Politics Friday

Politics Friday: The voters have spoken, but sent a muddled message for Minnesota’s Legislature

A man hoists a flag on a flagpole
Charlie Krueger, ground supervisor for facilities management, raises the new Minnesota state flag at the State Capitol for the first time on May 11.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

As of this week, the Minnesota House will gavel in at 67 to 67 for the 2025 Legislative session. With a one-seat majority in the Senate, what does a split Legislature look like for a productive session? 

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two Capitol leaders about an evenly divided Legislature. And Shannon Watson of Majority in the Middle, joins the conversation to share why she thinks an evenly divided government might be good for political moderation. 

Guests:  

  • House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park.

  • Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks.

  • Shannon Watson, the executive director of Majority in the Middle, a Minnesota based organization working toward a civic and political culture.    

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