Friday politics chat: Stadium, schools and Sunday sales
This Friday, political editor Mike Mulcahy took on all the week's political news.
To hear the full discussion use the audio player above. Below are some highlights.
MSFA: Stadium officials lost Republicans' support;mdash&and Democrats'
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The chair and the executive director of the Minnesota Sport's Facility Authority resigned Thursday.
They've been targets of public anger after they hosted family and friends in Vikings games and other events in two suites controlled by the MSFA.
Reporter Tim Nelson has been following the story and said they resigned because of "politics."
"Governor Dayton called it 'the people's stadium'... and when it turned out that family and friends were sitting in these two well-appointed boxes, it looked like 'certain people's' stadium," said Nelson.
A bill that would restructure the MSFA went before the House Government committee earlier this week. Only one lawmaker voted against it.
"They were really votes of no-confidence in the Minnesota Sports Facility Authority," said Nelson.
The board hasn't faced hearing in the Senate yet.
Nelson said the authority was crucial in getting the stadium going. However, now that it's up and running, it might not be necessary anymore.
School choice: Tax breaks could create opportunities or close doors
Proposals are moving through committees that would expand tax credits to help families pay private school tuition.
Supporters say it's a way to improve options, while opponents say it would hurt public schools.
Other legislation would give credits to corporations and people who donate to foundations that provide scholarships to private schools.
Rep. Sara Anderson, R-Plymouth, is a cosponsor of the tuition tax credit bill. She said it puts parents in control of their children's education.
"This is not tied to k-12 funding, this is a new tax credit that parents can use," said Anderson. "This is truly about giving kids who maybe didn't have a chance before to be able to learn."
Rep. Jim Davnie, DFL-Minneapolis, said "private school choice is about the school choosing the family and the student, not the student and family choosing the school."
Private schools have discretion when choosing students, and don't have to accept students with special needs. Davnie brought up accountability for these programs as well. Public schools are required to test their students and to meet certain academic standards.
Anderson said that the market is provides the perfect assessment of standards. If parents don't like their children's education they can leave that program.
"The parent knows what's best for their child," said Anderson.
Police training: Supported on both sides of the aisle
A bipartisan group appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton after the shootings of Jamar Clark and Philando Castile has been looking at officer training.
Legislation considered this week would mandate officers receive 16 hours of training in crisis intervention and mental illness, conflict management and mediation, and recognize cultural diversity, said cosponsor Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center.
"These really get to the issues we've been seeing," said Hilstrom, who said police departments and unions agreed on the need for new training.
Another portion of the bill would help diversify police departments by providing funds for people from a "non-traditional pathway into law enforcement."
If the bill passes parking tickets wouldn't pay for the police training anymore. The state would make a direct $10 million appropriation to improve the training of police officers to help avoid deadly encounters.
"The communities are asking for this," said Hilstrom.
On tap next week: Sunday liquor store debate and Keith Ellison's future
Congressman Keith Ellison will be in Atlanta next week vying to be the chair of the Democratic National Committee. Reporter Brian Bakst will be there, too.
Ellison is seen as a leading contender in that race and said if he wins, he'll resign his congressional seat.
"That will send off a flurry of activity for Democrats in particular to try to win that pretty safe Democratic seat," said Bakst.
The vote is next Saturday.
On Monday, there will be a vote in the Minnesota House on Sunday liquor sales, said reporter Tim Pugmire.
"House Speaker Kurt Daudt is predicting success," said Pugmire.
There's a lot of support in the House and from the public. It's still unclear how much support it has in the Senate.