>>> STATEWIDE BROADCASTS OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN GARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

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

WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSING IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY ANDERSON.

>> Barry: LAST WEEK WE HAD A VERY BUSY HOUSE AND SENATE SESSION, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS, BUT TONIGHT WE HAVE GOT A PANEL.

WE HAVE GOT OUR TWO HOUSE MEMBERS.

I WILL BE INTRODUCING THEM TO YOU IN A MINUTE.

BEFORE I DO THAT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS A PROGRAM AND INVITE OUR VIEWERS TO PROVIDE QUESTIONS, SEND THEM TO US VIA VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT WILL APPEAR ON YOUR SCREEN, FAX AND TWITTER AND SO FORTH AND SO ON, AND WE WILL SEE THEY GET TO OUR PANEL.

I ALSO WANT TO REMIND YOU YOU CAN SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT ON THE AIR.

THINK OF SOMETHING YOUR LEGISLATORS SHOULD RESPOND TO.

WE BEGIN THIS WEEK'S PANEL, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS WHO'LL HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

WE ONLY HAVE TWO GUESTS BUT HOPEFULLY THEY WILL CARRY THE LOAD WE FORMALLY HAVE.

REPRESENTATIVE TIM RELLER FROM PRINSBURG.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, AND ALL OF THAT, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO ALL THE VIEWERS.

>> ALL IN 30 SECONDS OR LESS.

>> Barry: YOU CAN DO MORE THAN 30 SECONDS.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE ON WITH YOU AGAIN.

LAST YEAR I BELIEVE I WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE LAST SHOWS THAT WE DID IN PERSON.

THERE WAS JUST TWO OF US, AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, AND I HOPE THE VIEWERS CAN STILL ENJOY WHAT'S DONE IN THIS SHOW.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE.

I'M TIM MILLER.

I LIVE IN DISTRICT 17A, WHICH IS PART OF PIONEER TELEVISION LAND, AND I HAVE -- THIS IS MY FOURTH TERM, AND WE ARE WRAPPING UP MY SEVENTH YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE JOY AND PLEASURE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS YEAR I AM ON THREE COMMITTEES, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY IF YOU HAVE THE FINAL STOP, GOES THROUGH THE HOUSE, AND I SERVE ON THAT.

THEN SERVING ON THE TACKS COMMITTEE.

SO I KIND OF TELL PEOPLE I'M NOT COMMITTEE THAT RAISES THE MONEY AND THE COMMITTEE THAT SPENDS IT, AND I'M ON AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

I'M VERY PROUD OF SERVING IN THAT AREA AS WELL.

AS BARRY INDICATED I LIVE IN THE TOWN OF PRINSBURG, A TOWN OF 500, MY WIFE, MY MO MOTHER-IN-LW AND STEPSON JACOB LIVE THERE WITH THE TWO DOGS, ABSOLUTELY A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AND VERY HELPFUL IN THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE.

>> TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I BELIEVE MILITARY BACKGROUND AS WELL AS I UNDERSTAND.

>> I AM.

I WAS IN THE ARMY RESERVE FOR 8 YEARS, PRIMARILY DURING THE REAGAN YEARS AS IT THEY WERE IN THE GEORGE BUSH SENIOR YEARS, AND PROUD TO SERVE AS SPECIALIST DURING THAT TIME.

HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO DO DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING.

MY SON RIGHT NOW, THE EMBARGO IS OVER BUT MY SON HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO KUWAIT OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

VERY PROUD OF HIM, VERY CONCERNED PARENT, AND HE'S OVER THERE NOW AND LET US KNOW HE'S SETTLED.

>> VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD.

ALSO JOINING US FROM ST.

CLOUD IS REPRESENTATIVE DAN WOLGAMOTT.

DID I PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME CORRECTLY.

>> I CAN TELL YOU HAVE BEEN PRACTICING SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BARRY, IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK ON "YOUR LEGISLATORS", AND MY NAME IS DAN WOLGAMOTT I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTRICT 14B WHICH INCLUDES THE NITTY-GRITTY GRANITE CITY OF ST.

CLOUD, MINNESOTA AS WELL AS EDEN TOWNSHIP.

I'M SERVING MY SECOND TERM.

I WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2018 AND REELECTED IN 2020.

I AM HONORED TO SERVE AS ONE OF 6 MAJORITY LEADERS FOR OUR TEAM.

HELPING MAKE SURE WE ARE RUNNING THINGS SMOOTHLY.

I ALSO SERVED AS A SPEAKER PRO TEM.

I KIND OF LIKE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS THE SECOND OR THIRD STRING QUARTERBACK.

WHEN OUR FULL-TIME SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEEDS TO BE WORKING ON NEGOTIATIONS OR DOING OTHER THINGS, I'M ONE OF THOSE WHO STEPPED UP TO THE ROSTER AND HELPS KEEP THINGS RUNNING IN THE CHAMBER, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR.

I'M HONORED TO SERVE ON THE FIVE COMMITTEES.

VICE CHAIR OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE OF LEGISLATIVE PROCESS REFORM, WHICH IS TASKED WITH COMING UP WITH LEGISLATION TO HELP FIGURE OUT HOW WE WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR TO END THE STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT'S COMING UP BECAUSE OF THE CONSERVES PANDEMIC.

I SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, WHICH IS WHAT I KIND OF ALL AN IMPORTANT COMMITTEE.

WE DEAL WITH A LOT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, AND WE DETERMINE WHICH BILLS WILL BE ACROSS THE CHAMBER.

I SERVE ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

I WANTED TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE BECAUSE I'M HONORED TO REPRESENT ST.

CLOUD HOSPITAL AND ESSENTIA CARE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES HEALTHCARE TO OVER 800,000 MINNESOTANS PER YEAR.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE K-12 FINANCE COMMITTEE.

I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 742, ST.

CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEN I SERVE ON THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE.

SO PRETTY GOOD WORK LOAD AND BEING SPEAKER PRO TEM.

SO HONORED TO DO THE WORK.

I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

I LIVE IN EAST ST.

CLOUD, AND I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS, LILY, WHO IS 14, EIGHTH GRADER IN SOUTH JUNIOR HIGH.

POLLY WHO IS FIVE.

EDUCATION ISSUES ARE PERSONAL FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY, AND WHEN I'M NOT DOING LEGISLATIVE WORK I'M A NINTH GRADE FOOTBALL COACH AT SAUK RAPIDS.

I PLAYED FOR JOHN GI LARDY AT ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY AND I TAKE THINGS I LEARNED FROM HIM AND APPLY TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS.

THAT'S ABOUT THE BACKGROUND.

