Politics and Government News

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The 2020 legislative session is less than a week old. Much of the attention this session will be on public construction projects and what to do with the projected $1.3 billion dollar budget surplus. On this edition of Politics Friday, host Mike Mulcahy speaks with House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Jasinski on what they hope to get done this session. Plus, MPR reporters Brian Bakst give us an update on Senator Amy Klobuchar’s campaign for President.
Senate panel approves emergency insulin bill
The Senate plan would provide access to insulin for Minnesotans who can’t afford it. The partially subsidized program would require drug manufacturers to provide insulin to income-eligible participants at no cost. But those patients would need to pay a $75 copay for a 30-day supply.
Black Minnesotans say they’ve faced pressure to change their hair
A bill that would prohibit employers and schools from targeting African Americans who wear dreadlocks, braids or twists drew testimony Thursday from people who said they’d felt marginalized for wearing their hair in a natural, textured style.