Local legislators react to budget deal, special session drama
On this edition of the Rundown, two members of the Minnesota Legislature — one from each chamber, one from each party, both representing Rochester — join us to give their thoughts on what happened in the latest legislative session. The session ended on Wednesday, after lawmakers signed off on a $52 billion budget bill covering the state's bills for the next two years — including new guidelines on police reform, extra funding for education and child care, and a $250 million bonus package for frontline workers.
The budget came together in the only divided legislature in the country, which means it takes compromise in Minnesota to get much of anything passed. Inside this Rundown, thoughts from State Senator David Senjem (R) and State Rep. Liz Boldon (DFL) — plus, a clip from Gov. Tim Walz during his visit to Rochester Thursday afternoon — on what they consider the greatest accomplishments of state government this year, what was left on the table in 2021, and what it takes to pass a bill of this size without party consensus across different branches of government.
Listen to the full episode
🎧 As a reminder, new episodes of the Rochester Rundown can also be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and other leading podcast services.
