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Politics Friday
Mike Mulcahy and Matt Alvarez

Politics Friday: With one vote, the DFL can’t afford to lose any support in the state Senate

Minnesota Senate Chamber
The one seat-majority in the Senate has allowed the DFL to pass legislation at a quick pace, but can this year’s session withstand controversial issues?
Matthew Alvarez

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Two Democrats from northern Minnesota are key members of the DFL's slim majority and they’re facing tough votes on controversial issues including gun control, taxes and abortion. 

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown, and Sen. Robert Kupec, DFL-Moorhead about how they're weighing what their constituents are telling them and the agenda DFL leaders are promoting at the Capitol.

Later in the hour, we get the GOP reaction to a new two-year budget outline proposed by DFL leaders earlier in the week. MPR political reporters stop by to unpack the latest news from the Capitol.

And Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, shares her life story about growing in the Twin Cities, her music career and how it all connects with her passion for activism and politics. 

A woman wears a black t shirt and stands with her hands on her hips
The same day Maria Isa was sworn into office, she also released a hip-hop EP, Capitolio, inspired by her campaign run, motherhood, community and day-to-day living.
Courtesy photo

Guests: 

  • Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown 

  • Sen. Robert Kupec, DFL-Moorhead

  • Sen. Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake 

  • Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul 

  • Brian Bakst is a politics reporter for MPR News  

  • Dana Ferguson is a politics reporter for MPR News

    Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

    Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.