>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: WE'VE GOT A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

NEW JOB NUMBERS OUT FROM THE STATE, A LOOK AT METRO TRANSIT SAFETY MEASURES, OUR POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS TALK IOWA CAUCUS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN OUT HANGING WITH SOME FURRY FRIENDS.

>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY S ON THE FINAL LEG AS LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR PUT TOGETHER THEIR BONDING PROPOSALS FOR STATE PROJECTS.

>> THIS IS MY BIG SHOW FOR HE SESSION.

>> THEY CAN PRETTY MUCH DO WHATEVER THEY WANT EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE BILL.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

>> SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> Cathy: IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL FIND OUT IN NEW SECURITY MEASURES HAVE INCREASED SAFETY ON LIGHT RAIL LINES AND BUSES IN THE TWIN CITIES.

WE'RE GOING TO DIVE INTO THE COURT RULING ON MINNESOTA'S NEW SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS AND A TRIO POLITICAL SCIENTISTS WILL TALK PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH ECONOMIC NEWS.

MINNESOTA ADDED JUST 800 JOBS IN DECEMBER, THE SIXTH STRAIGHT MONTH OF GROWTH, BUT FAR BELOW THE THOUSANDS ADDED IN PREVIOUS MONTHS.

DID DECEMBER'S WARM AND DRY WEATHER PLAY A ROLE?

HOW DOES THE STATE COMPARE TO THE REST OF THE NATION?

LET'S ASK A COUPLE OF GUESTS WITH US, CHRIS FARRELL COVERS ECONOMICS FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA AND WE WELCOME BACK KRISTINE WEST, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT ST. KATHERINE'S UNIVERSITY.

2.9%, IS THAT LIKE FULL EMPLOYMENT OR BETTER THAN FULL EMPLOYMENT?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S BETTER THAN FULL EMPLOYMENT.

THAT'S A REALLY ROBUST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

SO THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS BEEN HOVERING AROUND 3 AND IT TIPPED UNDER TO 2.9 SEASONALLABLY ADJUSTED, SO, GREAT NEWS.

>> WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE?

>> IT'S WONDERFUL NEWS.

IT'S GREAT NEWS.

I MEAN, YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY, I MEAN, TALK ABOUT PRODUCTIVITY OR GDP BUT WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS JOBS.

THAT'S WHAT THE ECONOMY IS ABOUT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEW YEAR AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT NATIONALLY OR LOCALLY, THE JOB MARKET IS GOOD.

AND ONE DEFINITION OF A GOOD ECONOMY IS WHEN EMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

NOT WHEN WORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYERS.

AND WE'RE IN AN ECONOMY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SMALL BUSINESS SURVEYS, THEY'RE STILL HIRING, THEY'RE STILL LOOKING FOR WORKERS AND I THINK YOU'RE ALSO SEEING MANY MORE ORGANIZATIONS, COMPANIES WILLING TO TRAIN WORKERS BECAUSE THEY NEED THEM.

>> HELP ME OUT HERE, THOUGH.

THIS ALL SOUNDS GREAT.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS DOWN, YES, BUT SO IS PARTICIPATION.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> AND THAT'S DOWN TOO, SO HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> WELL, MINNESOTA HAS HISTORICALLY HAD REALLY HIGH LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES, SO WE'RE ACTUALLY STILL PRETTY HIGH LIKE COMPARED TO NATIONAL TRENDS.

BUT WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC SO WE USED TO BE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES IN THE 70S IKE LOW 70% AND WE'RE AT LIKE 68.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IS SOME ROOM FOR POLICY TO TRY AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SORT OF PUT THEIR HAT BACK IN THE RING.

>> AND WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT STILL BE ON THE SIDELINES?

>> SO SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO RETIRED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HAVEN'T COME BACK, SOME PEOPLE HAVE COME BACK AND UNRETIRED, BUT OTHER PEOPLE.

AND WE HAVE AN AGING WORKFORCE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TRENDS WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE WORKFORCE IS THE AGING OF THE WORKFORCE.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE THERE.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS FOR ORGANIZATIONS, ADVOCATES, COMPANIES TO BE THINKING ABOUT IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.

BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STILL CONTINUING TO COME OFF THE SIDELINES.

>> YEP.

>> AND SO AND YET WE'RE STILL NOT AS FLEXIBLE AS YOU THINK WE'D BE.

PEOPLE CAN STILL LOOK AT SOMEBODY WHO TOOK SOME TIME OFF TO, YOU NOW, SPEND TIME WITH HIS OR HER YOUNG CHILDREN AND KIND OF GO, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN OUT OF THE WORKFORCE A COUPLE YEARS -- I MEAN, STOP THIS, STOP THIS.

THIS HAS GOT TO END.

AND WE'RE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION I'D JUST LIKE O SEE US MOVE FASTER.

>> WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS, PROFESSOR?

THE MICHIGAN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SURVEY UP 29 POINTS SINCE NOVEMBER.

BEST TWO-MONTH INCREASE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SURVEY.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS A GREAT WAY TO TAKE THE PULSE ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

WHAT WAS PUZZLEING WAS HOW CONFIDENCE WAS LAGGING, SO I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT THE CONFIDENCE NUMBERS ARE CATCHING UP AND THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY FEELING IN THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE.

BECAUSE IT'S ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT AVERAGES AND TO TALK ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND IF IT'S NOT WHAT YOU FEEL AND IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING THAT'S NOT GOING TO RESONATE.

THIS TELLS ME THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE STARTING TO RESONATE WITH PEOPLE.

>> INTEREST RATES ARE TIMELY FALLING A LITTLE BIT.

IS THAT GOING TO CONTINUE >> I MEAN, I THINK IT WILL BECAUSE INFLATION IS COMING DOWN.

IF YOU'RE AN OPTIMIST ON INFLATION, THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS SUCCEEDED IN ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST INFLATION AND NOW THEIR QUESTION IS WHEN DO THEY START EASING THE SUPPLY CHAIN, WHICH TOOK A LOT LONGER TO SORT OF GET WORKING WELL, THEY'RE NOW WORKING WELL.

SO I THINK AS INFLATION RATES COME DOWN, SO WILL INTEREST RATES.

INTEREST RATES WILL PROBABLY STAY HIGHER SO LONG AS THE ECONOMY KEEPS GROWING.

BUT THAT'S NOT A BAD THING.

THAT WOULD BE REFLECTING NOT SO MUCH INFLATION OR RISING PRICES, BUT IT WILL REFLECT HEALTHY ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INTEREST IN TRYING TO DECIDE WHERE ARE WE GOING TO PUT THAT CAPITAL.

SO OVERALL LIKE MORTGAGE RATES ARE COMING DOWN, I THINK IT'S A REASONABLE EXPECTATION MORTGAGE RATES WILL CONTINUE TO COME DOWN BECAUSE THE MORTGAGE RATES ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO FED POLICY.

>> Eric: BUSINESS CONCERNS.

SICK AND SAFE TIME, PAID LEAVE, LEGALIZED MARIJUANA.

THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THAT STUFF, THE GOVERNOR SAYS THESE THINGS WILL BRING A YOUNGER VIBRANT WORKFORCE TO THE STATE.

WHERE DO ECONOMISTS COME DOWN ON KIND OF THOSE OPPOSING VIEWS?

>> YOU KNOW, ECONOMISTS ARE FAMOUS FOR LIKE THERE'S TRADEOFFS, AND THERE'S LITTLE GIVE AND TAKE HERE.

OBVIOUSLY REGULATION ITS CREATES MORE BUSINESSES LIKE THEY'RE SAYING, THEY NEED TO CONSIDER THE REGULATION, THE COST AND THAT MAY MAKE DIFFERENT HIRING DECISIONS BECAUSE OF THAT.

BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS ABOUT A GOOD POINT HERE.

THE REGULATIONS THAT WERE BEING INTRODUCED THIS YEAR ARE ONES THAT MAKE THOSE WORKERS WHO ARE ON THE SIDELINE MAYBE MORE LIKELY TO COME BACK IN.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO AVE PAID FAMILY LEAVE OR SICK TIME, IF YOU'RE GOING TO AVE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ALLOW A PARENT WHO'S TRANSITIONING BACK FROM BEING AT HOME TO WORK, I THINK THAT'S OOD FOR THE STATE'S ECONOMY OVERALL AND I THINK THAT USINESSES WILL COME TO SEE THAT.

