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

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS HAVE JUST DAYS LEFT TO PASS BILLS, AND ALL IS QUIET HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'LL TALK TO A POLITICAL REPORTER AND ANALYST TO SEE IF LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE TIME.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY.• MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ENBRIDGE.COM/MINNESOTA.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

>> Mary: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," WE'RE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE YOU MAY HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF NOISE BEHIND ME.

LAWMAKERS ARE JUST STARTING TO GATHER TO RETURN FOR A FLOOR SESSION TONIGHT.

AND THERE'S JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR LAWMAKERS TO GET ALL THE BILLS PASSED AND TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

A FRAMEWORK OF A BUDGET DEAL IS IN PLACE.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ARE DOING A LOT OF THE WORK.

BUT THE DETAILS ARE FAR FROM DONE.

WE HAVE "STAR TRIBUNE" CAPITOL REPORTER BRIANA BIERSCHBACH HERE, POLITICAL ANALYSTS AND THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER IS ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAS PLAYED A LEADERSHIP ROLE.

BUT WE START WITH A LOOK AT THE BROAD AGREEMENT BETWEEN LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR.

THE BIG THREE LEADERS APPEARING TOGETHER OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL MEANS A PRODUCTIVE END OF SESSION IS NOW POSSIBLE.

>> IT IS A GREAT DAY.

I'M JUST REALLY PROUD TO BE STANDING HERE.

>> Mary: STANDING TOGETHER TO ANNOUNCE THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF A BUDGET DEAL, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAME TOGETHER ON.

>> WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES PERMANENT ONGOING TAX RELIEF SO HARDWORKING MINNESOTANS HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS EVERY SINGLE PAYCHECK WEEK AFTER WEEK MONTH AFTER MONTH YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> Mary: ONE-TIME AND PERMANENT TAX RELIEF APPEAR TO BE PART OF THE DEAL.

>> WHAT CAME TOGETHER IN A COMPROMISE SERVES A MUCH BROADER GROUP OF CONSTITUENCIES.

IN A TIME OF HISTORIC SURPLUSES, IN A TIME OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, THE PRUDENT, AND I THINK, MATURE APPROACH TO THIS WAS, IS TO RECOGNIZE, MINNESOTANS NEED MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETS RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: THE BROAD AGREEMENT STILL HAS A LOT OF SPECIFICS TO WORK OUT.

>> HELP MINNESOTANS BETTER AFFORD THE COST OF LIVING, TO HELP THEM AFFORD CHILD CARE AND HOUSING.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A BUDGET AGREEMENT THAT WILL HELP MINNESOTANS RECOVER FROM TWO OF THE TOUGHEST YEARS IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

>> VIOLENT CRIME IS ABSOLUTELY OUT OF CONTROL.

KIDS ARE FALLING BEHIND IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE'RE HEARING FROM NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND DISABILITY SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT THEY'RE FACING POTENTIAL PERMANENT CLOSURES.

>> WE'RE DONE.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> Mary: CONFERENCE COMMITTEES WILL NOW HAVE THE DIFFICULT TASK OF HAMMERING OUT THE DETAILS.

>> YOU CAN BET OUR LEADERSHIP'S WATCHING THESE HEARINGS.

AND TRACKING OUR PROGRESS, OR QUITE FRANKLY, OUR LACK OF IT.

AND YOU CAN BET THEY'LL DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BE RESPONSIBLE LEADERS BECAUSE IT SURE DOESN'T LOOK TO ME LIKE THE GOAL IS TO GET TO AN AGREEMENT.

>> I'M A LITTLE AT A LOSS.

I'VE TRIED TO URGE AND CAJOLE THE HOUSE IN ORDER TO PUT A GLOBAL OFFER ON THE TABLE.

THEY DID NOT.

Mr. CHAIRMAN, DO YOU HAVE AN OFFER?

>> Mary: IN THE END, LEADERS SAY ODDS ARE GOOD OF GETTING BILLS PASSED BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND AND THE END OF SESSION.

>> THE BIG FRAMEWORK IS DONE.

THIS ISN'T HAPPENING ANYWHERE ELSE, THIS DYNAMIC, AGAINST A BACK DROCH A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION AND WE'RE REALLY COMING TOGETHER.

