>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO YOUR LEGISLATORS.

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON, I'LL BE YOUR HOST AND MODERATOR.

THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS, YOU'LL GET TO OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

YOU CAN SEND THE QUESTIONS BY YOUR TELEPHONE 1-800-726-3178, OR E-MAIL AT YOURTV@PIONEER.ORG.

WE HAVE AS ALWAYS, A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS TO HELP UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL, AND TO DISCUSS THE ACTION OF LEGISLATURE IN THE PRECEDING WEEK.

LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR ANN JOHNSON STEWART FROM DISTRICT 44 IN MINNETONKA.

WE'RE DELIGHT THAT HAD YOU'RE ABLE TO -- DELIGHTED THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO JOIN US.

TELL US A BIT OF YOUR BACKGROUND, YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH BENSON, MINNESOTA.

WHERE DAVE BAKER WOULD KNOW VERY WELL.

WE'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> HELLO, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AND MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE.

I AM SENATOR ANN JOHNSON STEWART, I'M CURRENTLY SERVING MY FIRST TERM IN WOODLAND, I'M A CIVIL ENGINEER BY TRADE AND TRAINING, I OWN A SMALL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING FIRM.

WE DO ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND TESTING.

THAT'S HOW I FOUND MYSELF IN BENSON, MINNESOTA IN 1986, AS THE RESIDENT ENGINEER.

WE REBUILT THE AIRPORT.

I LOVE BEING A SENATOR, IT'S THE GREATEST JOY OF MY LIFE, ASIDE, OF COURSE, MY CHILDREN WHO I LOVE DEARLY.

AND MY PUPPY, I'LL HAVE TO MUTE, SO YOU DON'T HEAR HIM SCREAMING IN THE BACKGROUND.

I'M SO THRILLED TO SERVE ON THE BONDING COMMITTEE, THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND THE JOBS COMMITTEE.

IVE TAUGHT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOR DECADES.

MANY OF THE YEARS SPENT THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM, I DID A LOT OF WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND TRAINING IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES SPECIFICALLY.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE THREE COMMITTEES I'M ON ARE A PERFECT CAPSTONE TO MY CAREER AND I ENJOY THE WORK VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE BEING HERE.

>> WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

AND ALSO JOINING US IS REPRESENTATIVE JIM DAVNIE.

DID I MANGLE YOUR NAME?

>> YOU DID JUST FINE.

>> TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, BARRY THANK FOR INVITING ME AND HAVING ME TONIGHT.

I REPRESENT PART OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS.

ON THE RIVER.

FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS, PARTS OF ALL FIVE NEIGHBORHOODS THERE.

I'M IN MY 11TH TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND THE FINAL TERM.

I'M NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE FOR A POST LEGISLATIVE LIFE, I'M TOLD THERE IS SUCH A THING.

BUT AFTER 11 TERMS, I HAVE TO FIND FOR MYSELF.

I SERVE ON FIVE COMMITTEES IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

I'M ON THE WORK FORCE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

ON THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMITTEE AND CHAIR TWO COMMITTEES, THE EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE, THAT KEEPS ME THE MOST BUSY AND THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE, ONLY A FEW HEARINGS THIS PAST YEAR, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE NONE THIS COMING YEAR.

THOSE ARE ALL OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT MINNESOTA THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS IN EACH OF THE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, AND I'VE ENJOYED THAT, THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A PICTURE OF THE STATE IN A MORE COMPLEX WAY.

BARRY, THANK YOU.

>> WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT YOU'RE JOINING US.

AND EDUCATION FINANCE IS IN THE NEWS THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, REPRESENTATIVE DAVE BAKER.

A FREQUENT GUEST ON THE PROGRAM.

WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT YOU COULD JOIN US THIS EVENING.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE AGAIN.

DAVE BAKER LIVING STRAIGHT OUT WEST OF MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL.

REPRESENTING THE NEW LONDON, ATWATER AREA OUT HERE BY THE WILLMAR FOLKS.

MY WIFE AND I RUN A SMALL HOSPITALITY COMPANY.

WE HAVE A HOTEL, A CRUISE LINE BUSINESS, THREE LINE CRUISES ON GREEN LAKE.

AND I DO MANAGEMENT OF OTHER HOTELS, AND STAY BUSY AND ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I'M IN MY FOURTH TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

AGAIN, AS ANN HAD SAID, THIS IS THE BEST JOB YOU COULD HAVE.

YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I PLAN ON RUNNING AGAIN, IF I COME BACK, I HAVE MORE WORK TO CONTINUE TO DO.

I APPRECIATE THE LONGEVITY OF FOLKS LIKE JIM DAVNIE AND THE 11TH TERM.

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

THAT'S A LOT OF SERVICE.

KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW IN MY FOUR TERMS, IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

IT'S SOMETHING I DO ENJOY.

I SIT ON THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE AND THE WORK FORCE AND JOBS BILL, COMMITTEE THAT I'M ACTIVE ON.

ALSO, NOT SO MUCH LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, BUT THE CHAIR OF THE -- COMMUNITY.

THAT'S OPIOID EPIDEMIC RESPONSE ADVISORY COUNSEL.

WE PUT THIS TOGETHER, IT'S THIS SORT OF MOTHERBOARD I LOOK AT IT, TRYING TO DO A LOT FOR ADDICTION, RECOVERY IN THE OPIOID WORLD AND ALSO JUST DOESN'T STOP WITH THE OPIOIDS.

WE DO A LOT OF PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.

I'M BUSY AND ACTIVE IN THAT AS WELL.

GREAT TO BE HERE TONIGHT, LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FOLKS CALL IN AND GET SOME QUESTIONS IN.

