Expanding Child Care, Discouraging Gun Violence, Bringing Local Foods to Schools

On this week's program, moderator Shannon Loehrke talks with lawmakers about the latest legislative efforts to expand child care opportunities, discourage gun violence, and bring fresh produce to schools.

Although it is not one of the big issues like the state’s next two-year budget or tax conformity or health care costs that lawmakers must grapple with this session, measures to address the lack of affordable child care across the state are moving in the legislature. Senator Bill Weber, R-Luverne, chaired a task force that toured the state last year to explore the problems facing providers and families. He joins Shannon to talk about ways to expand child care opportunities.

The family of Taylor Hayden, who lost her life when caught in gun crossfire, recently testified before a key Senate committee in favor of a program to help prevent gun violence. Sponsored by her brother, Senator Jeff Hayden, DFL-Minneapolis, the bill allows organizations to request support for early intervention efforts that occur in areas where gun violence is more prevalent. Senator Hayden joins Capitol Report Moderator Shannon Loehrke to discuss the problem. They also discuss the goals of the newly formed Legislative Black Caucus.

The locavore movement may be coming to a school or daycare center near you. The legislature will consider a bipartisan measure that would facilitate relationships between farmers and school lunch programs, and the sponsor of the Senate bill, Senator Mike Goggin, R-Red Wing, joins Shannon to highlight his proposal.