LEGISLATION SHE'S AUTHORING.

BUT FIRST, ANOTHER BUSY WEEK HERE AT THE CAPITOL AS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS PUSH BUDGET PRIORITIES.

[CHANTING] >> Mary: AS THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL CONSIDER BIG BUDGET TIMS, DISABILITY SERVICES ADVOCATED FOR FUNDING.

>> IT IS WELL PAST TIME FOR MINNESOTA TO INVEST IN ALL OF OUR PEOPLE, TO INVEST IN THE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE HE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE AND TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, THE CARE-GIVERS, THE PCAs, THE FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK.

>> AND I THINK THAT THE VIBE THAT YOU'RE PICKING UP IS THAT THE ANSWER IS YES, THAT THIS IS THE YEAR WERE GOING TO GET IT DONE, THAT WE'RE GOING TO CATCH UP.

[Cheering] >> Mary: AND YWCAs ACROSS MINNESOTA RALLIED FOR THE FISHES TIME IN THE ROTUNDA FOR ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS, PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE AND DIGNITY FOR A.

>> THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS ON FIRE.

THIS HAS BEEN KIND OFT MOST AMAZING SESSION OF MY CAREER AND I'VE HAD A VERY LONG CAREER HERE.

WE ARE JUST PASSING SO MANY WONDERFUL BILLS.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS THAT WE TAKE THAT $2.3 BILLION THAT SENATE DEMOCRATS AND THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE RESERVED FOR AN ALL-CASH BONDING BILL, FREE UP CASH THAT WOULD GIVE CONTINUING TAX RELIEF BUT WHAT WE WOULD ALSO DO IS FREE UP MONEY FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT BONDING BILL, BEEN DILIGENTLY LISTENING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS MR. IS THAT NEED.

THAT'S WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THIS WIN-WIN PROPOSAL, IT'S MORE MONEY FOR OUR ROADS AND BRINGS.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS AREN'T HERE TO JUST SIT IN OUR CHAIRS AND VOTE NO.

WE RELEVANT DEWANT TO WORK AND TRY TO PULL THIS THING TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN COME TO A BIPARTISANSHIP AGREEMENT.

>> REMOVE STATE INCOME TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

THE REALITY OF IT IS, MANY OF OUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES ALSO CAMPAIGNED ON THAT ISSUE.

THEY WENT ACROSS THEIR DISTRICT AND SAID, IF YOU ELECT US, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU TAX-FLEE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION, THAT POINT STARTED TO BE WALKED BACK.

>> Mary: AND IN A BIG RETAIL STATE, AWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO DEFINE AND PENALIZE ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

>> RETAILERS HAVE DEALT WITH SHOPLIFTING FOREVER BUT THERE IS A NEW THING HAPPENING IN STORES ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA, ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, WHERE WE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER DEGREE OF SOPHISTICATION EADING TO MUCH MORE LOSS FOR RETAILERS AND HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS.

>> PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S CLEARLY BECOME WELL ORGANIZED, SMALLER GROUPS, LARGER GROUPS.

THE STUFF THAT GETS TAKEN GETS