BACKDROP.

BACKDROP OF A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION.

>> Mary: HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, STAR "STAR TRIBUNE" POLITICAL REPORTER BRIANA BIERSCHBACH.

BRIANA, IS THIS A GOOD SIGN THAT WE ARE SEEING LAWMAKERS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF THEM TODAY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK SO.

IT'S STILL BEEN A LITTLE QUIET.

THERE'S BEEN LOOR ACTION BUT THE THINGS THEY'VE BEEN DOING ON THE FLOOR HAVEN'T BEEN THE BIG BILLS THAT WE'RE OBVIOUSLY WAITING OR.

TAXES, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

THESE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO RESOLVE BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THAT WAS THE ONE THAT EVERYBODY SAID, KIND OF HAS TO BE WRAPPED UP BY WEDNESDAY BECAUSE IT'S HUGE, IT'S DIFFICULT.

AND THE FEELING WAS, IF IT'S NOT DONE BY TODAY, WEDNESDAY -- >> RIGHT.

>> Mary: -- THAT IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET DONE BY SUNDAY, THE LAST DAY TO PASS BILLS.

>> EXACTLY, YEAH.

THAT'S ONE OF THE WEIRD QUIRKS OF THIS PLACE, IT'S WONKDY, BUT IMPORTANT, RIGHT, THIS BILL HAS TO BE PROCESSED AND THE PAPERWORK TAKES A LONG TIME.

WONKY.

WE HAVE TO SEE, THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

THEY HAVE A $1 BILLION TARGET, BUT THEY HAVE BIG DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT WHAT TO SPEND THAT ON.

REPUBLICANS REALLY WANT TO SPEND A OT OF THAT ON LONG-TERM CARE AND OTHER CARE PROVIDERS WHO HAVE BEEN REALLY HURT BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> Mary: I THOUGHT WE BOTH HAVE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH A LOT OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE TONE WAS BETTER THAN SOME, DIDN'T YOU THINK THAT THE TONE SEEMED, AT LEAST SOMEWHAT, IF NOT RATHER PRODUCTIVE?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME DISAGREEMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE TRADING OFFERS PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY IN THE FIRST HEARING, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S A FEELING THAT AT THIS POINT 'IN THE GAME, THEY NEED TO BE MEETING BEHIND THE SCENES TO GET THINGS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE PUBLIC HEARINGS LEADS TO MORE POSTURING AND NOT A LOT OF DEAL MAKING.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF THAT, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS A LOT OF POSTURING, NOT SO MUCH DEAL MAKING.

IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD IN THAT ONE, IS IT?

>> NO.

AND THEY HAVE THIS $450 MILLION TARGET, WHICH I WASN'T SURE THEY WERE GOING TO FIND ANY AGREEMENT ON THIS.

BUT EVEN WITH THAT TARGET, IN THESE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, THEY'VE BEEN FIGHTING, KIND OF PUBLICLY, THEY'VE BEEN TRADING OFFERS, BOTH SIDES ARE SAYING AREN'T REALLY MOVING IN THE OTHER'S DIRECTION.

SO I WOULD IMAGINE THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME LEADERSHIP STEPPING IN SOON HERE TO TRY TO CLOSE THE DEAL.

>> Mary: THAT'S THE TAPE WE JUST HAD WITH ONE OF THE CHAIRS SAYING, AND IF WE KEEP FIGHTING LIKE THIS, UR LEADERSHIP IS WATCHING AND THEY WILL STEP IN TO KIND OF CLOSE THE DEAL.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: BECAUSE IN THEORY HERE, THE IDEA HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, BROAD FRAMEWORK FROM LEADERS.

>> YES.

>> Mary: AND LET THE INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS AND EXPERTS, WHICH IS JUST A SMALL BUCKET OF PEOPLE IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, WORK OUT THE DETAILS.

>> UM HAD HUM.

UM-HUM.

BUT EVEN THEN, YOU SEE THAT IT'S TOUGH, WHEN YOU GET OUTSIDE OF THIS TRY UM RATE AS PEOPLE CALL IT, THE BIG THREE.

TRY UMER HAVE ATE.

IT'S TOUGH WHEN LEGISLATORS WHO ARE CLOSER TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THEIR CAUCUS HAVE TO DEAL WITH EACH OTHER.

