Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The interview introduced an incoming Minnesota House member who described a background in conservative activism, work as a legislative assistant to the Speaker in the House, and four years as district director for Congressman Pete Stauber. He said he decided to run in 2022 because redistricting created an open seat in his hometown area, giving him a chance to represent his community and advance conservative values. He said the election results left Republicans in the minority, so he would focus on achievable results for his district. His stated priorities were making Minnesota more affordable through lower income and property taxes, more affordable and reliable energy, and education policies that put parents back in charge. He also said he would work toward eliminating the state income tax, arguing that Minnesota families are being hurt by inflation and that neighboring states do not have an income tax. The interview also covered his family background in the auction business. He said his family has been in auctions for most of the last century, that he has been an auctioneer for 15 years, serves as president of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association, and is a past state champion auctioneer.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The transcript is an interview-style conversation with Jeff Witte, a Lakeville resident and newly elected Minnesota House member for District 57B. He describes his background as a retired police officer of 27 years, his work with the Minnesota Wild and Twins, and his volunteer leadership with the Minnesota Thunder Academy soccer club. He says he ran for the House after being asked to serve and because he felt his “servant’s heart” was not done, emphasizing that he wanted to represent Lakeville’s roughly 45,000 residents with honor, integrity, and commitment. Witte says Lakeville is a strong community because of its lakes, parks, restaurants, location, and neighbors, and he notes that his family has raised three daughters there. He says door-knocking during the campaign helped him hear residents’ top concerns, especially the economy and inflation, which he says were hurting families and businesses. He also says public safety was a major issue and that many people thanked him for his law enforcement service. He adds that education was another key concern, saying the future depends on supporting children, teachers, and parents and giving them a voice. No legislation, committee action, or votes are discussed in the transcript; the conversation is focused on his background, campaign themes, and the priorities he heard from constituents.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Larry Kraft introduced himself as the representative for District 46A, covering most of St. Louis Park, and described it as a first-ring suburb of Minneapolis with about 50,000 residents. He said he served three years on the St. Louis Park City Council and said that experience taught him how to get things done, work with constituents, be transparent, and make a difference. He expressed hope that those skills would translate to the House. Kraft said climate change is one of his top priorities, explaining that his concern grew out of thinking about the future his children will face. He said he previously ran a nonprofit for about five years that helped young people take action on climate change. He argued that getting climate policy right is essential because it affects other issues and also presents an opportunity to improve air and water quality and address inequities tied to the fossil fuel economy. Asked about other priorities, Kraft said he had already received ideas from constituents and planned to consult with legislative research staff. He said young people are a major reason he ran and that education is an area he hopes to work on in the legislature.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Brad Tabke, a state representative-elect from Shakopee and former mayor of the city, introduced himself and described returning to the House after losing his seat in 2020 and winning it back in 2022. He said his campaign was driven by a desire to continue work on transportation, housing, affordable housing, mental health supports, reproductive rights, civility in politics, and education funding, especially given funding challenges in the Shakopee school district. Tabke said his district, 54A, includes most of Shakopee and part of Jackson Township. He described it as a young, fast-growing community with many families, large schools, and major entertainment destinations such as Canterbury Park, Valley Fair, and the Renaissance Festival, along with a historic downtown. He noted that redistricting reduced the size of his district and moved some areas, including the Renaissance Festival, to the other side of the district. Looking ahead to the upcoming session, Tabke said he was just beginning to think about priorities after the election, but planned to keep working on the same issues he had focused on in 2018: affordable housing, transportation, and transparency in government so residents can better access information about the Capitol and legislature. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in this exchange.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The interview featured a discussion with a rural Minnesota mayor and legislative candidate from a district centered on Park Rapids and nearby tourist and agricultural communities. She said she decided to run for the House because she has four children and wants to make the world better for them. She described her district as very rural, with agriculture and tourism as major parts of the local economy. Her main legislative priority was education. She emphasized giving parents more information, protecting parent rights, letting teachers teach, and returning to basics in the classroom. She said test scores are declining and argued that the handling of COVID hurt student outcomes. She framed her approach as being willing to act when she sees a problem, especially when children are involved. The conversation also touched on her background as a restaurant owner. Asked what a family traveling through her district should eat, she recommended chicken fingers, hamburgers, and prime rib on Friday and Saturday nights, along with cheese curds.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The speaker said he lives in Carlton County, in Minnesota House District 11A, on the family farm west of Moose Lake in Kettle River/Silver Township. He described the district as a mix of mining, timber, mills, prison facilities, state and federal workers, retirees, and other residents, and said he ran for office after his wife encouraged him to stop complaining and get involved. He said the main concerns he heard while campaigning were inflation, especially the cost of propane, fuel, heating homes, and groceries, along with public safety and what he called out-of-control spending. He emphasized wanting common-sense legislation that represents both the district and the state. Looking ahead to session, he said his first priority would be building relationships across the aisle and finding common ground. He also said he wants to focus on the interests of Greater Minnesota and ensure funding is more evenly distributed across the state rather than concentrated in the metro area.