OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT MICHAEL OSTERHOLM REFLECTS ON FOUR YEARS OF COVID, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A NEW PLAN TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL, LARRY FITZGERALD ON THE TWINS AND MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT WHY THE GOVERNOR MADE THE TREK TO OWATONNA THIS WEEK.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR WALZ TOOK HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF DELIVERING IT HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'LL HAVE SOME CONTEXT WHY GOVERNORS HAVE MADE THE SAME MOVE.

>> THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONG.

>> IT'S GLORIOUS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES TO HOST A STATE OF THE STATE.

>> Mary: 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.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO'S GETTING IN ON THE CANNABIS BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA, KAOMI LEE SHOWS US A BOLD NEW EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE CHILD CARE SHORTAGE IN THE STATE, AND A QUORUM OF FORMER LAWMAKERS DISSECT THE WEEK IN POLITICS.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH AN ANNIVERSARY THAT WE'LL ALL BE HARD-PRESSED TO FORGET.

FOUR YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ISSUED A "STAY AT HOME" ORDER IN RESPONSE TO THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, EFFECTIVELY SHUTTING DOWN ALL BUT THE MOST ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS IN MINNESOTA.

WHILE MOST OF US HAVE NOW RETURNED TO OUR PRE-PANDEMIC WAYS, THE CONSTANTLY EVOLVING VIRUS IS STILL VERY MUCH WITH US.

WE'VE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH MICHAEL OSTERHOLM, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, THROUGHOUT THESE FOUR STRANGE YEARS, AND HE JOINS US NOW VIA ZOOM JUST LIKE HE DID DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DOCTOR, I WANT TO GET IGHT TO THIS, IN HINDSIGHT, I'M WONDERING IF THE STEPS THAT WERE TAKEN, THE MASKS, THE SHUTDOWN OF THE SCHOOLS, SHUTDOWN OF BUSINESSES, SIX FEET APART, WASH YOUR HANDS, WAS THAT ALL NECESSARY?

WAS THAT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH OR SOMETHING ELSE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, DURING THE FOUR YEARS OF A PANDEMIC, JUST AS YOU'VE SEEN ON THIS SHOW, AS I'VE APPEARED SO MANY TIMES, WE WERE CONTINUING TO LEARN THROUGHOUT THAT ENTIRETY OF THE PANDEMIC AS TO WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO AND HOW WE NEEDED TO DO IT.

I THINK THE ONE CHALLENGE THAT I HAVE HAD THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC AND I'VE SURELY SHARED THAT ON THIS SHOW IS THE FACT THAT WE WERE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL.

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, MANY PEOPLE APPROACHED THIS BACK IN MARCH OF 2020 LIKE THIS WAS GOING TO BASICALLY E A - BLIZZARD.

THIS WAS GOING TO BE A HURRICANE.

IT WOULD BE OVER WITH IN A FEW WEEKS, AT MOST, AND THEN WE COULD MOVE ON.

AND, AS YOU KNOW, I SAW THIS LASTING MULTIPLE YEARS, AND, IN FACT, PREDICTED THAT WE WOULD SEE 800,000 DEATHS, POTENTIALLY, IN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, WHICH IT ACTUALLY DID JUST THAT.

HAD WE COME INTO THIS WITH A MINDSET TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SURVIVE THIS FOR TWO TO THREE, MAYBE FOUR YEARS, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S HINDSIGHT.

BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND BECAUSE HERE WILL BE ANOTHER PANDEMIC, AND IT COULD BE MUCH WORSE THAN THIS ONE.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU WERE CALLING FOR A COVID COMMISSION, SIMILAR TO, SAY, THE 9/11 COMMISSION, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, I THINK IT GOES TO THE VERY HEART OF ERIC'S QUESTION ABOUT ALMOST, YOU KNOW, WHAT WENT WRONG.

AND MY TAKE ON THAT IS NOT SO MUCH WENT WRONG, WHAT DID WE LEARN DURING THE ENTIRETY OF THE PANDEMIC THAT COULD BETTER PREPARE US FOR THE FUTURE.

AND IF WE DON'T DO THAT, WE'RE DOOMED TO REPEAT MANY OF THE ERRORS OR THE MISTAKES THAT WERE MADE WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

AND THERE WERE SOME.

THERE WERE SOME MAJOR ONES.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE WE AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE TO HAVE A DEEP SENSE OF HUMILITY RIGHT NOW AND ALONG WITH PARTNERS THROUGHOUT ALL SOCIETY, NOT JUST PUBLIC HEALTH BUT EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, HEALTHCARE, I CAN GO THROUGH THE LAUNDRY LIST, NEED TO REALLY SIT DOWN AND SAY, WE'RE NOT HERE TO POINT FINGERS, BUT WHAT WENT RIGHT AND WHAT WENT WRONG.

WHAT COULD WE LEARN FROM THAT?

AND I THINK THAT'S THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, AND THERE'S NO APPETITE FOR DOING THAT.

AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO MISS A MAJOR OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OURSELVES BETTER PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THERE WERE A NUMBER OF BIG ERRORS.

JUST NAME THE ONE THAT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I HATE THE CONCEPT OF MASKING.

OKAY.

AND I SAY THAT NOT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IS IMPORTANT, BUT BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUNDERSTOOD, AND IT WAS LARGELY DUE TO PUBLIC HEALTH'S PROBLEM, WE DID NOT CONVEY TO THE PUBLIC THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR THESE TIGHT-FIT FACE-FITTING N 95 RESPIRATORS TO REALLY PROTECT YOURSELF, IF YOU WEAR A SURGICAL MASK, BANDANA, IT MAY HAVE MADE YOU FEEL GOOD, BUT THE VIRUS WOULD LEAK IN OR LEAK OUT IF YOU WERE INFECTED WITH THOSE.

SO EVEN 0 TO THIS DAY, I SEE MANY MANY PEOPLE IN MANY HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE THEY'RE STILL WEARING SURGICAL MASKS.

WELL, THAT DOESN'T HAVE A TIGHT SEAL AROUND IT, AND THE VIRUS LEAKS IN AND OUT.

AND, SO, THERE WAS ONE RIGHT THERE WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO STILL, YET, EDUCATE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICINE SO THAT THE PUBLIC ITSELF WILL E BETTER PREPARED IN THE FUTURE.

THAT'S A GLARING ONE RIGHT THERE.

>> Eric: FOR THOSE OUT THERE WHO WERE SAYING THE VACCINES DID MORE HARM THAN GOOD, WHAT SAY YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THESE ARE GOOD VACCINES, THEY'RE NOT GREAT VACCINES.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT S, IS THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU BUY FOUR, MAYBE SIX MONTHS OF PROTECTION AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS, AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE OLDER POPULATION THAT IS A CRITICAL GIFT TO HAVE THAT.

I WISH I HAD A VACCINE, YOU GIVE IT ONCE OR TWICE AND YOU'RE DONE.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN A STATE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE THIS VACCINE LIKELY EVERY SIX MONTHS, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE AT INCREASED RISK FOR DEATH, LARGELY THOSE OVER AGE 65 OR HAVE IMMUNE-COMPROMISING CONDITIONS UNDER AGE 65.

WE'RE STILL SEEING 5,400 DEATHS IN THIS COUNTRY EVERY WEEK.

YOU KNOW, HAT'S SURELY DOWN FROM EVEN JUST LAST JANUARY.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A REALLY -- AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO CUT THOSE NUMBERS OF DEATHS DOWN IF MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WOULD JUST GET THESE DOSES, PARTICULARLY IN THE HIGH-RISK, OVER AGE 65 EVERY SIX MONTHS.

>> Cathy: IT'S ALMOST AS IF, THOUGH, THAT COVID IS OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND, RIGHT?

I MEAN, NO ONE'S EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT.

WHAT'S THE STATE OF THE VIRUS AND THE VARIANTS AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, IT'S INTERESTING, CATHY, BECAUSE, REALLY, TWO THINGS THAT HAPPENED TOGETHER.

ONE IS THE VARIANTS THEMSELVES CHANGE.

SO THE VIRUS S CONSTANTLY MUTATING IN WAYS THAT CAN HELP IT EVADE PREVIOUS PROTECTION OR FROM VACCINATION.

BUT, ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THE WAYNEING IMMUNITY IN PEOPLE, MEANING THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DOSE OF VACCINE DOES GREAT WORK THE FIRST MONTHS BUT DOES LESS AND LESS AFTER THAT.

WHAT MY CONCERN IS, OVER TIME, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO ENTER THAT WINDOW OF NO LONGER BEING PROTECTED OVERLAID WITH, ONGOING VARIANT ACTIVITY OUT THERE.

WE'RE NOT DONE WITH THIS YET.

NOW, DO I THINK IT'S EVER GOING TO GO BACK TO WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN 2020 OR 2021?

NO, NOT AT ALL.

