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

SO HOPE ME GOD.

>> I WILL.

[Cheering] >> WHAT WE SAW TODAY WAS AN ATTEMPTED COUP.

>> Mary: A START OF SESSION LIKE E'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

BOYCOTTS, LAWSUITS AND A BUDGET THAT HAS TO BE SOLVED BY THE END.

WE'LL MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL, 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 FIFTY MANITOBA HYDROPOWER DOT COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY MINNESOTA LOTTERY DELIVERING NEARLY FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

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

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEE DAKOTA DOT ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER.

HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPTIOL."

LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, THE DEEP POLITICAL DIVISION ACROSS THE NATION HAS ARRIVED IN MINNESOTA WITH A LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN STATE HISTORY.

LAWSUITS, BOYCOTTS, ELECTION CHALLENGES.

WE WILL PROVIDE CONTEXT ON IT ALL WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS AND A FORMER LEGISLATIVE LEADER, ALONG WITH MEETING A NEW FRESHMAN CLASS.

WE BEGIN WITH AN OPENING DAY NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

WE BEGIN WITH AN OPENING DAY UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

THE HOUSE MADE HISTORY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA.

ONE CAUCUS FAILED TO APPEAR AS DEMOCRATS ATTEMPTED TO DENY A QUORUM NECESSARY TO ORGANIZE BUT REPUBLICANS TOOK THE REIGNS OF POWER ANYWAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH, DUAL ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> ARE YOU THE LEGAL SPEAKER, MADAM SPEAKER?

>> LEGAL SPEAKER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

VERY HONORED TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THIS BODY.

>> DEMOCRATS DISAGREE WITH THE LEGALITY OF HER ELECTION.

THEY PLAN TO CHALLENGE IT IN COURT AFTER THEY HELD A SECRET SWEARING-IN CEREMONY BEFORE THEIR FIRST DAY BOYCOTT.

>> WE SAW SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, A COMPLETELY SHAM PROCEEDING.

>> WHAT'S THE CASE LAW OR THE CHALLENGES EXPECTED?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S UP TO DEMOCRATS TO SEE WHETHER THEY WANT TO SHOW UP FOR WORK AND DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO CONTINUES WITH THE SHAM IDEA THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE GETS TO DECIDE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ISSUES ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES'S ORGANIZATION.

WE SHOWED UP FOR WORK ON THE DAY THAT THE LAW TOLD US TO SHOW UP FOR WORK ON.

WE ELECTED A SPEAKER -- >> REPUBLICANS WANT TO REFUSE TO SEAT SHAKOPEE REPRESENTATIVE BRAD TABKE AFTER THE JUDGE REFUSED TO CALLING A NEW ELECTION FOLLOWING A RECOUNT AND LOST BALLOTS.

>> WHAT WE SAW TODAY WAS AN ATTEMPTED COUP.

THIS WAS THE TYPE OF THING WE DON'T EXPECT IN MINNESOTA.

WE EXPECT IN THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES.

WE EXPECT FROM FOLKS LIKE DONALD TRUMP.

I'M JUST PISSELD OFF THAT WE'RE ALL HERE TODAY.

THIS IS EALLY, REALLY FRUSTRATING THAT WE ARE AT THE PLACE WE ARE AT TODAY BECAUSE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO STEAL THE ELECTION.

>> CALLING ON REPUBLICANS TO RESPECT MY VOTE AS WELL AS THE NEARLY 22,000 OTHER SHAKOPEE RESIDENTS AND SEAT REPRESENTATIVE TABKE.

>> THE HOUSE COULD RETURN TO A TIE AFTER ANOTHER COURT CHALLENGE ON RESIDENCY RESULTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION.

MEANWHILE, THE SENATE IS IN A TEMPORARY TIE BUT THEY WORKED OUT A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.

>> I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER THAT CHOSE COOPERATION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> THIS IS QUITE A CONTRAST BETWEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER IN THE HOUSE, AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE GOING FORWARD.

