Latest Minnesota senate Podcast Episodes
The Budget Surplus, Sports Betting & More / Removing Education Mandates
Capitol Report - March 08, 2024 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe chair of the Senate Finance Committee is one of the most powerful positions in the Senate. Any bill with a fiscal impact must get its final approval from the committee, and the chair ultimately decides which bills to consider. Senator John Marty, DFL-Roseville, chair of the Senate Finance ...
February Budget Forecast / Breaking Barriers to Affordable Housing / Ensuring the Viability of EMS
Capitol Report - March 01, 2024 18:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingMinnesota has a surplus of $3.7 billion for the current biennium, according to the just-released February Budget and Economic Forecast. Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders respond to the report as they prepare to finalize supplemental spending proposals for the 2024 legislative session. D...
The Role of School Resource Officers / Expanding the Crime of Doxing / Amending the Read Act
Capitol Report - February 23, 2024 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe 2023 legislature passed a law prohibiting school employees, including school resource officers (SROs), from using certain types of restraints on students. The law caused confusion among law enforcement and school officials, resulting in the removal of some SROs from schools. Senator Bonnie ...
2024 Session Begins / Tax Fixes, Tax Policy & Artificial Intelligence / Legalizing Sports Betting
Capitol Report - February 16, 2024 19:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingIt was a sweet and bipartisan start to the 2024 legislative session, initiated by Governor Tim Walz sharing homemade apple blondies with lawmakers. After the gavel, Senate leaders offered hopeful sentiments for a cooperative session, followed by press events outlying their respective outlooks fo...
Senate Republican Priorities / House DFL Priorities
Capitol Report - February 02, 2024 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingEven-year legislative sessions are typically focused on supplemental spending, policy concerns and a bonding bill. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and DFL House Majority Leader Jamie Long join Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about some of the goals of their respec...
Investing in Minnesota's Infrastructure / Reflecting on a Changing Minnesota
Capitol Report - January 26, 2024 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingOne significant negotiation expected in the 2024 legislative session is the size and scope of a bonding bill to fund infrastructure around the state. In mid-January, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan outlined their vision for a $982 million infrastructure package that prio...
Protecting Minnesota's Waters / Mining in Minnesota
Capitol Report - January 11, 2024 22:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA tension exists between those who seek to protect Minnesota’s waters and those who seek to utilize the state’s mineral resources to create jobs and economic development. Senator Jenn McEwen, DFL-Duluth, is promoting legislation called “Prove It First,” which would require that certain standards...
Interpreting the Budget Forecast / Promoting Jobs and Economic Development
Capitol Report - December 15, 2023 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA budget surplus of $2.4 billion for the current fiscal biennium was recently announced as part of the November Budget and Economic Forecast. Erin Campbell, Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about the implications of the surpl...
Analyzing Latest Economic Trends / Protecting Vulnerable Children
Capitol Report - December 08, 2023 18:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe November Budget and Economic Forecast, a financial snapshot prepared by Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), projects a budget surplus of $2.4 billion dollars for the current fiscal biennium, which runs through June 2025. That number is $808 million more than was projected at the end of th...
Advocating for Tribal Issues / The End-of-Life Option Act
Capitol Report - December 01, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingSenator Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, was recently elected to serve as the chair of the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, a group that works to raise the profile of tribal issues in state legislatures and to improve public policy. She joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon ...
Securing Public Data, Preparing for AI / The State of Minnesota's Agriculture
Capitol Report - November 17, 2023 19:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAdvances in technology have dramatically changed how people live, and Minnesotans expect the highest level of efficiency and security from state government, whether renewing license tabs, buying a fishing license or applying for a state service. Tarek Tomes, Minnesota's Chief Information Officer...
Providing Second Chances / Creating an EMS Task Force
Capitol Report - November 10, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingSince 2014, Minnesota has had a petition-based system for people with low-level criminal convictions to have their records expunged. The Minnesota Clean Slate Act of 2023 will automate the expungement process, beginning January 1, 2025. The Senate’s chief author of the new law, Senator Bobby Joe...
The State of Minnesota's Agriculture / Assisting the Elderly and Vulnerable
Capitol Report - November 03, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingMinnesota’s agricultural production is valued at $21.3 billion, seventh in the United States, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Thom Petersen, Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about the health of the ...
Creating a Vision for Minnesota / Evaluating Changes in Education
Capitol Report - October 13, 2023 18:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingLast May, in front of a crowd of DFL leaders, committee chairs and lawmakers, Governor Tim Walz held a One Minnesota Budget signing ceremony, signaling a major shift to progressive policies in the state. Governor Tim Walz joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about the cost of r...
Funding the Great Outdoors / Supporting Farm to School Food Programs
Capitol Report - October 06, 2023 21:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingSarah Strommen, Commissioner of Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources, called the legislature’s 2023 budget a “truly historic investment in natural resources and outdoor recreation.” She joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about her agency's efforts, including the "Get o...
