It’s back to business at the Capitol, and several public safety-related bills have been introduced this session.

But which bills have enough bipartisan support to pass in a divided Legislature?

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with two key lawmakers about public safety and the proposals seeking to reshape laws from traffic offenses to felony crime sentencing.

Later in the hour, two political analysts break down the last month in state and national politics. President Donald Trump has brought his predictably unpredictable style back to the White House and Minnesota’s 2026 election stakes have been raised. We’ll find out what to expect over coming months.

Guests:

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• Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park

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• Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River

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• Abou Amara is a political analyst and Twin Cities attorney.

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• Preya Samsundar is a political analyst and a GOP strategist.

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Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

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

President Donald Trump’s makeover of the federal government is going full steam.

But he’s doing it in a way that has gone around Congress — with one executive action after another. But soon, Trump will need congressional votes to pay for his immigration crackdown and to extend a series of tax breaks.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst will speak with Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, from a northern Minnesota district, about the part he’ll play in Washington.

Later, a check-in with the top tax official in Minnesota as tax filing season approaches its second busiest filing weekend.

Plus, a frank conversation with Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith about her decision to not run for reelection in 2026.

Guests:

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• U.S. Sen. Tina Smith

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• U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, MN-8

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• Paul Marquart, commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Revenue

  
  

  Subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

  
  

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

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MPR News host Brian Bakst talks about the blistering change in Washington with U.S. Sen. Tina Smith. And the scuffle in the Minnesota House is over. We discuss how lawmakers struck a deal to gavel in the session.