REALLY HOPING TO WORK THIS MODEL UNTIL THE END OF SESSION FOR THE BENEFIT OF MINNESOTANS.

>> TODAY DEMONSTRATED HOW WE ARE HERE, READY TO GO FORWARD AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE MINNESOTA-CENTERED SO EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MINNESOTA.

>> A TIE IS A TIE, WE WANTED TO GET TO WORK.

>> MARY: REPORTERS OLD AND NEW HAVE NEVER SEEN A SESSION START LIKE THIS.

ERIC ESKOLA HOSTS "ALMANAC" AND WORKED FOR WCCO RADIO FOR DECADES.

CAROLINE CUMMINGS CHASES CAPITOL NEWS FOR WCCO TV.

YOU KNOW, I FEEL LIKE THAT REALLY SUMS IT UP, IT'S REAL PARTISAN FIGHT WHERE BOTH SIDES ARE DUG IN.

>> CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, WHAT ELSE YOU GOT ESKOLA?

>> OVERBLOWN.

>> Mary: AND WHY?

YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A CHAMBER SIT EMPTY FOR DAYS AND DAYS BEFORE.

>> IT IS THE EARLY PART OF THE SESSION, THIS IS THE FIRST WEEK.

THERE'S BEEN NO FORECAST, THE FEBRUARY FORECAST, THERE'S BEEN NO GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

IT'S ALMOST TWO YEARS BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION.

VOTERS ARE THEY GOING TO REMEMBER ANY OF THIS?

I THINK THE VOTES THAT ARE TAKEN AND THE ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TOWARD THE END OF THE SESSION IN PROBABLY, WHAT, JUNE, JUNE 30th?

I THINK THAT WILL BE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: CAROLINE, WE GET THE UDGET TOMORROW, IT TARTS GETTING REAL THEN, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR WILL REVEAL HIS PLANS TOMORROW FOR THE BUDGET.

BUT HE'LL THEY WOULD BUY-IN FROM THE LEGISLATURE SO, YOU KNOW, YOU SAW IT IN YOUR PIECE THERE, THE SENATE GOT OFF TO A SMOOTH BIPARTISAN START.

THEY HAVE COME TO A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT IN THE ABSENCE OF A SEAT OR A POSITION FILLED OR A MEMBER FILLED FOR THE SEAT THAT DFL SENATOR KARI DZIEDZIC ONCE HELD SO, YOU KNOW, THERE IT'S KIND OF A TALE OF TWO CHAMBERS ON WHAT'S GOING ON HERE SO THEY DO NEED TO SORT OUT WHAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE BECAUSE THE LONGER THIS GOES ON, THE LESS TIME YOU HAVE TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET.

>> THERE IS A LITTLE REVENGE FACTOR HERE.

I KNOW THE REPUBLICANS IN BOTH CHAMBERS FEEL THEY WERE SHUT OUT COMPLETELY THE LAST TWO YEARS SO THIS IS A WAY FOR THEM TO KIND OF GET BACK, AND THE DEMOCRATS I'M INSURE THEY ARE ARE YOUING THE DAY THEY COULDN'T COME UP WITH MAINTAIN O THEIR NOSES ARE OUT OF JOINT BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SOME OF THE RHETORIC, BANANA REPUBLIC COUP AND CRISIS -- >> Mary: KANGAROO COURT, WE'VE HEARD THAT.

>> WHAT I FEEL SO FASCINATING, ACTUALLY, THERE WAS A QUESTION ASKED OF REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE YESTERDAY IN SHACKS ME WHEN THEY WERE NOT HERE AND IT WAS HOW MUCH HAS THIS DAMAGED RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER SIDE.

AND WHAT SHE SAID, SHE WAS, LIKE -- I'M PARAPHRASING, THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO DAMAGE RELATIONSHIPS.

