At Issue: Feb. 7 — Public safety showdown between Walz, Republicans as Chauvin trial nears

There’s a showdown happening at the Minnesota State Capitol between Gov. Tim Walz and legislative Republicans who are trying to fund increased public safety efforts ahead of the upcoming high-profile trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

This week on “At Issue,” we take a look at the different approaches offering by the DFL-led administration and Republican lawmakers. Our political analysts have their own takes, too, suggesting it isn’t an easy answer. But with the trial fast approaching, Minnesota’s governing officials will have to decide soon.

Meanwhile, the governor’s budget proposal removes $3 million from spinal cord and traumatic brain injury research. Walz says balancing the budget requires a lot of difficult decisions – and that the research should be done within the University of Minnesota or Mayo Clinic.

At the Legislature, DFLers introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana but the Senate Republican leader says he won’t support it. And in Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is joining the likes of Sens. Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren in asking President Joe Biden to take swift action in forgiving student loans debt up to $50,000.