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

♪♪ >> "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, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," THIS SPECIAL EDITION FOR GOVERNOR TIM WALZ 'STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

IT IS HIS FIRST SINCE HE ROSE TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE AS A VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

WE WILL CERTAINLY BE LOOKING TO SEE IF HE'LL HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE NATION AND FOR LAWMAKERS HERE.

HE HAS MEMBERS ASSEMBLED FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

OF COURSE HE IS GOING TO BE IN FRONT OF A HISTORIC CHAMBER.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE WERE BOTH TIED IN THE SAME SESSION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY, AND THE MINNESOTA HOUSE RYES TIED TODAY, MAKING LOTS OF HISTORY YOU MAY HEAR AND SEE BEHIND ME HOW SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH, THE FIRST REPUBLICAN WOMAN OF COLOR TO PRESIDE OVER THE CHAMBER AND THE UNIQUE COCHAIR MODEL THEY HAVE GOING, SO EVERY BILL THAT COMES OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE MUST BE BIPARTISAN.

SO WE ARE EXPECTING THE GOVERNOR TO SOUND THAT BIPARTISAN NOTE BECAUSE OF COURSE HE HAS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

IF THEY DO NOT DO SO THAT WOULD RESULT IN A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

SO BIG WORK AHEAD FOR THIS LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.

THE LARGE SURPLUS THAT THE TRIFECTA OF ALL DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT HAD IN THE PREVIOUS SESSION IS GONE, ALONG WITH MUCH OF THE $18 BILLION SURPLUS THEY HAD.

THIS LEGISLATURE IS NOW LOOKING AT A SHORTFALL IN THE FUTURE OF $6 BILLION SO WE DO NOT EXPECT A LOT OF BIG NEW PROGRAMS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO BE ANNOUNCING TONIGHT IN HIS ADDRESS.

INSTEAD HE'LL BE SOUNDING A NOTE OF HOW TO FINISH HIS SESSION AND I THINK BEHIND US NOW WE DO HEAR THE RRIVAL OF GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

AGAIN HOUSE AND SENATE ARE ASSEMBLED AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE STATE SUPREME COURT, AND HERE NOW WE GO TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AS HENERS THE HOUSE CHAMBER FOR HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

BOTTOM BOTTOM 78 [ APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE CONTINUES ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> GOOD EVENING!

>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

MEMBERS OF THE JOINT CONVENTION AND GUESTS, I PRESENT TO YOU, THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE HONORABLE TIM WALZ.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU.

SPEAKER DEMUTH, SPEAK EMERITA HORTMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

PRESIDENT CHAMPION, MAJORITY LEADER MURPHY, MINORITY LEADER JOHNSON, AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT, CHIEF JUDGE FRISCH.

MY FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

MEMBERS OF MY STAFF, CABINET, AND ADMINISTRATION.

AND OUR INCREDIBLE STATE WORKFORCE.

DISTINGUISHED TRIBAL LEADERS.

MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD.

CONGRESSWOMAN BETTY MCCOLLUM, WELCOME HOME.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN AND MINNESOTA'S SECOND GENTLEMAN, TOM WEBER.

HE OBSERVES IT -- HE DESERVES IT.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] MINNESOTA'S FIRST LADY, GWEN WALZ.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] HONORED GUESTS AND MY FELLOW MINNESOTANS, OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN WRITING A STORY ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO GOVERN LIKE GOOD NEIGHBORS.

WITH DECENCY, WITH COMMON SENSE, BUT ALSO WITH COURAGE AND AMBITION.

AND ABOVE ALL, AN ABIDING COMMITMENT TO MAKING LIFE A LITTLE BIT BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

I LIKE TO THINK WE'VE PROVEN THE VALUE OF A STRONG DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT ALSO THE IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG REPUBLICAN PARTY, WILLING TO COME TO THE TABLE AND CONTRIBUTE IDEAS IN GOOD FAITH.

NO MATTER WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE A RECORD OF WORKING TOGETHER HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THE RESULT, WE CAN ALL BE PROUD TO LIVE AND SERVE IN AMERICA'S BEST PLACE TO RAISE A CHILD.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS O.

THE REST OF THE NATION HAS TAKEN NOTICE OF WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IN MINNESOTA AND HOW WE'VE DONE IT.

THE TRUTH IS NO MATTERED WHERE YOU GO IN THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, PEOPLE TEND TO WANT THE SAME BASIC THINGS OUT OF THE AMERICAN LIFE.

AND WHEN I SAY BASIC THINGS, I MEAN THINGS LIKE A MEANINGFUL WORK, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS, GOOD SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

BUT I ALSO MEAN SOMETHING MORE, SOMETHING THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DEFINE OR TO QUANTIFY.

PEOPLE WANT SECURITY.

THEY WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEIR LIFE S BUILT ON A SOLID FOUNDATION THAT WON'T FALL AWAY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.

PEOPLE WANT OPPORTUNITY.

THEY WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEY CAN GET AHEAD INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO SETTLE FOR GETTING BY.

AND THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO HAVE CHANCES THAT THEY NEVER HAD.

AND MAYBE MOST OF ALL, PEOPLE WANT FREEDOM TO LIVE THEIR OWN LIVES THE WAY THEY WANT TO LIVE THEM, EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE WAY THEIR NEIGHBORS WOULD WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY, FREEDOM.