WE ARE IN A POWER DISPUTE BUT WE ARE NOT IN A DISPUTE WITH EACH OTHER PERSONALLY, WHICH ONE FEELS VERY MINNESOTA DIPLOMACY BUT, TWO, I FEEL LIKE THAT GETS AT THE BROADER HING WHILE BOTH SIDES WHILE VERY DUG IN TO THIS PARTISAN GAVEL, THEY HAVE BOTH LEFT OPEN THE DOOR FOR NEGOTIATIONS ND ULTIMATELY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT HAND.

YOU HAVE TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Mary: AND THEY HAVE O PASS A BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT THAT, THIS IS A BUDGET SESSION.

>> WILL REPRESENTATIVE TABKE SURVIVE?

>> Mary: THAT'S THE OPEN QUESTION, ISN'T IT?

>> THAT'S THE HEART OF THE WHOLE THING, THAT'S WHY DEMOCRATS SAY THEY D.SHOW UP BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT REPUBLICANS TO ACT ON THIS MAJORITY THAT THEY HAVE AT LEAST FOR NOW TO UNSEAT HIM DESPITE THE JUDGE'S RULING THAT HE WAS THE VALID WINNER OF THAT ELECTION.

>> IT'S NOT UP TO THE REPUBLICANS TO BAIL OUT THE DEMOCRATS WHO DIDN'T VET A CANDIDATE ENOUGH.

>> AND THAT IS THEIR ARGUE.

, THEY SAID, YOU CANNOT ACT LIKE YOU WERE ENTITLED TO THIS ROSEVILLE SEAT BECAUSE YOUR CANDIDATE DID NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT, A JUDGE AFFIRMED THAT, AND SO THAT TIPS THE SCALE IN OUR FAVOR.

SO THEN IT GETS DOWN TO THE QUORUM QUESTION WHICH IS NOW HEADED FOR COURTS TO DECIDE.

>> Mary: HOW MANY CASES ARE IN THE COURTS?

>> UNO, DOS, TRES.

>> Mary: I DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER HAPPENED BEFORE DURING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT THREE LEGISLATIVE QUESTIONS WERE IN FRONT OF THE -- >> BUT WHAT IF THE HIGH COURT KICKS IT BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THEY COULD.

>> WE'RE NOT GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS, YOU GUYS FIGURE IT OUT.

>> THAT IS WHAT REPRESENTATIVE NISKA SAID TODAY, HE BELIEVES THAT HE IS CONFIDENT, THOSE WERE HIS WORLDS, THAT THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT WILL NOT INTERFERE IN HOW THE HOUSE CHOOSES TO GOVERN ITSELF, WHERE THE DFL SIDE OF THINGS OF COURSE IS THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS CLEAR ABOUT A QUORUM AND THE REPUBLICANS DID NOT MEET IT.

SO I'LL BE REALLY CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THEY LAND ON THIS.

>> Mary: CONSERVATIVES WHO HAVE APPEARED BEFORE THE COURT HAVE BEEN ADAMANT THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT IS NOT POLITICAL, NOT BIASED, BUT I AM SEEING A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES ON LINE POINTING OUT, IT'S AN ALL-DFL APPOINTED HOUSE.

>> WITH THE FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, PAUL THISSEN SITS ON THAT.

HE'S ALSO AN EXPERT ON THIS BUT -- >> DO I HAVE TIME TO BRING UP A MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE?

SENATOR MICHAEL BRUSSELO.

HE'S DROPPED A BILL IN THE HOPPER SAYING WE ARE GOING TO BUY THE NINE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA COUNTIES.

>> HE'S TALKING ABOUT AN IOWA SENATOR.

WHERE YOU CAME FROM.

