There’s been a strong focus on an issue of ongoing concern in the state: Fraud, and what to do about it.

Lots of fraud-fighting ideas are floating around the Capitol. Several have bipartisan support, but that doesn’t mean their travels through the Legislature will be smooth.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with a pair of lawmakers with a similar goal but competing visions for a proposed investigatory unit.

Later in the hour, MPR News’ senior economics contributor Chris Farrell breaks down the state’s new budget and economic forecast.

Guests:

• DFL state Rep. Matt Norris, of Blaine.
• Republican state Rep. Patti Anderson, of Dellwood.
• Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.

The Minnesota Legislature’s 2026 session started with reflection about the deadly shootings that killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

Another lawmaker, state DFL Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, survived a connected shooting at their home. Hoffman was honored in the Senate chamber.

It was the first time the Legislature had been in order since months of traumatic and tragic events left them and the state grieving and challenged to take action.

The session will go fast, with just about three months to squeeze everything in. There will be debates about fraud, immigration, guns, taxes, work requirements for benefit recipients, social media guardrails, data center regulations — just to name a few.

Another thing worth keeping an eye on this year: The tone lawmakers take with each other.

We’ll have a recap of the first week of session and committee hearings. We’ll also hear from Colin Hortman, the son of Melissa and Mark Hortman, about grief and finding ways to honor his parents.

Minnesota lawmakers will face constituent pressure to take action on some potent issues from guns control, immigration, fraud, taxes and more as the convene the 2026 session on Tuesday.

The Capitol also remains deeply split, with legislative seats almost evenly divided between the parties in the House and Senate. Progress will be a challenge in an election year when some key players are looking up the political ladder or worried about the political winds back home.

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with the Minnesota’s four caucus leaders about what’s in store for the session and what could get accomplished.

Guests:

• Republican Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth, of Cold Spring.
• House DFL Caucus Leader Rep. Zack Stephenson, of Coon Rapids.
• DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul.
• Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.