♪ >> WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

LAWMAKERS FROM NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA ARE JOINING US FOR A RECAP OF THE WEEK'S ACTIVITY AT THE CAPITAL.

CALL OR EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO HAVE THEM ANSWERED LIVE ON THE AIR.

MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT STARTS NOW.

♪ TONY: HELLO AND WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

I'M YOUR HOST, TONY SERTICH.

LAWMAKERS SPENT MUCH OF THE PAST WEEK IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BODIES DEBATING AND VOTING ON BUDGET BILLS LATE INTO THE NIGHT.

WITH THREE WEEKS TO GO, THE END IS IN SIGHT.

BUT THERE'S MUCH LEFT TO BE DONE.

TODAY'S SHOW IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VIEWERS TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE LAWMAKERS WHO REPRESENT YOU.

PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN OR EMAIL QUESTIONS TO ASK@WDSE.ORG.

WE HAVE A GREAT LINEUP TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS TONIGHT.

JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO IS REP. NATHAN NELSON, A REPUBLICAN FROM HINCKLEY, REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 11-B.

WELCOME, REP. NELSON.

AND JOINING US VIRTUALLY TODAY IS REP. LIZ OLSON, A DFL-ER FROM DULUTH REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 7-B.

AND SHE'S THE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER.

WELCOME, REP. OLSON.

ALRIGHT, WELL GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

DEBBIE DSE HAS BEEN DOING A SHOW CALLED LESSONS FROM COVID-19.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENT OF NELSON.

CAN YOU GET -- REPRESENTED NELSON.

CAN YOU GIVE US A POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OF SERVING IN COVID-19?

REP. NELSON: JUST ONE OF EACH?

I THINK PROBABLY, A POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BOTH ALL IN ONE IS BROADBAND.

WE'VE LEARNED THAT THERE'S AREAS WHERE WE THOUGHT WE HAD GOOD BROUGHT -- BROADBAND.

WE DEFINITELY NEED BETTER SERVICE.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS TO GO ALONG WITH THAT IS THAT WE SEE WE'VE RELIED ON EACH OTHER MORE THAN WHAT WE TYPICALLY WOULD HAVE.

IT'S KIND OF THE OLD PULLING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.

RURAL AREAS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER WELL AND IT'S BEEN GOOD TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.

AND WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.

WE ALSO HAVE LEARNED IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET TOGETHER.

THIS LAST WEEK, AS WE'VE BEEN -- I THINK THERE'S BEEN A FEW MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN AT THE CAPITAL ON THE FLOOR.

ON APRIL 15, WE WERE ABLE TO UP THE NUMBER FROM I THINK 25 TO 55 MEMBERS ON THE FLOOR.

THERE'S BEEN MORE PEOPLE THERE.

THE CDC ROUTE AUGUST -- REDUCED RESTRICTIONS.

IT'S BEEN GOOD TO HAVE THAT.

GETTING TOGETHER HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE'VE ALL BEEN MISSING AND IT'S BEEN IMPORTANT.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, A POSITIVE AND A NEGATIVE SERVING IN COVID-19.

REP. OLSON: STARTING WITH THE NEGATIVE, IT'S REALLY HARD TO PASS THE STATE BUDGET IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT EVEN WHEN WE ARE IN PERSON, SO THERE'S THE CHALLENGE OF LEGISLATING REMOTELY.

ALSO, JUST THE TYPE OF YEAR WE'VE HAD, IT'S BEEN A HARD YEAR FOR A LOT OF MINNESOTANS AND A LOT OF YEARS -- A LOT OF WAYS.

A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO US WITH THESE IN HONEST PROBLEMS BEFORE COVID THAT HAVE JUST BEEN MADE WORSE.

OUR WORK WAS REALLY CUT OUT FOR US WITH THE STATE BUDGET ANYWAY NOW WITH THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REALLY SHOW SOME OF THE INEQUALITIES THAT WE'VE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME, IT COMPLICATED OUR WORK.

BUT HE PRESENTED US WITH A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN A WAY THAT WE RECOVER AND COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE THINGS THAT HAS COME OUT IS THE ABILITY FOR GREATER MINNESOTA TO PARTICIPATE.

I'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HOW MUCH EASIER IT WAS THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DRIVE 150 MILES FOR A THREE-MINUTE TESTIMONY COMMITTEE IN A SNOWSTORM, THAT YOU COULD DO IT VIA ZOOM.

THERE ARE THINGS I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO DO EVEN WHEN WE GO BACK TO "NORMAL."

