Senate Media Services

Senate Spotlight Episode 112: Whether it's a bad sprain, a cough, or something more serious, nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and others are people we rely on to help us in our time of need. However, in Minnesota, the healthcare industry is facing a workforce shortage, and the current pipeline for new healthcare workers isn’t expected to keep up with future demands either. But there is a healthcare career pathways program in the state that's seeing success in boosting those numbers. Senators Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, and Liz Boldon, DFL-Rochester, have championed the Bridges to Healthcare program since its inception, and talk about where it’s headed next to meet Minnesota’s needs. Plus, Senator Boldon explains how her bill on undue medical debt would invest $5 million to relieve $500 million in medical debt. And emergency response volunteers would receive a tax break under a bill authored by Senator Rich Draheim, R-Madison Lake. In this episode of Senate Spotlight, watch as the Senator tells the Taxes Committee the incentive is necessary to encourage more people to volunteer their time so rural communities can keep their emergency services.

Senate Spotlight Episode 111: Minnesota Management and Budget's (MMB) latest budget forecast shows a worsening outlook for Minnesota's finances. The forecast finds that the gap between the state's revenue and its spending is widening, making the projected deficit for fiscal years 28-29 even bigger than previously projected. Now, senators must find a way to balance the budget, while also preserving the state services many Minnesotans rely on. In this episode of Senate Spotlight, host Veronica Marshall talks to ranking members of the Senate Finance Committee about what it'll take to balance the budget and the factors currently complicating the process.

Senate Spotlight Episode 110: From predictive text on your phone, to search engine results and customer service calls – artificial intelligence, or AI, is here. In this episode of Senate Spotlight, senators tell host Veronica Marshall that like all tools, AI can be used for good or bad – and that’s why the state needs to put guardrails in place to keep it on the right track. Senator Jen McEwen, DFL-Duluth, shares that while AI can automate certain routines to allow workers the flexibility to take on more creative tasks, it can also lead to their displacement or erroneously exclude them from hiring pools. Meanwhile, Senator Eric Lucero, R-Saint Michael, discusses the balance needed to maintain privacy and civil liberties, while also supporting the progress and innovation possible with AI. Plus, there’s a new bipartisan push to hold companies that allow users to create deepfake pornography accountable.

Senate Spotlight Episode 109: Minnesota has pledged to provide 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, but the state's current clean energy producers won't be able to handle the demand. Could expanding nuclear energy be the answer? Senator Andrew Mathews, R-Princeton, says yes. In this episode of Senate Spotlight, he describes SF 350, a bill that would lift the state's nuclear moratorium. Meanwhile, Senator Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, responds to feedback the Senate's Energy Committee received on the topic, including concerns about nuclear waste's impact on human health and the environment. And who knew biofuel could be so bipartisan? Learn how sustainable aviation fuel is fueling comradery in the Senate.

Senate Spotlight Episode 108: There’s a new effort to compensate victims of consumer fraud in Minnesota. In this episode of Senate Spotlight, Veronica Marshall talks with Senator Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, and Senator Mark Koran, R-North Branch, about Senate File 447, which would create a consumer protection restitution account. Meanwhile, families impacted by metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) came to the capitol to show their support for Senator Jeremy Miller’s, R-Winona, bipartisan bill, Senate File 1494, which would add MLD to the state’s newborn screening program.