>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MINNESOTA CORN, FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS, ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I WILL BE YOUR HOST THIS WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

IF YOU TUNED INTO OUR PROGRAM THE LAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS, HE PROBABLY SEEN A REPEAT OR NOTE THAT WE WILL BE COMING TO YOU IN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS.

IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING YEAR IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, AND I THINK OUR LEGISLATORS THIS EVENING WILL DISCUSS THE TOPIC A LITTLE BIT.

BUT ONE OF THE TOPICS FOR OUR PROGRAM IS WE HAVE ON SOME EVENINGS CONFLICTED WITH FLOOR SESSIONS AND OBVIOUSLY THE JOB IN WHICH THE LEGISLATORS ARE ELECTED TAKES PRIORITY.

THE LEGISLATORS HAVE BEEN WILLING TO MAKE TIME FOR US TO GIVE OUR VIEWERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL.

WE RECOGNIZE THEY CAN'T ALWAYS BE WITH US AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE A LITTLE BIT FROM THE PROGRAMMING STANDPOINT.

FORTUNATELY WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM FOR YOU THIS EVENING, AND WE HOPE THAT WILL BE THE SAME WITH ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

I BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS I DO MOST WEEKS, BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS THAT WILL HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY OF ST. PAUL.

LIZ BOLDON FROM ROCHESTER.

WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGAN, YOU DID A LITTLE TOUR IN THE HOUSE BEFORE COMING OVER TO THE SENATE.

TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

FLOOR IS YOURS.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M REALLY HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND HAPPY TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 25, WHICH IS MOST OF ROCHESTER, AREAS NORTH, AND THIS IS MY FIRST TERM SERVING IN THE SENATE.

YOU ARE CORRECT.

I SERVED ONE TERM IN THE HOUSE PRIOR TO THIS.

COMMITTEES I SERVE ON CURRENTLY INCLUDE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ELECTIONS, EDUCATION POLICY.

I SERVE AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PRODUCTION COMMITTEE.

SENATOR LUCERO AND I SERVE ON IT TOGETHER.

I'M A REGISTERED NURSE, BEEN A NURSE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

I WORKED IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, BUT CURRENTLY WORK IN THE STAFF, ESSENTIALLY IN THE HOSPITAL I GO WHEREVER I'M NEEDED.

I'M A MOM WITH THREE KIDS.

THAT'S SORT OF MYSELF IN A NUTSHELL.

GRATEFUL TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL.

>> Barry: WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT INTRODUCTION.

SENATOR ERIC LUCERO FROM ST. MICHAEL, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

I BELIEVE THIS IS MY THIRD TIME, AND AGAIN, IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE.

I AM PRESENTLY ALSO FIRST TERM IN THE SENATE.

I WAS ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN WAS.

I WAS IN CLASS 8 YEARS PRIOR TO, SO IN THE NINTH TERM AS A LEGISLATURE.

HOUSING COMMITTEE, ENERGY COMMITTEE AND EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE.

THE CAREER THAT I HAVE OUTSIDE OF LEGISLATURE IS CYBER SECURITY.

I DO CYBER SECURITY FOR A LIVING.

I HAVE BEEN IN THAT INDUSTRY FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND THAT IS WHAT MAKES MY PROFESSOR AND THE SKILL SET THAT I BRING TO THE LEGISLATURE AND WE ALL KNOW CYBER SECURITY, THERE IS ISN'T A HEADLINE THAT -- THERE ISN'T A DAY THAT GOES BY WITHOUT A HEADLINE THAT IMPACTS US.

I'M A LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT, LICENSED GENERAL CONTRACTOR AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER BETWEEN MY WIFE AND I.

WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON, AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU AGAIN ON THE PROGRAM.

>> Barry: IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ITS CYBER SECURITY ISSUES.

I SHOULD SAY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, HAS CYBER SECURITY ISSUES.

SEEMS TO BE WITH EVERYBODY AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.

REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN?

>> I REPRESENT THE GREATER LAKES AREA, I'M IN MY FIFTH TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE, SO 9 YEARS THAT I HAVE SERVED.

I HAVE ENJOYED MY TIME HERE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT.

COMMITTEES I'M SERVING ARE THE OFTENMENT NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE, WHICH I HAVE BEEN IN THAT SUBJECT AREA A LONG TIME.

I'M ALSO ON WAYS AND MEANS AND THE LEGACY COMMITTEE.

THOSE ARE THE SUBJECT AREAS THAT I TACKLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AREA, AND LEGACY COMMITTEE, AND THAT'S IN THE SAME VEIN AND ENJOYED THAT QUITE A LOT.

THERE'S BEEN OVER THE YEARS A LOT OF INTERESTING THINGS HAPPENING, SO I'M GLAD TO BE HAVING SERVED AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT.

IN MY REGULAR LIFE, I'M WORKING IN THE TRADES.

I'M A BUILDER IN THE LAKES AREA.

I HAVE A NUMBER OF PROPERTIES THAT MY WIFE CARRIE AND I OWN TOGETHER.

24 YEARS THIS JUNE WE WILL HAVE BEEN MARRIED AND WE HAVE 6 KIDS.

THAT'S JOSH HEINTZEMAN IN A NUTSHELL AND SOME OF THE THINGS WORKING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Barry: WE WILL COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT THE LEGACY ISSUE BECAUSE THAT'S SOME CONVERSATION WITH THE VIEWERS.

I WANT TO START WITH AN ISSUE THAT'S VERY MUCH IN THE FOREFRONT.

WE HAD SENATOR HOFFMAN AND ENGLER ON TO DISCUSS IT.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF WEEKS WHERE WE HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ON IT.

LET'S GO TO SENATOR BOLDON AND TALK ABOUT NURSING HOME ISSUES, STAFFING QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS FROM A VARIETY OF VIEWERS AROUND THE VIEWING AREA WITH ISSUES, CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT NURSING HOMES CAN STAY OPEN AND HOW WE DEAL WITH THE STAFFING PROBLEMS.

IT'S NOT LIMITED TO NURSING HOMES, BUT LET'S START WITH THAT.

TELL OUR VIEWERS WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING ON THAT ISSUE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND WE WILL GET TO THE REST OF THE PANEL.