>> Eric: WITH INFLATION LESSENING, WILL PRICES COME DOWN OR WILL COMPANIES KEEP THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND THEN PUT THE REST IN THEIR POCKET?

>> SO A COUPLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

PRICES AREN'T GOING TO COME DOWN MUCH.

BUT UNLESS THEY'RE MORE COMMODITY RELATED, LUMBER HAS COME DOWN, PRICE OF EGGS IS HAS COME DOWN.

SOME OF THE THINGS PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT WHEN INFLATION WAS GOING UP AND PRICES ERE GOING UP.

MORE COMMODITIES WILL COME DOWN.

BUT I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS, OKAY, WE'RE ANOTHER GOING TO LOWER THE PRICE OF A CAR BUT MAYBE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A DISCOUNT ON THE INTEREST RATE, OR MAYBE WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND THE WARRANTEE.

COMPANIES WILL DO VARIOUS THINGS THAT WILL, THAT THE CONSUMER WILL SEE THEY'RE GETTING SOMETHING OF A DEAL, BUT ACTUALLY CUTTING THE PRICE, THAT'S REALLY HARD.

COMPANIES DON'T LIKE DOING THAT.

>> Eric: SO IT'S A WINDFALL FOR THE COMPANIES THEN?

IF THEIR COSTS ARE LESS BUT THEY KEEP THE PRICE THE SAME TO THE CONSUMER?

>> I MEAN, I AGREE.

PRICES ARE STICKY COMING DOWN, THAT'S NLIKELY TO HAPPEN.

THE WAY WE COULD GET THE DEALS LIKE CHRIS MENTIONED.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE SEEING THAT UNIONS AND OTHER LABOR IS STARTING TO NEGOTIATE FOR THEIR PIECE OF THAT PIE TOO, THOUGH, SO I DO THINK IT WON'T BE PURE PROFIT.

>> Eric: WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

GOOD STUFF, THOUGH.

GLAD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

CREATING JOBS AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS ARE OFTEN ARGUMENTS BEHIND BIG BONDING BILLS FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

THE GOVERNOR RELEASED HIS BONDING BILL PROPOSAL THIS WEEK AND LAWMAKERS ARE WRAPPING UP THEIR STATEWIDE TOURS TO SEE THOSE PROPOSALS IN-PERSON.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER TAKES ALONG TO EXPLAIN THE OUTLOOK FOR THE ONLY BILL THAT NEEDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

[ DOGS BARKING ] >> A LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY IS THE HEART WRENCHING STOP IN THE FINAL STEP FOR SENATORS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

>> WE'VE REALLY COVERED THE STATE.

AND IT'S KIND OF SHOCKING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEED THAT'S OUT THERE.

>> LAST YEAR LAWMAKERS APPROVED A RECORD BONDING BILL OVER $2 BILLION IN A BUDGET YEAR SO ANOTHER BILL AND STATEWIDE TOUR IS A BIG ASK.

>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH SENATOR PAPPAS TAKING OVER THE LEAD OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE.

>> JUST THIS WEEK I THINK WE ARE AT PROBABLY 60 HOURS OF BONDING TOURS.

>> IN ONE WEEK.

>> YEAH.

IT'S CRAZY.

>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS ONE OF THE OLDEST NON-PROFITS IN THE STATE AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY WITH STATEWIDE REACH.

THEY'RE BEST KNOWN FOR ADOPTION AND 90% GO HOME.

THEY ALSO OFFER LOW COST VETERINARY SERVICES, DOING 20 TO 30 SPAY/ANNUITIER SURGERIES A DAY.

>> PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA DO IN THE METRO AREA IN PARTICULAR REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR PETS AND THE PETS ARE PART OF THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS NEW DESIGN THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT WITH A NEW FACILITY IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT FACILITY.

I'M EXCITED THAT THEY'VE RAISED SO MUCH PRIVATE MONEY.

>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS ASKING LAWMAKERS FOR $15 MILLION FOR A NEW FACILITY IN ST. PAUL.

>> IT IS SO HARD BEING ON THIS BONDING COMMITTEE, AND HEARING GREATER PROJECTS.

I DON'T WANT TO NAME ANY OF THEM BECAUSE THEY'LL THINK -- >> THERE WERE PUPPIES ALL MORNING.

>> YES, YOU KNOW, PUPPIES ARE JUST GREAT.

WE LOVE PUPPIES.

WHEN THEY'RE OUT IN UNDERSTANDOVER AND THEY'RE DRINKING FROM THEIR WATER BOTTLES FOR A YEAR, THEY CAN'T COOK WITH THEIR WATER THAT COMES OUT OF THEIR FAUCET, THAT'S A NEED.

>> EVEN WITH THAT BIG BONDING BILL THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT IN BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T READY TO GO OR THEY WEREN'T THE TOP CHOICE OF THEIR LEGISLATORS.

WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS BUILT IN THE '60S, BUILT AFTER WORLD WAR II THAT HAVE AGED OUT.

>> AND OF COURSE THE BONDING BILL IS THE ONLY LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS TO BUILD A BIPARTISAN SUPERMAJORITY THAT OFTEN BECOMES A BLUNT NEGOTIATING TOOL.

>> THE DEMOCRATS HAVE REFUSED TO WORK WITH US.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS BUT YOU HAVE THE VOTES OF THE DAMN BILL.

>> LAST YEAR YOU PLAYED HARD BALL.

THE SENATE PLACED TO PUT THIS INTO HEAVY NEGOTIATIONS.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE THAT TOUGH AGAIN >> WE ARE IN THE COMPLETE MINORITY, GOVERNOR, HOUSE AND SENATE ARE ALL IN DEMOCRAT CONTROL SO THEY PRETTY MUCH CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE BILL, THE BONDING BILL.

>> IS THERE A CHANCE OF NO BILL?

IS THERE A CHANCE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT REPUBLICANS SAY NO WAY, NOT AFTER AN ELECTION YEAR, NOT AFTER YOU DID LAST TIME.

>> THERE'S ABSOLUTELY A CHANCE.

2.6 BILLION WENT OUT THE DOOR LAST YEAR AND THAT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> WHAT IS THE CHANCE OF NO BONDING BILL?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS THAT HANCE.

>> YOU HAD A RECORDING BONDING BILL, CONTEXTUALIZE THAT FOR US.

>> E SHOULD EALLY BE DOING A MAJOR BONDING BILL EVERY YEAR.

OUR PROBLEM AS A STATE IS WE'RE RUNNING UP AGAINST OUR RULES, WHICH WE CARRY SO MUCH DEBT.

WE CAN'T BORROW AGAIN FOR TWO YEARS UNTIL WE PAY OFF SOME OF OUR DEBT.

>> I'M GOING TO AVE MEMBERS THAT ARE GOING TO SAY WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WE BORROWED A BILLION LAST YEAR, WHY ARE WE BORROWING ANOTHER 830 MILLION?

>> THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HIS BONDING BILL JUST BELOW A BILLION DOLLARS AFTER ALSO TOURING THE STATE.

>> MAKING SURE WE'RE LISTENING TO WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE FACILITIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THOSE THINGS THEY'RE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT, CLEAN WATER, PUBLIC SAFETY, SAFER ROADS AND BRIDGES IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> THE GOVERNOR WAS A UNION TEACHER AND TRADE UNIONS HAVE BEEN KEY IN HIS POLITICAL SUPPORT.

GROUNDBREAKINGS AND RIBBON CUTTINGS ARE TOP PHOTO OPS.

>> GOVERNORS, YOU KNOW, THE REASON THERE'S SO MUCH LABOR IN THIS OOM IS THESE BILLS ARE IMPORTANT TO US.

THESE HAVE PUT THE MEN AND WOMEN IN TRADES TO WORK.

>> THEY'RE BUILDING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IN THIS WEATHER, CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE OUR ROADS ARE SAFE, WATER IS CLEAN, OUR BRIDGES O NOT FALL DOWN.