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Ned Carroll, a new House member from Plymouth representing district 42A, described his district as the western half of Plymouth and part of southern Maple Grove. He said his experience on the Plymouth City Council, including working on a 4-3 council with opposing viewpoints, would help him navigate the legislative process and find common ground in the House. Carroll said his main priorities for the 2023 session are health care, women’s reproductive rights, schools, public safety, bonding and infrastructure, and the environment. He said these issues reflect what he heard from constituents while campaigning and door knocking, and that his focus is on representing community needs and public service. When asked what he wanted to work on first, Carroll said there was not just one issue, but several immediate concerns, including the budget surplus, safety, education, and the environment. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the interview.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting focused on a briefing about Minnesota National Guard members deployed in Kuwait and the broader role of the Guard in both federal and state missions. The governor and Guard leaders described visits to the 346th/347th Regional Support Group and the 147th Personnel Human Resources Company, praising their logistics, theater gateway, and support functions in CENTCOM. They emphasized the professionalism of the troops, the respect they received from coalition partners, and the personal sacrifices of deployed service members and their families during the holidays. Speakers also highlighted the Guard’s recent domestic roles, including civil unrest response, vaccination support, and long-term care assistance, as examples of the Guard’s dual state and federal responsibilities. Several policy and workforce issues were discussed. Leaders said the Guard is following current Department of Defense vaccination rules while a federal policy change is pending, and noted that the Minnesota Guard is operating at about 107 percent of authorized Army strength, though recruiting has been affected by COVID and the tight labor market. They said retention is becoming a bigger focus, and that deployed members gain valuable experience that can help them remain in service. The governor also pointed to last year’s legislative actions on retention bonuses, post-9/11 bonuses, health care, and veterans homes as important support for the Guard and veterans. No formal votes were taken in the exchange. In response to questions, officials said roughly 100 Minnesotans were deployed across the two units discussed, that about 70 percent of the personnel company were on their first overseas deployment, and that the deployed troops were expected to return to Minnesota within about two months, with the personnel company staying longer because it arrived later. The governor also said he would seek to expand post-9/11 bonus eligibility and expected additional military and veterans proposals in the next budget cycle.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The interview featured Ben Davis, a 45-year-old lifelong district resident, husband and father of six with a seventh child on the way, who has spent the last four years pastoring Remnant Ministry Center after 12 years in full-time ministry with Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. He said his family and extended family are rooted in the area, and he described his background in ministry as preparing him to listen to and work with people from different walks of life, including those he may disagree with. Davis said he initially considered running for county commissioner, but the pandemic and lockdowns pushed him to pay closer attention to public policy. He cited the governor’s decision to close churches while allowing bars to remain open as a major concern. After redistricting left the district without sitting representation, he said he prayed about it and felt led to run for the House. On district priorities, Davis said residents are especially concerned about government overreach and that people in the metro area do not always understand the way of life in Greater Minnesota. Looking ahead to session, he said his top priority would be returning the state’s projected $9 billion surplus to taxpayers through record-setting tax cuts, arguing that inflation, gas prices, and grocery costs are too high and that keeping more money in Minnesotans’ pockets would help the economy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The interview introduced Brion Curran, who said she is from Centerville, lives in Vadnais Heights, and will represent House District 36B, covering Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Gem Lake, Birchwood Village, and parts of White Bear Township. She described the district as a mix of suburban and rural-feeling communities with green space, lakes, and easy access to the Twin Cities. Curran said she ran for the House because of a long-standing commitment to service, including prior work in law enforcement and about 20 years in disability services. She said those experiences give her a practical understanding of public safety and of how Minnesota funds disability services, and that she takes the responsibility of legislating seriously because policy affects people’s lives directly. On campaign issues, she said voters were concerned about divisive politics, frustration with the end of the last legislative session, inflation and high prices, and tax relief, including ending or cutting taxes on Social Security. She also said people want public safety, with support for police alongside accountability and well-trained officers. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken in the interview.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s latest budget and economic forecast, which projected a $17.6 billion surplus. Governor Walz and budget officials said the state is in strong economic shape and argued the surplus creates an opportunity to invest in education, infrastructure, and tax fairness, including possible Social Security tax relief. Republican voices in the segment said the surplus should be returned to taxpayers and that tax hikes should be off the table. Commissioner Jim Showalter said much of the surplus is one-time money, tied to stronger-than-expected revenues and federal pandemic-related factors, and should be used in ways that make the budget more sustainable. State economist Dr. Laura Columbus said the biggest surprise was the persistent growth in tax receipts. She described the forecast as showing a mild recession, driven mainly by weaker investment rather than consumer spending, with unemployment likely to rise somewhat but remain below the national rate. She also said Minnesota’s tight labor market and aging workforce remain long-term constraints, and that affordable housing, workforce flexibility, and