>> I DID USED TO COVER THE IOWA LEGISLATURE.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> YOU KNOW, I LEARNED OF THIS TODAY WHEN I READ IT IN THE DES MOINES REGISTER, SHOUT OUT TO A WONDERFUL PAPER OF RECORD IN THE GREAT STATE OF IOWA.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT STRIKES ME AS IN THE SAME VEIN OF, YOU KNOW, TRUMP'S PRESIDENT ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GREENLAND.

I DON'T -- I'M CURIOUS WHAT GOVERNOR WALZ WOULD HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT OR HONESTLY ANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO SERVE THOSE NINE COUNTIES THAT IOWA SAYS IT WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF THE GOVERNOR, IS HE RUNNING AGAIN?

WHAT DO WE THINK?

>> I THINK HE'S STILL KIND OF BRUISED FROM THE EXPERIENCE.

>> Mary: THAT'S WHAT THE "NEW YORK TIMES" BIG ARTICLE IS SAYING HE RETURNS TO A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE WHERE DEMOCRATS DON'T HOLD THE TRIFECTA THAT HE CAMPAIGNED NATIONALLY ON.

>> HANGING OUT WITH BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ONE DAY AND THEN YOU'RE CHAIRING THE LAND EXCHANGE BOARD MEETING THE NEXT DAY.

IT'S A CULTURE SHOCK, ISN'T IT?

>> JUST THE BORING PARTS OF GOVERNMENT THAT MAKE GOVERNMENT HAPPEN, RIGHT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY EVEN WHEN HE WAS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, HE'S STILL THE GOVERNOR.

GRANDED HE WAS HERE LESS FREQUENTLY BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO MAKE THE CASE TO VOTERS NATIONWIDE.

I ASKED HIM THAT QUESTION, ARE YOU GOING TO RUN AGAIN AND HE SAID HE'S NOT MADE A DECISION YET BUT HE WILL THIS YEAR.

>> Mary: OKAY, THANKS, YOU TOO.

APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN AN UNPRECEDENTED START TO SESSION.

REPUBLICAN FORMER LEGISLATIVE LEADER MARTY SEIFERT IS CURRENTLY CONNECTED AT THE CAPITOL SENIOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.

I REMEMBER YOUR CAUCUS LEAVING AND YOU WERE THE ONLY PERSON ON THE FLOOR, I THINK, ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE IN AN EPIC FILIBUSTER.

IS THAT ANY KIND OF COMPARISON?

>> NOT REALLY BECAUSE THEY WERE GONE FOR MAYBE ABOUT 45 MINUTES, NOT FOR, LIKE, WEEKS, SO, I MEAN, IT WASN'T THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION.

IT WAS A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX WE COULD USE BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IN THAT SITUATION, THEY COULDN'T GET THE VOTES TO RECESS AND SO THEY WERE LIKE SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD THE FLOOR WHILE WE GO CAUCUS SO I JUST DID IT AND IT WAS -- T WAS FUN, IT WAS INTERESTING BUT IT WAS -- EVERYBODY THINKS IT WAS LIKE EIGHT HOURS, IT WAS LIKE 45 MINUTES.

>> Mary: IT JUST FEELS LIKE 8 HOURS AT THE TIME, I REMEMBER THAT.

YOU SAY TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX, THAT'S WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, THAT DENYING QUORUM HERE IS JUST A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> IT'S FAIR TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WOULD DENY A QUORUM.

I THINK THE ARGUE.

-- I CAN ARGUE BOTH WAYS.

I CAN ARGUE THAT IT'S 68 OUT OF 134 BUT THE PROBLEM THE DEMOCRATS HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THERE IS A VACANT SEAT IN ROSEVILLE.

THAT MEANS THE HOUSE IS 133, NOT 134 SO YOU GO DOWN TO 67 TORE A QUORUM, AT LEAST THE WAY I'M READING IT.

THE REASON BEING THAT IF YOU HAD A STUBBORN GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT JUST NEVER WANTED TO COME, YOU WOULD LITERALLY HAVE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ON JULY 1, IF THEY JUST NEVER DECIDED TO COME.