WE HIT A MILESTONE THIS WEEK WITH THE DEADLINES AND OUR BIG BILLS WRAPPED UP AND GETTING READY TO BRING TO THE FINAL HOUSE FLOOR.

LOOKING FORWARD TO GOOD CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

>> JUST MENTION ON PASSING YOUR SERVICE ON THE OPIOID AND CHEMICAL DEPENDANCY COMMITTEE, IS A SERVICE TO US WORKING IN THE COURTS.

DRUG COURTS AND RELATED PROBLEM SOLVING COURTS IS VERY MUCH OUR MISSION, VERY EXPENSIVE TO RUN, BUT WE'VE HAD TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S WORTHY OF A PROGRAM OF ITSELF.

>> GOOD OUTCOMES TOO.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART.

YOU MENTIONED THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE EXPERTISE HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BONDING BILL AND WHAT IT'LL LOOK LIKE, GO AROUND THE TABLE AND SEE WHAT MEMBERS OF THE PANEL THINK TONIGHT.

START WITH YOU, BONDING BILL.

>> LET'S HOPE WE GET A BONDING BILL.

SENATOR BACH WHO'S MY LEAD ON THE SENATE COMMITTEE, HE APPROACHES HIS OWN RETIREMENT, I'VE HEARD HIM SAY THIS IS HIS LAST WISH, TO GET A REALLY GOOD BONDING BILL, I TRUST WE'LL DO THAT.

AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WE SPEND SEVERAL MONTHS TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE.

WE VISITED 200 BONDING PROPOSALS, AND YESTERDAY WE HAD OUR FIRST HEARING.

WE HAD THE GOVERNOR'S BILL IN FRONT OF US.

HE'S PROPOSED $2.7 BILLION IN BONDING RELATED TO PRESERVATION AND ALSO TO INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH MORE THAN THAT, I KNOW THAT SENATOR PAPPAS AND I AND SENATOR CHAMPION AND THE DSL IS WORKING TO PUT TOGETHER OUR -- WE'RE GETTING OUR PRIORITIES TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AFTER BREAK.

I'M REALLY REALLY HOPING WE GET A VERY SUBSTANTIAL BONDING BILL.

I THINK RIGHT NOW, WE COULD USE A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE.

THAT'S ALL I KNOW.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART MADE THE KEY ARGUMENT, THERE'S NEEDS ACROSS THE STATE.

TO BE CLEAR ON A COUPLE OF THINGS, TO QUALIFY FOR STATE BONDING THE PROJECT HAS TO BE OF REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE.

A LOCAL PROJECT, NO.

BUT SOMETHING OF REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE, YES.

IT REQUIRES SUPER PRIORITY IN BOTH HOUSES.

IT IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATIVE ART, BECAUSE NEITHER BODY HAS THE MAJORITIES LARGE ENOUGH TO PASS THE BONDING BILL ON THEIR OWN.

YOU HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER A COALITION OF BOTH MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY AND THE MAJORITY NO MATTERS BOTH BODIES -- HISTORICALLY, SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD ACCESS TO STATE BONDING DOLLARS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW TO USE THE STATE'S FUNDS AND THE STATE'S ABILITY TO BOND FOR PROJECTS USING CASH TO BUILD MORE EQUITY.

LOOKING AT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE PROJECTS THAT AGAIN MEET THE STATE CRITERIA BUT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT HAVE BEEN GENERALLY LOCKED OUT OF PROJECTS IN THE PAST, AND HOW TO USE THIS TO BUILD A MORE RESILIENT MINNESOTA IN ONE THAT ALL OF US GETS TO THRIVE.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME TO EVALUATE THE BONDING BILL THAT COMES FORWARD.

>> THE SECOND YEAR, I WAS TALKING, AND WE HAVE $6 BILLION IN REQUESTS FOR BONDING PROJECTS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT'LL LAND.

WE HAVE A VERY UNUSUALLY HIGH AMOUNT OF DOLLARS WE HAVE IN THE BANK.

THAT'S A NICE THING TO HAVE, AND HONEST WE HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT WE WANT TO DO AS WELL.

I DO EXPECT AND CERTAINLY HOPE FOR A VERY GOOD BONDING BILL THAT DOES THE RIGHT KIND OF STUFF OF PAYING FOR THE REGIONAL PROJECTS.

A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, ROADS AND BRIDGES, WATER QUALITY, WE HAVE SCHOOL PROJECTS IN MY AREA THAT HAVE MORE REGIONAL BASED.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T DO LOCAL SCHOOL PROJECTS.

WE DO WITH THE SOUTHWEST COLLABORATION.

VERY IMPORTANT PROJECTS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

EACH ONE OF US WILL PITCH OUR PROJECT AS BEST WE CAN WITH OUR TEAM.

IT DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER, THE LEADERSHIP IS WHAT WE'RE TARGETING AND THAT'S WHEN WE GET IN LINE.

A LOT OF ACTIVITY ON THIS, THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION TO HAVE.

I DO EXPECT WE'LL GET A GOOD BONDING BILL OUT THIS YEAR.

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART, CAN YOU TELL US FROM A TIMING STANDPOINT WHEN WE'LL LIKELY SEE THE CAUCUS RECOMMENDATIONS OR COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE BONDING BILL.

WHAT'S THE TIMING ON THE BONDING BILL ACTIVITY?

>> I'VE BEEN TOLD WE PROBABLY WON'T SEE IT UNTIL THE LAST WEEK OF SESSIONS.

THIS YEAR WE GO TO MAY 23, WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR BUSINESS DONE ON THE 22ND.

