At Issue with Tom Hauser: Recent Episodes
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Chief Political Reporter Tom Hauser hosts "At Issue" every Sunday at 10 a.m. on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in the Twin Cities "At Issue" covers politics and current events - with original reporting and commentary - throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, greater Minnesota and the country at large.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar allegedly involved in an affair, 10 Democratic Presidential Candidates qualify for the next round of debates in October and Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy resigning in September ...
Call it "At Issue at the Fair" or "At Issue on a Stick," either way it'll be a great show to be broadcast Sunday morning on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS ...
Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib Banned from Entering Israel Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey Delivers Budget Address St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter Delivers Budget Address Minnetonka Students Honor Archer Amorosi with Event on Mental Health Issues "At Issue" Broadcasting at the State Fair at Noon on Friday, August 23rd
President Donald Trump and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) continued their feud this week and there were some big shakeups in the Minnesota Department of Human Services ...
Governor Tim Walz underwent a minor knee surgery this week. While he was under anesthesia, his power as governor was transferred to Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. It's a rare move that has not been done for quite some time ...
Brace yourself for what could be the wildest and most expensive election year for Minnesota in 2020
This week, Governor Tim Walz signed the bills that make up the state's two-year, $48 billion budget agreement this week.
Minnesota lawmakers have officially completed their work for 2019, sending a two-year, $48 billion budget agreement to Governor Tim Walz for his approval.
It is crunch time at the State Capitol as lawmakers have just hours left to come to an agreement on a two-year budget for the state of Minnesota.
After taking several days off for the fishing opener, budget talks are set to pick up again Sunday evening at the State Capitol.
Debates over health care provider tax, gas tax increase could dampen budget negotiations and MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher in studio
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Prepares to Announce Plans for 2020, Expected to Get into Presidential Race and Republicans Gain Seat in Minn. Senate Following Special Election.
Legislative Audit Cites Multiple Problems for Failed MNLARS Rollout and Klobuchar to Visit Key Voting States This Week as Presidential Campaign Enters Second Week
During a decade of bleak budget years from 2003 to 2012, Minnesota State Troopers went five of those years with no pay raises. Those years with no raises have caused state trooper pay to fall further and further behind police officers in local departments
Year after year, gun control advocates have pushed for stricter access to guns in Minnesota. The 2019 Legislative Session may be their best chance in years to get legislation passed
Minnesota lawmakers spent part of Tuesday getting a glimpse into a future that could one day lead to driver-less semi-trucks. We're not there yet, but the technology practically is and the state could at least take a step in that direction ...
It has been a busy week of political transition in Minnesota. The Tim Walz era has officially begun and the 2019 legislative session is moving full steam ahead...
On our final episode of At Issue for 2018, we look back at some of the year's biggest political headlines,
After nearly 12 years serving Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, Keith Ellison is gearing up to begin his new role as the state's next attorney general ...
Governor-elect Tim Walz said the surplus is great news, but there are risk factors that shouldn’t be ignored
Governor-elect Tim Walz will be working with a divided state legislature, with the DFL in control of the House and Republicans holding a one-seat majority in the Senate. The big test for all of these leaders will be trying to reach compromises on key issues
Gov. Mark Dayton will be back at work this week in St. Paul after a more than month-long stay in the hospital ...
The most expensive public works project in Minnesota history got the green light from the federal government this week. The Southwest Light Rail line will connect downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie
A night of historic wins in Minnesota in the 2018 midterm elections will lead to a very different political landscape over the next two years on both the state and national level .
KSTP/SurveyUSA Results in 1st Congressional District Race, Secretary of State Candidates in Studio
We are in crunch time mode as we count down to Election Day on Tuesday with all-out efforts by candidates, political parties and special interest groups to earn your vote in the 2018 midterms ...
With just about two weeks to go before election day, Minnesota is already in the record books when it comes to outside spending on Congressional races
President Donald Trump returned to Minnesota this week to stump for Republican candidates.
