WDSE WDSE WDSE WDSE TONY: HELLO AND WELCOME TO “MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT."

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN GOVERNOR WALZ CAME TO AN AGREEMENT ON MANY IMPORTANT ISSUES TO END THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TONIGHT WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE THINGS STAND AND WHAT THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING DONE.

JOINING US TODAY ARE SEN.

GRANT HAUSCHILD, A DFL’ER FROM DISTRICT 3, AND SENATOR ANDREW LANG REPRESENTING DISTRICT 16.

SENATOR LANG, WE WILL START WITH U.S.

AND GUEST TO THE PROGRAM.

WE WILL GET INTO THE PROGRAM -- PARTS OF EACH OF THE AGREEMENTS.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPINIONS ON THE AGREEMENTS THAT WERE REACHED WITH LEGISLATORS IN GOVERNOR WALZ?

SEN.

LANG: WE HAVE TWO YEARS A VERY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN A VERY UNIQUE WAY WHICH FROM THE GET-GO WAS A ROCKY ROAD.

THE WAY THE HOUSE STARTED LAST YEAR AND THERE ARE A LOT OF EMOTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN THROWN AROUND EVEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

AS WE WORK TOWARD THE END OF THE SESSION, I WOULD SAY I’M QUITE IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK THE HOUSE HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

THE UNIVERSAL DEAL AND LIKE YOU SAID IT IS JUST STARTING TO BE PENCILED IN AS FAR AS DETAILS GOES.

IT IS VERY GOOD.

I THINK IT WILL GET US ON THE ROAD TO A BONDING BILL AND ON THE ROAD TO SOME POLICY THAT WE CAN AGREE ON.

ULTIMATELY, I’M HAPPY ABOUT WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO ACCOMPLISH.

TONY: GREAT.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD, YOUR THOUGHTS BIG PICTURE ON THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THAT WAS REACHED.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: I THINK THIS IS WHAT MINNESOTANS EXPECT, THAT WE FOCUS ON THE CORE ISSUES THAT MATTER, THAT WE WORK IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION TO ADDRESS THE KEY ISSUES WHETHER THE FRAUD PREVENTION PACKAGE WE PUT FORWARD, AFFORDABILITY MEASURES, CUTTING CAR TABS FEES, MY LEGISLATION TO CUT PROPERTY TAXES AND OF COURSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND JOBS BILL AND ADDRESSING THE HEALTH-CARE CRISIS WE ARE FACING.

THIS IS REALLY A GREAT DEAL NOT JUST FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA BUT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND IT IS BECAUSE ALL THE VOICES WERE AT THE TABLE AND I’M PROUD OF THE WORK WE WERE ABLE TO DO TOGETHER.

TONY: WE WILL TAKE IT ISSUE BY ISSUE AND WHAT IS IN THE POTENTIAL AGREEMENT AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT.

LET’S START FIRST WITH THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL.

THIS IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE BONDING BILL.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS THE ABILITY TO BORROW MONEY AT A REDUCED INTEREST RATE TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT HAVE REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE.

GENERALLY, THIS IS THAT SESSION WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

CAN EACH OF YOU TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED IN WHAT TENTATIVELY COULD BE A $1.2 BILLION BILL?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BILL BECAUSE BONDING BILLS MATTER SO MUCH TO GREATER MINNESOTA AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA ESPECIALLY.

THE STATE SLOGAN MEANS SEND THE MONEY NORTH.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE BONDING BILL, THAT WE WILL MAKE CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN WATER, ROADS, INCREDIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND IN SMALL TOWNS LIKE ELY AND COOK AND GRAND MARAIS WE DON’T HAVE THE SAME TAX CAPACITY, SO THESE BONDING BILLS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN’T GET SHOVED ONTO PROPERTY TAXPAYERS IN SMALL TOWNS.

IT’S A BIG WIN, I’M REALLY EXCITED, AND IT WILL BE A MEANINGFUL INVESTMENT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TONY: SENATOR LANG, YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT YOU HOPED WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BOND BILL?

SEN.

LANG: NO, I THINK GRANT MADE A GOOD POINT THAT THE BONDING BILL IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT IS OUR WAY OF HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS FOR CITIES THAT HAVE $10 MILLION, $20 MILLION PROJECT, WE WILL TRY TO BUY DOWN SOME OF THEIR BONDING CAPABILITY AND USE THE STATE SUPPORT, THE STATEWIDE TAX SYSTEM.

IT IS ROADS AND BRIDGES AND ROOFS FOR SCHOOLS, ALL THAT FUNDING THAT IS IN THE BONDING BILL AND WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE INK DRIED JUST YET SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN, BUT WE HAVE PROBABLY A 90% SOLUTION ON WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE BILL.

OF COURSE THAT DOES MEAN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE SO BEING IN THE MINORITY IN THE SENATE WE NEED A SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS A BONDING BILL, WHICH WILL LEAD TO BIPARTISAN EFFORTS AS WE GET THE BILL TO THE FINISH LINE AND I THINK IT STANDS A GOOD CHANCE OF PASSING.

TONY: SENATOR LANG, YOU BRING UP A GOOD POINT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU THINK THERE IS A STRONG LIKELIHOOD OF THIS HAPPENING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE HOLDUP WOULD BE IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS WERE NOT TO PASS?

SEN.

LANG: THE CHAIR IN THE SENATE HAS SHARED THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT SHE PLANS ON INCLUDING IN THE BILL AND I CAN SEE FROM MY VANTAGE POINT THAT IT IS LARGELY INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN THE PAST, THESE BILLS HAVE FACED CHALLENGES WHEN WE GET AWAY FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUS.

IN RECENT YEARS, THE NONPROFIT ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN BONDING BILLS OFTENTIMES IS A VERY TOUGH THING FOR REPUBLICANS TO GET OVER.

I ALWAYS CALL IT A MEAT AND POTATOES BONDING BILL.

IT SHOULD BE VERY CUT AND DRY, ROADS, BRIDGES, SCHOOLS.

IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE.

WHEN WE GET AWAY FROM THAT I GET REAL TENTATIVE ABOUT BORROWING MONEY AND PAYING INTEREST, PAYING DEBT SERVICE ON THAT MONEY IF IT IS A TANGIBLE THING.

SO, WE HAVEN’T REALLY HAD A GOOD CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE HOUSE HAS RIGHT NOW.

THAT WILL COME PROBABLY TODAY AND TOMORROW.

I THINK SEN.

HAUSCHILD IN HIS CAUCUS IN THE SENATE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB TO KEEP THOSE VERY TANGIBLE ITEMS IN THE BONDING BILL AND NOT MOVING AWAY FROM THAT.

TONY: SEN.

HAUSCHILD, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS PASSING AND WHAT MAY BE ANY STICKING POINTS THAT COULD HARM THAT?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: YES, IT DOES SOUND LIKE WE HAVE AGREEMENT FROM THE LEADERS.

MINORITY LEADER JOHNSON IN THE SENATE GOP CAUCUS HAS EXPRESSED OPTIMISM HE WILL PROVIDE THE VOTES ON THAT SIDE.