BUT WE ARE STILL GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ILLNESS OUT THERE, I'M AFRAID.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS A PLEASURE HAVING YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: GRADUATION RATES FOR MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DIPPED SLIGHTLY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO NUMBERS RELEASED THIS WEEK BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE DECREASES WERE MOSTLY SHOWN FOR BLACK, ASIAN AND LATINO STUDENTS, BUT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE PUSHED BACK SAYING THE DECREASE IS DUE TO THE STUDY OMITTING HUNDREDS OF SUMMER GRADUATES.

JOINING US NOW WITH INSIGHT ON THESE NUMBERS IS CHRISTINE TUCCI OSORIO, SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE NORTH ST. PAUL-MAPLEWOOD-OAKDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE JUST HAD Dr. OSTERHOLM ON TALKING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC.

HOW MUCH OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS PANDEMIC AFTERSHOCKS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, I WOULD SAY, ALL OF IT.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, -- IN FACT, I WAS THINKING AS HE WAS SPEAKING, WHEN Dr. OSTERHOLM WAS SPEAKING ABOUT MAYA ANGELO SAID, WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, YOU DO BETTER.

HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS 20-20.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT?

ANGELOU.

AND I MENTIONED EARLIER THIS WEEK, WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT DATA, WHILE OUR ACHIEVEMENT DATA IS RELATIVELY FLAT, WE'RE NOW COMBING THE DATA TO FIND THE UNKNOWN STUDENTS THAT WE'RE HEARING ABOUT IN THE NEWS RIGHT NOW, GOING BACK AND COMBING THROUGH ALL OF THAT, WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE, IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC DECREASE IN STUDENT BEHAVIOR REFERRALS.

SO, SUSPENSIONS, POLICE CALLS TO HIGH SCHOOLS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT'S A FIRST GOOD SIGN OF THINGS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AND THE SECOND PIECE I WOULD MENTION IS, ONE OF THE VERY STRANGE OUTCOMINGS OF THE PANDEMIC IS THE SHEER ABSENTEEISM OF STUDENTS.

WE ARE MISSING SO MANY MORE STUDENTS THAN WE EVER HAVE BEFORE.

THAT HAS TO BE AFFECTING OUR OUTCOMES RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: ARE THEY JUST NOT COMING BACK?

I MEAN, WHERE ARE THEY?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

SO THERE ARE STUDENTS WHO WE KNOW, WE HAVE CONTACT WITH, BUT THEY'RE JUST MISSING A LOT OF SCHOOL.

THERE'S ANOTHER CATEGORY, IN MINNESOTA, AFTER 125 DAYS OF MISSED -- 15 DAYS, OF MISSED SCHOOL, THEY HAVE TO BE DROPPED FROM OUR ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS.

WE GET THE 15-DAY TROP, NORMALLY IN THE PAST, WE'D GET A REQUEST FOR RECORDS FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE'RE NOT SEEING THEM.

SO THERE'S A WHOLE BATCH OF STUDENTS THAT ARE SIMPLY MISSING AND NOT IN SCHOOL.

>> Eric: HOW GOOD IS THIS DATA?

>> WHICH DATA?

>> Eric: THE GRADUATION RATE DATA, IF YOU HAVE THIS UNKNOWN LIST AND ALL THAT.

>> YES, WELL -- >> Eric: IS IT ACCURATE?

>> I THINK IT'S FAIRLY ACCURATE.

I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN CRUNCHING NUMBERS THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS SINCE IT CAME OUT WITH NAME BY NAME BY NAME TO SEE WHERE KIDS HAVE GONE.

AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL, OUR RATES ARE ABOUT 10% BETTER THAN WHAT CAME OUT BECAUSE OF THE KIDS WHO WEREN'T COUNTED IN SUMMER GRADUATION.

>> Eric: OH.

>> THAT SAID, FOR OUR BRICK AND MORTAR HIGH CHOOLS, AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE, THE DIFFERENCE IS PROBABLY A PERCENTAGE POINT OR SO.

IT'S NOT A LOT.

SO IT'S FAIRLY ACCURATE.

IT SHOULDN'T BE DISMISSED.

THE DATA'S FAIRLY ACCURATE.

IT'S JUST SOME CLEANUP IS STILL NEEDED, I THINK.

>> Cathy: SO YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE THESE KIDS HAVE GONE TO.

ARE THEY JUST HANGING AROUND SOMEWHERE?

WHAT IS TO BECOME OF THEM THEN?

>> IT'S SO HEARTBREAKING.

AND I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING WE'RE WORKING ON IN, IN FACT, WE'VE BEEN N MEETINGS RECENTLY WITH RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI'S OFFICE WITH ALL RAMSEY COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS JUST TO LOOK AT, WHEN A STUDENT LEAVES OUR SYSTEM AND DISAPPEARS, WE'VE GOT TO START TALKING TO EACH OTHER BETTER TO SEE WHO'S HAD THE LAST KNOWN CONTACT WITH THAT FAMILY.

AND WE ALWAYS KEEP TRYING TO REACH THEM, BUT AT SOME POINT THEY'RE GONE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AND WE LOSE CONTACT.

SO TRYING TO COORDINATE BETWEEN DISTRICTS AND AT A STATE LEVEL I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO FINDING OUR MISSING STUDENTS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE CURRENT PHILOSOPHY, IS TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL EVEN WHEN THEY MISBEHAVE OR DO YOU KICK THEM TO THE STREET WHERE THEY CAN GET INTO TROUBLE IN A BROADER SENSE?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

I WILL TELL YOU, FIRST OF ALL, WE FOCUS HEAVILY ON RELATIONSHIPS.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT KIDS, WHEN THEY HAVE PRACTICE, GETTING ALONG WITH OTHER KIDS, CLUB SPORTS, ACTIVITIES, FINE ARTS, WE'RE MEASURING, OUR GOAL IS EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN SOMETHING, CONNECTED TO SOMETHING, BECAUSE ALL THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS IN THE WORLD DON'T MAKE UP FOR FRIENDS.

KIDS NEED FRIENDS.

AND ALL THOSE EXPERIENCES, EVEN FROM KINDERGARTEN ON, ARE REALLY ABOUT PRACTICING SOLVING PROBLEMS, RIGHT?

HOW DO YOU -- A PLAYGROUND ARGUMENT IN KINDERGARTEN IS A PLACE WHERE YOU LEARN THESE SKILLS.

AND IT'S AMAZING THE IMPACT OF SOME SHUTDOWN TIME AND THAT'S HAD ON THE ABILITY TO PROBLEM SOLVE.

IT'S AS STROUNDING, ACTUALLY, WE'VE BEEN SHOCKED AT HOW SIGNIFICANT THAT IS.

OUR HIGHEST RATES OF ABSENTEEISM, 12th GRADERS, NOT SURPRISINGINGLY.

SECOND LARGEST GROUP, EIGHTH GRADERS.

THIRD, KINDERGARTENERS.

THEY ARE A BIG COMPONENT TO MISSING SCHOOL.

AND, SO, THERE'S A LOT OF EDUCATION WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT IS NEEDED.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE WITH US.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> ERIC: THE NUMBER OF HOME-BASED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS HAS BEEN DECLINING STEADILY IN THE STATE.

LEADERS IN STEVENS COUNTY ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES AND CAME UP WITH A WAY TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE THAT MAY BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE TAKES US THERE.

>> WELL, TO THE STEVENS COUNTY CHILD CARE PROJECT.

I'M SO EXCITED TO HAVE YOU IN MORRIS TODAY.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

LET'S GO IN.

>> WELCOME.

>> OH, WOW!

LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL ATHIS IS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO SHOW IT OFF.

>> BRAND-NEW APPLIANCES.

>> YES.

YUP.

THIS IS SINGLE-FAMILY, HOME, REALLY, ONE BEDROOM, ONE FULL BATH, ALL THE APPLIANCES, WASHER AND DRYER ON SITE.

>> REBECCA YOUNG IS THE STEVENS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

SHE SHOWS ME A 980-SQUARE-FOOT UNIT IN MORRIS THAT RENTS FOR $100 A MONTH PLUS UTILITIES.

BUT IT'S NOT TO LIVE IN.

IT'S FOR A CHILD CARE PROVIDER.

TO CARE FOR UP TO 14 KIDS.

IT WAS BUILT TO BE LICENSING COMPLIANT.

THERE ARE FIVE MORE SIDE BY SIDE.

STEVENS COUNTY IS TRYING TO SOLVE ONE OF HE STATE'S TOUGHEST PROBLEMS.

>> THE STEVENS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOOKED AT THE ISSUE OF CHILD CARE SINCE, REALLY, THE EARLY 2010s, AND IT'S A SLOWLY BUILDING CRISIS LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN THE REST OF MINNESOTA.

SO WE'VE LOST ABOUT 60% OF OUR IN-HOME PROVIDERS SINCE 2014.

>> THE COUNTY NEEDED NEARLY 220 SLOTS.