I HEAR T EVERYWHERE I GO AND EVERY TIME I DO, I FIND MYSELF FEELING PROUD OF MINNESOTA.

THE TRUTH IS ALL OF AMERICA WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WHAT WE HAVE.

TALK ABOUT SECURITY, WE'VE GIVEN PARENTS PEACE OF MIND THROUGH A CHILD TAX CREDIT.

[ CHEERING ] THAT IS EXPECTED TO CUT AND EVERY PARENT IN THE STATE KNOWS THEIR CHILD'S GOING TO GET A BELLY FULL, BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WHEN THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

THAT'S SECURITY.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THAT'S SECURITY.

AND WE TOGETHER PASSED THE NATION'S MOST AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION OF LABOR RIGHTS.

BECAUSE A JOB'S JUST NOT A JOB, IT'S A MEANS TO A SECURE LIFE.

AND IT SHOULD COME WITH BENEFITS LIKE EARNED SAFE AND SICK TIME AND THE RIGHT TO COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN FOR A BETTER LIFE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] FINANCIAL SECURITY, JOB SECURITY, AND WE'VE INVESTED COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER TIME AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FIGHTING CRIME.

AND BY THE WAY, BECAUSE OF THAT WORK, CRIME IS DOWN ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] I'M TRYING.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES ON THE VAST MAJORITY OF MINNESOTA'S SENIORS, SO NOBODY'S PARENTS WILL CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND GROCERIES.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] INVESTED IN CUTTING CRIME, CUT TAXES.

THOSE ARE THINGS TO CELEBRATE.

AND JUST A FEW MONTHS, WE'LL HAVE ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST GENEROUS FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE POLICIES, BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT LOSING THEIR INCOME WHILE TAKING CARE OF A LOVED ONE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THAT'S A GOOD BILL.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO OPPORTUNITY, WE'VE PASSED UNPRECEDENTED FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND WE WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ACTUALLY GET THE BENEFITS FROM THAT FUNDING BY ENHANCING OUR LITERACY PROGRAMS TOGETHER.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE'VE INVESTED IN BRINGING COMPETITIVE, HIGH PAYING JOBS TO OUR STATE, AND GROWING OUR ECONOMY WITH AN EYE TOWARDS GREEN ENERGY AND INNOVATION JOBS THAT WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE.

WE'RE NOT JUST ONE OF THE BEST STATES IN WHICH TO START A BUSINESS, WE'RE PROVING TO BE ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR STATES TO GROW A BUSINESS.

JUST LOOK AT PHILLIPS, SOLVENTUM, SOFITEL AND THE MAYO CLINIC INVESTING BILLIONS TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND LET'S TALK ABOUT FREEDOM.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, THAT FREEDOM MEANS SEVERAL THINGS.

IT MEANS FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND POVERTY.

IT MEANS THE FREEDOM TO ORSHIP OR NOT.

IT MEANS THE FREEDOM TO BE WHO YOU ARE ANY WAY YOU CHOOSE, AND THAT IS A BIRTHRIGHT, NOT DEPENDENT ON HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE, WHERE YOUR FAMILY CAME FROM, OR THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THE DAY.

THAT'S WHAT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MAKE MINNESOTA GREAT.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE AMERICA'S BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.

AND IT'S ALSO THE EASON I LOVE SERVING IN THIS JOB WITH ALL OF YOU.

NOW, TONIGHT WITH THE STATE OF OUR STATE AS STRONG AS IT'S EVER BEEN, WE GATHER TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THIS GREAT MINNESOTA STORY.

BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT POINT OUT THAT WE ALSO GATHER AT A MOMENT OF GREAT UNCERTAINTY FOR OUR NATION.

AND LET'S BE HONEST, THIS UNCERTAINTY, THIS CHAOS IS NO ACCIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS CHOSEN, CHOSEN TO DESTROY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE.

HE LITERALLY HIRED THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD TO TAKE A CHAINSAW TO THE BASIC SERVICES THAT MINNESOTANS RELY ON TO BUILD BETTER LIVES.

HIS PLAN LEAVES NOBODY THERE WORKING TO PREVENT THE NEXT PANDEMIC, NOBODY TO PICK UP THE PHONE AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE, NOBODY MAKING SURE KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS GET THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, MINNESOTANS WHO GOT RIPPED OFF BY A BANK, A CREDIT CARD COMPANY, A HEALTH CARE COMPANY COULD GO TO SOMEPLACE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SEEK HELP AND RELIEF.

BUT NOW THE GOVERNMENT SWITCHED SIDES.

UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXISTS TO HELP THE CORPORATIONS AS THEY SCREW THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OVER.

NEXT UP, MEDICAID.

AND EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND ACROSS MINNESOTA, LET'S BE VERY CLEAR WHAT IT MEANS.

40% OF CHILDREN AND MORE HAN A MILLION OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA RELY ON MEDICAID FOR THEIR HEALTH CARE.

THIS ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO TAKE THAT HEALTH CARE AWAY.

MEANWHILE, RURAL HOSPITALS WILL BE FORCED TO CLOSE.

ALL THE REST OF US, OUR COSTS WILL GO UP AND STATE BUDGET WILL BE TORN TO PIECES.

THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO CHOSEN, AND I STRESS THIS, CHOSEN TO TEAR UP THE VALUES THAT ONCE MADE AMERICA THE SHINING LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

NOW IN THIS LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE, WE HAVE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BEING SWEPT UP, SHOVED INTO UNMARKED VANS, AND FATHERS BEING TOSSED INTO SALVADORAN GULAGS WITHOUT A HINT OF DUE PROCESS.

SO I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR ABOUT THIS.

IF YOU SAY YOU LOVE FREEDOM BUT YOU DON'T BELIEVE FREEDOM IS FOR EVERYBODY, THEN THE THING YOU LOVE ISN'T FREEDOM, IT'S PRIVILEGE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND ON A HOUR BY HOUR, DAY BY DAY BASIS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS CHOSEN, CHOSEN TO THROW OUR ECONOMY INTO TURMOIL.

GLOBAL MARKETS ARE TEETERING ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE.

BUSINESSES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND HERE IN MINNESOTA ARE ALREADY LAYING OFF EMPLOYEES BY THE THOUSANDS.

WORKING PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE FOR BASIC GOODS, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T CHECKED YOUR 401K LATELY, DON'T DO IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO LET'S BE VERY CLEAR.

NONE OF THIS HAD TO HAPPEN.

WHEN THE PRESIDENT TOOK OFFICE THREE MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS NO REASON TO THROW A WRENCH IN THE WORKS AND DESTROY DECADES OF WORK.

BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH, ONE THING AS BECOME CLEAR, HE'S JUST PLAIN CONFUSED ABOUT HOW THE WORLD REALLY WORKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A GUY THAT SLAPPED A 10% TARIFF ON AN ISLAND POPULATED ONLY BY PENGUINS.

IT'D BE FUNNY AS HELL IF IT WASN'T TRUE AND STUPID.

IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ANYONE.

THAT ISN'T SERVANT LEADERSHIP, IT'S NOT ANY KIND OF LEADERSHIP.

IT'S SMALL, IT'S WEAK, AND IT'S PETTY.

IT TAKES THE AWESOME POWER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TURNS INTO A CRUDE WEAPON.

WIELDED BY A MAN WHO WANTS TO BE KING.

AS GOVERNOR I WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS FROM GETTING HURT AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SHELTER FROM THE STORM FOR MINNESOTANS.

OF THE [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DAMAGE OF THE ADMINISTRATION IS CAUSING, IT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO TRY AND CLEAN UP AS MUCH OF THIS MESS AS WE CAN.

WE NEED TO PROVE TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO GOVERN.

BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, THEY'RE NOT FOREVER.

THESE SMALL PETTY MEN WILL DISAPPEAR INTO THE DUSTBIN OF HISTORY AND WHEN THEY DO, THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY AND AN OBLIGATION TO ACTUALLY REBUILD GOVERNMENT SO THAT IT WORKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

[ APPLAUSE ] IF WE'RE ALL GOING TO SEES THE OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE TO BE -- SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY, WE HAVE TO BE READY TO SHOW WE CAN BE TRUSTED WITH THAT OBLIGATION.

IF WE WANT TO EARN BACK THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE FACT GOVERNMENT HASN'T ALWAYS DESERVED THAT TRUST IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND IF WE WANT THE CHANCE TO GOVERN RIGHTEOUSLY, IF WE WANT THE CHANCE TO GOVERN AMBITIOUSLY, THEN WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PROVING THAT THEY CAN GOVERN RESPONSIBLY.

[ APPLAUSE ] WHICH BRINGS ME TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

TWO YEARS AGO WE MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN OUR PEOPLE AND IN OUR FUTURE.

AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.

WE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY FROM THE COMMITMENTS WE'VE MADE TO OUR SCHOOLS, TO OUR HEALTH CARE, TO GREEN ENERGY, TO PUBLIC SAFETY, TO FEEDING OUR KIDS, AND TO TAKING CARE OF SENIORS.

WE KEEP THAT PROMISE.

[ APPLAUSE ] IN FACT, IT IS JUST THE OPPOSITE.

THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROTECTS THOSE AMBITIOUS INVESTMENTS BY EMBRACING A PIRIT OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ADDRESSING SOME LONG-TERM BUDGET CHALLENGES SO THAT FUTURE LEADERS DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICES.

SO LET ME EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT ON THIS.

YEARS AGO, BEFORE MANY OF US WERE HERE IN ST. PAUL, MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES MADE A SERIES OF CHOICES SPECIFICALLY AROUND HUMAN SERVICES SPENDING THAT HAS PUT US ON A PATH OF UNSUSTAINABLE COST GROWTH.

IN JUST A FEW YEARS THE BIGGEST OF THESE HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM WILL EAT P ONE IN EVERY EIGHT DOLLARS.

WE COULD IGNORE THE PROBLEM FOR NOW, WE'D HAVE SURPLUS AFTER THIS YEAR.

THE WAVE WON'T CRASH THIS YEAR, BUT IT WILL CRASH.

BUT WHILE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE FAULT OF MANY IN THIS ROOM, THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

SO I'M PROPOSING THAT WE COME TOGETHER, D.F.L.ERS AND REPUBLICANS, HOUSE AND SENATE, AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THAT WE ALL INHERITED.