WE KNOW THE HOUSE GOP AND DFL IS TIED 50/50 AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO THIS PACKAGE MOVING FORWARD.

I DO WANT TO MAKE AN INTERESTING POINT FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA, IN PARTICULAR MY DISTRICT, WHERE WE HAVE A SPLIT OF A DFLER AND TWO HOUSE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS.

THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE BOTH CAUCUSES BUNDLING OF FUNDS TO HELP SUPPORT OUR DISTRICT.

MANY TIMES OUR COMBINING OF PROJECTS AND SAYING THAT PROJECT COUNTS FOR BOTH OF YOU WHEREAS MY DISTRICT, IT GIVES US A CHANCE TO LEVERAGE THE DOLLARS FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT CAUCUSES.

WE WILL SEE A REALLY GOOD INVESTMENT IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA BECAUSE OF THAT.

TONY: WE AT PBS NORTH CAME DOWN FOR DULUTH AND ST.

LOUIS COUNTY DAYS AND WE ASKED PEOPLE THEIR PRIORITIES.

WE ASKED THE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH WHAT HIS PRIORITIES WERE AND TO GET A QUESTION TO LEGISLATORS HERE TODAY.

>> I THINK THE BIG QUESTION I WOULD ASK THEM IS AS WE LOOK AT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TO BOTH HELP WITH OUR ECONOMY, TO HELP WITH THE OVERALL CULTURE AND CLIMATE IN THE STATE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST THROUGH EDUCATION, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DECISIONS THEY ARE MAKING THAT ARE INVESTING BACK IN THOSE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, AS WELL AS FOR AN EDUCATED WORKFORCE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB COORDINATING THOSE EFFORTS SO WE ELEVATE THE ENTIRE STATE?

TONY: SEN.

HAUSCHILD, WE ARE GOING TO START WITH YOU.

YOU BOTH SPOKE BRIEFLY ABOUT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL AND POTENTIAL INVESTMENTS FOR OUR COLLEGES.

IF YOU COULD TALK MORE IN DETAIL ON THAT AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT BE BROADLY HAPPENING THIS SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS WORKFORCE CHALLENGE.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: ABSOLUTELY CAMPUS AND OUR HIGHER INSTITUTIONS -- WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE HAVE THE UMD CAMPUS AND OUR HIGHER INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

ONE IS THE NRRI RIGHT IN HERMANTOWN, MY HOME COMMUNITY, WHERE THEY ARE MAKING RESEARCH AND INVESTMENTS IN GREEN STEEL, AND ADDRESSING THE SULFATE STANDARD, AND THINGS THAT WILL HELP US EXPAND OUR NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND I HAVE DRAFTED BILLS AND PASS LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE THEM ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO LEVERAGE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO BRING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH INVESTMENTS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

THE OTHER IS THAT UMD IS THE LARGEST FRESHWATER RESEARCH FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO REINVEST IN THAT RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REALLY A HUB FOR THAT TYPE OF RESEARCH ALONG OUR SHORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

THERE ARE REAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR UMD TO BE A LEADER NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND NATIONWIDE AND BONDING BILLS HELP US INVEST IN THOSE CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES.

TONY: SENATOR LANG, YOU SPOKE A BIT ABOUT FUNDING GOING TO COLLEGES AND OTHERS AND WE KNOW SOME OF THE PROPOSALS ARE TO TAKE DOWN AND TEAR DOWN BUILDINGS AT OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO INVEST IN HIGHER EDUCATION?

SEN.

LANG: NOT JUST HIGHER EDUCATION, ANYTHING THAT COMES THROUGH THE BONDING BILL AND IT IS A VERY INFRASTRUCTURE HEAVY BILL AND THAT IS THE WAY IT IS FOCUSED.

THE STATE DOES HAVE A LARGE SYSTEM, IN MY DISTRICT I HAVE QUITE A FEW SMALL AND TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

WE CONTINUE WORKING HARD TO GET THOSE, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT HAVING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS LIKE A MEAT CUTTING PROGRAM OR A NURSING PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD AT FOCUSING ON THAT.

SO BY TAKING SOME OF THAT COST AWAY FROM THE SCHOOLS, BY SAYING THE STATE IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENTRANCE ROAD OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, BY TRYING TO KEEP THAT TUITION COSTS ARE LOWER IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

THAT IS REALLY WHAT THE BONDING BILL IS FOUR.

WHEN IT COMES TO LARGE SCHOOLS LIKE THE U OF M, OFTENTIMES THEY WILL ASK FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS AND WE ASK FOR -- AND THAT GETS A LITTLE TOUGHER WHERE WE ASKED FOR GYMNASIUM AT ONE SCHOOL.

OFTENTIMES THOSE ARE A LITTLE TOUGHER SELL WHEN IT COMES TO HOW TO THEY KEEP THE TUITION COST LOWER?

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS ARE HIGH?

OUR GRANT PROGRAMS THAT GO ALONG WITH THAT.

IT’S A VERY COMPLICATED SYSTEM THAT THE BONDING BILL SURE IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL TO KEEP COSTS LOW.

TONY: ONE OF THE OTHER AGREEMENTS BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN GOVERNOR WALZ WAS A ONE-YEAR CUT TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES BRINGING THEM BACK DOWN TO THEIR PRIOR LEVEL.

SENATOR LANG, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SUPPORT AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: ABSOLUTELY -- SENATOR LANKFORD: ABS -- SENATOR LANG: ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION.

I SIP ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

I REMEMBER HAVING A VERY LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT THE VERY LONG INCREASE IN FEES.

THE EXTENUATION OF THAT, OF THE DEPRECIATION AS THE CAR GETS OLDER, IT SHOULD BE GETTING CHEAPER AND CHEAPER AND THAT GOT EXTENDED SO FAR OUT AND LARGELY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WE REALLY DON’T SPEND A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND IN COMPARISON TO OTHER STATES.

WE LARGELY RELY ON THE GAS TAX, VEHICLE TO FEES.

AND REALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THAT COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND OR THE OTHER THING WE PROPOSED WAS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE PARTS SALES TAX AND INCREASE THAT AT A FASTER RATE SO IT GOES BACK INTO THE TRANSPORTATION FUND AND NOT INTO THE GENERAL FUND.

THERE ARE A LOT OF IDEAS WE ARE REALLY WORKING WITH.

I’M GLAD END ESPECIALLY FOR OUR UNION MEMBERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD , THIS DECREASE IN VEHICLE TABS IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT OUR HIGHWAY USE OR FUND BALANCE.

IT’S GOING TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND WITH TAXES WE HAVE ALREADY PAID.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THIS BE EXTENDED A LITTLE BIT INTO THE FUTURE BECAUSE IT SHOULDN’T COST SOMEONE $700 OR EIGHT SOME -- $800 IN TAXES ON A USUAL BASIS.

THERE ARE 5.6 MILLION VEHICLES THAT ARE UNDER 10 YEARS OLD AND STILL ON THAT DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE.

THIS WILL BE A GOOD THING.