FIGHTS HAPPEN.

AGREEMENTS DON'T COME TOGETHER.

AND THE LEADERS HAVE TO STEP IN ANYWAY, WHICH IS BAD FOR THE PUBLIC, MAYBE FOR THE BROADER DEMOCRACY, HAVING UST A EW PEOPLE REALLY DECIDING EVERYTHING.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION AGAIN.

>> Mary: LET'S TAKE ANOTHER ISSUE, EDUCATION, HAT WAS ONE WHERE, YOU KNOW, ON PAPER IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE GETTING THERE ON SOME ISSUES BUT STILL TONE IS NOT GREAT, IS IT?

>> NOT GREAT.

YEAH.

IN THE HEARINGS, YOU KNOW, SOME LEADERS HAVEN'T BEEN THERE FOR SOME MEETINGS, SOME HAVE WALKED OUT IN OTHERS.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF TENSION ON THAT ISSUE.

THEY WERE THE FURTHEST APART, I THINK, IN THEIR TWO BIG BILLS ON THAT ISSUE.

DEMOCRATS WANTED $3 BILLION OVER A LONG TIME, REPUBLICANS WANTED A SMALLER AMOUNT BUT A FOCUS ON LITERACY.

NOW THEY HAVE THIS $1 BILLION TARGET, I'M GUESSING SOME OF IT WILL GO TO SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING, SOME OF IT WILL GO TO LITERACY.

BUT THEY'VE BEEN QUIET YET ON THAT DEAL.

>> Mary: YEAH.

THE ISSUE WE HAVEN'T HEARD THEM MAKING PROGRESS ON IS MENTAL HEALTH.

AND THAT'S BEEN, I THINK, AMONG THE MOST GUT WRENCHING TESTIMONY THE ENTIRE YEAR, HEARING JUST THE BROAD, BROAD TERRIFYING CRISIS FOR KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH AND THERE'S NO AGREEMENT ON THAT YET.

>> WITHIN THAT BILL, THEY HAVE PULLED OUT A SEPARATE POCKET FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT IT'S UNCLEAR, IS THAT GOING TO FALL INTO SOME OF THESE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SOME OF THESE EDUCATION BILLS?

YOU KNOW, ARE THEY GOING TO JUST KEEP IT ALL SEPARATE IN A BILL THAT CAN MAYBE BE PUSHED ON AND NOT GET TIED UP INTO THESE?

I DO HINK EVERYONE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING ON THAT ISSUE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO EMOTIONAL THIS SESSION.

>> Mary: YEAH, A BIG CHUNK OF THE SPENDING AND THIS BUDGET FRAMEWORK IS FOR TAXES AND WHEN WE SAY TAXES, WE MEAN TAX CUTS.

>> YES.

>> Mary: LONG TERM, SHORT - TERM, BUT THE DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT, RIGHT?

>> IT'S VERY SQUISHY YET.

WE'VE HEARD HINTS IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT THE TOP PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS IS A RENTERS CREDIT.

SO KIND OF CHANGING THE LAW SO THAT MORE RENTERS ARE ELIGIBLE AND CAN GET BASICALLY A CREDIT ON THEIR TAXES EVERY YEAR.

AND REPUBLICANS STILL ARE SAYING, WE WANT PERMANENT, ONGOING TAX RELIEF SO THAT MEANS POSSIBLY A RATE CUT.

I COULD SEE BEING PART OF THE BIGGER PICTURE.

AND MAYBE SOME VERSION OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME TAX CUT.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF LITTLE OTHER POCKETS IN THERE THAT BOTH SIDES REALLY WANT.

>> Mary: YEAH.

THE GOVERNOR WANTS HIS REBATE CHECKS, TOO, RIGHT?

>> AND HE CLAIMS THOSE ARE STILL IN THE MIX.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

GOVERNORS TEND TO GET WHAT GOVERNORS WANT BECAUSE THEY SIGN THE BILLS.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, BRIANA.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Mary: APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> Mary: JOINING ME NOW, POLITICAL ANALYSTS, WE HAVE REPUBLICAN BRIAN McDANIEL AND DEMOCRAT, JAVIER MORILLO.

WELCOME YOU TWO.