The dramatic debate over the fate of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh will extend into later this week. This comes following passionate testimony from both Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford
A tight race for Minnesota attorney general is emerging between DFL candidate Keith Ellison and Republican candidate Doug Wardlow
With less than two months until election day, we have our first look at where the race for governor stands in Minnesota .
Three days of intense questioning and political squabbling will come down to a key vote this week to determine if Brett Kavanaugh will become the country's next Supreme Court justice.
Thousands of people have paid tribute this week to late Arizona Sen. John McCain, who died late last month after a battle with brain cancer.
Plenty of candidates on the November ballot will be on hand to greet visitors to the Minnesota State Fair between now and Labor Day ...
DFL attorney general candidate Keith Ellison addressed allegations of domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend this week prior to meeting with residents in North Minneapolis ...
KSTP's Political Insider Tom Hauser sits down with the three leading DFL candidates for governor, Erin Murphy, Tim Walz and Lori Swanson, for a debate on the issues ahead of the August 14 primary
KSTP's Political Insider Tom Hauser sits down with the two leading GOP candidates for governor, Jeff Johnson and Tim Pawlenty, for a debate on the issues ahead of the Aug. 14 primary
The Department of Corrections is outlining changes and addressing safety and security concerns following a deadly attack on a corrections officer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Stillwater.
New allegations have come to light about the behavior of a former legislative director in Congressman Rick Nolan's office.
The campaign for attorney general candidate Keith Ellison got a big boost this week from Bernie Sanders, current Vermont Senator and former Democratic presidential candidate...
Early voting is off to a strong start in Minnesota ahead of the August 14 primary elections. The Secretary of State's office says it has sent out nearly 17,000 absentee ballots in the first week of early voting...
President Donald Trump made his first visit to Minnesota this week since taking office. He held a rally in Duluth Wednesday, where he talked about the economy, mining and job
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week could have a big impact on what you're allowed to wear when you go to vote. The court struck down a Minnesota law banning most political apparel at the polls.
This week will go down as one of the craziest and most memorable weeks in Minnesota political history ...
A weekend of big decisions and drama on opposite ends of the state are setting the stage for what should be a busy and contentious midterm election season in Minnesota.
We are now in the final hours of the 2018 Legislative Session. Not surprisingly, lawmakers and Governor Dayton seem headed for an impasse...
With one week left in the legislative session, KSTP will be watching what happens with some major pieces of legislation this week that impact Minnesotans. One bill that's getting a lot of attention is a hands-free cell phone bill. Our conversations with candidates running for governor wrap up this week with our final two candidates.
House Republicans introduced their 2018 bonding bill at the State Capitol this week. They're proposing to spend $825 million on a variety of public works projects. It's roughly half as much as the $1.5 billion Governor Dayton has proposed for a bonding bill in 2018.
Our conversations with candidates for governor of Minnesota continues this week with Tim Walz. The Democratic congressman is giving up his seat in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District to run for governor. Walz has represented the 1st District, covering much of southern Minnesota, since 2007. Walz spent 24 years in the National Guard, and is also a former high school teacher and football coach.
State Rep. Rod Hamilton (R-Mountain Lake) is being accused of sexual misconduct and has been suspended from his role as chair of the House Agriculture Finance committee.
Our series of conversations with candidates for Minnesota governor continues this week with DFL candidate Erin Murphy. Murphy was the first candidate to jump in to the race, shortly after the 2016 elections concluded. Murphy has represented her St. Paul house district since 2007 and served as House Majority leader for two years. Murphy is also a licensed nurse and past executive director of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
Time is running short for Governor Dayton and state lawmakers to reach agreement on how to conform Minnesota's tax code to the new federal tax law. Failing to reach an agreement could result in thousands of Minnesotans having their taxes go up, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Our series of interviews with candidates running for Minnesota governor continues this week with Jeff Johnson. Johnson, a Hennepin County Commissioner, was the GOP nominee for governor in 2014, but lost to Governor Dayton. He is running again in 2018.