>> Barry: I KNEW THE ST. JOHNS THING WAS GOING TO COME UP.

>> GO JOHNNY'S.

>> Barry: WE ARE GOING TO START WITH A QUESTION FROM YOU.

DURING OUR ABSENCE LAST WEEK BECAUSE OF THE BUSY LEGISLATIVE SCHEDULE, WE HAD QUESTIONS COME IN.

ONE CAME FROM ST.

CLOUD, AND THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE NORTH STAR COMMUTER LINE.

I THINK THE VIEWER IS GENUINELY NOT DISPOSED TO IT.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, ARE ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ON THE NORTH STAR COMMUTER LINE.

SINCE IT'S YOUR TERRITORY, I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU FIRST.

>> I FOR A LONG TIME HAVE BEEN NORTH STAR COMMUTER IN ST.

CLOUD.

IT'S SOMETHING OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILT A COALITION OF BUSINESS LEADERS, PEOPLE OF FAITH, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN EAST ST.

CLOUD, SENIORS, STUDENTS, AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE NORTH STAR RAIL TO THE TWIN CITIES AND BACK AND FORTH.

I WAS VERY PROUD TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THE FIRST STEP.

I WORK WITH MY FRIEND AND FORMER COLLEAGUE, AND WAS A REPUBLICAN SENATOR, WAS A CHAMPION FOR THIS AS WELL.

THEN OF COURSE THIS LITTLE EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCE CALLED THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS POPPED UP.

OF COURSE IT'S COMPLETELY CHANGED, AND I THINK RIDER SHIP HAS GONE DOWN 95% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC.

I DON'T KNOW WHY ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO TRAVEL TO BIG LAKE IN A PANDEMIC.

SO OF COURSE RIDERSHIP IS DOWN.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT NORTH STAR AND ITS FUTURE.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE RIDER SHIP IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC IS OVER, WE MIGHT SEE CHANGES IN PEOPLE NOW THAT WE HAVE ALL GOTTEN PEOPLE WORKING REMOTELY, WORKING VIRTUALLY.

RIDERSHIP IS DOWN ON IT.

I HAVE NOT PUT FORWARD ANY LEGISLATION ON NORTH STAR THIS YEAR, BECAUSE IT'S PREMATURE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT NORTH STAR BECAUSE WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT RIDER SHIP IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE OR WHAT COMMUTER HABITS ARE GOING TO BE ON THE PANDEMIC.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MILLER, NORTH STAR RAIL.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION CERTAINLY SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE, AND IT RELATES TO THE SHEER COST TO THE TAXPAYER, AND IT'S -- THEY SAY NOT IN MY BACKYARD, NOT MY WORRY AS MUCH, BECAUSE IT IS, AND WE HEARD SOME FIGURES AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT HAPPENED TO BE PUT IN BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO KEEP THIS THING RUNNING, AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO LOOK ON THE VALUE OF THAT.

I'M NOT SAYING IT SHOULD END TODAY.

AGAIN, THAT'S REAL EASY FOR ME TO SAY.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO SERIOUSLY LOOK THAT THAT WE ARE EITHER GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REVENUE THIS THING BETTER, TAKE A SECOND LOOK AS TO ITS RELEVANCE.

AS REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT SAID, WI W RIDERSHIP IS DOWN, BT THERE'S BEEN SHIFTS IN BEHAVIORS WITH THE PANDEMIC THAT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STUDY AND WATCH AND WHAT DOES AND DOESN'T HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK COMMUTING TRENDS ARE GOING TO SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGE.

THERE'S BEEN A HUGE INVESTMENT PUT INTO IT ALREADY.

SO WRE DON'T WANT TO BE QUICK TO MOVE ON THINGS.

BUT WE HAVE TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT ITS FUTURE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN ROCHESTER THAT'S CONCERNED ABOUT PCA FUNDING FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE ADEQUATELY PAID.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MILLER AND TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE HAD SENATORS ABELER AND HOFFMAN AND THEY SPENT AN HOUR EDUCATING VIEWERS, AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING IN THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION, BARRY, AND I HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS SON, YOUNG ADULT NOW THAT WE HAVE PCA CARE, AND WE HAVE A VERY REAL PERSPECTIVE ON THIS.

PEOPLE THAT HELP OUR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED, ADULTS AND CHILDREN, IT'S A GOOD PCA BUT THERE ARE OTHER AREAS IN HOME CARE, AND SO MANY OTHER PARTS THAT ARE WITH US, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT'S SPENT BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA ON THE IMPORTANT WORKERS HAVE BEEN STAGNANT OVER THE YEARS, AND I PRESSED HARD TO INCREASE FUNDING SO THAT THEY CAN GET PAID.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE IT COMING TO THEM, BUT ALSO IF YOU WANT TO PUT IT IN CONTEXT OF THE COMPETITIVE MARKET, THEY ARE GETTING PAID VERY LOW, AND THAT MAKES IT CHALLENGING.

THERE ARE TIMES WHERE YOU HAVE TO FILL A SPOT.

YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION OF QUALITY OF THE CARE STARTS COMING IN.

I DO KNOW IN THE HHS BILL THAT PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE, THERE WAS MORE MONEY PUT INTO THIS.

ON SOME, I THINK THERE'S WAYS WE CAN FINANCE THIS BETTER.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPENDS A LOT OF MONEY ON A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, AND WE OFTEN REFER TO IT AS THIS IS SUPPORTING OUR SAFETY NET OF THOSE WHO CAN'T TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, AND I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT DISABLED CHILDREN AND ADULTS PROBABLY NEED OUR CARE AS MUCH AS ANYONE.

IF WE CONTINUE TO NOT USE IT AS A PRIORITY, AND I'M HOPING THAT CHANGES.

AS WE GO INTO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE I'M HOPING WE CAN ADDRESS THIS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> YEAH, I REALLY AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE MILLER, MAKING SURE WE ARE FUNDING AND COMPENSATING OUR PCA'S IS HUGE PRIORITY FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

I THINK THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THAT.

PCA'S ARE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK, AND THAT'S WHY I WAS PROUD OF THE BILL WE PASSED ON MONDAY DOES LIVE UP TO THAT, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO TAKE THE COURAGE AND NOT TAKE THE EYES OFF THE BALL, AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE MONEY AND SUPPORT.

>> Barry: A VIEWER FROM SWIFT COUNTY THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT K-12 OR PREK-12 FUNDING AND CONCERNED ABOUT EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION, AND FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT'S BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS.

THIS IS A TOPIC THAT COMES UP FAIRLY FREQUENTLY IN THE 3 PLUS DECADES I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS PROGRAM.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT.