>> THE LOCATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S PANDEMIC BRIEFINGS WAS AN OUTDATED STATE PATROL HEADQUARTERS THAT WOULD BE REPLACED IN THIS PROPOSAL.

>> THIS ISN'T ABOUT REPLACING HEADQUARTERS, THIS IS ABOUT CHARTING THE FUTURE OF THE STATE PATROL.

WE CURRENTLY WORK OUT OF SIX DIFFERENT OFFICE SPACES THAT IS ABOUT AS FRAGMENTED AND DISJOINTED AS YOU AN GET.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ALSO HAS ANTIQUATED FACILITIES THAT WOULD GET UPDATED.

>> OUR FACILITIES RANGE IN AGE FROM 125 YEARS ON THE OLDEST SIDE AND YOUNGEST IS PUSHING 30 YEARS OLD.

THE NEEDS ARE PROFOUND.

WE BELIEVE THIS INVESTMENT IN DEFERRED MAINTENANCE WILL GO A LONG WAY.

>> WITH CLOSE CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL AT STAKE AGAIN, GAINING REPUBLICAN VOTES COULD BE DIFFICULT BUT THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE EXPECTS STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> THIS IS MY BIG SHOW FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND IT SHOULD BE VERY, VERY BIPARTISAN.

♪♪ >> CATHY: "CRITICAL RACE THEORY" HAS BECOME A HOT BUTTON TOPIC IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY, BUT HERE IN THE NORTH STAR STATE THE DEBATE IS OVER ETHNIC STUDIES.

INCLUSION OF THE TOPIC IN SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES HAS BEEN CONTESTED FOR YEARS HERE IN MINNESOTA, AND LAST YEAR, THE D.F.L.

TRIFECTA SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY TO REQUIRE ETHNIC STUDIES CURRICULA FOR ALL STUDENTS.

THIS WEEK A JUDGE APPROVED THOSE STANDARDS, ALBEIT WITH A FEW TWEAKS.

BECKY DERNBACH HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS TOPIC FOR THE SAHAN JOURNAL, AND JOINS US NOW TO SCHOOL US ON THE ISSUE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> YOU TOO.

>> WHAT GENERALLY IS ETHNIC STUDIES?

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE IT?

>> YEAH, SO ETHNIC STUDIES, STUDENTS ARE OFTEN REALLY EXCITED ABOUT ETHNIC STUDIES BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SEE MORE DIVERSE HISTORIES AND TORIES REFLECTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS, AND THAT'S ONE REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF ETHNIC STUDIES IS JUST TEACHING ABOUT MORE CULTURES AND MORE HISTORIES.

THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER COMPONENTS THAT INCLUDE DOING SOME PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH, STUDENTS LEARN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND MAKE A PLAN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THE STANDARDS THAT WERE APPROVE THEY DID WEEK, I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

SO THERE WERE SORT OF TWO DIFFERENT PATHS OF ETHNIC STUDIES.

THE D.F.L.

IN THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THNIC STUDIES CLASSES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED IN ALL HIGH SCHOOLS STARTING IN 2026 AND THOSE WILL BE ELECTIVE CLASSES.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK WAS SEPARATE FROM THAT.

IT WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR FOUR YEARS THAT'S GOING TO JUST LIKE ENTERGREAT ETHNIC STUDIES INTO ALL SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES.

>> Cathy: GOT IT.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE SUPPORTERS SAYING ABOUT THE CHRISISM THAT IT SETS UP THE OPPRESSOR VERSUS THE OPPRESSED, KIND OF A MARXIST PHILOSOPHY, DIVIDES STUDENTS RATHER THAN BRINGS THEM TOGETHER AND CREATES VICTIMS?

>> YEAH, THEY JUST DON'T THINK THOSE ARE TRUE.

THEY THINK HAT IT REALLY ALLOWS ALL STUDENTS TO FEEL SEEN IN THE CLASS AND LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES AND TO LEARN ABOUT EACH OTHER AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT EVERYBODY'S HISTORY AND THAT PEOPLE FEEL MORE ENGAGED IN SCHOOL WHEN THEY FEEL REPRESENTED.

>> Cathy: HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT THIS?

>> THEY'RE REALLY EXCITED.

THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS PARTICULAR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS THAT WE JUST SAW, THAT GOT STARTED IN 2020, A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 2020 AND THERE HAVE JUST BEEN BUREAUCRATIC STEPS AND BUREAUCRATIC STEPS AND THIS RULING WAS REALLY A WIN THAT THEY HAVE TO MAKE ONE SMALL CHANGE, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS O MAKE ONE SMALL CHANGE AND THEN THE STANDARDS ARE SET TO GO INTO EFFECT.

BUT THEY REALLY FEEL LIKE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE, TO BE LEARNING MORE HONESTLY AND WITH MORE HUMANITY AND REALLY FEELING MORE RECOGNIZED AND ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR CLASSMATES.

>> Cathy: HOW MIGHT THIS PLAY THOUGH ON THE LOCAL LEVEL?

SOME SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS I'M BETTING PROBABLY NOT TOO HAPPY.

>> SO CURRICULUM IS SET AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

STANDARDS ARE SORT OF THE BROAD CONCEPTS AND TOPICS THAT STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN AND THEY'RE PRETTY BROAD AND THEN THERE ARE ENCHMARKS WHERE IF YOU'RE IN FOURTH GRADE YOU HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE YOU'VE LEARNED THIS STANDARD BY X, Y, Z.

AND SO ON BUT CURRICULUM IS STILL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND SO THERE WILL PROBABLY BE SOME RESHUFFLING AT DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CURRICULUM DO WE WANT THAT ALIGNS WITH THESE STANDARDS.

BUT THAT'S ALL STILL SET LOCALLY AND THERE WILL BE CHOICES ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WANT TO TEACH THESE STANDARDS.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU JUDGE THE DEBATE, IT'S BEEN PRETTY ROBUST OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT OPPONENTS SAYING THAT IDENTITY AND RESISTANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE KIND OF LAW POLITICS COULD PLAY HERE?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT FOR STUDENTS, I THINK THAT A LOT OF STUDENTS OF COLOR HAVE REALLY FELT INVISIBLE IN THEIR SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME AND TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR IDENTITY, TO LEARN ABOUT HISTORIES OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND OF OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT THEY CAN DRAW ON, THEY FIND REALLY EMPOWERING AND MAKES THEM WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY FEEL SEEN AND THEY HAVE CLASSES THAT THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT AND MAKES THEM THEN ENGAGED IN OTHER CLASSES AS WELL.

>> Cathy: SO BY THE WAY, ISN'T IT A FIVE OR TEN-YEAR PROCESS WHERE THE STATE LOOKS AT THE STANDARDS?

>> IT'S A TEN-YEAR PROCESS, SO EVERY TEN YEARS BY STATE LAW FOR EVERY SUBJECT AND THIS WAS SOCIAL STUDIES' TURN, MATH HAS A TURN, SCIENCE HAS A TURN.

BUT, YEAH, THIS IS A ROUTINE PROCESS AND THE STATE APPOINTS A COMMITTEE OF EDUCATORS ND PARENTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WANT THE STANDARDS TO LOOK LIKE.

>> Eric: THE TEACHERS ADEQUATELY TRAINED TO TEACH THE STUFF?

>> THAT WILL BE PART OF THE PROCESS TOO.

THERE WILL BE SOME REVISION TO HOW TEACHERS ARE TRAINED AND THAT'S, YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF THE NEXT STEPS.

>> Cathy: LWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU, BECKY.

>> Eric: GOOD EXPLANATION.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: WE APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> SHELETTA: I LOVE WINTER.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

I DO.

I JUST LOVE WINTER.

NOW, I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING.

"SHELETTA, YOU WERE RAISED IN TEXAS.

SHELETTA, YOU SPENT YOUR YOUNG ADULT YEARS IN LOUISIANA.

WEREN'T YOU THE ONE WHO WAS ALWAYS SO BITTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURES GOT SO BITTER?"

NOT THIS YEAR, HONEY, BECAUSE THIS SWEET YOUNG THING IS NOW IN MENOPAUSE.

AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN FEEL LIKE A LOUISIANA BAYOU MADE ITS WAY UP HERE TO THE 612.