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION AND APPRECIATE YOUR VIEWERS RAISING IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

MY BACKGROUND IS A REGISTERED NURSE, AND MY VERY FIRST JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL IS AS A CNA IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

I RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S A CHALLENGE AND IT IS HARD WORK AND IMPORTANT WORK, AND MAKING SURE THAT OTHER SENIORS ARE CARED FOR IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, AND THERE ARE ABSOLUTE CHALLENGES WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.

I ALSO MENTIONED I SERVE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, AND WE HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS CERTAINLY, AND THE NEED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS SO FACILITIES CAN STAY OPEN AND STAFFING IS A PIECE OF THAT AS WELL.

STAFFING IN NURSING HOMES IS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S WORKFORCE CHALLENGES, BUT STAFFING OF THE NURSING HOME IS DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN STAFFING WITH A WIDGET FACTORY, AND TALKING ABOUT CARE OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND STAFFING ISSUES WITH MY WORK IN THE HOSPITAL AS WELL.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND TALKING ABOUT PASSING A BUDGET, PART OF WHAT WE WILL SEE IN HHS BUDGET, I'M CERTAIN, MAYBE INVESTMENTS TO BE SURE WE CAN CONTINUE THAT WORK AND SENIORS CAN HAVE THE CARE THEY NEED AND DESERVE.

>> Barry: SENATOR LUCERO, NURSING HOME ISSUES, STAFFING QUESTIONS, ET CETERA.

>> WELL, I DON'T SIT ON ANY OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEES OR RELATED AREAS.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM AWARE OF IS THE BUDGET TARGETS ARE RELEASED BY MAJORITIES AND ARE SHORT OF WHAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO HELP THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES TO ENSURE THAT OUR SENIORS AND THE AGING HAVE THE DIGNITY AND HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE HEARD THROUGH CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM ACROSS THE STATE, AS A MATTER OF FACT, IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE HELPING ARE SENIORS IN THIS AREA, WHETHER IT BE IN THE ASSISTED LIVING OR IN YOUR HOME IS THEY ARE NOT PAYING ENOUGH.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND THOSE THAT ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO HELP OUR SENIORS IN THESE ROLES.

SO THE FACT -- THE BUDGET TARGETS FALL SHORT OF WHAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO PROPERLY FUND NURSING LEVELS TO GIVE SENIORS IS INCREDIBLY DISTURBING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY, FOR THAT QUESTION.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE MINNESOTA ZOO HAS BEEN IN THE ENVIRONMENT BILL APPROPRIATED ALMOST $30 MILLION.

CUMULATIVELY IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE FUNDING OVER BASE THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED ON OUR SIDE, AND BY THAT, I MEAN OVER ON THE HOUSE SIDE, WE ARE ONLY SEEING JUST SHY OF $4 MILLION TO GET AT THIS VERY CRITICAL ISSUE OF STAFFING.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

IT'S BEEN AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR US ON THE GOP SIDE OF THE AISLE TO TRY AND CONVINCE OUR COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE ADDRESSED AND IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME TO DO THAT, IT'S RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU WORK THE MATH, THERE WAS RECENTLY LEGISLATION THAT TAKES A DIFFERENT LOOK AT OUR CURRENT DOLLARS, BUT WITHOUT THE INFLATIONARY LANGUAGE THAT DEMOCRATS RECENTLY PASSED, WE HAVE NEARLY A $19 BILLION SURPLUS.

TO ONLY FIND JUST SHORT OF $3 MILLION FOR THIS SUBJECT AREA IS JUST MIND BLOWING.

I HAVE NO EXPLANATION.

IT CAN'T BE EXPLAINED.

I'M HOPING TO SEE SOMETHING COME THAT COULD POTENTIALLY ADDRESS THIS IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, BUT AT THE MOMENT, BARRY, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, YOU ARE ON THE LEGACY COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

IT'S NOT STRICTLY LEGACY COMMITTEE RELATED ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE IMPLICATIONS FOR IT, DNR RELATED.

GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGACY.

THIS IS REFLECTING ON AN AREA THAT APPEARED IN RECENT WEEKS, DEALING WITH THE CARP PROBLEM.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WILL THERE BE A BUBBLE BARRIER PUT ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO DEAL WITH THE CARP PROBLEM AND MORE GENERALLY WILL THERE BE DNR REGULATING THAT?

>> THE QUESTION ISN'T SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO THE FUNDING COMING TO LEGACY FOR ANY PROJECTS.

BUT THERE WAS NO BILL OR ANY KIND OF LEGISLATION OR PROPOSAL THAT I RECALL, BUT THERE HAS BEEN IN THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

EARLY ON IN THE DNR BUDGET, WHICH IS THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION, I WAS HAPPY TO SEE A CARP BARRIER THERE.

IT'S A $17 MILLION PROJECT.

UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE VOTING IN MINNESOTA AND HIT BY A FLYING CARP, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A HUGE ISSUE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AT THE MOMENT THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE BILL, WHICH I HAVE RIGHT HERE, IT'S QUITE HEAVY, ALMOST 400 PAGES.

I HAVEN'T YET FOUND A CARP BARRIER.

I'M REALLY, REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT IN CASE SOMEBODY MAY HAVE CAUGHT IN THE COMMITTEE, SHARING MY FRUSTRATION, BUT IT HASN'T, FOR WHATEVER REASON, FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE ENVIRONMENT BILL ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE SOMETHING BREAK ON THAT.

GLAD TO HAVE THE QUESTION BROUGHT FORWARD TODAY.

>> Barry: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CARP AND THEN I WANT TO TALK ABOUT LASARD.

>> I AM AWARE THAT THERE ARE INVASIVE SPECIES, WHETHER THEY BE IN THIS CASE FISH OR OTHER TYPES OF ANIMALS OR AQUATICA, THAT I RECEIVE E-MAILS ON.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROPOSALS ARE OR THE AREAS ARE.

BUT THE FACT THAT WE IN MINNESOTA HAVE A PHENOMENAL NATURAL RESOURCES ACROSS THE STATE, LAKES, RIVERS, ET CETERA, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO PRESERVE IT.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET DAMAGED BY ANY OF THESE INVASIVE SPECIES, NONNATURAL SPECIES IN MINNESOTA TO MAKE SURE IT'S PROTECTED TO MAKE SURE THE NEXT GENERATION CAN INDEED ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: SENATOR BOLDON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I DON'T SERVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE NOR HAVE I EVER.