LET'S START WITH THIS QUESTION ABOUT EQUITABLE EDUCATION FUNDING AT THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY LEVEL.

>> YEAH, WELL, I CAN RUN THROUGH THE MAIN POINTS OF THE HOUSE'S K-12 FINANCE BILL THAT WE PASSED LAST WEEK.

IT STABILIZES SCHOOL FUNDING WITH A 2% FUNDING INCREASE FOR EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH ADDITIONAL INCREASES THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS AND INDEXING EDUCATION TO INFLATION SO THAT SCHOOLS ARE ABLE TO DO LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND WE EXTEND 4,000 SLOTS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE EXPIRE IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION.

WE HAVE FULL SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS THAT HELP SCHOOLS PROVIDE WRAP AROUND SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS.

TALKING ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY, WE ENSURED THAT THE STAFF IN OUR SCHOOLS LOOKS MORE LIKE THE STUDENT BODY WITH A HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN RECRUITING, REPAIRING, MENTORING MORE TEACHERS OF COLOR AND AMERICAN INDIAN TEACHERS AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS, NURSES, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS WHO ARE IN THE TRENCHES OF OUR SCHOOLS SUPPORTING OUR KIDS EVERY DAY.

THOSE ARE THE MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR K-12 BUDGET, AND AS A FATHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, WE HAVE GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF STEPPING UP AS A STATE, FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS, FUNDING OUR STUDENTS AND FUNDING OUR EDUCATORS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MILLER.

>> THANKS, BARRY.

WHEN I TALK TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND I HAVE 8 OF THEM IN MY DISTRICT, PLENTY OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE FROM THEM.

THEY CONTINUALLY ASK FOR SUPPORT.

WOLGAMOTT REFERRED TO IT AS THE TWO PLUS TWO, AND IT'S THE PLACE NOT ONLY WHERE IT COMES DIRECTED AND THEY KNOW HOW MUCH IT IS, BUT THEY HAVE THE MOST FLEXIBILITY TO USE IN THE SCHOOL TO USE AS THEY SEE FIT.

IF I COULD WAVE MY MAGIC WAND, WE WOULD SEND BLOCK GRANTS TO THE SCHOOLS AND LET THEM SPEND THE MONEY AS I SEE FIT.

I DON'T HAVE A MAGIC WAND LIKE THAT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SINCE I HAVE BEEN AROUND, NO APPETITE TO DO THAT, BUT AT LEAST THE FORMULA SORT OF MOVES IN THAT DIRECTION.

THE PERSON THAT WROTE THE QUESTION, THAT'S ONE OF THE COUNTIES THAT I SERVE, AND MY REAL CONCERN IS FOR EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION.

WE TALK ABOUT ALL OF THIS FUNDING IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND SOMEHOW DOESN'T MAKE IT OUT TO RU RURAL MINNESO.

I DON'T HAVE THIS YEAR'S NUMBERS.

BUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I PUT TOGETHER THE NUMBERS, AND OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY D IS THE STATE F MINNESOTA PUTTING IN E12 EDUCATION?

AND IT WAS A 19.2% INCREASE IN FUNDING.

I WENT TO THE SCHOOL BOARDS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AND SAID HAVE YOU SEEN 19.4% INCREASE IN FUNDING TO YOUR SCHOOL?

I KIND OF KNEW THE ANSWER, BUT WANTED TO MAKE MY POINT.

I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE SEND A LOT OF MONEY, MAYBE SOME OF IT WELL INTENDED BUT FOR ALL OF THESE SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND THINGS, AND ALL THE TIME FOR SOME REASON RURAL SCHOOLS NEVER APPLY TO THAT.

IT GETS FRUSTRATING WHEN WE SAY WE NEED TO SEND MORE MONEY OUT THERE AND THEN THE SCHOOLS I REPRESENT DON'T GET IT, AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID, THOUGH, WE PRESSED AND SAID WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE EQUITY IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

WE FOUGHT HARD, FOUGHT HARD AND TOLD WE GOT IT, BUT THE ONLY THING WE WERE GIVEN WAS THE ABILITY FOR SCHOOL BOARDS TO INCREASE THE LEVY WHICH DIDN'T BRING ANY MONEY FROM THE STATE.

THIS IS SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT AND I'M NOT ON THE AG COMMITTEE, BUT I SPEAK VERY LOUDLY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ON BEHALF OF THE RURAL SCHOOLS.

WE CAN DO BETTER FOR THE RURAL SCHOOLS.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN ROCHESTER THAT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT -- WELL, THE WAY I'M INTERPRETING THE QUESTION, AND THE VIEWER IS CALLING IN AND TELLING ME I DIDN'T GET IT CORRECT.

BUT THE VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT CANNABIS, WHICH I ASSUME IS REFERRING TO THE MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM BUT ALSO TIES BACK IN WITH THIS QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE ANY CHANGE RELATIVE TO LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MILLER.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THAT ISSUE?

>> I KNOW THERE'S A BILL THAT'S GOING TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT WAS THIS WEEK.

I WANT TO SAY IT WAS IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

I KIND OF THOUGHT I WOULD SEE IT IN TAX COMMITTEE.

BUT THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER IS CARRYING THE BILL.

I'M GUESSING WE ARE GOING TO SEE IN ADVANCE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR RECREATIONAL USE.

IT'S A VERY COMPREHENSIVE BILL, WHICH IS WHY IT'S GOING THROUGH A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, EVERYTHING RELATED TO TAXES.

THERE'S AN ASPECT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH CONCERNING LACK OF ACCESS FOR CHILDREN.

IT WENT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, LOTS OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

I AM NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUES.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO BE IN CONTEXT OF THIS IS THAT I DON'T SUPPORT RECREATIONAL USE.

I'M CONCERNED AS IT'S MOVING FORWARD, I HAVE ISSUES WITH IT.

I HAVE BEEN VOICING THAT, YOU KNOW, AND THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT GETS PRESENTED TO US BASICALLY SELLING US ON THIS LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, AND I HAVE TALKED TO LEGISLATORS IN COLORADO, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE BIG TEST SPOT, RIGHT?

AND THEY TELL US ABOUT THE INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS AND ISSUES WITH HOUSING, AND THERE'S ISSUE WITH TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, AND THERE'S ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH THAT THEY SAID THEY FRANKLY WEREN'T EXPECTING TO DEAL WITH.

IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD LIKE THIS AS A STATE, WE BETTER ADDRESS THAT STUFF BEFORE WE LEGALIZE IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> MINNESOTA'S CURRENT CANNABIS LAWS ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN.