FOR THE ECONOMISTS IN THE CROWD MY BUDGET WILL BE BALANCED FOR YEARS TO COME AND IN JUST TWO YEARS IT WILL CUT THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE BY HALF.

FOR EVERYONE ELSE, IT'S REALLY THIS SIMPLE, RIGHT NOW WE ARE THE MOST GENEROUS STATE IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND WE SHOULD BE DAMN PROUD OF THAT.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND HE GOOD NEWS IS THIS.

AFTER MY BUDGET IS PASSED, WE WILL STILL BE THE MOST GENEROUS STATE IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO THESE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

AND BECAUSE OF THE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE'VE PROPOSED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE BEING THE MOST GENEROUS STATE IN THE NATION FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

BOTTOM LINE.

[ APPLAUSE ] BOTTOM LINE IF WE DON'T GOVERN RESPONSIBLY, SOMEONE ELSE WILL GET A CHANCE TO GOVERN IRRESPONSIBLY AND I REFUSE TO LET THAT HAPPEN.

ANOTHER WAY WE'RE PROTECTING INVESTMENTS IS BY DOING MORE TO PREVENT, INVESTIGATE, AND PUNISH FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE ALL AGREE.

I THOUGHT YOU'D LIKE THAT.

BUT LOOK, IT'S EASY TO DEMAGOGUE GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

THE TRUTH IS AS LONG AS THERE HAVE BEEN PROGRAMS AIMED AT HELPING PEOPLE, THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE LOOKING TO TEAL FROM THOSE WHO NEED THEM THE MOST.

WE'VE MADE STRIDES IN CATCHING THE BAD ACTORS STOPPING THEIR SCHEMES, WE'VE SENT A LOT OF CROOKS TO PRISON BUT WE CAN DO MORE.

MINNESOTA SHOULD HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY WHEN IT COMES TO MISUSE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND THEFT.

AND EARLIER THIS YEAR WE TOOK ACTION.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] I KNOW IT'S BEING WORKED ON IN THIS CHAMBER AND EARLIER THIS YEAR I ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO STRENGTHEN OUR STATE'S ANDS CAPACITY TO INVESTIGATE FRAUD BY ESTABLISHING A CENTRALIZED FRAUD AND FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT AT THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION.

I HAVE A PROPOSAL BEFORE THIS CHAMBER TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO SNIFF OUT AND CATCH THE BAD ACTORS BEFORE THEY GET THEIR HANDS ON THE MONEY.

AND A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR THEFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS BY 20%.

BOTTOM LINE, I BELIEVE THAT WHEN CRIMINALS TRY TO STEAL PUBLIC FUNDING, YOU DON'T CUT THE FUNDING, YOU STOP THE CRIMINALS.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE DO.

[ APPLAUSE ] WE'RE ALSO WORKING TO APPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ACROSS STATE AGENCIES.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO JUST SPEND TAXPAYER MONEY RESPONSIBLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO BE SPENDING IT EFFECTIVELY.

WE'VE ALREADY MADE SOME STRIDES IN THAT.

I LOOK AT JUST A LITTLE THING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO SHOPPING AT CUB, I CAN STOP AT A KIOSK AFTER THE CHECKOUT AND IN THREE MINUTES I CAN RENEW THE TABS FOR MY CAR RIGHT AT THAT STOP.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE DMV.

IT SAVES US MONEY, IT'S MORE EFFICIENT FOR YOU, AND IT'S GOVERNMENT MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT.

PEOPLE DESERVE MORE BANG FOR THEIR BUCK, AND HAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS BUDGET WILL DELIVER.

[ APPLAUSE ] LOOK, WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE UNDERGOING SCRUTINY AND LOOKING AT OUR BUDGETS.

FAMILIES ACROSS THIS STATE ARE SITTING DOWN AT THEIR KITCHEN TABLES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO AFFORD THE PRESIDENT'S TARIFF TAX.

AND I CAN'T STOP THOSE POINTLESS POLICIES COMING FROM WASHINGTON, THEY'RE MAKING EVERYTHING MORE EXPENSIVE.

BUT WE CAN DO A FEW THINGS HERE TO MAKE THOSE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AROUND THAT TABLE JUST A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

THIS YEAR I'M PROPOSING AN UNPRECEDENTED TAX CUT FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

A REDUCTION IN THE STATEWIDE SALES TAX.

WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY BUT I WILL TELL YOU, IT FEELS LIKE THERE MIGHT NOT BE A BETTER TIME TO DO THIS.

AND MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, UNLIKE THE PRESIDENT'S TAX CUTS FOR THE VERY WEALTHY, OUR TAX CUTS ARE FULLY PAIDFOR.

WE'RE DOING T BY CLOSING LOOPHOLES THAT THE WEALTHY USE TO AVOID PAYING THE TAXES IN THE FIRST PLACE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] YES, AND WE'RE GONNA DO THIS.

FINALLY, WE'RE GONNA ASK THE BIG HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO START PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE WITH A REASONABLE INCREASE.

[ APPLAUSE ] A REASONABLE INCREASE THAT HASN'T BEEN RAISED IN DECADES ON THE SURCHARGE THAT WE ALREADY ASK HMOs O PAY.

