Capitol Report: Senate Leaders on 2018 Legislative Session Goals

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, join Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to talk about their priorities for the upcoming session. The leaders provide their perspectives on conforming Minnesota’s tax code to the new federal tax law, the size and scope of a bonding bill, the possibility of a dedicated funding stream for transportation, and the restoration of the legislature’s budget appropriation, vetoed last May by Governor Mark Dayton in an attempt to get lawmakers to renegotiate aspects of the state’s budget.

This week, Governor Dayton and bipartisan lawmakers introduced a broad initiative to combat the opioid epidemic in Minnesota. Both Senator Chris Eaton, DFL-Brooklyn Center, and Representative Dave Baker, R-Willmar, have lost a child due to opioid overdose. They joined the Governor in calling on the opioid manufacturers to help bear the costs of treatment and recovery, emergency response, law enforcement and prevention.

Also, at a Capitol press conference, Senator Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, and several university students introduced a bill designed to fight liberal bias and preserve free speech at state-funded college campuses.

Finally, Capitol Report offers highlights of the February 13 Forum News Service Pre-Session Briefing with Governor Dayton and legislative leaders. The panel fielded questions from reporters on a number of topics, including whether they can move beyond the tumult of last session and whether they predict a surplus in the upcoming budget forecast.