IT'S TIME WE UPDATE THEM AND TIME WE LEGALIZE CANNABIS FOR ADULTS IN MINNESOTA.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE A COAUTHOR OF THAT BILL.

AUTHORED BY OUR HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, THAT PUT RESPONSIBLE REGULATORY MARKETPLACE FOR LEGALIZED CANNABIS.

RIGHT NOW, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING CANNABIS ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE CAN ACT LIKE THAT'S NOT HAPPENING AND SAY YEAH, THIS IS BAD, LET'S NOT DEAL WITH IT, OR WE CAN DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING.

WE CAN SET UP A REGULATING MARKETPLACE, AND WE CAN MAKE SURE WHAT PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING IS SAFE AND ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT'S IN THERE.

WE CAN TAX IT.

WE CAN REGULATE IT, AND WE CAN USE FUNDING.

WE CAN USE REVENUE FROM THE TAXATION OF CANNABIS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THOSE HARMFUL EXTEXTERNALITIES.

I HELD A TOWN HALL, AND WHAT WAS SURPRISED HOW SUPPORTIVE VETERANS ARE OF LEGALIZING CANNABIS.

VETERANS THROUGH THE VA CAN'T GET MEDICAL CANNABIS.

IT LEAVES THEM TWO CHOICES TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA AND PTSD.

EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO USE OPIOIDS THAT ARE EXTREMELY ADDICTIVE OR HARMFUL OR OUR VETERANS HAVE TO BE CRIMINALS AND GET CANNABIS TO TREAT THE PTSD ON THE BLACK MARKET.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

WE OWE IT TO THE VETERANS TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS AND OWE IT TO THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE PLANT THAT CAN HELP THEM WITH THEIR PTSD.

THERE ARE HUGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASPECTS OF THIS.

BY FAR, IT'S DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE HAVING TO GO TO JAIL BECAUSE OF CANNABIS POSSESSION.

MINNESOTA'S CURRENT CANNABIS LAWS ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND WE NEED TO CREATE A RESPONSIBLE MARKETPLACE AND LEGALIZE CANNABIS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> BARRY, IF I COULD, THIS IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.

I WON'T COVER EVERYTHING THAT WOLGAMOTT HAS SAID.

BUT THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT COME OUT OF RESEARCHING THIS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A REGULATED INDUSTRY IN MINNESOTA, THAT WOULD BE TRUE, BUT WHAT THEY FOUND IN THE STATES WHERE RECREATIONAL USE HAS BEEN LEGALIZED AND REGULATED, IT INCREASED IN THE LEGAL MARKET FOR MANY REASONS.

BUT FIRST OF ALL, IT'S COST.

IT'S THE MOST REGULAR THING THAT YOU SEE.

YOU ARE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO GET RID OF IT.

IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO INCREASE IT.

SOMETHING THAT'S REMARKABLE TO ME AND NOT GOING TO BE POPULAR TO SAY, BUT THERE'S BEEN ONE -- I KNOW OF ONE.

THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE MORE SINCE THEN.

THERE'S BEEN ONE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON THE USE OF MARIJUANA WITH PTSD, AND THE FINDINGS ARE ACTUALLY PRETTY SURPRISING.

BASICALLY THERE WAS AN INITIAL IMPROVEMENT WITH PTSD, AND IT WAS EQUAL TO THE PLACEBO EFFECT OF THE CONTROL ROOM.

THAT IMPACT DID SHOW THAT MARIJUANA USE DID NOT IN THE LONG RUN HELP WITH PTSD.

I'M NOT CALLING THAT A DEFINITIVE STUDY, BUT TO SAY THIS IS THE ONLY WAY VETERANS CAN GET RELIEF, THE STUDY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW SAYS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET RELIEF FROM THAT.

AT THE VERY LEAST, BEFORE WE GO DOING SOMETHING THIS RADICAL IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WE HAD BETTER COME TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT IS WE ARE LOOKING AT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF STATES THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THINGS.

WE CAN REACH OUT AND SAY HOW ARE YOU DOING WITH ACCIDENTS, AND HOW ARE YOU DEALING WITH THE RENTAL PROPERTY, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE RENTING THERE, AND THEY ARE GROWING THEIR OWN, AND THERE'S JUST LOTS OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO DEAL WITH.

I WOULD SAY I WOULD WRAP THIS UP, AND MY WIFE IS A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL, AND FRIENDS THAT ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS, AND I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND THAT IS A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, AND ALL THREE ARE SAYING PLEASE DON'T LEGALIZE IT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I LISTEN TO PEOPLE LIKE THAT, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT I TRUST ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD ON THIS.

>> THOSE ARE ALL FAIR POINTS THAT MY COLLEAGUE BRINGS UP.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT WE WILL ACTUALLY MAKE MINNESOTA A SAFER PLACE BYPASSING THIS BILL AND LEGALIZING CANNABIS, BECAUSE BY BEING ABLE TO REGULATE IT, PEOPLE ARE DOING IT.

WE GO REGULATE THE ACTUAL PRODUCT, AND NOT PEOPLE SAY JUST TAX THE HECK OF IT AND USE IT TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS.

NO, NO, NO.

TAX IT HIGH, AND THAT'S JUST GOING TO BE EMPOWERING TO THE BLACK MARKET.

BUT BY GENERATING SOME REVENUE, WE WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT THAT ARE COMING FROM MINNESOTANS CANNABIS USE, AND WE WILL BE BETTER TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE HANDS OF OUR KIDS, SUPPORT VETERANS AND MAKE MINNESOTA A SACRED PLACE BYPASSING THIS.

>> Barry: IF VIEWERS ARE WONDERING WHY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS PROGRAM HERE IN MINNESOTA, MARIJUANA IS A SCHEDULED DRUG AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FACILITIES ARE FEDERAL FACILITIES, AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM THERE.

CONGRESSMEN CHANGED THAT RULE, BUT OUR TWO GUESTS CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT PROBLEM.

>> WE HAVE VIEWERS FROM MANKATO AND VINCENT WHO HAVE OPPOSITE VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE, BUT I'M GOING TO THROW OUT BOTH VIEWS AND INVITE OUR PANEL, TWO GUESTS TO DISCUSS IT.

A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S THE POSSIBILITY OF MEANINGFUL GUN REFORM, MEANINGFUL GUN CONTROL.

AND MINNESOTA GOING TO HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

THERE YOU GO.

WE HAVE TWO VIEWS, AND I THINK IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE TOO MUCH MOVEMENT ON THAT.

