Senate Media Services

Senate Spotlight Episode 107: The state’s most recent annual economic outlook identified human services as one of the biggest and fastest growing areas of the budget. To avoid a deficit, the Governor’s latest budget proposal includes cuts to certain human services programs. Republican Senator Jim Abeler shares with Senate Spotlight’s Veronica Marshall who could be impacted by these cuts, the challenges they already face, and what can be done to improve the system to ease those burdens. Plus, artificial intelligence (AI) is already here in Minnesota, and more usage is on the horizon. Senators hear from experts on how AI can impact the labor market, and the arguments for and against regulating the growing industry. Also, you now have even more access to the Senate and its staff, thanks to Senate Media Service’s technological upgrades. Learn all about the technology keeping you connected to the Capitol in this week’s episode of Senate Spotlight.

Senate Spotlight Episode 106: In November, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its Budget and Economic Forecast. It found that projected reductions in income and sales tax revenues, combined with higher spending for long-term care and special education, would result in a growing structural imbalance – in other words, a budget deficit. As a response, Governor Walz's new biennial budget includes a 5% reduction in special education transportation reimbursement costs. This week’s Senate Spotlight is dedicated to the topic and host Veronica Marshall talks with Senators on the Education Finance Committee about the cost of special education in Minnesota, the impact it has on families, and how to balance the budget while still meeting the needs of some of the state's most vulnerable students. The legislature is anticipating more details as MMB is expected to release its February Budget and Economic Forecast on Thursday, March 6.

Senate Spotlight Episode 105: Senator-elect no more! This week, Senator Doron Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, is officially sworn in, ending the Senate's historic tie. Now with 34 members, the DFL assumes the majority and votes to dissolve the power-sharing agreement. Plus, it’s Super Bowl Sunday, but is Minnesota any closer to legalizing sports betting? Senate Spotlight’s Veronica Marshall talks to senators about what it'll take to expand sports betting in the state. And dozens of black business owners and their supporters come to the capitol to rally for resources. Why they say supporting minority-owned businesses benefits the entire state.

Senate Spotlight Episode 104: After a special election in Senate District 60, the historic 33 to 33 tie is broken. We'll let you know what this means for the Senate moving forward. And while the power-sharing agreement is now over, the spirit of bipartisanship is not. If you aren't already familiar with the Civility Caucus, you will be after this episode. We talk to the caucus's co-chairs about the value it brings to this session in particular and Minnesota as a whole. Plus, experts testify that Minnesota's housing market isn't meeting the demand. Senator Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael and Senator Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, tell Senate Spotlight's Veronica Marshall about the unique challenges the state faces when it comes to providing affordable housing, and their ideas on how to resolve them.

Senate Spotlight Episode 103: Who will preside over the Senate once the results from January 28th’s special election are certified and the temporary tie is lifted, and how quickly could that happen? We talk to the Senate’s Co-Presiding Officers, Senators Jeremy Miller and Bobby Joe Champion, about the power-sharing agreement that created their unique roles and what they hope carries forward into the remainder of the session. Plus, students from across the state came to the capitol to work through the nation’s pressing problems. We talk to them about what the process taught them about government and why they think kids need to be involved.