SO, THERE ARE BOTH OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES, BUT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO PUTTING THIS IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.

TONY: JUST AS A REMINDER, WE WANT FOLKS TO EMAIL OR CALL IN WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

HOW TO TALK ABOUT BIG ISSUES, THE FIRST ONE CHILDCARE.

WE HEAR THIS ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA.

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, YOU'VE BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS ON THE CHILDCARE ISSUE.

CAN YOU UPDATE US ON THE STATUS OF LEGISLATION?

REP. OLSON: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND SOMETHING THAT BOTH REPRESENTATIVE NELSON AND I, IN GREATER MINNESOTA, IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE EVERYWHERE, BUT PARTICULARLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND SO WE TALKED ABOUT CHILDCARE IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, BOTH ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILDCARE AND AFFORDABILITY.

AND SO WE REALLY NEED TO TACKLE BOTH.

IN THE HOUSE BUDGET, WE TOOK THAT VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE HAD THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE THAT LOOKED AT RAISING SEA CAP RATES, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE TO ACCESS CHILDCARE.

WE'VE BUILT IN SPOTS IN OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SEEING IT AS A WORKFORCE ISSUE, PARTICULARLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA, WE NEED TO INCREASE THE SLOTS AVAILABLE AND DO THAT WITH CAPITAL PROJECTS AND A VARIETY OF WAYS.

WE HAVE THE INNER CAPITAL INVESTMENT BUDGET.

WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF DIFFERENT PLACES IT'S PLAYED OUT TO DO SOMETHING BIG AROUND TACKLING IT.

TONY: GRET.

OK, SO -- GREAT, OK SO LOOKS LIKE WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY.

REPRESENTATIVE NELSON, ANY THOUGHTS ON TRUCKER?

REP. NELSON: I THINK -- ON CHILDCARE?

REP. NELSON: I THINK REPRESENTATIVE OLSON TOUCHED ON A FEW THINGS.

THE ONE THING I'M HEARING FROM OUR SCHOOLS, LOCALLY, THEY'RE LOOKING AT DOING CHILDCARE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOTICING THE STUDENTS THAT HAVEN'T, WEATHER'S BEEN AT HOME OR IN A DAYCARE, THEY'RE NOTICING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP THAT'S COMING IN.

THEY'RE GETTING TO THE BENCHMARKS THEY WANT TO SEE BEFORE KINDERGARTEN OR AT THE END OF KINDERGARTEN.

AND FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T HAD THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION ON THE CHILDREN, THERE'S CHILDREN FALLING BEHIND.

THAT'S SOMETHING THEY'RE REALLY QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE, AND REALLY THE LACK OF IT IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONE THE BEST THEY CAN IN THAT, PROVIDING DAYCARE AND CHILDCARE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAS REALLY BEEN STRETCHED TO THE MAX.

AND THEN IT'S ALSO DIFFERENT BECAUSE THERE'S SOME THAT ARE WORKING FROM HOME.

SO, THERE IS SOME CHILDCARE THAT HAS FREED UP, BUT OTHERS HAVE NEEDED CHILDCARE BECAUSE MAYBE THEY HAD CHILDCARE AT WORK AND NOW THEY ARE WORKING REMOTELY.

THEIR SCHEDULES AREN'T WORKING FOR ALLOWING CHILDCARE.

IT'S BEEN A DIFFERENT YEAR THAT WAY.

AND VIEWERS AT HOME, WE ARE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, BUT REPRESENTATIVE NELSON, WE CAN TALK MORE RIGHT NOW.

ONE OF THE BILLS LIKE ITS BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS THE FINANCE BILL VOTED OFF THE FLOOR.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BILL, WHAT YOU LIKE, AT ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THAT BILL MOVING FORWARD?

REP. NELSON: YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN THAT BILL.

THERE'S SOME FINDINGS FOR BEGINNING AND DISADVANTAGED FARMERS.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS IN THIS PANDEMIC, THINKING OF A YEAR AGO, IF YOU WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE, YOU MAY BE LOOKING FOR PAPER PRODUCTS -- NAPKINS, TOILET PAPER, SANITIZER.

HE ALSO MIGHT BE LOOKING IN THE PRODUCE AND MEAT AISLE.

JUST WITH THE PANIC OF IT, SOMETIMES IT WAS SOLD OUT.

BUT WE'VE SEEN IS THERE ARE PEOPLE INTERESTED IN KNOWING, WANTING TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN PROCURE IT, BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

SO, THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT.

