Capitol Report: Bonding for Improvements, Preventing Gun Violence

This year is a bonding year at the legislature, and the state has received about $3.5 billion dollars in requests. The Senate Capital Investments Committee recently finished touring the state for an up-close look at some of the projects. Senator David Senjem, chair of the Capital Investments Committee, joins Capitol Report Moderator Shannon Loehrke to assess the needs throughout Minnesota.

The recent mass shootings at schools and public gatherings have grabbed the attention of lawmakers throughout the country. Senator Jeff Hayden, who lost a sister to gun violence and has proposed ameasures to address the issue, joins Shannon to talk about his legislation.

Finally, a vigorous campaign in the special election to fill senate district 54, which encompasses parts of Afton, Cottage Grove, Hastings, Newport, St. Paul Park and South St. Paul, resulted in the election of DFL Senator Karla Bigham of Cottage Grove. She discusses her new role and the messages she heard on the campaign trail.