MINNESOTANS WILL FEEL THIS IN THEIR POCKETBOOK EVERY YEAR, I HOPE WE CAN EXTEND IT.

IT IS A GOOD PART OF THE BONDING BILL WHICH IS A GREAT -- STRANGE DEAL TO MAKE, VEHICLE TABS ANNOY BONDING BILL, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE.

THE TABS KICKED IN THIS YEAR SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE ARE GETTING A CHANCE TO SEE IT AND FEEL IT IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS, SO I’M GLAD THIS HAS BEEN INCLUDED.

TONY: SEN.

HAUSCHILD, AS SENATOR LANG SAID, THIS WOULD TAKE 100% OF THIS MONEY OUT, ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF THIS?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: I’M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO DECREASE PRESSURE ON MINNESOTANS.

WE KNOW PRICES HAVE GONE UP DUE TO THE IRAN CONFLICT AND FEES HAVE GONE UP IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS CARTEL PRODUCTION IS A WAY TO PUT MONEY BACK INTO MINNESOTANS’ POCKETS.

ULTIMATELY, MINNESOTA HAS SOME OF THE MOST ROAD MILEAGE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT HOW WE DO IT IN THE FUTURE AS WE MOVE TOWARD ELECTRONIC VEHICLES, POSSIBLY SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FINDING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHETHER AUTO PARTS, GAS TAX, TABS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THIS WITHOUT IT COMING DOWN ON VULNERABLE MINNESOTANS.

I HOPE WE CAN PROVIDE THIS REPRIEVE FOR ONE YEAR AND THEN MAKE SURE WE ARE FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT COMPROMISE THAT CAME OUT OF THIS DEAL.

TONY: SO THIS IS A ONE-TIME FIX AND THE THIRD PIECE THAT WAS AGREED TO IS ANOTHER ONE-TIME PROPOSAL, AN INCREASE IN A PROPERTY TAX REFUND.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD, THIS WAS YOUR PROPOSAL.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE DETAILS OF HOW THIS WOULD IMPACT OUR VIEWERS WHO ARE WATCHING?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: ABSOLUTELY.

THIS PROPERTY TAX REFUND IS ON TOP OF THE REFUNDS MINNESOTANS ALREADY QUALIFY FOR IN PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS, SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN, MINNESOTANS WILL APPLY FOR THOSE AND THEN THOSE REFUNDS WILL GO OUT SOMETIME IN THE OCTOBER TIMEFRAME.

A REALLY IMPORTANT TIME AS KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL, IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL RELIEF FOR MINNESOTANS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PROBABLY AROUND $220 ON AVERAGE.

SOME PEOPLE WILL GET SIGNIFICANTLY MORE, SOME MAY BE LESS BUT IT IS A GREAT WAY TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURES, PARTICULARLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL THAT PASSED HUGE MANDATES ONTO OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND HAD HUGE INCREASES ON OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

ST.

LOUIS COUNTY PREDICTED A 12% LEVY INCREASE DUE TO THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION, SO THIS WILL PROVIDE THAT ONE YEAR RELIEF OF THAT 12% REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS.

AGAIN, ANOTHER GREAT COMPROMISE AND WE GO INTO A BUDGET YEAR NEXT YEAR WHEN WE CAN THINK ABOUT LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

TONY: SEN.

LANG, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL?

SEN.

LANG: WELL, I THINK IT IS A GOOD ONE.

MINNESOTA HAS HISTORICALLY AND THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS IN PARTICULAR HAS BEEN TOUGH ON OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY HAVE BEEN TOUGH ON OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

I REPRESENT FOUR COUNTIES IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AND I CAN SAY THAT THEY AVERAGE, THE LOWEST ONE IS A 9% LEVY INCREASE AND THAT WAS LAST YEAR.

THIS HAPPENED BEFORE THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.

MINNESOTA HAS NOT BEEN EASY WHEN IT CAME TO MANDATES HANDED DOWN TO THE COUNTIES.

WE HAVE TO TAKE AN OVERALL BIGGER LOOK AT THIS.

WHAT ARE WE ASKING THE COUNTIES TO DO THAT THE STATE USED TO DO?

WHAT ARE WE ASKING THE COUNTIES TO PAY FOR THAT THE STATE USED TO PAY FOR?

I WOULD SAY THERE ARE BUNCH OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ISSUES WITHIN THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL I’M CONCERNED WITH.

SNAP BENEFITS BEING ONE OF THEM.

THIS IS COMPOUNDING IN A WHAT THE STATE HAS ALREADY DONE.

WE NEED TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THAT.

THAT INCLUDES SCHOOL FUNDING.

WHAT THE STATE IS MANDATING, AND 2023 WHEN THE BUDGET WAS PASSED, WE PUT HISTORIC FUNDING INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

I WAS OK WITH THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS I HAD SUPERINTENDENTS REACHING OUT TO ME SAYING THANKS FOR THE MONEY BUT WE WILL ALREADY BE IN THE RED BASED ON WHAT THE STATE IS REQUIRING US TO MEET BASED ON CLASS-SIZE MINIMUMS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR BUSING AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES LIKE THAT.

THE COUNTIES AND THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES IN MY DISTRICT, THEY LOOKED AT US LIKE WHY ARE YOU PUSHING THAT UPON US?

SO WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK, GO BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS, LOOK AT ALL THESE NEW MANDATES THAT HAVE COME DOWN THAT COST THE LEVY INCREASE LAST YEAR AND, YEAH, GRANT IS RIGHT.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL WE NEED TO ASK OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO HELP US WITH AS WELL.

TONY: ONE OF THE OTHER MAJOR ISSUES WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE SESSION IS FUNDING FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER.

LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER IN THE TWIN CITIES THAT HAS BEEN ASKING FOR SUPPORT.

HOW TO PAY FOR THE SUPPORT FOR THIS HOSPITAL HAS VACILLATED BETWEEN USING AN EXISTING COUNTY TAX OR INCREASING THAT COUNTY TAX OR USING STATE FUNDS.

THE OVERALL AGREEMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WAS TO USE APPROXIMATELY $200 MILLION OF STATE RESOURCES TO BOLSTER THAT HOSPITAL AND SET ASIDE A NEW POOL OF STABILIZATION FUNDING FOR OTHER HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS APPROACH OF USING STATE TAX DOLLARS?

SEN.

LANG: YES, AND NO, TO GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC ANSWER.

I WORK IN THE EMS FIELD.

I DELIVER PATIENTS AND MY REAL JOB.

I KNOW THE LEGISLATURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE PART-TIME.

IN MY REAL JOB I KNOW HENNEPIN COUNTY IS AN ASSET TO THE STATE.

I HAVE TO GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE TO CHANGE THE LEADERSHIP.

THERE WAS TALK ABOUT THE POOR LEADERSHIP.

THERE ARE, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO SAY THIS.

I THINK THE PACKAGE NEEDED TO BE PUT TOGETHER BUT I’M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WE HAVE AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT THEY WILL BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR IN THE FUTURE WHEN THEY HAVE THE STATE DOLLARS GOING INTO THE ECONOMY.

THERE ARE PACKAGES THAT WILL HELP OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AS WELL.

