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Politics Friday
Brian Bakst and Matt Alvarez
Updated:

As Legislature prepares for new session, rifts between parties show a partisan divide

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, 2024.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

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The Minnesota State Capitol is springing back to vibrancy.

Lawmakers are filling the chambers as the 94th Legislature convenes for the 2025 legislative session — and it’s shaping up as a momentous one. 

The state Senate is tied. The Minnesota House is tight, too. Two special elections are taking place this month. But so is a criminal trial involving one lawmaker.

With partisan divide already gripping state lawmakers before they gavel-in a new session, what can the 2025 Legislature get done this year?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks to the top Minnesota lawmakers about their plans to govern and set a new two-year state budget.

Guests:  

  • House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park   

  • House Republican Leader Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring 

  • Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks   

  • Senate DFL Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul 

Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast.  

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