At Issue with Tom Hauser

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.

We look back at some of the biggest political stories of 2017 in Minnesota...