Call of the Senate

Senator Ann Johnson Stewart is a civil engineer, business owner, and a teacher at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. A 25-year resident of Minnesota, Johnson Stewart is an avid data collector who loves to knit in her spare time.  Listen as she tells Senator Scott Dibble all about her legislative priorities, why she decided to run for office, and how she developed the “Design Institute.”

Senator Mary K. Kunesh has stepped into her role as Senator after serving many years as a House Representative for Senate District 41. This former teacher is ready to bring her Native American roots to the Senate. Listen as she talks about her legislative priorities, why she decided to run for office, and the fact that she is one of 13 siblings.

Senator Omar Fateh was born to immigrant parents from Somalia in Washington D.C. then raised in Virginia. Being the first Somali-American Senator in Minnesota, he brings a unique perspective to the Senate that he hopes will bring diversity and inclusion to all his legislation. Listen as he talks about his hard-working parents, why he decided to run for office, and how he’s learning to fish in the land of 10,000 lakes.

Senator John Marty hosts this episode of Call of the Senate with guests Senator Patricia Torres Ray and Representative Ruth Richardson. As catalytic converter thefts impact increasing numbers of people, Sens. Marty and Torres Ray are re-introducing legislation in the Senate and Rep. Richardson is introducing in the House. This legislation is to prevent scrap metal dealers from buying catalytic converters from anyone other than an automobile repair shop, auto recycling business, or a vehicle owner that demonstrates proof of ownership.

Freshman Senator Jennifer McEwen was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, where she currently lives in the house that her great-grandparents built. This lawyer by trade is ready to bring her northern roots to the Senate. Listen as she talks about her legislative priorities, why she decided to run for office, and her best-kept secret.

The Minnesota Senate DFLers' Call of the Senate is back for its third season. This episode features Assistant Senate DFL Leader Nick Frentz hosting Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent and Assistant Senate DFL Leader Melisa Franzen. Listen as they go through the top priorities for the Minnesota Senate DFL’s 2021 Legislative Session, discuss the events that happened in Washington D.C. on January 6th, and much more.

The Minnesota Legislature was called back into a special session for several reasons. When the Senate Republicans adjourned, a lot of the work was left undone such as criminal justice system transformation, a robust bonding bill, and the allocation of federal funding from the CARES Act. Call of the Senate with Senator Jeff Hayden welcomes Senate DFL Leader, Susan Kent, along with Sens. Carolyn Laine and Melisa Lopez Franzen, onto the program to discuss the "not-so" special session.

In the aftermath of the horrific murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the impact it had on Minnesota, Call of the Senate with Senator Jeff Hayden welcomes Senators Scott Dibble and Kari Dziedzic onto the program. Listen as these Senators from Minneapolis have a candid discussion on racism and reform.

Call of the Senate with Senator Jeff Hayden welcomes Senators Jim Carlson and Nick Frentz onto the program to discuss fair and secure elections. Minnesotans deserve fair and secure voting rights, whether we are in the middle of a public health emergency or not. Vote by mail will protect the health and safety of Minnesotans and their right to vote during a public health emergency. 

Call of the Senate with Senator Jeff Hayden welcomes Senator Matt Klein, M.D. onto the program to discuss Minnesota's response to COVID-19 and a first-hand perspective from the frontlines of this pandemic.