>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> IT'S A GESTURE F FRIENDSHIP TO START THIS SESSION OFF.

>> Mary: NEW SESSION, NEW LEADER, NEW SEASON OF THE SHOW, THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO ANOTHER SEASON OF "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

WE HAVE GREAT SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE HAVE SENATE LEADERS HERE LIVE IN THEIR FIRST JOINT APPEARANCE TOGETHER.

AND I BELIEVE ONE OF THEM MAKING HISTORY.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT MUCH LATER.

WE ALSO HAVE A REPORTER TO CHECK IN WITH.

AND YOU GET TO MEET ANOTHER FRESHMAN AND THIS ONE HAD BUN OF THE CLOSEST RACES IN THE STATE.

BUT FIRST ONE ISSUE IS ALREADY BECOMING CLEAR THIS SESSION, ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOW STALLED OUT IN HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST NIGHT.

IT DEALS WITH POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS.

[ Gavel banging ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

> >> Mary: THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OFF AND RUNNING AND DAY ONE, UNISSUE IMMEDIATELY SURFACED HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> EXCELLENT.

WE'RE REAL HAPPY TO BE BACK.

>> Mary: TOP ISSUES?

>> SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A TON ISSUE.

>> Mary: ARE YOU MOVING FAST ENOUGH FOR THE MINORITY?

>> WELL, OF COURSE NOT.

WE ARE MOVING QUICKLY, AND WE ARE MOVING THOUGHTFULLY.

WE EXPECT A BILL ON THE FLOOR EARLY NEXT WEEK.

NOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING INTENSIVELY SINCE AUGUST ON THIS.

>> Mary: HE SPEAKER SAYS THE ILL WILL MOVE QUICKLY, BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH FOR REPUBLICANS IN EITHER CHAMBER.

>> FAST ENOUGH FOR ME WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE WANT IT TO BE BIPARTISAN, WE TRULY DO.

THIS IS NOT REPUBLICANS VERSUS DENL WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAFETY OF OWFER KIDS.

>> Mary: THE SENATE DFL'S NEW LEADER SAID A VOTE ON S.R.O.s IS STILL WEEKS AWAY.

>> THIS IS WORK THAT WE COMMITTED TO.

AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, FOR OUR CAUCUS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE IN THE SCOO, THEY'RE IN SCHOOLS WHERE THEY CAN LEARN, WHERE THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WORKING THERE ARE SAFE AND THAT'S THE HEART OF THE MATTER.

>> T'S A NOT A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

THEIR REAL JOB IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH KIDS.

THEY ARE A SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP OFFICER.

>> Mary: THIS REPRESENTATIVE WAS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

>> THIS ISSUE IS NOT REVOLVED UNTIL 100% OF OUR S.R.O.s ARE BACK IN THE SCHOOLS AND WE PASS THE FIX INTO LAW.

>> MUCH OF WHAT YOU SAID MEANS YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THIS BILL.

THIS BILL CREATES A PROCESS TO CREATE UNIFORMITY AND TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOTH HAD COMMITTEE HEARINGS IN THIS FIRST WEEK.

>> WE WANT ALL STUDENTS TOO BE SAFE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE WANT ALL PEOPLE TO BE SAFE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT S.R.

O.s IN SCHOOLS CAN BE A COMPLICATED CONVERSATION THAT REQUIRE HONEST AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.

AND IT'S ESSENTIAL THAT WE PROVIDE CLARITY THROUGH THIS BILL.

>> THIS BILL LSO MAKES IT CLEAR THAT S.R.O.s ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE INVOLVED IN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, AND IF A COMMUNITY SO CHEESES TO HAVE AN S.R.O., THIS BILL WILL HELP.

>> Mary: SOME STUDENTS OPPOSE THE CHANGES.

>> PLEASE LISTEN TO THOSE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS THE MOST, THE STUDENTS AS WE ARE HERE TODAY AND PLEASE LISTEN AND RESPECT US AS THIS AFFECTS US, NOT ADULTS.

>> COUNTLESS OF MY PEERS HAVE LASTING TRAUMA FROM BEING HELD FACE DOWN BY AN ADULT.

>> THIS SO-CALLED PROPER PRONE RESTRAINT IS INHUMANE.

