Expanding Access to Voting / Supporting and Honoring Veterans

Governor Tim Walz signed into law the "Democracy for the People Act," which proponents contend will improve access to voting.  The new law includes automatic voter registration, voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and allows voters to receive absentee ballots automatically.  Senator Liz Boldon, DFL-Rochester, Senate sponsor of the measure, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to provide details about the new law.

Minnesota’s significant budget surplus has allowed lawmakers to bolster support for veterans.  Senator Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, sponsor of the military and veterans affairs finance bill, joins Shannon to highlight some of the investments and programs in the budget package.

Also in the program, highlights from the Senate debate on a bill to create a state-managed Paid Family and Medical Leave program.  Plus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers celebrate the likely passage of a provision that would phase out the use of PFAS chemicals.  The provision will be called "Amara's Law" in honor of 20-year-old Amara Strande, who advocated for the legislation until her recent death due to cancer.