SO THE CONSTITUTION HAS SOME TOOLS IN HERE THAT ARE VERY SPECIFIC THAT A MINORITY OF THE HOUSE CAN COMPEL THE MAJORITY TO ATTEND.

THAT ONLY THE HOUSE CAN ADJOURN THE HOUSE, LIKE STEVE SIMON COULDN'T JUST UNILATERALLY DO IT, THAT'S ARTICLE , SECTION 7.

7.

SO THERE'S CERTAIN TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE.

THE REPUBLICANS PROBABLY HAVE THE EDGE I THINK ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.

GENERALLY I WOULD SAY THAT THEY HAVE THE HIGH GROUND ON JUST THE NOT SHOWING UP PART OF THIS.

>> Mary: JUST THE VISUAL.

THE PR VISUAL.

>> LIKE PEOPLE ARE YOU'RE GETTING PAID.

>> Mary: THIS ULTIMATELY ENDS UP IN THE HIGH COURT AND YOU DID BRING YOUR CONSTITUTION, AS WELL, AS SOMETHING THAT COULD COME UP THERE.

WE DO HAVE AN ALL DFL-APPOINTED SUPREME COURT BUT WE HAVE A HUGE TRADITION OF NON-PARTISANSHIP HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: BUT YOU PULLED THE LINE FROM THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT WOULD BE THE HIGHEST -- >> DOCUMENT.

>> Mary: -- DOCUMENT TO PULL FROM.

WE HEAR ABOUT RULES, STATUES, WHAT'S FROM THE CONSTITUTION THAT YOU THINK COULD BE RELEVANT HERE?

>> FOR THE CONSTITUTION, I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE THE ARGUE.

-- SO ARTICLE IV SECTION 7 HAS A PIECE OF IT THAT I'LL JUST READ REAL QUICKLY.

EACH HOUSE MAY DETERMINE THE RULINGS OF ITS PROCEEDINGS, SIT UPON ITS ON ADJOURN.

, THAT'S WHERE STEVE SIMON IS IN TROUBLE FOR ADJOURNING UNRAT RALLY, PUNISH ITS MEMBERS.

THEN UNDER SECTION 13, QUORUM, A MAJORITY OF EACH HOUSE CONNECTION STATUTES A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE TO TRANSACT BUSINESS BIT A SMALLER MUM HAVE NUMBER MAY ADJOURN FROM DAY TO DAY, AND COMPEL THE ATTENDANCE OF ABSENT MEMBERS IN THE MANNER UNDER PENALTIES THEY PROVIDE.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE CALL OF THE HOUSE.

TEN MEMBERS CAN FORCE EVERYBODY TO COME IN AND SERGEANT AT ARMS WILL DRAG PEOPLE IN.

>> Mary: BUT IF THEY'RE NOT HERE, THE SERGEANT CAN'T GO OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND GET THEM, RIGHT, LIKE OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

>> RIGHT.

AND THE WAY I READ IT, THE QUORUM PART REALLY DOESN'T SAY 133, 134.

THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PRESCRIBE THAT THERE ARE 134 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE.

STATUTE DOES.

>> Mary: THAT'S LOWER THAN THE ONSTITUTION REMINDING PEOPLE OF FLOORS AND CEILINGS -- >> GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO MASON'S MANUAL.

THINK DON'T OPERATE UNDER ROBERT'S RULES LIKE MOST CITY COUNCILS AND BODIES DO.

SO THERE IS A LITTLE TRICK OF THE TRADE ON THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT'S DIFFER THAN THE AVERAGE BODIES.

>> Mary: ONE OTHER FACTOR YOU ALKED ABOUT SAYING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE AN UPPER HAND, WHAT ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE BRAD TABKE WHO HAG A COURT RULING SAYING HE WON, THERE WILL NOT BE A SPECIAL ELECTION AND REPUBLICANS SAYING THEY WON'T SEAT HIM.

