OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," A BIG DEBATE WITH THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS.

WE'LL ALSO TALK WITH PROFESSOR DAVID SCHULTZ ABOUT THE CONTINUED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND AN EXPERT ON MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT ON THE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN HAMAS AND ISRAEL.

AND MARY LAHAMMER VISITS A COMMUNITY WORKING TO BRIDGE THE POLITICAL DIVIDE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF SPEAKER HORTMAN, WE CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS.

THIS TIME WE'RE TAKING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY OF WAYZATA, WHERE THEY'RE WORKING WITH BRAVER ANGELS.

>> THE LEVEL OF POLARIZATION IS THE HIGHEST SINCE THE 1850s.

YOU AND KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THEN.

WE WENT TO WAR WITH EACH OTHER.

>> I CONTACTED A COUPLE OF FRIENDS TO KIND OF HELP ME THROUGH THIS.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WE'LL GET TO THE BIG MINNEAPOLIS MAYORAL DEBATE IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO COVER OTHER NEWS OF THE WEEK FIRST, INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE MIDEAST CEASEFIRE WITH AN EXPERT ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

>> ERIC: WE START WITH POLITICAL NEWS OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HAS ENTERED WEEK FOUR.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S ENDING TRADE TALKS WITH CANADA.

INFLATION IS EDGING HIGHER WITH RISING CONSUMER PRICES BEING REPORTED FOR SEPTEMBER.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS ALSO AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST.

THOMAS.

PAYCHECKS ARE BEING MISSED, AND I WONDER IF THAT'S GOING TO SHAKE UP THE STALEMATE.

>> IT MIGHT POTENTIALLY, BUT ALSO TRUMP IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS OF MOVING MONEY AROUND FROM OTHER PLACES TO TRY TO PAY PEOPLE.

UNDER U.S.

CONSTITUTION, HE SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT HE'S TRYING TO DO IT.

AT THIS POINT, TRUMP'S TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO LESSEN THE PRESSURE, DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE FOR NEGOTIATION AT THIS POINT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE PARTLY AT THE STANDOFF.

NEITHER OF THEM HAVE GOT ANYWHERE CLOSER TO REACHING ANY TYPE OF AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO SOLVE THE IMPASSE.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, THE FOLKS WHO WILL BE AFFECTED HERE, JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING NOW, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE WHO GET FOOD ASSISTANCE -- >> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THAT'S GOING TO DRY UP STARTING NEXT MONTH.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THE LIHEAP PROGRAM, THAT'S THE PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME FOLKS GETTING THEIR FUEL BILLS PAID AND THAT KIND OF THING.

THERE'S NO MONEY THERE AT THIS POINT.

I WONDER HOW THE PRESSURE WILL RATCHET UP FROM THOSE WHO ARE ON ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND WOULD THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> AGAIN, I DON'T THINK SO.

BUT WHERE I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE, WE'RE STARTING NOW THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR INSURANCE.

AND THE FACT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE, WHAT, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE SEEING -- AND WE'VE SEEN THE NEWS AT THIS POINT, WHAT, 10, 15, 20% INCREASES IN TERMS OF HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR THE YEAR.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE IT REALLY COMES TOGETHER AT THIS POINT, WHEN THERE'S THAT KIND OF PRESSURE COMING ON BOTH SIDES, INCLUDING ON THE PRESIDENT TO SAY, HEY, E'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE, A LOT OF THEM ARE VOTERS ALSO.

I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT A LOT OF THOSE GETTING THOSE LOW-INCOME ASSISTANCE, THEY'RE TENDING NOT TO BE THE VOTERS.

>> Eric: WAR WITH VENEZUELA.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE HEADING TOWARDS THAT AT THIS POINT.

THAT TRUMP KEEPS TRYING TO PICK A FIGHT, AND IF YOU WERE TO DO HAT, IT WOULDN'T BE OUT OF CHARACTER WITH OTHER PRESIDENTS WHO AT SOME POINT IN THEIR ADMINISTRATION LIKE TO PICK A FIGHT, WHETHER IT IS FOR THE FACT OF A DIVERSION, BECAUSE OFTENTIMES INTERNATIONAL SKIRMISHES HELP YOU IN YOUR APPROVAL RATING, OR SORT OF, QUOTE, FROM THE OLD MOVIE, IS IT A WAG THE DOG.

YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT, WHAT, WE'RE NOW SEEING THE INFLATION LEVEL UP.

WE SAW, WHAT, I THINK IT SPIKED AGAIN LAST MONTH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE'VE GOT THE ECONOMY STARTING TO SLOW DOWN.

SO MAYBE IT'S A WAY OF DIVERTING PEOPLE'S ATTENTION FROM OTHER PROBLEMS.

>> Cathy: DOESN'T CONGRESS HAVE TO WEIGH IN ON THIS?

>> YES!

YES.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

THERE IS THIS THING CALLED THE WAR POWERS ACT OUT THERE THAT SAYS THAT PRESIDENTS CAN ONLY DO TEMPORARY DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS AND CAN'T REALLY MAKE COMMITMENTS IN TERMS OF FOR MILITARY ACTIVITY.

I MEAN, I THINK THE BIGGEST STORY RIGHT NOW, FOR THE FIRST, WHAT, NINE MONTHS, TEN MONTHS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS NOT SO MUCH HIS POWER GRAB, IT'S THE ACQUIESCENCE OF POWER BY CONGRESS.

THEY SHOULD BE HERE AT THIS POINT TALKING ABOUT WAR AND PEACE, ABOUT BUDGETARY ISSUES.

ESSENTIALLY THEY NEED TO BE DOING THEIR JOB AND THEY'RE NOT.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT THIS WILL BE THE LINE IN THE SAND FOR SOME REPUBLICANS?

>> SOME SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THEY'RE INCREASINGLY REACHING A POINT WHERE IT'S LIKE THEY FEEL IRRELEVANT AND THIS IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY, DEPENDING ON HOW IT PLAYS OUT HERE, COMMIT AMERICAN TROOPS AND POTENTIALLY AMERICAN LIVES.

>> Eric: DEMOLITION OF THE EAST WING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> YES.

AGAIN, ANOTHER PROMISE THAT THE PRESIDENT MADE, I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE EAST WING, AND BEING DEMOLISHED AT THIS POINT A BALLROOM.

>> Eric: OBAMA DID A BASKETBALL COURT.

I THINK HARRY TRUMAN DID A BALCONY.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: IT'S NOT UNHEARD OF.

>> NOT UNHEARD THAT PRESIDENTS WANT TO REMODEL, REDECORATE, UPDATE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT A WHOLESALE DEMOLITION LIKE THIS IS PRETTY UNUSUAL TO DO.

AND I THINK -- I'D BE CURIOUS WHAT THE POLLS SAY, THE OPTICS MAY NOT BE GOOD AT THIS POINT, AT A TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS SHUT DOWN, AS YOU POINTED OUT, PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HEATING ASSISTANCE AND SO FORTH, TO NOW SAY, I'M GOING TO COMMIT, WHAT, 300, $400 MILLION FOR REMODELING OF THE WEST WING, IT PROBABLY DOESN'T PLAY WELL, AT LEAST FOR THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS NOW.

HIS BASE IS PROBABLY SUPPORTING HIM NO MATTER WHAT, BUT IT'S THE CRITICAL INDEPENDENT VOTERS THAT ARE GOING TO MATTER.

MY SENSE IS THAT THE POLLS ARE NOT -- THIS IS NOT RESONATING WELL WITH THEM IN THE POLLS.

>> Cathy: SO HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM WAS IN MINNEAPOLIS EARLIER TODAY, FRIDAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THERE WERE SOME PROTESTS AROUND THAT.

SHE SEEMS TO BE IN COMMUNITIES PRIOR TO THE NATIONAL GUARD BEING CALLED OUT.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S SORT OF -- THIS IS KIND OF LIKE FORESHADOWING IN A NOVEL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SHE'S HERE, SHE'S TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF I.C.E., TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMIGRATION.

AND MINNEAPOLIS, St.

PAUL AREA I THINK IS A PERFECT TARGET, YOU KNOW, FOR THE PATTERN THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN USING.

YOU KNOW, CITIES THAT ARE PRETTY DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED, CLAIMS ABOUT, WHAT, LAWLESSNESS AND SO FORTH, CRIME OUT OF CONTROL.

SO I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED, IF WE'RE LOOKING AT, WHAT, WE'VE GOT LIKE THE L.A.s, THE PORTLANDS AND SO FORTH, PLUS, JUST FOR THE SHAKE OF -- SAKE OF ARGUMENT HERE, MINNESOTA IS THE HOME TO, WHAT, HIS ADVERSARY AS VICE PRESIDENT IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR LEADING OUR SEMINAR TONIGHT.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TWO WEEKS IN, THE FRAGILE CEASEFIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS SEEMS TO BE HOLDING.

CONTINUED VIOLENCE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND CONCERN THAT THE DEAL MAY NOT WORK LONG TERM LED VICE PRESIDENT J.D.

VANCE AND SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO TO MAKE SEPARATE VISITS TO ISRAEL THIS WEEK.

THIS IS ALL HAPPENING HALF A WORLD AWAY, BUT THE CONFLICT HAS REVERBERATED IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA SINCE IT BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO.

NATHAN STOCK IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE.