Between now and mid-May, Tom Hauser will sit down with candidates running for governor in Minnesota. Republican Tim Pawlenty is, of course, no stranger to the governor's office. He served as Minnesota governor from 2003-2011. Now, he's hoping to get back into state politics after an eight year break.
The issues and questions keep coming in regards to problems with the state's new licensing and registration system known as MNLARS. This week Republican lawmakers grilled state officials about a decision to use $1.3 million in highway funding to hire more than 25 workers to staff a call center to handle customer complaints about MNLARS.
Tim Pawlenty wants to be governor of Minnesota again. On Thursday, the Republican entered the 2018 governor's race, where he will try to win a third term in office.
Ongoing threats of tariffs between the U.S. and China have many Minnesota farmers on edge. President Trump and China went back and forth this week, threatening to slap tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods – everything from crops to electronics.
Vice President Mike Pence made a rare visit to Minnesota this week to promote the Trump administration's newly passed tax cuts. The event at the Minneapolis Convention Center had more of a campaign rally feel to it. Pence said the tax cuts are helping to spur more growth in the economy.
Gov. Mark Dayton made a push this week to make one-time funding for pre-kindergarten programs permanent. Last year, the Legislature approved $50 million in one-time funding to offer free pre-k programs across the state. He argues if that funding is not continued, dozens of districts will not be able to offer those programs again.
On this week's "At Issue," Tom Hauser and political analysts delve into the pressing issues at the State Legislature this session, including funding for MNLARS fixes, gun control and school safety, a bill to improve protections for boat passengers, and much more.
Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a budget on Friday that accounts for changes in the state economy and federal tax law since the budget was passed last year.
A bipartisan group of Minnesota senators unveiled a pair of gun control measures in the wake of the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school last month. One would impose background checks on almost all gun sales and transfers, and the other would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen weapon within two weeks.
Gov. Mark Dayton announced his plan for school safety and reducing gun violence this week at the State Capitol.
Minnesota Weighs in on Possibility of Trump-Kim Meeting A Minnesota woman with ties to North Korea says she feels a range of emotions as leaders from the U.S. and North Korea mull a potential meeting.
Minnesota budget officials say lawmakers will have a $329 surplus with which to work in the upcoming biennium.
However, Republican lawmakers and Gov. Mark Dayton are split on how to handle it.
DFL leaders urge caution while Republicans are expressing optimism.
In this week's "Political Insider," Brian McClung, communications director for former governor Tim Pawlenty, says Democrats are generally cautious about the money when it's projected, but at the end of the legislative session seem to want to spend every penny.
Some lawmakers want to use the surplus to bring Minnesota's tax law in line with new federal guidelines.
Dayton also plans to adjust his budget proposal following news of the surplus. That update is expected later this month.
Gov. Dayton Likely to Sign Legislative Funding Bill on Monday Minnesota state leaders are now back at the Capitol for the start of the 2018 legislative session.
On Thursday, they officially got a "do-over" for a bill vetoed by Gov. Mark Dayton last spring that would provide nearly $130 million in funding for legislative operations.
Gun Control Debate at the Capitol The gun control debate continues at the State Capitol. Dayton says he supports student efforts pushing for tighter gun control. The governor says he's donating $1,000 to a GoFundMe page paying for Minnesota students who are going to the "March For Our Lives" rally next month in Washington, D.C.
On Tuesday, lawmakers will return to the State Capitol for the legislative session, a little later in the year than the body typically convenes.
The gun control debate is taking center stage again following a mass shooting Wednesday at a south Florida high school. Seventeen people died in the rampage.
A big announcement Friday from Minnesota 8th District Congressman Rick Nolan.
He says he will retire at the end of his term this year and not run for reelection. The 74-year-old Democrat narrowly defeated Republican challenger Stewart Mills in his last two reelection bids in the 8th District, which represents much of northeastern Minnesota and reaches as far south as North Branch.
