Brian Bakst

Minnesota

Political Reporter at Minnesota Public Radio (St. Paul, MN)

"A top political reporter" at @mprnews (according to legal filings), formerly @ap.

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Articles

Politics Friday: Digging into the one-day special session

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Ellie Roth |Matthew Alvarez

Create an account or log in to save stories. Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories. Minnesota lawmakers are breathing a bit easier now that they’ve finally adopted a new budget — roughly $66 billion over the next two years. The Legislature met earlier this week for a special session to get the work done. There were protests, long debates, stories of immigration, but lawmakers managed to pass 15 bills in less than one day.
New Minnesota budget sealed up in legislative spree as immigrant health coverage rescinded

2 weeks ago | southernminn.com | Brian Bakst |Peter Cox

By BRIAN BAKST, PETER COX and ELI ROTH Minnesota Public Radio News A budget bottleneck came unclogged as the Minnesota Legislature bolted through bill after bill to finish a $66 billion two-year spending plan early Tuesday and avoid a possible government shutdown. Get any of our free email newsletters - news headlines, e-edition, prep sports, obituaries, entertainment and more. Explore newsletters© Minnesota Public Radio. All rights reserved.
New Minnesota budget sealed up in legislative spree as immigrant health coverage rescinded

2 weeks ago | mankatofreepress.com | Brian Bakst |Peter Cox

A budget bottleneck came unclogged as the Minnesota Legislature bolted through bill after bill to finish a $66 billion two-year spending plan early Tuesday and avoid a possible government shutdown. It took a special session to complete the job after the regular session ended in May with much undone. With a firm deal in hand, lawmakers churned through sprawling bills one after another and wrapped up their work.
New Minnesota budget sealed up in legislative spree as immigrant health coverage rescinded

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Peter Cox |Ellie Roth

A budget bottleneck came unclogged as the Minnesota Legislature bolted through bill after bill to finish a $66 billion two-year spending plan early Tuesday and avoid a possible government shutdown. It took a special session to complete the job after the regular session ended in May with much undone. With a firm deal in hand, lawmakers churned through sprawling bills one after another and wrapped up their work.
Politics Friday: Lawmakers slog toward budget conclusion as shutdown creeps into picture

3 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

It’s been about three weeks since the the Legislature adjourned from the 2025 session without completing a state budget. Since then, teams of negotiators have met, mostly in private, to try to chart a path to the end and craft remaining budget bills. Lawmakers will have to complete this task within the next few weeks to avoid a partial government shutdown that would interrupt services in state parks, key health programs, driver’s licensing exams and more.
Politics Friday: Walz weighs in as state lawmakers head into overtime

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

The Minnesota Legislature is hanging around a bit longer. The yearly work was supposed to end Monday, May 19 but lawmakers adjourned with unfinished business. Now, they’re gearing up for a special session. Most of the budget is unresolved and the final points of agreement are still not in hand. So when might this be done and is a government shutdown a possibility? Friday at noon, MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Gov.
Politics Friday: Is the Legislature on the doorstep of a special session?

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

The end of the Minnesota Legislature’s session was supposed to be right around the corner — Monday, May 19 — but just like the choppy start of this year’s session, the ending is proving to be difficult. Back in January, a politically tied House got off to a delayed start now. Now, the possibility of a special session looms over the Capitol.
Politics Friday: Incomplete grade as lawmakers hammer out school aid deal

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

Almost 40 percent of the state budget goes to preschool through high school education – around $25 billion over two years. For school districts, state dollars make up most of what gets spent on classroom costs, from teacher salaries to specialists to materials. So it’s no surprise that the education budget bill is always one of the last to come together.
Politics Friday: Slow so far, a big phase of Minnesota's marijuana market launch nears

1 month ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

This month marks two years since Minnesota lawmakers passed the bill to legalize marijuana use and possession for adults 21 and older. Commercial sales have taken a bit of time to get going. Outside of Minnesota tribal communities and the medical cannabis program, the retail space is still taking shape. The initial licenses around cultivation, transportation, distribution and sales could be issued soon. Even then, it will take time for everything to shake out.
Politics Friday: Washington is top of mind for a pair of Minnesota's top leaders

2 months ago | mprnews.org | Brian Bakst |Matthew Alvarez

Gov. Tim Walz had his chance this week to assess the condition of Minnesota in a speech where he spent a lot of time focused on what the president is up to. Had November’s election ended differently, Peggy Flanagan would have been the one delivering the State of the State address at the Minnesota Capitol. Instead, the DFL lieutenant governor was seated beside Walz at this week’s speech. She’s running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. Flanagan has competition for the DFL nomination.

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Brian Bakst

Brian Bakst @Stowydad

13 Feb 25

Sen. Tina Smith won’t seek reelection in 2026, putting Minnesota seat up for grabs #mnsen https://t.co/2ExnWEqgY9

Brian Bakst

Brian Bakst @Stowydad

6 Aug 24

Now what in Minnesota? Depends on Democratic ticket success and TIMING https://t.co/o1yPaeQ83r

Brian Bakst

Brian Bakst @Stowydad

6 Aug 24

It’s Walz https://t.co/sZctK25lPD