I WOULD GUESS WITH MY ONE YEAR OF EXPERIENCE, THIS IS WHAT THE SENATOR TELLS ME, WE WON'T SEE A BONDING BILL UNTIL MID MAY.

I WANT TO REFLECT ON SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE SAID.

I'M A CIVIL ENGINEER, WE ARE AT A PLACE IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE MANY, MANY SMALL COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE UNSAFE -- WELL, UNDRINKABLE WATER, THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS.

THESE ARE SMALL, LOCAL PROJECTS AND THEY HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO TURN TO BUT THE BONDING COMMITTEE.

THAT'S A SAD STATE, A SAD STATEMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO RECEIVING MILLIONS IF NOT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT'LL BE A PART OF THE BONDING CONSIDERATION AS WELL.

WHICH PROJECTS CAN WE TAKE OFF THE BONDING REQUEST BECAUSE THEY'LL BE FUNDED THROUGH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

SO IT'S -- THIS YEAR IS A BIT MORE TRICKY THAN PAST YEARS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE LARGE INFLUX OF OPPORTUNITY FROM FEDERAL MONEY AND IT MAY ELIMINATE SOME OF THE HUNDREDS OF PROJECTS THAT WE'VE SEEN AND MAKE ROOM FOR OTHERS.

SORRY TO BE LONG WINDED, THAT'LL BE A COMPONENT THAT WE DISCUSS AS WE MOVE TO THE END OF MAY.

>> VERY GOOD.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, QUESTION FOR YOU.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES.

THE VIEWER NOTES THE ISSUES ARE SIGNIFICANT.

WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE CARE OF THE STATE THAT HAVE FALLEN BETWEEN THE CRACKS.

QUESTIONS OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE, AND THIS VIEWER IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

LOTS TO UNPACK THERE, LET'S START WITH THE GENERAL DISCUSSION ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THIS THE TOPIC OF A COUPLE OF OUR PROGRAMS THIS YEAR.

>> WE COULD DO A WHOLE SHOW ON MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL.

I KNOW THAT MY WORK ON THIS, SINCE I ARRIVED IN ST. PAUL HAS BEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN'T SEEM TO FULLY GET OUR ARMS AROUND.

AND WE KEEP THROWING OUR BEST AT IT.

IT'S A LARGE ORGANIZATION, THEY'VE ADMITTED THERE'S MISSTEPS ON THE WAY.

HER TEAM AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHER PLACES HAVE WORKED HARD ON THIS STUFF.

THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

WITHOUT THE LEGISLATORS TO GET IN THE WAY TOO MUCH, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT AND TOOLS NECESSARY.

THEY'RE FACING IT LIKE BUSINESSES ARE.

THERE'S A WORK FORCE SHORTAGE.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND FOLKS IN THE SCHOOL TO HELP PEOPLE DEALING WITH EARLY ON MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

AND WE'VE LEARN THEED EARLIER WE GET TO HELP THEM, THE BETTER OFF THEY'LL BE IF WE CAN REACH THEM SOONER THAN LATER.

MY FOCUS IS IN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION OR ADDICTION, DEPRESSION, THE REAL CRISIS KIND OF LEVEL.

WE CAN DO MORE IN THE STATE.

AND WITH THE WORK WE'RE DOING WITH THE OPIOID COUNSEL THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS WE'RE DOING.

A LOT OF TREATMENT AND GOOD NEWS OUT THERE.

MINNESOTA IS DOING BETTER THAN MOST STATES.

EVEN THOUGH, NOBODY SITTING HERE WILL TELL YOU, WE'RE NOT CLOSE TO SPIKING A BALL.

MINNESOTA HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET IT RIGHT.

BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

WE CAN LEARN MORE FROM OTHER STATES AS WELL.

IT'S ONE THAT WE'RE FINALLY GETTING AND UNDERSTANDING THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING.

AND IT'S A STIGMA WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER FEEL ASHAMED THAT THEY'RE NOT FEELING RIGHT OR THINKING RIGHT.

THEY'RE AFRAID AND A LOT OF ANXIETY, AND IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP.

AS LEGISLATORS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS OPENLY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HELPING THEM ON THE WAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VIEWER'S QUESTION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.

>> I'LL DEFER TO REPRESENTATIVE BAKER ON THE FINE GRAIN KNOWLEDGE.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF OBSERVATIONS.

AND A PIECE OF THAT IS GOING BACK TO HIS COMMENTS ABOUT NOT FEELING ASHAMED, AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR CITIZEN LEGISLATURE IS WE HAVE LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALK OPENLY OF THEIR OWN STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR CHEMICAL DEPENDANCY OR THE FAMILY STRUGGLES WITH EITHER OR BOTH.

THERE'S A REAL POWER AND VALUE IN THAT.

IT'S A MATTER OF I THINK OF WHO GETS ELECTED MATTERS.

THE SPEAKER LIKES TO TALK ABOUT YOU LIKE TO WEAR THE BLUE OR RED JERSEY.

THAT'S TRUE, BUT THERE ARE TIMES WE TAKE OFF THE JERSEYS AND WE CONNECT AS REAL PEOPLE.

AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT REPRESENTATIVE BAKER HAS DONE IN PARTICULAR IS A PLACE WHERE FOLKS HAVE BEEN REAL ABOUT WHO THEY ARE.

AND WHO GOT ELECTED MATTER.

IN TERMS OF PROGRESS WE'VE MADE ON ISSUES AND PROGRESS WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO MAKE.

BECAUSE THEY'VE BROUGHT THEIR WHOLE SELVES TO THE QUESTION.

IT MATTERS WHO GETS ELECT AND HAD WHAT THE LIFE EXPERIENCES ARE.