>> WE THOUGHT INITIALLY MAYBE A CHILD CARE CENTER WOULD BE A SOLUTION BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF SPOTS, BUT WE KNEW STAFFING WAS AN ISSUE IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

SO WE KIND OF SET THAT TO THE SIDE.

>> SO THEY TURNED TO IN-HOME CHILD CARE.

THERE WERE BARRIERS FOR THOSE PROVIDERS, TOO.

>> EITHER THEIR HOUSE ISN'T BIG ENOUGH, THE REPAIRS WERE TOO COSTLY TO ALLOW DAY CARE IN THEIR HOMES, OR THEY'RE YOUNG AND THEY'RE JUST OUT OF SCHOOL AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD THEIR OWN HOME.

>> THE CHILD CARE CRISIS IN MINNESOTA MEANS COMMUNITIES HAVE TO GET CREATIVE.

STEVENS COUNTY DID JUST THAT.

>> WE ASKED THE QUESTION IF WE COULD CREATE SPOTS, WOULD PEOPLE RENT THOSE?

>> COUNTY LEADERS BET BIG.

THEY DECIDED TO USE ONE-TIME AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY TO DO SOMETHING VISIONARY.

THEY BUILT A $1.2 MILLION MULTIHOME PROJECT ON THREE ACRES.

THEY HOPE TO CREATE AN AVERAGE OF 72 MORE CHILD CARE SLOTS.

>> AND IF FOLKS THINK YOU'RE CRAZY AT FIRST?

>> OH, YEAH.

YEAH.

THERE WAS A LOT OF, THAT'S NEVER GONNA WORK.

AND WE FACED A LOT OF OBSTACLES.

>> COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEANNIE ANAN NEVER LOOKED BACK.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THIS PROJECT.

I FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE NEED, BUT ALSO TO LIFT UP THE DAY CARE PROFESSION AS A WHOLE.

AND, SO, WE'VE REALLY ENCOURAGED THESE YOUNG PROVIDERS TO LOOK AT IT AS A LONG-TERM BUSINESS.

OF >> SUDDENLY THE COUNTY HAD MORE PEOPLE APPLYING TO BE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS THAN THEY HAD HOMES.

THAT'S A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE.

LAST YEAR HALF OF ALL CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN THE STATE INDICATED UNCERTAINTY ABOUT STAYING IN BUSINESS.

20% SAID THEY'D BE GONE IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

RESEARCHERS SAY RECENT THERE HAS BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT STATEWIDE.

>> CENTER PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN NUMBERS, OR THEIR CAPACITY HAS BEEN INCREASING OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, BUT THE NUMBER OF FAMILY PROVIDERS AND THE CAPACITY OF FAMILY CHILD CARE IN THE HOMES HAS BEEN DROPPING STEADILY FOR ABOUT THE LAST 20 YEARS.

SO TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE AT ABOUT HALF THE CAPACITY THAT WE WERE 20 YEARS AGO.

SO THE CENTER CAPACITY HAS BEEN GROWING, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP UP WITH THAT LOSS IN FAMILY PROVIDER CAPACITY.

>> THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE IN RURAL AREAS WHERE YOU NEED A CRITICAL NUMBER OF KIDS TO MAKE A CENTER PROFITABLE.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ARE PULLING TOGETHER GROUPS THAT MAYBE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, COUNTY, THE CITY, LOCAL NONPROFITS, FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS, CHURCHES, PLACES LIKE THAT AND EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYERS ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BECAUSE IT'S THE CHILD CARE THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, HALF THE POPULATION TO GO AND WORK AT THEIR BUSINESSES.

>> SHE SAYS SOME ARE USING A POD MODEL, WHERE MULTIPLE PROVIDERS CAN DIVVY UP SPACES AND ROOMS UNDER ONE ROOF.

>> THEY CAN'T CO-MINGLE THE KIDS, SO IT'S NOT LIKE YOU'RE HAVING A BIG GROUP OR ANYTHING.

THEY'RE ALL OPERATING SEPARATELY, AS SEPARATE BUSINESSES, BUT THEY GET TO DO THINGS LIKE SHARE OVERHEAD, SHARE RENT COSTS AND UTILITY COSTS.

>> IN THE CHILD CARE PROJECT IN MORRIS, THE COUNTY ACTS AS THE LANDLORD.

COMMISSIONER JEANNIE ANAN SAYS YOUNG PEOPLE WILL STAY IN A COMMUNITY IF THEY'RE HAPPY.

>> MY THING IS, PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE.

SO, WHETHER IT'S CENTER CARE OR HOME PROVIDER CARE, POD CARE, BUT THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE A CHOICE OF PROVIDERS, AND THAT WASN'T HAPPENING.

>> CATHY: WHILE THE LEGAL MARIJUANA MARKET IS STILL AT LEAST A YEAR AWAY FROM GETTING UP AND RUNNING, THERE'S ALREADY CONCERNS ABOUT WHO WILL BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF IT.

STATE LEGISLATORS ARE CURRENTLY FINE-TUNING THE WAYS THAT SOCIAL EQUITY FACTORS INTO LICENSES TO START A RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUSINESS.

MEANWHILE, AN INCREASING NUMBER OF MINNESOTA TRIBES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN OR HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO START GROWING OR SELLING CANNABIS.

JOINING ME NOW WITH MORE PERSPECTIVE ON THIS EMERGING INDUSTRY IS MELISSA OLSON, A REPORTER WITH MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S NATIVE NEWS PROJECT, AND ANTHONY NEWBY, CEO AND FOUNDER OF CULTIVATED CBD.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

ANTHONY, THERE IS THIS BILL MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO TWEAK THE CURRENT CANNABIS LAW.

THERE'S A LOT IN THIS.

AND I'M WONDERING, AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, ARE YOU PRETTY COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT YOU'RE SEEING SO FAR?

>> WELL, GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ESSENTIALLY BIRTH A WHOLE NEW INDUSTRY THAT'S NEVER EXISTED BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE, I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

I THINK THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEADING THAT DIVISION AND BUILDING OUT THAT STATE OFFICE ARE, FRANKLY, DOING A GREAT JOB, GIVEN ALL THE MOVING PIECES.

STILL A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ND MOVING THROUGH THIS SESSION, I THINK WE'LL KNOW A LOT ORE.

BUT, GENERALLY, I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> Eric: WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE RESERVATION LEVEL, THE TRIBES CAN MOVE MORE QUICKLY, I ASSUME.

>> THEY HAVE.

AS YOU KNOW, TRIBES ARE SOVEREIGN, AND WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES OPEN UP THEIR OWN DISPENSARIES, SO RED LAKE NATION, WHITE EARTH NATION, EACH OPERATE A DISPENSARY NOW.

LEECH LAKE HAS SAID THAT THEY MIGHT SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEURS ON THE RESERVATION.

PRAIRIE ISLAND HAS ANNOUNCED IT'S OPENING UP A DISPENSARY.

AND THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEY WILL BE BUILDING A BIG GROW FACILITY.

BUT THEY WON'T OPERATE A DISPENSARY.

SO THERE'S A LOT HAPPENING AND EACH COMMUNITY IS SORT OF DOING THEIR OWN THING.

>> Cathy: ANTHONY, YOU AND I TALKED ON MPR AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS UNDER THIS LAW, RIGHT?

BUT THESE NEW RULES WE'RE LOOKING AT, 65% INSTEAD OF 100% OF THE INVESTORS WOULD NEED TO QUALIFY AS SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS.

YOU'RE GOING TO SCALE THAT BACK, RIGHT?

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I ACTUALLY THINK IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START.

WHAT OFTEN HAPPENS IN CANNABIS IS, IT'S INCREDIBLY CAPITAL INTENSIVE, AND, AND, SO, ENTREPRENEURS, I'M NO DIFFERENT, WILL START A BUSINESS, AND THEN YOU FIND OUT THE VOLATILITY OF THE MARKET, THE UP AND DOWN NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY REQUIRES YOU TO RAISE MORE MONEY THAN YOU THOUGHT YOU PROBABLY NEEDED.

AND, SO, IF YOU START AT 51%, WHICH WAS THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, YOU GO BACK TO THE CAPITAL MARKETS, YOU RAISE MORE MONEY, YOU HAVE TO SACRIFICE YOUR EQUITY TYPICALLY AND YOU VERY QUICKLY FIND YOURSELF IN A MINORITY OWNERSHIP POSITION.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED IN OTHER STATES.

AND SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS WHO ON DAY ONE HAD A LICENSE AND CONTROL OF THEIR BUSINESS TURN AROUND A YEAR, 18 MONTHS LATER AND FIND OUT THEY'VE LOST CONTROL, SOMETIMES LOST CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS AL TOTAL.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO -- ALTOGETHER.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID THAT IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO TARGET AS FAR S LICENSEES?

IT'S A POPULATION THAT RAN AFOUL OF MARIJUANA LAWS EARLIER IN THEIR LIVES?