SO I HAVE NOT HEARD SPECIFIC PROPOSALS OR HAVE SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT I WILL SAY AGAIN BROADLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WONDERFUL NATURAL RESOURCES IN MINNESOTA AND HEARD OF PROTECTING THOSE RESOURCES AND PLANET AND ENVIRONMENT AND TAKEN STEPS TO BE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING THAT AND HAVING IT CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL AND USABLE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

IT'S CERTAINLY A PIECE OF THAT, AND OF COURSE I CAN'T SPEAK TO SPECIFIC PROVISIONS IN THE BILL.

>> Barry: LET'S GO BACK.

WHAT KINDS OF TOPICS DID THE BILL COVER THIS YEAR?

WHAT WERE THE CONTROVERSIES AND THEN WE WILL GO WITH SENATOR BOLDON.

AGAIN, THERE HASN'T BEEN ACTION ON THE SENATE SIDE OR FINAL VOTING ON THE SENATE SIDE.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

TELL US ABOUT THE PAN OF ACTION AND WHAT IT IS.

>> I CAN HELP BRING CLARITY TO THE LAZARD SAMS IS A PIECE OF THE PIE, SO TO SPEAK, IF YOU ARE IN THE LEGACY COMMITTEE.

THE LEGACY AMENDMENT FUNDS A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES.

IT'S PART OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE AND ALSO FUNDS CLEAN WATER AND PARKS AND TRAILS AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

IT'S REALLY AN IMPORTANT PART, AND PEOPLE MIGHT REMEMBER WHEN THE LEGACY AMENDMENT WAS PASSED, BUT SPECIFICALLY TO ANY CONTROVERSY OR ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN KIND OF A DIFFERENCE FROM YEARS PAST, THEY WOULD POINT YOU TO A FEW THINGS.

THE LAZARD SAMS COUNCIL'S RECOMMENDATIONS ARE HUGE IN THE BILL AND GO TOWARDS A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MOST MINNESOTANS APPRECIATE.

THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP IN TERMS OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR GRANT PROGRAMS AND HOW THAT MIGHT BE HANDLED.

OVER ALL, THOUGH, THERE WAS CONTROVERSY COMING OUT OF COMMITTEE.

TYPICALLY THE BILL HAS HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT COMING OUT, AND IN THIS CASE IT HAD BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION TO LEGACY BILL, AND I WILL QUICKLY SPEAK TO THAT AND THRRVE CARVE OUTS THAT MANY ON THE GOP SIDE FOUND OBJECTIONABLE.

WE HAD TO KIND OF WORK THAT OUT AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET SOME OF THAT RESOLVED.

I DID ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I AND PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS TAKEN THAT GOT AT AN ISSUE OF GROUPS THAT MIGHT BE APPLYING OR INDIVIDUALS SPECIFICALLY FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND MONEY, AND THEIR LEADERSHIP COULD PREVIOUSLY, TO MY AMENDMENT APPLY IN SPITE OF SOME CHALLENGES AS IT MIGHT RELATE TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND A JUDGMENT SPECIFICALLY IN THE CASE OF ONE PARTICULAR GROUP THAT WAS FUNDED THROUGH THAT DIRECT APPROPRIATION THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER.

WITH THAT AMENDMENT ADDED, WHICH I HOPE IS GOING TO BE IN THE FINAL PRODUCT, CLEAR SAILING FOR THE LEGACY BILL.

BUT WE ARE NOT AT THE END YET, BARRY, SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Barry: IT PASSED THE HOUSE AND GONE TO THE SENATE.

>> CORRECT.

>> Barry: I REALIZE I MAY NOT SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE AND NOT NECESSARILY THE EXPERT, AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES OVER FROM THE HOUSE TO THE SENATE.

BUT IF YOU COULD ENLIGHTEN US ABOUT THIS, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE IS IT IS A TEAM SPORT.

NONE OF US CAN KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT ISSUE ISSUE.

I DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT TO REPORT AND WORKING ON OMNIBUS BILLS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

HAVING NOT HEARD IT YET, I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO REPORT IT YET.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

YOUR AUTHORITIES LEGACY COMMITTEE, LEGISLATION ET CETERA.

>> BEING AT A DISADVANTAGE, NOT A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, HAVEN'T HEARD OR DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS, HASN'T BEEN TO THE SENATE FLOOR YET SO I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION AT THIS POINT.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

AND WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATUS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE HAD GUESTS ON IN THE PRECEDING WEEKS WHO TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ENROLLMENT DECLINES IN THE MINNESOTA STATE SYSTEM AND ALSO AT THE UNIVERSITY.

IT HAS A VERY LARGE BUDGET REQUEST AND OF COURSE WE ALSO HAVE THIS ISSUE OF WHAT TO DO IF ANYTHING WITH UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF THE POTENTIAL, ALTHOUGH NOT GET CONSUMMATED, MERGER WITH THE SANFORD HEALTH SYSTEMS IN FAIRVIEW.

SENATOR LUCERO, BUDGET ISSUES, PRIORITIES, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

MULTIPLE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, OVER 12 YEARS MYSELF, AND THEN I TAUGHT COLLEGE FOR 7 YEARS PRIOR TO GETTING INTO THE LEGISLATURE HERE.

HIGHER EDUCATION IS DEFINITELY A PASS, EDUCATION, WHETHER IT BE K THROUGH 12 IS CERTAINLY A HIGHER PRIORITY FOR ME.

THE THING WE ARE WITNESSING ABOUT PEOPLE IN THE DECLINE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DIRECT CAUSE, BUT WHAT THE LARGER CONVERSATION THAT I HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN SKYROCKETING COSTS, RELATIONSHIP OF THE COST OF EDUCATION VERSUS THE REWARD.

SO THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF CAREERS THAT UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES OFFER THAT DON'T HAVE A VALUE OR AREN'T MARKETABLE IN THE REAL WORLD.