EVEN AS THE ADMINISTRATION PUSHES FOR NEARLY $1 TRILLION IN CUTS TO MEDICAID WHICH WOULD SHIFT THE COSTS TO STATES LIKE MINNESOTA WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT BURDEN DOESN'T FALL ON WORKING FAMILIES, IT CAN FALL ON THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

[ APPLAUSE ] NOW WE GOT ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TIME TO GO THROUGH THIS LINE BY LINE TOGETHER, HAMMERING OUT A FINER PROPOSAL THAT ALLOWS US TO MOVE FORWARD AS ONE MINNESOTA AND THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS TO GROW UP.

THIS BUDGET WAS NOT WRITTEN TO PLEASE EVERYONE.

IT WAS WRITTEN TO BRING EVERYONE TO THE TABLE.

AND WHEN WE GET THERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DISAGREEMENTS, NO DOUBT.

MY PROGRESSIVE FRIENDS MIGHT HAVE WISHED WE WERE CUTTING A LITTLE LESS.

MY CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS MIGHT WISH WE WERE CUTTING A LITTLE BIT MORE.

MY WIFE WISHES THAT I WOULD TAKE THE PAY RAISE THAT WAS OFFERED BUT I TURN IT DOWN.

[ LAUGHTER ] THIS IS HOW GOVERNMENT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OLD MAN SITTING IN THE VAL OFFICE SENDING OUT MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TWEETS THAT SHOT MARKETS INTO FREEFALL.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A BUNCH OF 20-SOMETHINGS UNELECTED SHOWING UP AT FEDERAL AGENCIES AND FIRING EVERYONE.

IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CHAOS AND DESTRUCTION.

[ APPLAUSE ] IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD PEOPLE ELECTED BY THEIR NEIGHBORS WITH DIFFERING OPINIONS COMING TOGETHER TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FADE.

OUR LEGISLATURE IS NARROWLY DIVIDED BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN UNIFY AROUND THOSE IDEAS: SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY, FREEDOM.

I BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND I THINK WE GOT A CHANCE.

I THINK WE GOT A CHANCE AND I BELIEVE WE CAN SHOW PEOPLE, FOLKS ACROSS THE NATION WHO ARE WATCHING, THAT WE CAN STILL WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE LIVES.

LET'S SHOW THE WORLD WHAT SERVANT LEADERSHIP REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

LET'S GET TO WORK!

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> AND NOW GOVERNOR TIM ALZ 'SEVENTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD HIM SAY HE BELIEVES THE STATE OF THE STATE IS AS STRONG AS EVER.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF APPLAUSE IN THE CHAMBER.

FOR MUCH OF THE SPEECH, THOUGH, IT WAS A HOUSE DIVIDED.

AS YOU KNOW THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS EQUALLY DIVIDED IN A TIE AND MUCH OF THE REILLICITTED A DIVIDED RESPONSE, THE BIGGEST APPLAUSE OF ALL FOR THE ENTIRE ADDRESS WHEN THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT BIPARTISAN PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

THAT GOT REPUBLICANS UP AND APPLAUDING AND DEMOCRATS GOT UP AND APPLAUDED, I BELIEVE THE FACT THAT REPUBLICANS ERE APPLAUDING.

SO IT CREATED A REAL MOMENT OF UNITY.

DEFINITELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SPEECH THE GOVERNOR WAS REACHING OUT TO REPUBLICANS WHO HE NEEDS TO HELP HIM PASS A BUDGET, THEY MUST BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET THIS YEAR BUT THEN IT TURNED MUCH MORE INTO A SPEECH MENTIONING AMERICA AND THE PRESIDENT AND WHILE THE GOVERNOR DID NOT ADDRESS THE PRESIDENT BY NAME, HE DEFINITELY WENT AFTER POLICIES IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND HOW THEY ARE AFFECTING MINNESOTA.

SO MANY, MANY MINUTES AND PARAGRAPHS IN THIS SPEECH THAT RAN ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO DEFINITELY TTACKED THE POLICIES IN WASHINGTON, HE CALLED THEM CHAOTIC, HE INSULTED THE PRESIDENT SPECIFICALLY, CALLED HIM A LITTLE MAN AT ONE POINT.

SO THE GOVERNOR OF OUR STATE CERTAINLY CONTINUING TO PLAY ON THE NATIONAL POLITICAL SCENE WITH THIS SPEECH.

MANY REFERENCES TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THE UNCERTAINTY THAT IT'S CREATED HERE IN INNESOTA.

WE DO WANT TO TELL YOU THAT DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS WILL BE REACTING AND WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE FROM THAT FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC" AND IT WILL ALSO BE A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC" FRIDAY, WE'RE TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD TO ROCHESTER, SPECIAL EDITION FROM ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA.

SO PLEASE TUNE IN FOR "ALMANAC" AND THEN "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "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, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

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

♪♪ >> AND THAT'S THE ONE THING THAT I HEARD OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHEN I WAS AT THE DOORS, WHEN I WAS AT MY STORE PEOPLE WERE COMING TO ME TELLING ME ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS.

>> I'M ERICA SCHWARTZ.

I'M THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

>> I'M ALL IN FOR REPUBLICANS.

SO GO GET 'EM.

BE A TIGER OUT THERE.

