Politics Friday - Minnesota Public Radio

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Politics Friday: Minnesota lawmakers reach a session-ending deal, now race to get it through May 15, 2026

Show notes

Minnesota lawmakers are filling in the details of a legislative budget agreement struck this week and will have to hustle to pass the bills needed to enact it.

If they do, Minnesotans will see reductions in their vehicle registration, help with rising property taxes, continuation of a lead pipe replacement push and more. A key hospital in Minneapolis would get a lifeline and counties would get money to replace old technology that makes running programs difficult and fraud more of a risk.

The Legislature was tasked with a compact agenda and it looks like that is what will result. Items that were seen as politically problematic were kept to the side in favor of proposals that could get bipartisan buy-in.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with the Minnesota’s four caucus leaders about how a session-ending agreement came together — two DFLers and two Republicans.

Then, a check-in with our state Capitol team, and what they’re picking up on, as the Legislature inches closer to its conclusion.

Guests:

Rep. Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring, is a Republican and the speaker of the Minnesota House.
Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, is the DFL caucus leader for the Minnesota House.
Sen. Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, is the DFL Senate majority leader.
Sen. Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, is the Republican Senate minority leader.
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Peter Cox is a politics reporter for MPR News.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Politics Friday: Amy Klobuchar lays out plans in her DFL governor's campaign May 08, 2026

Show notes

The Legislature will end its session this month.

Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.

The political parties both hold late-May endorsing conventions. DFLers meet in Rochester while Republicans assemble in Duluth. There are choices in the major races — governor and U.S. Senate — but the gatherings of activists can be unpredictable.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next.

And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation.

Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota.

Guests:

Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.
J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.
Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Politics Friday: Taking stock of Minnesota's session, campaign as May decision points near May 01, 2026

Show notes

The Legislature will end its session this month.

Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next.

And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation.

Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota.

Guests:

Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.
J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.
Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Will Michele Tafoya's public profile transfer to politics? Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

There’s an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are trying to do something they haven’t since 2006: Win a statewide election.

Both parties are working to figure out their nominees for November.

Veteran sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya is taking the political plunge, and if she succeeds she might be one of the more recognizable U.S. senators.

Can Tafoya overcome what’s shaping up as a tough environment for Republicans? If she does, what would Tafoya do in Washington?

MPR politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Tafoya about what led her to run and what it will take to win in November.

Then, the view from some political strategists on how they see the legislative session wrapping up and the fall campaign shaping up.

Guests:

Michele Tafoya is a former sport broadcaster and Republican running for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Abou Amara is a DFL political analyst and Twin Cities attorney.
Preya Samsundar is a GOP political analyst and a campaign consultant.
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Torey Van Oot is reporter for Axios Twin Cities covering Minnesota politics.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Keeping up with the legal jousting between state, federal governments Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Minnesota is suing — and has been sued — a lot.

There are cases over health care funding, immigration, clean energy policy, election laws, tariffs, diversity policies and much more.

Playing point for much of it: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. He’s teamed up with Democratic attorneys general in other states for some of the litigation and has gone solo in other cases.

Closer to home, he’s in negotiations with the Legislature over ways to beef up fraud investigations and prosecutions.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Keith Ellison.

Later in broadcast, a breakdown on the debate over data centers. We’ll get a look at the projects across the state to build more of the information warehouses are getting pushback.

Guests:

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
Dan Kraker, correspondent for MPR News based in Duluth
Kirsti Marohn, correspondent for MPR News based in Collegeville
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

High tensions at the Capitol as lawmakers tick down the to-do list Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

The pace will crank up at the Minnesota Capitol next week.

With fewer than six weeks before the required legislative adjournment, packages of policy and spending measures will set the tone for the end-of-session negotiations that aren’t all that far off.

What’s still in play and what has taken a back seat? How prickly will those floor debates get?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with two leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives to talk about session priorities.

Later in the program, we continue our conversations with candidates running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District. Republican Eric Pratt will discuss his bid in that congressional district.

Guests:

DFL Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis.
Republican Rep. Harry Niska of Ramsey.
Eric Pratt is a Republican senator for Prior Lake and a candidate for 2nd Congressional District.
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

Politics Friday: 3 congressional candidates vying for their party's endorsement Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Minnesota’s eight U.S. House seats don’t change hands all that often, but after November’s midterm election one seat certainly will.

The state’s 2nd Congressional District will have a new representative come January 2027. Democratic incumbent, Rep. Angie Craig, is running for the open U.S. Senate and will leave the House after four terms.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with candidates about why they’re the best Democrat to serve the district that runs from the suburbs down into southern Minnesota farm towns.

Politics Friday: Mike Lindell 'all in' for Minnesota's governor's race with Trump backing or not Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Local party conventions around Minnesota are shaping top political races.

Delegates are being selected for the state endorsing conventions at the end of May. So candidates are making the rounds — especially for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat and an open governor’s race.

Democrats will be trying to hang onto the seats, while Republicans will be trying to break a statewide election dry spell.

The GOP has a very competitive race for the governor spot on the ballot. House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls are part of a top tier of hopefuls. But MyPillow founder Mike Lindell contends he is too.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Lindell about his governor campaign.

Also, the Senate made a significant rule change this week that could make public service more attractive to candidates with young families. We’ll hear from the lawmakers who pushed for change in the Senate.

Plus, a recap from this week at the Capitol as the Legislature adjourns for a week-long recess.

Guests:

Mike Lindell is the founder of MyPillow and a Republican candidate running for Minnesota governor.
Clay Masters is the host All Things Considered for MPR News.
Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.
Peter Cox is a correspondent for MPR News.

Politics Friday: Consumer safeguards gain bipartisan support at the Capitol Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

The first big deadline for action in the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching at the Capitol.

While committee hearings will be churning at full steam next week, a number of bills are delayed or stuck in the tied Minnesota House. But there’s an area where measures have fielded bipartisan support: consumer protection.

Legislation is on the march that deals with the prices people pay, defenses against scams and recourses available if they’ve been ripped off.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests assess what consumer protection bills might make it into law this year.

Later in the program, a check-in with the top state economic development official about paid leave, artificial intelligence and all that’s changing our interactions with the workplace.

Guests:

DFL Rep. Erin Koegel of Spring Lake Park
Republican Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls
Matt Varilek, commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

At the Capitol, a slate of immigration bills to respond to ICE surge Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

It’s been about a month since White House Official Tom Homan announced a drawdown of federal immigration officers in Minnesota, but the news from a fearful public and growing concern for those impacted remains.

Lawmakers at the state Capitol are responding to the fallout from “Operation Metro Surge” through a variety of bills. They’re also holding press conferences and speaking on the floor of the House and Senate about what happened during the surge, from federal agents using unmarked vehicles and wearing masks, to whether the state should provide rental assistance for those afraid to leave their homes.

MPR News host Catharine Richert talks with two lawmakers about the immigration legislation at the state Capitol, and what may or may not get done with a tied House.

Later, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith has been outspoken on Capitol Hill. In the year from her announcement to not run for reelection, Smith has been quick to criticize the White House from the ICE surge to the war in Iran. Smith details those events and how she plans to close out her term with MPR News political correspondent Dana Ferguson.

Guests:

DFL Sen. Zaynab Mohamed of Minneapolis
Republican Rep. Max Rymer of North Branch
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith
Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

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