THAT’S AN IMPORTANT THING TO POINT OUT GOING INTO THE FUTURE.

HENNEPIN COUNTY IS NOT THE ONLY HOSPITAL FACING CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD BE AND I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR MOVING AWAY FROM THE SALES TAX AND HAVING PERPETUAL FUNDING.

THIS STATE REALLY SHOULD NOT BE SUPPLEMENTING A HOSPITAL CONTINUOUSLY IF THE DOLLARS AND THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY PROBABLY FACES A CHALLENGE UNIQUE UNTO ITSELF BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MOST, NOT TO BELITTLE SOME OTHER HOSPITALS THROUGH THE METRO AREA, BUT HENNEPIN COUNTY IS KIND OF THE NUMBER ONE PLACE.

THEY HAVE CATH LABS, THEY HAVE EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY AND CAPABILITY.

I DO KNOW HOW TO SAY THIS ANY OTHER WAY, THEY TAKE THE TOUGHEST CASES, THEY TAKE THE PATIENTS IN THE WORST STATE, SO THE COSTS ARE HIGHER, SO THAT IS SOMETHING TO BE WELL AWARE OF WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING MERGER WITH NORTH MEMORIAL AND SANFORD.

IT IS DIFFERENT.

THEY ALSO FACE SOME OF THE SAME CHALLENGES.

AS THIS FUND COMES TOGETHER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT JUST HENNEPIN COUNTY THAT WILL BE HELPED BY THIS.

WE WILL HAVE OVERSIGHT, WE WILL HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF LOOKING AT WHAT HENNEPIN COUNTY IS DOING WITH THE DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO THEM.

I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I’M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS THAT THOSE NUMBERS START TO TURN AROUND.

WHERE HENNEPIN COUNTY IS SPENDING THE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE, THAT THEY GET IS IN THE CORRECT WAY, AND THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY WILL BE THERE FOR YEARS IN THE FUTURE.

TONY: SEN.

HAUSCHILD, $200 MILLION OF STATE DOLLARS GOING TO HENNEPIN COUNTY, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: YEAH, HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER’S ESTATE ASSET.

THE INFORMATION IN COMMITTEE WE HAVE RECEIVED A AT OVER 40% OF THEIR PATIENTS COME FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME OF THE CRITICAL SERVICES.

MY WIFE IS A NURSE, SHE IS AN ADVANCED PRACTITIONER UP IN MY REGION.

I KNOW HOW DEVASTATING OF A SYSTEM WE ARE IN AND NOT TO HARP ON IT, BUT GIVEN THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AND THE CUTS COMING TO OUR HOSPITALS, TO MEDICAID PATIENTS WHICH ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND IRONICALLY IN THE HCMC IN THE AREA.

WE ARE SEEING ADDITIONAL CUTS COMING DOWN THE PIKE THAT WILL HOLD OUR HOSPITALS.

THIS DEAL HELPS PROVIDE A LIFE-SAVING FUNDING TO H CMC BUT ALSO ADDRESSES THE GREATER MINNESOTA NEED THAT WE WILL HAVE AT HOSPITALS ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT ARE ON THE LIST FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURES.

HOPEFULLY THAT BRIDGES THE GAP FROM THE DEVASTATING CUTS COMING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

I’M HOPING WE CAN MAINTAIN CARE ACROSS MINNESOTA.

TONY: BOTH OF YOU ACTUALLY WORK IN HEALTH CARE AND THESE ARE SOME TEMPORARY MEASURES YOU BOTH ARE SPEAKING OF.

IF WE COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THIS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT THE CONVERSATION GOES ON.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DRIVING FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED POLICY WISE TO HELP OUR ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU SERVE?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: WE ARE SEEING OUR POPULATION IS GETTING OLDER.

WE ARE SEEING MORE DEBILITATING CONDITIONS.

WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE FOLKS SHIFT TO MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PROGRAMS THAT DON’T REIMBURSE OUR HOSPITALS, EMS, AND OTHER SERVICES AT THE RATE THAT PRIVATE INSURERS DO AND IN GREATER MINNESOTA, THOSE DISPARITIES ARE EVEN HIGHER.

MY DISTRICT HAS SOME OF THE MOST MEDICAID, MEDICARE PATIENTS IN THE STATE, SO OUR HOSPITALS THAT ARE DOTTED ALL ACROSS THE MAP TO PROVIDE CARE TO THOSE PATIENTS ARE CONTINUING TO SEE DWINDLING FUNDS.

CAN WE PROVIDE HIGHER MATCHES FOR MEDICAID TO MAKE SURE THE STATE IS PUTTING IN A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY TO GET HIGHER REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

CAN WE INVEST IN PREVENTATIVE CARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, BETTER RURAL AMBULANCE SERVICES, AND HOME CARE TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM HAVING TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND HAVING THE SKYROCKETING BILLS THAT ARE CHARGING UNCOMPENSATED CARE TO OUR HOSPITALS?

THERE IS SO MUCH AND IT IS SUCH A COMPLICATED ISSUE, BUT MY REAL WORRY IS THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS CLOSE IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES THAT WILL RESTRICT PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO LIVE IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND I’M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING BUT WE NEED FEDERAL PARTNERS WHO WILL BE WILLING TO HELP US IN RIGHT NOW WE DON’T HAVE THAT.

TONY: SEN.

LANG, YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHERE THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO GO IN THE COMING YEARS?

SEN.

LANG: SEN.

HAUSCHILD TOUCHED ON SOMETHING THAT I THINK IN MY LINE OF WORK IS ACTUALLY SOMETHING I’VE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES.

IT IS THE EMS FIELD.

THE DOCTOR AT A FACILITY VIA THE INTERNET IS SOMETHING MUCH MORE COMMONPLACE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT’S A GOOD THING.

THAT IS SOMETHING WHERE FOR A SMALL ENROLLMENT FACILITY DOESN’T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO HAVE A DOCTOR ON FULL-TIME STAFF , WE NOW CAN DIAGNOSE IT AND TAKE AN ISSUE AND TRANSPORT THAT PERSON.

BUT ALSO, THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM.

THAT CRITICAL CARE, THAT CRITICAL NEED PATIENT THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO.

WHERE I WORK, I WORK IN THE AIR AMBULANCE REALM.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOU MAY HAVE A $10,000 OR $15,000 AMBULANCE RIDE THAT TURNS INTO A $50,000 HELICOPTER RIDE.

THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN COST.

ALSO, LIKE GRANT SAID, AS OUR PATIENTS AND SOCIETY GROWS OLDER AND LIVES LONGER, TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN SO GREAT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I TOUCHED ON THINGS THAT 25 YEARS AGO DIDN’T EXIST.

NOT IN THE CAPACITY AND AVAILABILITY LIKE THEY ARE NOW.

BUT, COST COMES WITH ALL OF THAT.

COST COMES WITH THAT TRANSPORT.

WE HAD THE BILL FOR EMS SERVICES.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO REEVALUATE THAT AND LOOK AT THAT AND EVALUATE WHERE WE PUT THE DOLLARS SO EVERYTHING IS WORKING.