>> JOHNSON STEWART YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> SORRY, I HAD THE PUPPY SITUATION.

I THINK MENTAL HEALTH IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITHOUT QUESTION, I MET WITH TEACHERS TONIGHT ABOUT MY FIFTH MEETING WITH TEACHERS WHO ARE BEGGING US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

I'M NOT SEEING MUCH AROUND THIS IN THE SENATE.

BUT, OF COURSE, WE'RE NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SESSION.

I WOULD SUPPORT WHATEVER EFFORTS WE HAVE TO INCREASE FUNDING OR ATTENTION.

SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE CHILDREN.

BUT I THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED ALL AGES TO SUFFER AND I THINK WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T PUT SOME OF THE STATE'S RESOURCES IN THAT DIRECTION.

IT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE, BUT I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THOSE WHO DO HAVE THE EXPERTISE WHAT THEY'RE TELLING ME IS, PAY ATTENTION.

>> WE'VE HAD SOME DISCUSSION IN THE PRESS AND OF COURSE, THE LAST DAY OR TWO ABOUT SOME DIFFERENCES OF OPINION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

ON THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION FINANCE.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE TO KICK THIS OFF.

IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL TOPIC OF WHAT IF ANYTHING WORE GOING TO USE PART OF THE SURPLUS FUNDS TO DEAL WITH EDUCATION ISSUES, WE ALSO HAVE A VIEWER WHO'S VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF SCHOOL CHOICE AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPANDED IN SOME FORM, PERHAPS USING A VOUCHER.

THIS IS NOT TYPICALLY A PROBLEMATIC YEAR.

BUT THE SURPLUS, OF COURSE, THE DRIVING SOME OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT PERHAPS USING THE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION FINANCES IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, I'LL START WITH YOU.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS, AND WE'LL EXPLORE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

YES, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THIS WEEK ON EDUCATION.

JUST A REMINDER THAT TOMORROW IS OUR THIRD DEADLINE, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE BIG FINANCE OMINOUS BILLS.

THE IN MY CASE, HAVE TO PASS THE COMMITTEES BY TOMORROW AT END OF DAY.

MY BILL, I FEEL A LOT OF OWNERSHIP.

THE EDUCATION FINANCE BILL IN THE HOUSE PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE YESTERDAY.

THERE'S A BIT OF TAX INTERACTION OF WHAT WE DO THERE.

THE SENATE PASSED THEIR FINANCE BILL LAST WEEK.

VERY VERY STARK DIFFERENCEST.

THE SENATE PROPOSES ABOUT $30 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION SPENDING IN THE STATE.

ALL FOCUS, EXCLUSIVELY ONE SPECIFIC PROGRAM, LITERACY.

FINE PROGRAM, BUT THAT'S IT.

AFTER THREE SCHOOL YEARS OF SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPTED EDUCATION IN THE STATE, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WITH SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS AND STUDENTS BEING IN PERSON, DISTANCE LEARNING, HYBRID LEARNING, BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN DIFFERENT STATUSES, DEPENDING ON THE SCHOOL AND DISTRICT.

FROM THE HOUSE SIDE, WE SEE THAT WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF YEARS THE STATE HAS SAID, WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

DEFICITS IN THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, AND LANGUAGE SERVICES.

FOR KIDS WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH AT HOME.

WE DON'T FUND SCHOOLS SUFFICIENTLY TO PAY THOSE BILLS.

WE MANDATE THAT THEY PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

THEY TELL US EXACTLY HOW MUCH IT COSTS THEM TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

AND WE DON'T FUND THOSE SERVICES.

SO STATEWIDE IN MINNESOTA, OVER $700 MILLION IN DEFICIT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION COSTS.

FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING COST -- THE HOUSE BILL LOOKS TO TACKLE THOSE ISSUES AND STUDENT AND STAFF MENTAL HEALTH.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING HELP TO PEOPLE EARLY.

AND FOR US, THAT INCLUDES IN SCHOOL.

YOU HAVE CHEMICAL ISSUES START WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG.

WE HAVE 700 SCHOOL SUPPORT -- CAN ALSO BE CHEMICAL DEPENDANCY COUNSELORS.

STATEWIDE.

SOME STARK DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ON THIS ONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> YEAH, THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE ON HOW DO WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUT OF OUR SECOND YEAR.

THE BIG CONCERN I'VE BEEN REALIZING RECENTLY, NOT SITTING ON EDUCATION, THEIR BILL THAT'S COMING UP NOW TOMORROW AND PROBABLY PASSING AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, A LITTLE OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW SPENDING IN THE CURRENT BILL THAT'S COMING DUE.

AND THE 2 BILLION IN THE TAILS THAT'S A COUPLE OF YEARS OUT.

THAT'S A BIG CONCERN, WHEN WE HAD RECORD IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUDGET.

THEY SAID, THAT WAS A VERY GOOD SUPPORTING THAT WE NEEDED FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

AND AGAIN, A LOT OF SCHOOLS GOT A LOT OF COVID MONEY AND FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, WE HAVE AREAS WE COULD IMPROVE THINGS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS.

MY CONCERN IS, IT DOESN'T SEEM AT ALL THE SENATE IS TALKING TO THE HOUSE, THE HOUSE IS TALKING TO THE SENATE, BOTH WAYS, THEY'RE SUCH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT EACH WANTS TO DO.

AND I REALLY DO LIKE, THE LITERACY PROGRAM IN THE SENATE, HAS A LOT OF VALIDITY THAT WE SHOULD DIVE INTO IT.

A PRICE OF FOR THE 20 OR $50 MILLION ON THAT PROJECT, I'M NOT SURE OF THE PRICE.

IT'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT WHERE THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN HAVE A BETTER STANDARD OF LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING.