IT'S TRAUMATIC.

IT'S INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN.

>> Mary: JOINING ME NOW, SENATE LEADERS AND IT'S THE FIRST JOINT I APPEARANCE FOR THESE TWO.

WE HAVE SENATOR MARK JOHNSON AND THE NEW DFL MAJORITY LEADER, ERIN MURPHY.

WELCOME, YOU TWO.

SENATOR MURPHY, I THINK YOU MADE HISTORY.

I'VE BEEN CHECKING AROUND.

I THINK YOU MIGHT THE FIRST PERSON TO BE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S TRUE?

>> SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THAT WAS TRUE.

I HAVEN'T DONE THE RESEARCH M SALE ND IT DOESN'T MATTER.

I'M SO HAPPY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Mary: SO SHE'S NOT A SPRING CHICKEN.

SHE KNOW PEAS WHAT SHE'S DOING.

THIS IS A PERSON WHO HAS RUN THE SHOW HERE IN THE HOUSE.

SO THIS IS A FOR MIDDAGE REPLACEMENT FOR FOR SENATOR DZIEDZIC?

>> REALLY IVES ME A LOT OF HONE THAT WE CAN WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES GOING FORWARD HERE.

>> AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO BUILD ON THE REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF KARI DZIEDZIC.

>> Mary: ARE YOU HOPING THERE'S SOME HOLES IN THAT ONE SEAT MAJORITY AND THAT MAYBE SHE CAN'T HOLD ALL 34 TOGETHER?

>> WHAT I'M OPING FOR IS SOME BIPARTISAN WORK THIS YEAR.

I THINK REPUBLICANS BRING SOME REALLY GOOD IDEAS TO THE TABLE AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK ON THOSE ISSUES TOGETHER.

AGE THAT'S OUR GOAL THIS YEAR.

>> Mary: HUGE SHOES TO FILL, THOUGH.

WE WERE ALL -- CAN THAT CONTINUE?

>> WHAT WE LEARNED LAST YEAR IS THAT IF WE ACT TOGETHER, AND WE STICK OGETHER, WE CAN DO IMPORTANT WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

AND BENEATH THE FLOOR DEBATE AND THE VOTES THAT WE CAST, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MEMBERS BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLES WORKING TO SHAPE POLICY, SO A LOT OF BILLS THAT COME FORWARD, EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE A FINAL REPUBLICAN VOTE HAVE REPUBLICAN FINGERPRINTS, THEIR ATTENTION, THEIR AMENDMENTS IN THOSE BILLS.

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT.

>> Mary: THE WORK TOGETHER ON SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS HASN'T BEEN GOING PARTICULARLY WELL IN EITHER COMMITTEE, REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO GET A LOT OF AMENDMENTS OCTOBER THEY'RE NOT GETTING THEM N. WE HEAR REPUBLICAN VOTES ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED.

IS THAT TRUE IN YOUR CHAMBER?

>> WELL, I HAVEN'T POLLED THE D.F.L.

CAUCUS AT ALL, BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE BROUGHT A LOT OF GOOD AMENDMENTS AND WE'VE HEARD FROM BOTH THE EDUCATION SIDE OF THE EQUATION, THEN ALSO LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THE EQUATION THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

AND SO WE HAVE BROUGHT THOSE TOGETHER IN COMMITTEE, SO IT WAS SUPER DISAPPOINTING TODAY WHEN SENATOR DUCKWORTH AND OTHERS BROUGHT THOSE FORWARD AND ALMOST TO A POINT OF BEING DISMISSIVE OF OUR AMENDMENTS ON THAT.

AND SO THAT WASN'T A VERY GOOD START.

I HOPE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE CORRECTED GOING FORWARD.

BUT WE'RE BRINGING IDEAING IDEAS OF FROM HALF OF MOIFT TO THE TABLE.

>> SO I THINK THERE'S A SHARED INTEREST ON THE PART OF BOTH THE BODIES OF THE LEGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS ALIKE, BUT PORE IMPORTANTLY ON THE PART OF MINNESOTANS THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE IN OUR SCHOOLS, THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE PLACES TO LEARN.