WHEN STUDENTS GO FOR THESE, WHETHER IT BE A MAJOR OR MINOR, AND THEY HAVE BEEN THERE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND SOMETIMES OVER $100,000 IN DEBT, AND THEY DON'T HAVE A DEGREE THAT'S MARKETABLE OR STILL THAT THEIR EMPLOYER IS WILLING TO PAY FOR, THAT'S A CONCERN.

THERE IS AN AWARE NERVOUS THAT SKILLED POSITIONS ARE HIGH PAYING AND IN HIGH DEMAND, AND MANY OF THESE ROLES CAN BE OBTAINED WITH A SIMPLE TWO-YEAR DEGREE.

THAT'S WHERE PEOPLE ARE GRAVITATING TO AS THE DEMAND FOR THESE ROLES CONTINUE TO INCREASE, HIGH PAYING SALARIES THAT ACCOMPANIED THEM.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR MANY OF THESE UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND I CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN A BRICK AND MORTAR SENSE.

THERE'S ANOTHER FACTOR WE HAVE SEEN WITH COVID.

I DO TECHNOLOGY FOR A LIVING.

WE MOVE DOWN THE CURVE OF REMOTE AND CAPABILITIES OF AN EDUCATION AS AMONG THOSE, AND I HAVE HAD -- THERE IS GOING TO BE A LEARNING CURVE THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN THESE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION OF OFFERING SERVICES IN A REMOTE CAPACITY RATHER THAN THE BRICK AND MORTAR.

BRICK AND MORTAR IS EXPENSIVE.

YOU HAVE THE HVAC, AND YOU HAVE UPKEEP.

THERE IS, I THINK, A CHALLENGE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ACCOMPANY.

>> Barry: SENATOR BOLDON, HIGHER EDUCATION ISSUES.

>> I APPRECIATE THIS TOPIC.

EDUCATION IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I HAVE A DEGREE IN NURSING EDUCATION.

I TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY, AND WHAT I OFTEN HEAR IN TERMS OF HIGH COST, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND NOT WANTING TO TAKE ON A MASSIVE STUDENT LOAN DEBT THAT WILL HANG ON WITH THEM FOR YEARS AND DECADES TO COME.

I ALSO WILL NOTE, AS WE TALK ABOUT DECREASING ENROLLMENTS, IN MY COMMUNITY THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THAT.

THEY HAD SEEN AN INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT.

THE REASON FOR THAT THEY HAVE CREATIVE PROGRAMS, AFFORDABLE PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS SPECIFIC TO LARGELY HEALTHCARE CAREERS, WITH WHICH THERE'S A HUGE NEED FOR THAT, AND SO THEY ARE ABLE TO GET INTO THE FIELD AND GET TO WORK AND MAKE A GOOD WAGE.

MOVING FORWARD, I THINK WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE HIGH COST OR WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

THERE'S A BILL IN THE SENATE AROUND FREE TUITION, AND THE DETAILS HAVE CHANGED SINCE IT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED.

THE CONCEPT IS REALLY ABOUT MAKING EDUCATION MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MORE FOLKS.

THE LAST THING I WILL SAY JUST AS YOU MENTIONED, THE MERGER SANFORD IN THE HHS COMMITTEE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, WE HAD AN EXCELLENT HEARING ABOUT THIS, AND IT WAS A PACKED ROOM.

WE ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL FORMER GOVERNORS COME TO TESTIFY, AND IT WAS EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE AND BROUGHT OUT, I THINK, FOR PROBABLY NEARLY ALL OF US ON THE COMMITTEE FROM REALLY SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT.

THERE WILL BE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS ABOUT REALLY WHAT CAN BE AND SHOULD BE DONE WITH THAT.

>> Barry: I THINK IT'S FAMOUS FOR THE RECENT OPPORTUNITY THAT FORMER GOVERNOR DAYTON AND FORMER GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SPOKE AT THAT SAME HEARING, DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY.

REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, EDUCATION ISSUES, ALSO THE MERGER QUESTION, SANFORD UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTERPIECE TO THAT.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON ALL OF THAT.

>> IT'S A LARGE SUBJECT AREA, AND I WILL TRY TO COVER SOME OF THE GROUND THAT MAYBE HASN'T BEEN DISCUSSED.

AFFORDABILITY IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND WITH 6 KIDS RANGING IN AGE FROM 21 ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 6, THIS IS A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION, NO QUESTION, IN MY HOUSE, AND ALL THREE OF MY OLDER CHILDREN HAVE REALLY APPRECIATED THE PSEO PROGRAM.

THAT'S YOUR POST SECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTION.

HERE IS A NEWS FLASH.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO WORK ON A FAMILY LEVEL, WORK ON AFFORDABILITY, YOUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR, YOUR STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND A MINNESOTA STATE CAMPUS AT NO CHARGE RATHER THAN THOSE K THROUGH $12 FOLLOWING THE STUDENT INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, THEY CAN FOLLOW A STUDENT OVER TO A MINNESOTA STATE CAMPUS.

ON THE OTHER PART OF THAT THAT'S INTERESTING IS NOT ONLY CAN THEY APPLY THOSE DOLLARS TO THE MINNESOTA STATE CAMPUS, THEY CAN APPLY THEM TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO MENTION SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD THE HIGHER ED BILL MOVING ALONG AND WAS HEARD YESTERDAY, AND THERE WAS UNFORTUNATELY LANGUAGE THAT PIVOTED THOSE DOLLARS FROM FOLLOWING KIDS INTO AN INSTITUTION AT A STATEMENT OF FAITH.

AND IF THAT IS BRINGING ANY KIND OF QUESTION MARKS IN TERMS OF A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

I GUARANTEE YOU IF THAT LEGISLATION MOVES THROUGH OUR CURRENT PROCESS AND BECOMES LAW IN MINNESOTA, THAT WILL BE CHALLENGED ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED OF THAT.

YOU CAN'T EXCLUDE AN INSTITUTION SIMPLY BECAUSE IT HAS A STATEMENT OF FAITH.

THINK ABOUT THIS.

IF FOR EXAMPLE YOU HAVE A STUDENT THAT WALKS ON TO A CAMPUS THAT MAY BE ONE OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND THEY NEVER TAKE A CLASS THAT EVEN TOUCHES, BUT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE INSTITUTION HAS A STATEMENT, THEY ARE NOW EXCLUDED FROM RECEIVING DOLLARS, AND THAT'S SHOCKING TO ME.

