Politics Friday

Politics Friday: The landscape of Minnesota education legislation and the outlook of business permitting across the state

side by side of two people
Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton (left), and Sen. Zach Duckworth, R-Lakeville.
Courtesy of Minnesota Senate photographer's office

State lawmakers have budgeted to provide more than $23 billion to schools in the current budget — a 10 percent bump over the prior budget. 

But many districts say they’re still feeling a strain. How come? What is being done to improve literacy, student nutrition, school safety and cultural competency?

MPR News host Brian Bakst talked with two leading senators on education issues: DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh, chair of the Senate Education Finance Committee, and Republican Sen. Zach Duckworth.

Later, there could be movement around streamlining the permitting process for business expansion projects and clean energy developments. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president Doug Loon talks about permitting changes under discussion and why he wants them to happen. 

Two people talk in a studio
MPR News host Brian Bakst (left) interviews Doug Loon, president and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in an MPR News studio on Friday.
Matthew Alvarez | MPR News

Guests:  

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