I'M GOING TO START WITH THE SAME QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S UNDENIAL THAT THERE IS A LITTLE ENERGY AND NOISE BEHIND US.

UNDENIABLE.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

>> IT'S THE HOME STRETCH, ALMOST.

I MEAN, THE CONSTITUTION, WE HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE BILLS PASSED OFF THE FLOOR BY SUNDAY.

AND WE HAVE TARGETS, IN SOME PLACES MICROTARGETS.

AND AS SOON AS EVERYONE STARTS GETTING ALONG, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME BILLS TO PASS.

>> THAT'S A HIGH BAR.

>> Mary: IS THIS A GOOD SIGN, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE KIND OF JUST DOING SMALL BILLS ON THE FLOOR?

>> OH, I THINK SO.

I MEAN, I THINK, BECAUSE NOT ONLY HAVE BUDGET TARGETS, BUT THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT IF THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS ARE NOT ABLE TO GET THEIR STUFF TOGETHER, THAT THEN THE LEADERSHIP WILL COME IN AND GET A DEAL DONE, WHICH IS APPARENTLY GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN ON A FEW BILLS.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DEAL, BECAUSE I THINK BRIAN, WE'RE BOTH OLD ENOUGH, BEEN AROUND HERE LONG ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE THIRD, THIRD, THIRD.

>> OCCURRED -- OCCURRED, OCCURRED, OCCURRED TURD.

>> Mary: I SET YOU UP FOR THAT.

DOES THIS FRAMEWORK FEEL A LITTLE LIKE THAT?

>> A NUMBER OF YEARS, THREE YEARS.

BUT WE HAVE $4 BILLION IN TAX CUTS, 4 BILLION IN SPENDING, $4 BILLION LEFT ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> Mary: THAT SOUNDS LIKE A THIRD, THIRD, THIRD.

>> THIRD, THIRD, THIRD.

>> Mary: JUST SAYING.

>> IT'S FUNNY, WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD 12.

WE THOUGHT WE HAD 9.

>> Mary: IT'S STRETCHED OUT.

OVER 2 BIENNIUM.

>> FUZZY MATH.

THERE MIGHT BE TOO MUCH SPENDING FOR SOME, THERE MIGHT BE TOO MANY TAX CUTS FOR SOME, BUT I THINK EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY FROM THIS SAYING, WE DID SOMETHING FOR OUR CONSTITUENCIES.

>> Mary: ARE THEY DOING TOO MUCH, BECAUSE THAT THIRD, THIRD, THIRD DEAL, I THINK RESULTED IN THE LARGEST BUDGET SHORTFALL IN STATE HISTORY?

>> BUT THEY'RE NOT EVEN USING UP THE WHOLE SURPLUS, FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT THE TARGETS ARE GOOD.

ON EDUCATION, WE WANT, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO SPEND A LOT MORE, AND REPUBLICANS WENT FROM 30 MILLION TO A BILLION IN THE BUDGET TARGETS.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, FUND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, I THINK THIS IS -- THIS IS POSITIVE.

AND WHAT YOU GET WITH SPLIT GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: YOU REMEMBER FOLKS SAYING WITH THE LAST DEAL THAT TAXES WERE CUT TOO DEEP AND SUDDENLY WE WERE 6 BILLION IN THE HOLE.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT'S NOT HE STATE'S MONEY.

IT'S THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

WE SHOULD TRY TO GIVE PEOPLE TAX RELIEF.

AND IF WE FIND OUT THE ECONOMY CHANGES AND THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT LATER, WE COULD DO THAT.

>> Mary: RAISE TAXES LATER?

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.

YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.

THE ECONOMY GROWS.

IT'S FINE.

THERE ARE LWAYS WAYS TO DO T. WE ARE NOT -- WE DO NOT HAVE TOO LITTLE MONEY.

WE HAVE A BIG BUDGET.

THERE'S LOTS OF PRIORITIES THAT WE CAN MEET WITH EXISTING REVENUES, AND RIGHT NOW WE JUST LEGITIMATELY HAVE TOO MUCH OF THE PEOPLE'S MONEY SO LET'S FIND WAYS TO GIVE IT BACK TO THEM.

