Banning Organ Donor Discrimination / Dedicating More Funds for Transportation / Judicial Competition

People in Minnesota who want to help another person by donating one of their organs, like a kidney, or providing bone marrow, have faced uncertainty when it comes to future premiums for life, disability and long-term care insurance. Senator Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Mpls.) championed a new law that prevents insurance companies from discriminating against donors, and she joins moderator Shannon Loehrke to explain its significance for donors and patients.

Dedicated funding for roads and bridges is an ongoing conversation among lawmakers. Currently, about half of the money collected in sales tax on auto parts is directed to state road and bridge projects. Last session, Senator Jeff Howe (R-Rockville) authored a bill, which passed the Senate on a vote of 59-7, that would have dedicated ALL of the sales tax on auto parts to transportation. He joins Shannon to explain his push for the change.

The National Judicial Competition, or the NJC, sponsored by the YMCA, brings several hundred students together from across the country to participate in either a model appellate court or mock trial competition. Minnesota is host this year, and Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke talks with Orville Lindquist, State Program Executive, and several student participants to learn more about the program.