AT THIS POINT IN THE SESSION, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WITH REGARD TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

WE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON THE BUDGET.

WE ARE FOCUSING ON RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC, AND THOSE ISSUES HAVEN'T BEEN TOO MUCH OF A FOCUS THIS SESSION.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MILLER.

>> I KNOW THAT I HAVE HEARD THAT THE SENATE HAS SOME LEGISLATION IN THE DIRECTION OF WHAT WE REFER TO AS FIRST, SECOND AMENDMENT LEGISLATION.

I HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF IT.

AS REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT SAID, IT HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT UP IN THE HOUSE.

THE WAY THINGS WORK AROUND HERE, THERE'S NOT LIKELY TO SEE MUCH.

I'M A COAUTHOR ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY AND STANDING GROUND BILLS, AND THAT WILL TELL YOU WHERE IT IS ON THE ISSUE.

BUT I REALLY THINK AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF INFORMATION COMING OUT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

>> Barry: A VIEWER FROM LAKE FIELD WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT -- VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF FARMERS TO PASS THEIR FARMS ONTO THE NEXT GENERATION.

WE WILL TAKE THAT QUESTION, AND THE VIEWER HAS A QUESTION ABOUT STEPPED UP BASIS.

THE PANEL CAN'T HELP WITH THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S A FEDERAL TAX QUESTION THAT CONGRESS WILL BE DEALING WITH.

BUT MORE GENERALLY, AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MILLER.

WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THAT GENERAL TOPIC?

>> I THINK REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT WILL GIVE SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE HOUSE FROM THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY.

I WON'T STEAL HIS THUNDER ON THAT.

I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH -- I DON'T HONESTLY KNOW, I CAN FILL IN THE BLANKS IF NECESSARY, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE QUESTION ABOUT THE GENERATIONAL ASPECT, HANDING IT DOWN TO YOUR KIDS, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE VERY REAL THINGS WE ARE DEALING WITH.

ANYONE THAT'S IN RURAL MINNESOTA UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES OF FARMING AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST IS HANDING IT FROM YOUR GENERATION DOWN TO THE NEXT ONE.

THERE IS TAX LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BECOME LAW BUT FRANKLY WILL MAKE THAT MORE DIFFICULT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO WE DON'T NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN THE TAX COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.

BUT WE DO NEED TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO SUPPORT, TO ENABLE WHATEVER IT IS, TO ENCOURAGE FOR PEOPLE TO STEP IN TO AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE IS TRENDING TOWARDS BIGGER FARMS, AND I THINK IT'S MORE OF A REALITY RATHER THAN A VALUE STATEMENT.

I THINK IT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND WHAT DO WE DO TO DEAL WITH THAT?

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE SMALLER FARMS, AND HOW DO WE EQUIP THEM IN BETWEEN?

AND IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WE HAVE FARMER LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN SOME PROPERTY TAX INCENTIVES TO ALLOW YOUNGER FARMERS TO GET INTO GETTING PROPERTY.

IT'S ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES THAT WE KNOW WITH FARMING, BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT THAT'S HAPPENING SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THIS THIS YEAR AT THE STATE LEVEL.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, YOU COULD BRING US UP UP-TO-DATE ON HOUSE AND AG BILLS GENERALLY.

>> MINNESOTA FARMERS EXPERIENCED HISTORIC CHALLENGES IN RECENT YEARS THAT WERE MADE WORSE BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

OUR AGRICULTURE BILL MAKES SPENDING INVESTMENTS IN FARMERS AND FAMILIES, AND WE WANT TO BE SURE OUR AG AND FOOD INDUSTRIES ARE ABLE TO REMAIN STRONGER WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

WE ARE ALSO MAKING SURE WE HAVE DECREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS, INCLUDING THOSE LIVING IN URBAN AREAS OR PEOPLE OF COLOR, JUST REALLY TRYING TO EXPAND WHO HAS ACCESS IN THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO START A CRYER IN FARMING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR FARMER IS GETTING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

WE DID GOOD WORK ON THAT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT AND FUND THAT, WHICH OUR AG BILL DOES.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE CLEAN WATER AND SOIL AND AIR, AND OUR AGRICULTURE BILL MAKES BIG INVESTMENTS IN ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

ANOTHER THING I HEAR A LOT FROM FOLKS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IS ABOUT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN RURAL MINNESOTA STILL LIKE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

IN 2021, HAVING HIGH SPEED INTERNET SHOULDN'T BE A LUXURY.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO FUNCTION, ESPECIALLY FARMERS.

WE HAVE BIG INVESTMENTS IN BROADBAND, MAKING SURE PEOPLE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND FARMERS AND FAMILIES CAN GET ONLINE TO DO THE SCHOOLWORK, CONDUCT BUSINESS, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, TRYING TO GIVE FARMERS TO FAMILIES IN PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS, TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MILLER ANYTHING ON THAT ISSUE?

>> I THINK HE EXPLAINED SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE AG BILL ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT.

I WILL KNOW SOON WHAT THE SENATE IS PROPOSING ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FARMERS ARE DOING THEIR WORK TO FARM NOT IN THE AG BILL BUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THERE'S A HANDFUL OF THINGS THAT ARE CONCERNING THAT ARE GOING TO CAUSE RESTRICTIONS ON FARMERS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

I HOPE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND I REFERENCE SOMETIMES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

WE GOT THOSE PASSED OUT OF HOUSE AND SENATE.

THEY ARE COMING TOGETHER NOW AND PUT A BILL TO PUT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR TO EITHER SIGN AND VETO.

WHEN THEY COME INTO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT BILL, I HOPE WE CAN REMEMBER THAT AGRICULTURE IS, I BELIEVE, NO.

2 LARGEST INDUSTRY DOLLAR WISE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, BUT GEOGRAPHICALLY IT'S THE DOMINANT FORCE, AND IF YOU INCLUDE ALL THE SUPPORTING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATED WITH AG, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE IT ISN'T NO.

1.

I THINK AS A STATE WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT WANTS 20 KN TO KNOW WHAT THE STS OF THE TRANSPORTATION BILL.

>> AS I NOTED IT PASSED OUT ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, AND I BELIEVE THE SENATE HAS IT PASSED IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, WE ARE KIND OF AN ODD COUPLE.

HE'S AN URBAN -- REALLY KIND OF JEWISH MAN MARRIED TO A RABBI, AND I'M A GUY FROM RURAL MINNESOTA.

HE MUST LIVE ON OR NEAR HIGHWAY 7 IN THE INNER-CITY, BECAUSE HE RESERVES TO ME AND HIM AS THE HIGHWAY 7 COALITION.