Preparing for an Aging Population / Changing the Metropolitan Council
Capitol Report - September 29, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA result of the 2023 legislative session was the creation of a Task Force on Aging, to identify and develop state resources for an aging population. Representative Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Plymouth, is the task force chair, and she joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about the grou...
Addressing Housing and Homelessness
Capitol Report - September 21, 2023 22:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingA new apartment complex called Identity Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota has delayed opening, leaving the students who signed leases with limited housing options as the fall semester begins. Senator Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, Chair of the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention C...
Changing the Metropolitan Council / Managing Driver’s License Backlogs
Capitol Report - September 15, 2023 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe 2023 legislative session provoked the formation a task force to study and evaluate options to reform and reconstitute the Metropolitan Council, a regional taxing authority, planning agency and provider of services like sewage, parks, and transportation in the Twin Cities. Senator Scott Dibbl...
Keeping School Resource Officers / Getting Back to School
Capitol Report - September 08, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingRepublican lawmakers, law enforcement officers and school officials have recently called on Governor Tim Walz to convene a special legislative session in order to repeal or amend a new law that prohibits school staff, including School Resource Officers, from using certain physical restraints on ...
Requiring Coverage for Infertility Treatment / Supporting Minnesota's Workers
Capitol Report - July 28, 2023 18:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAccording to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on health policy, an estimated ten percent of people need fertility assistance to have a child. Senator Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, is the sponsor of a bill that would require both private and public health ...
Building Minnesota's Economy / Prioritizing Clean Energy / The Supreme Court Chambers
Capitol Report - June 30, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingOn this week's Capitol Report program, Senate Jobs and Economic Development Chair Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, describes the historic investments in programs to grow and diversify the state's workforce and strengthen Minnesota’s economy. Senator Nick Frentz, Chair of the Senate Energy, ...
Highlighting Historic Infrastructure Investments and Tax Relief Measures
Capitol Report - June 23, 2023 20:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingGovernor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature enacted historic measures during the 2023 legislative session. A $2.6 billion dollar package for upgrades to wastewater systems, local roads and bridges, state college and university assets and much more was enacted into law. The DFL-controlled leg...
Funding for State and Local Government / Making it Easier to Vote
Capitol Report - June 09, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe next state budget for state and local government and elections offers one-time investments in cybersecurity, creates several commissions and task forces, provides salary increases for constitutional officers and agency heads and makes a number of changes to elections and voting. Senator Erin...
Evaluating the 2023 Legislative Session / Providing Environmental Stewardship / Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
Capitol Report - June 02, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingGovernor Tim Walz and DFL leaders hold a ceremonial bill signing celebrating the passage of a new two-year state budget. Plus, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to offer his perspective on the new budget. Representative Rick Hansen, Chair of the ...
Banning PFAS Chemicals / Improving Refinery Worker Safety / End of Session Highlights
Capitol Report - May 19, 2023 20:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAt least two bills sponsored by freshman Senator Judy Seeberger, DFL-Afton, have crossed the finish line. One will phase out the non-essential use of PFAS chemicals, and it is included in HF 2310, the omnibus environment, natural resources, climate, and energy finance and policy bill, which pass...
Expanding Access to Voting / Supporting and Honoring Veterans
Capitol Report - May 12, 2023 20:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingGovernor 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 ...
Investing in Transportation Infrastructure / Paid Family & Medical Leave / Senate Passes Cannabis and Tax Bills
Capitol Report - May 05, 2023 18:00 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe Senate and the House have formed a conference committee to reach a final agreement on a transportation budget package for the next two years. Senator Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about what...
MN Safeguards Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care / Supporting Vulnerable People / Free College
Capitol Report - April 28, 2023 16:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingMinnesota is now a Midwestern sanctuary for abortion services and gender-affirming care, according to new laws signed by Governor Tim Walz Thursday, April 26. The three bills, which narrowly passed the Senate days earlier, ban conversion therapy, protect out-of-state patients and providers of a...
Advancing Criminal Justice and Public Safety / Expanding Affordable Housing
Capitol Report - April 21, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingThe legislature is passing budget bills, with lengthy floor sessions occurring in both chambers. After a lengthy debate Friday, April 14, and on a party-line vote, the Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety funding package. Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, chair of the Senate Judic...
Repealing Abortion Laws / Lowering Prescription Drug Prices
Capitol Report - March 31, 2023 17:00 - 28 minutes ★★★★★ - 1 ratingIn January, Governor Tim Walz signed into law the Protect Reproductive Options Act, also known as the PRO Act. The law codifies the Minnesota Supreme Court’s ruling that guarantees the right to the full spectrum of reproductive care in the state. But laws have been passed over the years that res...
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