SO THAT'S A CONCERNING AREA.

ON THE POSITIVE REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE HAS DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF GETTING AT SOME OF THE NEEDS IN THE MINNESOTA STATE PROGRAM AND THEN ALSO ADDRESSING ISSUES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN TERMS OF FUNDING AND WE DO HAVE A SURPLUS, SO RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, AND WE WILL SEE IF THE LANGUAGE COMES THROUGH IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS AFTER THE FACT.

BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THINGS CURRENTLY LAY, AND FUNDING AND SOME OF THE PROS AND CONS AS I SEE IT.

>> Barry: GO AHEAD, SENATOR BOLDON.

GO AHEAD FIRST.

>> I WANTED TO CHIME IN ON THE PSEO.

THE PSEO DOLLARS CANNOT BE USED -- STUDENTS CAN STILL ATTEND ENTITIES THAT ARE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

IT'S JUST THAT THOSE SCHOOLS CANNOT USE A STATEMENT OF FAITH AS PART OF THE ADMISSION PROCESS.

WHAT IT KEEPS FROM HAPPENING IS DISCRIMINATION ACTUALLY AGAINST FOLKS WHO MAY NOT SHARE THE FAITH OR CAN'T ATTEST TO THAT, AND AN EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE TELL US ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

A STUDENT WHO IS JEWISH OR MUSLIM IS NOT GOING TO HAVE AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, AND IT CAN'T BE USED.

IT REALLY IS A MECHANISM TO NOT ALLOW DISCRIMINATION FOR THOSE STUDENTS, AND THEY STILL CAN GO TO THE SCHOOLS BUT CAN'T BE A BARRIER AS THE ACCEPTANCE PROCESS.

I WANTED TO CLARIFY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, I WANTED TO BACK TO YOU BRIEFLY.

SENATOR BOLDON TOUCH ODD ACADEMIC BUSINESS, AND WE HAD TWO FORMER GOVERNORS TESTIFYING, THAT WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WHETHER IT'S A BILLION DOLLARS OR 500 MILLION.

HAS THERE BEEN ANY PROGRESS ON THAT FROM A LEGISLATIVE STANDPOINT?

ANY NEWS ON THAT THAT WE CAN TELL OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO RESPOND, BARRY, AND ON THAT SPECIFICALLY, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT BEYOND WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED AND YOU MIGHT HAVE COVERED A FEW OF THE HIGH LEVEL HEADLINES IN TERMS OF THOSE ATTENDING AND SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS.

I WOULD MENTION, THOUGH, WHEN WE ARE GETTING BACK TO THE PSEO DISCUSSION, THERE ARE THINGS STUDENTS OF FAITH MAY FIND OBJECTIONABLE IN A SECULAR INSTITUTION, BUT WE DON'T EXCLUDE THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE OFFENSIVE IN ONE FAITH OR ANOTHER.

WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AND DIALOGUE ABOUT THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

RATHER THAN EXCLUDING AN INSTITUTION, IT'S BETTER TO LET EVERYONE KIND OF FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY LAY ON THESE ISSUES AND MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Barry: ONE OF THE TOPICS WE WERE DISCUSSING AT SOME LENGTH A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN WE WERE REGULARLY HAVING THIS PROGRAM BEFORE FLOOR SESSION AND OTHER THINGS INTERVENE WAS THE PROGRESS ON THE MARIJUANA BILL, AND THERE'S BEEN PRESS COVERAGE, AND I THINK ONE MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE SUGGESTED MAYBE THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WILL BE TAKEN UP NEXT YEAR.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR LUCERO.

I DON'T THINK WE PICKED ON YOU TO BEGIN WITH FOR A WHILE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE MARIJUANA LEGISLATION, IF ANYTHING?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN?

GIVE OUR VIEWERS AN UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY FOR THAT.

SO FAR I'M BATTING ZERO, BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN ON ANY OF THE COMMITTEES.

I COME TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE, AND ENERGY COMMITTEE, SO I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT LEGISLATION YET.

>> Barry: WE WILL PICK ON YOU THERE, AND ANYWAY, GO ON ABOUT THE MARIJUANA THING.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHAT I CAN SAY IS THERE ARE CERTAINLY PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS, VERY GOOD PEOPLE.

VERY GENUINE, HONEST PEOPLE.

CERTAINLILY MYSELF I DO NOT SUPPORT RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WHAT I DO SUPPORT IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA BECAUSE THERE ARE CLEAR PROPERTIES THAT THC OR OTHER PARTS OF THE -- NOT A MARIJUANA EXPERT AT ALL IN ANY CAPACITY.

BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE VERY VALUABLE BENEFITS.

SO IN THAT ASPECT, VERY MUCH IN FAVOR, BECAUSE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT GET IN THE WAY AND SHOULD NOT LIMIT PEOPLE FROM ACCESS TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD HELP THEM IN PAIN OR ANY OTHER REMEDIES THAT THAT MIGHT EXIST IN TERMS OF RECREATION, THOUGH, AND THAT'S A KEARNEY DO NOT SUPPORT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE LEGALIZED THIS, WHETHER WE HEAR FROM THE VOICES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE VOICES OF EMPLOYERS, AND OTHER VOICES THERE ARE HIGH CONCERNS AND THE STRUGGLES THAT COME ALONG WITH LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS AMONG THOSE THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT.

>> Barry: SENATOR BOLDON, THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BILLS, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL GET DONE THIS YEAR.

I ANTICIPATE THAT WILL BE THE CASE.

THE BILL, MY UNDERSTANDING, I HAVEN'T SEEN THE BILL IN A WHILE.

IT DID COME FROM HHS, BUT THIS IS THE BILL THAT HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MOST NUMBER OF COMMITTEE STOPS AND GOES TO ALMOST EVERY COMMITTEE, NOT QUITE, BUT ALMOST.

SO IT'S BEEN SOME TIME, AND IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY CHANGES TO IT OVER THE COURSE OF TIME.

WHICH IS GOOD.

THAT'S THE COMMITTEE TO TAKE FEEDBACK.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS I BELIEVE WE ARE NEARING THE END OF ITS COMMITTEE PATH.

I ANTICIPATE WE WILL SEE IT RIGHT NOW ON THE FLOOR.