immigration could help support growth. On inflation, she said prices are expected to ease as supply pressures normalize and higher interest rates slow demand. The final segment profiled former Governor John S. Pillsbury, describing his rise as a businessman and politician, his service in local and state office, and his six years as governor. The segment highlighted his role in changing legislative terms to a biennial system, his response to the grasshopper plagues, his support for farmers, and his leadership in rescuing the University of Minnesota from financial crisis. It also noted his philanthropy, including private aid during the Saint Peter State Hospital fire and other charitable efforts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Showalter discussed the state’s budget forecast and said Minnesota remains in strong economic shape, with a projected surplus of nearly $18 billion. He attributed the increase largely to revenues running well ahead of prior estimates and to lower Medicaid costs tied to the federal extension of the peacetime emergency. Showalter said the state had already entered the session with a historic balance and that much of the forecast change was anticipated rather than a surprise. He described Minnesota’s economy as resilient because of its workforce, diversified economy, and standard of living, while noting that some of the surplus reflects pandemic-era and broader national factors rather than Minnesota-specific changes. Looking ahead, he said revenue is expected to exceed spending through fiscal year 2027, but emphasized that policymakers must decide how much to collect and spend. He pointed to the state’s historically stable “price of government” and said the key question is how to use the money wisely during a period when a recession is likely. On Governor Walz’s proposed tax rebates, Showalter said one-time payments could help families with day-to-day expenses and would be consistent with using one-time money for one-time purposes. He also said other uses such as matching federal funds or other one-time investments could make the budget more sustainable. He described the expected recession as mild and said the state is better prepared than in the past because risks are more familiar and the budget reserve is now much stronger, making an additional reserve increase a lower priority than other uses of the surplus.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota State Economist Dr. Laura Columbus discussed the latest budget and economic forecast, highlighting that the projected state surplus has grown to $17.6 billion and that persistent tax receipts have continued to come in above prior forecasts. She said the biggest surprise has been the steady growth in receipts, which has repeatedly pushed the forecast higher. At the same time, the forecast points to a mild U.S. recession already beginning and likely lasting much of next year, driven mainly by slower investment rather than consumer spending. Columbus said Minnesota should expect slower growth and some increase in unemployment, though she noted the state’s jobless rate is starting from a very low level and should remain below the national rate. She also described Minnesota’s labor market as one of the tightest in the country, with an aging workforce and limited new labor supply constraining long-term growth. She suggested employers can respond through flexibility, and said expanded immigration could help if federal policy allows more workers to come to Minnesota. Housing was another major topic. Columbus said a new recession could hurt residential construction, but Minnesota may be somewhat buffered because its housing market has not fallen as sharply as other regions and construction has shifted toward multifamily projects. She emphasized that affordable housing remains important for workforce growth and overall economic health. On inflation, she said the forecast expects CPI to fall from 8.1 percent this year to 4.3 percent next year and then gradually down to around 2.2 percent by 2025-2027, helped by easing supply constraints and Federal Reserve rate hikes. She concluded that forecasting is especially difficult at turning points, so the outlook carries a wider-than-usual margin of error.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The discussion featured an interview with Ben Bakeberg, a middle school principal in Jordan, Minnesota, who described his background in education and his recent election to represent House District 54B, which includes Prior Lake, Jordan, part of Shakopee, and surrounding townships. He said his years as a teacher and administrator prepared him for public service because education has required him to work with people from different perspectives and find consensus. He also said his campaign was driven by concerns he heard from families about rising costs, inflation, education, public safety, and frustration with divisiveness in politics and schools. Bakeberg emphasized that he wants schools to focus on helping kids and families rather than being pulled into broader political conflicts. He described a recent example involving a student with significant mental health and attendance problems to argue that schools need different approaches to meet students’ needs, including stronger support for families. He said educators are often unfairly vilified and stressed that teachers, paras, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, and administrators enter the profession because they care about children. The conversation also touched on Minnesota amateur baseball and the Jordan ballpark, including the Mini Met. Bakeberg said the ballpark represents community, nostalgia, and a place where political differences fade when people come together around a shared activity. No formal committee action or vote was taken in the exchange, which was primarily a personal and policy-oriented interview.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Jeff Brand, newly elected to House District 18A, introduced himself as a small-business owner in prairie landscaping, prairie restoration, and ecological monitoring. He said the district includes St. Peter, North Mankato, and Mankato, and described it as a mix of colleges, schools, agriculture, rivers, recreation, and the Swan Lake prairie pothole area. Brand also said he returned to the House after previously serving from 2018 to 2020, emphasizing that he had been effective in his first term and had helped pass 13 bills into law during divided government by working across party lines. Asked about issues raised during the campaign, Brand said constituents consistently raised education funding and teacher pay, health care affordability and access, reproductive rights, and climate change. He said the top issue he wants to address immediately is child care affordability, arguing that the shortage has worsened and that there are more than a thousand missing child care slots in the Mankato area alone. He framed the need as especially important for working-class families. No formal committee action or vote was taken in the exchange, which was an interview-style discussion rather than a legislative proceeding.