>> AT YOUR STORE YOU'RE STILL THERE, WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY NOW WHEN YOU COME IN >> THEY ASK ME ABOUT THE JOB AND TELL ME NOT TO FORGET ABOUT THEM AND NOT TO FORGET TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND THAT'S THE WHOLE GOAL.

>> YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE OR ALREADY CHANGING PRETTY DRAMATICALLY.

>> IT ALREADY HAS.

GOOD THING I HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY FAMILY AND MY KIDS AND THE STAFF AT THE STORE AS WELL.

JUST LETTING THEM KNOW I WILL BE UNAVAILABLE A LOT OF TIMES GOING FORWARD.

>> YOUR HUSBAND IS THE ONE WHO WANTED YOU TO RUN, NOW HE HAS TO STEP UP AT HOME.

>> AS A FAMILY WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER, HE WAS UP ALL NIGHT STUFFING FUNDRAISERS FOR ME.

MY DAUGHTER WHO IS 19 WAS HOLDING THE SIGN.

IT WAS REALLY A FAMILY AFFAIR.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED SO FAR?

I THINK I WAS PROBABLY YOUR FIRST TV INTERVIEW BACK THEN, LIFE HAS GOTTEN -- YOU'VE PROBABLY DONE MORE PRESS NOW, MORE INTERVIEWS.

HOW DIFFERENT IS THAT PART OF THE JOB?

>> I'M STILL NOT USED TO BEING SO PUBLIC.

IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE NOW WHEN I'M AT THE STORE OR WHEN I'M EVEN OUT AT RESTAURANTS PEOPLE RECOGNIZE ME FROM THE COMMERCIALS, FLYERS, MAILERS EVERYTHING.

I WAS A VERY RIVATE PERSON BEFORE THIS.

>> I CFSS KIND OF AN INTROVERT, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> I WAS MORE QUIET.

>> IS IT >> ARE YOU STEPPING OUT OF THAT?

>> YES, I HAVE TO IN ORDER TO FULFILL THIS ROLE BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO REACH OUT AND TALK TO ME.

>> SO YOU'RE PUSHING YOURSELF.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO PUSH YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND PUSH YOURSELF >> YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY, THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET ALONG THE WAY HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.

THE SUPPORTERS I'VE HAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CAMPAIGN HAVE BEEN AMAZING.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE GAINED CONFIDENCE THROUGH THIS PROCESS?

>> YES.

DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY.

>> HOW SO >> BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE RELIANT ON ME, IT'S FORCING ME TO STEP OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE.

PEOPLE ARE WANTING ME TO MAKE CHANGES AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE SAID ALL ALONG AND THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO DO.

>> ARE YOU PLANNING ON VOTING?

>> MOST LIKELY, YEAH.

THIS YEAR WILL BE MY FIRST BIG LIKE VOTING EXPERIENCE.

>> WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT YOUNGER VOTERS AND WHERE THEY'RE AT?

>> I HAD A LOT OF COLLEGE AGE KIDS COMING TO MY STORE PAYING WITH GAS WITH TWO DOLLARS WORTH OF QUARTERS AT A TIME.

I HAD ONE YOUNG GENTLEMAN CAME IN AND PAID ME ALL IN DIMES.

I'M STARTING TO BELIEVE THAT AGAIN FINANCIAL BURDEN IS HITTING EVERYBODY HETHER YOU'RE BLUE OR RED, PURPLE IN MY DISTRICTS.

>> WHO ARE YOU HEARING NOW AT THE CAPITOL VERSUS CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL REALLY CONCERNED OF GETTING SOME SORT OF TAX RELIEF, SOME SORT OF PERMANENT TAX RELIEF.

PEOPLE ARE STILL LOOKING, HOPING THAT THE GAS PRICES WILL GO DOWN, GROCERY RICES WILL GO DOWN.

NOW AS A REPRESENTATIVE, STATE REP I HAVE TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND DO WHAT I CAN IN MY PART.

I CAN'T CHANGE EVERYTHING IN MINNESOTA BUT I CAN DO MY PART.

>> ANOTHER RACE TO WATCH, FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER WHOSE CLAIM TO FAME IS BEING THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO WIN AN OPEN SEAT IN A TARGETED RACE.

>> WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN NOW THAT YOU'VE WON AND LOOKED BACK?

THE [ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH, IT'S A DIFFERENT THING.

>> IT IS.

SO IT REALLY GOES BACK TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THAT WAS A BIG MOTIVATOR FOR ME, SEEING THE DIFFERENCE WHEN I'VE WORKED IN FOUR DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SEEING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IN THE UNDERFUNDED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A WELL FUNDED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WANTING TO FIGURE UT HOW I COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MINNESOTA GETS THE RESOURCES THAT IT NEEDS.

>> WE SAW YOU KIND OF EARLIER IN THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND WHAT YOU LEARNED THROUGH KIND OF SUMMER AND FALL AND HOW THAT CHANGED, WHAT WAS YOUR LESSON THROUGH THAT TIMEFRAME?

>> IN ADDITION TO, YOU KNOW, Y PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A TEACHER AND KNOWING THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT FOR MINNESOTANS, I'M ALSO KNOCKING ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS AND TALKING TO THOUSANDS OF FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT.

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT A LOT IN ADDITION TO PUBLIC EDUCATION WAS AFFORDABILITY.