STOCK IS AN EXPERT ON THE MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT WHO HAS LIVED IN BOTH THE GAZA STRIP AND ISRAEL.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: SO, LIKE I SAY, THIS IS A FRAGILE CEASE-FIRE, BUT IT SEEMS O BE HOLDING, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

BUT WHAT COULD LEAD TO SOME CRACKS?

>> ELL, THERE'S A LOT TO DO.

FOR STARTERS, THE CEASE-FIRE BROUGHT ABOUT A PARTIAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL FROM THE GAZA STRIP.

SO, ISRAELI FORCES REMAIN IN ABOUT 53% OF THE TERRITORY.

-THAT ALONE MAKES IT VOLUNTEER TILE AND EXPLAINS SOME OF THE VIOLATIONS OF THE CEASE-FIRE, THE LOCATION OF THOSE ISRAELI FORCES VIS-A-VIS PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS WHO MAY WANT TO RETURN HOME, THAT'S ALL MURKY, AND IN SOME WAYS, DANGEROUS.

SO, ONE KEY QUESTION S, WILL WE SEE FORWARD MOVEMENT?

WILL THE ISRAELI MILITARY ACTUALLY PULL OUT OF THE REMAINDER OF THE GAZA STRIP?

AND THEN WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR RECONSTRUCTION?

ONE OF THE KEY TERMS OF THE DEAL WAS THAT YOU WOULD SEE INCREASED AID GOING INTO GAZA WITH THE CEASE-FIRE, THE AMOUNT OF TRUCKS BEING ALLOWED IN IS TOO LOW, IT'S NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE AGREEMENT, AND T'S NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE ENORMOUS HUMANITARIAN BACKLOG.

>> Eric: THE PRESIDENT HAS A 20-POINT ROAD MAP FOR HOW THIS IS GOING TO GET DONE.

ONE IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY.

IT SAYS THAT THE U.S.

WILL MEDIATE STEPS TO A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS CO-EXISTENCE BETWEEN PALESTINE, GAZA AND ISRAEL.

DOABLE?

>> ELL, I APPRECIATE THAT THE PRESIDENT IS SKETCHING OUT A BROAD HORIZON.

THAT'S GOOD.

I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THE BIGGER-PICTURE PLAN HERE IS A LITTLE MURKY.

IN FAIRNESS TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I'M GLAD THEY GOT A DEAL.

THEY PUT PRESSURE ON BOTH SIDES, THEY PUT PRESSURE ON THE ISRAELIS, IN THE WAY THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT, EXAMINE THEY -- AND THEY GOT A DEAL THAT HAS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE.

THAT'S GREAT.

IT'S NOT NOTHING.

BUT NOW THEY NEED TO KEEP THEIR EYE ON THE BALL, RIGHT?

REMEMBER THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ESSENTIALLY ENGINEERED A CEASE-FIRE AS THEY WERE COMING INTO OFFICE BACK IN JANUARY, AND IT FELL APART IN SIX WEEKS BECAUSE THEY LOST FOCUS.

SO THE FACT THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WERE JUST THERE, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

SUGGESTS THEY'RE FOCUSED.

THE SECRETARY ALSO COMMENTED ON SETTING UP SOME KIND OF MONITORING MECHANISM, WHERE U.S.

DIPLOMATS WHO WILL HAVE SOME ROLE IN ASSESSING THE STATE OF THE CEASE-FIRE, THAT'S ALSO GOOD.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LEDGER, WE'VE HEARD THEM ALK ABOUT REBUILDING ONLY IN THE AREAS CURRENTLY HELD BY ISRAELI TROOPS, WHICH ARE THE EASTERN PARTS OF THE GAZA STRIP, THAT HISTORICALLY WERE MUCH LESS POPULATED, THAT'S NOT GOING TO CUT IT, THAT'S NOT WHERE THE PEOPLE LIVE, THOSE AREN'T THE HOMES THEY WANT TO GO BACK TO, RIGHT?

THE TWO MILLION PALESTINIANS IN GAZA, THEY SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN THIS.

SO FAR IT SEEMS THEY'VE HAD NO VOICE IN IT.

AND INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS SHOULD BE MET.

SO IF YOUR HOME WAS DESTROYED, YOU SHOULD SEE THAT BUILDING REBUILT.

AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR WORKING OUT THE MECHANISMS THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT LEVEL OF REBUILDING.

>> Cathy: SO THERE ARE STILL SOME ISSUES, THERE ARE A LOT OF SSUES, OBVIOUSLY, AND THERE'S STILL SOME SPASMS OF VIOLENCE AS WE'VE SEEN.

HOW WOULD YOU EVEN BEGIN TO DE-ESCALATE SUCH A LONG-TERM, LARGE-SCALE VIOLENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THAT AREA?

>> SO, PARTS OF WHAT HAVE BEEN AGREED MAKE SENSE.

RIGHT?

START WITH A CEASE-FIRE.

PULL ISRAELI FORCES OUT OF THE MAJOR POPULATION CENTERS.

INJECT INTERNATIONAL MONITORS.

THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT, BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, THE PARTIES NEED TO AGREE.

HAMAS NEEDS TO AGREE TO HAVE THEM IN, THE ISRAELIS NEED TO AGREE, IT'S UNCLEAR IF WE HAVE THAT.

>> Eric: U.N.

PEACEKEEPERS?

>> IT COULD BE ANY NUMBERS OF COUNTRIES UNDER A BLUE HELMET U.N.

UMBRELLA, BUT, AGAIN, PUTTING THEM IN AIS A GOOD IDEA.

THROUGH THE MECHANISMS, YOU STABLIZE THE CEASE-FIRE, YOU GENERALLY OPEN THE BORDER, SO YOU CAN HAVE NOT ONLY HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, BUT THEN THE SURGE OF RECONSTRUCTION THAT YOU NEED, AND THEN THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE SOME SORT OF PALESTINIAN ADMINISTRATION TO OVERSEE GOVERNANCE, AND THEN HOPEFULLY YOU GET BACK TOWARD PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS AND SOME SORT OF BIGGER-PICTURE HORIZON FOR A TRUE AGREEMENT.

>> Eric: HAMAS AGREES NOT TO GOVERN THE GAZA STRIP AND ISRAEL WON'T OCCUPY, IS THAT KIND OF THE TRADE-OFF?

>> IN THEORY.

I MEAN, THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT'S BEEN A LITTLE CAGE I ABOUT THIS, IT'S AN EXTREMELY CONSERVE I HAVE GOVERNMENT.

THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT HAS MINISTERS WHO ARE OBJECTING TO THIS.

SO THIS IS WHERE U.S.

PRESSURE'S GOING TO MATTER QUITE A BIT.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALE TO ENSURE THAT ISRAEL ACTUALLY MEETS THE COMMITMENTS AND TRULY PULLS OUT.

BUT THE FACT THAT THEY GOT THIS FAR IS NOT A BAD START.

>> Cathy: WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD NEED TO DO TO HEAL THIS REGION?

THAT'S A HUGE QUESTION.

I'M SORRY.

BUT -- THERE ARE SO MANY FACTIONS IN THIS, SO WHAT DO THE REST OF THE WORLD NEED TO DO?

>> MULTILATERAL HELP WOULD HELP.

WE'VE SEEN INVOLVEMENT FROM TURKEY, QATAR, EGYPT, THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES I SUSPECT WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF A THOUGHTFUL RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT.

I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO ENSURE THAT THE U.N.

IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF RECONSTRUCTION.

THE SECRETARY, WHEN HE WAS IN ISRAEL, OBJECTED TO HAVING THE MAIN U.N.

AGENCY IN GAZA BE INVOLVED IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.

THAT'S A REALLY BAD IDEA.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST -- BIG INSTITUTION THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR 80 YEARS AND KNOWS HOW TO DO THIS WORK.

SO THERE ARE SOME BASIC THINGS IN TERMS OF HOW YOU MANAGE THIS KIND OF RECONSTRUCTION.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOULD AGREE TO, AND THEY MAY NEED HELP FROM THEIR ALLIES.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS GREAT HAVING YOU HERE.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF, THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR WILL JOIN US ACROSS THE STUDIO ON THE COUCH.

BUT FIRST WE TURN OUR ATTENTION TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE CLOSER TO HOME.

EVER SINCE THE ASSASSINATION OF FORMER SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN, "ALMANAC" POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS POLARIZATION AND VIOLENCE.

THIS WEEK WE HEAR ABOUT A LOCAL COUPLE WHO TURNED THEIR PAIN INTO ACTION IN A SEMINAR CALLED "BRIDGING THE POLITICAL DIVIDE" WITH THE BRAVER ANGELS ORGANIZATION.

>> MY FRIEND, MELISSA HORTMAN, WAS MURDERED IN HER HOUSE AT NIGHT.

SHE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE.

AND I WAS SO ANGRY I COULDN'T -- I COULDN'T STAND MYSELF.

I FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO EAT MYSELF UP.

>> TOWARD THE END OF MY CAREER I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH HER AND A GROUP OF LEGISLATORS TO GERMANY TO EXCHANGE IDEAS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> Mary: INSTEAD OF ALLOWING HER ANGER TO CONSUME HER, ELAINE AMBROSE SOUGHT SOLUTIONS.

>> SHE'S THE ONLY FRIEND THAT I HAVE THAT'S EVER BEEN MURDERED.