ARE THE KIDS UNDERSTANDING AND LEARNING WHAT THEY'RE READING.

IF THEY'RE NOT COMPREHENDING WHAT THEY'RE READING, IT'LL AFFECT THEM EVERY YEAR.

A LOT OF IDEAS AND MONEY THROWN AT THIS ISSUE.

WITH THE $12 -- ONE AND TWO BILLION INCREASE, THERE'S FAIRNESS TO ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I DON'T WANT TO GET AHEAD TOO MUCH, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S HITTING EVERYONE FAIRLY.

IT'S NOT ON THE FORMULA.

WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

IT'LL BE AGAIN, VERY BLACK AND WHITE DIFFERENCE WHEN IT LANDS IN FRONT OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH A SENATE AND HOUSE.

AND WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE THE LEADERS WORK OUT AN EDUCATION BILL.

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART.

>> WELL, I'M OUT RAGED, I HAVE THE ARTICLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, I HAD IT WITH ME ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE SENATE REPUBLICANS TAX BILL.

AND WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO PUT THEIR SPENDING AND SURPLUS.

I'M OUT RAGED, MUCH TO WHAT REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE SAID, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, I WISH WE COULD FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, IF ONLY WE HAVE THE MONEY.

NOW WE HAVE THE MONEY, AND WE GET 30 MILLION, FOR READING PROFICIENCY.

SUPER GREAT, WE LOVE IT.

BUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TEACHING ARE THE ONES LEAVING EDUCATION IN DROVES BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SUPPORTING THEM.

I JUST HAD A MEETING JUST BEFORE THIS WITH HOPKINS EDUCATORS, 91 TEACHERS ARE QUITTING THIS YEAR.

91.

AND YOU TALK TO ANY TEACHER OUT THERE, AND FIND OUT Y THEY'RE NOT SUPPORTED.

THEY HAVE 30 TO 35 KIDS IN THE CLASSROOMS, SPECIAL ED IS ESPECIALLY HARD HIT AREA FOR TEACHERS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PARAS.

WE'RE INCREASING THE DEMAND ON THE SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS WITHOUT FUNDING IT.

WE HAVE BEEN DEFUNDING PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR YEARS.

I'M OUT RAGED.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, YOU'RE DOING WHAT WE SAID WE'RE DOING.

WHEN WE VALUE PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE SHALL BE VALUING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE SENATE REPUBLICANS CAN LOOK ME IN THE FACE AND SAY, WE VALUE PUBLIC EDUCATION WHEN THEY'RE DOING THIS.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

I AM SORRY IF I'M NOT TO GET OUT RAGED IN THIS FORMAT, BUT THIS IS RAW FOR ME.

WE HAD THE CONVERSATION TODAY, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THE TEACHERS WHO ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, GOOD LUCK I HOPE YOU PREVAIL.

>> GENERALLY, OF THE PANEL VIEWER, WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SCHOOL CHOICE, AND PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN A VOUCHER ISSUE, THOSE ISSUES ARE NOT IN EITHER OF HOUSE OR SENATE BILLS I GATHER FROM THE DISCUSSION.

AM I RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU DO THE BUDGET IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS.

IT WOULD CHANGE THE DEBBIEINGS ABOUT THAT.

BUT AGAIN, COVID PUSHED FAMILIES IN THE DIRECTION THEY WANTED TO KEEP THE KIDS HOME.

MORE KIDS ARE TAUGHT AT HOME RIGHT NOW.

IT'S OPENED UP THE DISCUSSION OF WHERE SHOULD THE KIDS HAVE THE CHOICE, IF TAUGHT AT HOME OR IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL OR PUBLIC SCHOOL?

THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW.

THIS WHOLE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS REALLY WOKE UP A LOT OF PEOPLE OF WHAT'S TAUGHT, HOW IT'S TAUGHT, I LOVE TEACHERS.

SENATOR'S POINTS, THERE COULD BE SOME THINGS THAT WE ADVANCE AND CHANGE.

BUT WE HAD A VERY GOOD AND I THINK WE ALL FELT GOOD ABOUT IT LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET YEAR TO DO WHAT WE DID FOR THE SCHOOLS.

I'M BEING CAUTIOUS.

IT'S ONE TIME MONEY THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE HAVE A VIEWER WHOM THES TO KNOW WHAT THE -- WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IS OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

JOHNSON STEWART?

TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S SITTING IN HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

WE PASSED IT IN THE SENATE.

PERHAPS MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE COULD SPEAK TO THAT.

IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR BODY.

>> AS A BUSINESS GUY, AND SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN RALLYING MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE, THEY'RE SITTING ON THIS THING LIKE HOLDING A HOSTAGE.

IT'S NOT GOTTEN OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR YET, IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO.

WE PROMISED BUSINESSES IN COVID THAT WE WOULD NOT LET ALL THE LAY OFFS AFFECT OUR EXPERIENCE RATING WHEN IT COMES TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THE PREMIUMS THAT WE PAY ARE REFLECTIVE OF HOW MUCH YOU LAY PEOPLE OFF.

AS A GROUP, WE NEED ABOUT $2.7 BILLION TO PUT BACK IN THE FUND TO, MAKE IT WHERE IT WAS THE DAY THAT MARCH 2020 CAME AROUND AND WE HAD TO LAY PEOPLE OFF LIKE WE HAVE NEVER EVER HAD TO DO BEFORE.

WE GAVE THEM THE UNEMPLOYMENT, THE FEDERAL ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

NOW WE'RE BACK AT IT, AND MAKE SURE THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PREMIUM, AUTOMATIC TICKER, THAT GOES UP, BASED ON THE VALUE AND THE FUND BALANCE, IT'S UPSIDE DOWN IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE PAYING 50 TO $70,000 PER DAY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THE INTEREST THAT WE NEED TO BORROW AGAINST THIS.