SO I'M KEEPING THAT IN MIND IN EACH OF THE COMMITTEES THAT I AM ENTERING AND HOW I CAN HELP MAKE THE PEOPLE OF MY DISTRICT AND THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA HAVE THINGS BE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THEM.

>> THAT WAS A TOUGHER ISSUE OR DEMOCRATS.

REPUBLICANS MAYBE WON AND GOT SOME TRACTION NATIONALLY STATEWIDE ON THAT ISSUE OF ECONOMY AND YOU HAD A CLOSE RACE AGAIN.

>> YEAH, VERY CLOSE.

IT CAME DOWN TO 280 VOTES SO WE DID GAIN SOME VOTES FROM THE TWO YEARS PRIOR, THAT ELECTION CYCLE, AND I REALLY THINK IT CAME DOWN TO TALKING TO PEOPLE FACE-TO-FACE AND GETTING TO KNOW THEM AND THEM MEETING ME.

THAT REALLY MADE THE DIFFERENCE.

>> HOW ABOUT THE SCOOTER?

DID YOU GET MORE PLACES FASTER WITH THAT?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THE SCOOTER ABSOLUTELY WORKED AS GOOD STRATEGY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO MORE DOORS.

>> AS YOU'RE SEEING RETURNS COME IN ELECTION NIGHT, WERE YOU THINKING, OH, MY GOSH, I'M SO GLAD I KNOCKED ON THAT EXTRA DOOR, I WENT TO THAT PARK, OR I WENT TO THAT CAFÉ?

WERE YOU EELING LIKE EVERY LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA EFFORT WAS WORTH IT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THE RESULTS CAME OUT I WAS ACTUALLY ASLEEP BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL 3:00 A.M.

BUT I HAD MY PHONE RIGHT NEXT TO ME AND THE, YOU KNOW, IT WAS LIGHTING UP AND FLASHING AND IT WOKE ME UP AND I KNEW THEY MUST HAVE COME OUT SO I WOKE UP, GRABBED MY PHONE AND WAS THRILLED TO SEE THAT WE HAD WON.

>> AND REPUBLICANS DID WELL.

THEY MADE GAINS IN MINNESOTA, NATIONALLY.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WERE BLE TO STOP THAT TIDE IN YOUR DISTRICT?

>> I REALLY THINK IT COMES DOWN TO THE PERSONAL CONNECTION.

SO INSTEAD OF BASING IT ON THINGS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THAT -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON TV THE MOST, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING EING TALKED ABOUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA THE MOST, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I MADE THAT PERSONAL CONNECTION AND THEY GOT TO MEET ME, TALK TO ME AND ASK ME QUESTIONS AND THEY SEE THAT I'M A REASONABLE PERSON THAT CARES ABOUT PEOPLE AND JUST WANTS TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.

>> AND NOW THAT YOU'VE WON HAVE YOU HEARD THINGS THAT PEOPLE DIDN'T TELL YOU WHEN YOU WERE A CANDIDATE?

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE NEWTON SAID, OKAY, HERE'S WHAT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN WHEN YOU'RE UP THERE?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> NO, NOT SO MUCH.

JUST THE IDEA THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO DO AS A FRESHMAN, BUT I LOOK AT IT S A TEACHER, I'M A LIFELONG LEARNER AND I THINK LIFELONG LEARNING IS IMPORTANT SO I THINK THIS FIRST, YOU KNOW, ROUND OF SESSIONS HERE IN THESE TWO YEARS AS A BIG LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT ALL WORKS, WHAT I CAN GET DONE IN COMMITTEES, WHAT I CAN'T GET DONE, THE NUMBER ONE THING WE KNOW IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

AND SO I'M EXCITED TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TOPICS AND WHAT ISSUES DO WE HAVE IN COMMON THAT WE CAN GET TO WORK ON TOGETHER.

♪♪ >> WE CONCLUDE WITH A LOOK AT TWO MORE FRESHMAN.

ONE IS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER FROM EDINA AND THE OTHER IS A MARINE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM BEMIDJI.

FIRST OF ALL THE QUESTION I ASK EVERY NEW LAWMAKER IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE SOME?

>> YOU KNOW, I SERVED ON THE EDINA SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MY TERM AT THE END OF LAST DECEMBERS AND AAA BOARD MEMBER I REALLY SAW DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OVERNMENT AND HOW THEY WORK.

AND MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR DIFFERENT CAUSES.

AND THIS WAS KIND OF AN EVOLUTION OF THAT WORK ESPECIALLY IN THE EDUCATION SPACE.

>> DID YOU KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE AN OPEN SEAT?

I'M GUESSING SOCIALLY YOU MIGHT HAVE KNOWN REPRESENTATIVE EDELSON.

DID YOU KNOW SHE WASN'T RUNNING?

HOW DID THAT GO BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> YEAH, HEATHER DID ALERT ME AND LET ME KNOW THAT SHE WASN'T GOING TO SEEK THE SEAT AGAIN SO I HAD SOME TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.

IT'S A BIG DECISION.

IT WAS NOT SOMETHING I MADE OVERNIGHT.

>> YOU'VE BEEN IN MINNESOTA EAND EDINA LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS DISTRICT HAS EVOLVED FROM COMPLETELY REPUBLICAN TO TOTALLY COMPETITIVE TO SAFE SEAT, DID IT FEEL SAFE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT DID BUT I THINK THAT THERE -- I NEVER APPROACH THINGS THAT THERE'S EVER A SAFE SEAT.