BROADLY SPEAKING, I'M SUPPORTIVE OF CANNABIS.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM RIGHT NOW THAT IS NOT WORKING AND SO I SUPPORT PEOPLE ARE USING PERSONALIZED USE CANNABIS.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN MY VIEW, PUTTING IN SOME REGULATIONS AROUND THAT, AND PEOPLE ARE PURCHASING IT AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN IT.

THEY DON'T KNOW THE CONCENTRATION.

SO FOR THAT REASON, AS WELL AS THERE'S A LONG HISTORY OF REGIONAL JUSTICE AND FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS AND I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE WILL GET DONE THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACTION IS HIGH.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 300 PAGE BILL IN THE HOUSE, WHICH IS JUST AN AMAZING REGULATION, THERE'S SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.

I WOULD FULLY AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR LUCERO IN TERMS OF THE GUARDRAILS THAT NEED TO BE THERE FOR THOSE THAT HAVE A MEDICAL NEED.

I THINK THAT IS A SEPARATE ISSUE, THOUGH, FROM WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IN RECREATIONAL USE, AND THE IMPACTS ARE TRIFOLD.

THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUSINESSES WHO HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR THEM TO TRY TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC SAFE, HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT, FOR ONE, THE JOB THAT WE ARE COMPLICATING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN KEEPING OUR ROADS SAFE, THERE IS NO BREATH LASER TO LOOK FOR THC AND A ROAD SOBRIETY TEST IS YOUR ONLY OPTION WHERE YOU ARE HAVING TO GO THROUGH ALL THE STEPS PRMPLING IF SOMEBODY IS IMPAIRED OR NOT.

THAT'S DIFFICULT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

JUST A TRACK RECORD WILL BE THE THIRD LEG OF THIS ISN'T GOOD.

LAST SESSION, ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAVE THC LACED GUMMIES THAT WERE JUST SHOWING UP.

VERY LITTLE DEBATE AND CONVERSATION, MAYBE IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S JUST NOT BEEN, I THINK, THE KIND OF ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS, BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE, IN THE WAY THAT I THINK IT SHOULD.

I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.

QUITE HONESTLY, I HAVE GOT TO ASK WHY.

MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE ARE REGULATING THINGS LIKE FLAVORED VAPE PRODUCTS AND LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL DANGER TO OUR KIDS AND TO THE PUBLIC ON PRODUCTS LIKE THAT BUT THEN COMPLETELY, IN MY OPINION, IGNORING THE HUGE PROBLEMS THAT RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WOULD CREATE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I JUST THINK THIS IS THE WRONG DIRECTION AND A TERRIBLE POLICY FOR OUR STATE.

>> Barry: MORE TO COME, AS THEY SAY.

SENATOR LUCERO, LET'S GO BACK TO YOU.

I PROMISED WE WOULD COME BACK TO K-12 EDUCATION.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC TO OUR VIEWERS.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A VARIETY OF ISSUES, THE AMOUNT OF THE BUDGET, BUDGETING FOR K-12 EDUCATION, AND QUESTIONS ABOUT MICROMANAGING EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND OTHER KINDS OF ISSUES.

THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, I BELIEVE IN THE BIENNIAL BUDGET, BETWEEN 45 AND 50% OF THE BUDGET IS K-12 EDUCATION, AND IF I'M NOT CORRECTLY, TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT BILL IS AND YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW IT'S DEVELOPING AND WHERE IT MAY GO, AND WE WILL GO TO SENATOR BOLDON AND HE WANT REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN.

FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> ONE OF THE -- YOU ARE SPOT ON IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET.

K-12 EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ARE THE TWO LARGEST APPROPRIATIONS IN ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

WELL, IN TERMS OF K THROUGH 12, WARRANTED BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEACH THE NEXT GENERATION THE SKILLS AND ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO SET THEM UP TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT APPARENTLY THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS SESSION WITH THE BILL THAT CAME OUT.

SO EARLY ON, THE FIRST WEEK OR TWO, AMONG THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE K-12 EDUCATION AREA WAS MINNESOTA.

THEY WITH THE BUDGET SURPLUS, AROUND 17 1/2 OR 19 BILLION, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT THAT, THEY SAID WE WANT TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION.

SO I ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT EXACTLY DOES FULLY FUND MEAN?

PLEASE GIVE ME A NUMBER SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND.

THEY SAID 8 TO $9 BILLION ON TOP OF LAST YEARS.

NOT LAST YEAR.

8 TO $9 BILLION IS FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION.

I BELIEVE IT'S NOW OVER $2 BILLION OF WHAT'S BEING ADDED.

SO THAT'S NOT FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION PER THEIR STANDARDS.

THE PRIORITIES THAT ARE IN THE BILL ARE NOT EMPOWERING BOARDS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M ADVOCATING THE ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE IS CONFIRMING THE WORD INDEPENDENT IN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

BECAUSE OUR SYSTEM WAS SET UP BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE FOR NEEDS AND HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAXIMIZE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL STUDENTS.

THIS LEGISLATURE AND THE MAJORITY CONTINUED ON THE PATH OF USURPING CONTROL, PUTTING MANDATES, SOME OF THEM UNFUNDED, THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL.

I HAPPEN TO SERVE IN AN AREA, ST. MICHAEL AND CMA SCHOOL, THAT IS THE BOTTOM OF THE FUNDING AND THEY HAVE BEEN OUT THE BOTTOM THE ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE, AND THAT IS DENYING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT ALSO ACROSS THE BOARD.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO NOT CONTINUE DOWN THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEMS AND AREAS, AND INSTEAD EMPOWERING OUR LOCAL SOURCES SO THEY CAN TAYLOR THE ASSISTANCE.

>> Barry: SENATOR BOLDON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I I DON'T SIT ON EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE BUT POLICY.

EDUCATION, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE -- >> Barry: TELL OUR VIEWERS WHAT IT MEANS WHEN YOU SAY EDUCATION POLICY.

PEOPLE WHO WATCH THIS PROGRAM REGULARLY GO THEY SPEAK LEGISLATIVE, BUT YOUR ORDINARY VIEWER MAY WONDER WHAT IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?

