Politics is a lot of talk. Sometimes, that conversation results in action. Other times, it fizzles out and gives way to the next headline, the issue forgotten and the solution left uncharted. In my decade as a Minnesota senator, I have seen dozens, maybe hundreds, of conversations bubble up and then pop before any meaningful reforms are signed into law.

If we only talk and don’t act, nothing changes.

From housing affordability to mental health, and from public safety to education, those of us who write our laws and decide how to spend the public’s money must remember that when conversations reach a crescendo, our job is to act, not just to talk.

As we look ahead to 2026, the year that will mark my last as a state Senator, I find myself reflecting on the things we have gotten done, but even more so, the things we did not. I am not just talking about my legislation or my caucus, the Senate Republicans. I am talking about all of us in the Senate and the House, the Governor’s office, and our state agencies. I am even talking about our lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

When I meet with constituents–farmers, law enforcement, teachers, families — they never ask me what the legislature is conversing about. They ask what the legislature did and what it is going to do. And when they vote, they do not cast their ballots based on conversations concocted in the halls of the Capitol or posts on X (formerly Twitter). They elect leaders who solve problems, fix what is broken, and improve their lives.

It is easy to lose sight of this in a world where 24/7 news and social media cycles reward the loudest and most divisive voices. What feels good in the moment, a snarky post, a takedown of a political foe, an “I told you so,” is nothing more than the illusion of victory. Real victory is measured by whether the lives of Minnesotans are actually better. That should be our metric for success, not how bright or how long the political spotlight shines.

Recently, the Minnesota Student Survey was released, and it showed that since COVID, student mental health is improving. This is a tangible outcome, evidence that lives are getting better. I am proud to have played a role in that progress, having authored a $93 million mental health package in 2022 that funded mental health resources in schools and strengthened early detection programs for students.

There is still much work to be done. That is why, in the upcoming session, I am authoring legislation to fund a mental health facility in each of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, with up to 16 beds per facility. That is as many as 128 new beds across the state.

Solutions like these create real benefits for Minnesotans. But there is rarely just one solution to any problem. Meaningful reform usually requires a multifaceted approach, which is why working across the aisle is so important. Each side brings a different perspective, and when we come together as one body rather than two warring parties, we pass better laws and spend taxpayer dollars more wisely. In a state government as closely divided as ours, cooperation is not optional. Collaboration, not political hand-fighting, is how we win in Minnesota.

The next session is only weeks away. As we fight for individual victories and wins for our parties, we must remember that we are not fighting against one another. We are fighting for Minnesotans, and for the opportunity to improve the lives of every person we serve.

My hope for 2026 is that our leaders, both current and future, at every level of government, choose not to turn the halls of our statehouses into mausoleums of ideas, but into birthplaces of solutions. This is how Minnesota wins.

— Rich Draheim represents District