I FELT SO ANGRY AND SO FRUSTRATED AND HOPELESS THAT I CONTACTED A COUPLE OF FRIENDS TO KIND OF HELP ME THROUGH THIS.

AND ONE OF THEM SUGGESTED THAT I JOIN BRAVER ANGELS.

>> Mary: BRAVER ANGELS IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE FOUNDER AND BIGGEST FOLLOWING IS IN MINNESOTA.

THEY ARE INCREASINGLY IN DEMAND TO ADDRESS POLARIZATION.

>> THE LEVEL OF POLARIZATION IS THE HIGHEST SINCE THE 1850s.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THEN.

WE WENT TO WAR WITH EACH OTHER.

AND IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, THERE'S A HIGH DEGREE, HIGH CHANCE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE INCREASED VIOLENCE.

>> Mary: THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY VIOLENCE AND POLARIZATION ARE PROBLEMS.

>> THE WAY THAT WE FEEL ABOUT THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE HAS BECOME SO NEGATIVE THAT IT REALLY KEEPS US FROM LISTENING AND IT KEEPS US FROM WORKING EFFECTIVELY ON ISSUES BECAUSE WE DISLIKE EACH OTHER, WE DISTRUST EACH OTHER SO MUCH THAT WE'RE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER.

WE EACH PEOPLE HOW TO LISTEN WELL, LISTEN WITH RESPECT, BUT LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND, TO BRING A SENSE OF CURIOSITY TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OTHER SIDE IS SAYING, AND THEN, IN TURN, TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK THEIR POINT OF VIEW IN WAYS THAT IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT THEY'LL BE HEARD.

THE WAY I AY IT IS, WE KNOW EVERYONE WANTS O BE LISTENED TO, BUT WOULDN'T YOU ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY?

>> Mary: ELAINE DISCOVERED SHE WASN'T ALONE IN HER ANGUISH AFTER THE ASSASSINATION.

>> I COULDN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT.

I WAS SO WORRIED AND HE SAID, I FEEL THE SAME WAY.

>> Mary: YOU AS A DEMOCRAT WAS REACHING OUT TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR AND FOUND OUT YOU WERE FEELING THE SAME WAY?

>> YES, YES.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR IS A WAYZATA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER WHO ATTENDED THE SEMINAR, ALSO ORGANIZED BY THE WAYZATA MAYOR.

>> I ACTUALLY AM VERY PROUD INDEPENDENT MODERATE BUT I ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I'M A RADICAL OPTIMIST, IT PUTS ME RIGHT DEAD IN THE MIDDLE TO HELP WITH BOTH SIDES AND TRY TO GET SOME STUFF DONE.

>> Mary: ARE YOU A FORMER REPUBLICAN?

>> I AM.

I'M A RECOVERING REPUBLICAN.

POLARIZATION IS VERY PREVALENT.

AND I CALL IT THE ECHO CHAMBERS ON EACH SIDE WHERE WE'RE JUST TALKING TO EACH OTHER, THERE'S ECHO CHAMBERS.

MEANWHILE, THE MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE IS GETTING FED UP AND DISSATISFIED WITH THE BEHAVIOR ON BOTH SIDES.

>> WE DO HAVE AH-HA MOMENTS ALL THE TIME.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST AH-HA MOMENTS IS THE RECOGNITION OF COMMONALITY, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE AGREE ON, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GO BELOW THE TALKING POINTS TO HOW DID YOU COME TO THIS VIEW, WHAT'S YOUR STORY, WHAT ARE THE VALUES THAT ARE DRIVING THIS.

OUR STARTING POINT IS TO SHOW INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY HAVE AGENCY.

THEY CAN ACT, NOT JUST REACT.

WE'RE SO TRIGGERED BY THE HIGH LEVELS OF POLARIZATION THAT WE TEND TO JUST RESPOND USING A -- USUALLY IN A NEGATIVE WAY.

SO THAT'S THE FIRST STEP IS YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE.

AND THEN TEACH THEM SKILLS.

>> JUST SO PROUD HOW MANY PEOPLE SHOWED UP WITH A LIMITED AMOUNT OF PROMOTION AND WHATNOT.

BUT THAT TELLS ME THAT THERE'S A HUNGER AND A NEED TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION.

I'VE KNOWN THE AMBROSE FAMILY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND I CONSIDER ELAINE AS ONE OF THE KINDEST, SWEETEST GRANDMA-LIKE FIGURES THAT I COULD POSSIBLY MEET IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND SHE ASKED ME OUT FOR COFFEE AND WITHIN MINUTES TEARS WERE STREAMING DOWN HER FACE.

AND I JUST -- I KIND OF -- IT KIND OF STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS.

WHAT COULD SHE BE SO UPSET ABOUT?

SHE SAID, LOOK, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND ALL THIS IS REALLY GETTING TO ME AND I'M SAD AND I'M ANGRY AND I'M FRUSTRATED.

AND THEN SHE SAID SOMETHING, BUT I'M PART OF THE PROBLEM.

>> Mary: DESCRIBED AS A PACKED ROOM, RIGHT?

>> YES.

OH, YES, YES, YES, YES.

>> Mary: THAT'S EXCITING TODAY WHEN PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR SOLUTIONS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

>> OH, YES.

OH, YES.

IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THERE'S A GREAT NEED FOR THIS.

SINCE I SORT OF STARTED TELLING MY STORY, MAKING MYSELF VULNERABLE ABOUT HOW UPSET I WAS, I'VE HAD SEVERAL HEART-FELT CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE.

>> Mary: SHE'S NOT DONE YET.

ANOTHER SESSION IS PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER, ALONG WITH ELAINE'S HUSBAND, BOB, WHO WAS A STATE SENATE STAFFER AND LONGTIME RESPECTED LOBBYIST AT THE CAPITOL.

YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF BIPARTISAN WORK.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: YOU'VE SEEN BIPARTISANSHIP WORK.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT YOUR SPOUSE IS THE ONE SPEARHEADING SOME SOLUTIONS RIGHT NOW?

>> I'M VERY PROUD OF HER.

SHE'S LISTENED TO ME ALL THESE YEARS TELLING SOMETIMES TALES OF VICTORY AND SOMETIMES TALES OF WOE.

AND -- BUT IT'S FUN TO WATCH HER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: FOR THE REST OF THE HOUR WE WILL HAVE A DEBATE WITH THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS.

"ALMANAC" IS A STATEWIDE PROGRAM AND WE DON’T OFTEN FEATURE DEBATES FOR CITY OFFICES.

BUT, JUST LIKE FOUR YEARS AGO, THE MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR’S RACE IS GETTING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

THERE ARE 15 CANDIDATES ON THE MINNEAPOLIS MAYORAL BALLOT.

WE’VE INVITED WHO WE BELIEVE TO BE THE FOUR LEADING CANDIDATES TO JOIN US TONIGHT IN STUDIO.

THE FORMAT WILL BE TYPICAL FOR AN "ALMANAC" DEBATE.

NO TIMED RESPONSES.

NO OPENING STATEMENTS.

NO FORCED FORMALITY.

OUR GOAL, FRANKLY, IS CONVERSATION.

>> Cathy: IT WORKS PRETTY WELL.

THE CANDIDATES JOINING US TONIGHT, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER.

DEWAYNE DAVIS IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER WHO IS MAKING HIS FIRST RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE.

BUT HE IS NO STRANGER TO POLITICS, HAVING WORKED FOR SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

OMAR FATEH IS CURRENTLY A STATE SENATOR, REPRESENTING DISTRICT 62 IN MINNEAPOLIS SINCE 2020.

HE IS THE FIRST MUSLIM AND SOMALI AMERICAN TO SERVE IN THE STATE SENATE.

JACOB FREY IS CURRENTLY THE MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS AND IS RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM.

HE WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BEFORE BECOMING MAYOR IN 2018.

JAZZ HAMPTON IS THE POLITICAL ROOKIE IN THE GROUP.

THIS IS HIS FIRST RUN FOR ANY OFFICE.

HE'S AN ATTORNEY AND BUSINESS OWNER.

GENTLEMEN, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE.

AS YOU KNOW, THE HOME OPENER FOR THE T-WOLVES IS SUNDAY.

WOLVES HAVE NEW OWNERS WHO ARE ALREADY MAKING SOME NOISE ABOUT A NEW ARENA.

AND I'M WONDERING, WITH THE TARGET CENTER NOT EVEN PAID OFF, SHOULD THERE BE A NEW ARENA IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS AND WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL PACKAGE SHOULD MINNEAPOLIS OFFER?

SENATOR?

>> I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THAT.

EVERY DOLLAR THAT YOU GIVE AWAY TO A BILLIONAIRE FOR A STADIUM, FOR ANYTHING, IS A DOLLAR YOU TAKE AWAY FROM BASIC ERVICES, ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

I THINK THAT AS A CITY, WE NEED TO GET BACK TO OUR BASIC SERVICES, HELPING OUT ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, RATHER THAN GIVING SUBSIDIES OR GIVEAWAYS TO BILLIONAIRES.

>> Cathy: MAYOR FREY?

>> THE SENATOR AND I AGREE ON THIS ONE, IN THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE PROVIDING PUBLIC SUBSIDY TO BILLIONAIRES TO BUILD A NEW ARENA.

