Capitol Report: Curbing Gun Violence, Economic Forecast, Shrimping in Minnesota

On what would have been the 26th birthday of Taylor Hayden, Senator Jeff Hayden’s sister, lawmakers and advocates recently held a press conference to highlight proposed legislation that could help reduce gun violence in Minnesota. Capitol Report Moderator Shannon Loehrke takes a look at proposals designed to curb gun violence with Senator Hayden.

State lawmakers recently learned that they will have an additional $1.65 billion dollars when determining the state's two-year budget beginning July 1, 2017. Despite the positive outlook, Governor Mark Dayton and administrative officials urge caution in setting tax and spending priorities due to the uncertainty of federal policies on trade, immigration and health care. State Economist, Dr. Laura Kalambokidis, talks about how those uncertainties may affect Minnesota’s economy.

According to a Minnesota Public Radio report, 90 percent of the shrimp consumed by Americans comes from abroad, and agribusinesses are considering ways to produce shrimp domestically. A bill that would provide incentives for shrimp farming in Minnesota is moving through the Senate, and the bill’s author, Senator Bill Weber, R-Luverne, explains how Minnesota could become a major Shrimp producer.