>> IT'S A MULTIPRONGED APPROACH.

SO SOCIAL QUITY APPLICANTS, THE DESCRIPTION INCLUDES MULTIPLE DIFFERENT VARIABLES.

SO ONE OF THEM IS IMPACTS TO YOURSELF OR YOUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE WAR ON DRUGS.

SO, COMMUNITIES LIKE MYSELF, I LIVE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, AND THE DATA IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT COMMUNITIES LIKE THAT BEING SORT OF OVERPOLICED AND IMPACTED.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER DEFINITIONS AS WELL.

IT'S NOT A SINGULAR DEAL, SO IT ALLOWS VETERANS, FOR EXAMPLE, TO QUALIFY UNDER THE SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS.

AND MULTIPLE OTHER DESCRIPTIONS AS WELL.

>> Cathy: OKAY, MELISSA, HOW DO TRIBAL NATIONS FIT UNDER THE SOCIAL EQUITY UMBRELLA, IF THEY DO?

>> MAYBE THEY SORT OF OPERATE THEIR DISPENSE YEARS FOR THE -- DISPENSARIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

SO MAYBE ONE ANALOGY IS TO THINK ABOUT A MUNICIPAL-OWNED LIQUOR STORE.

A COMMUNITY LIKE RED LAKE, THE COMMUNITY T WHITE EARTH, THEY OPERATE THEIR DISPENSARY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN, SAY, INDIVIDUAL ENTREPRENEURS ENTERING THE MARKET.

IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, WE SEE, YOU KNOW, THE BAND OR THE NATION OPERATING THOSE DISPENSARIES.

>> Eric: DO THE TRIBES EXPECT TO MAKE BIG MONEY OFF OF THIS ENTERPRISE?

>> AGAIN, THEY'RE EACH KIND OF DOING THEIR OWN THING.

WHEN I SPOKE WITH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE AT MILLE LACS, THEY TALK ABOUT OPENING AND BUILDING THIS NEW GROW FACILITY.

THEY DO EXPECT TO EMPLOY PEOPLE THROUGH THAT.

THEY EXPECT TO CREATE AS MANY AS, I WANT TO SAY, BETWEEN 30 AND 50 JOBS ON THE RESERVATION.

>> Eric: WHO WOULD BUY THE PRODUCT?

THE OTHER DISPENSARIES?

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> Eric: OH, OKAY.

>> YEAH.

WE KNOW THAT TRIBAL NATIONS ARE GOING TO COMPACT WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE'VE HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF THAT BUZZ OMING OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THOSE COMPACTS YET.

>> Cathy: ANTHONY, THERE'S GOING TO BE, EVIDENTLY, A LOTTERY FOR LICENSES.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THAT EITHER.

IS IT FAIR OR NOT?

>> WELL, IT'S A NEW CONCEPT.

WE HAVE NOT HEARD THE NOTION OF A LOTTERY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH OCM UNTIL VERY RECENTLY.

AND, FRANKLY, THERE'S SOME GOOD AND BAD SIDES OF IT.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, I THINK FROM THE OCM'S PERSPECTIVE -- >> Cathy: OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT.

>> OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT.

THEY WANT SOMETHING THAT APPEARS AS NEUTRAL AS POSSIBLE.

SO THAT IT'S NOT APPEARING THAT THE STATE IS PLAYING FAVORITES AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

SO THEY, I THINK, VIEW THE LOTTERY AS A WAY TO SORT OF LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, WE SEE THAT STATES HAVE TRIED THE LOTTERY, PARTICULARLY WITH SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS.

IT DOES NOT GET TO THE HEART OF THE SOCIAL EQUITY PROBLEM.

IT'S VERY TOUGH TO FIX A DELIBERATE, SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH SORT OF A CHANCE, DRAW PING PONG BALLS OUT OF A HORN.

SO STATES -- HOPPER.

SO STATES LIKE ARIZONA HAVE TRIED A LOARTD, EXPERIMENTED WITH IT, AND A YEAR LATER, 18 MONTHS LATER, WE FIND ALMOST NONE OF THOSE FOLKS ARE LEFT IN THE INDUSTRY.

LOTTERY.

SO WE'RE SORT OF ASKING THAT THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT CONSIDER MERIT-BASED SYSTEM, AT LEAST FEATHER THAT INTO THEIR PROPOSAL WITH A LOTTERY AND SEE IF THERE'S MAYBE A WAY TO DO BOTH A LOTTERY AND WEIGHT THOSE THAT CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAVE SOME BUSINESS ACUMEN, PUT TOGETHER A SERIOUS PROPOSAL AND ARE LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> Eric: WILL THE TRIBES CALL FOR EXPERTS FROM OUT OF STATE, SAY, TO COME IN ND WORK WITH THE TRIBES?

I SUPPOSE IT DEPENDS RESERVATION TO RESERVATION, I SUPPOSE.

>> WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT -- SO I HAD A CHANCE TO CHAT WITH THE LIAISON, THE TRIBAL LIAISON FROM THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT, AND SHE'S JUST, AT THIS POINT, SAYING THEY'RE REALLY STILL MAKING THEIR RULES.

SO THERE ISN'T A LOT KNOWN YET.

BUT SHE WAS A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT, YOU KNOW, TRIBES ARE NEW TO THIS INDUSTRY AS WELL.

>> Eric: SURE.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COMING FROM OUT OF STATE, YOU KNOW, MAY BE LOOKING TO, YOU KNOW, CONSULT AND TRIBES MAY NOT KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHO TO TRUST.

>> Cathy: SAY, YOU MENTIONED THE COMPACTS, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS WORKING WITH THE TRIBAL NATIONS ON COMPACTS.

IF, SAY, ONE OF THE NATIONS DECIDES TO HAVE A DISPENSARY SOMEWHERE OFF THEIR LANDS, RIGHT, WOULD THEY BE TAXED?

WOULD THE STATE TAX THEM?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

WE DON'T KNOW.

AND I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A DISPENSARY OFF TRIBAL LAND AS OF YET.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

WELL, THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, OBVIOUSLY.

>> Eric: WE'LL LOOK FOR THAT BILL AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

THANKS A LOT FOR COMING.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, GUYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ADIA: I CAN’T BE THE ONLY ONE WHOSE BRAIN METICULOUSLY DOCUMENTS AND FILES EVERY EMBARRASSING THING I’VE EVER DONE, DOUBLE-UNDERLINING THE MORTIFICATION, WHILE TREATING IMPORTANT DATES, LIKE MY ANNIVERSARY, LIKE A HALF-SCRIBBLED POST-IT NOTE STUCK TO THE BOTTOM OF A SHOE.

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

I UNDERSTAND THAT HUMANS NEED SOCIAL BONDS TO SURVIVE, SO ANY TIME WE PUT OUR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS IN JEOPARDY OUR BRAINS BLARE THE AIR HORNS TO MAKE SURE WE NEVER DO THAT AWFUL THING AGAIN.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL MY BRAIN AND BODY, “HEY, YEAH.

LEARNED THAT LESSON.

NO NEED FOR THE TORNADO SIREN OF SHAME, THANK YOU.” ON NPR THE OTHER DAY THEY WERE DISCUSSING BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACE TECH; DIRECT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE MIND AND A COMPUTER.

AN IDEA: WHAT IF THAT INNER WARNING DIDN’T HAVE TO BE SO SHOUTY?

WHAT IF YOU COULD CURATE YOUR INNER MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL LIFE, CHOOSING HOW IT SOUNDS BY SCROLLING THROUGH VOICES LIKE SCROLLING THROUGH RINGTONES?

WHAT IF, INSTEAD OF OUR INSIDES CURDLING IN EMBARRASSMENT, WE HEARD, OH, I DUNNO, JEFF GOLDBLUM’S ICONIC MURMURS INSTEAD, LETTING US KNOW WE’D COMMITTED A FAUX PAS?

DON’T HUMANS RESPOND BETTER TO POSITIVE STIMULI THAN NEGATIVE?

WOULD THIS RID ME OF MY MENTAL HARD DRIVE OF NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL MEMORIES?

OR WOULD I JUST COME TO HATE JEFF GOLDBLUM?

I DON’T WANT TO HATE JEFF GOLDBLUM.

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS HARD DRIVE, IT IS!

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM WILL PLAY BOSTON UNIVERSITY TOMORROW.

THE WINNER GOES TO THE FROZEN FOUR.

THE TWINS BEAT THE ROYALS IN KANSAS CITY YESTERDAY IN THE FIRST GAME OF THEIR SEASON.

JOINING US NOW WITH HIS THOUGHTS ON WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE TWINS AND OTHER SPORTS NEWS IS LARRY FITZGERALD, SR. YOU CAN HEAR HIS DULCET TONES ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

OTHER SPORTS BEFORE THE TWINS.

A-ROD VERSUS GLEN TAYLOR, WHO WILL WIN?

>> Cathy: WOW, WHAT A MESS.