HOWEVER, YEAH, WE WILL LIKELY NEED A NEW ARENA, AND IT SHOULD BE IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND, SO, WE NEED TO BE DOING THE WORK AHEAD OF TIME, WHICH IS HAPPENING, TO DESIGNATE SITES THAT COULD WORK WELL TO REJUVENATE, FOR INSTANCE, THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT, ACTIVATE NICOLLET MALL, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ACTIVATION ALONG THAT RAMP, ALONG 394.

WE HAVE A BIG OPPORTUNITY HERE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, AND AS DOWNTOWN BECOMES MORE OF AN ENTERTAINMENT HUB, THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO GET IT GOING.

>> Cathy: Mr.

HAMPTON?

>> YEAH, THE BEGINNING OF THE QUESTION WAS, DO I HOPE THAT THERE'S A NEW ONE DOWNTOWN.

AND I WOULD LOVE IF THE OWNERS OF THE TIMBERWOLVES WANT TO BUILD A NEW ONE DOWNTOWN.

BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT OUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE GOING TO IN THIS MOMENT.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, I CAN THINK OF MANY THINGS, INCLUDING WRAPPING OUR ARMS AROUND BEFORE AND AFTER-SCHOOL CARE AND WORK TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS BETTER IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS RATHER THAN ON A BUILDING THAT WAS RENOVATED IN 2017.

>> Cathy: Mr.

DAVIS?

>> THEY SOUND LIKE WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING.

AS LONG AS THE OWNERS ARE WILLING TO FOOT THE BILL, HEY, WE'LL WORK WITH THEM, WE'LL WORK ON INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE IT A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO COME DOWNTOWN AND BE A GOOD DESTINATION.

BUT WE ALREADY ARE ON THE HOOK FOR A LOT OF SALES TAX REVENUE ON SOME OF THESE OTHER STADIUMS.

WE SHOULD NOT SADDLE, AND I WOULD NOT ADDLE OUR RESIDENTS WITH THAT BURDEN ANYMORE.

>> Eric: THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 38th AND CHICAGO HAS, OF COURSE, A SPECIAL MEANING.

IT'S ALMOST AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION FOR THE PLACE WHERE GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED.

FIVE YEARS, NO DECISION ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE AREA.

I WONDER WHAT YOU'VE GOT UP YOUR SLEEVE TO GET SOME KIND OF PROGRESS GOING.

>> YEAH.

I ELIEVE 38th AND CHICAGO IS ONE OF THE MOST CORRIDORS IN OUR STATE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S OPEN AND THAT A BUS CAN DRIVE THROUGH THERE CONSISTENTLY BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST USED BUS LANE IN HE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT AT ALL TIMES WE'RE HONORING THE HISTORY AND THE MOVEMENT THAT STARTED RIGHT HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS AS WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE PATH THEN?

>> I THINK IT'S WORKING WITH THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL AND EXPLAINING THE VISION, EXPLAINING THAT WE SPENT OVER $3 MILLION ASKING FOLKS WHAT THEY WANT, AND WE SHOULD DELIVER UPON WHAT THEY ASKED -- WHAT THEY SAID IN RETURN.

>> Eric: WHY CAN'T WE GET A PLAN AND GET THIS SHOVELS ON THE GROUND OR WHATEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN OVER THERE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S A GOOD CALL BECAUSE EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IS PROVIDING A WAY FORWARD.

LOOK, WE NEED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN MOVING FORWARD.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN FORGETTING WHAT HAPPENED.

AND FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I'VE BEEN SAYING, WE NEED TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY, LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE SAID.

AND WHAT THEY HAVE SAID VERY CLEARLY IS THAT WE NEED AN OPEN AND FLEXIBLE OPTION THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO CLOSE DOWN FOR A FESTIVAL OR A PARTY, BUT YOU'RE ABLE -- ALSO ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES, DURING THE TOUGHEST OF TIMES, I HAVE TAKEN THAT POSITION, IN FACT, I VETOED THE CITY COUNCIL ACTION THAT WOULD SHUT THAT STREET DOWN AND MAKE IT A CUL-DE-SAC, WHICH, BY THE WAY, NOT ONLY DOES THAT RUN AGAINST WHAT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES HAVE WANTED, BUT IT ALSO DOESN'T WORK UNDER THE LAW.

SO, WE'VE PROVIDED A CLEAR WAY FORWARD, THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO.

>> Eric: REVEREND?

>> LISTEN, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME, EVER SINCE GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED, AS A MINISTER IN THAT AREA.

I'VE BEEN THERE THE WHOLE TIME.

I'VE TALKED TO THE COMMUNITY, AND THE COMMUNITY DOES WANT, BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS, THEY WANT TO MOVE ON.

BUT THIS ALSO SPEAKS TO SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE'VE BEEN MISSING HERE.

THE REASON, I THINK, WE'RE HAVING THIS CONFLICT IS BECAUSE WHAT WE DIDN'T HAVE WAS LEADERSHIP THAT BUILT TRUST.

WHAT I'M HEARING THERE NOW IS PEOPLE JUST DON'T TRUST AND BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY IS SAYING.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE MISS AN OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THIS IS GROUND ZERO FROM ONE OF THE WORST DISPLAYS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT, WE MISSED THAT OPPORTUNITY, I WANT TO BRING SOME OF THAT TRUST BACK SO WE CAN GET GOING.

>> Eric: PLAN FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> KNOW, THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, ON 38th AND CHICAGO, OCCURRED IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT.

AND IT'S A PLACE OF DEEP PAIN AND TRAUMA FOR THE NEIGHBORS, FOR THE BUSINESS OWNERS, FOR THE CITY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

AND WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE, THE MAIN THING I HEAR IS, JUST LIKE REVEREND DAVIS SAID RIGHT NOW, THAT THERE'S DEEP DISTRUST BETWEEN THE BUSINESS OWNERS, NEIGHBORHOODS, GOVERNMENT.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU BRING THEM TOGETHER?

>> YES, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, WE BRING HEALING, WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP RESET BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE COMMUNITY.

DESPITE WHAT WE'RE READING OR SEEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WE'RE NOT TOO FAR OFF BETWEEN WHAT WE WANT.

AND WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS ARE SAYING IS THAT THEY WANT TO ENSURE THAT THEY MAINTAIN FOOT TRAFFIC TO SUSTAIN THEIR BUSINESSES, AND ALSO HAVE SAFETY.

AND I THINK WE CAN GET THERE.

>> BUT THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES.

THE VISION THAT YOU WOULD SUPPORT AND SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SUPPORTED WOULD PUT A CUL-DE-SAC IN THE MIDDLE OF CHICAGO AVENUE.

IT WOULD CUT OFF WHAT IS THE MOST HEAVILY RIDDEN BUS ROUTE IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

IT WOULD PREVENT SMALL IS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES FROM HAVING FULL ACCESS.

IT WOULD BE A WORLD OF PROBLEMS FOR PURPOSES OF REMOVING SNOW.

I MEAN, HERE'S THE THING.

AS MAYOR, YOU DON'T DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS AS A HYPOTHETICAL.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM IN REALITY.

NOT TO MENTION, AND THIS IS THE FINAL THING, THE ROUTE THAT YOU WOULD PROPOSE DOESN'T WORK UNDER THE LAW BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 50% OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS OPPOSING IT, IT WON'T WORK.

BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS.

>> Cathy: RESPONSE.

>> Eric: REAL QUICK.

>> AGAIN, I REPRESENT THE DISTRICT, OR THE AREA OF 38th AND CHICAGO, AND I'M NOT ON CITY COUNCIL, BUT I DO SPEND A HELL OF A LOT OF TIME TALKING TO MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE GROUND.

AND THE REALITY IS, IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS, AND UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP, WE STILL HAVEN'T HAD A DECISION MADE.

>> Cathy: I'D LIKE TO MOVE ON AND TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

SO, SINCE JANUARY, 17 ENCAMPMENTS OF HOMELESS FOLKS HAVE BEEN CLOSED.

AND I'M WONDERING, THOUGH, MAYOR FREY, IS THIS A MATTER OF OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND OR DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING FOLKS WHO ARE HOMELESS?

>> SO CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN SHELTER -- UNSHELTERED PEOPLE AND HOMELESSNESS.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO, WE PROVIDE HOMES.

IN FACT, WE ARE PROVIDING EIGHT AND A HALF TIMES THE DEEPLY FOOTBALL HOMES.

AFFORDABLE.

>> Cathy: SO ARE THEY GOING INTO HOMES?

>> ON TIMES WE ARE.

WE GO OUT THERE WITH A HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM AND THE COUNTY, WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE CARE, ADDICTION UNIT.

WE BRING A MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT OUT TO THE ENCAMPMENT ITSELF EXAMINE THEN WE DO THAT AGAIN.

HERE'S THE DIFFERENCE.

ONCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN OFFERED, AND OFFERED AGAIN, WE THEN CLOSE THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.

AND SENATOR FATEH HAS MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT HE WILL KEEP THOSE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS OPEN EVEN AFTER A MASS SHOOTING.

THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE, THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT I WANT TO GET Mr.

DAVIS IN HERE FIRST.

>> AGAIN, I WANT TO GET IN THERE BECAUSE I THINK THAT HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE TEAM IS WOEFULLY INADEQUATE FOR THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM.

WE HAVE -- MY COUNT WAS FOUR PEOPLE IN THE HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE TEAM AND IT'S UNDER REGULATORY SERVICES.