THINGS LIKE RECRUITING AND RETENTION OF EMS PERSONNEL, THE PARAMEDICS, THE EMTS, ALL OF THAT STUFF.

IT IS A TOUGH THING TO KEEP SOMEONE IN A JOB WHEN THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE MAKING MONEY.

IT IS HIGH STRESS, HIGH WORKLOAD.

THEY NEVER SEE PEOPLE ON THE BEST DAY.

THEY ALWAYS SEE PEOPLE ON THEIR WORST DAY.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THOSE ARE AREAS OF CONCERN THAT THEY DRIVE A HIGH LEVEL OF COST AND GUESS WHAT?

THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR EMS ARE THE SAME THEY ARE FOR THE HOSPITAL.

THE TIMEFRAME FOR REIMBURSEMENT AT 6-9 MONTHS BEFORE WE GET PAID.

IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL ISSUE.

WE DO NEED HELP FROM OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS ON THAT ONE.

I’VE BEEN PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT THAT IN THE PAST.

HEALTH CARE IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY CHEAPER.

AS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES MORE READILY AVAILABLE, IT DOESN’T MAKE IT CHEAPER.

WE’VE GOT TO START THE CONVERSATION THERE.

TONY: MORE TO COME ON THAT.

THE LAST TOPIC AS PART OF THIS GLOBAL AGREEMENT, THIS FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

AND I.T.

AND COMPUTER SYSTEM UPGRADES, WE ASKED THE ST.

LOUIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR KEVIN GRAY WHAT HIS PRIORITIES WERE FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND TO GET QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATORS HERE TODAY?

>> THE ST.

LOUIS COUNTY HAVE ANY PRIORITIES FOR THE SESSION?

>> I’M SO GLAD YOU ASKED, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PRIORITIES.

BROADLY ONE, THIS IS A BONDING YEAR AS IT IS REFERRED TO AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

WE ARE ACTIVELY PURSUING SEVERAL LEGISLATIVE PROJECTS.

IT IS AROUND THE CANYON MIXED SOLID WASTE FACILITY.

I KNOW IT IS NOT THE MOST GLAMOROUS TOPIC, BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL RELATE TO, TO BE HONEST.

AND THE PARTNERSHIP WE ARE HAVING WITH RESOURCE RENEWED, OTHER COUNTIES IN OUR REGION TO MAKE THIS AN EVEN MORE BROAD PROJECT THAN WHAT IT USED TO BE, ST.

LOUIS COUNTY NORTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY.

BUT WE HAVE AN EXISTING LANDFILL THERE, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE AND DO MORE THINGS THAT TREAT THE GARBUTT -- GARBAGE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FOR THE FOREVER CHEMICALS THAT WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT, AND TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.

250,000 PEOPLE COULD BE IMPACTED.

SECONDLY, OUR TOP PRIORITY ON THE POLICY SIDE IS THOROUGH HUMAN SERVICES, BOTH TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS AND WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT ULTIMATELY AND UNIQUELY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA COME TO THE COUNTIES.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN TERMS OF SERVICING IN TERMS OF PROVIDING MANDATED POLICY EXPECTATIONS, BUT ALSO HOW DO WE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE HE DO A GREAT JOB WHILE NOT IMPACTING OUR TAXPAYERS AND IN THE END ARE TAXPAYERS OR SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY FIGHTING FOR AS WE LOOK AT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ARE GETTING A GOOD RECEPTION.

I WOULD SAY BONDING AND HOW DO WE ABSORB SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL POLICY AND LAW CHANGES.

I WOULD ASK THEM IS THAT GOOD POLICY IF YOU MAKE POLICY THAT HAS GREAT PROGRAMMATIC GOALS BUT ISN’T RESOURCE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE GOALS?

LIKE THE POLICY ON THE PHYSICAL SIDE AND SECONDLY I WOULD THROW OUT HOW DO YOU DO IT YOURSELVES BECAUSE IT IS A DEMANDING JOB TO BE IN THE ELECTED POSITIONS WHETHER IT IS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, STATE LEGISLATORS , AND LET’S GIVE ALL OF US SOME GRACE AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE TOUGH ISSUES.

TONY: THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT THEREFROM BONDING TO TECHNOLOGY AND I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE TECHNOLOGY SIDE SO WE WON’T GET DEEP INTO THE WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE.

AS I SAID BEFORE THAT, THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS PASSED INTO LAW AND HOPEFULLY FUNDED WITH THIS PROPOSAL AND THIS IDEA THAT SO MUCH OF THE SOFTWARE AROUND ANTI-ROCK -- ANTI-BROAD MEASURES ARE DECADES-OLD.

THIS ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES?

SEN.

LANG: YES, IT DOES.

IT IS FUNNY LISTENING TO THE COMMISSIONER.

I DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HIS BONDING PROJECT, BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF MY OWN.

THIS HAS BEEN A THORN IN THE SIDE OF HER COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE FOR DECADES.

I GOT ELECTED 10 YEARS AGO AND IN THE 10 YEARS I’VE BEEN HERE, IT MAY BE KIND OF UNDER THE COVER AND MAYBE IT ISN’T FRONT PAGE.

BUT THE WAY THAT THAT SYSTEM WORKS AND I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND IT WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, SO I ACTUALLY SAT DOWN AND WATCHED THEM WORK THIS.

TO GIVE THE VIEWER IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS, IT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD DOT MATRIX FROM AN APPLE COMPUTER TO THE 1990’S.

THERE ARE PENALTIES ASSOCIATED IF THERE IS NOT ACCURACY THAT GOES THROUGH IT.

THESE FOLKS WORKING IN OUR COUNTIES TRYING TO MAKE THIS SYSTEM WORK, I’VE SAT THROUGH THAT SO MANY TIMES.

IT NEEDS TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE REST OF THE STATE PROGRAM.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE OIG, I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THE OIG BILL.

IT DOES COST THE STATE DOLLARS.

IT WILL PROBABLY ALMOST BE SELF-FUNDING.

IF THEY CAN STOP IT BEFORE IT ACTUALLY HAPPENS AND CAPTURE SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENTLY TAKEN AND STOLEN.

I’M EXCITED TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

WE WILL FIND OUT WHO THE OIG MAY BE, BUT WE ARE ON A WAY TO DO THAT.

VOTED FOR IT TWICE ON THE FLOOR.

[LAUGHTER] TONY: GREAT.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL IS REALLY REACTIVE TO ONCE THINGS HAPPEN.

THIS FUNDING FOR TECHNOLOGY.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT MAY LESSEN THE LIKELIHOOD OF POTENTIAL FRAUD?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: I THINK THE FRAUD WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE AND OTHER PLACES AND A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE SILOS THAT EXIST IN OUR BUREAUCRACY AND OUR GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE TRYING TO DO GOOD WORK AND M CLEMENT THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE BUT A LOT OF MINNESOTANS ARE ASKING WHY ARE THEY NOT BEING CAUGHT FOR BEING FRAUDULENT ON AUTISM.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE STATE SENATE HAS BEEN LEADING OFF -- LEADING ON SINCE LAST YEAR.

