City Day on the Hill

Join us March 11 to advocate for Minnesota cities!

Join fellow city colleagues and League staff for the 2026 City Day on the Hill and help advocate for city priorities at the Capitol! This event will feature updates on important legislative issues impacting cities, tips for advocating on behalf of your city, and opportunities to connect with state policymakers.

NEW LOCATION: This year’s City Day on the Hill will be held at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront.

Attend City Day on the Hill to:

• Learn more about important legislative issues impacting Minnesota cities such as housing, bonding, the state budget outlook, and other key priorities
• Hear from state policymakers
• Learn how to effectively advocate for city priorities
• Build relationships with your state legislators
• Connect with League intergovernmental relations (IGR) staff
• Increase the visibility of Minnesota cities as key partners in policymaking

Register today!

Agenda

8:45 – 9:30 a.m. 
Welcome & Check-in Open

 9:30 – 9:35 a.m. 
Welcome Remarks from LMC President Wendy Berry

9:35 – 10:30 a.m.
House and Senate Leaders Panel
Moderator: Jake Loesch, Executive Director, Citizens League
Panelists to be announced.

Invited: Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Remarks from Governor Tim Walz (Invited) 

10:45 – 11 a.m.
Break

11 – 11:30 a.m.
Advocacy Essentials
League’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Team

Get ready to make the most of your conversations with state lawmakers. Learn essential tips for effective advocacy — from framing your message and telling your city’s story to making a strong, concise ask. The League’s IGR team will also walk you through what to expect when navigating the Capitol complex — including any potential security measures — ensuring you feel confident, prepared, and ready to engage.

11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
State Budget Outlook
Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) speaker(s) to be announced.

12 – 12:15 p.m.
Break & Grab Box Lunch

12:15 – 1 p.m.
Legislative Update from the League’s IGR Team
Topics will include housing, bonding, and other city priorities.

1 p.m.
Remarks from LMC Executive Director Luke Fischer and Dismissal to Capitol

1:30 – 4 p.m. 
Meetings with Legislators 
Capitol Hill

Please note that attendees are responsible for scheduling their own meetings with legislators. Need some assistance scheduling a meeting? Find more information about requesting meetings with legislators. Bussing to and from the Capitol will be provided. 

 4 – 6 p.m. 
Evening Reception 
InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront’s Great River Ballroom

Return to the InterContinental to connect with League staff and legislators at the end of the day. There will be a cash bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Date and Location

Wednesday, March 11 | InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront | 11 Kellogg Boulevard East, St. Paul, MN 55101

Fee

$125
$99 for cities with populations less than 2,500

Lodging

InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
11 Kellogg Boulevard East
St. Paul, MN 55101

Room rate: $149

Phone: (866) 686-2867

Reserve your room by Wednesday, Feb. 18, to claim the conference rate.

Parking

Please note the League will not reimburse parking. View nearby parking options and rates.

Requesting Meetings with Legislators

Wondering how to set up a meeting with your legislators? Follow these simple steps: 

1. If you don’t know who your legislators are, you can type in your city hall address in the Who Represents Me? website, and it will generate their contact information. 
2. You can then call or email them to request a meeting. Some sample language:  
   1. “Hello Rep. or Sen. ______, I am _____. I am a constituent and I work for the city of ______ as a (position). On Wednesday, March 11, I will be at the Capitol as a part of the League of Minnesota Cities’ City Day on the Hill. I am requesting a 30 minute meeting between the time of 1:30-4 p.m. to discuss issues impacting our district and cities. I can be reached at (provide email and phone number). Thank you.”
3. If you have trouble reaching any of your legislators and arranging a meeting, please contact Ted Bengtson at [email protected] or 651-281-1242.
4. NOTE: Some larger cities fall within multiple legislative districts. You can check this by going to this page for representatives and this page for senators. On those pages, type “ctrl+f” and type in the name of your city. If it generates more than one result, you have multiple legislators and are encouraged to arrange meetings with each.