I TALK ABOUT GREATER MINNESOTA, AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT TALK ABOUT SUBURBAN HIGHWAY 7, SENATOR NEWMAN WOULD BE ONE OF THEM.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE THE CHALLENGES IN RURAL MINNESOTA ARE A BIT UNIQUE FOR TRANSPORTATION, PARTICULARLY IN MY DISTRICT.

HE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY RECEPTIVE TO SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE, AND THE WAY THE PLANNING IS SET UP, THERE'S FUNDING, APPROPRIATED FUNDING FOR COMS OVER 5,000 THAT'S NOT THERE FOR UNDER 5,000.

EVERY TOWN IN MY DISTRICT IS UNDER 5,000, EXCEPT FOR ONE, AND THAT'S 5500.

REALLY A FUNDING ISSUE.

I DO THAT CHALLENGE.

I TOLD HIM, I SAID HERE IS THE CHALLENGE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET A BUNCH OF CONSERVATIVES LIKE ME TO VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE.

HE KNOWS THAT.

HE'S BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH.

I'M OPEN TO HAVING DISCUSSIONS ON REVENUE INCREASES.

BUT I'M WILLING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, BUT WE NEED TO THINK CREATIVELY.

HE CAME BACK WITH A BILL THAT WAS CREATIVE.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE MOVED SALES TAXES FROM RENTAL CARS AND CAR PARTS AND MOVED IT INTO ROADS, AND I THINK IT WAS GOOD.

HE TOOK A CHUNG OF THAT MONEY AND MOVED IT INTO SMALL TOWNS.

THAT WAS CREATIVE.

I REALLY SUPPORT THAT, AND I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH STUFF LIKE THAT.

THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE FOR ME AND THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BILL RIGHT NOW IS THERE IS MASSIVE REVENUE WITH TAX INCREASES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAS TAX, WITH THE -- IT ISN'T AN INCREASE BUT A SHIFTING OF WHATEVER -- IT'S A SHIFTING OF THAT, AND THEN THERE'S PURCHASES OF CAR SALES TAXES THAT ARE JUST GOING TO MAKE IT PROBLEMATIC.

BUT I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE CHAIR BERNSTEIN, AND HE'S A GOOD MAN, AND I THINK HE'S POSITIONING WELL TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SENATE, AND I'M ENCOURAGED.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A GOOD AGREEABLE TRANSPORTATION BILL FOR EVERYONE COMING OUT OF THIS YEAR.

I'M REALLY CONFIDENT OF THAT.

>> Barry: I HAVE TO SAY I SPENT ALMOST 20 YEARS PRACTICING LAW IN HUTCHISON.

I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH HIGHWAY 7.

I KNOW WHERE YOU SPEAK.

AS AN ASIDE I WAS INVOLVED IN LITIGATION INVOLVING HIGHWAY 7.

AT THE TIME THEY MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN HUTCHISON.

ONE OF THE LOCALS TOLD ME THEY HAD STARTED IT WHEN HAROLD POP WAS KILLED IN A TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT.

SENATOR HAROLD POP OUTSIDE OF HUTCHISON IN 1969.

SO WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION BILL.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> MINNESOTA EXPECTS ROADS AND BRIDGES TO BE SAFE, AND AS I'M SURE A LOT OF THE VIEWERS KNOW, TOO MANY OF OUR ROADS ARE LEFT UNPREPARED, COLLAPSED AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS CRUMBLING.

THEY SEEM TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY.

THEY INVEST IN LONG-TERM SAFETY RISKS POSED BY THE AGING ROADS AND BRIDGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE WANT TO INVEST IN A COMPREHENSIVE AND GEOGRAPHICALLY BALANCED TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, AND SHOULD BE ONLY IF YOU LIVE IN THE TWIN CITIES AND WANT ROADS PAVED OR LIVE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, ALL MINNESOTANS, MODERN STABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

SO YEP, WE HAVE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND TRAILS AND TRAILS AND BIKE PATHS AND TRANSIT AND BUSES.

WE WANT TO HAVE A MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM BUT WE NEED TO HAVE ONGOING FUNDING, OTHERWISE IT GETS PUSHED OUT OF COUNTIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

WE HAVE TO STEP UP AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND I WAS PROUD TO VOTE FOR THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION BILL AND I HOPE WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS SESSION WITH A BIG LONG-TERM DEAL THAT WAS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION MECHANISM.

>> Barry: GO AHEAD.

>> ONE THING THAT DIDN'T COME UP BASED ON THE QUESTIONS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO BRING UP THE TRANSPORTATION NOW.

MINNESOTA RECEIVED, INCLUDING THE CITIES IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SHORT OF $8 BILLION WITH A B, AND I FORGET THE NAME OF THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED.

IT'S THE SAVE OUR SKINS BILL OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED.

BUT IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY, AND SOME OF IT IS DIRECTED IN CERTAIN DIRECTIONS.

SIMPLY PUT, IT'S EVEN WITHIN THOSE LANES, IT'S PRETTY DISCRETIONARY, AND IF WE WANT TO JUMP START INFRASTRUCTURE, IF WE WANT TO PUT THAT MONEY, AS WE ALWAYS SAY, AS AN INVESTMENT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS FEDERAL MONEY TO PUT IT IN THERE.

THE WAY WE ARE DOING THE BUDGET BILLS THIS YEAR FEDERAL MONEY HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE BILLS THEMSELF, AND I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, BUT THEY WERE.

I DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO SAY OTHERWISE.

THEY HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THAT MONEY ISN'T THERE.

A LOT OF THAT MONEY, THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING, GOVERNOR WALZ IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF DISCRETIONARY POWER TO BE SPENDING THAT MONEY, AND THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE TO PUT MONEY INTO THE ROADS AND BRIDGES AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THAT WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD PLACE TO PUT IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENT TIFER WOLGAMOTT, ANY DETAILS ON THAT?

ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT SOME OF THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

REPRESENTATIVE MILLER WAS SUGGESTING THE TRANSPORTATION LINK MIGHT BE POSSIBLE OR ROADS AND BRIDGES MIGHT BE A POSSIBLE PLACE TO SPEND THAT MONEY.

>> I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AS REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, HOUSE AND SENATE, AND MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THAT FEDERAL FUNDING.

YEAH, I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A GOOD SPOT FOR IT AS WELL.

WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE SO UNDERFUNDED.

IT REALLY IS HARD TO MAKE DECISIONS, BUT I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO USING THAT TRANSPORTATION, BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM SOLUTION, AND FEDERAL MONEY IS GREAT, AND LORD KNOWS WE NEED IT, BUT THAT IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG WHAT WE NEED GOING FORWARD.