I THINK IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE INCLUDE ALL CONSTITUENTS IN CONVERSATIONS, THAT'S HOW I SERVED ON THE EDINA SCHOOL BOARD TOO.

I DOORKNOCKED EVERYBODY, I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE I KNEW WEREN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR ME AND GOT A LOT OF TEXTS FROM THEM CONGRATULATING ME.

FISCALLY THE SUBURBS ARE MORE CONSERVATIVE BUT I REALLY THINK THAT -- I THINK A LOT OF THE SUBURBS IF IN THE METRO INCLUDING EDINA AND METRO COMMUNITY ARE TAKING A STAND WITH THEIR VALUES, WE'RE GOING TO TREAT PEOPLE AND LET PEOPLE LOVE WHO THEY WANT TO LOVE, LIVE HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY AND INCOME NOTHING IT HELD AGAINST THEM.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO ACTUALLY HOW MINNESOTANS LIVE.

>> WE HAVE TO BE HONEST THAT NOT EVERYBODY ROOTS FOR EDINA.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

KIND OF HE CITY EVERYBODY LOVES TO HATE IN MINNESOTA.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, YES, I'VE LEARNED THAT.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED I MEAN, I'VE STAYED THERE, WE MOVED TO MINNESOTA NOT KNOWING ANYBODY, WE CHOSE EDINA, BUT I WILL TELL YOU EDINA IS A PASSIONATE, ENGAGED COMMUNITY AND WE GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE AND E'RE ALSO PROGRESSIVE THINKING.

AND SOMETIMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS YOU LAND ON TOP.

>> WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> >> ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY COMMUNITY.

BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND I WAS KIND OF TIRED OF THE -- AND AGGRESSION GOING TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> DO YOU SEE EVOLUTION ON THIS?

IN POLITICS IT'S SWINGING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VILIFIED, OKAY, WE NEED LAW ENFORCEMENT, MAYBE THEY'RE NOT SO BAD.

DO YOU SEE THIS BACK AND FORTH PENDULUM SWING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO GO WITH THE FLOW F PEOPLE AND WERE UO LIVE AND HOW MUCH.

A RELATIONSHIP YOU HAVE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY SEAT IS BEMIDJI, YOU NOW, SO WE HAVE A VERY STRONG LIKE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE, BUT THEN YOU GO TO PARTICULAR PLACES INSIDE THE CITY AND YOU MAY NOT REALLY CARE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS MUCH BUT WE REALLY NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THIS DO NOT DICTATE THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT BY PARTICULAR ACT BY ONE PERSON, IT'S REALLY EASY TO PAINT US WITH A BROAD BRUSH.

WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO IS TO KNOW IS WHAT I WANT THEM TO FOCUS ON IS ACTUALLY FOCUS ON THE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL AND MAYBE THAT AGENCY THAT MIGHT BE HAVING THE PROBLEM AND NOT FOCUS ON THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA AS A WHOLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME VERY, VERY GOOD OFFICERS OUT THERE THAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE, GET OUT THERE AND KEEP DOING THE GOOD WORK THAT WE HAVE AND SUPPORT THOSE GUYS AS MUCH.

>> YOU'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH SOME HEADLINES AND BACKLASH FOR BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OO.

THERE WAS SOME TOUGH STUFF.

THE HEADLINE WAS SOMETHING A JUDGE SAYING YOU DIDN'T TELL THE TRUTH IN COURT.

WHAT'S THE TRUTH?

>> THE TRUTH IS I NEVER LIED.

I HAD LEGAL GUIDANCE DURING THAT WHOLE.

I JUST GOT A LETTER BACK FROM THE JUDICIARY BOARD BECAUSE I FILED A COMPLAINT ON THAT PARTICULAR JUDGE, SO I GOT A RULING BACK THAT WAS IN MY FAVOR SHOWING THAT THEY FOUND MISCONDUCT IN HIS BEHAVIOR.

ON MY CAMPAIGN IT REALLY BOTHERED ME A LOT ECAUSE PEOPLE WERE JUDGING ME BY THAT.

WE AS LEGISLATORS NEED TO COME OUT THERE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE NEED TO COME OUT AND BE MORE OCAL THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW AND WE HAVE SOME VERY GOOD LEGISLATORS RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL, BUT WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A WHOLE BECAUSE WITHOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT WE DON'T HAVE STABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE POLITICAL COMPETITIVENESS?

BECAUSE THIS WASN'T COMPLETELY AN EASY CAKE WALK FOR YOU, WAS IT?

HOW CLOSE WAS YOUR RACE?

>> IT WAS RELATIVELY CLOSE, YOU KNOW, I ONLY WON BY I THINK 850 VOTES, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE.

IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A TIGHT RACE AND IT WAS, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT JUDGE'S RULING HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT, KIND OF PUTS A BAD TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH.

♪♪ >> WE'LL BE BACK NEXT TIME.

IN THE MEANTIME YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE THAT'S TPT.ORG/AATC, WHERE YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PARTS OF THIS SHOW AND INTERACT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU CAN ALSO LEARN HOW TO WATCH THE HOUSE, SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE ON THE STATEWIDE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪ >> "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, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

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