TELL OUR VIEWER WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT PROMPT.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

AS WE SORT OF LABEL OUR COMMITTEES AND DIVIDE UP THE WORK, SOMETIMES WE WILL DIVIDE UP THE FINANCE FROM THE POLICIES.

ESSENTIALLY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS THE ONE THAT HANDLES THE BUDGET, THE DOLLAR IS CONNECTED TO EDUCATION, WHICH I DON'T SIT ON POLICY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS THE POLICY.

THEY ACTUALLY DON'T HAVE FUNDING ATTACHED OR MONEY ATTACHED TO THEM.

SO THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

SOME ARE CAMPAIGNED AND SOME ARE SEPARATE.

>> Barry: INTERRUPTED YOU IN FULL THROAT THERE ON THE K-12 EDUCATION.

YOU STILL HAVE THE FLOOR.

GO AHEAD AND TELL US.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

RELATIVELY SPEAKING IN TERMS OF EDUCATION FUNDING, IT IS IMPORTANT, AND APPROPRIATE THAT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR BUDGET.

AS A STATE, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IT IS A PUBLIC GOOD.

WE ALL DO BETTER WHEN THE NEXT GENERATION IS WELL EDUCATED.

SO IT IS NECESSARY THAT ANOTHER THING I WILL NOTE IS THERE'S CHALLENGES NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT INVESTED AS WE SHOULD HAVE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

SO THERE'S A HOLE THERE THAT WE NEED TO DIG OUT OF THAT QUITE FRANKLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FILL THAT HOLE JUST IN THIS BIENNIUM, AND IT WILL BE WORKING INTO THE FUTURE AS WELL.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN WILLING TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THIS YEAR WITH THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE.

I WILL NOTE IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET FOR THIS AND IT RELATES TO EARLIER CONVERSATION, A LOT OF THE DOLLARS, MOST OF THE DOLLARS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS ONE-TIME MONEY, NOT ONGOING MONEY.

IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE YOU MIGHT NOT BE THINKING OF THINGS THAT WAY.

BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE THERE THAT WE HAVE THIS MONEY TO SPEND THIS ONE TIME VERSUS MAKING CHANGES THAT WILL GO INTO THE FUTURE AND ADDING THOSE FUNDS IN THE FUTURE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS WE CAN SPEND ONE-TIME MONEY THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE AND RIGHT, AND THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Barry: VERY GOODMENT THANK YOU, SENATOR BOLDON.

REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, K-12 EDUCATION.

>> WE ACTUALLY JUST HAD THIS BILL IN THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE THIS MONDAY.

I WAS ACTUALLY QUITE SHOCKED TO HEAR WHAT I WAS HEARING FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS TYPICALLY WHEN THE EDUCATION BILL COMES, THEY KNOW I'M A PRETTY CONSERVATIVE GUY, AND THEY SAY HEINTZEMAN, THERE ARE THINGS WE LIKE AND THINGS WE DON'T LIKE, BUT WE REALLY COULD USE YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS.

THEY ARE NOT SAYING THAT.

THIS BILL IS SUPER HEAVY ON REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM ST. PAUL AS OPPOSED TO THE OPERATING DOLLARS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE AND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE TO PROVIDE THE TYPE OF QUALITY EDUCATION THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE TO APPLY.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING, THAT WE ARE SEEING SO MANY STRINGS ATTACHED TO THESE DOLLARS, THAT MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE SCHOOL BOARDS ARE SCARED OF WHAT THIS BILL MIGHT MEAN FOR THEM IN TERMS OF ALL OF THESE REQUIREMENTS AS I JUST MENTIONED.

>> Barry: I HEARD THAT.

THIS ISSUE POPPED UP ON PREVIOUS PROGRAMS AND PREVIOUS YEARS, AND I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN GIVE US EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU ARE HEARING FROM, SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT MIGHT BE A CONCERN ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> WELL, WE COUNTED, BARRY, SO I'M HAPPY TO GET INTO SPECIFICS HERE.

65 NEW MANDATES ARE IN THE HOUSE BILL THAT MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT, THINGS THAT GET AT A LOT OF THE -- WHAT HAS TYPICALLY BEEN DESCRIBED AS LOCAL CONTROL, THINGS THAT SCHOOL BOARDS WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN TERMS OF HOW THEY WOULD USE FUNDING DOLLARS.

THE FORMULA INCREASE HERE IS 4 ON THE FRONT SIDE AND 2 ON THE BACKSIDE, WHICH I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME SUPPORT THERE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE ADDITIONAL ISSUES, EVEN STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCESSES ARE BEING CHANGED.

LICENSURE RULES ARE BEING CHANGED.

CURRICULUM MANDATES THAT GO ON AND ON AND ON, AND IT'S REALLY CONCERNING TO SCHOOL BOARDS AND TO MY PARENTS QUITE HONESTLY AS THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS THE FUTURE GOING TO LOOK LIKE GOING FORWARD POST COVID AND SO THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE THE LAST TWO YEARS IN LEARNING BECAUSE OF SO MANY KIDS GETTING BEHIND, E LEARNING DID NOT WORK FOR OUR K THROUGH 12 SYSTEM.

WE REALLY NEED TO BE ON TOP OF THIS GOING FORWARD.

IF NOT, OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO STAY BEHIND.

THESE MANDATES THAT ARE UNFORTUNATELY IN THE HOUSE LANGUAGE, WHICH IS 40% OF MINNESOTA'S BUDGET IS EDUCATION.

THESE MANDATES ARE NOT GOING TO GET AT THOSE PROBLEMS AND EMPOWER OUR TEACHERS TO MAKE DECISIONS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS FOR OUR KIDS THAT ARE BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT FLEXIBILITY HAS TO BE THERE, AND I HOPE THE FINAL PRODUCT INCLUDES IT, BECAUSE AT THE MOMENT IT DOESN'T.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE LUCERO, GO AHEAD.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD ADD IS PARENTS ARE RESPONDING IN A MANNER OF GROOMING THEIR CHILDREN YOU ARE SEEING A RECORD INCREASE IN HOME AND PRIVATE SCHOOL.

PARENTS ARE NOT HAPPY COMING DOWN FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

THEY ARE USURPING AND CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

THESE MANDATES, THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL, AND IT'S MORE OF A AN INDOCTRINATION.