DID YOU SEE ANYTHING LIKE THAT, REFUSAL TO SEAT A MEMBER BASED ON NOT LIKING -- >> I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT IN MY 14 YEARS HERE.

THE DEMOCRATS DID THIS IN 1979 WITH FORMER REPRESENTATIVE PAVLOC.

THEY VOTE HE COULD NOTEE VOTE ON HIS OWN SEATING, WHICH IS NOW COMING TO HAUNT THEM.

I'VE TOLD REPUBLICANS TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE YOU'RE SETTING PRECEDENTS RIGHT NOW.

IF THE SHOW WERE ON THE OTHER FOOT IN TWO YEARS AND YOU HAVE A MEMBER WHO HAS 20 BALLOTS MISSING, THEY'RE DECLARED BY THE COURT TO BE THE WINNER, DO YOU WANT THEM UNSEATING YOUR MEMBER?

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> Mary: IN '79 THEY TALKED ABOUT THAT.

>> THIS IS BITING THE DEMOCRATS NOW BECAUSE THEY STARTED THE CUSTOM AND USAGE OF PAVLOC NOT VOTING ON HIS OWN SEATING SO THEN THEY HAD A SPECIAL ELECTION AT THAT TIME WEST STONE IN SOUTH St. PAUL HAD A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE AND THE DEMOCRATS WON THE SPECIAL AND THEN TOOK POWER OF THE HOUSE.

>> Mary: FINAL BET OF ANALYSIS BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW A SENIOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PERSON UP HERE, WHAT DOES THIS DO, NOT HAVING HALF THE BODY HERE?

HOW DOES THIS AFFECTS GOVERNMENT RELATIONS?

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ARE KIND OF HAVING HEARINGS RIGHT NOW SO IT'S LIKE ARE THERE BILLS THAT ARE INTRODUCED, WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRAT BILLS?

I MEAN, I'M A DISABILITY CENTER THAT S BEING CARRIED BY A DEMOCRAT, AND THAT'S A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER SAID I'M GOING TO COME TOUR THE FACILITY, I'M A REPUBLICAN IN THE METRO.

AND WE HAVE TO FIND A DEMOCRAT TO MAKE SURE THE BILL GETS INTRODUCED AND THAT MAKES IT TRICK EAVE.

>> Mary: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE, FORMER LEADER.

>> MARY: EDINA MIGHT BE THE CITY THAT EVERYONE LOVES TO HATE BUT AN OPEN SEAT IN A SHIFTING DISTRICT SAW THIS PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER STEP UP TO REPRESENT HER DISTRICT.

FIRST OF ALL, THE QUESTION I ASK EVERY NEW LAWMAKER IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> YOU KNOW, I SERVED ON EDINA SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEHOOL BOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEAROL BOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS BOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS ANOARD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND RD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND RO FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OHE PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF PAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MAST FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MY T FOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MY TEFOUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MY TERMUR YEARS AND ROLLED OFF MY TERMUR THE END OF LAST DECEMBER AND AGO AG BOARD MEMBER, I REALLY SAW DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND HOW THEY WORK AND MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR DIFFERENT CAUSES.

AND THIS WAS KIND OF AN EVOLUTION OF THAT WORK, ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATION SPACE.

>> DID YOU KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE OPEN SEAT?

I'M GUESSING SOCIALLY YOU MIGHT HAVE KNOWN REPRESENTATIVE EDELSON.

DID YOU KNOW SHE WASN'T RUNNING, HOW DID THAT GO BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> HEATHER DID ALERT ME AND LET ME KNOW THAT SHE WASN'T GOING TO SEAT THIS SEAT AGAIN SO I HAD SOME TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT'S A BIG DECISION, NOT SOMETHING I MADE OVERNIGHT.

>> YOU'VE BEEN IN MINNESOTA AND EDINA LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS DISTRICT HAS EVOLVED FROM REPUBLICAN TO TOTALLY COMPETITIVE TO SAFE SEAT.