>> Eric: WITH THE TIMBERWOLVES.

>> IN AN ARM WRESTLING CONTEST, I'D SAY A-ROD.

BUT GLEN IS 80, CLOSE TO IT.

THEY COULDN'T GET IT DONE.

THEY HAD THREE YEARS, 2021 WAS THE BEGINNING OF THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, A-ROD DID SOME THINGS THAT MAYBE GLEN DIDN'T LIKE.

HE HAD A ROOM INSIDE OF TARGET CENTER REFURBISHED JUST FOR HIS PERSONAL SITUATION.

AND THEN MARK LORE ACCORDING TO GLEN DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME INTEREST THE LAST YEAR.

>> Eric: GUY NAMED ORE AND RODRIGUEZ WERE GOING TO BUY THE TEAM FROM TAYLOR, APPARENTLY THEY MISSED SOME DEADLINES, TAYLOR SEEING THAT THE FRANCHISE IS MUCH MORE VALUABLE NOW THAN WHEN THE PROCESS STARTED IS SAYING, THEY MISSED THE DEADLINES, IT'S NOT FOR SALE.

GOING TO COURT, I SUPPOSE?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO GO TO COURT.

I THINK THAT TAYLOR, REMEMBER, HE'S THE MAJORITY OWNER, HE IS, WHAT, HE HAS ABOUT $2.6 BILLION IN HIS VALUE.

AND I THINK IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUY SOMETHING OF VALUE, LIKE A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM, YOUR VALUE SHOULD BE IN THE BILLIONS.

NOW, A-ROD'S PROBABLY ABOUT $3.5 -- $350 MILLION, WHICH IS NOT CHUMP CHANGE.

>> Eric: NOT AD.

>> AND LORE IS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO TAYLOR, LORRE KIND OF LOST HIS INTEREST IN THE LAST YEAR, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HURT THAT LAST LUMP SUM PAYMENT THAT KIND OF SENT GLEN TAYLOR A IGNAL THAT, HEY, THESE GUYS AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PULL IT OFF.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE AN ALL-OUT WAR, THOUGH, BETWEEN THESE SIDES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OTHER STUFF WHILE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH.

ROYCE LEWIS IS A REALLY GOOD BASEBALL PLAYER FOR THE TWINS, RIGHT?

BUT HE'S HURT ALREADY.

>> ALREADY.

HE GOT HURT LAST SEASON A FEW TIMES.

REMEMBER, HE HAD FIVE GRAND SLAMS IN HIS WOULD-BE ROOKIE YEAR.

BUT THIS WILL BE ACTUALLY HIS ROOKIE YEAR.

AND I HAVEN'T HEARD WHETHER OR NOT THE INJURY THAT HE SUSTAINED IS SERIOUS, BUT I HEARD HE'S GOING TO BE OUT AT LEAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND, YOU KNOW, CORREA HAD, WHAT, THREE HITS IN THE FIRST GAME, A COUPLE OF RBIs, PABLO, WOW.

HE'S LOOKING LIKE A BONUS.

EQUITY BE A CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER THIS YEAR, HE'S CLEARLY THE ACE OF THE TWINS.

THEY'RE OFF TO A GOOD START.

THIS DIVISION IS NOT ONE OF THE TOUGHER CENTRAL DIVISION BATTLE THAT IS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS.

>> Eric: WANTED TO ASK A DRAFT QUESTION.

>> Cathy: OH, YES, FITZY.

SHOULD THE VIKINGS STAY PUT AT 11th, WITH THE 11th PICK IN THE DRAFT OR MOVE UP TO GET A QUARTERBACK?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DEFINITELY DRAFT A QUARTERBACK.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SECRET TO THAT.

I THINK THEY IDENTIFIED WHO THEY WANT.

BUT BECAUSE THEY GOT THE EXTRA DRAFT PICK, NUMBER 23, AND 11, THEY'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT ORE BOOST THAT IF AND WHEN THE DRAFT TAKES PLACE ON THE 25th OF APRIL, THAT THEY SENSE THAT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO TRY TO GET THEIR GUY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A MOVE BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT THE TWO PICKS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THEIR WAY INTO THE TOP FIVE AND GET THE GUY THAT THEY WANT.

>> Eric: WHO DO YOU LIKE BEST?

IF THEY COULD GET WHOEVER -- BESIDES WILLIAMS FROM SOUTHERN CAL, HE'S GONE, BUT WHO ELSE?

>> HEY, I LIKE DANIELS.

I MEAN -- >> Eric: LSU.

>> HE THREW FOR 5,000 YARDS, RUMOR HAS IT, YOU KNOW, THEY GOT A WIDE RECEIVER FROM LSU, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO HOOK UP AND DO SOME LIGHTNING.

THE VIKINGS ARE SET OFFENSIVELY, IN TERMS OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE, THE RUNNING BACK, THE RECEIVERS, TIGHT END.

THE KEY IS, CAN THEY GET SOMEBODY THAT CAN PLAY THE POSITION OTHER THAN DONE KNELL FOR DOWN THE ROAD?

>> Eric: GO ILLINI IN MARCH MADNESS?

>> WELL, I WOULDN'T PUT ANYTHING PAST PURDUE.

THEY'RE PRETTY GOOD, BUT, YES, ILLINI, YES, MY GOODNESS, THEY CLEANED UP IN THE BIG TEN TOURNAMENT, THEY WON THREE GAMES, I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM IN ARIZONA AT THE FINAL FOUR.

>> Cathy: IT'S FUN WATCHING PAGE BUECKERS, FORMERLY OF HOPKINS, PLAY FOR UCONN.

>> SHE'S PRISK.

HER COACH -- SHE'S TERRIFIC.

HEST COACH SAYS SHE'S PLAYING BETTER THAN NY PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: BETTER HAN KAITLIN CLARK?

>> YES, THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

I'M DIGGING THE SHIRT.

>> I LIKE IT.

SOME PEOPLE CAN'T GO WITH STRIPES.

>> Cathy: YOU LOOK GOOD.

HE SAID -- >> Eric: SLIMMING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

>> CATHY: IF YOU HAVE WALKED THE STREETS OR THE SKYWAYS OF DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL LATELY, IT'S LIKELY THAT YOU'VE FELT A LITTLE LONELY.

STREET LIFE, WHICH WASN'T EXACTLY ROBUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, IS EVEN QUIETER NOW.

A NEW STUDY, COMMISSIONED BY THE NONPROFIT ST. PAUL DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE, OFFERS SOME IDEAS FOR HOW TO CREATE A MORE VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE IN THE CITY.

HERE TO LEND HIS EXPERTISE TO PARSING THROUGH THE STUDY IS BILL LINDEKE, A LECTURER IN URBAN STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND A COLUMNIST AT MINNPOST.

OH, MY GOODNESS, THERE'S A LOT HERE.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE AMONG THE THINGS THAT THIS STUDY LOOKS AT, SKYWAYS ARE A PROBLEM.

REALLY?

PEOPLE LOVE SKYWAYS, COULDN'T THEY -- DON'T THEY?

>> IN THE WINTER THEY SURE DO.

THE PROBLEM IS, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE DOWNTOWN COMPARED TO WHAT THEY WERE.

YOU JUST MENTIONED THE FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE ONE THING THAT HAPPENED RIGHT AWAY WITH THAT, EVERYBODY STOPPED GOING TO WORK.

DOWNTOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVEN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE.

AND DOWNTOWN St. PAUL IS KIND OF St. PAUL TO BEGIN WITH.

AND THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF JOBS HERE EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND THERE ARE FEWER NOW.

BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS, THOSE 30,000 JOBS THAT EXIST DOWNTOWN, THERE'S NOT -- THE PEOPLE AREN'T EVEN THERE.

THEY'RE AT HOME, THEY'RE WORKING IN THEIR LIVING ROOM OR AT A COFFEE SHOP.

BUT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT USED TO BE DOWNTOWN EVERY DAY ARE THERE TODAY, IT'S PRETTY DESERTED.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU MAKE THE DOWNTOWN MORE FRIENDLY TO PEDESTRIANS?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS STUDY.

IT REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY CALLED THE PUBLIC REALM.

SO YOU PROBABLY KNOW, BECAUSE YOU'RE DOWN HERE ALL THE TIME, TOO, THERE'S SOME WONDERFUL PARKS AND SPOTS IN DOWNTOWN St. PAUL THAT HAVE A LOT OF RESTAURANTS, A LOT OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, A LOT OF REALLY QUALITY SPACES, PUBLIC SPACES.

BUT THEY'RE NOT CONNECTED VERY WELL TO EACH OTHER.

AND THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE SUGGESTION THAT THIS REPORT CAME OUT WITH.