>> Mary: TO CONTINUE THAT CONTEXT, THOUGH, MARK DAYTON RAN AND WON ON TAX THE RICH AFTER THOSE SHORTFALLS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YES.

WELL, LOOK, I THINK THERE'S A FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ROLE -- NOT JUST THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT BUT JUST, YOU KNOW, ON ISSUES LIKE EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO AGREE.

BUT I THINK IN THIS INSTANCE, LIKE EVERYONE'S GIVING A LITTLE, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

THAT'S A SIGN OF FUNCTION.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH ARE ELECTION POLITICS AT PLAY?

WE'RE IN BETWEEN TWO STATE CONVENTIONS, JUST CAME OFF A REPUBLICAN CONVENTION THAT, YOU KNOW, HAD LAWMAKERS PARTICIPATING, WE'RE HEADED INTO THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

IS THAT A VERY REALISTIC PRESSURE HERE?

>> YOU KNOW, POLITICS HAS TO DO WITH EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE CONVENTIONS SPECIFICALLY ARE REALLY INFLUENCING THIS.

BECAUSE IF YOU WERE REALLY PLAYING O THE CONVENTION, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE $4 BILLION IN SPENDING.

YOU WOULD SAY, WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR TAX CUTS OR WE'RE GOING TO HOLD DOWN SPENDING.

I THINK THAT WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING, LEADERSHIP, IS THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB.

AND THEY'RE FIGURING OUT WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL OF MINNESOTA, NOT JUST A PART OF MINNESOTA.

>> I COMPLETELY DISAGREE ON THAT.

PARTICULARLY HE REPUBLICANS BEING WILLING TO COME TO A DEAL, I THINK, HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HAVING JUST ENDORSED A REALLY EXTREME FAR RIGHT CANDIDATE WHO WOULD COMPLETELY DEFUND EDUCATION, WHO WOULD COMPLETELY BAN ALL ABORTION IN ALL CASES, SO I THINK IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGISLATURE TO NOT BE SEEN AS COMPLETE OBSTRUCTIONISTS AND THE EXTREMISTS THAT THEIR STANDARD BEAR IS.

>> Mary: A REPUBLICAN WHO CAME FROM THE LEGISLATURE HERE, BUT STILL KIND OF CAMPAIGNED AS AN OUTSIDER.

HOW IS JENSEN HAVING IT BOTH WAYS RIGHT NOW?

>> LOVES THAT DEFUND WORD.

THAT'S NOT THE BEST ORD, YOU SHOULD REALLY STOP USING THAT.

JENSEN HAS, YOU KNOW, HE HAS FOUND A WAY TO TAP INTO SOMETHING.

YOU KNOW, KIND OF LIKE THE WAY DONALD TRUMP DID IN A WAY THAT SURPRISED A LOT OF US.

HE'S FOUND A WAY TO TAP INTO PEOPLE WHO FEEL AS THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENED TO BEFORE.

>> EXTREMISTS.

EXTREMISTS, A VERY SMALL MINORITY.

HE'S RUNNING AS AN ANTIVAXXER IN A STATE THAT IS OVERWHELMINGLY VACCINATED.

>> Mary: BUT IS WALZ VULNERABLE?

>> I MEAN, I THINK IT'S GOING -- YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE A TOUGH YEAR FOR EMOCRATS, GENERALLY BUT I THINK THE REPUBLICANS HAVING ENDORSED AN EXTREMIST MADE IT A LOT MORE LIKELY THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GOVERNOR, A SECOND TERM.

>> SOUNDS LIKE HE'S WORRIED.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE, KEITH ELLISON, ATTORNEY GENERAL, CAME FROM HERE IN THE HOUSE BEFORE HE WENT TO CONGRESS.

I HEAR SOME POLLS ARE LOOKING INTERESTING IN THAT.

>> HERE'S WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I THINK REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA, WE JUST HAVE A REAL STATEWIDE PROBLEM, WHETHER IT'S GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE, WHETHER IT'S ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SO, I THINK REPUBLICANS NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MORE VOTES OUT OF RAMSEY COUNTY AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, BUT SCHULTZ, OUR CANDIDATE, HE'S SOMEONE WHO'S WELL LIKED, HE'S NOT AN EXTREMIST, HE'S GOING TO RUN WELL STATEWIDE IN A WAY THAT MAYBE SOME OF OUR OTHER CANDIDATES -- >> Mary: PRIMARY FIGHT ON THE WAY.