SO, THERE'S SOME FUNDING FOR PROCESSING, HELPING GET SMALLER PROCESSORS STARTED UP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW WAS ONCE THE LARGER PROCESSING PLANTS, WHEN THEY HAD COVID CASES HIT, THEY CLOSED DOWN.

IT LED TO THE UNFORTUNATE -- IN THE WINE INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY -- THE SWINE INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY.

IT WAS A TERRIBLY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.

AT THE SAME TIME DOWN THE ROAD, THAT CAME A SHORTAGE IN THE SHELVES.

SO THERE'S BEEN THE DESIRE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THAT.

SO THERE'S BEEN THAT CONNECTION, A LITTLE BIT MORE OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THEIR FOOD IS COMING FROM AND BE ABLE TO SOURCE THAT.

SO, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURE.

SO, THERE IS FUNDING FOR THAT.

ALSO, RURAL BROADBAND.

AND NOT JUST RURAL, THERE'S PEOPLE IN DULUTH THAT MAY NOT HAVE AS GOOD AS BROADBAND OR INTERNET ASSESS THAT DATE -- ACCESS THAT THEY COULD OR SHOULD, OR HAVE NEEDED, SO THAT'S ANOTHER AREA OF FUNDING, AS WELL.

FOR MY AREA, AND FOR A LOT OF THE NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, ONE OF THE OTHER AREAS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOOKING AT IS MINNESOTA HAS GOTTEN THE MANAGEMENT BACK FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL OF THE GRAY WOLF, THE TIMBERWOLF, AND FOR MYSELF AND OTHER CATTLE PRODUCERS -- AND NOT EVEN THAT -- THERE'S A BIG INTEREST IN, HOW ARE THE DNR IS GOING TO MANAGE?

AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S THE PAYMENTS FOR LIVESTOCK.

THAT FUNDING IS IN THERE, AND THAT'S A PIECE I THINK IS IMPORTANT, AS WELL.

TONY: AS A REMINDER, PLEASE CALL IN, EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE DO HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS REGARDING LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA?

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEEN TO THE COMMITTEES YOU SIT ON YET.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT SITS YET?

REP. NELSON: THAT LEGISLATION IS A BILL HF 600 AND IT IS WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH.

IT HAS BEEN HEARD IN BOTH THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE COMMITTEE.

I'VE HEARD IT TWO TIMES NOW.

I ALSO SERVED ON LEGACY AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S AN AREA IT'S GOING TO GO OR NOT.

BUT IT HAS BEEN WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COMMITTEES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IN THE SENATE SIDE IS, BUT I KNOW IN THE HOUSE, IT'S BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY WORKING THROUGH THE COMMUNITIES.

I BELIEVE IT MAY BE IN WAYS AND MEANS, WHICH IS REALLY THE FINAL STOP BEFORE THE HOUSE FLOOR.

TONY: AND A BILL LIKE CANNABIS, IT WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH MANY COMMITTEES.

HAVE YOU DEVELOPED A POSITION ON THAT BILL YET?

REP. NELSON: IT'S A COMPLICATED POSITION.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF I SUPPORTED TODAY -- SUPPORT IT TODAY.

BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT I DO THINK IN THE LONG TERM IT WILL BE LEGALIZED IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES, BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY DID IT RIGHT.

WASHINGTON, COLORADO WERE AMONGST THE FIRST THAT DID LEGALIZE IT.

AND THERE'S BEEN SOME PROBLEMS THERE.

THE AUTHORS OF THE BILL HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT AND THEY'RE WORKING ON HOW TO PREVENT THOSE ISSUES HAPPENING IN MINNESOTA.

SO, IT IS BEING WORKED OUT.

TONY: LET'S TAKE A STEP BACK OUT AGAIN.

THE MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LEGISLATURE IS TO PASS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET, AGREED BY THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, APPROXIMATELY $2 BILLION FOR TWO YEARS.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCKS TO GET AGREEMENT?

MINNESOTA IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION THAT HAS A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE OF ALL 50 STATES.

WHERE DO YOU SEE STUMPING BOX AND WHERE DO YOU SEE INCENTIVE -- STUMBLING BLOCKS AND WHERE YOU SEE INCENTIVE?

REP. NELSON: OPPORTUNITY FIRST, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, SHE SAID BEFORE, WE'RE ALL WORKING ON GETTING THIS DONE.

WE ALL SEE THE NEED FOR IT.

