Politics Friday

On Fridays, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst discusses Minnesota politics — the latest from the legislature, election news and more. Join us Fridays at noon for interviews with lawmakers, candidates and political experts, including the MPR News politics reporting team.

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May 12, 2023 12:25 PM

Politics Friday: Leaders of the Minnesota House on the work that remains to be done

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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May 5, 2023 2:00 PM

Politics Friday: Senate leaders reflect on remaining work before the adjournment deadline

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to the top leaders in the Minnesota Senate: Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, DFL-Minneapolis, and Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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April 27, 2023 11:38 AM

Politics Friday: How to pay for roads, bridges and transit

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with two lawmakers about the transportation budget bill and the plan to pay for roads, bridges and transit across the state. Later in the hour: an update on the latest marijuana bill.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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April 21, 2023 1:37 PM

Politics Friday: A divided Legislature and the work to craft a new state budget

MPR News guest host Brian Bakst talks to key DFL lawmakers working on a new two-year state budget and a GOP lawmaker concerned about the pace of spending.

by Brian Bakst and Matthew Alvarez

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April 14, 2023 2:00 PM

Politics Friday: Klobuchar on how the new party dynamic is reshaping Washington

MPR News guest host Brian Bakst talks to Sen. Amy Klobuchar about changes in political party dynamics in Washington, Supreme Court ethics questions and the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. Later, a conversation about the future of paid family and medical leave in Minnesota.

by Brian Bakst and Matthew Alvarez

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April 7, 2023 1:30 PM

Politics Friday: 3 months in, Minnesota’s Attorney General and Secretary of State are busy in their new terms

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks to Attorney General Keith Ellison and Secretary of State Steve Simon about the work they’ve done, and their remaining priorities, now that they’ve been reelected.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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March 31, 2023 1:40 PM

Politics Friday: Minnesota lawmakers debate new gun laws as the nation sees another school shooting

MPR host Mike Mulcahy talks with Minnesota lawmakers about a public safety budget bill released this week that includes expanded background checks for gun purchases and a “red flag” measure aimed at reducing gun violence.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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March 24, 2023 1:45 AM

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

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with two Democratic senators about how they vote with their constituents in mind and what it means for the DFL agenda.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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March 16, 2023 9:28 AM

Politics Friday: A slim DFL majority works towards full marijuana legalization and universal school meals

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with Minnesota lawmakers about their work to legalize adult-use cannabis, and the benefits of their universal school meals bill.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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March 9, 2023 9:59 AM

Politics Friday: Women take charge at the Capitol

MPR News host Mike Mulcahy talks with leaders of the Minnesota House and Senate about what’s been accomplished so far and what to expect in the weeks ahead.

by Mike Mulcahy and Matthew Alvarez

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