WHEN I MOVED TO MINNESOTA, THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU GOTTA WEAR LAYERS TO STAY WARM, HONEY, NOW I’M PEELING MY LAYERS OFF LIKE A BURLESQUE DANCER.

HERE YA GO, BOYS!

OOH!

THESE SCORCHERS OF MINE SNEAK UP AND SURPRISE ME.

I CAN BE STANDING IN LINE WITH A CART FULL OF GROCERIES OR STANDING BEHIND THE MICROPHONE RECORDING ONE OF MY POPULAR PODCASTS WHEN I FEEL A FLUSH, A FLASH, A SURGE.

AND THE CLOTHES START COMING OFF.

I’VE LEARNED TO STOP ASKING, DID SOMEONE JUST TURN UP THE HEAT IN HERE?

BECAUSE THE ANSWER IS, NO, GIRL.

NOBODY TURNED THE HEAT UP IN HERE.

USUALLY ROUND THIS TIME OF THE YEAR I START WEARING OUT ON WINTER.

I'M READY FOR SPRING BEFORE IT'S EVEN VALENTINE'S DAY.

BUT THIS YEAR IT CAN STAY CHILLY AS LONG AS IT WANTS TO.

I JUST HOPE I DON'T GET ANY OF THESE BODY PARTS FROSTBITTEN WHEN I'M DOWN TO MY UNMENTIONABLES AND I STILL HAVE TO RUN OUTSIDE -- OOH!

-- TO COOL DOWN.

THANK YOU, BABY.

OOH, MAMA'S HOT.

THANK OU, HONEY.

♪♪ CATH I SO LOVE SHELETTA.

TODAY MARKS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE WELCOME CORPS, THAT'S A PRIVATE REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

MINNESOTA BASED NON-PROFIT ALIGHT SERVES AS A PARTNER PROVIDING SUPPORT TO SPONSORS LOOKING TO AID REFUGEES.

WITH US NOW IS ALIGHT'S U.S. ENTERPRISE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NASRA ISMAIL AND SPONSOR MOHAMED DAWID.

IT'S A REAL PLEASURE TO HAVE BOTH OF YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NASRA, LET'S SEE IF I UNDERSTAND THIS.

THIS PROGRAM IS HAD TO HELP THE SPONSORS OF INDIVIDUALS COMING TO THIS COUNTRY, REFUGEES COMING TO THIS COUNTRY.

WHAT KIND OF HELP DO SPONSORS NEED?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR US TO CELEBRATE THIS PROGRAM AND ITS INTENT.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT PARTNERING EVERYDAY AMERICANS WITH FOLKS WHO ARE COMING INTO AMERICA THROUGH LEGAL AND SAFE PATHWAYS.

SPONSORS NEED A LOT OF HELP.

THIS WORK USED TO BE DONE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS WORK USED TO BE DONE BY RESETTLEMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND STATE LEVEL GOVERNMENT.

BUT WE'VE FOUND THERE'S AN INNOVATIVE WAY.

WE WANT TO ASK EVERYDAY CITIZENS TO HELP, HELP PICK SOMEONE UP AT THE AIRPORT WHICH CAN BE VERY DAUNTING FOR SOMEONE WHO HASN'T COME TO AMERICA.

HELP THEM FIND ACCESS TO SCHOOLS, BE A NEIGHBOR, HELP SOMEONE FIND A WAY TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

EVERY DAY THINGS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED BECAUSE WE CAN DO IT FOR OURSELVES.

BUT FOR DISPLACED COMMUNITIES THIS IS A WHOLE NEW ARENA.

SO SPONSORS ARE REALLY A NEW LINE OF HOPE AND IT'S ONE THAT'S NOT JUST AVAILABLE FOR GOVERNMENT, IT'S AVAILABLE FOR EVERYDAY CITIZENS.

SO MOHAMED IS ONE OF OUR KEY ONES.

>> MOHAMED, YOU'RE A SPONSOR BUT YOU ALSO CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR SPONSOR WHEN YOU FIRTH ARRIVED.

>> WELL, I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN ETHIOPIA AND THERE WAS A WAR AND WE HAD TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

THE SITUATION WE PASSED THROUGH WAS HORRIBLE ND THAT I DON'T WISH TO HAPPEN TO ANY HUMAN BEINGS.

SO BASED ON THAT WE'RE KIND OF JOINING THIS GROUP O HELP OTHERS.

>> Eric: ND YOU'RE NOW A SPONSOR YOURSELF.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THAT WORK OUT?

WHAT DO YOU PROVIDE FOR FOLKS WHO COME TO YOU?

IS >> WHAT WE PROVIDE, ONCE WE FILL OUT THIS FORM, APPLICATION, ALL THAT, THEY GET HERE TO THE UNITED TATES AND WE FIND THEM A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN LIVE AND WE FIND THEM A JOB AND WE TRAIN THEM AROUND HOW TO USE A BUS OR CITY BUSES, TRAIN, AND I SHOW THEM THE WAY, THE AMERICAN STIM WORKS THAT WE LEARNED THE HARD WAY, SO WE HAVE TO TEACH THEM NOW IN A WAY THEY UNDERSTAND TO MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF THAT HELP WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVED?

>> DEFINITELY.

THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL IF WE HAD THAT, BUT WE LEARNED THE HARD WAY, LIKE I SAID.

SO IT WASN'T EASY, BUT WE GOT IT.

>> Eric: THE GOAL IS 90 DAYS TO SUFFICIENCY, SELF-SUFFICIENCY?

SEEMS OPTIMISTIC OR CHALLENGING TO MEET, OR NOT?

>> IT'S A GOAL.

NO, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S A GOAL AND WE FIND THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT SPONSORS WHO WILL MEET THAT GOAL AND OTHERS WHO MIGHT NEED MORE TIME.

BUT ULTIMATELY THIS IS REALLY A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO RAISE THEIR HANDS LIKE MOHAMED AND BETWEEN, AND THE PERSON WHO'S COMING IN.

>> Eric: IS THERE THAT MUCH GOOD WILL OUT THERE?

THIS IS A ESKER CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT OF IMMIGRATION IS CONTROVERSIAL.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY BEAUTIFUL ABOUT AMERICAN SOCIETY AND WHAT'S IN THE VERY FABRIC OF AMERICAN LIFE WHICH IS TO BE OF HELP TO SOMEONE ELSE.

THAT CAN'T BE POLITICAL, BUT WE COME AS ALIGHT HELP TO AID, MAKE SURE THAT PARTNERSHIP IS SAFE, MAKE SURE PARTNERSHIP IS AS HELPFUL AS IT CAN BE, BOTH FOR THE PERSON WHO'S SAYING THEY WANT TO HELP AND THE PERSON WHO NEEDS HELP.

SOME NEED TRAINING.

THERE ARE AMERICANS WHO MAY NOT KNOW HOW TO ACCESS BENEFITS FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE WHO NEW AMERICANS NEED DESPERATELY IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS, DESPERATELY IN THE FIRST YEAR.

WE FOUND THIS RELATIONSHIP TO BE TRANSFORMATIVE AND TO REALLY BE NOT EVEN POLITICAL BUT PERHAPS THE GREATEST DEFINITION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN.

>> Cathy: SAY, MOHAMED, NOW, YOU'RE A SPONSOR.

IS YOUR FAMILY -- THE FAMILY YOU'RE SPONSORING, ARE THEY IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: HOW ARE THEY DOING?

>> HE'S ERE.

HE'S WORKING RIGHT NOW, HE GOT A JOB, HE GOT A PLACE, HE'S PAYING HIS RENT AND HE KNOWS NOW HOW TO USE BUS.

SO I'M PROUD OF THAT, THAT IS COMING FROM THE REFUGEE CAMPS AND NOW HE'S HERE, HE'S ABLE TO HELP HIMSELF AND ACTUALLY SAVED HIS LIFE.

HE IS IN A BETTER PLACE NOW.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE GIVEN HIM SO FAR?

>> OH, I ALWAYS TELL IM OTHERS TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND POLICY SO THAT THINGS WILL BE EASY FOR THEM.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, ASK.

>> Eric: ASK A QUESTION.