IT'S A CRISIS TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY.

THE GOVERNOR AGREED, I WANT TO THANK THE SENATORS FOR PASSING THIS BILL.

OUR FOLKS ON OUR SIDE, DON'T WANT TO DO THIS.

TO PASS THE BILL LAST SPECIAL SESSION FOR $250 MILLION, HADN'T BEEN SENT OUT YET.

I HOPE WE CAN GET IT TO THAT POINT.

GET THE MONEY OUT.

WE NEED THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THING WRAPPED UP QUICKLY.

AND I HOPE THE COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE GET THAT GOING IMMEDIATELY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE.

>> THANK YOU, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT DSL WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS DONE AS WELL.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE PROMISED LAST JUNE, THE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA WHO FED US, STOCKED THE STORE SHELVES, TOOK CARE OF US WHEN WE WERE SICK.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SENATE HAS NOT RESPONDED.

IF WE'RE TO TAKE CARE OF TARGET CORPORATION, HOME GROWN CORPORATION, THEY WOULD GET OVER $11 MILLION IN A TAX CUT UNDER THE UI BILL, WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF US.

THIS IS WHAT -- THE PHRASE WE USE, IT'S AT THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, SPEAKER AND THE GOVERNOR.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENATE GOP IS NOT SHOWING UP CONSISTENTLY FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS.

THIS IS THE SORT OF THING YOU HAVE TO ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND DIG IN.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE HAS BEEN SHOWING UP AND LEAVING AFTER HALF HOUR.

THAT DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEMS.

WE'D LIKE TO GET THIS DONE.

WE FEEL URGENCY.

WE HOPE THE GOP WHEN THEY'RE HOME THIS COMING WEEK, HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS, IT'S TIME TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> YOU MENTIONED FRONT LINE WORKERS.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN TAKE A SWING AT ANSWERING THAT QUESTION.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, START WITH YOU, AND QUICKLY TELL US WHETHER OR NOT THE PART-TIME REGISTERED NURSES ARE A POTENTIAL PART OF THE PLAN.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

PROBABLY IT DEPENDS, I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK.

I CERTAINLY THINK THEY SHOULD BE.

THOSE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE EXACTLY THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE RECEIVING SUPPORT.

THAT'S HUNG UP RIGHT NOW IN THE GOP SENATE.

I WOULD URGE THAT VIEWER TO DO ACTUALLY IS REACH OUT TO THE LEGISLATOR.

PART OF WHAT WE DO IS ANSWER FOLKS'QUESTIONS.

BOTH BODIES HAVE GREAT STAFF TO HELP US FIND THE RIGHT ANSWER.

>> AND WE AGREED TO THAT LAST YEAR AS WELL.

WE GREED AGREED, AND -- AGREED, AND WHETHER YOU'RE FULL-TIME, PART-TIME, I SUPPORT GIVING IT TO DOCTORS.

YES, THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY TOO, BUT THERE WAS ALSO A SALARY FLANGE THERE TOO.

-- RANGE THERE TOO.

ANYONE WHO HAD TO SUIT UP, PUT THE FAMILY AT RISK, AND SHOW UP EVERY DAY.

THE EMERGENCY ROOMS WERE PACKED.

THESE WERE THE INITIAL FOLKS, AND TO ME, ALSO MEANT THE EMT'S AND POLICE OFFICERS WENT IN SITUATIONS WHERE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE.

THE PROBLEM IT WAS GETTING TO, IS WHERE DO YOU STOP THE CIRCLE?

RETAILERS, HOTELIERS, WE ARE OPEN TAKING ON PEOPLE, PUTTING UP NURSES AND DOCTORS TRAVELING AROUND.

THERE'S A GOOD REASON, TRUCKERS IT DOESN'T END.

HOW MUCH WE WANT TO SPEND ON THIS IS THE BIG KICKER.

WE HAVE TO FIND A COMPROMISE WITH THE 250 MILLION TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT GET MOVING.

WE HAVE TO GET IT DONE.

UNEMPLOYMENT STILL, AND AGAIN, THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE SAY THIS IS A TAX CUT FOR BUSINESSES, IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE A TAX INCREASE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING WHEN THE STATE IS SITTING ON $9 BILLION OF EXTRA MONEY.

I HOPE WE GET THIS FIGURED OUT REAL QUICK.

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I OWN A SMALL BUSINESS, AND I HAVE 30 EMPLOYEES.

TO SAY THAT MY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE GOES UP BY X AMOUNT, SOME OF US PAY VERY SMALL AMOUNTS.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT THE QUANTITY IS.

I DID E-MAIL MY LEAD SENATOR ON THE FRONT LINES WORKERS NEGOTIATIONS.

AND SHE SAYS THAT PART-TIME RN'S WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE FRONT LINE WORKER PAY, DEPENDED ON THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY WORK.

WE DON'T KNOW YET WHO'S INCLUDED, THAT'S PART OF THE NEGOTIATION.

AND SO IT LOOKS LIKE YES, AND AGAIN, HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE CERTAINLY THERE DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR US.

I EXPECT A PART-TIME RN IS INCLUDED.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT FOR SURE YET.

>> SENATOR I APPRECIATE YOUR SOLICITING OUTSIDE EXPERTISE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL.

>> IT'S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT'S WHO YOU KNOW.

>> THERE'S TRUTH TO THAT.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

LET ME STAY WITH YOU, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> OH, WELL, WHAT A TREAT.