WE NEED A FAR MORE AGGRESSIVE OUTREACH TEAM THAN WE HAVE THAT CAN BE SURE THAT THEY'RE MAKING SEVERAL PASSTHROUGHS SO THAT ENCAMPMENTS DON'T GET LODGED IN.

HOW DOES AN ENCAMPMENT START?

YOU START WITH ONE OR TWO PEOPLE SETTING UP SHOP.

IF WE CAN GET SEVERAL PASSTHROUGHS WITH AN OUTREACH TEAM THAT IS SO AGGRESSIVE SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THOSE PEOPLE AND WE DON'T HAVE AN ENCAMPMENT TIME TO EVEN BEGIN TO SET UP.

IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, WHERE I LIVE, I TALK TO THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL, THE ONE THING THEY TALK ABOUT, THEY HAVEN'T HAD AN ENCAMPMENT SET UP THERE BECAUSE THEY MOVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALWAYS CONTACTING THEM.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, BY THE WAY.

SENATOR FATEH, EVIDENTLY THE MAYOR THINKS THAT YOU WOULD KEEP THESE ENCAMPMENTS OPEN.

AND NOT DO MUCH WITH THEM.

>> YEAH.

THE CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND THE MAYOR IS THAT HE WANTS TO CLEAR ENCAMPMENTS BY BULLDOZING THEM, THROWING AWAY PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS.

I WANT TO HOUSING PEOPLE.

INVESTING IN HOUSING.

MAKING SURE WE'RE FUNDING, WORKING WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS TO PROVIDE FUNDING, MAKING SURE WE'RE PROVIDING TREATMENT AND MOVING AWAY THE RESPONSE FROM REGULATORY SERVICES INTO HEALTH.

>> EVERY BIT OF WHAT HE JUST SAID -- >> I THINK THAT'S THE CORRECT PATH TO TAKE.

>> -- WE ARE DOING.

>> CLEARLY HE'S NOT DOING SOMETHING CORRECT, HE'S BEEN IN TWO TERMS, ENCAMPMENTS ARE CLEARED, PEOPLE'S BELONGINGS GETTING THROWN AWAY.

WE SAW A STORY OF A MOTHER WHOSE CHILD'S ASHES GOT THROWN AWAY.

WHEN YOU THROW AWAY PEOPLE BELONGINGS, SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS, KEY IDENTIFIERS, IT MAKES IT HARDER OR THE CITY TO FIND OUT WHO NEEDS HELP.

>> SO, ONCE AGAIN, WE DO PROVIDE SERVICE.

WE PROVIDE MORE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAN ANY TIME IN HISTORY.

IN FACT, I WOULD PUT OUR CITY'S RECORD UP AGAINST ANY OTHER CITY IN THE COUNTRY AROUND DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOMES.

BUT HERE'S THE THING.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] HERE'S THE THING, HERE'S THE THING, IF YOU LET ME FINISH.

>> Cathy: HANG ON, HANG ON.

>> HERE THE THING.

ONCE SERVICES HAVE BEEN OFFERED, AND THEY AREN'T ACCEPTED, WHICH WAS THE CASE JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT IS NOT SAFE.

AND, SO, YES, THE REALITY IS, YOU HAVE TO CLEAR THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO GETS THE BRIEFING OF ABOUT THE 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO'S BEING TRAFFICKED, THE RETALIATORY SHOOTING.

>> THAT HAPPENS UNDER YOUR WATCH, THAT'S AN I, SO CLEARLY ENCAMPMENTS, BULLDOZING ENCAMPMENTS -- >> Eric: IS FENTANYL THE BIG PROBLEM HERE?

>> SPEAKING OF PROBLEMS, WHEN I ANNOUNCED THAT I WAS RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS, I SAID, I'M NOT RUNNING AGAINST ANYONE.

I'M RUNNING FOR THE CITY.

SO I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS SPECIFICALLY.

YES, WE HAVE DEEPLY -- WE HAVE A DEEP NEED TO ADDRESS ADDICTION SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THESE THINGS OFTEN CO-EXIST WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.

HERE'S WHAT I KNOW.

WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YES, BUT BEFORE WE EVEN GET TO DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE PLACES THAT ARE LOW-BARRIER SHELTERS THAT CAN GET PEOPLE IN.

ONCE THEY'RE INSIDE, WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE OTHER CO-EXISTING CONDITIONS THAT INDIVIDUALS MAY BE DEALING WITH IN THAT MOMENT.

WHEN THAT HAPPENED, WHEN THE SHOOTING RECENTLY HAPPENED, WE DID NOT HAVE A SOUND PLACE TO DELIVER PEOPLE TO WHEN THEY WERE REMOVED BECAUSE IT WAS A CRIME SCENE.

AND, SO, YES, WE HAVE TO EXPAND THOSE PROGRAMS, WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BEDS NOW, AND THAT SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY.

LOW-BARRIER SHELTERS THAT WE CAN THEN ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS AFTER THAT.

>> THE REALITY IS, NOBODY WANTS ENCAMPMENTS.

IT'S UNFAIR TO OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS, IT'S UNFAIR TO OUR FAMILIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS, IT'S UNFAIR TO OUR CITY.

THE REALITY IS, THE SHOOTINGS AND THE GUN VIOLENCE AND THE TRAFFICKING IS HAPPENING UNDER THE MAYOR'S WATCH.

>> MY POINT IS, IF YOU LET AN ENCAMPMENT GET THAT LARGE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SEND IN POLICE OFFICERS WHEN IT GETS SO BIG AND IT GETS RIDDEN WITH CRIME.

SO, MY POINT IS, HOW DO YOU STOP AN ENCAMPMENT FROM GETTING THERE?

>> TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH.

>> IT IS TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH.

AND I ACTUALLY PUT A PROACTIVE APPROACH IN THE BUDGET.

AND THAT PROACTIVE APPROACH WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

THAT WAS AN ACTION THAT YOU, AT THE TIME, SUPPORTED.

SO, HERE'S THE THING.

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.

YOU CAN'T SAY YOU WANT A PROACTIVE APPROACH AND THEN PREVENT THE PROACTIVE APPROACH FROM TAKING PLACE.

>> THE PROBLEM IS, THE MAYOR'S TRYING TO FUNCTION AS A ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT.

THE CITY CANNOT ACT LOORNTION THE CITY HAS TO WORK WITH CITY COUNCIL, WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND WORK WITH THE STATE.

THERE'S A REASON WHY THE MAYOR DOESN'T HAVE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER OR LEGISLATOR, THEY CAN'T WORK WITH HIM.

>> Cathy: I'M GOING TO ASK THAT LATER IN MY CONVERSATION.

I REMEMBER YOU CAMPAIGNING ON SAFE CITY -- SAFE AND AFFORDABLE MINNEAPOLIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT MANY PEOPLE WOULD SAY, MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT SAFE, AND IT'S NOT AFFORDABLE.

LET'S START WITH THAT, THE SAFETY PART OF IT FIRST.

>> LET'S START WITH THE SAFETY PART.

WE HAVE DONE REALLY HARD WORK THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF CIRCUMSTANCES TO DRIVE DOWN CRIME.

ON THE NORTH IDE, CRIME, SPECIFICALLY SHOOTINGS, ARE LOWER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN ON RECORD.

AND THAT MEANS SINCE AT LEAST 2007 AND PROBABLY BEFORE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I CAN TALK ABOUT HOW SHOOTINGS AND VIOLENCE IS DOWN, AND PEOPLE DON'T FEEL THAT WAY, ESPECIALLY HEN YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF MASS SHOOTINGS, INCLUDING ANNUNCIATION.

NOW ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PIECE, PUT OUR RECORD UP AGAINST ANYWHERE ELSE.

WE HAVE MANAGED TO KEEP RENTS DOWN MORE THAN VIRTUALLY ANY CITY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

YOU DON'T NEED TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

CHECK IT OUT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: ARE YOU ALL ON BOARD ITH A -- KIND OF A TRIGGER ORDINANCE THAT IF THE STATE SAYS ASSAULT WEAPONS ARE BANNED, THEN -- OR NOT BANNED, YOU COULD GO AHEAD, DO IT SEPARATELY?

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: Mr.

HAMPTON?

>> I AM.

AND I DRAFTED THAT LEGISLATION AND SENT IT TO THE CITY LEADERS AND HOPING THEY WOULD USE SOME OF THAT AND IMPLEMENT IT RIGHT NOW.

>> FROM THE VERY BEGINNING MOMENTS FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING AT ANNUNCIATION, WE WERE VERY CLEAR.

WE NEED A STATEWIDE AND FEDERAL BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

WE NEED A STATEWIDE AND FEDERAL BAN ON HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND IF THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AREN'T GOING TO DO IT, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO IT IN CITIES.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED AND WE ARE WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER MAYORS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE CHIEF O'HARA ON YOUR TEAM?

WOULD YOU GIVE HIM ANOTHER TERM IF YOU WERE MAYOR?

>> I'LL HAVE TO REVIEW EVERYBODY HEN I BECAME MAYOR, FIGURE OUT IF THEY'RE GOING TO FOLLOW MY VISION.

THAT SPEAKS TO THE POINT ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, THOUGH.

AGAIN, HERE'S THE THING.

I SERVED A CO-CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY WORKGROUP THAT THE MAYOR HIMSELF IMPANELLED AFTER GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED.

