Politics Friday: Budget begins to take shape as leaders huddle
MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst gets the lowdown on the negotiations that have begun over the new state budget.Erin Campbell, commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, discusses why Gov. Tim Walz shaped his proposal as he did. And we’ll talk about the high-level negotiations that have commenced to reach a deal prior to the May 19 adjournment.Later, the DFL Party has its first new chair in more than a decade. The new leader, Richard Carlbom, is in studio to introduce himself and his plans for a party seeking a rebound after a disappointing 2024 election.Plus, a political reporter panel shares insights about the first deadline rush at the Legislature.Guests:Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Erin CampbellDFL Party Chair Richard CarlbomWCCO TV politics reporter Caroline CummingsSubscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
-------- Â
50:00
The Legislature gears up for the big budget push. How will it go?
After an unusual start, the 2025 legislative session has passed the halfway mark and the budget grind is quickly closing in.  The Senate is narrowly in DFL control by one seat and the House is at a 67-67 tie. How will leaders navigate the tightest party divide in recent history? MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth and House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman in front of a studio audience at the UBS Forum in St. Paul. Later in the program, two political analysts unpack developments at Minnesota’s Capitol and around the nation. How are recent events landing with voters? Plus, we’ll hear sounds from the state Capitol and recap the week with politics reporters Dana Ferguson and Clay Masters. Each week, the MPR News Politics Team produces an audio postcard of the voices we heard from the State Capitol. Images and audio were produced by Matthew Alvarez, Peter Cox, Dana Ferguson, Clay Masters and Ellie Roth. Photos from MPR photojournalists. Guests:  House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring House Leader Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park  Chas Anderson, a Republican, is the CEO and senior principal at Park Street Public. Todd Rapp, a DFLer, is the CEO and President of Rapp Strategies Inc.  Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Â
-------- Â
50:28
Politics Friday: What will Minnesota lawmakers do to fight fraud?
Two of the biggest political stories of this week played out beyond Minnesota’s Capitol.  The arrest of then-Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, in a teen prostitution sting led his resignation and the federal jury’s conviction of major players in the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with two lawmakers about fraud and what the laws the Legislature might strengthen to stop or crack down on those behind schemes to swindle money from government programs.  Later in the program, a conversation with candidate Melisa López Franzen. She’s vying a run for Minnesota U.S. Senate seat — a 2026 race hasn’t taken full shape just yet.  Our political reporters will recap the Senate drama that ended with a departure.Guests:  Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis Rep. Jim Nash, R-WaconiaU.S. Senate candidate Melisa López FranzenSubscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Â
-------- Â
50:16
Politics Friday: Minnesota’s paid leave law remains a flashpoint as launch nears
MPR News senior politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two Minnesota lawmakers about the state’s new paid leave program — scheduled to start in January of next year — and the legislation that could possibly delay or change eligibility.
-------- Â
49:34
Politics Friday: Moves in Washington hover over state budget outlook
Amid upheaval at the federal level, Minnesota officials released the state’s latest economic forecast.It’ll set the parameters for the new budget that lawmakers will craft before they gavel out of this year’s session. The state’s fiscal cushion continues to shrink, and actions from federal government will have a bearing on Minnesota government operations. Now, state finance officials warn there could be disruptions to the state’s economy.  MPR News senior politics editor Brian Bakst discussed how deeply intertwined the state and federal actions are and the challenges that lay ahead. U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat, and state Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, a Republican, joined the conversation. Later in the program, a recap of the voices we heard at the Capitol this week. Guests:U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL, District 4Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks  Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.Â
USA