>> DON'T GUESS.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS ASK.

>> ALWAYS ASK.

>> Eric: IF A SKEPTIC SAYS I SUPPOSE THE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THIS, WHAT'S THE REJOINDER TO THAT?

>> I WOULD SAY THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT.

I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY BEYOND BORDERS WHICH IS THE LOVE THAT ONE HUMAN SHOWS TO ANOTHER.

THERE'S A LOT OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT WE PAY FOR BECAUSE OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND THERE'S A LOT WHERE SOMETIMES WITH COVID, WITH ALL THE DIFFICULTIES THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST FOUR, FIVE YEARS, SOMETIMES ADMINISTRATION TO ADMINISTRATION THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ALREADY PAID FOR BUT MAY NOT BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE RIGHT WAY OR AS QUICKLY AS WE WANT.

AS CITIZENS COMING TO FORGE A GAP OR PERHAPS EVEN COMING TO HELP AND SAY I'VE ALREADY INVESTED IN THIS, I PAID FOR IT, BUT NOW I WANT IT TO DO WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO, WHICH IS TO CREATE A SPACE OR NEW AMERICANS AND PEOPLE LIKE ME.

SIX, YOU KNOW, I WAS SIX WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

I'VE SPENT MY WHOLE LIFE GIVING BACK, SHOWING THE WORLD A DIFFERENT KIND OF AMERICA.

SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A WASTED MONEY, IT'S ACTUALLY AN INVESTMENT, DEEP, DEEP INVESTMENT TO WHO WE ARE.

>> Cathy: THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR IN THE MAKING THIS PROGRAM.

JUST BRIEFLY, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

>> WE'VE LEARNED A LOT.

WE'VE LEARNED IT'S NOT EASY TO ASSUME THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SPONSOR.

WHAT IT REQUIRES, THE TIME AND INVESTMENT.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S BEEN QUITE SURPRISING.

THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO HELP THAN WE THOUGHT.

>> Eric: AND IF FOLKS WANT TO BECOME A SPONSOR CAN THEY GO THROUGH YOUR AGENCY?

>> COME THROUGH OUR AGENCY, WE'RE RIGHT HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE HAVE OUR WEBSITE AT WE ARE AREALIGHT.ORG.

MOHAMED IS DOING TWO THINGS AT ONCE, HE WAS SPONSORED AND HE'S LETTING THAT SPIRIT COME TO HIM AND HE'S SPONSORING.

IF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE LOOK US UP, OPEN.

>> Cathy: MOHAMED, WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL WORDS FOR SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING AND WANTS TO DO THIS?

>> I WOULD SAY ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SAVE LIVES, PLEASE, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE, STEP UP AND DO SO.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> SINGING: I SAW A WEREWOLF WITH A CHINESE MENU IN HIS HAND ...

WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS IN THE RAIN.

HE WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE CALLED LEE HO FOOKS.

FOR TO GET A BIG DISH OF BEEF CHOW MEI.

AH-HOOE, WEREWOLVES OF LONDON.

WEREWOLVES OF MINNEAPOLIS.

- CAN HEAR HIM HOWLING DOWN THE KITCHEN DOOR BETTER NOT LET HIM IN.

LITTLE OLD LADY GOT MUTILATED LATE LAST NIGHT WEREWOLVES OF LONDON AGAIN AH-HOOOO ♪♪ >> Eric: ONE YEAR AGO THIS WEEK THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STAR TRIBUNE CALLED OUT THE EYE-OPENING DRAMATIC RISE IN CRIME ON METRO TRANSIT BUSES AND TRAINS.

CRIME REPORTS HAD INCREASED BY 54% IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

MET COUNCIL OVERSEES THE TRANSIT SYSTEM AND HAS SPENT SIGNIFICANT TIME AND MONEY ON EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SAFETY SINCE THAT REPORT WAS ISSUED.

INITIATIVES IN THE PAST MONTH INCLUDE MORE ROBUST FARE ENFORCEMENT AND A REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR RIDERS.

LESLEY KANDARAS HEADS UP METRO TRANSIT.

WELCOME TO YOU.

SO I'M ON THE TRAIN TODAY BETWEEN MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, AND I WAS IN THE SMOKING CAR.

>> OKAY.

>> Eric: AND THERE'S A BIG -- IN THE DIGITAL READOUT ON ABOVE IT SAYS SMOKING, NO SMOKING, SMOKING PROHIBITED AND THEY'RE TOTALLY IGNORING THAT SIGN.

AND I WONDER BASED ON THAT UN-EXPERIENCE, HOW IS A CODE OF CONDUCT GOING TO HAVE MUCH EFFECT?

>> WELL, AT METRO TRANSIT WE WANT ALL OF OUR RIDERS TO HAVE A COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE WHERE WE FEEL SAFE AND UNFORTUNATELY WE KNOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES RIGHT NOW, AS YOU EXPERIENCED TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY.

AND WE'RE REALLY PUTTING A LOT OF FOCUS AND EFFORT IN TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

A BIG PART OF THAT IS INCREASING PRESENCE ON THE SYSTEM, SO OVER THE LAST YEAR WE'VE WORKED TO MAKE SURE OUR POLICE OFFICERS ARE ON THE TRAINS AND RIDING, WE'VE PUT COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFERS OUT THERE INSPECTING FARES, AND IN THE COMING MONTHS WE'LL HAVE TRANSIT RUDER INVESTMENT PERSONAL OR T.R.I.P.

AGENTS OUT ON THE SYSTEM AS WELL WHO WILL ALSO BE EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND BEING OUR EYES AND EARS ON THE SYSTEM TO TRY TO DETER THE TYPE OF BEHAVIOR YOU EXPERIENCED TODAY.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU CRACKING DOWN AT ALL IN TERMS OF FINES?

>> FUNDAMENTALLY, WE WANT PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR FARES, NOT FINES.

WE HAVE PUT AN INCREASED EMPHASIS ON FARE INSPECTION.

BACK IN SEPTEMBER WE STARTED HAVING OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS INSPECTING FARES.

THAT'S A CHANGE FOR US.

THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION IF YOU RODE TRANSIT WITHOUT PAYING IT WAS A MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE.

POLICE FORCE IS VERY BUSY THESE DAYS, IT'S STRETCHED THIN, THEY'RE DOWN OFFICERS LIKE MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS, SO BY BEING ABLE TO HAVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO HAVE PERSONNEL WHO ARE NOT SWORN DO FARE INSPECTION LIKE OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS, THESE FORTHCOMING T.R.I.P.

AGENTS AND THAT'S REALLY HELPING US DO MORE FARE INSPECTION, MORE EDUCATION TO OUR CUSTOMERS THAT WE EXPECT THEM TO PAY THEIR FARE.

>> Eric: I WANT TO CUT YOU A BREAK, THOUGH.

YOU BEAR THE BRUNT OF SOCIETAL PROBLEMS, THAT YOU HAD NO WAY OF DEVELOPING YOURSELF WHETHER IT'S BAD BEHAVIOR OR SMOKING OR CRIME.

AND SO YOU NEED COORDINATION WITH OTHER FOLKS TO KIND OF GET AT THOSE PROBLEMS SO YOU DON'T GET THEM ON YOUR END?

>> REALLY APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION BECAUSE AS TRANSIT WE ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

AND IN MANY WAYS WE'RE A WINDOW INTO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

SO CHALLENGES OUR REGION IS EXPERIENCING SUCH AS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS BECOME VERY VISIBLE ON TRANSIT.

SO OUR APPROACH TO THIS IS, ONE, MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN WITHIN TRANSUT TO ADDRESS ISSUES SUCH AS GETTING MORE PRESENCE ON THE SYSTEM, BUT THE OTHER PART EXACTLY AS YOU'RE SUGGESTING IS WE KNOW WE NEED TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS.

WE KNOW WE NEED TO WORK TO ET MORE UPSTREAM TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE BROADER, BROADER ISSUES ARE SO VISIBLE ON OUR SYSTEM.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, DO YOU RIDE THE TRAINS OR THE BUSES YOURSELF?

>> I DO, I'VE BEEN A TRANSIT RIDER MUCH ONGER THAN I'VE WORKED IN RANSIT.