AND THE ONE THING THAT WE SAID HERE WAS, LOOK, A WHOLE NEW OFFICE, PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER, TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM, AND TO MAKE SURE, WHAT WE SAID IN THAT REPORT WAS, EVERY ONE OF THESE PIECES OF THE A COME -- A COME SYSTEM SHOULD BE -- ECOSYSTEM SHOULD BE FULLY RESOURCED, SO THIS WHOLE IDEA OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS TO BE BROADER AND PIG -- BIGGER AND HERE'S MY CONCERN, BOTH WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE, DO THEY HAVE LEADERSHIP, ARE THEY BEING EMPOWERED TO DO THE KINDS OF WORK THAT WE NEED THEM TO DO.

I'M SAYING THAT, WE HAVE ISSUES, WE'VE GOT TO EXPAND THE BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE, BUT THE INTERRUPTER PROGRAM IS RIFE WITH POSSIBILITY IF WE ALLOW IT, IF WE HAVE IT FULLY RESOURCED.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU KEEP THAT PROGRAM, IF YOU WERE MAYOR, THE VIOLENT DISRUPTOR?

>> I WOULD PUT MORE OVERSIGHT OVER THE PROGRAM, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T BEING OVERBILLED, THAT THE WORK THAT IS SAID IS BEING DONE IS ACTUALLY DONE.

I SAT THERE IN THE 911 CALL CENTER, I SAT THERE FOR TWO HOURS WATCHING CALLS COMING IN, KNOWING THAT THEY'RE SHORT STAFFED, KNOWING THAT ONE EMPLOYEE HAS WORKED FOR 11 YEARS, WORKED FIVE YEARS OF OVERTIME DURING THAT TENURE, THEY ARE OVERWORKED, I'VE SEEN THE BCR TEAM, I'VE DONE A RIDEALONG WITH THEM, THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES THAT WE CAN ALLOCATE TO TAKE THINGS OFF OF OFFICERS' PLATES, IMPROVE THE RETENTION OF THE OFFICERS, EXPEDITE THE AMOUNT OF HIRING WE CAN DO THEN IS WHAT I SEE AS THE TANGIBLE SOLUTION.

>> Cathy: SENATOR >> ?

I AGREE WITH MY FRIEND JAZZ RIGHT HERE.

WE HAD A REPORT THAT SHOWED THAT NEARLY HALF OF 911 CALLS CAN BE IVERTED AWAY FROM POLICE.

AND THAT ACTUALLY CLICKS WITH WHAT I HEARD AT THE CAPITOL.

WE HAD LAW ENFORCEMENT COMING IN SAYING, WE CAN'T RESPOND TO EVERY SINGLE CALL.

WE NEED HELP.

AND THAT'S WHEN WE NEED TO BEEF UP OUR ALTERNATIVES, BCR, MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS.

I WORKED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AT THE CAPITOL TO BRING IN $19 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID, UNFORTUNATELY IT WENT LARGELY UNTOUCHED BECAUSE THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL COULDN'T AGREE ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

WE WANTED TO SPEND IT ON ALTERNATIVES, THE MAYOR HAD OTHER IDEAS FOR IT.

WHEN WE CLEAR THAT HALF OF THE CASE LOG FOR OUR POLICE OFFICERS, THEY CAN FOCUS ON VIOLENT CRIME, THEY CAN FOCUS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THEY CAN FOCUS ON DRUG TRAFFIC,' GUN VIOLENCE, THEY CAN CLEAR THE BACKLOG, SINCE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE AWAY INVESTIGATORS OR DETECTIVES FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT APPROACH.

>> Cathy: MAYOR?

>> OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE ARE DOING IT.

I WAS THE FIRST MAYOR TO BUILD OUT A 24-HOUR-A-DAY SEVEN-DAY-A-WEEK MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE IN OUR CITY AND WE ARE JUST EXPANDING IT FROM THERE.

WE ALSO NEED MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

WE HAVE FEWER OFFICERS PER CAPITA THAN VIRTUALLY ANY CITY IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY, AND WE ARE DOING THE HARD WORK TO DO THE RECRUITMENT TO BRING THAT BACK.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF MOMENTS, I DID NOT GO DOWN THE ROUTE OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

MOREOVER, DURING SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF MOMENTS, YEAH, I HAVE WORKED WITH OUR CHIEF.

THERE IS NOT A CHIEF IN THE COUNTRY THAT WILL WORK FOR A MAYOR THAT THROWS HIM UNDER THE BUS AS SOON AS SOMETHING HARD HAPPENS.

THAT HAPPENED, SENATOR, AND WE CAN'T GO DOWN THAT ROUTE.

YOU WILL NOT HAVE RESPECT FROM EITHER THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS THAT YOU ARE CHARGED WITH BOTH WORKING WITH AND THAT ARE CHARGED WITH KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE.

>> THAT'S A CUTE SOUND BITE, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT AFTER FIVE YEARS AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE MAYOR STILL DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN.

>> LET'S MAKE IT MORE THAN A SOUND BITE, LET'S ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT IT, SPECIFICALLY, SPECIFICALLY -- >> I BROUGHT IN $19 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID FOR THE CITY.

>> YOU'VE SAID THAT ALREADY.

>> AND YOU REFUSED -- >> YOU SAID THAT.

>> -- WITH THE -- IMPLEMENT THAT WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

THAT SHOWS YOUR FAILURE TO WORK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> Eric: ONE AT A TIME.

>> NOT A ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT.

>> NO, I'M NOT.

YOU WORK WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

BUT IN GOVERNMENT, YOU ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAW WORK WITH A CHIEF, YOU WORK WITH OTHER EXPERTS.

AND WHAT YOU SAID WAS ONE, ONE, THAT THERE WAS A VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION ORDINANCE.

THAT WASN'T RUE.

TWO, YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD HOLD THE POLICE CHIEF ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT VIOLATION.

THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THERE WAS NO VIOLATION AT ALL.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE IN THE WEEDS, AND THIS IS A STATEWIDE AUDIENCE.

HANG ON.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

>> Eric: REVEREND, LET'S BROADEN THIS OUT A LITTLE BIT TO I.C.E.

COMING TO MINNEAPOLIS.

>> YES.

>> Eric: NATIONAL GUARD MAYBE BEING DEPLOYED ON CRIME.

SHOULD MPD BE PROTECTING CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC?

WHAT'S THE BIG BROAD PLAN THERE?

>> THE BROAD PLAN HERE IS, THIS IS WHERE THIS WHOLE IDEA OF LEADERSHIP, A LEADER HAS TO SET A VISION, CAST THAT VISION, ND SET EXPECTATIONS.

THE MAYOR IS THE CHIEF'S BOSS.

AND, SO, YOU HAVE TO SET EXPECTATIONS, WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE, PUT YOUR TRUST.

BUT HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO SEE, IN THIS CASE, WITH I.C.E., FOR INSTANCE, WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE CITY AUDITOR, WE JUST HAVE NOT EXPLICITLY LAID OUT THE PROTOCOLS FOR WHAT THE POLICE ARE ALLOWED TO DO OR NOT TO DO.

AND, SO, -- AND, SO, THE POINT WAS, CLEAR IT UP.

STRAIGHT OUT.

GIVE US SOME PROTOCOLS OF WHAT YOU'RE EXPECTING THE POLICE TO DO SO THE POLICE WOULD KNOW.

THE REASON THAT QUESTION CAME IS, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE POLICE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

AND WE DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION.

AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT -- IT'S NOT SAYING YOU'RE PUNISHING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS SAYING, WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU DID, WHAT DID YOU SEE, WHAT HAPPENED, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE -- THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT I.C.E.

TOUCHED OR HOMELAND SECURITY TOUCHED, PUT HANDS ON, IT GOT REALLY ROWDY, BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHAT WAS OUR POLICE DOING?

ACCOUNTABILITY SAYS, THIS IS WHAT WE WERE TOLD TO DO.

THIS IS WHAT WE ENDED UP DOING.

THIS IS WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> Cathy: Mr.

HAMPTON?

>> I.C.E.

ENT FROM HAVING AN $8 BILLION BUDGET TO HAVING A $28 BILLION BUDGET.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LACK OF RESOURCES HERE, THE LAST THING WE NEED TO DO IS ALLOCATE OUR OFFICERS' TIME TO ACTIVELY DO IMMIGRATION WORK.

HERE'S WHAT WE SIMPLY WANT THEM TO O. WE WANT TO BETTER DEFINE THEIR EXPECTATIONS WITH OUR SEPARATION ORDINANCE.

HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE STANDING AND WHAT WAY THEIR BOOTS SHOULD BE FACING, THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE, THERE BOOTS SHOULD BE FACING IN THE DIRECTION OF PROTECTING THE RESIDENTS, THAT'S THEIR GOAL, PROTECTING THEM AND THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS IN THAT MOMENT.

WHEN I WAS THERE, I SAW AN OFFICER THROW SOMEONE TO THE GROUND, A FEDERAL OFFICER THROW SOMEONE TO THE GROUND AND FORK THEM -- KNOCK THEM UNCONSCIOUS.

AND I WAS STEPPING IN BETWEEN PEOPLE PHYSICALLY SEPARATING OFFICERS FROM THE RESIDENTS THAT WERE GETTING CONTENTIOUS.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO EMPOWER THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DO AS WELL.