AND THAT HAS BEEN THE WATCH FOR US, FOR SENATOR WE HAVE STLIN, FOR REPRESENTATIVE FRAZIER.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THIS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE METHODICALLY, VERY METHODICALLY WORKING TOWARD A BILL THAT WILL BE PASSED AND I HOPE, AS ZACK DUCKWORTH SAID, THAT THIS SHOULD BE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT AND I HOPE FOR BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> Mary: IS THERE SOMETHING HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES BECAUSE IT STALLED OUT HERE IN N THE HOUSE.

THEY WERE HOPING TO HAVE IT IN WAYS AND MEANS TONIGHT.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING BEHIND THE SCENES WHICH HAS BEEN ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT FOR US.

SEEMS LIKE WE'VE BEEN VERY SILOED IN OUR APPROACHES ON THIS, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO THE CONVERSATION WITH THE DEMOCRATS TO HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE BUY-IN FROM BOTH SIDES.

>> Mary: OKAY, LET'S PIVOT TO SOMETHING YOU DEFINITELY NEED HIS VOTES ON, ONDING BILL.

THAT'S WAS THESE EVEN-YEAR SECTIONS ARE KNOWN FOR.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SWEETEN THE POT OVER THERE?

>> SO I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION THIS MORNING WITH SAND YAY PAPPAS, SENATOR PAPPAS, WHO'S THE CHAIR OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND SHE'S WORKING CLOSELY WITH KARIN HOUSELY WHO THE LEAD FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND I KNOW THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING BETWEEN DEAN URDAHL AND FUE LEE IN THE HOUSE.

AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, MY BELIEF AND MY PRACTICE THAT WE SHOULD LET THE CHAIRS LEAD THAT EFFORT.

THERE HAVE BEEN BODGEDDING TOURS ALL ACROSS THE STATE ALL DURING THIS INTERIM.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS AND SENATOR PAPPAS, SENATOR HOUSELY, AN THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, THEY'RE GOING TO NARROW THAT DOWN.

WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE OUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE HAD STATE VALUE, STATE IMPORTANCE, ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND WHAT AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE SHOULD PUT INTO LOCAL PROJECTS SO ACROSS THE STATE VERYBODY'S GETTING A BIT OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ON BONDING.

>> Mary: AFTER A RECORD LARGE BONDING BILL LAST SESSION, IS THERE ANY RELUCTANCE IN YOUR CAUCUS TO PUT UP ENOUGH VOTES?

>> I THINK HIS HAS TO BE A VERY BALANCED BILL, NOT JUST URBAN AND RURAL, THAT BALANCE, BUT REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF MINNESOTA IS TAKEN CARE OF IN THIS BILL IN A WAY WHERE IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

THINGS LIKE ROADS AND BRIDGES, WASTEWATER, DRINKING WATER, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MIND THE BUDGET TOO.

BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATS LAST YEAR SPENT THE $17.5 BILLION, AND THEN LSO RAISED TAXES BY $10 BILLION, AND THEN SPENT THAT, WE'RE REALLY STARTING TO GET OURSELVES INTO A REAL FISCAL CORNER RIGHT NOW, AND SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY MINDFUL -- >> Mary: LET'S TALK BUDGET.

VERY LITTLE DONE AND YOU KIND OF HAD A DIFFERENT MESSAGE ON DAY ONE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO STUFF.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT MYSELF GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY.

AND I THINK ABOUT MY HUSBAND GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY.

YOU GO TO WORK WITH INTENTION TO DO WHAT YOU'RE SENT TO DO.

AND I THINK I WANT TO BRING THAT SAME SPIRIT INTO THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO DO MY COLLEAGUES.

WE'RE NOT HERE TO SAY WE DID OUR WORK LAST YEAR.

SO WE WON'T WORK AS HARD.

WE'RE HERE, AND I THINK THAT'S TRUE FOR ALL OF US.

WE'RE HERE TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY ENTERUS HERE TO BUILD THEIR FUTURE AND WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO TRADE AT THE END?

BECAUSE LAST YEAR YOU GUYS PLAYED HARD BALL ON THAT BONDING BILL AND YOU GOT NURSING HOME FUNDING.

IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE OUT THERE THAT YOU THINK COULD END UP BEING TRADED TOWARDS THE END?

