>> Mary: AFTER THE BUSIEST START TO SESSION, LAWMAKERS RETURNED THIS WEEK FOR THE FINAL SIX WEEKS OF SESSION AND THE HARDEST WORK IS AHEAD ON BIG BUDGET BILLS AND DIFFICULT POLICY DECISIONS.

>> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS ARE BACK FROM SPRING BREAK AND BACK TO WORK TACKLING TOUGH ISSUES RIGHT AWAY, INCLUDING INTEREST GROUPS WHO ARE CALLING FOR GUN CONTROL WITH MORE MASS SHOOTINGS.

>> THERE ARE SIX MORE WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IN THE WEEK SINCE THE LEGISLATURE WENT ON RECESS, THERE WERE EIGHT MASS SHOOTINGS IN THE UNITED STATES.

HOW MANY MASS SHOOTINGS WILL THERE BE?

HOW MANY SHOOTINGS THERE WILL BE IN THE NEXT SIX WEEKS OF SESSION?

>> Mary: WITH ACCESS TO ABORTION AGAIN IMITED BY NEW COURT DECISIONS, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM CAUCUS CALLS IT A CRISIS THAT YOU ALSO NEEDS LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

>> THOUGH THE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN, TO ME, HEARTBREAKING, WATCHING IT UNFOLD OVER THE WEEKEND, I KNOW THAT THERE IS MUCH HOPE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

JUST TO REMIND US ALL THAT MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WORKED QUICKLY IN JANUARY TO PASS THE P.R.O.

ACT TO CODIFY THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE FOR THEIR OWN BODY, THEIR REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS.

THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE OF LAWS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON.

>> THIS RULING ABSOLUTELY SHOWS WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN THE WHOLE TIME, THAT THAT IS, FRANKLY, [ BLEEP ] THIS WILL BE MORE DANGEROUS.

IT WILL BE MORE PAINFUL FOR WOMEN TO HAVE MEDICATION ABORTIONS.

THE EFFECTIVE RATE IS LOWER.

THIS IS NOT BETTER HEALTHCARE.

THIS IS NOT SAFER HEALTHCARE.

THEY DID NOT BAN AND END ABORTION.

THEY ARE TRYING, AGAIN, TO BAN AND END SAFE ABORTIONS.

>> Mary: PAID FAMILY LEAVE CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH COMMITTEES.

>> COMPREHENSIVE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE NOT ONLY RECOGNIZES THE HUMANITY OF PEOPLE AND IMPROVES A MYRIAD OF HEALTH OUTCOMES, IT ALSO KEEPS PEOPLE IN THE LABOR FORCE.

BOOSTING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE ENTIRE U.S. ECONOMY.

>> MAKING SMALL BUSINESSES DO SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD DOESN'T HELP THEM COMPETE.

IT JUST PUTS THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Mary: AND GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCED NEW METRO RAPID BUS LINE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IT NEEDS TO BE NOTED, IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS.

CONNECTIONS TO GET THIS DONE.

STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL, COUNTY, THE MAYOR IN HERE.

ALL PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO STRATEGIZE ABOUT A FUTURE THAT LETS EVERYBODY PARTICIPATE