>> SO WE HAVE AMONG THE STRONGEST SEPARATION ORDINANCES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, AND I SUPPORT MAKING IT EVEN STRONGER BECAUSE WE STAND BY OUR NEIGHBORS AND SPECIFICALLY WE STAND BY OUR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

WE ARE DOING THE WORK TO COORDINATE WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING THE STATE.

JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO, KRISTI NOEM SPECIFICALLY ATTACKED ME BY NAME FOR OUR REFUSAL TO COOPERATE WITH THEM AROUND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> SHE MISS SPELLED YOUR NAME.

>> AND WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT WORK HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING THEM.

BUT HERE'S THE THING.

I ALSO DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS IN REALITY, NOT IN HYPOTHETICALS.

AND A COMMITMENT WAS MADE TO DIRECT MINNEAPOLIS POLICE TO ARREST FEDERAL AGENTS.

THAT WOULD BE DANGEROUS.

THAT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE.

AND MY SIMPLE QUESTION IS, HOW WOULD OUR POLICE OFFICERS DO THAT?

HOW WOULD OUR POLICE OFFICERS ARREST FEDERAL AGENTS WHEN, SIMPLY PUT, THEY HAVE MUCH BIGGER GUNS AND IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL?

>> OUR DIRECTION WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT MPD DOES NOT INTERACT WITH I.C.E.

OR ANY FEDERAL AGENTS, PERIOD.

AND WHAT WE SAW ON LAKE AND BLOOMINGTON ON JUNE 3rd WAS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF THAT.

WE SAW I.C.E.

ASSISTED BY MPD.

WHAT WE SAW WAS, WE SAW I.C.E.

THANKING CHIEF O'HARA, SAYING, THANK YOU FOR ASSISTING US AND ESCORTING US OUT OF THE CITY.

>> Eric: THAT'S A GRAY AREA, CROWD CONTROL VERSUS -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> WE SHOULD DIG IN AND ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

THIS GETS TO THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE.

YOU COMMITTED TO ARRESTING FEDERAL AGENTS.

MY SIMPLE QUESTION IS HOW?

>> YEAH.

WELL, IF THERE'S ANY FEDERAL AGENT THAT HAS A MASK ON, THAT SHOULD NOT BE A8 LOUD IN -- SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN OUR CITY.

>> HOW DO YOU ARREST THEM?

>> WE CAN WORK WITH THE STATE PARTNERS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, WORK WORK CROSS-JURISDICTIONALLY -- >> THIS OULD PUT OUR NEIGHBORS IN DANGER.

>> THE REALITY IS, YOU PUT OUR COMMUNITIES IN DANGER WHEN YOU REFUSED TO UPDATE THE CITY COUNCIL OR COMMUNITIES THAT I.C.E.

WAS PRESENT.

MYSELF, RERCHTD DEWAYNE DAVIS, JAZZ HAMPTON, WE FOUND OUT BECAUSE OF THE BOOT ON THE GROUND ORGANIZATIONS THAT TOLD US I.C.E.

WAS THERE.

YOU'RE THE ONE THAT FAILED, MPD IS THE ONE THAT FAILED.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT, AGAIN, THE QUESTION SHOULD BE ANSWERED BECAUSE AT THE CRUX OF THIS, DO WE HAVE OUR MINNEAPOLIS POLICE AND ARE WE DIRECTING THEM TO ARREST FEDERAL AGENTS?

I DON'T GIVE DIRECTIONS THAT ARE SIMPLY, LIKE, HEY, MAKE SURE YOUR BOOTS ARE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I DON'T GIVE DIRECTIONS THAT SIMPLY SAY, GO AND ARREST FEDERAL AGENTS WITHOUT A CLEAR ABILITY TO DO SO AND HOW -- >> Cathy: QUICK RESPONSE.

>> THIS DOES GET TO THE QUESTION.

>> CLEAR DIRECTION FOR MPD TO NOT ONLY DO CROWD CONTROL BUT TO ASSIST .C.E.

AND FEDERAL AGENTS TO EXIT THE SCENE.

->> Cathy: QUICK COMMENT HERE, Mr.

HAMPTON?

>> I'M READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION YOU ALL PRESENT.

>> Cathy: I'M INTERESTED IN LEADERSHIP.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF JUST HOW YOU VIEW YOURSELVES AS LEADERS.

AND, ACTUALLY, THE SENATOR BROUGHT THIS UP A FEW MINUTES AGO, AND THIS IS TO YOU, MAYOR FREY.

YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ENDORSING YOU.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON ENDORSED YOU BEFORE BUT HASN'T DONE SO AT THIS POINT.

THE MINNEAPOLIS DELEGATION AT THE LEGISLATURE'S NOT ENDORSING YOU.

DOES THIS MEAN THAT YOU DON'T WORK AND PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> LET'S GO BACK.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE GOVERNOR WALZ'S SUPPORT.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR'S SUPPORT.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE SUPPORT FROM A NUMBER OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FORMER U.S.

ATTORNEY ANDY LUGER.

THE LIST GOES ON FROM OUR SHERIFF TO FORMER MAYORS.

HERE'S THE THING.

YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE THE GUTS SOMETIMES TO TELL YOUR OWN SIDE WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR.

THE OPPOSITE OF DONALD TRUMP EXTREMISM IS NOT THE OPPOSITE EXTREME.

THE OPPOSITE OF DONALD TRUMP EXTREMISM IS GOOD THOUGHTFUL GOVERNANCE WHERE YOU LISTEN TO DATA, YOU FOLLOW FACTS AND YOU LOVE YOUR CITY MORE THAN YOUR IDEOLOGY.

I WILL WORK WITH ANYBODY IN GOOD FAITH THAT IS WILLING TO WORK WITH ME.

BUT I WILL NOT ABDICATE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE CITY AND I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS CLEAR.

YOU'VE GOT A COALITION OF THREE PEOPLE THAT ARE TELLING EACH OTHER TO RANK SENATOR OMAR FATEH AMONG OTHERS.

AND, SO, WHEN YOU DO THAT, YES, YOU BENEFIT HIM.

BUT I THINK MINNEAPOLIS VOTERS ARE SMARTER THAN THAT.

THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE -- >> Cathy: WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT HIS LEADERSHIP, SO JUST HANG ON.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I'M USED TO IT.

LIKE IN 2021, THERE WAS THIS MOVEMENT TO NOT RANK FREY.

WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> TO THAT, I'LL SAY THIS.

HE LIKES TO GO TO THE EXTREME ROUTE, CITY COUNCIL IS EXTREME.

NOW HE'S EXTENDING IT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE EXTREME.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING.

>> EVERYONE BUT ME IS EXTREME.

BUT THE REALITY IS HE CANNOT BE WORKED WITH.

>> Eric: 1.8 MILLION ENTERPRISE, YOU'RE A SMALL BUSINESS, ARE YOU UP TO HANDLING THAT BIG A SHIP?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

NOT ONLY DO I RUN OUR ORGANIZATION, I'M ALSO A PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IN THIS CITY, A CHANCE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES GROW AND BE SUCCESSFUL, ESPECIALLY BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN MINNEAPOLIS LIKE MY OWN.

THAT IS SOMETHING I AM UP FOR THE TASK FOR AND LEADING THE ENTIRE ORGANIZATION IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE DEEP EXPERIENCE IN.

BUT I DO WANT TO REFLECT ON SOMETHING THAT WAS U.S.

IS SAID.

IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY.

MAYOR, I'VE NEVER SAID THE PHRASED -- PHRASE, DON'T RANK FREY.

NOR WOULD I EVER TELL ANYONE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO FULLY RANK THEIR BALLOT IN THE WAY THAT I HOPE THAT THEY WILL.

I WILL NEVER TELL MY CHILD TO ONLY APPLY TO ONE SCHOOL.

I WANT THEM TO APPLY FOR THE ONE THEY HOPE FOR THE MOST AND THEN KEEP APPLYING.

I WOULD NEVER TELL THEM TO APPLY FOR A SCHOOL THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO.

SO I'VE NEVER SAID THAT PHRASE AND I NEVER WOULD.

>> THIS LEADERSHIP QUESTION, THOUGH, IT IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE YOU JUST GAVE THE EVIDENCE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TRUSTED COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP.

LISTEN, THIS IS NOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER OR NOT YOU MAKE THE TOUGH CHOICE.

SURE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A TOUGH CHOICE.

YOU'RE RUNNING A CITY.

BUT Y POINT S, RIGHT NOW, HOW DO YOU WORK WITH CROSS-JURISDICTIONALLY WITH PEOPLE TO GET REALLY TOUGH STUFF ONE?

NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE LEADERSHIP -- >> Cathy: HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT?

>> HERE'S HOW YOU DO -- >> Cathy: I THINK YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A NEW DEAL DEMOCRAT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AND HOW WOULD YOU WORK ACROSS?

>> LET ME ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

IS THAT I STARTED WORKING ON CAPITOL HILL IN THE '90s WHEN BILL CLINTON BECAME PRESIDENT.

AND THE ONE THING I WARNED IN MY COLLEAGUES -- I WARNED MY COLLEAGUES AND EVERYBODY ABOUT WAS, THE DEA WAS WE WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT OVER TO PRIVATE BUSINESS.

THE IDEA WAS, WHEN I SAY "NEW DEAL," THAT IS, WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH GOVERNMENT -- WITH BUSINESS.