>> AND WE HAVEN'T NECESSARILY SOLIDIFIED A POSITION ON THIS BUT OUR CAUCUS IS VERY INTERESTED IN REPAIRING A LOT OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR THROUGH THAT FAST-PACED SESSION THAT WE HAD, WITH ALL THE BILLS THAT WENT THROUGH.

S.R.O.

ISSUES, THE TAX FIXES THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE ACROSS THIS STATE.

YOU KNOW, REPAIRING A LOT OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR IS GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO SEE HAPPEN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE RIGHT BALANCE -- >> Mary: LET'S TALK AN ISSUE THEN.

FLAG, HAS THIS TURNED INTO A PARTISAN DEMOCRATS FLY THE NEW FLAG.

REPUBLICANS FLY THE OLD FLAG.

HAS THIS GOTTEN TO AN UNFORTUNATE PARTISAN PLACE?

>> I HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T, I HAVE ON MY DESK A COPY OF THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

I ALWAYS THINK JENNIFER BROOKS IS SO FUNNY AND SHE DID A HOT DISH FLAG, AND SHE DID A LASER LOON FLAG -- >> Mary: PEOPLE WERE REALLY ENGAGED.

THERE'S STILL SOME REAL ANGST OUT THERE.

>> I THINK ABOUT IT LIKE BUYING A NEW HOME.

WE CHOSE A PATH.

LET'S PUT A COMMISSION TOGETHER.

LET'S ASK THEM O ANSWER THE QUESTION.

DO WE NEED NEW FLAG?

THEY DID ADMIRABLE WORK.

THEY -- THE ENGAGEMENT OF THAT PROCESS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER AND FALL WAS WONDERFUL.

AND IT YIELDED A RESULT, IEW ACTUALLY LIKE THE FLAG MYSELF.

>> I HEAR YOU'RE FLYING IT IN YOUR OFFICE?

>> NOPE, NEITHER.

NOT IN MY OFFICE, BUT I LIKE IT.

[Overlapping conversations] I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WITH TIME, RIGHT, LIKE YOU BUY A NEW HOME, IT FEELS UNFAMILIAR.

WITH TIME -- BECOMES HOME.

I THINK THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS FLAG.

WITH TIME, IT WILL BECOME THE MINNESOTA FLAG.

>> Mary: SENATOR DEBATE AHEAD, RIGHT?

THANKS.

♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> Mary: VERY BUSY START TO SESSION.

AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE TOP CAPITOL REPORTERS TO BREAK IT DOWN, TOREY VAN OOT FROM "AXIOS TWIN CITIES."

THANK YOU.

IT'S TRUE.

YOU DID A GREAT ROUNDUP OF ALL THE BIG ISSUES.

WHAT DID WE MISS?

>> WELL, JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME, DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT TO DEBATE.

SO THERE ARE SOME BIG ISSUES THAT MAY GET DONE THIS YEAR.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT GOING ON THE BALLOT.

HUGE RALLY AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY GO AHEAD WITH PUTTING A REVISED AMENDMENT.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE BALLOT.

THE CATCH IS THEY MAY PUT IT ON FOR 2026, NOT 2024.

GIVE MORE TIME TO RAMP UP THAT CAMPAIGN.

MAYBE GIVE DEMOCRATS A NON-PRESIDENTIAL YEAR TURNOUT BOOST WITH THAT.

SO THAT'S ONE THAT IS ON THE DOCKET THAT MAY GET DONE THIS YEAR IS WHAT LEADERS SAY.

>> Mary: AND REPUBLICANS ARE KIND OF CALLING POLITICS ON THAT NE TO KEEP ABORTION WHICH HAS BEEN A WINNING ISSUE ON THE BALLOT FOR DEMOCRATS.

IT WAS A SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION LAST NIGHT, THAT'S STILL SOMETHING DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RUN ON.

>> I MEAN, NATIONALLY EVERY TIME ABORTION HAS BEEN ON THE BALLOT SINCE ROE VERSUS WADE, IT HAS WON BOTH, YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS, CANDIDATES RUNNING AND ISSUES.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SEEING PARTICULARLY IN SWING STATES, DEMOCRATS PUTTING THIS ISSUE ON THE BALLOT.