WE NEED LONG-TERM MECHANISM FOR THE ROADS, BRIDGES, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

>> Barry: VIEWER FROM WORTHINGTON WANTS US TO GO BACK TO THE AG ISSUE.

THERE ARE FOREIGN INTERESTS THAT ARE PURCHASING AG LAND IN OTHER STATES, AND HE WANTS TO SEE MINNESOTA PASS THE LAW USED BY FOREIGN BUYERS BUYING AGRICULTURE LAND.

IN FAIRMONT, BACK IN THE LATE '70s, EARLY ANTONIO GATES, IT WAS A CONCERN, AND THEN IT WAS MIDDLE EAST OIL MONEY, BUT I WAS WONDERING IF THIS TOPIC HAD ANY LEGS OR IF IT'S A FUTURE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> I DON'T SERVE ON THE AG COMMITTEDEE, SO I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING ABOUT IT THIS YEAR, BUT I THINK THE VIEWER BRINGS UP INTERESTING POINTS, AND AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO LOOK INTO.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MILLER ANY INTEREST ON THIS?

>> THIS SPECIFIC QUESTION HASN'T COME UP AS FAR AS FOREIGN INTEREST, BUT THAT WOULD BE CERTAINLY WE WOULD WANT TO AT LEAST DISCOURAGE IF NOT BE ABLE TO CURTAIL, AND THAT MAY BE, JUDGE ANDERSON YOU SEE THAT QUESTION COME BEFORE YOU, AND I WILL ASK YOU THAT QUESTION ON THE SHOW.

IN ANY CASE, THERE IS CONCERN, THEIR CONCERN IS VALID WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAND.

THE LAND IS PRECIOUS, DIFFICULT TO GET THE FARM.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOREIGN PEOPLE BUYING IT, BUT WE HAVE TWO OTHER CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE PEOPLE, INVESTORS FROM TWIN CITIES, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT PURCHASE LARGE QUANTITIES OF LAND.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT -- I DON'T LIKE IT.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S CERTAINLY NOT ILLEGAL.

BUT IT RAISES PROBLEMS FOR RURAL MINNESOTA AND IT KIND OF DISTORTS THE MARKET, AND WE HAVE THE OTHER CHALLENGE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE PASSED THE LEGACY BILL, AS WE CALL IT, AND ONCE AGAIN, THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS BUYING THOUSANDS OF ACRES EVERY SINGLE TIME.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN LEGISLATE A WAY TO DO THIS.

I WOULD CERTAINLY BE OPEN TO IT.

BUT IF THERE'S SOME WAY THAT WE CAN GIVE AN EASIER PATH.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE BEGINNING FARMER TAX CREDIT.

IT GAVE AN EASIER PATH FOR YOUNG FARMERS TO RENT LAND FROM LANDOWNERS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT WAYS TO DO THAT.

WE KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE CLOSEST TO THE LAND ARE GOING TO EARN THE LIVING OFF OF IT, THEREFORE CARE FOR IT, THEREFORE BE A BENEFIT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMIES, AND IT'S JUST A BETTER THING WHEN LAND IS OWNED BY SOMEBODY WHO IS ACTUALLY FARMING IT.

>> SO HIGHER EDUCATION.

GOT A VIEWER WITH A QUESTION LIKE THAT.

WHERE DOES IT STAND?

WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES?

HOW DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT?

>> I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE.

I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND, MARION O'NEILL, WHO IS THE REPUBLICAN LEAD ON THAT.

SHE'S IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THAT.

PERHAPS REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT WILL KNOW WHERE THIS IS AT.

BUT I KNOW THERE'S TALK ABOUT FREEZING TUITION.

THERE'S CHALLENGES, ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.

YOU CAN FREEZE TUITION, BUT YOU ARE PAYING THE BILLS.

I WAS ON A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BOARD YEARS AGO, AND THE ENROLLMENT WAS INCREASING SO FAST WE DIDN'T HAVE TO INCREASE TUITION ONE YEAR, AND WE RAISED IT ANYWAY.

THE REASON IS IF YOU ARE GOING TO RAISE IT FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND THE FOURTH YEAR RAISE IT BY A HUGE JUMP THAT IT'S STUNG TO PEOPLE.

SO IF THE STATE IS GOING TO BUY DOWN WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS, TUITION, AND THERE'S ARGUMENTS, AND IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MONEY ISN'T THERE.

REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, I WOULD DEFER TO YOU.

YOU WILL LIKELY HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON WHERE THAT BILL IS AT THAN I DO.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> MY COLLEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE MILLER MADE GOOD POINTS.

THE BILL DOES HOLD TUITION FLAT FOR MINNESOTA STATE, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES WHICH ON THE ONE HAND IS GREAT, BUT THE COST OF TUITION CONTINUES TO SKYROCKET.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COLLEGE IS AFFORDABLE FOR THE STUDENTS.

BUT IT'S CONCERNING THAT OUR STATE ISN'T PAYING FOR THE TUITION.

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE MILLER SAID, JUST BECAUSE WE RAISE TUITION, HIGHER EDUCATION STILL COSTS MONEY TO PRODUCE.

SO I'M ACTUALLY CONCERNED IT COULD POTENTIALLY HURT OUR CALL TO THE UNIVERSITIES IF WE DON'T FUND IT.

OUR BILL DID THAT TWO YEARS AGO, WHICH I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.

WE CAN'T BE PUTTING OUR INSTITUTIONS OFF THE HOOK.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE FUNDING FOR OUR STATE SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT OUR INSTITUTIONS WHILE FREEZING OR VOTING TUITION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

IT'S A MATTER OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA LIVING UP TO ITS PROMISE AND PUTTING OUR COLLEAGUES AND UNIVERSITIES THE WAY I'M SUPPOSED TO.

OUR COLLEGE INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE STATE GRANT PROGRAM WHICH WOULD IMPACT 75,000 STUDENTS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND AMERICAN INDIANS WHO ARE STUDYING TO BECOME TEACHERS.

I MENTIONED IT AS PART OF OUR K-12 BUDGET.

WE HAVE THAT.

IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET.

I WAS REALLY PROUD.

I HAD TWO PROVISIONS THAT MADE IT IN OUR BUDGET.

ONE IS PROVIDING GRANTS FOR ENDING HUNGER ON OUR COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND HAVING PANTRIES FOR HELPING CONNECT STUDENTS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS.

IT'S HARD ENOUGH BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT AND STUDYING.

I CAN'T IMAGINE DOING THAT ON STOMACH.