I LOVE TO TALK ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WE HAVE A GENEROUS TRANSPORTATION BILL THAT WE PASSED OUT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE AT LEAST.

AND SENATOR NEWMAN, INCLUDED LOTS OF FUNDING FOR LOCAL ROADS.

WE EXTENDED THE SALES TAX ON AUTO PARTS TO INCLUDE TOWNSHIPS AND SMALLER VOLUME ROAD.

THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD THING THAT I'M IN FAVOR OF.

I THINK COMBINED WITH THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY THAT WE'LL SEE COMING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY INVEST IN OUR TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OF ROADS AND BRIDGES.

TRANSPORTATION TO ME MIGHT MEAN DIFFERENT THAN TRANSPORTATION TO THE CALLER.

WE ALSO NEED, I FEEL LIKE TO INCLUDE TRANSIT IN THAT CONVERSATION.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON HOW TO FUND TRANSIT.

AND SENATOR NEWMAN'S SENATE BILL, WE DON'T HAVE WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR TRANSIT.

KEEP IN MIND, I NEED TO TELL PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, USE TRANSIT.

IT'S A MORE CRITICAL ISSUE IN RURAL AND GREATER MINNESOTA.

BECAUSE OUT THERE, THEY DON'T HAVE UBER AND LYFT LIKE IN THE METRO AREA.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO FUND TRANSIT.

THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY WILL PROVIDE HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE NETWORK.

I THINK WE'RE SITTING IN A GOOD SPOT, AND IT'S ABOUT TIME.

WE HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF BACK LOG ON REPAIRING THE EXISTING ROAD AND BRIDGE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE?

>> I THINK SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART HIT IT RIGHT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE PROJECTS THAT MATTER TO MINNESOTA.

AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS ARE ROADS AND SOME ARE BRIDGES AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS ARE GOING TO BE TRANSIT.

WE KNOW THAT TRANSIT IS IMPORTANT FOR MAKING OUR CLIMATE GOALS BECAUSE WE CAN BETTER UTILIZE TRANSPORTATION IN TRANSIT.

IN SOME PLACES, AND SOME SPACES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S NOT JUST A METRO AREA OPPORTUNITY TRANSIT IS IN MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

HOW DO WE GET TO A BALANCED APPROACH?

THAT'LL BE THE CHALLENGE GOING FORWARD.

>> TRANSPORTATION, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

>> I THINK OUR COLLEAGUES DID A NICE JOB.

THIS IS A BIG PRIORITY, A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING COMING OUR WAY, WE NEED TO LEVERAGE THE DOLLARS FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE IF WE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

WE'LL SEE A LOT OF ROBUST WORK ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.

TRANSIT IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

I NEED THOSE TO WORK WELL FOR MY EMPLOYEES, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT.

WHAT GETS HUNG UP IS THE LIGHT RAIL.

WE THROW REAL CONVERSATION INTO THIS, EVERYONE BACKS OFF.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT ANIMAL, AND WE'RE GETTING THE POLICIES LINED UP BETTER.

SO THIS FOLK IN THE METRO AREA ARE MORE OF THE ONES THAT'LL STEP UP AND PAY FOR THE ONGOING OPERATION.

TRANSPORTATION IS IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE IN MINNESOTA.

>> SO WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN BRAINARD.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING SPECIFIC HAPPENING ON IT, BUT I'LL ASK IT ANYWAY.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THERE'LL BE ANYTHING DONE ABOUT TRAPPERS AND TRAPPERS KILLING DOGS, AND THE VIEWER NOTES THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE LEGISLATORS WILL ADDRESS ITS.

>> HONESTLY,NO.

I DON'T HAVE IT, I DON'T SIT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THAT GENERATES THE INTEREST FROM.

I'M GOING TO PASS THIS TO MY COLLEAGUES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE?

>> I CAN SHARE I HAVE E-MAILS FROM TRAPPING ISSUES, AND CONSTITUENTS, THERE'S MORE THAN ONE BILL ABOUT TO REGULATE TRAPS.

PARTICULARLY THIS CONCERN OF FAMILY PETS GETTING CAUGHT UP.

THAT GETS INTO WHAT TRAPS ARE ALLOWED, THE PLACEMENT OF THE TRAPS, AND FREQUENCY WITH WHICH THE TRAPPERS HAVE TO CHECK THE TRAPS.

THERE'S PROPOSALS OUT THERE TO EXTEND THAT TIME PERIOD BETWEEN TIME CHECKS.

IN CASE A HOUSEHOLD PET IS CAUGHT IN THE TRAP AND IS INJURED.

HOW QUICKLY DO THEY GET DISCOVERED.

BUT I ALSO DON'T SIT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, THAT'S WHERE THESE THINGS ARE DEBATED.

I HAVE NOT GOTTEN AN UPDATE OF THE STATUS OF THE BILLS.

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART?

>> WELL, OTHER THAN MY HEART IS BREAKING, I HAVE A PUPPY HERE, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE HIM CAUGHT IN A TRAP.

THIS IS OUTSIDE MY AREA OF EXPERTISE AS WELL.

I'M SORRY.

>> TO OUR ANIMALS, I DID WANT TO MENTION WHILE WE WERE ON A CALL, I GOT AN ALERT THAT FOUR MORE FLOCKS OF TURKEYS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AROUND THE STATE TONIGHT AS A POSITIVE HIT.

WE'RE PUSHING 2 MILLION BIRDS AFFECTED RIGHT NOW BY THE NEW AVIAN FLU.

I WANT TO REMIND OUR LISTENERS AND VIEWERS, TURKEYS AND CHICKENS AND EGGS ARE SAFE TO EAT, BUT THE GROWER AND IS FARMERS NEED OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.