>> IT FELT SAFE BUT I NEVER APPROACHED THINGS THAT THERE'S EVER A SAFE SEAT.

IT'S SUPPORT IMPORTANT THAT WE INCLUDE ALL CONSTITUENTS IN TESTIFYINGS, THAT'S HOW I SERVED ON THE EDINA SCHOOL BOARD, TOO, SO I DOOR-KNOCKED EVERYBODY.

I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE THAT I KNEW WEREN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR ME AND I GOT A LOT OF TEXTS FROM THEM ON ELECTION NIGHT CONGRATULATING ME.

>> Mary: WHY DO YOU THINK EDINA AND FIRST RING SUBURBS LIKE THAT HAVE GOTTEN LESS COMPETITIVE AND BLUER OVER TIMES?

>> FISCALLY, THE SUBURBS ARE MORE CONSERVATIVE BUT I THINK A LOT OF THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT THEY SEEM TO BE DRIVING A LOT OF CONVERSATION.

I THINK A LOT OF SUBURBS AND THE METRO, INCLUDING EDINA COMMUNITY, ARE TAKING A STAND WITH THEIR VALUES, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO TREAT PEOPLE AND LET PEOPLE LOVE WHO THEY WANT TO LOVE, LET PEOPLE LIVE HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY AND NOTHING IS HELD AGAINST THEM.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO ACTUALLY HOW MINNESOTANS LIVE.

>> Mary: WE HAVE TO BE HONEST THAT NOT EVERYBODY ROOTS FOR EDINA.

[Laughter] CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

KIND OF THE CITY THAT EVERYBODY LOVES TO HATE IN MINNESOTA.

>> YES, I'VE LEARNED THAT AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LEARNED -- I MEAN I'VE STAYED THERE.

WHICH MOVED TO MINNESOTA NOT KNOWING ANYBODY, WE CHOSE EDINA BUT I WILL TELL YOU, EDINA IS A PASSIONATE, ENGAGED COMMUNITY AND WE GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE AND WE'RE ALSO PROGRESSIVE THINKING AND SOMETIMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU LAND ON TOP.

I MEAN, WE HAVE OVER -- I THINK WE'RE AT 209 -- 208 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL.

BUT I THINK EDINA, WE'VE BECOME A LOT MORE I THINK INCLUSIVE, I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF REALLY GOOD WORK GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I HAVE MET SOME OF THE SMARTEST PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET IN MY LIFE IN MY COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WERE SOME OF THE HEMES OR MESSAGES YOU HEARD FROM THIS ELECTORATE THIS TIME?

THIS WAS A VERY INTERESTING ELECTION CYCLE.

YOU COULD HAVE DONE A WHOLE AP CLASS ON JUST DOOR-KNOCKING AND THE EVOLUTION OF DOOR-KNOCKING FROM JUNE UNTIL NOVEMBER AND THE CHANGES THAT WE SAW.

THAT SAID, SOME OF THE THEMES THAT CONTINUED TO OCCUR WERE PUBLIC EDUCATION, ARE WE TAKING CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS, ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PREVENT ANY KIND OF GUN VIOLENCE.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT I HEARD WAS THE NATIONAL ELECTION.

>> Mary: WHAT ISSUES AND OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES SEEMED TO CHANGE OVER THE CYCLE?

>> THERE WAS A BIT OF APATHY.

I THINK THAT WHEN THERE WAS THE FLIP IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WITH VICE PRESIDENT AMALA HARRIS JUMPING IN, THAT CHANGED THINGS AND I THINK THERE WAS A BOAST OF ENERGY AND ENGAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR YOUNGER VOTERS.

