

House Democrats’ $100 million public safety proposal is heavy on grants to community nonprofits and officer outreach in high-crime areas.

Redistricting

The DFL-led House and Republicancontrolled Senate have each released proposed new legislative and congressional maps. Neither set makes dramatic changes to the current district lines, but each would bend them in subtle ways to benefit their own party at the polls. Without a legislative agreement by Feb. 15, a five-judge panel will release its own set of maps.

Taxes

The budget surplus has everyone calling for tax cuts. Senate Republicans say they will roll out a “very large” package that includes ongoing tax relief. Walz wants to spend $700 million on onetime tax rebates and expand tax cuts for families with children in school or child care. B oth Walz and Senate Republicans w ant to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.