IT'S MY PRIMARY WAY OF GETTING TO WORK.

AS I'M NEW IN MY ROLE AS GENERAL MANAGER AND COMMITTED TO RIDING EVERY ROUTE WE OPERATE MY FIRST YEAR AND SO I REALLY NJOY BEING OUT ON THE SYSTEM AND LEARN A LOT IN THE PROCESS TOO.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU LEARN A LOT, WHAT'S STICKING WITH YOU?

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THAT'S FAIRLY EASY TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF IT COMES DOWN TO THE BEHAVIOR OF OTHER PASSENGERS AND PART OF OUR FOCUS IS WE HAVE A NEW CODE OF CONDUCT THAT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ADOPTED LAST DECEMBER AND WE'RE GEARING UP TO REALLY COMMUNICATE ABOUT THAT AND REMIND PEOPLE WHEN YOU'RE SHARING SPACE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT, WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE RESPECTFUL TO EACH OTHER AND FOLLOW A SET OF RULES.

SO I THINK THAT TYPE OF EXPECTATION IS SOMETHING WE ARE FOCUSING MORE ON.

>> Eric: AND IT'S ONLY A BUCK BETWEEN 9 AND 3 FOR SENIORS.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: THAT'S WHY HE'S SO EXCITED ABOUT IT OBVIOUSLY.

HAVE YOU SEEN RIDERSHIP GO UP, BY THE WAY?

>> WE ARE, 2023 RIDERSHIP WAS UP ABOUT 15% COMPARED TO 2022.

SO THAT'S A GOOD SIGN AND IN 2023 WE WERE ABLE TO INCREASE SERVICE AS WELL.

AND SO AS WE ARE ABLE TO PUT MORE TRIPS OUT THERE WE'RE HOPING THAT CONTINUES TO BRING PEOPLE TO TRANSIT.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED.

I'M A FREQUENT RIDER SO I'LL BE WATCHING.

>> THANK YOU FOR RIDING.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS SATURDAY THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL HOST "HANDS UP DON'T SHOOT OUR YOUTH MOVEMENT," A DOCUMENTARY EXPLORING THE BLACK YOUTH IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI, FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF MIKE BROWN.

THE DOC IS THE THIRD INSTALLMENT OF FILM AND COMMUNITY DISCUSSION SERIES ENTITLED "BEFORE THE MAYFLOWERS LANDED."

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK RIGHT NOW.

>> INITIALLY THIS FILM WAS MADE TO UNDERSTAND THE YOUTH ACTIVITY IN FERGUSON AND HOW THEY STOOD STRONGLY AGAINST CERTAIN SYSTEMIC ISSUES OF POLICE, BUT ALSO BROADER EXPERIENCES OF BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE FERGUSON, MISSOURI, AREA.

HOW SOON WE WOULD BE DEALING WITH THAT HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA, MINNEAPOLIS TO BE SPECIFIC.

COME OUT, LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT A BACKDROP OF ISSUES THAT SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO THINGS APPENING HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THERE'S A UNIQUE LINE THAT CAN BE DRAWN FROM FERGUSON, MISSOURI, TO MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: HERE WITH US RIGHT NOW IS THE FILM'S PRODUCER RALPH L. CROWDER III.

I UNDERSTAND, SIR, THAT DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING RUNS DEEP IN YOUR FAMILY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MY FATHER, HE WAS A, YOU KNOW, HE WAS BASICALLY HE WAS A TEACHER, BUT I CALL MY FATHER A DOCUMENTIN TOO.

BUT THEN I LEARNED ABOUT MY UNCLE JIM WHO DOCUMENTED THE HISTORIC BLACK COMMUNITY OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS AND WE HAD A VERY, VERY ENGAGING SCREENING OF "THE LOST NEGROES OF NORTH AMERICA" WHICH WAS OUR FIRST SCREENING SERIES AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORY CENTER AND I DEALT WITH MINNEAPOLIS, SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS AT THE TIME FROM 1945 TO '55, THAT DECADE AND IT'S PRECIOUS FOOTAGE AND IT'S DEFINITELY BEING RECEIVED NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT IN THESE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FERGUSON AND MINNEAPOLIS.

>> WELL, I DID NOT KNOW A LOT OF THOSE CONNECTIONS WHEN I WENT THERE ON THE GROUND A COUPLE DAYS AFTER MIKE BROWN'S DEATH.

THE BIGGEST IS DRED SCOTT, DRED SCOTT IS ACTUALLY BURIED LIKE TWO MILES AWAY FROM ALL THE ACTIVITY IN FERGUSON.

AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING JUXTAPOSITION OF THIS IDEA OF CITIZENSHIP, AND, YOU KNOW, ISSUES ROUND POLICE, BUT BROADER THEMES AND HISTORICAL TIES OF JUST THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA IN GENERAL.

AND I THOUGHT DRED SCOTT IS DEFINITELY PRESENT IN THIS FILM AND ANYONE WHO SAYS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT DRED SCOTT OR EVEN THE IDEA OF CITIZENSHIP HISTORICALLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY I THINK THIS FILM REALLY PROJECTS THAT.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE YOU HOPING COME COMES OUT OF THIS SERIES AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

>> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU THIS.

WE'RE BREAKING ALL KINDS OF NUMBERS AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

I BELIEVE WE'RE REALLY PROVING TO HAVE A NATIONAL MODEL OF COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY-LED PROGRAMMING.

AND I THINK AT THE END OF THEIR SERIES WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK ON THIS NOT ONLY HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES, BUT, LIKE I SAID, NATIONALLY AROUND JUST A RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR MUSEUM COMMUNITIES, HISTORICAL COMMUNITIES THAT GATHER, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITIES AT LARGE AND JUST KIND OF LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF ENGAGING ALL COMMUNITIES, REALLY.

NOT JUST THE BLACK COMMUNITY, BUT ALL OF US AND THIS APPRECIATION FOR HISTORY.

>> Eric: SPEAKING OF APPRECIATION, DOES THE BROADER COMMUNITY KIND OF REALIZE HE IMPACT THAT THE MIKE BROWN SHOOTING, THE GEORGE FLOYD INCIDENT HAD ON THE WHOLE DISCUSSION OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SO FORTH?

>> YOU KNOW, AND THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT BEING AN INDEPENDENT JOURNALIST AND ONE WHO PRODUCES DOCUMENTARY FILM, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE THE CORPORATE MEDIA GIVES YOU A CERTAIN KIND OF SPIN IN TERMS OF THE STORYLINES.

AND IT'S USUALLY GENERATED BY MONEY, YOU KNOW, MONEY AND ATTENTION.

SO BEING THAT I HAD MORE TIME TO REALLY DIVE INTO THOSE ISSUES AND HOW THEY ALL CONNECT, I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHAT THEY SEE IN TERMS OF JUST HAVING A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES.

>> Eric: HOW SO?

WHAT'S UPLIFTING ABOUT IT OR WHAT'S OPTIMISTIC?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT NECESSARILYUPT LIFTING OR OPTIMISTIC, IT'S MORE OR LESS A MORE ENGAGED DISCUSSION, A MORE ENGAGED REFLECTION, AS ART IS A POWERFUL TOOL THAT ALLOWS US TO KIND OF SIT DOWN AND BE QUIET AND JUST ABSORB MESSAGES AND UNDERSTAND MESSAGING.

SO I THINK THE IMAGING AND MESSAGES OF THE FILM ARE REALLY GOING TO PROVOKE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AFTERWARD AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SERIES.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOLKS TAKE AWAY, THOUGH?

I KNOW YOU WANT PEOPLE TO DISCUSS AND EXCHANGE IDEAS.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO WALK OUT OF THE ROOM WITH?

>> WELL, I WANT -- FOR THIS FILMM OR IN GENERAL IN THE SERIES?

>> Cathy: THE FILM.

>> THE FILM ON SATURDAY, TOMORROW.

WELL, I WANT US TO REALLY HAVE A BETTER CONNECTION TO SHARED HUMANITY.

BOTTOM LINE.

>> Eric: HARD TO DO?

>> Cathy: THAT IS A TALL ORDER.

- BUT I'M GLAD YOU'RE THINKING THAT WAY.

>> THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF ART.

>> Cathy: RIGHT, EXACTLY.

>> THAT'S THE BEAUTY F STORYTELLING AND THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THIS PARTICULAR SERIES.

>> Eric: HISTORY CENTER 2 TO 4, FILM AND THEN Q & A.

>> YES, LIGHT Q & A BUT THE FULLY IS THE MAIN THING AND WE ARE GOING TO SPEND SOME TIME TO DEBRIEF AND UNPACK THE ISSUES.

BUT I THINK THE BEST DEBRIEF AND UNPACKING HAPPENS AT HOME.

>> Cathy: THAT'S SO TRUE.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

GLAD YOU CAME OVER TO SHARE WITH US.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE FIRST BIG TEST OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SEASON IS BEHIND US.

REPUBLICANS CAUCUSED IN IOWA EARLIER THIS WEEK AND AS MOST OBSERVERS EXPECTED, FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FINISHED FIRST, FAR AHEAD OF THE REST OF THE PACK.

DEMOCRATS HAVE CHOSEN THE SOUTH CAROLINA PRIMARY EARLY NEXT MONTH AS THEIR FIRST BIG CONTEST.

MEANWHILE CONGRESS HAS ONCE AGAIN PASSED A FUNDING BILL THAT KEEPS THE GOVERNMENT RUNNING UNTIL MARCH.

AND HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP ONCE AGAIN HAD TO RELY HEAVILY ON DEMOCRATS TO PASS THAT BILL.

OUR PERSPICACIOUSOUS POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS ARE HERE.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

DAVID SCHULTZ TOILS AWAY TEACHING POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AS WELL AS TEACHING LAW AT THE U OF M. AND FROM DULUTH CINDY RUGELEY HEADS UP THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT UMD.

PROFESSOR RUGELEY, HOW COULD IT BE THAT THE IOWA RESULTS WERE RELEASED LIKE BEFORE PEOPLE WERE EVEN VOTING?

IS THIS ANOTHER KIND OF BLACK MARK FOR THE IOWA CAUCUSES, OR HOW DID YOU SEE IT?

>> WELL, IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF POOR FORM.

BUT ON CAUCUSES, THE MEDIA DOES INTERVIEWS, ENTRY INTERVIEWS RATHER THAN EXIT INTERVIEWS SO THEY PROBABLY HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA GOING IN WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

THEY WERE ABLE TO SAY BASED ON TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO WERE GOING IN TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS, THEY HAD A REAL GOOD IDEA WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, PARTICULARLY IN A RACE LIKE THAT WHERE IT WASN'T PARTICULARLY CLOSE.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU -- IS IT AN ANACHRONISM THAT THESE THINGS STILL EXIST, THE IOWA CAUCUS IS NUMBER ONE FOR REPUBLICANS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A REAL PROBLEM AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE WRESTLING WITH IT.

REPUBLICANS HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH IT.

15% OF REGISTERED REPUBLICANS PARTICIPATED.

AND THEY'RE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF OTHER REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE THERE'S MORE EVANGELICAL, MORE CONSERVATIVE.

AND THEIR INFLUENCE IN THE NOMINATION PROCESS IS COMPLETELY OUT OF WHACK.

I MEAN, TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT, THIS IS A MONEY GENERATING OPERATION, HAVING THE CAUCUSES IN IOWA BRINGS IN SPECIAL INTERESTS, IT BRINGS IN THE POLITICIANS LOOKING FOR FAVORABLE SUPPORT IN THE STATE.

IT NEEDS TO BE REALLY I THINK ROLLED BACK.

>> YEAH, THE ESTIMATE IS AND AGAIN LOOKING AT ESTIMATE HERE, ABOUT $130 MILLION WAS SPENT IN TERMS OF ADVERTISING ET AL., OF WHICH, BY THE WAY, GOVERNOR DESANTIS WE THINK SPENT ABOUT 80 MILLION OF IT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT IT'S A MONEY MAKER FOR THEM MUCH IN THE SAME WAY WHEN WE ELIMINATED OUR CAUCUSES IN THE STATE IT WAS THE SAME THING AS WE LOOK AT 15% SHOW UP AT CAUCUS, PRIMARY, MAYBE 40, 45% OR SOMETHING THE PRIMARIES ARE MUCH, MAYBE NOT IDEA, BUT A BETTER REPRESENTATION.

SO YOU'RE RIGHT, WE'RE GETTING A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN A STATE THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVING AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE.

>> TRUMP WON BIG IN IOWA AND DESANTIS AND HALEY ARE LIMPING INTO NEW HAMPSHIRE.

PROFESSOR RUGELEY, DOES FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FACE SOME HEADWINDS HE'S NOT EXPECTING IN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR THAT PRIMARY NEXT WEEK?

>> WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK AND A LOT OF POLLING SHOWS THAT THIS MIGHT BE HALEY'S BEST CHANCE TO BEAT HIM IN A PRIMARY.

WILL IT BE DERAILING?

I DON'T KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN PAY ATTENTION TO BECAUSE HE'S FIRED OFF SOME MESSAGES ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA APP.

ALSO, YOU SEE HIM REALLY PUTTING A LITTLE BIT MORE EMPHASIS INTO SOUTH CAROLINA NOW, LINING UP LIKE TIM SCOTT TO SEE IF HE CAN GET HIS ENDORSEMENT.

SO, YEAH, I THINK HE CAN -- I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSER PRIMARY THAN HE LIKES AND SHE COULD QUITE POSSIBLY WIN IT.

SHE HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR THERE.

AND IT'S A PRIMARY AND IT'S BEEN POINTED OUT PREVIOUSLY, THOSE TEND TO ATTRACT MORE VOTERS AND PERHAPS VOTERS WHO ARE A LITTLE LESS ON, YOU KNOW, ON THE MORE EXTREME END OF THE PARTY.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING IN THAT RESPECT.

>> Eric: I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE EARLY VOTING FOR THE MINNESOTA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, WHICH STARTED TODAY.

AND ONE OF THE -- LET ME MAKE SURE I HAVE THIS RIGHT.

UNLIKE THE REGULAR STATE PRIMARY, YOU HAVE TO DECLARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT HERE.

AND THEN THAT LIST OF PEOPLE GOES TO THE PARTICULAR PARTY.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A GOLD MINE LIST FOR GET OUT THE VOTE AND OTHER PARTY ACTIVITIES?

>> YEAH, NO, IT'S DEFINITELY A PART INSIDER DEAL.

AND THOSE LISTS ARE VALUABLE.

PEOPLE SELL THOSE LISTS.

THEY CONSTRUCT THEM AND SELL THEM.

SO, YES, I THINK THIS WAS, YOU KNOW, IT'S A BIG HELP TO EACH PARTY.

THEY'RE GOING TO GAIN FROM IT.

IT'S NOT THAT GREAT FOR THIRD PARTIES THAT ARE TRYING TO START UP, SO IT'S ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES TRY TO SQUEEZE OUT OR GET AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THIRD PARTIES.

>> Eric: WOULD IT DISCOURAGE TURNOUT?

IT'S NOT PUBLIC BUT IT DOES GO TO THE PARTIES.

>> I THINK IT HAS SOME IMPACT IN TERMS OF DISCOURAGING BECAUSE WE DO HAVE IN HIS STATE SORT OF A RELATIVELY DECENT PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION WHO CONSIDERS THEMSELVES TO BE INDEPENDENT, DEPENDING ON THE POLLS, PO, 35% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I WANT TO COME BACK AND SAY ONE MORE THING SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INDEPENDENTS HERE.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS TALKING ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE I THINK HALEY'S COUNTING ON AND EVEN DEAN PHILIPS S COUNTING ON HERE, THEY'RE HOPING THEY CAN PULL A LOT OF INDEPENDENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHICH AGAIN IS VERY, VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE UP THERE AND FOR HALEY IT'S LIKE RANK AND FILE REPUBLICANS VOTE FOR TRUMP BUT I'M GOING TO PULL IN ALL THESE INDEPENDENTS AND I THINK ANN FELT IS HOPING THE SAME THING.

>> ACTUALLY, F YOU FOLLOW THE POLLS THERE'S REAL MOVEMENT GOING ON.

IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS HALEY IS UP ABOUT TWO AND A HALF FOLD.

TRUMP'S NOT GOING ANYWAY, CRUSTIE'S COLLAPSED, RAMA SWAMY HAS PULLED OUT.

THAT'S ABOUT HALF A WEEK TO GO.

I THINK IF SHE'S WITHIN DOUBLE DIGITS I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOING TO CHARGE THIS CAMPAIGN AND MAY BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR TRUMP WHICH IS WHY HE'S CAMPAIGNING THERE, OU KNOW, TODAY AND OTHER DAYS THIS WEEK.

>> IT IS A PERCEPTION ISSUE TOO I WANT TO MENTION HERE IS THAT POLITICS IS WEIRD IN SO MANY GROUNDS.

YOU CAN LOSE AND WIN AT THE SAME TIME.

EVEN THOUGH IF TRUMP WINS BUT IF HALEY BEATS THE EXPECTATIONS SHE LIVES TO GET THE SOUTH CAROLINA.

>> Cathy: SAY, I WAS READING SOMETHING TODAY ABOUT DEAN PHILIPS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND SOMEBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT THERE'S SO MANY UNDECIDES IN SOME OF THESE POLLS LIKE 27% THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS TRYING TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT THAT DEAN PHILLIPS COULD DO PRETTY WELL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, YES, POSSIBLY?

>> YEAH, HE COULD DO WELL, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY WAY TO DISMISS THAT.

HE'S POLLING AT ABOUT 10% NOW.

YOU KNOW, JUST BY HISTORIC COMPARISONS, IF YOU LOOK BACK TO MCARTHY AND PAT BUCHANAN, THEY WERE IN THE 30S AND LOW 40%.

IS DEAN PHILLIPS GOING TO BE THERE?

I DOUBT IT.

AND THE REALITY IS IT'S A WRITE-IN, EVERYBODY KNOWS EXPECTATIONS ARE LOW BECAUSE SOUTH CAROLINA IS REALLY THE FIRST PRIMARY.

AND DEAN PHILLIPS IS NOTHING AFTER THIS, THIS IS LIKE THE WHOLE SHEBANG FOR HIM.

SO I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING FOR DEAN PHILLIPS, I THINK HE'S KIND OF BEEN SHOWING WHAT HE'S GOING TO GET ALL ALONG.

IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN DISAPPOINTING I WOULD SAY.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR RUGELEY, CONGRESSMAN FROM OHIO NAMED BILL JOHNSON HAS ANNOUNCED HE'S LEAVING EARLY.

AND THAT REDUCES THE REPUBLICAN U.S. HOUSE MARGIN TO TWO?

DOES THAT HAVE ANY IMPACT GOING FORWARD, OR?

>> IT'S REAL -- YEAH, I THINK IT DOES.

I MEAN, A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN THE, YOU KNOW, COUPLE REPUBLICANS SWING OVER, THEN THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A PULL.

I MEAN, IT'S LITTLE THINGS LIKE, AND I MEAN I THINK THUS A LONGSHOT, BUT THEY'VE HAD STORIES LATELY IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA ABOUT JOHNSON AND, YOU KNOW, THE SPEAKER, HIS FUTURE AS SPEAKER IF HE GOES AHEAD AND TRIES TO DEAL WITH THINGS LIKE THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, WHETHER OR NOT HIS PARTY WILL STAND WITH HIM.

DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, WELL, YOU KNOW, IF HE MAKES AN EFFORT TO DO THIS WE'LL VOTE FOR HIM TO GET REELECTED.

AND SO WHEN YOU HAVE ONLY A TWO-SEAT MARGIN THAT KIND OF STUFF MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

NOW, I DON'T SEE HIM GOING ALONG WITH THAT, I MEAN, NO REPUBLICAN SPEAKER WANTS TO BE ELECTED BY THE DEMOCRATS.

BUT, AGAIN, IT MAKES THINGS LIKE THESE CLOSE VOTES ON THINGS LIKE KEEPING GOVERNMENT OPEN AND WE SAW THAT IN THE VOTE THIS WEEK, A LITTLE BIT FRIENDLIER FOR DEMOCRATS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET SOMETHING DONE WITH THE PRESIDENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO, YEAH, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> ABSOLUTELY, I COMPLETELY AGREE.

THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE A WORKING MAJORITY.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY.

>> THEY'RE N REAL TROUBLE.

AND EVEN IF A MAJORITY OF THEIR PARTY IN THE HOUSE VOTING FOR THE STOP-GAP MEASURE THAT THE SPEAKER WAS SUPPORTING UP UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.

AND THE DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT WAS ABOUT ALMOST DOUBLE WHAT THE REPUBLICAN SUPPORT IS.

SO THE AGENDA THAT'S BEING DRIVEN HERE IS CERTAINLY NOT THAT OF A UNIFIED REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY ARE -- CONTINUE TO BE IN CHAOS.

WILL JOHNSON LAST?

PROBABLY, BUT IT'S UGLY.

>> EAH, AND IF WE LOOK AT ACTUALLY THE PRODUCTIVITY, WE COMPLAINED ABOUT LAST YEAR ABOUT HOW UNPRODUCTIVE THEY WERE.

I MEAN, THIS YEAR IT'S GOING TO GET INCREASINGLY LESS AND LESS PRODUCTIVE AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE ELECTION AND AGAIN REDUCING IT DOWN NOW TO TWO TO A TWO-PERSON MAJORITY, AS YOU SAID THERE'S JUST NO WORKING MAJORITY REALLY TO HOLD ANYTHING TOGETHER AND WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHAT, MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE COALITIONS THERE, WE'RE JUST GOING TO SEE AT SOME POINT IT JUST GRIND TO A HALT PRETTY SOON.

>> Eric: THERE ARE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO THINK DOING NOTHING IN CONGRESS IS A GOOD THING.

>> THAT'S NOT THE POSITION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

JOHN SON AND THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE TALK ABOUT THEIR AGENDAS.

NOW, HEY'RE PRETTY CONSERVATIVE OR RESEARCH AGENDAS BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, THEY'RE JUST PRESS RELEASES.

>> Cathy: GOING BACK TO THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE FOR JUST A SECOND, I'M SURE YOU READ THE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE ABOUT THERE'S KIND OF THIS ANTI-MATCH ENERGY OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANOTHER BIDEN-TRUMP MATCHUP AND THERE'S THIS PALPABLE ENERGY.

HOW MIGHT THAT BODE?

>> TWO THINGS FIRST, WE COULD SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT VOTE, OR STAY HOME ENTIRELY, THIS IS WHY BOBBY KENNEDY JUNIOR IN SOME POLLS POLLING AT 2%.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A PROTEST VOTE AND THEY'LL BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT THAT BOBBY KENNEDY JUNIOR IS NOT BOBBY KENNEDY >> Eric: HERE COMES THE HALL MONITOR.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, PROFESSORS.

♪♪ >> THE EXPERTS ARE TELLING US FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE THAT THE INCOME TAX IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR GENERATING THE SURPLUS THAT WE DO HAVE.

WE WANTED TO GIVE THE TAXES BACK IN THE MANNER WE COLLECTED IT.

BEYOND THAT, INCOME TAX, WE'RE ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAXED STATES, IN FACT SECOND HIGHEST TAXED STATE IN THE NATION WHEN IT COMES TO INCOME TAXES, SO WE THOUGHT RELIEF IN THAT AREA WAS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE.

>> Cathy: WOW, THAT WAS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER IM PAWLENTY IN 1999 FOUR YEARS BEFORE HE BECAME GOVERNOR PAWLENTY.

OKAY, FRIENDS.

TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE SECTION.

A HISTORY QUESTION FOR YOU TO PONDER AS OUR HOUR TOGETHER COMES TO A CLOSE.

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OUR QUESTION THIS WEEK CONCERNS A DUO OF INVENTORS.

THESE TWO MINNESOTANS CREATED SOMETHING MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO THAT REMAINS A WELL-KNOWN AND LOVED PRODUCT INTERNATIONALLY.

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THE PRODUCERS DOVE INTO THE ARCHIVES AND FOUND THIS GEM FOR YOU.

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