LET’S HAVE AN OVERARCHING UMBRELLA ENTITY SEPARATE FROM THE POLITICS AND WHOEVER IS ELECTED GOVERNOR, AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE THAT IS INVESTIGATING, LAW-ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTORIAL TO REALLY INVESTIGATE WHERE ARE WE SEEING EVIDENCE OF FRAUD AND HOW DO WE GO AT IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT AGENCY IS INVOLVED, REGARDLESS OF WHAT ENTITY MIGHT BE SENDING MONEY TO THAT GROUP OR ORGANIZATION SO WE SORT OF HAVE ALL EYES ON THE PROSPECTS OF WHERE FRAUD MIGHT BE OCCURRING.

IT IS REALLY I THINK A STATE-OF-THE-ART SOLUTION THAT HAS WIDE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT RECEIVED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT IN THE STATE SENATE IN OUR VOTE LAST WEEK AND EARLIER LAST YEAR I THINK IT WAS ALMOST EVERY SENATOR SUPPORTED IT.

SO NOW THAT WE HAVE HOUSE AGREEMENT AND WE ARE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD, WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING THE FRAUD SO MANY MINNESOTANS ARE OUTRAGED BY.

SEN.

LANG REALLY TOUCHED ON THE I.T.

UPGRADES.

I SAT DOWN WITH ST.

LOUIS COUNTY AND WATCHED A DEMONSTRATION AND I WISH EVERY MINNESOTA AND COULD SEE IT BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE YOUR BRAIN HURT.

I WAS BORN IN 1989, THAT IS WHEN THE SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO THIS SYSTEM IS THE SAME AGE AS ME AND WE ARE STILL USING IT TO ADMINISTER CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES ACROSS OUR STATE AND IT IS REALLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE TO HELP SUPPORT COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ADMINISTERING THESE CRITICAL SERVICES BECAUSE WE MANDATE THAT THEY HELP PROVIDE THE SERVICES AND THE STAFF DEALING WITH THESE SYSTEMS, THE COUNTIES TRYING TO STRUGGLE TO CATCH FRAUD OR MAKE SURE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMS CORRECTLY DESERVE TO HAVE THE INVESTMENT OF THE STATE WITH AN I.T.

SYSTEM THAT HELPS THEM BE EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, AND EQUITABLE AND HOW THEY ADMINISTERING THESE PROGRAMS.

THE $75 MILLION BEING SENT TO THE COUNTIES THROUGH THIS GLOBAL BUDGET DEAL I THINK IS A REAL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WITH THAT, WITH THE OIG, I THINK WE ARE REALLY PUTTING OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD ADDRESSING THE FRAUD WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE.

TONY: THOSE OF THE TOPICS AGREED TO BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND NOW I WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT THINGS LEFT TO THE SIDE AND THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING AND THE REMAINING DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE FIRST ONE IS BUSINESS RELIEF AFTER OPERATION METRO SURGE.

SEN.

HAUSCHILD, WE DIDN’T SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITY OF METRO SURGE IN OUR REGION, BUT IS THIS STILL SOMETHING YOU SUPPORT AND THINK MAKE IT ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: LOOK, WE HAVE TO HAVE EACH OTHER’S BACK IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND I THINK THE FEDERAL OVERREACH THAT HAPPENED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA BUT ALSO IN SOME GREATER MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES WAS A REAL CATASTROPHE.

WE SAW INNOCENT LIVES LOST, WE SAW PEOPLE’S TO PROCESS AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TRAMPLED ON BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT.

SO IN THE STATE SENATE WE HAVE REALLY LED AND SAID, HOW CAN WE ENSURE BUSINESSES DON’T GO OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT FEDERAL OVERREACH AND THE TRAMPLING OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS?

I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES TO LIVE IN THE TWIN CITIES AND THE SUBURBS OF THE TWIN CITIES HAD OUR BACK ON THE IRON RANGE WHEN WE NEEDED AN UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION FOR STEELWORKERS, WHEN WE WANTED INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE AMBULANCE SERVICES, THIS IS OUR WAY OF SAYING AS STATE LEGISLATORS, WE REPRESENT OUR DISTRICTS FIRST AND FOREMOST, BUT WE ARE ALSO STATESMEN FOR THE ENTIRE STATE -- BUT WE ARE ALSO STATESMEN FOR THE WHOLE STATE.

IN THE STATE SENATE WE MOVED FORWARD WITH THAT PACKAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY IT IS NOT SOMETHING THE HOUSE WAS ABLE TO AGREE TO SO IT IS NOT PART OF THE GLOBAL PACKAGE, WE WERE ABLE TO PASS SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE RESIDENTS LIVING IN THAT AREA UNABLE TO GO TO WORK.

I’M HOPEFUL THAT WILL GIVE SOME RELIEF TO THOSE RESIDENTS.

TONY: SEN.

LANG, WE KNOW THIS WAS OPERATION METRO SURGE, BUT THERE WAS SOME ACTIVITY IN AREAS LIKE, WAS THIS SOMETHING YOU SUPPORTED?

SEN.

LANG: IT WAS NOT.

I HATE TO PUT AN OVERARCHING VIEWPOINT ON THIS BECAUSE IT DID AFFECT SOME OF MY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE POLITICS GOT SO HEATED AROUND IT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE PROCESS, I REMEMBER SEEING EVEN IN MY LOCAL COMMUNITIES LIKE BLACKOUT DAYS WHERE THEY DECIDED TO SHUT THEIR BUSINESSES DOWN TO PROTEST.

AND IT DIDN’T MAKE SENSE TO ME WHY WE WOULD BE OFFERING BUSINESSES THAT DID THAT SOME SORT OF A SUPPORT PACKAGE.

IT REALLY WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED MY LOCAL COMMUNITY MUCH.

I LOOKED AT THE DOLLARS AND THE BUSINESSES AT THE TIME THAT CLAIMS TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS IN MY DISTRICT WOULDN’T HAVE RECEIVED ANY MONEY.

IT WOULD HAVE LARGELY BEEN IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

I DON’T KNOW.

I THINK GRANT IS RIGHT ON ONE THING.

AS A STATE, WE PROBABLY NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.

AS A STATE WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE WISE DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS THAT THE FEDERAL.

HER FOLKS ARE PUSHING IT DOWN ON US OR OFFERING US, FOR EXAMPLE THERE WAS A CHILD TAX CREDIT, EXCUSE ME, A SCHOOL TAX CREDIT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OFFERED US, THAT THE GOVERNOR WASN’T WILLING TO TAKE.

IT WAS AN EASY ONE.

IT WAS A FREE ONE.

SO, THERE IS A LOT OF, TO BE QUITE FRANK WITH YOU, I’M KIND OF SICK OF ALL THE BICKERING BACK AND FORTH THAT HAS GONE BETWEEN OUR FEDERAL LEADERS AND OUR STATE LEADERS.

AND THIS BILL WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SURE FELT LIKE IT WAS SOMETHING WHERE THE GOVERNOR DIDN’T REALLY QUITE THAT -- VET IT LIKE HE SHOULD HAVE.