WE ALL WOULD LOVE TO BE DONE ON MAY 17 AND BE ABLE TO GO HOME AND TELL OUR CONSTITUENTS HEY, WE'VE GOTTEN THE JOB DONE.

NOW THAT THE BUDGET IS DONE, LET'S WORK ON THE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING ON TO REALLY BE FOCUSING ON YOUR NEEDS.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY ALL OF US ARE LOOKING AT.

ONE OF THE BIG STUMBLING BLOCKS AND ISSUES COMING BEFORE US IS ACTUALLY OUR TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

LIZ OLSON IS NOT IN THIS SHOW ANYMORE BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGICAL GLITCH, AND SO MUCH OF THE LEGISLATURE IS MEETING OVER ZOOM.

WE CAN HAVE 55 HOST MEMBERS ON THE FLOOR, CURRENTLY, AND THEN SOME STAFF.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN WHEN YOU'RE MEETING REMOTELY, IT'S SO EASY TO STAY IN YOUR CAMP WITH YOUR CAUCUS OR YOUR GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE, AND THE OTHER GROUP BE OVER HERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER.

THIS LAST WEEK, WITH MORE PEOPLE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, HEARING THE BUDGET BILLS, I WAS DOWN THERE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF THE CHAMBER, YOU'RE VISITING IN THE HALLWAY OR ROTUNDA WITH OTHER MEMBERS.

THEY CAN BE ACROSS THE AISLE, THEY CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT, BUT YOU CAN VISIT WITH THEM, AND THOSE BARRIERS COME DOWN.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR VIEWPOINT.

AND THAT'S, UNFORTUNATELY, 55 OUT OF 134 ARE THERE ON THE FLOOR, SO WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE, BUT THAT'S A MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCK, JUST NOT BEING ABLE TO BE IN THE ROOM.

SOME OF THE BILLS THAT ARE BEING PASSED OUT, AS GOTTEN SELECTED TO BE ON THE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BETWEEN THE HOST AND THE SENATE, AND WE DON'T KNOW YET IF WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING IN PERSON.

I REALLY HOPE WE'RE GOING TO BE MEETING IN PERSON.

IF WE HAVE TO DO A HYBRID OF THOSE THAT CAN MEET, OR FEEL COMFORTABLE MEETING IN PERSON, IF THEY CAN DO THAT, I REALLY HOPE SO.

BUT WE HAVEN'T HEARD THE GUIDANCE ON THAT YET IF WE CAN DO THAT.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE BEST THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS GET BACK TOGETHER IN PERSON AND REALLY WORK TO GET THIS BUDGET FINISHED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SENT THERE TO DO.

THE FIRST YEAR, THAT IS OUR JOB.

TONY: WE'RE WORKING TO GET REPRESENTATIVE OLSON BACK.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

REP. OLSON: I CAN HEAR YOU GUYS.

TONY: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING THROUGH THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE OVERALL STATE BUDGET.

MY QUESTION IS ABOUT, WHERE YOU THINK THE STUMBLING BLOCKS WILL BE TO GET THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT TO YOUR BUDGET?

REP. OLSON: I CAUGHT A LITTLE BIT AND IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS THE REALITY OF LEGISLATING, TOO, IN OUR PANDEMIC TIMES, BUT I DID CATCH A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT REPRESENTATIVE NELSON SAID ABOUT THE VIRTUAL ELEMENT MAKING THINGS MORE COMPLICATED.

I DEFINITELY THINK THERE'S A CHALLENGE, BEING WE ARE THE ONLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DID IT BEFORE AND I KNOW WE CAN DO IT AGAIN.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT MAKES IT SLIGHTLY MORE COMPLICATED.

I WOULD ALSO SAY TOO THAT WE ARE PASSING THESE BIG BUDGET BILLS OFF THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW, AND THERE'S A BIG DISTANCE TO COVER BETWEEN WHAT THE HOUSE IS PUT FORWARD AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN A NUMBER OF REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

WE TOUCHED ON CHILDCARE BEFORE, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE.

HOUSING INSTABILITY THAT WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT ONLY GOT WORSE.

AND SO THE HOUSE BUDGET REALLY PUTS FORWARD A WAY TO ADDRESS THOSE.

WE HAVE OUR BUDGET BILLS, WHICH ARE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION SYSTEM AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD.

AND SO WE PUT FORWARD OUR BILLS IN A WAY THAT DOES THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENATE IS MORE IN THE CUT MENTALITY, THIS IS A TIME TO TIGHTEN OUR BELTS AND DO WHAT WE'VE DONE BEFORE.

