Politics Friday: The fate of a sports betting bill and a TikTok ban

This week, MPR News host Brian Bakst sits down with DFL Rep. Zack Stephenson and DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade to talk about a sports betting bill that’s garnered a lot of buzz at the Capitol. The bill would establish regulations for on-site and mobile betting venues and who can operate them.

Minnesota is in the minority of states where sports betting isn’t a sanctioned business enterprise. Stephenson is a leading voice in the push to change that, but Maye Quade is among those with concerns about the bill.  

Then, a conversation with Rep. Dean Phillips and Rep. Ilhan Omar about a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. that passed in the House this week. While six of the eight House members in Minnesota voted to ban the app if it doesn’t change ownership, Phillips and Omar voted against it.

The app is used daily by millions of Americans. But TikTok has a Chinese parent company, which has fueled concerns about user data privacy and possible foreign influence over the type of content that winds up in front of people. Omar and Phillips, who were among only 65 to oppose the bill, shared their reasons why.

Guests:  

• Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids   

• Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley 

• U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D) 

• U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D)  

• Briana Bierschbach, politics and government reporter for the Star Tribune 

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.