At Issue: Nov. 15 — A look at Minnesota’s new COVID-19 restrictions, new Legislature

Gov. Tim Walz announced new restrictions on bars, restaurants and social gatherings this past week in Minnesota’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

While the restrictions are getting pushback from some political opponents — and business leaders — there is one segment of the economy that’s breathing a sigh of relief: the retail industry. Retailers are allowed to operate at 100% capacity, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

This week on “At Issue,” we talk to a retailer who is surviving amid all the constant changes 2020 has to offer. Meanwhile, at the Minnesota State Capitol, House Republicans tried something new to curb the DFL governor’s peacetime emergency powers — new legislation.

Across the hall in the Senate chambers, the Republican majority elected Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, as the Senate President. It’s the first time in state history a minority-party member has overseen the chamber, but it’s all based on political speculation surrounding the Biden administration.

The Senate is expected to look a little younger in the upcoming 2021 legislative session. While the average age of a current Minnesota state senator is 59, three incoming senators are bucking that trend and pushing their youthful optimism as they look to shape Minnesota politics.

Our political analysts dissect whether or not polls are actually worth the time and effort, especially after one national poll had Democrat Joe Biden leading Republican President Donald Trump by 11 points in Wisconsin just before Election Day.