THE REPUBLICANS COMPLAINT IS THAT YOU'RE MIXING A LOT TOGETHER.

SOME OF OUR MEMBERS COULD HAVE BEEN ON BOARD WITH GENDER RIGHTS, BUT ONCE YOU START ADDING OTHER THINGS INTO THIS BIG KIND OF FRANKENSTEIN AMENDMENT AS THEY WOULD CALL IT, THAT'S -- THEY DON'T LIKE THAT SO MUCH.

>> Mary: WHEN YOU TALK TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT WHAT THEY HEAR THE MOST FROM, LIKE, NORMAL CONSTITUENTS BESIDES HE FLAG WHICH YOU JUST HE DID, WE HEAR SPORTS BETTING.

THAT'S NOT CLEAR, IS IT?

WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO?

>> I WOULDN'T PUT MONEY ON IT.

[ Laughter ] I THINK THIS WEEKEND A ANEL OF THE LEADERS, PRETTY MUCH HORTMAN GAVE IT A LITTLE BETTER ODDS, 60-40.

BUT THE OTHERS WERE ALL AROUND 50-50.

THE CRUXVILLE, IT MAY NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT ALMOST CERTAINLY AS OF NOW NEEDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE SENATE AND YOU'VE GOT TO GET A DEAL THAT THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE RACE TRACKS CAN LIVE WITH.

NOW, ONE OF THE LEAD AUTHORS IN THE ENATE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE HAS SAID I THINK I SEE A PATHWAY FOR FLIPPING SOME OF MY D.F.L.

COLLEAGUES AND GETTING IT THROUGH WITHOUT HAVING TO GIVE THE RACE TRACKS ATE PIECE OF BUT THAT'S TRICKY.

>> Mary: AND SO AS MANY AS THREE NO VOTES IN THE SENATE DMPLE CAUCUS I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW.

>> YES, AND SO YOU GOT TO EITHER FLIP YOUR D.F.L.

VOTES OR GET REPUBLICANS ON BOARD AND REPUBLICANS AND SOME DEMOCRATS, DUE TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES AND WHERE THEY REPRESENT ... WANT THE RACE TRACKS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A PIECE OF THIS PIE TOO.

AND ONE OF THE CHALLENGES HERE, MARY, IS THAT THE PIE ISN'T VERY BIG.

PEOPLE THINK, OH, SPOTS BETTING, IT'S A HUGE WINDFALL.

IT'S NOT, ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU PAY THE STATE GETS SOME OF THE REINHARDT, THE OPERATORS, THE SPORTS BOOKS, ONLINE, MOBILE, ESPECIALLY GETS SOME OF THE REINHARDT.

SO THERE'S NOT THAT MUCH MONEY.

>> Mary: INTERESTING.

I WOULD SAY THE VOTES ARE ALSO SIMILARLY QUESTIONABLE ON ASSISTED SUICIDE, THAT THAT ISN'T A GIVEN.

DEFINITELY IN THE SENATE, BUT THE HOUSE HELD A HEARING, TOOK A VOTE OUTSIDE OF SESSION, SPLNG I HAVEN'T SEEN VERY OFTEN.

REALLY INTERESTING, UNUSUAL ISSUE HERE.

>> AND THAT'S ONE WHERE THE SUPPORTERS OF ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO ARE TERMINALLY IMWITH LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE TO GET A DOCTOR SIGNOFF TO OBTAIN DRUGS THAT WOULD END THEIR LIVES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY'RE SAYING POLLING SHOWS SUPPORT GROWING FOR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, IN PART BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH A LOVED ONE -- >> Mary: NOT NECESSARILY PARTISAN EITHER.

[Overlapping conversations] >> THEY'VE SEEN SOMEONE GO THROUGH THIS AND WANT TO HAVE THAT AUTONOMY.

THE POLL TIS POLITICIANS AREN'T NECESSARILY THERE YET.

AND WE HEARD THAT FROM LEADER MURPHY AND SPEAKER HORTMAN INTO THE LEAD UP TO SESSION.

THEY THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE THE PUBLIC IS GETTING THERE.

THE POLITICAL MOMENTUM IS GOING IN THAT DIRECTION.

MANY OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THIS.