THESE FOLKS ARE CRYING AND BREAKING DOWN WHEN THEY HAVE TO PUT DOWN THE FLOCKS OF 30, 40, 50 THOUSAND FLOCKS IN THEIR BARNS, AND IT'S TERRIBLE.

WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER -- IT'S NOT AS WARM AND THE FOAM IS NOT AS ROBUST AS IT WOULD.

WE HAVE WORK ISSUES, WE'RE DEALING WITH THE FARMERS, AND THANKS TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE BODIES, FOR PASSING THE EMERGENCY FUNDING TODAY.

TO GIVE THEM RELIEF IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

ALL EYES ON THE FARMERS HERE IN RURAL MINNESOTA THAT ARE DEALING WITH THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

SUPPORT THEM BY EATING TURKEY, IT'S SAFE.

>> I'D LIKE TO JUMP IN AND ADD TO REPRESENTATIVE BAKER'S STATEMENT.

YES, WE PASSED A MILLION DOLLARS IN SUPPORT FOR INITIATIVES AROUND AVIAN FLU.

THE SENATE ALREADY PASSED IT, IT'S OFF TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR SIGNING.

I WANT TO EXPAND IT A BIT, THAT'S TO REMIND PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE BACK YARD CHICKENS.

THAT'S A PRETTY POPULAR THING THE LAST DECADE.

IT'S NOT JUST A RURAL OR COMMERCIAL CONCERN.

THE BACK YARD FLOCKS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE HALF A DOZEN CHICKENS, I CAN HEAR THEM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD OCCASIONAL, IT'S A CONCERN FOR THEM AS WELL.

WE NEED EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT BIRDS OR FOR BIRDS, TO BE TRACKING THIS AND TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART?

>> NO, BUT I'M CALLING MY SISTER AS SOON AS WE'RE OFF THIS CALL, SHE HAS CHICKENS, THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, AND TO REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE OUT IN YOUR NECK OF THE STATE.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FARMERS AND I'M GLAD WE COULD ACT QUICKLY TO GET THEM SOME RELIEF.

>> ON A RELATED TOPIC, I'M PICKING ON YOU ON THIS, YOU DID RAISE THIS ISSUE WITH THE PAVIN FLU.

AND WE'VE HAD QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS FROM VIEWERS ABOUT THE DEER POPULATION.

AND DISEASE RELATIVE TO DEER FARM POPULATIONS.

BRING US UP TO DATE ON THAT LEGISLATURE.

>> THANKS, AND I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS AT ALL.

I HAVE HEARD AND BEEN VISITING WITH THE LOCAL DEER FARMS, THEY'RE DEVASTATED BY THE ALMOST STIGMA OF THE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

AND AGAIN, THEY'RE PUT DOWN, IF WE HAVE TO HELP THEM, BUY OUT THEIR FARMS AND LIKE THE POULTRY.

I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT IT TO GET IN THE DETAILS.

IT'S SERIOUS, IT'S IN THE DEER FARMS AND THE HERDS THAT WE HAVE ARE FARMED AND HARVESTED LIKE OTHER ANIMALS.

IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF SHARING THING INFORMATION, GETTING IT OUT THERE.

THE FARMERS FEEL LEFT ALONE AND ABANDONED.

THAT'S AN ISSUE I WANT TO GET BETTER AT.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR THE DEER FARMERS.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES LEFT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO FINISH UP THE PROGRAM BY GIVING REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT HIS CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ANY ADVICE HE HAS FOR THE COLLEAGUES GOING FORWARD AND OBSERVATIONS HE HAS MADE OF HIS CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND FIRST, THANK YOU TO SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART AND REPRESENTATIVE BAKER FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AS WELL.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

22 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO DO ANYTHING.

AND IT'S A LONG TIME IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR, A THRILL, TO REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY.

EVERY YEAR, I MAKE A POINT OF GETTING A CUP OF COFFEE AND GOING AND SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE CHAMBER IN THE ALCOVES THAT WE HAVE BACK THERE, AND TAKING IT IN.

TAKING A PAUSE FROM THE DEBATES AND PAPER WORK, THAT MY COMMUNITY HAS SENT ME TO DO THIS WORK IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE FOR THIS WONDERFUL STATE.

AND IT'S ALWAYS HUMBLING, AND IT'S A GOOD REMINDER OF THE GIFT THEY'VE GIVEN ME TO BE ABLE TO SERVE.

I BELIEVE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, IT'S NOT ALWAYS PRETTY.

THE METAPHOR I USE IS OF A MOSAIC.

WHEN WE, 134 HOUSE MEMBERS GET TOGETHER, YOU CAN PULL OUT EACH OF US INDIVIDUALLY, AND ALSO STEP BACK AND TAKE IN THE STATE.

AND WHEN WE DO IT WELL, WE DO IT MORE THAN WE GET CREDIT FOR, WE REALLY CAN ARRIVE AT SOME SOLUTIONS AND ARRIVE AT REPRESENTATION AND WE CAN BUILD A BETTER MINNESOTA FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, AND THAT'S MY COMMITMENT AND PASSION AND I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO DO IT FOR 22 YEARS.

THANK YOU TO MY FAMILY, MY COMMUNITY FOR SENDING ME THERE TO DO IT.

>> ON THAT NOTE, THAT POETIC AND WONDERFUL NOTE, REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE, WE'LL FINISH OR PROGRAM FOR THE EVENING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, SENATOR JOHNSON STEWART AND DAVNIE AND BAKER.

I WANT TO INVITE OUR VIEWERS TO RETURN, EACH WEEK, AS WE CONTINUE TO BRING TO YOUR LIVING ROOMS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS FROM THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

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