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Politics Friday
Brian Bakst, Ellie Roth and Matt Alvarez

Politics Friday: It’s crunch time at the Capitol

The Minnesota state House floor
Minnesota lawmakers have only one more full week to finish up the legislative session’s work.  
Glen Stubbe | Star Tribune via AP 2021

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Minnesota lawmakers have only one more full week to finish up the legislative session’s work.  

MPR News host Brian Bakst spoke with two leaders of the Minnesota House about the authorization of construction projects, a touch-up of the state budget, updates to Minnesota’s new cannabis law and a possible plan to set minimum pay and protections for rideshare drivers — all still up in the air. 

And May 11 not only marks Minnesota Statehood Day, but a new state flag goes up the pole and a new state seal will replace the old. We got a look at the redesign process that spurred thousands of submissions — and months of debate — and what transition means for Minnesota.

The new state flag design
The State Emblems Redesign Commission decided on a new Minnesota state flag design in an 11-1 vote on Dec. 19, 2023.
Courtesy of the State Emblems Redesign Commission

Plus, two members of MPR Capitol reporting team, Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters, huddled up for a weekly check-in on Minnesota politics. 

Guests:  

  • House Majority Leader Rep. Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis  

  • Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska

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.