>> Mary: DID IT MAKE DEMOCRATS OVER-CONFIDENT THAT THERE WAS THIS NEW ENTHUSIASM THAT HARRIS WAS GOING TO GET THE YOUTH VOTE WHEN TRUMP DID PRETTY WELL.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT CONFIDENT IS THE RIGHT WORD BUT DEMOCRATS, WE NEED TO CONTINUE LISTENING AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING COMMUNITIES ALONG WITH ALL THE DECISIONS, AND WHAT I KEEP HEARING IS PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE -- YOU KNOW, THEY CAN AFFORD HEALTH CARE, THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR GROCERIES, THE ECONOMY IS SUPER IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT HAS -- THAT ACTUALLY POPPED UP MORE TOWARDS THE END OF THE ELECTION THAN AT THE BEGINNING, I WOULD SAY.

>> Mary: WHICH WAS HARDER ON DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS, IT LOOKS LIKE, IF WE LOOK AT THE -- THE ISSUE OF ECONOMY.

>> I THINK SO.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE A TIED CHAMBER?

THIS IS PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE RUNNING?

>> >> NO, THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I'VE GOTTEN AND I THINK THE MAIN THING FOR ME IS I DON'T KNOW ANY DIFFERENT.

I AM COMING INTO THIS BODY VERY SIMILAR TO HOW I CAME TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD EVEN THOUGH WE WERE NONPARTISAN AND I KEPT TRUE TO THAT.

I THINK IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO WORK ACROSS AND TALK TO ALL LEGISLATORS AND FIND COMMONALITY AND I THINK THAT I'M VERY CONFIDENT AND CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'LL GET A LOT OF WORK DONE.

I DON'T THINK PARTISANS WILL STANDS FOR IT IF WE DON'T.

>> Mary: WHAT WILL YOU CONSIDER A SUCCESS?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET DONE OR NEED TO GET DONE TO FEEL YOU'VE DONE YOUR JOB HERE?

>> MY GOAL WOULD BE TO BRING MY SCHOOL BOARD OICE TO THE COMMITTEES.

>> Mary: HOSPITAL COMMITTEES WILL BE WORKING ON -- AND NOW THERE'S K-12 THAT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT IT.

DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS WILL JOIN REPUBLICANS ON THAT?

>> I THINK SO, I THINK THAT'S WHY WE HAVE NOW AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND TO HAVE MORE EYES ON IT.

I THINK WE CAN ALWAYS, ALWAYS BENEFIT FROM HAVING EYES ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO LOOK AT THINGS AND THEN HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

>> IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAVING A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND, I WAS KIND OF TIRED OF WAR MONGERING AND AGGRESSION GOING ON TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET AWAY FROM IS DO NOT DICTATE THE WHOLE MINNESOTA LAW ENFORCEMENT BY PARTICULAR ACT BY ONE PERSON.

IT'S REAL EASY TO PAINT US WITH A BROAD BRUSH.

FOCUS ON THE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL AND MAYBE THAT AGENCY THAT MIGHT BE HAVING A PROBLEM AND NOW FOCUS ON THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA AS WHOLE BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME VERY, VERY GOOD OFFICERS OUT THERE THAT WE NEED TOO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET OUT THERE, KEEP DOING THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY HAVE AND WE SUPPORT THOSE GUYS.

WE AS LEGISLATORS NEED TO COME OUT THERE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE NEED TO COME OUT AND BE MORE VOCAL THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WE HAVE SOME VERY GOOD LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY VOCAL.

WITHOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE DON'T HAVE STABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> MARY: NEXT WEEK, MEET ANOTHER NEW LAWMAKER AND WE PLAN TO HAVE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN THIS HISTORIC SESSION NOW UNDERWAY.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW... YOU CAN LED TO OUR WEBSITE.

TPT.ORG/AATC... DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON X.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IN A LIVE APPEARANCE, AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS... BIG SHOW!

TUNE IN TO THAT AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ "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.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY MINNESOTA LOTTERY DELIVERING NEARLY FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEE DAKOTA DOT ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER.

HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

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