AND WHEN BUSINESS GETS ONLY INTERESTED IN ITS OWN, YOU KNOW, BOTTOM LINE, WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE, THAT'S WHAT A NEW DEAL DEMOCRAT, THAT'S WHAT ROOSEVELT DID.

NOW, THAT'S A GOOD HISTORY QUESTION.

>> Cathy: GOTCHA, HANK YOU.

>> BUT THIS LEADERSHIP, WORKING WITH OTHERS, LISTEN, ESPECIALLY NOW GIVEN THAT WE HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT SAYS THAT IT'S GOING TO ATTACK US, IT'S NOT GOING TO COLLABORATE WITH US, WE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF NOT WORKING WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WITHOUT WORKING WITH OUR MINNEAPOLIS AREA DELEGATION TO REALLY COME UP WITH REAL SOLID WAYS OF RESPONDING NOT ONLY FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED IN THE CITY BUT HOW TO RESIST UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT IS NOT -- THE MAYOR CAN'T DO THAT ALONE.

YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE STATE.

YOU HAVE TO BE TRUSTED TO DO SO.

>> Eric: IN THE STATE SENATE, YOU PLAYED SOME HARD BALL TO GET SOME STUFF THAT YOU WANTED, THE UBER WAGE INCREASE, $58,000, IN FREE TUITION.

>> CORRECT.

>> Eric: BUT IT HADN'T STRUCK ME THAT YOU'VE BEEN COOPERATIVE AND WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON THOSE ISSUES.

YOU DISAPPEARED ONE WEEKEND AT THE END OF SESSION OVER ONE OF THE BILLS.

>> WELL, I DID NOT DISAPPEAR.

I MADE SURE THAT WE WERE NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING UBER AND LYFT, BY THE WAY.

BUT THE IDEA THAT I DON'T COMPROMISE, I DON'T WORK WITH OTHERS, THAT WOULDN'T BE TRUE IF I WASN'T ENDORSED BY BOTH BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS AND PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS.

AND THAT SHOWS DESPITE MY DIFFERENCES WITH SOME OF THE BLUE DOG COALITION MEMBERS, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE ASSUMING ILL INTENT OF OTHERS OR THAT WE CANNOT WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER.

AND, SO, THAT'S NOT A FACTUAL STATEMENT.

>> Eric: ANYBODY INTERESTED IN A WEALTH TAX, INCOME TAX ON WEALTHY MINNEAPOLITANS TO EASE THE BURDEN ON PROPERTY TAXES?

>> LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'D WORK WITH THE STATE TO MAKE THAT ALLOWABLE.

>> Eric: WOULD FOLKS BE LEAVING THE CITY IF YOU HAD AN INCOME TAX ON THE WEALTHY?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHY -- >> Eric: A CITY TAX.

>> THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I TALKED TO, ONE OF THE FIRST ELECTED OFFICIALS I TALKED TO, FROM THE BOARD OF INVESTMENT AND TAXATION, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW, AFTER WE GOT THAT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, AND I GOT IT, TOO, I WANTED TO KNOW, WHAT KINDS OF CONVERSATION WAS HAD ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVE REVENUE-GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES.

AND THAT CONVERSATION DIDN'T FEEL BROAD OR BIG OR N DEPTH.

AND, SO, MY POINT IS, I DON'T WANT TO JUST TAKE ANYTHING OFF THE TABLE, BUT WE SHOULD HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT SOME ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF RAISING REVENUE.

>> Cathy: DOES THIS -- >> WE HOULD HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RAISING REVENUE.

AND ONE OF THE MAIN PIECES IS MAKING SURE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID IS RESTORED.

WE, IN MINNEAPOLIS, AVE NOT GOTTEN THE NECESSARY FUNDING SINCE AROUND THE PAWLENTY ADMINISTRATION.

FOR EVERY $3 THAT MINNEAPOLIS PRODUCES IN TAXES TO THE REST OF THE STATE, WE GET $1 BACK.

HERE'S THE THING.

WE'RE PROUD TO HELP OUT OTHER SMALLER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THIS STATE KEEPS RUNNING.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US AGREE ON FIRMLY.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

WE DO WORK WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS.

WE'VE WORKED WITH SENATOR FATEH.

WE'VE WORKED WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES AND JURISDICTIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A DIVERSITY OF RESOURCES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET.

AND WE NEED THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHAT ERIC JUST BROUGHT UP, LIKE A WEALTH TAX, A TAX ON THE WEALTHY?

>> I THINK IT'S LIKE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE SEE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHERE IT FEELS LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO OR IT COULD.

BUT HERE'S THE THING, THE QUESTION AS, WOULD IT DRIVE PEOPLE OUT?

MAYBE IT WOULD, MAYBE IT WOULDN'T.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS DRIVE MORE PEOPLE IN, MORE PEOPLE INTO OUR BUSINESS CORRIDORS, MORE PEOPLE INTO IS BEING ENTREPRENEURS.

THAT'S HOW WE CAN RAISE THE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT WE'RE BRINGING INTO THE CITY.

BRINGING MORE PEOPLE IN, NOT DOING THINGS THAT MIGHT DRIVE PEOPLE OUT.

OUR FIRM STANCE SHOULD BE GROWING THE TAX BASE FROM THE BUSINESS CORRIDORS AND FROM THE REVENUE THAT WE CAN DRIVE INTO THE CITY RATHER THAN ADDITIONAL TAXES FIRST.

THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE MORE SUCCESS FOR EVERYONE IN THE CITY THAT WAY.

>> Cathy: SENATOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY, BUILDING MORE BUSINESSES, BUT ALSO ATTRACTING MORE PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE, BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT IS A GOOD THING.

EVERY ADDITIONAL PERSON YOU HAVE LIVING IN THE CITY, YOU'RE LOWERING THE AMOUNT OF TAXES ON EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON.

AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD WAY OF SPREADING IT OUT.

>> Cathy: I HAVE A FINAL QUESTION, AND IT'S THIS.

IF YOU ARE ELECTED MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, WHAT WOULD YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS LOOK LIKE?

Mr.

DAVIS?

30 SECONDS.

>> EVERYTHING THAT I SAID I WANT TO DO, THE FIRST THING I WOULD DO IS GETTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS TO DO IT, AND ORGANIZING THE CITY TO ACCOMPLISH IT.

WHEN YOU SET A VISION, JUST BECAUSE IT SOUNDS GOOD, YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT.

YOU HAVE TO GET TO WORK TO MAKE SURE YOU OPERATIONALIZE IT AND THAT'S HIRING GOOD PEOPLE, THAT'S REORGANIZING THE CITY TO GET IT ONE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

MAYOR FREY?

>> AS MAYOR, THERE WON'T BE A GAP.

NOW IS NOT THE IME FOR ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION, WE CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HIRING MORE POLICE OFFICERS, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THE NECESSARY WORK AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE'VE GOT A STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMING UP, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH OUR PARTNERS TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Cathy: AND SENATOR, WHAT WOULD YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS LOOK LIKE IF YOU'RE ELECTED MAYOR?

>> WELL, FIRST, THE MAYOR HASN'T BEEN HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING, HE'S BEEN RUNNING IT TO THE GROUND.

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, WHAT I'VE HEARD CLEARLY FROM PEOPLE, WHAT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO GOOD POLICY ARE GOOD RELATIONSHIP.

SO I'D WORK EALLY HARD TO MEET WITH ALL 13 CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, PROVIDING OUR COLLECTIVE VISION, MY VISION FOR THE CITY, WHAT'S THEIR VISION, BUT ALSO CROSS-JURISDICTIONICALLY, MEETING WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MEETING WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS DELEGATION.

THE MINNEAPOLIS DELEGATION HAS SOME POWERFUL CHAIRS AT THE CAPITOL.

CHAIRING SOME VERY POWERFUL COMMITTEES THAT BENEFIT MINNEAPOLIS.

AND, SO, WE KNOW WITH HE HOSTILE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE CAN'T GO AT IT ALONE, WE'VE GOT TO GO AT IT CROSS-JURISDICTIONICALLY AND ALSO PLAN AS MUCH.

>> Cathy: JAZZ HAMPTON?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT WOULD LOOK OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL.

IT WOULD BE FILLED WITH EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNEAPOLIS, JUST LIKE I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GO AND VOTE AGAINST SOMEONE, I WANT THEM TO GO VOTE FOR SOMETHING.

A VISION THAT IS OPTIMISTIC, THAT IS LAID OUT IN DETAIL AND TRANSPARENT.

NOT, WE'RE GONNA DO THIS THING, WE'RE GONNA DO THIS MANY THING, IT'S QUANTIFIABLE.

THAT'S THE WORK THAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS.

GUESS WHAT?

IF I FALL SHORT OF THOSE GOALS, I WANT YOU TO HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE.

BECAUSE IN A STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM, THE BUCK WILL STOP WITH ME AND WE'LL SET THE GOALS AND EXECUTE ON THEM.

>> Cathy: RANK CHOICE VOTING IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, WE WISH YOU ALL WELL.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

GOOD LUCK, ONE AND ALL.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE 15 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR.

YOU CAN FIND OUT INFORMATION ABOUT ALL OF THEM BY SEEKING OUT ONLINE VOTER GUIDES.

THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THEM.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

NEXT WEEK WE'LL HAVE THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR ST.

PAUL MAYOR JOIN US ON THE COUCH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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