WE KNOW NOT ALL MINNESOTANS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PANDEMIC IN THE SAME WAY UNLIKE ANY OTHER TIME IN HISTORY.

THERE'S USUALLY INCOME INEQUALITY LESSONS AND DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIME, IT'S ACTUALLY GROWN WORSE.

THERE ARE MINNESOTANS THAT AREN'T DOING WELL AND THE HOUSE HAS LEGISLATED WITH THEM IN MIND AND THE SENATE HAS PUT FORWARD MOREOVER STATUS QUO BUDGET.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AND I HOPE THAT THE SENATE AND THE GOP CAN COME ALONG AND SEE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF MINNESOTANS IN THIS BUDGET.

TONY: QUESTION FROM A VIEWER -- WE GET THIS QUESTION EACH WEEK, AND YOU'LL KNOW WHY WHEN I ASK IT -- OUR FEDERAL TAX STATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MAY 17, WHICH IS THE LAST DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS VIEWER IS WONDERING, WILL BE GET UNEMPLOYMENT TAX EXEMPTIONS SIMILAR TO THE FEDERAL FORGIVENESS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT TAX ON THE FIRST $10,200.

CAN YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION AROUND PPP, THE PROGRAM THAT HELPED OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, AS WELL?

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT PASSING ?

REP. OLSON: GREAT QUESTION.

I KNOW THAT'S TOP OF MIND.

WE WERE JUST ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THURSDAY.

JUST THIS WEEK, WE PASSED THAT IN THE HOUSE.

I WAS A YES VOTE ON OUR TAX BILL, WHICH HAS BOTH IN THERE .

IT DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE PUT FORWARD, AND I KNOW THE SENATE HAS, AS WELL.

IS ALIVE AND WELL AND WILL DEFINITELY BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION, SOMETHING WE'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS.

AGAIN, IT WAS IN THE HOUSE TAX BILL THAT PASSED THIS PAST WEEK.

HOPEFUL WE'RE MOVING TOWARDS THE END IN A RAPID WAY THAT CAN GET THAT DONE, AS WELL AS EVERYTHING ELSE WE TALKED ABOUT ALREADY ON THE SHOW.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE NELSON?

REP. NELSON: YES, IT IS IN THE HOUSE BILL, AND I BELIEVE THE SENATE HAS IT IN THERE'S.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

THERE'S SOME DIFFERENCES IN IT.

BUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, AS WELL AS THE PPP, I BELIEVE THAT'S GOING TO BE COVERED.

I REALLY HOPE THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN GET THAT DONE BEFORE MAY 17.

IF WE CAN GET THOSE DIFFERENCES DONE AND IRONED OUT BEFORE TAXES ARE DUE ARE GREAT.

BUT ONE THING I'M TELLING MY BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS CALLING ME, ASKING ME IS THIS GOING TO GET DONE?

WHAT DO I DO?

I'M NOT A CPA, BUT I HAVE TOLD THEM VISIT WITH THEIR CPA.

IF THEY NEED -- IF THEY FEEL THAT IT'S BEST IN THEIR INTEREST TO TAKE AND FILE THEIR TAXES AND LATER AMENDED THEM, JI BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I THINK ALL PARTIES WANT THIS, THE PPP EXEMPTION AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TO BE TREATED THE SAME AS IT IS FEDERALLY.

AND SO IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A DISCUSSION WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT.

DO YOU WAIT UNTIL THE TAX BILL OR DO YOU FILE BEFORE THAT AND DO AN AMENDMENT?

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL WANT TO SEE HAPPEN AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOONER THAN LATER.

TONY: THIS WEEK, WE SAW THE VERDICT OF GUILTY IN THE TRIAL OF DEREK CHAUVIN.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST IN S'MORE POLICY REFORM AROUND POLICING IN MINNESOTA.

I KNOW A BILL WAS PASSED LAST YEAR, BUT THERE ARE FOLKS WANTING TO PUSH FOR MORE REFORM THIS YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE NELSON, ANY THOUGHTS ON FURTHER POLICE REFORM LEGISLATION AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT HAPPENING THE NEXT THREE WEEKS?

REP. NELSON: YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THE REFORM PASSED OFF OF THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I'M NOT POSITIVE ON THAT.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ALL SIDES WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS.

IT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE REALLY ADVOCATING FOR IT, THAT THEIR VOICES NEED TO BE HEARD.

