The first big deadline for action in the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching at the Capitol.

While committee hearings will be churning at full steam next week, a number of bills are delayed or stuck in the tied Minnesota House. But there’s an area where measures have fielded bipartisan support: consumer protection. 

Legislation is on the march that deals with the prices people pay, defenses against scams and recourses available if they’ve been ripped off. 

MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests assess what consumer protection bills might make it into law this year. 

Later in the program, a check-in with the top state economic development official about paid leave, artificial intelligence and all that’s changing our interactions with the workplace. 

Guests:

• DFL Rep. Erin Koegel of Spring Lake Park
• Republican Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls
• Matt Varilek, commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.  
• Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR News
• Peter Cox, correspondent for MPR News

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