I SHOULDN'T BE ASKING COLLEGE STUDENTS TO DO THAT EITHER.

THEN THE PROVISION THAT I HAD IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION BILL IS FOR TEXTBOOKS.

TEXTBOOKS ARE REALLY UNAFFORDABLE, AND I TALKED TO STUDENTS THAT TRIED TO MAKE IT THE WHOLE SEMESTER WITHOUT THE TEXTBOOK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE TEXTBOOK.

IT'S RIDICULOUS AND SHOWS HOW MUCH OF A CRISIS WE HAVE IN COLLEGE TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY.

I PASSED LEGISLATION OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT FUNDS WHAT'S CALLED THE SEA DEGREE.

ZERO COST TEXTBOOKS.

IT GIVES PROFESSORS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN TEXTBOOKS, AND SHARE WITH THE STUDENTS.

IT'S PART OF ME THAT STUDENTS FOCUS LESS ON THE POCKETBOOKS AND MORE ON THE TEXTBOOKS AND LET THEM HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO GET HIGHER EDUCATION.

IT'S NOT JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR THE STUDENTS BUT A RIGHT THING FOR BUSINESSES, AND THIS IS AN ISSUE OF ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS AND IF WE AS A STATE DON'T DO MORE TO INVEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION, WE WILL LOSE OUT TO STATES THAT DO.

IT'S GOING TO AFFECT OUR WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY, AND I HOPE WE CAN IN THESE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS REALLY PUT GOOD MONEY TOWARDS OUR HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS AND TOWARDS MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE AND SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS.

>> EVEN NUMBERED YEAR IS THE BONDING YEAR, BUT EVEN IN ODD NUMBER YEARS WE HAVE BONDING BILLS THAT ARE CONSIDERED, AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF VIEWERS THAT ARE WONDERING IF WHAT, IF ANYTHING, WE SEE IN TERMS OF A BONDING BILL THIS YEAR.

REPRESENTATIVE MILLER, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> I THINK EVERY YEAR WE HAVE SEEN THE BONDING BILL, AND THE ONE YEAR DID NOT ASK, AND WE ROLLED IT INTO THE ODD YEAR.

I KNOW THERE'S A BONDING BILL PARKED TO THE SIDE.

WHAT THE VIEWERS NEED TO KNOW IS WHEN WE GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, SIMPLY PUT, A BONDING BILL BECOMES A POTENTIAL BARGAINING TOOL WITH FINAL NUMBERS AND WHEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE GOVERNOR GET TOGETHER, I ANTICIPATE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOME FORM OF BONDING BILL PRESENTED THIS YEAR.

IS IT GOING TO SUCCEED?

THAT AND THE TAX BILL ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT TRADITIONALLY KIND OF JOKE FOR POSITION, CLOSE, NOT CLOSE, STUFF LIKE THAT.

WILL IT PASS?

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BECOME PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> Barry: BONDING BILL REQUIRES 60% VOTE BY VIRTUE OF THE CONSTITUTION.

IT HAS TO BE BIPARTISAN OR IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, BONDING BILL, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I REALLY HATE THE NOTION OF BONDING BILLS ONLY HAPPENING IN EVEN NUMBERED YEARS.

THERE ARE PROJECT THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT NEED SUPPORT NOW.

TO GO TO OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE SHOVEL READY PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO STIMULATE OUR ECONOMY AND TELL THEM OH, SORRY, WE CAN'T DO THIS BECAUSE THE YEAR IS A 1 INSTEAD OF A 2.

WHAT KIND OF AN ANSWER IS THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY?

I'M ALWAYS SUPPORTED USING OUR BONDING CAPACITY AS A WAY TO REVITALIZE OUR ECONOMIES AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL PROJECTS AND CREATE JOBS, AND IT WILL PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR COMMUNITIES FOR YEARS TO COME.

EVERYTHING REPRESENTATIVE MILLER SAID, KIND OF THE DYNAMIC AND LAY OF THE LAND OF WHAT YOU EXPECT FOR THE BONDING BILL WAS SPOT ON.

THAT'S WHERE THINGS ARE AT.

WE HAVE A ROBUST BONDING BILL THAT USES OUR STATE'S BONDING CAPACITY TO LEVERAGE THAT AS A TOOL TO REBUILD FROM THE ECONOMIC DOWN TURN CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> Barry: WE HAD A VIEWER LAST WEEK.

WE WANT TO GET IT QUICKLY: THE BILL, WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S GOING TO GET PASSED THIS YEAR.

I THINK THAT'S MORE OF A SENATE ISSUE THAN A HOUSE ISSUE.

BUT QUICKLY, REPRESENTATIVE WOLGAMOTT, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT ISSUE?

>> I DON'T.

I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT THAT.

REPRESENTATIVE MILLER, YOU?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE PASSED.

SADSARD SAMS, IT'S USUALLY BIPARTISAN.

SENATOR LANG WHO IS IN MY DISTRICT, HE'S MY ?ORKS HE HAS GIVEN EVERY INDICATION IT'S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Barry: VERY QUICKLY.

ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

DO WE GET OUT?

>> I'M ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THE ONE THAT HAS TO PASS FIRST IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE VOTE.

>> Barry: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I REALLY HOPE NOT.

MINNESOTANS EXPECT US TO WORK TOGETHER AND SET ASIDE OUR PARTISAN DIFFERENCES TO GET THE JOB DONE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO.

TOOK ME OUT OF A FEW DAYS OF OVERTIME, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE IN 2019 AND I KNOW FOR MYSELF AND MY CAUCUS, WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING TO GET PAID TO GET OUR JOBS DONE AND FINISH FOR THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF OUR PANELISTS TONIGHT, BECAUSE THEY WERE CARRYING THE LOAD NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES BUT SENATE AND COLLEAGUES.

>> I THINK WE WILL GIVE THEM A PASS.

>> CAN WE ALWAYS DO THIS?

I LIKE THIS BETTER.

THIS IS GOOD.

I LIKE IT.

>> Barry: I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR PARTICIPATING AND VIEWERS FOR THE GREAT QUESTIONS THAT YOU PROVIDED US.

I WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT OUR QUESTION LINES ARE OPEN.

AFTER THE PROGRAM IS OVER, AND LIGHT UP THE QUESTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK'S PROGRAM WHERE WE WILL ONCE AGAIN BRING "YOUR LEGISLATORS" TO YOU WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT PIONEER.ORG/"YOUR LEGISLATORS".

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A GUEST AND WATCH PAST EPISODES AND DISCUSSIONS BY TOPIC.

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"YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

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

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