IT'S JUST NOT REALLY BENEFICIAL IN ANY CAPACITY FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE COMPETING WITH PEERS IN A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE WHO ARE NOT LEARNING THIS SAME TYPE OF DIVISIVE UNNECESSARY CONTENT, WHEREAS MINNESOTA CONTINUES TO FALL FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND IN MATH AND TYPES OF TESTING SCORES.

THAT'S WHERE OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE.

EMPOWERING THEM CAN SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE TO BE ABLE TO AGAIN.

AGAIN, THEIR PEERS AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON MATH AND OTHER AREAS RATHER THAN THESE THAT ARE NOT HELPFUL WHATSOEVER.

>> Barry: SENATOR BOLDON, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE WENT AROUND THE STABLE A SECOND TIME.

ANY THOUGHTS ON K-12 EDUCATION?

>> AGAIN, I WOULD REITERATE, TAKE IT BACK TO THE FOCUS ON STUDENTS.

I HAVE MED OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS MANY TEACHERS WHO SHARE THE CHALLENGES AND TALK ABOUT EARNING A LIVING WAGE, AND THAT'S PART OF THE INVESTMENT AND OTHER FUNDING GOING INTO CLOSING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBSIDY AND ENGLISHING LANGUAGE LEARNING SUBSIDY.

WE ARE AT A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE NOT INVESTED THE DOLLARS THAT WE NEEDED TO OVER A VERY, VERY LONG TIME, AND SO WORKING TO CATCH UP TO THAT, MAKING SURE THE SCHOOLS HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO DO IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY WORK.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE BONDING BILL.

THERE WAS TALK EARLIER IN THE SESSION ABOUT A BONDING BILL.

PERHAPS THERE WASN'T GOING TO BE A BONDING BILL.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN.

BONDING BILL THIS SESSION, AND WHAT DO YOU HEAR ABOUT WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE?

>> YEAH, SO THE BONDING BILL CAME THROUGH THE HOUSE EARLY THIS SESSION.

QUITE HONESTLY MY HAT IS OFF TO THE GOP COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE.

WE ARE GOING TO TAP THE BRAKES, BECAUSE WE KNOW AS WE WERE COMING THROUGH AN ELECTION CYCLE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE HEARD IS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THERE'S TAX CUTS THERE, SPECIFICALLY FOR SENIORS, AND WHEN THAT MOVES FORWARD, THE BONDING BILL WOULD MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK THAT'S FORTHCOMING.

I THINK RATHER THAN ALLIGATOR TEARS BEING DESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THAT ISSUE, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING MOVE SOONER THAN LATER, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AS WELL AS TAX CUTS.

I'M GLAD THAT CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING NOW.

IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

BUT IT DOES SEEM TO HAVE RENEWED INTEREST THERE, AND ONCE WE SEE THOSE TAX CUTS AND THAT EXEMPTION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, I BELIEVE THAT THE BONDING BILL WILL BE BACK IN THE DISCUSSION FRONT AND CENTER AGAIN.

AT THE MOMENT WE ARE WAITING.

>> Barry: LET'S GO TO THE SENATE AND SEE WHAT THE SENATE THINKS ON THE BONDING BILL.

SENATOR BOLDON, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> YEAH.

IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE, TOO HAD A BONDING BILL COME TO THE SENATE FLOOR, AND JUST A REFRESHER, A NOTE, A BONDING BILL CAN'T BE PASSED BY A SUPER MAJORITY.

IN THE SENATE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS IT REQUIRES A DEMOCRAT AND BOTH PARTIES, AND IT CAN'T BE JUST A PARTY LINE VOTE.

SO IT DID NOT PASS, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

IT WAS A SOLID BILL, A BILL THAT WAS LARGELY NEGOTIATED LAST YEAR, REALLY LARGER FROM LAST YEAR.

IT WAS A BALANCED BILL.

IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO 50/50 REPUBLICAN PROJECT, DEMOCRAT PROJECT, AND IT WAS A GOOD BILL, A BILL WITH SHOVEL READY PROJECTS, AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST YEAR, PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE IN PARTS OF OUR STATE THEY HAVE BEEN DRINKING BOTTLED WATER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

REALLY IMPORTANT PROJECTS THAT ARE WAITING FOR US TO PASS AND GET THEM STARTED, AND IT FAILED.

AND TO HOLD THE PROJECT HOSTAGE AND TALK ABOUT A SITUATE.

JUST REGARDS TO WE WILL GET A TAX BILL, AND IT'S WORKING ITS WAY TO THE KENNEDY PROCESS AND YOU WILL SEE THE BILL FINALIZED STILL.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE THAN ONE THING AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Barry: SENATOR WILL YOU CERTIFICATE A WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

YOU GET THE LAST WORD.

TELL US ABOUT THE BONDING BILL AS WE WRAP UP COMMENT ON THE SENATE BILL THIS EVENING.

>> I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING FEEDBACK THAT BY BANDWIDTH ISN'T THE BEST.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE NETWORK PROBLEMS I'M HAVING.

BUT MINNESOTANS, WE HAVE A $19 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

REPUBLICANS RECOGNIZE THIS.

UNFORTUNATELY TIMES OF A SURPLUS, DEMOCRATS DEMANDS TACKS.

THAT IS THE REASON WHY REPUBLICANS ARE STANDING STRONG AND SAYING HEY, BEFORE WE PUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IN FURTHER DEBT, BEFORE WE SPEND BILLIONS OF MORE DOLLARS, WE RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE FIXED INCOME, MINNESOTA ANSWER ACROSS THE STATE ARE HURTING, NEEDING A TAX CUT AND REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAND STRONG AND SUPPORT MINNESOTANS AND DEMAND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACROSS THE BOARD TO BRING TAX RELIEF AND AGAIN A TIME OF SURPLUS BEFORE WE SPEND MORE MONEY AND PUT MINNESOTA INTO DEBT.

>> Barry: WITH THAT CONCLUDING THOUGHT.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU EVERY EVENING ON THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, YOU CAN SEE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON YOUR PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM CHANNEL THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

TUNE IN FOR THAT EXTRA COVERAGE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK AND EVERY WEEK THAT FOLLOWS.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MINNESOTA CORN, FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS.

MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS, ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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