>> HE WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN HIS BEING ON THE TICKET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATE WHO ANNOUNCED HERSELF WITH AN ANTISEMITIC VIDEO AND HE'S RUNNING WITH EXTREMISTS, SO HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE, WHETHER TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS PARTY OR TELL MINNESOTA WHO HE IS.

KEITH ELLISON JUST TODAY, E GOT A PLEA DEAL FOR ONE OF THE COPS IN THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, AND I THINK THE QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ON VOTERS' MINDS WILL BE, YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO'S DONE A REMARKABLE JOB AND I THINK HE'LL BE EASILY RE-ELECTED.

>> Mary: FINAL WORD, SECRETARY OF STATE, WHO CAME FROM THIS CHAMBER HERE, STEVE SIMON, IS HE VULNERABLE?

>> I THINK ALL DEMOCRATS ARE VULNERABLE.

BUT I THINK THAT SOME OF THEM HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES.

I THINK THE REPUBLICANS REALLY, RATHER THAN WORRYING ABOUT WHO THEY'RE RUNNING AGAINST, NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY'RE RUNNING ON.

ESPECIALLY STATEWIDE.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT.

THANKS YOU TWO.

APPRECIATE ALL THE ANALYSIS.

UP NEXT, OUR RETIRING LAWMAKER IS REPUBLICAN SENATOR MICHELLE BENSON, IN HER DECADE HERE, SHE HAS BECOME REALLY KNOWN AS A POLICY WONK, BUT IS A PART OF A GROWING NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO ARE NOT RETURNING NEXT SESSION.

SENATOR BENSON, WITH START WITH THE SAME QUESTION FOR EVERYONE, WHY NOW?

>> I SERVED MY TIME.

I'VE DONE THE THINGS THAT I COULD USE MY BEST GIFT FOR IN THE SENATE.

AND IT'S TIME FOR ME TO SEEK ANOTHER WAY TO SERVE, TO BE BENEFICIAL TO MINNESOTA AND, FRANKLY, I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO TERM LIMIT THEMSELVES.

THERE ARE NEW LEADERS WHO ARE EMERGING, AND AS LONG AS MY VOICE IS IN THAT ROOM, THEIR VOICE WON'T BE AS WELL HEARD.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOUR VOICE NO LONGER IN THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR?

YOU STOOD OUT AS THE OWN WOMAN ON YOUR -- ONLY WOMAN ON YOUR PARTY SIDE BUT ALSO IN GENERAL.

HOW DOES IT LOOK NOT TO HAVE A WOMAN RUNNING FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE LIKE THIS ANYMORE?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK MINNESOTA POLITICS HAS TO UNPACK.

I WASN'T, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THE DELEGATES AT THIS TIME.

AND I HADN'T DONE MY DUE DILIGENCE IN PREPARING TO FUND-RAISE FOR SOMETHING THIS BIG.

IT'S ABOUT $1.5 MILLION TO RUN IN A PRIMARY.

ON PAPER, I WAS A GOOD CANDIDATE, BUT THE DELEGATES WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE IN THE ERA OF TRUMP AND, FRANKLY, THE POLARIZATION THAT HAS COME IN POLITICS, IT'S CHALLENGING FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST FOCUSES ON BLOCKING AND TACKLING AND GOOD POLICY.

>> Mary: TALK TO ME ABOUT HOW IT SERVED YOU AT THE CAPITOL, THOUGH, BEING KIND OF A OLICY WONK, AS YOU ARE KNOWN.

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT AREAS OF POLICY IN YOUR CAREER.

>> I FELT PREPARED FOR IT.

BEING A LITTLE WONKISH IS IMPORTANT IN SOMETHING AS COMPLICATED AS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY, THERE ARE A MILLION PEOPLE'S IVES, LET'S SEE IF THIS WORKS OUT.

YOU NEED TO REALLY DIG INTO THE DETAILS.

>> Mary: CAN YOU THINK OF ONE ISSUE OR BILL THAT STANDS OUT AS SOMETHING OU'RE MOST PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING?