Meanwhile, on Monday, special elections to replace former State Rep. Tony Cornish and former State Sen. Dan Schoen will take place. The two lawmakers stepped down late last year amid sexual misconduct allegations.
This week on "At Issue," Richard Davis, executive chairman of U.S. Bank and one of the Co-chairs of the Super Bowl Host Committee, stopped by to talk about the Super Bowl and related festivities.
Meanwhile, the Minneapolis Armory opened its doors for its first major concert on Thursday, when Imagine Dragons took the stage.
A new person is in charge at the Minnesota Department of Health. Gov. Mark Dayton made the announcement this week that Jan Malcolm will take over. The move comes after former commissioner Ed Ehlinger stepped down after reports about substantial backlogs in dealing with complaints about nursing home abuse.
State officials say they need a lot more money to make corrections to the Minnesota Licensing and Registration System, or MNLARS.
Super Bowl festivities in the Twin Cities are in full swing.
Fans from around the country will fly into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for the festivities. MSP is expecting almost 70,000 passengers to fly out Monday after the big game, which would be a record travel day for the airport.
The state Management and Budget office recently released a report on how the state handles sexual harassment. Gov. Mark Dayton requested the department review policies and procedures after allegations of sexual harassment surfaced at the Capitol.
Last week, a beloved contributor to our "At Issue" political panels for the last 18 years passed away. Sarah Janecek left us way too soon. She was a key contributor since the team first went on air in 2000. She was carefree and enjoyed life to the fullest.
Gov. Mark Dayton's last bonding bill is a blockbuster that he says would create thousands of jobs. Republicans see it as more of a budget-buster.Dayton is pitching the $1.5 billion package of construction projects around the state. About one-third of that would go to the University of Minnesota and other state colleges.
The Dayton Administration says the Public Works proposal will create nearly 23,000 jobs.
About $ 542 million is proposed for projects at the U of M and Minnesota state colleges.
The election year clock is already ticking for new Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith. She has less than 10 Months to raise maybe as much as $20 million for the 2018 election.
Meanwhile, Republican State Sen. Karin Housley held a campaign rally in Stillwater on Saturday. That will start to turn up the heat on Smith, who has to run both a campaign and fulfill her duties in Washington.
Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and a new City Council were publicly sworn into office last week.
It's one of the most diverse group of elected officials in the city's history. Nearly half of the Council is new and two members are transgender. The public ceremony ushered in what city leadership believes will be a time of unity and progress.
After the inauguration, council elections were held. Ward 10 Council Member Lisa Bender was elected president. She replaces longtime City Council member and president Barb Johnson.
New Ward 8 Council Member Andrea Jenkins was elected vice president. Of note, both of those votes were unanimous.
This week a new U.S. Senator took office in Minnesota. Former Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith is now Senator Smith, replacing Democrat Al Franken, after allegations of sexual misconduct.
As Smith learns the new job in Washington, her replacement as lieutenant governor will be doing the same here in Minnesota.
Republican State Sen. Michelle Fischbach became Gov. Mark Dayton's second-in-command. She says she will decline the much higher lieutenant governor's salary of almost $83,000 and stick with her $45,000 Senate salary. Democratic leader Tom Bakk has called on Fischbach to resign from the Senate, saying she can't hold two jobs at once.
Minneapolis and St. Paul both swore in new mayors this week. And both were busy as they started their new positions.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo got together to talk about some of their top priorities, which includes creating a stronger bond between officers and the community.
St. Paul's new mayor, Melvin Carter met with community members to learn more about the issues that are important to them.
Governor Mark Dayton has chosen his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith, to take over the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Al Franken.
It was a dramatic week in Minnesota political history. U.S. Sen. Al Franken resigned Thursday following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and growing calls from many of his U.S. Senate colleagues to step down. Tom Hauser examines from multiple angles.