AND I ALSO BELIEVE LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS -- THEY NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE AND THEIR VOICES HEARD, AS WELL.

AS WE COME TOGETHER ON THIS AND WE HEAR -- COMING TO THE END OF SESSION AND A BILL COMING TOGETHER, WE DO NEED TO LISTEN TO ALL SIDES AND TO REALLY UNDERSTAND.

BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE ARE FEELING THEIR VOICES AREN'T HEARD, REGARDLESS WHICH SIDE OF THE ISSUE YOU'RE ON.

AND I THINK IT'S EASY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA, TO SAY I KNOW MY NEIGHBOR.

HE'S AN OFFICER.

HE'S GOOD.

IT'S GOT TO BE THE OTHER ONES THAT ARE BAD.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S REALLY THE CASE.

BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, POLICE REFORM LEGISLATION.

REP. OLSON: YEAH, WITH THE VERDICT THIS WEEK, I THINK THE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE MOST IMPACTED AND WERE MOST ANXIOUS ABOUT THIS VERDICT, AT LEAST IT WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE HEARD FROM THE PRESIDENT AND OTHERS WEIGH IN ON THAT.

I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE WE DO NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT POLICE REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE DID SOME BIPARTISAN WORK IN THE INTERIM.

THANKS TO MY BIPOC COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF WHAT WE PASSED WOULDN'T HAVE PREVENTED WHAT HAPPENED TO DAUNTE WRIGHT JUST THIS PAST WEEK, AS WELL.

SO, WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

WE HAVE MORE WE NEED TO DO.

WE DID GREAT BIPARTISAN WORK, BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE.

AND THIS WEEK, WE PUT FORWARD IN OUR BUDGET BILL OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY BUDGET BILL, WE PUT IN A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS THAT WOULD TRY TO ESSENTIALLY START TO DECRIMINALIZE POVERTY, AND THEREFORE ELIMINATE THE NUMBER OF CONTACTS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, DON'T END WELL, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO DAUNTE WRIGHT AND GEORGE FLOYD.

I WAS PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE VOTES THAT HELPED PASS THAT LEGISLATION THAT REPRESENTS GREATER MINNESOTA, THAT REPRESENTS URBAN COMMUNITIES, AND SAID NO, THIS IS OUR TIME.

AND SO THAT BILL PASSED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND UNFORTUNATELY,INTERESTED IN TAKN THESE ITEMS.

SO, WE'LL CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

WE'VE HAD LETTERS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STATE, A NUMBER OF UNLIKELY ALLIES WITH OUR BIPOC ALLIES, SAYING IT'S TIME.

IT'S REALLY TIME WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL THAT WOULD START TO TURN THE TIDE ON WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO, I'M HOPEFUL THIS WILL BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION MAY 17 AND WE DO MEANINGFUL REFORMS.

TONY: AND I'D BE REMISS IF WE DON'T SEND OUR CONSULT IS -- CONDOLENCES FOR VICE PRESIDENT WALTER MONDALE.

HE GOT HIS START AS A STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSING OF WALTER MONDALE?

REP. OLSON: HE WAS A GIANT.

ANYBODY THAT'S IN POLITICS IN MINNESOTA, HE'S HAD AN IMPACT ON OUR STATE, OUR OWN PERSONAL TRAJECTORY AND POLITICS, TOO, HAS REALLY BEEN CHANGED BY THE WORK HE'S DONE.

IS LEFT QUITE A LEGACY.

WE HAD A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR HIM ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, A LOT OF MEANINGFUL STORIES ABOUT THE WAY HE'S CONTRIBUTED TO OUR STATE AND MADE IT BETTER AND REALLY PUT FORWARD A NUMBER OF THINGS PEOPLE CARE ABOUT AND CONTINUE THAT LEGACY.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE NELSON, ANYTHING QUICKLY TO ADD?

REP. NELSON: ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE HEARD, ESPECIALLY THE LAST 10-15 YEARS, JUST HOW HE WAS A PERSON THAT REALLY CARED ABOUT MINNESOTA.

IT WAS PEOPLE FIRST, PARTY SECOND, JUST A VERY CLASSY PERSON.

TONY: GREAT, THANK YOU.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK REP. NATHAN NELSON AND REP. LIZ OLSON FOR THEIR TIME TODAY.

JOIN ME AGAIN NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 2 , FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT WHEN WE WILL WELCOME MORE LEGISLATORS FROM NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO THE PROGRAM.

FOR THE TEAM AT WDSE, I'M TONY SERTICH.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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