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Trust in government is low. Politicians are trading personal insults on social media. And, Americans see the country as more divided than at any other time since the Civil War. 

What would it take to bring more dialogue, respect and effectiveness to politics? 

A first-of-its-kind program from the Citizen’s League is starting small and personal, with an “exchange” program for pairs of state Republican and DFL legislators. The goal is to build genuine relationships across the aisle and help legislators gain firsthand insight into a region of Minnesota different from their own. 

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert reported on one of 

the first legislator pairs to participate.

 On Tuesday, she sat down to talk more with them and with the program’s founder about what it takes to build bipartisan trust.  

What questions do you have about what it’s like to be a new legislator, especially in a divided statehouse? Have you had a personal relationship that helped you better understand someone from the opposite political party? 

Call us during the 9 am hour at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828.

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He’s a Republican lawmaker from the Iron Range. She’s a DFLer from Minneapolis. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two new state legislators about a first-of-its-kind program that’s helping build bipartisan trust.

MPR News with Angela Davis - He’s a Republican lawmaker from the Iron Range. She’s a DFLer from Minneapolis. MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with two new state legislators about a first-of-its-kind program that’s helping build bipartisan trust.

MPR News with Angela Davis - Can relationships across the political divide build more trust and better government?

People smile and talk while sitting at a table.

Can relationships across the political divide build more trust and better government?

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