THEY SAID THAT WE NEED TO INVEST IN MAKING THE STREETS AND SIDEWALKS ON THE PUBLIC REALM MUCH ETTER, ESPECIALLY EAST/WEST FROM MERES PARK TO RICE PARK.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW AND THEN, OF COURSE, THIS PARTICULAR STUDY IS LOOKING AT WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE WITH THE WIDER SIDEWALKS AND TREES.

AND THAT KIND OF THING.

I'M WONDERING, TOWN SQUARE, USED TO BE KIND OF A COOL SPOT.

AND THEN IT'S JUST EMPTY.

I MEAN, THERE'S JUST NOTHING THERE.

IT'S JUST A BIG HOLE, REALLY.

THIS IS AN INTERESTING STUDY BECAUSE IT SUGGESTED JUST TO BLOW A HOLE IN IT.

IS THAT WHAT I'M -- WHAT I SAW?

>> IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE.

I REMEMBER TOWN SQUARE BEING A LITTLE KID, IT WAS 1980s URBAN MALL, NEXT BIG THING.

CITIES' DOWNTOWN WERE CHASING THE SUBURBAN MALL SHOPPER, HOW CAN THEY BRING THEM DOWNTOWN?

>> Eric: WITH THE CAROUSEL.

>> I REMEMBER RIDING IT ON IT.

THERE WERE TREES UP IN THE SKY WE -- SKYWAY.

THAT WASN'T A GOOD IDEA.

DOWNTOWNS THRIVE ON DENSITY, DIVERSITY, HAVING A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALKS, WITH A LOT OF SHOPS TO GO AND SEE.

RIGHT NOW TOWN SQUARE IS SMACK IN BETWEEN TWO REALLY NICE STREETS, 7th PLACE IS WHAT IT'S CALLED, SPOTS THAT COULD BE CONNECTED EAST/WEST THROUGH THE CITY, WITH LOW TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ORIENTATION, BUT THERE'S A GIANT CONCRETE BUILDING RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.

SO I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING IDEA.

>> Eric: WHAT'S A PRIORITY DISTRICT?

>> WELL, THE STUDY LOOKED AT WHERE PEOPLE EXTEND A -- SPEND A LOT OF TIME DOWNTOWN.

IT TURNED OUT, THEY LIKE ENTERTAINMENT RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHAT BRINGS PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN LIKE St. PAUL.

SO THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER, THE ORDWAY, A NUMBER OF OTHER THEATERS, LIKE THAT, PEOPLE LINGER FOR HOURS IN THAT PART OF THE CITY.

SO THE STUDY IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, HOW AN WE GET FOLKS TO TAKE A LITTLE STROLL AFR YOU -- AFTER YOU GO SEE A PLAY OR BEFORE THE CONCERT, WANDER THROUGH, VITALIZE THE REST OF THE CITY, TOO.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE WE LEARNING FROM POST PANDEMIC DOWNTOWNS, YOU KIND OF SET THE STAGE EARLY IN THE CONVERSATION.

THERE'S NOT REALLY A LOT HAPPENING IN SOME OF THE DOWNTOWN AREAS.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING, THOUGH, SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAS EASED UP A LITTLE BIT?

>> THE BIG TAKEAWAY IS THAT TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY, THIS DOWNTOWN CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT CORE WHERE IT'S JUST OFFICE BUILDINGS WASN'T A GREAT IDEA.

YOU NEED A LOT OF DIVERSITY IN A DOWNTOWN, YOU NEED TO HAVE A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, PEOPLE LIVING THERE THAT ARE THERE 24/7, NOT UST 9:00 TO 5:00.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE PLANS, TOO.

TO TRY TO TAKE OLDER OFFICE BUILDINGS, ONES THAT MAYBE ARE -- THEY CALL IT CLASS B, CLASS C OFFICE BUILDINGS AND SEE IF YOU CAN TURN THOSE INTO APARTMENTS AND BRING MORE PEOPLE BACK TO THE CITY.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE, YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE AMENITIES LIKE GROCERY STORES, THAT KIND OF THING.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE GROCERY STORES.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> Eric: AND THE WALKWAY DOWN THE BLUFF OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE OTHER THING I HAVEN'T MENTIONED IS THE RIVER.

RIVERS USED TO BE INDUSTRIAL.

St. PAUL'S DOWNTOWN RIVER ACTUALLY STILL HAS BARGES ON IT A LOT OF THE TIME.

BUT IT'S ALSO A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO HANG OUT.

AND CURRENTLY OUR RIVER S DOMINATED BY RAILROAD AND A VERY LARGE WIDE EMPTY ROAD THAT THERE COULD BE A WAY TO MAKE A PARK TO GET PEOPLE DOWN TO AND FROM THE RIVER.

THAT WOULD BE A GAME CHANGER.

>> Eric: WELL, WE'LL SEE HOW THIS AFFECTS THE PLANNING GOING FORWARD.

>> I THINK THE BEST THINGS THAT IT GIVES YOU CLEAR PRIORITIES FOR WHERE TO SPEND MONEY.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF, THOUGH, THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: LAWMAKERS HEADED HOME EARLY THIS WEEK FOR HOLIDAY BREAK BUT NOT BEFORE SOME ATTENDED THE GOVERNOR’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN OWATONNA.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER GIVES US CONTEXT ON WHY THE LAST THREE GOVERNORS HAVE TAKEN THE IMPORTANT SPEECH ON THE ROAD.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WENT ON THE ROAD TO WATONNA TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> I'M PROUD TO REPORT THAT THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONG.

MINNESOTA.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: WALZ IS NOT THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO PICK A NEW VENUE.

IN FACT, BOTH HIS PREDECESSORS DID.

GOVERNOR DAYTON DELIVERED AN ADDRESS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WHEN THE CAPITOL WAS CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION.

>> MINNESOTA WORKS BECAUSE WE WORK HARD TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> TRUE OR NOT TRUE THAT YOU HAVE PTSD FROM HAVING TO TAKE GUBERNATORIAL ADDRESSES ON THE ROAD?

>> IT'S A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE FOR MOST IF YOU'RE ATTENTION TO DETAIL PERSON LIKE I AM.

BUT WE HAD A GREAT TEAM THAT REALLY WENT TO WORK.

BUT IT IS NOT EASY.

I MEAN, YOU'RE IN A GLORIOUS HOUSE CHAMBERS HERE WHERE IT TRADITIONALLY HAPPENS.

IT'S, I WOULDN'T SAY EASY, BUT IT'S BUILT-IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHEN YOU GO ON THE ROAD, YOU HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING WITH YOU.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR PAWLENTY WENT ON THE ROAD TWICE.

FIRST TO ROCHESTER.

>> TELEPROMPTERS TO COMMISSIONERS, STATE PATROL, IT'S A SECURITY NIGHTMARE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

BUT IT'S GLORIOUS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES TO HOST A STATE OF THE STATE.

I MEAN, IT REALLY ELEVATES THOSE COMMUNITIES AND IT'S REALLY FUN.

>> PAWLENTY WON'T RAISE TAXES, BLAH BLAH BLAH.

WELL, WHERE'S YOUR PLAN?

>> Mary: St.

CLOUD WAS THE SECOND SITE FOR THE REPUBLICAN WITH RATHER POOR ATTENDANCE.

>> I STILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT TOOL TO RESTRAIN TAXES AND SPENDING.

I CALL IT THE TAXPAYER PROTECTION PANEL.

TAXPAYER PROTECTION PEN.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE VETO PEN.

AS I THINK YOU'LL KNOW, I WILL NOT HESITATE TO USE IT TO STOP GOVERNMENT FROM DIGGING INTO YOUR WALLETS.

>> Mary: WE COULD SEE PAWLENTY'S ASPIRATIONS.

>> I CAN HONESTLY SAY, BEING IN THE ROOM AS THAT SPEECH WAS BEING DEVELOPED, THAT WASN'T AN INTENTIONAL PRIORITY.

>> Mary: WE BOTH NOTICED GOVERNOR WALZ WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF AMERICAN FLAGS, NOT A MINNESOTA FLAG, OLD OR NEW.

IS THERE A MESSAGE IN THAT, PERHAPS?

>> I THINK THERE'S A SUBTLE -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR NOT.

IT CERTAINLY CAN BE SUBLIMINAL.

I THINK THERE'S GREAT PHOTO OP INVOLVED IN THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE CONTROVERSY AROUND THE MINNESOTA STATE FLAG, YOU CAN'T PUT THAT BACK THERE EITHER.

>> Mary: THE CURRENT GOVERNOR GAVE UP LIVE STATEWIDE TELEVISION BY NOT CHOOSING THE CAPITOL.

WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IS ABOUT TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WALZ'S WORLD HAS SHIFTED SINCE HIS LAST ADDRESS WITH LITTLE MONEY LEFT TO SPEND.

THEY'RE SITTING ON A RECORD $17.5 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

>> THERE WERE BROKEN PROMISES.

THOSE DOLLARS WERE NOT RETURNED BACK TO MINNESOTANS IN A MEANINGFUL AND TAX RELIEF WAY.