>> THE THING THAT I THINK IS POTENTIALLY THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE GOING FORWARD IS RESULTS FIRST.

AND, SO, I'VE DONE A LOT OF HEALTHCARE POLICY AND ADVOCACY, THE CO-OP BILL FOR AGRICULTURE COULD BE REVOLUTIONARY IN THE WAY WE BRING HEALTH COVERAGE TO MINNESOTANS.

BUT THE THING THAT'S GOING TO TRANSFORM GOVERNMENT THE MOST IS IF WE USE RESULTS FIRST, WHICH IS NOW FIRMLY IMPLANTED IN MMB TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE EMOTION AND TENSION OUT OF DECISION MAKING.

>> Mary: WHEN I THINK OF THE MOMENTS YOU STOOD OUT FOR ME IS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY BROUGHT A MOTION TO YOUR POLICY MAKING, AND IT WAS OFTEN WHEN YOU REACHED 'FULL EXPIRATION MODE.

A COUPLE TIMES WHERE SENATOR BENSON WAS, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE USUALLY CHAIRING A COMMITTEE AND JUST THROWING UP YOUR HANDS AND SAYING, WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> IT'S ARD.

SOME OF THAT WAS RELATED TO PHARMACEUTICALS WHEN WE WERE HAVING A DEBATE AND THE REBATES WERE CLEARLY A PROBLEM.

AND I JUST HAD IT, FRANKLY, WITH EVERYBODY.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THINGS IN WASHINGTON THAT AREN'T IN OUR CONTROL, BUT WE NEEDED SOME FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE THAT WAS OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

>> Mary: SOMETHING THAT HAS EXASPERATED A LOT OF WOMEN AT THE CAPITOL IS THE LACK OF A FAMILY-FRIENDLY SCHEDULE.

I KNOW WE'VE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT IT OFF-LINE A LITTLE BIT OVER THE YEARS.

YOU'VE BEEN RAISING KIDS, I'VE BEEN RAISING A KID.

IT'S NOT EASY, AND WHAT -- NOW, IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR, DO YOU THINK THE CAPITOL CAN DO MORE TO ACCOMMODATE WOMEN AND WOMEN HO HAVE FAMILIES?

>> IT'S HARD WITH NEGOTIATIONS.

I WAS ON LEADERSHIP AND, SO, SOMETIMES YOU NEED TIME TO COOL OFF OR YOU NEED TO HAVE INTENSE OFF-LINE CONVERSATIONS AND BRING IN OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.

I THINK SOME OF THE VIRTUAL ASPECTS WILL BE HELPFUL, EVEN SIMPLE THINGS LIKE, WHY ARE WE STARTING THE FLOOR AT 11?

WHY ON MONDAYS CAN'T WE START AT 9:00 AND THEN LET COMMITTEES GO FOR THAT?

THE CLOSER WE GET TO END OF SESSION, THE MORE HURRY UP AND WAIT THERE TENDS TO BE.

AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF, CAN I GO HOME, AND HAVE DINNER WITH MY FAMILY AND COME BACK AT 8:30 OR DO I HAVE TO STAY HERE, INSTEAD OF THE, YOU KNOW, SORT OF SUCK IT UP, BUTTER CUP, THIS IS THE WAY THINGS WORK, WE NEED MORE VOICES AT THE TABLE WHO HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DINNER BREAK.

I THINK SENATOR MILLER, HAVING SMALL CHILDREN, UNDERSTANDS THIS IN A WAY THAT OTHER LEADERS AT THE CAPITOL MIGHT NOT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE SENATE, IN PARTICULAR, BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SEEN AS LESS FAMILY FRIENDLY, AND LESS FRIENDLY FOR WOMEN, ALMOST GLASS CEILING, THERE HAVE BEEN TO MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE GOTTEN CLOSE TO LEADERSHIP, GOT TO LEADERSHIP AND HAVE FOUND IT TO STILL BE AN OLD BOYS' NETWORK, FRANKLY.

>> WE JUST NEED MORE WOMEN IN THE SENATE, FRANKLY.

THE MORE WOMEN THAT GET THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN LEADERSHIP, THE MORE THE CULTURE BECOMES BALANCED.

>> Mary: EVERYBODY HAS REVEALED FRIENDSHIPS WE DIDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW ABOUT ACROSS THE AISLE.