[Overlapping conversations] >> Mary: AND SHE'S A NURSE TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, TOREY.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

ALL RIGHT, WELL, A RECORD CLASS OF NEW LAWMAKERS HEERL LAWMAKERS HERE ATTHE CAPITOL MES STILL PLENTY OF FRESHMAN TO MEET IN THE LEGISLATURE.

TONIGHT WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A DEMOCRAT WHO BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO REPRESENT HER DISTRICT IN ONE OF THE CLOSEST RACES.

REPRESENTATIVE, FIRST QUESTION WE IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST LACE?

>> I SERVED ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN CHANHASSEN FOR A COUPLE YEARS.

I REALLY ENJOYED SERVING THIS COMMUNITY.

I FEEL LIKE WE NEEDED REPRESENTATION FROM AREAS THAT HADN'T GOTTEN REPRESENTATION BEFORE.

AND THEN WHEN THIS SPOT OPENED UP'S ITHOUGHT WHY NOT.

THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOUR ME.

MY KIDS ARE OLDER.

SO I JUST KIND OF HAPPENED I GUESS?

YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANTED TO HAVE A FRESH VOICE IN THIS AREA.

AND ALSO I THOUGHT WE NEED A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND A WOMEN'S PERSPECTIVE IN THE HOUSE.

>> Mary: BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ARE A CHANGE FOR THE AREA AND THE DISTRICT.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW COMPETITIVE AND WHAT KIND OF CHANGE YOU BROUGHT.

>> I ACTUALLY DID ASK THE LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS AREA.

I THINK I'M ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO REPRESENT CHANHASSEN, CHASKA AREA IN THE HOUSE.

SO THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

AND I THINK LAST ELECTION WAS A LOT ABOUT WOMEN'S ISSUES.

I THINK A LOT OF WOMEN, WHEN I TALK TO THEM AT THE DOORS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE, EDUCATION, BUT ALSO WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> Mary: WHAT WAS IT IN THE END?

>> I THINK T WAS 417 VOTES, TWO POINTS.

SO ONE OF THE TIGHTEST RACES OUT THERE.

I THINK THE POLLS SHOWED THAT IT WOULD BE REALLY TIGHT LIKE THAT.

THIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN VERY CLOSE FOR A COUPLE ELECTIONS NOW.

SO THIS WAS THE ELECTION THAT ACTUALLY FLIPPED IT.

>> Mary: HAS IT BEEN KIND OF A LEARNING CURVE THEN FOR YOUR DISTRICT TO GET USED O HAVING A WOMAN REPRESENTING THEM AND A DEMOCRAT?

>> YEAH I THINK IT HAS BEEN CHANGE.

SOME PEOPLE WERE REALLY SURPRISED THAT I WOON BECAUSE WE'VE HAD CLOSE RACES BEFORE.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE WOMEN CAME OUT IN FULL FOURS AND I TALKED TO A LOT OF WOMEN WHO NORMALLY WOULD HAVE VOTED REPUBLICAN, BUT I THINK WITH THE CHANGING POLITICAL CLIMATE, THEY WERE SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, THE ABORTION ACCESS ISSUE WAS SO IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE DEMOCRAT.

AS WOMEN, I THINK WE'RE GROWING IN POWER AND IN NUMBER, AND I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE A SESSION DONE.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> A LOT HAPPENING ALL AT ONCE.

I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE BUSIEST SESSIONS.

YOU KNOW, FOR ME TRVETION WAS MY FIRST, SO IT'S HARD FOR ME TO COMPARE IT.

I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, WITHIN MY CAUCUS, I THOUGHT WE WERE A GREAT TEAM.

WE ALL STUCK TOGETHER.

A LOT OF CAMARADERIE.

YOU KNOW, AS A CAUCUS I OBJECT THOUGHT WE DID REALLY WELL WORKING TOGETHER.

WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS.

WE ALL COME FROM DIFFERENT STRICTS, BUT WE ALL AGREE N THOSE COMMON VALUES.

AND I THINK THAT SHOWED WITH THE LEGISLATION THAT WE PASSED.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT YOU SPECIFICALLY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK AS A FRESHMAN YOU WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET DONE?

>> SO I RAN ON EDUCATION FUNDING, MAKING HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBLE, AND INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND I RAN ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE HAVE A CLIMATE CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING AND ALL FLEE ISSUES I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO PASS LEGISLATION.