>> Mary: LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES, OF COURSE, DIFFERED IN THEIR RESPONSE.

>> THE PART OF THE SPEECH THAT I LIKED THE BEST WAS WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE HAVE TO KIND OF BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

ONE DAY WE WILL ALL WALK OUT OF THE STATE CAPITOL FOR THE LAST TIME AND WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES IF THE THINGS THAT WE DID WERE GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS A RESOUNDING YES.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE A LITTLE BIT OLDER, SOME A LOT OLDER, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT GRAYER, BUT HOPEFULLY ALL OF US A LITTLE WISER.

WE WALK OUT THE DOORS OF THE CAPITOL IN St. PAUL FOR THE LAST TIME, WE'RE GOING TO GET THAT OPPORTUNITY, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US, TO ASK OURSELVES A SIMPLE QUESTION.

WHAT KIND OF FUTURE HAVE WE BUILT?

NOT FOR US.

BUT FOR OUR KIDS AND THE STATE THAT WE LOVE.

>> Mary: NO ONE'S EXACTLY SURE WHAT'S NEXT FOR WALZ.

>> I THINK WALZ IS DOING AS MUCH NATIONAL MEDIA, THOUGH, AS PAWLENTY WAS AT THIS POINT IN HIS SECOND TERM.

ARE YOU SEEING SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE'S A VOICE TO BE PLAYED.

I MEAN, PEOPLE WANT THE MIDWEST LEADER TO COME ON AND TALK ABOUT NATIONAL ISSUES.

I THINK IT'S AN ATTRACTIVE THING.

AND THERE'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM BOTH THOSE GOVERNORS.

SO THERE ARE SIMILARITIES WHEN THE NATIONAL PRESS LOOKS FOR A VOICE ON ISSUES.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANOTHER EXECUTIVE, A GOVERNOR, ACHIEVE THE PRESIDENCY.

BUT, AGAIN, IT'S A GAUNTLET.

I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO NAVIGATE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS AND IT REALLY, FOR SOMEBODY IN THE MIDWEST OR FROM MINNESOTA, IT STARTS IN IOWA.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS AHEAD FOR GOVERNOR WALZ?

DO YOU THINK IT'S A THIRD TERM?

>> I WOULD SAY YES.

NOBODY'S ACTUALLY DONE IT.

I KNOW GOVERNOR PERPICH HAD HIS TEN YEARS.

AND -- BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK THIS IS A JOB E REALLY ENJOYS.

AND I THINK WHY NOT?

I DON'T SEE SOMEBODY WHO'S READY TO LEAVE IN TWO MORE YEARS.

SO, WE'LL SEE.

AT THE SAME TIME, EIGHT YEARS IS A PRETTY LONG TIME TO BE LEADING THE WAY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS WILL BE BACK IN SESSION ON TUESDAY AFTER THE EASTER BREAK.

WHEN THEY RETURN, WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE THE MAY 20TH DEADLINE.

WHO BETTER TO PROVIDE INSIGHT ON THAT SUBJECT THAN A GROUP OF FORMER LAWMAKERS.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

FORMER ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER EMBER REICHGOTT JUNGE SERVED FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

JEFF HAYDEN HAS SERVED IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, INCLUDING AS ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH: FRITZ KNAAK WAS ALSO AN ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE.

AND FINALLY, OUR NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CLUB, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND MINORITY LEADER KURT DAUDT, WHO RETIRED FROM HIS SEAT JUST LAST MONTH.

Mr. SPEAKER, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: I WANT TO GO RIGHT TO AN ISSUE, AND THE BONDING BILL IS THE HIGHLIGHT THING, THE MARQUEE OF THE SESSION.

>> YUP, SHOULD BE.

>> Eric: DEMOCRATS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO DO IT BY THEMSELVES, THEY NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES.

IF YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THIS, WHAT WOULD REPUBLICANS NEED TO PROVIDE THE EXTRA VOTES TO GET THIS EXPENSIVE BONDING BILL?

>> WELL, THIS IS ALWAYS THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THIS IS THE ONE ISSUE THAT DEMOCRATS NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES TO GET IT PASSED.

SO, REPUBLICANS SHOULD EXPECT SOMETHING IN RETURN.

THAT'S ALWAYS KIND OF THE WAY IT WORKS.

BUT LAST YEAR, I KNOW, THERE WASN'T MUCH IN EXCHANGE AND I THINK AS LONG AS THERE'S A BILL THAT HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT REPRESENTS DISTRICTS FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE IN AN EQUITABLE WAY, I THINK EPUBLICANS WILL BE THERE WITH THE VOTES.

>> Eric: EVEN THOUGH IT'S CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS ON TOP OF LAST YEAR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S AWFULLY HIGH.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF UNLET BOND ROJECTS OUT THERE THAT WE COULD GET STARTED BEFORE WE BONDED FOR SO MUCH MORE BUT IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME.

>> Eric: BONDING BILL?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WANT SOMETHING.

AS THE SPEAKER SAID.

I THINK THAT THEY'RE INCLINED TO REALLY KIND OF WAIT UNTIL THE END, AS NORMAL.

IF YOU REMEMBER LAST YEAR, WE DID GET A PRETTY BIG BILL, BUT IT WAS HELD OVER FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

SO, EALLY, THIS IS THE NORMAL CYCLE OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

SO, I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE PROBABLY ALREADY WRITTEN THEIR LITERATURE, BUT THERE ARE REALLY KEY AND CRITICAL THINGS THAT NEED TO GET DONE.

>> Cathy: GIVE FOLKS AN IDEA OF WHAT GOES INTO THE NEGOTIATIONS AROUND THE BONDING BILL.

BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR, RIGHT?

SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE MANEUVERING TO GET YOUR PET PROJECT IN THE BONDING BILL?

>> WELL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY, I MEAN, IF YOU'VE GOT SOME KIND OF PROJECT IN YOUR DISTRICT, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO THAT PROJECT IN THERE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO WANT, WHEN YOU'RE KNOCKING ON DOORS, SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, THAT NEW BUILDING THAT'S IN UR DISTRICT, CAME FROM MY EFFORTS.

SO, THERE'S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THAT INCENTIVE WHEN YOU'RE IN THE MINORITY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU KNOW, IT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU'VE GOT THAT GIVES YOU SOME LEVERAGE AT THE END, AND YOU MIGHT BE WILLING TO TRADE THAT OFF FOR SOME OTHER THINGS.

A MINORITY MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO, IF IN THE MINORITY, IT'S USUALLY TO YOUR ADVANTAGE TO WAIT AS LONG AS YOU CAN TO LEVERAGE WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING TO GET OUT OF THE BILL.

>> Eric: I WONDER IF YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN A BONDING CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS THEY DON'T TRIM THE BILL, THEY COMBINE THE TWO, THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND IT GETS BIGGER.

AND I WONDER IF -- IF AT A POINT IT GETS TOO BIG?

>> YES, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE COME TOGETHER, DON'T FORGET THE GOVERNOR -- >> Eric: RIGHT, SURE.

>> -- HE'S GOT A PART OF IT AS WELL, BUT I HATE TO THINK ABOUT THE KIND OF TRADING THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE AT LEAST THIS YEAR THE BILL IS REALLY NOT VERY SEXY AT ALL.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING CLEAN WATER FOR CITIES, WE'RE TALKING BUILDINGS, AT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, IT'S NOT ABOUT HAVING -- I SUPPOSE IT'S A BUILDING IN YOUR PARTICULAR SCHOOL, BUT, STILL, IT SHOULDING SOMETHING -- IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY COMES OGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE.

>> Eric: I WANTED TO ASK YOU TWO FELLAS BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE IN 201, LAST DFL -- 2013, LAST DFL TRIFECTA AND I WONDER IF THE SPEED AND THE INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WAS CHURNED OUT LAST YEAR WAS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IN RETROSPECT THOUGHT IT WAS KIND A-TENTATIVE, CAUTIOUS TRIFECTA LAST TIME, IS THAT FAIR?

>> YEAH, AND CERTAINLY UNMET NEEDS AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN -- THAT WANTED TO GET DONE.

SO I KNOW THAT THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT WE WANTED TO GET DONE AND WE SAID, OKAY, WE'LL GET IT NEXT YEAR, AND THEN NEXT YEAR DIDN'T COME FOR SIX MORE YEARS.

KURT ACTUALLY WON SOME ELECTIONS THAT WE WEREN'T PLANNING ON.

SO, YEAH, SO THE NEXT TIME WE CAME AROUND, WE HAD TWO THINGS GOING ON.

ONE, A LOT OF UNMET NEEDS OR THINGS THAT PEOPLE WANTED THE LAST TIME, AND WE HAD A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANTED TO GET THINGS DONE.

AND, SO, NEW AND YOUNGER PEOPLE AND I THINK THE TWO OF THOSE THINGS REALLY GOT A PUSH LAST YEAR'S BILL.

