Week two of an unusual Minnesota legislative session is underway with the struggle over power still gripping the Capitol. Republicans in the House continue to hold floor sessions while Democrats continue to boycott as court decisions late last week pushed a House special election into March.

Last legislative session, a unique bipartisan coalition formed to combat housing affordability. Chaired by DFLers Rep. Mike Howard and Sen. Lindsey Port, the committee had strong bipartisan support, including from House Republican Whip Rep. Jim Nash, who has been working on housing legislation for more than 10 years.

Two of the bills that received very strong bipartisan support had to do with city zoning reform, but lobbying by city governments, especially in the suburbs, tanked the bills.

With so much left unfinished last session and with this session’s power balance still in limbo, how will that committee work together in the House?

Rep. Nash serves on the Housing and Finance Committee. He was one of the co-authors of the zoning bill in the House last session. Rep. Howard is another co-author of the zoning bill and the top-ranking Democrat on the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. They both joined MPR News guest host Emily Bright to explain what’s to come.