ARE THERE SOME PARTNERSHIPS OR FRIENDSHIPS WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT?

>> I HAD A CHILD TO GO HOME TO, I DIDN'T GO TO DINNER WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE, UNLESS IT WAS REALLY INTENTIONAL.

BUT MATT KLEIN AND I HAVE AN AMAZING WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

TONY LOUREY AND I, EVEN THOUGH WE BUTTED HEADS, COMPLETELY RESPECTED EACH OTHER.

>> Mary: SO WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO WHO REPLACES YOU?

>> DON'T WAIT, BUT LEARN AS FAST AS YOU CAN.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE THIS YOU WILL EVER, WORK.

WALK UP THE STAIRS TO THE CHAMBER, WALK DOWN THE STAIRS FROM THE CHAMBER AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN.

YOU LIVE AND WORK IN A MUSEUM FOR THESE YEARS.

TRY TO BECOME A SUBJECT ATTER EXPERT AND BUILD TRUST.

DON'T MAKE ENEMIES WHERE YOU DON'T NEED THEM, BUT ALWAYS BE CLEAR WHERE YOU STAND, IT WILL HELP YOU BUILD RIENDSHIPS AND DO THE JOB BETTER.

>> Mary: YOU WERE THE FIRST LATINA IN THE SENATE, HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THAT NOW LOOKING BACK?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT AN HONOR, REALLY, IT HAS BEEN TO BE HERE AND TO BE LOOKED AT AS KIND OF THE FIRST PERSON WHO CAME HERE FROM THIS COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, AN IMMIGRANT, WHO REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A POLITICAL BACKGROUND AND COME HERE AND JUST BREAKING GROUND IN THAT REGARD.

SO I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND, YOU NOW, YOU DON'T RUN TO BE THE FIRST.

REALLY.

I MEAN, YOU JUST RUN BECAUSE YOU'RE PASSIONATE, YOU WANT TO SERVE.

BUT WHEN YOU GO TO GROUPS AND YOU VISIT, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG WOMEN, AND THEY TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, I WAS IN THIS RALLY, AND YOU SPOKE, AND, YOU KNOW, WE WENT TO THE CAPITOL AND YOU WERE THERE ON THE FLOOR, AND I GET SO INSPIRED, I DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, I DECIDED TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, I GET SO INSPIRED BY THAT.

AND I AM SO PROUD.

>> Mary: AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK, WHEN LAWMAKERS HAVE TO BE DONE WITH AT LEAST THE REGULAR SESSION.

NET MEANTIME YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TPT.ORG/AATC THERE YOU CAN REWATCH ANY OF OUR SHOWS, FIND OUT HOW TO CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, ESPECIALLY IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS AND HOURS.

WE WILL BE FILLING TWITTER WITH CONTENT FOR YOU.

AND WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, HOP OVER TO OUR VIEWER SURVEY THAT'S AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC, YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LINK THERE AND TAKE THE VIEWER SURVEY, IT REALLY JUST TAKES A FEW MINUTES.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AND WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE ON "ALMANAC" AND "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

SO PLEASE TAKE THAT SURVEY.

AND AS THE LEGISLATURE WRAPS UP THEIR BUSINESS, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO WATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS, PRESS CONFERENCES, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, MUCH MORE ON THE STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

AND WE WILL BE RETURNING YOU TO THE ACTION HERE AS LAWMAKERS ARE GATHERING, YOU CAN HEAR THEM TAKING ATTENDANCE BEHIND ME RIGHT NOW HERE IN THE HOUSE.

WE'LL JOIN THAT ACTION AFTER THE SHOW.

FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL BE JOINED BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, A LONG TRADITION, AND I'LL PREVIEW THE DFL STATE CONVENTION AND REVIEW THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION BY TALKING TO THE REPUBLICAN-ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, Dr. SCOTT JENSEN, WHO'S ALSO A FORMER SENATOR AND EXPERIENCED HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND, AGAIN, WE'LL BE BACK TO WRAP IT ALL UP.

WE'LL SEE IF LAWMAKERS GET IT DONE.

THEY HAVE TO PASS ALL THEIR BILLS BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL WRAP IT FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU THEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

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