>> I THINK THE CADENCE, TOO, OF THIS PARTICULAR BIENNIUM SEEMS LIKE THE DEMOCRATS WERE PUSHING REALLY HARD THE FIRST YEAR DOING EVERYTHING THAT WAS ON THEIR WISH LIST AND THAT WAS ABOUT A TEN-YEAR BACKLOG AND THEN THIS YEAR THEY'LL PROBABLY REEL IT BACK AND TRY TO LOOK MORE REASONABLE BEING AN ELECTION YEAR.

THAT'S KIND OF MY GUESS.

>> YEAH, I'M THINKING PTICS IS WHAT A LOT OF THIS IS ABOUT.

IT WAS LIKE WATCHING A ROOMFUL OF, YOU KNOW, NERD KIDS WITH - AN ERECTOR SET LAST TIME.

EVERYTHING WAS GOING -- NO ONE KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

NOW EVERYBODY CAN SIT BACK, BE CALM, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HURT ANYBODY THIS YEAR.

WE'RE FOR YOU.

WE CARE ABOUT YOU.

AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

>> BUT AS THE GOVERNOR AID, IT WAS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY.

AND THE TRIFECTA DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LEGISLATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

THEY WERE GOING TO USE THAT FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN JUST THE NEXT ELECTION.

AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME RISK TO THAT BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES WON'T COME INTO EFFECT FOR A FEW YEARS.

BUT I THINK AS THE ELECTION APPROACHES, THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC WILL THINK PRETTY HIGHLY OF IT AS COMPARED TO WHAT THEY'RE SEEING FROM THE MOST -- THE LEAST PRODUCTIVE CONGRESS IN HISTORY.

SO I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME GOOD THINGS THAT COME OF THIS.

>> Cathy: SENATOR REICHGOTT JUNGE MENTIONED THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.

I'M WONDERING, HE SAID SOMETHING INTERESTING IN THAT SPEECH, DID YOU ALL HEAR THAT, ONE OF THESE DAYS WHEN WE LEAVE THIS PLACE, I MEAN, I WONDER, IS HE GOING TO GO FOR A THIRD TERM?

HE'S GOING TO BE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, RIGHT, COMING UP, XAIPG.

CAMPAIGNING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HIS FUTURE IS?

MR. SPEAKER?

>> MY GUESS IS, HE'S PROBABLY EYEING A CABINET POSITION IN THE NEXT BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT HE'S HOPING FOR AND STUMPING FOR OR POSITIONING HIMSELF WELL FOR SOMETHING ON THE NATIONAL STAGE IN THE FUTURE.

AND HE'S BEEN A REALLY STRONG SURROGATE FOR BIDEN ALL ALONG.

SO THAT'S NO SURPRISE.

I WAS REALLY STRUCK DURING THE SPEECH BY THE NATIONAL OVERTONES, WHICH WE HAVEN'T NORMALLY SEEN.

USUALLY IT'S VERY STATE FOCUSED.

I HAVE BEEN A PERSON WHO'S BEEN SAYING CONSISTENTLY, I THINK HE DOES RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

I THINK HE LIKES THE JOB.

AND I THINK HE SEES HIMSELF AS GOVERNOR.

AND I THINK HE WILL RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

>> Cathy: SENATOR?

>> I AGREE.

I THINK HE WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR, BUT I THINK HE'S ALSO MAKING A STATEMENT AROUND THE COUNTRY AS TO W -- AS TO WHAT MINNESOTA ACCOMPLISHED AND WHAT OTHER STATES CAN ACCOMPLISH.

THERE'S A COUPLE REASONS FOR THAT.

ONE IS, IT HELPS US TO KEEP IN TACT WHAT WAS ASSED.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE CONSTITUENCY HERE NOW HEARS THAT AND THEY VALUE IT MORE.

SO THERE'S THAT.

AND I THINK HE REALLY DOES ENJOY HE JOB.

I THINK IF WE HAVE THE CONTINUING LEGISLATURE IN THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL, HE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE.

>> Eric: HAS SPEAKER HORTMAN FIGURED OUT THAT GET OUT OF TOWN AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE, YOU GOT ENOUGH TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, AND JUST HANGING AROUND LEADS TO MORE POLITICALLY -- POSSIBLE POLITICAL PROBLEMS, SQUEEZING LEGISLATIVE DAYS, PRECONFEREING BILLS?

>> I WOULD NEVER SPEAK FOR THE SPEAKER.

THAT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS FOR A GUY LIKE ME.

BUT WHAT I WILL SAY, A LOT OF THINGS GOT DONE.

THERE'S SOME BIG THINGS HAT THEY STILL WANT TO FIGURE OUT, YET, THE CANNABIS, THE UPDATE TO THE CANNABIS, MAYBE SPORTS GAMBLING, THE BONDING BILL, A FEW THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THEY WANT TO GET DONE.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

I THINK HE SPEAKER WOULD LOVE TO KIND OF GET THE -- AND THE PLANE SMOOTHLY AND THEN GET OUT AND TELL MINNESOTANS WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED.

>> THE SOONER THEY GET OUT, THE HAPPIER THEY SHOULD BE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY CAN KEEP THINGS LOOKING RELATIVELY CALM.

REMEMBER, THE GOVERNOR AGAIN, IT'S WAY TOO EARLY.

IT DIDN'T TAKE VERY LONG FOR PEOPLE TO SOUR, SAY, ON RUDY PERPICH OR STUFF LIKE.

THAT IT TAKES TWO OR THREE YEARS, AND MAYBE AFTER TWO OR THREE YEARS OF THIS, PEOPLE WILL BE READY FOR HIM TO GO.

THE ASPIRATION FOR A GOVERNOR IN MINNESOTA IS TO E THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BE PRESIDENT.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN E VICE PRESIDENT IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO END UP BEING.

>> Eric: I WOULD THINK IF THE PHONE RANG, HE'D PICK IT UP.

>> YES.

>> OH, YEAH, I AGREE.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE, FRANKLY, IN UNCHARTED WATERS.

WE ARE IN UNKNOWN TERRITORY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE HYPERBOLE, AN EXAGGERATION, BUT THIS THING REALLY IS TRULY OFF THE SCALE.

THE FACT THAT THE LEVIES ARE HOLDING RIGHT NOW AT 40.7 IS ENCOURAGING.

THERE'S CONCERN THAT ALL OF THOSE SANDBAGS, WHICH ARE FROZEN, UITE OBVIOUSLY, THAT THAT COULD WEAKEN THE LEVIES IN SPOTS.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THE GOOD NEWS, SO FAR, SO GOOD.

>> Cathy: THAT WAS ONE HECK OF A STORY.

AND, YES, THE LEVIES DID HOLD, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

AND NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE VIEWER PARTICIPATION PART OF THE PROGRAM.

THIS IS WHEN WE ASK YOU A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION AND YOU TRY TO GUESS THE ANSWER.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION IS ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS WELL KNOWN IN OUR STATE.

BEFORE 1926, THERE WERE SOME OF THESE THINGS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

BUT IN 1926, MINNESOTA BECAME THE FIRST PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES TO HAVE ONE.

NOW THERE ARE 93 OF THEM IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT MINNESOTA HAS THE DISTINCTION OF GETTING ONE FIRST.

YOUR TASK IS A SIMPLE ONE.

TELL US WHAT DID MINNESOTA GET IN 1926 WHICH WAS THE FIRST ONE IN THE UNITED STATES?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM BLACKDUCK, ST.

CLOUD OR ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RUM RIVER.

THE NUMBER TO CALL, 651-229-1430, OR DROP US A LINE AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, STOP BY OUR WEBSITE: TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OR ANY PAST SHOW FROM OUR ARCHIVES.

THERE'S SOME PRETTY INTERESTING STUFF THERE.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

BEFORE WE GO, SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE "ALMANAC" ARCHIVES.

THIS JAZZ GROUP WAS ON THE PROGRAM 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

IT'S THE MOULDY FIGS PERFORMING "SWEET GEORGIA BROWN."

SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ NO GAL MADE HAS GOT A SHADE ON SWEET GEORGIA BROWN TWO LEFT FEET, BUT OH SO NEAT, AS SWEET GEORGIA BROWN THEY ALL SIGH AND WANNA DIE FOR SWEET GEORGIA BROWN I'LL TELL YOU JUST WHY, YOU KNOW I DON'T LIE, NOT MUCH IT'S BEEN SAID SHE KNOCKS 'EM DEAD WHEN SHE LANDS IN TOWN SINCE SHE CAME WHY IT'S A SHAME HOW SHE COOLS 'EM DOWN NOW THE ONLY SAILORS SHE CAN'T GET MUST BE THE SAILORS SHE AIN'T MET.

GEORGIA CLAIMED HER, GEORGIA NAMED HER SWEET GEORGIA BROWN ♪♪ ♪♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM-CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪♪ >> "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.

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