WE DID SO MUCH THIS PAST SESSION, BUT THERE'S STILL MORE TO DO.

SEE WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT BEING A PART-TIME JOB, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, IN MANY WAYS, THAT'S GREAT, BUT I ALSO FEEL LIKE THIS IS A JOB THAT REQUIRES FULL-TIME ATTENTION.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AND TRYING TO CRAM IT IN IN THOSE FEW MONTHS THAT WE HAVE, I THINK THAT'S A BIT OF AN ISSUE.

>> THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE AGRE AGREED TO.

>> DEARLY BELOVED, WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY TO GET SIGNS ON HIGHWAY 5.

BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU, THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE.

INSTEAD OF ASKING ME HOW MUCH MONEY WILL COST, ASK ME HOW IMPORTANCE THIS IS.

BECAUSE IN THIS BODY, THINGS CAN GET REAL HARD TO GET INTO STATUTE.

ON THIS VOTE, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SESSION SURPRISED YOU, WHEN YOU LOOKED BACK BASED ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BACK VERSUS THE REALITY?

KIND OF EXPERIENCE?

>> I REALLY ENJOY BEING IN SUCH A HISTORIC PLACE.

I GUESS I WAS SURPRISED BY HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WAS WAS AND ACTUALLY HOW WELL PEOPLE WORK TOGETHER.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFICULTY BEING A LEGISLATOR, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE ODD SIDE.

AND CERTAINLY THAT'S TRUE, BUT, YOU KNOW, OVERALL WE GOT THE WORK DONE.

SO I FEEL PROUD OF WHAT WE DID DO.

YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENT DOES WORK AND FUNCTION FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> Mary: WHAT'S LEFT?

OR DID YOU TOO MUCH?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT'S AHEAD?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE CAN DO.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A LOT MORE WE CAN DO.

I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON CONSERVATION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE WE CAN DO FOR EDUCATION, THE E.R.A.

I THINK WILL BE A BIG PART OF OUR DISCUSSIONS.

I KNOW A LOT OF E.R.A.

ADVOCATES OUT THERE WANTING TO GET THAT PASSED THIS YEAR.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE WE CAN DO.

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING BACK THERE AND WORKING ON IT.

AND NOW I KNOW BETTER, RIGHT?

NOW I KNOW HOW 20 WORK AS A LEGISLATOR AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, I'LL BE A LOT MORE EFFECTIVE I HAVE.

I THINK.

I THINK.

♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] >> Mary: SORRY WE WERE ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] >> Mary: SORRY WE WERE HAVING A LITTLE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES THERE, BUT WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH MUCH MORE CONTEXT ANALYSIS FROM THE CAPITOL.

TONIGHT YOU SAW WE HAD SENATE LEADERS IN THEIR FIRST JOINT LIVE APPEARANCE TOGETHER.

NEXT WEEK, HOUSE LEADERS HERE.

AND IF YOU MISSED ANY ART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON "X."

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

AND DON'T FEAR GET.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC," ALSO ON YOUR PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION, ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK TO HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS LIVE.

THAT'S ALL FOUR LEADERS LIVE IN STUDIO.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON SPORTS BETTING.

WE'LL HAVE TWO SENATE DEMOCRATS WHO STAND TO DIFFERENT SIDES OF THAT POSITION.

AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIRST EEK OF SESSION, BUT ALSO LOOK I AHEAD TO THE CAMPAIGN, BECAUSE THE HOUSE HERE, LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE ARE ALL ON THE BALLOT.

AND ALL D.F.L.

CONTROL OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE WILL ALSO BE ON THE BALLOT.

SO WE'LL LOOK AT THE ISSUES SURROUNDING THIS SESSION.

WE'LL CHAT WITH THE GOVERNOR A LITTLE BIT BUT ALSO LOOK AHEAD TO THAT REALLY IMPORTANT CAMPAIGN FOR THE HOUSE AS THEY TRY TO KEEP THE D.F.L.

TRIFECTA AS THEY HEAD ON THE BALLOT THIS COMING FALL, AGAIN, NEXT WEEK, HOUSE LEADERS AND MORE FRESHMEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... >> MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

"ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.