I THINK SOME DISCUSSIONS WE HAD WERE WELL THOUGHT OUT AND BEING IN THE MINORITY PARTY OFTENTIMES OUR VOICES DON’T CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THOSE IN THE MAJORITY.

I’VE BEEN IN THE MAJORITY.

IT REALLY DIDN’T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

I DIDN’T SEE THE NEED FOR SUCH A LARGE PACKAGE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS, THAT IS THE THING, I LISTEN TO PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT, THAT IS WHO I REPRESENT, I HAVE VOTED IN WAYS I DIDN’T AGREE WITH NECESSARILY WHEN THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT NEEDED THINGS TO HAPPEN.

THAT’S WHAT I REPRESENT.

IT WAS KIND OF AN EASY VOTE FOR ME.

IT WAS NOT SUPER COMPLEMENTARY TO SENATE DISTRICT 16.

TONY: ONE OTHER TOPIC THAT LOOKS LIKE IS NOT GOING TO BE MADE PROGRESS ON A SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN RESTRICTIONS.

I KNOW IN THE SENATE YOU HAD A SIGNIFICANT DEBATE ON THIS ENTIRE ISSUE AND ULTIMATELY PASSED SOME LEGISLATION ON THIS AND THE HOUSE SEEMS TO BE DEADLOCKED AND NOT TAKING A VOTE ON IT.

SEN.

LANG CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN RESTRICTION?

SEN.

LANG: SCHOOL SAFETY, I WILL START WITH THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING I’VE SUPPORTED MY ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE.

WE HAVE PASSED SMALL, PIECEMEAL BILLS IN THE PAST FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

THE THINGS THAT CONCERN ME, YOU KNOW, IN THIS MODERN WORLD WE LIVE IN, IT SEEMS LIKE SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME A TARGET FOR PEOPLE BENT ON CREATING HAVOC AND HARM.

JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY VOTED OUT OF THE SENATE, OUT OF THE HOUSE TO REMOVE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OUT OF SCHOOLS.

POOR CHOICE, IT WAS A BAD IDEA.

WE NEED PROTECTION FOR OUR KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS.

WHEN IT COMES TO SCHOOL SAFETY FUNDING, THE PACKAGES THAT WERE IN THE ASSAULT WEAPON BAN BILL WASN’T EVEN ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE HAPPY ABOUT IT.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE HAD A BILL THAT CAME TO A -- THE SENATE FLOOR THAT WAS A $120 MILLION SCHOOL SAFETY FUNDING.

IT GOT CUT DOWN TO ABOUT $30 MILLION AT THE TIME IT PASSED THROUGH THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE.

WHEN I TALK TO MY LOCAL SCHOOLS, THEY SAID, THAT WOULD ACTUALLY HELP, THAT IS $30,000 FOR MY SCHOOL, I COULD PUT A CAMERA SYSTEM IN, I COULD PUT SELF LOCKING DOORS AND.

I HATE THAT WE HAVE TO DO THIS, BUT BULLETPROOF GLASS.

WE CAN DO ALL THOSE THINGS.

WE CAN PAY OUR SRO OUT OF THIS FUND.

IT WAS KIND OF A NO-BRAINER.

THAT WAS $30 MILLION IN IT WAS A SMALL CHUNK TO EACH SCHOOL.

I REPRESENT ALL OR SOME OF 22 DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN MY DISTRICT.

SO I HAVE A LARGE SWATH OF FOLKS THAT HAVE GOOD OPINIONS AND THAT WAS REALLY WHERE I WANTED TO GO.

TO TIE THAT WITH THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN THAT LARGELY FROM MY VIEWPOINT WOULD BE ENTIRELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, REALLY WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED THE SCHOOL SHOOTING AT ANNUNCIATION, IT WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED A FEW YEARS BACK, THERE WAS ONE IN COLD SPRING.

IT WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED THAT.

I’M REALLY CONCERNED WITH THE CONTINUED EFFORT FROM LEGISLATORS, I MEAN I HAVE GRANT ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW, AND I DON’T WANT TO GO DIRECTLY AT HIM BECAUSE THIS IS A FRIENDLY SHOW, BUT I’M CONTINUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHEN WE GOT ELECTED AND YOU SIT IN THE SENATE CHAMBER YOU TAKE AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND PROTECT PEOPLE’S RIGHTS AND WE ARE CONTINUALLY SEEING AN EFFORT TO ERODE THOSE RIGHTS, TO TAKE THOSE RIGHTS AWAY.

I’M CONCERNED WITH THAT.

I’M SAD THAT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS GOING DOWN THAT ROAD.

TONY: SEN.

HAUSCHILD, YOUR THOUGHTS?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: YES, I THINK WE DO TAKE AN OATH TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT INCLUDES THE PURSUIT OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I HAVE YOUNG KIDS, A SIX-YEAR-OLD IN A FOUR-YEAR-OLD, WHO I SEND OFF TO SCHOOL AND DAYCARE AND LIVING IN THE MODERN WORLD WHERE WE ARE SEEING SCHOOLS TARGETED, YOUNG CHILDREN TARGETED WITH WEAPONS THAT CAN SHOOT HUNDREDS OF BULLETS INTO A SCHOOL OR A CHURCH AND KILL YOUNG KIDS, AND WE ARE SAYING WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

WE CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

I THINK THAT IS A LACKLUSTER RESPONSE TO A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.

I CAN’T LET MY OWN KIDS IN THE EYE, I CAN’T LOOK MYSELF IN THE EYE IF I DON’T SAY, HOW CAN WE APPROACH THIS FROM A COMMONSENSE WAY TO ACTUALLY REDUCE VIOLENCE?

WE HEARD COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE DURING THE 2023 SESSION SAY THAT RED FLAG LAWS WERE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND WOULD DO NOTHING TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE.

WE KNOW THAT IS UNEQUIVOCALLY UNTRUE.

RIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE IN DULUTH, WE HAD SOMEONE WHO WAS THREATENING TO SHOOT UP A SCHOOL, THE RED FLAG WAS RAISED, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE GUNS, AND YOUNG CHILDREN’S LIVES WERE SAVED.

THAT IS COMMONSENSE REFORMS TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT KIDS’ LIVES ARE SAVED.

THAT’S MY DUTY.

THAT’S WHAT I’M DOING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND WE HEAR CONSTANTLY FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY IF WE TRULY WANT TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE, IF WE TRULY WANT TO REDUCE POLITICAL VIOLENCE THAT WE ARE SEEING ON ALL SIDES VIOLENCE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

THAT IS WHAT WE DID IN THE STATE SENATE.

WE BROUGHT FORWARD A PACKAGE THAT HAD SCHOOL SECURITY FUNDING, THAT ADDRESSED THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND WE BROUGHT FORWARD COMMONSENSE REFORMS THAT DID NOT TAKE ANYBODY’S GUNS AWAY, BUT RESTRICTIONS ON FUTURE SALES OF LARGE CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND WEAPONS OF WAR.

I THINK THAT IS MORE THAN COMMON SENSE IN ORDER TO SAVE PEOPLE’S LIVES IN THIS ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ARE IN.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT.

I MET WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WITH CONSTITUENTS, WITH THE PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN WERE KILLED IN GUN VIOLENCE.

I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE BECAUSE I CAN LOOK MYSELF IN THE EYE AND MY CHILDREN IN THE EYE TO SAY I DID WHAT I COULD TO HELP KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

I THINK MY CONSTITUENTS UNDERSTAND THAT.

TONY: WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

ONE OTHER TOPIC IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, ONE OF THE KEY PIECES OF LEGISLATION AROUND THIS, WAS BANNING NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

I WANTED A STATUS UPDATE ON THAT.

WHERE IS THAT LEGISLATION, AND IS IT LIKELY TO PASS?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: THIS WAS ONE OF MY PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN RESPONSE TO WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AROUND THE USE OF NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

I BROUGHT FORWARD AN AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF THOSE NDAA’S BY BOTH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF IN OUR COMMUNITIES, SO WE ARE BEING TRANSPARENT, RIGHT?

IF THE COMMUNITY WANTS A DATA CENTER OR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, LET’S BE TRANSPARENT WITH CONSTITUENTS.

LET’S MAKE SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE CHANGES HAPPENING IN ZONING OR IN PROPOSALS FOR TAX ABATEMENT, SO THEY ARE CLEAR RIGHT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND THE POSSIBLE CHANGES THAT WILL OCCUR IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THAT DID PASS THE SENATE FLOOR WITH WIDE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I BELIEVE A SENATE REPUBLICAN ALSO HAD A SIMILAR PROPOSAL THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD AND PASSED AS WELL.

SO THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT TO THIS.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS COMPLETELY STALLED OUT IN THE HOUSE, SO IT IS UNCLEAR, THESE FINAL DAYS, WHAT MIKE -- MIGHT MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WE DO HAVE A STRONG SENATE POSITION AROUND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, TO MAKE SURE THERE IS TRANSPARENCY ON THOSE PROJECTS.

TONY: I WANT TO KEEP GOING.

WE HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

ANOTHER TOPIC IS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

THERE IS ONE IN PARTICULAR DEALING WITH EDUCATION FUNDING USING PERMANENT SCHOOL FUNDING, INCREASING THAT.

IS THIS SOMETHING YOU SUPPORT?

CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

SEN.

LANG: IT IS, ACTUALLY.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD -- AMENDMENTS ARE A PRETTY HOT TOPIC AROUND THE LEGISLATURE.

IT IS IMPORTANT, AS THEY HAVE GONE ON IN THE PAST OR FAILED IN THE PAST -- IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROCESS OCCURS BEFORE IT GOES TO THE VOTERS.

IN THIS CASE, THERE IS PRETTY BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THIS ONE AS WELL.

THERE IS A PORTION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDED TO IT THAT I DON’T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO GET OR NOT.

THAT IS THAT ANY FUTURE LEGISLATURE HAS TO HAVE A SUPER MAJORITY BEFORE THEY CAN CHANGE THE PERCENTAGE.

IT IS AN INCREASE IN MONEY THAT COMES OUT OF THE TRUST FUND THAT WILL GO TO OUR SCHOOLS.

I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING.

I THINK WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE A GOOD PRODUCT AT THE END.

I AM HOPEFUL.

TONY: THERE ARE SOME DISAGREEMENTS IN LANGUAGE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

FOR OUR VIEWERS, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT?

SEN.

HAUSCHILD: ONE THING I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IS THE SCHOOL TRUST THAT PAYS INTO THIS FUND THAT GOES TO SCHOOL STATEWIDE COMES FROM TWO SENATE DISTRICTS, MY DISTRICT AND SENATOR FARNSWORTH, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE MINDS ON THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY THAT REALLY PAY INTO THE SCHOOL TRUST LANDS AND GET DISTRIBUTED TO EDUCATION STATEWIDE.

SO WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THAT UP HERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

I DO THINK THERE WILL BE AGREEMENT ON THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BEING BROUGHT -- BROUGHT BEFORE VOTERS.

IN THE SENATE, THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT THAT WAS ADDED TO CHANGE THE FORMULA.

I THINK THAT IS BEING NEGOTIATED IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

BUT I ANTICIPATE THAT REGARDLESS, WE WILL SEE THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT AND IT WILL HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF IMPACT ON ALL OF OUR SCHOOL STATEWIDE TO HELP STABILIZE WITH FUNDING FROM THE CRITICAL INDUSTRIES WE HAVE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TONY: WE HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE FIVE TOPICS THAT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND GOVERNOR WALZ BROUGHT FORWARD.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF ALL FIVE OF THOSE ISSUES GETTING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE?

SEN.

LANG: I AM FEELING CONFIDENT BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS AN AGREEMENT FROM ALL LEADERS.

THERE IS THE SIGNATURES ON THE AGREEMENT FROM THE LEADERS.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM SENATOR JOHNSON, SAYING THAT HE IS IN AGREEMENT AND WILL PROVIDE THE VOTES FOR THE FUNDING BILL.

SO WE HAVE EVERYBODY ON RECORD.

BUT YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT, TONY.

NOW, WE GET INTO THE DETAILS.

WE NEGOTIATE SOME FINAL ITEMS.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET THIS ACROSS, BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT MINNESOTANS EXPECT US TO DELIVER.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

I’M PROUD OF THAT.

SEN.

LANG: I AM ALWAYS HOPEFUL.

I WILL TELL YOU, NOTHING EVER SURPRISES ME AROUND THE LEGISLATURE.

A DEAL CAN BE IN PLACE AND IT CAN GET BLOWN UP.

I THINK THAT -- I AM GIVING A STRONG HOPEFUL ABOVE AVERAGE REPORT.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THE END.

IT WILL REMAIN TO BE SEEN, I GUESS.

WE HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT.

IT WILL BE -- A LITTLE FIREWORKS SHOW FROM TIME TO TIME IS GOING TO HAPPEN AROUND THE LEGISLATURE.

TONY: WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK ANOTHER TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENATOR HOSS CHILD AND SENATOR LANG FOR JOINING US TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR FINAL SHOW OF THE YEAR TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT GOT DONE OVER THE FINISH LINE AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT YOU.

FROM PBS NORTH, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

TONY: THANK YOU BOTH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

SORRY ABOUT THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AT THE BEGINNING.

I WISH YOU ALL A LITTLE BIT OF REST AND SLEEP OVER THE WEEKEND.

I KNOW THE SMELL OF THAT BUILDING.

THE END OF THE YEAR AND ALL THAT FUN SORT OF STUFF -- I WISH YOU WELL.

>> ARE YOU SAID NOT TO BE IN THAT BACK ROOM?

-- SAD NOT TO BE IN THAT BACK ROOM?

TONY: NO, I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE HOME.

IT IS GOING TO BE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER UP HERE AND I AM GOING TO ENJOY IT.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

TONY: GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

YEP.

YEP.

TONY: THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOUR LEGISLATORS, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.

TONY: THANK YOU.