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

>> FORMER LAWMAKERS CAPABLE OF COMPROMISE WILL ASSIST US IN ANALYZING THE POLICY AND POLITICS OF TODAY.

>> I'M WITH YOU.

I ANT YOUR HELP ON FRAUD.

>> CAN WE AGREE THAT THIS FRAUD IS A SERIOUS THING, GOVERNOR WALZ, YES OR NO?

CAN WE AGREE ON THAT?

>> YES.

>> 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.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

AND NATIONAL POLITICS CONTINUE TO COLLIDE AS GOVERNOR WALZ AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS.

-- LAWMAKERS, FORMER LAWMAKERS -- WE'LL REFLECT BACK -- ON FRAUD AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> WE ARE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ IT WENT D.C.

TO TESTIFY ON THE MISUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDS IN MINNESOTA.

>> I'M WITH YOU.

I WANT YOUR HELP ON FRAUD.

WHY WOULD I NOT WANT MONEY TO GO TO THE PROGRAMS I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT, FEEDING PEOPLE, CLOTHING PEOPLE, HOUSING PEOPLE?

BUT WHAT I.C.E.

DID DISRUPTED EVERYTHING THAT WE WERE DOING.

IT DISRUPTED OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, FORCED OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO GAIN THE PUBLIC TRUST TO HAVE THE PUBLIC BELIEVE IN THEM.

>> CAN WE AGREE THAT THIS FRAUD IS A SERIOUS THING, GOVERNOR WALZ, YES OR NO?

CAN WE AGREE ON THAT?

>> YES.

I AGREE FRAUD IS SERIOUS.

>> THANK YOU.

BECAUSE YOU AND I AGREE IT'S A SERIOUS THING.

CONSIDERING THE MAN SITTING NEXT TO YOU, YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON.

>> WE'RE DOWN SO MANY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IT HAS -- OUR ABILITY TO PUT THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THE STATE HOUSE FRAUD PREVENTION COMMITTEE HEARD SUSPICIOUS SPENDING IS ALREADY -- >> THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

I MEAN, 62% DROP ACTUALLY STARTING -- WE HAVEN'T EVEN IMPLEMENTED REALLY FRAUD PREVENTION OR VERY LITTLE.

-- ACTUALLY BEEN TALKING ABOUT, SO WE'RE SCARING OFF THE FRAUDSTERS.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS WE CAN DO AS A STATE IS BETTER VETTING [ AUDIO CUT OUT ] >> -- BUSINESSES OR WOULD-BE CRIMINALS.

>> COMMISSIONER GANDHI ON "ALMANAC WE CAN SAID THAT THE WHOLE -- A.I.

TOOLS TO HELP DETECT FRAUD.

SHE SAID THAT ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

I MEAN, THIS -- THAT'S PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE LEVEL OF FRAUD WE'VE SEEN IN MINNESOTA AND OUR ABILITY TO DETECT THESE THINGS.

I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT WHEN SHE SAID THAT TO A STATEWIDE AUDIENCE.

>> I RECALL THE ADMINISTRATION ACTUALLY PROPOSED, HAD AN A.I.

PROPOSAL LAST SESSION THAT DIDN'T ADVANCE.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCED A NEW SERIES OF TAX CUT PROPOSALS.

>> THE BILL THAT I'M AUTHORING PROPOSES TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES AT THE RATE OF INFLATION PLUS 50% -- POPULATION GROWTH FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES OVER 25,000 RESIDENTS.

>> I'M INTRODUCING A PLAN TO END ALL TAX ON TIPS AND OVERTIME.

>> HOW DO WE -- SO THAT MINNESOTANS CAN STAY AND WORK AND LIVE AND PROSPER IN THIS STATE.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS PROPOSED THE CREATION OF AN OFFICE -- >> STUDYING A LEADING CAUSE -- SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN.

>> FOR TOO MANY WOMEN THE GREATEST THREAT TO THEIR SURVIVAL DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY IS NOT A MEDICAL COMPLICATION, IT'S A BULLET.

>> GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE.

♪♪ >> TWO FORMER LAWMAKERS ARE BACK IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE STILL REPUBLICAN PAT GAROFALO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AND FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR, STILL DEMOCRAT, KARLA BIGHAM.

[ LAUGHTER ] LET'S START WITH D.C.

BECAUSE IT'S JUST -- NATIONAL ATTENTION ON MINNESOTA AND FRAUD.

THE GOVERNOR SEEMED A LITTLE MORE PREPARED THIS TIME, I THINK MAYBE FIRST TIME HE THOUGHT I KNOW CONGRESS, YOU KNOW, I USED TO BE HERE.

IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT CONGRESS THAN THE ONE HE SERVED IN.

>> YEAH, AND I'M GOING TO JUMP AHEAD OF MY COLEG HERE.

[ LAUGHTER ] I AGREE.

I THINK WALZ WENT OUT THERE WITH A MISSION TO DEFEND, YOU KNOW, I GUESS I WOULD SAY TWO THINGS ARE TRUE.

FRAUD IS REAL, IT NEEDS TO BE PROSECUTED AND PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO JAIL FOR IT.

WE NEED TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PREVENT IT, ALL OF THAT'S TRUE.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S TRUE, THIS IS POLITICAL RETALIATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION -- AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] ALL OF THIS IS IMPACTING LIVES AND IT'S REALLY I THINK KIND OF JUST SHOOK US TO OUR CORE SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN -- THIS YEAR.

>> HALF ABOUT FRAUD AND HALF ABOUT I.C.E.

AND IMMIGRATION BECAUSE DEMOCRATS WANTED TO MAKE IT ABOUT THAT TOO.

>> I MEAN, WASHINGTON, D.C.

IS DYSFUNCTIONAL.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER WHO'S IN CONTROL OF THINGS, RIGHT?

IT'S JUST CONSTANT FOCUS ON FUND-RAISING AND GETTING CLIPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SO.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE WE GOT A LOT OUT OF TODAY'S HEARINGS OTHER THAN JUST REMINDING PEOPLE OF HOW BAD THE PROBLEM WAS IN MINNESOTA IN TERMS OF OUR FRAUD.

IT'S NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY WE HAD NATION LEADING FRAUD.

THE GOOD NEWS IS IS THAT IT APPEARS THAT WE'RE KIND OF TURNING THE CORNER MAYBE.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THIS FRAUD COMMITTEE -- [ AUDIO CUT OUT ] THEY HAVEN'T PASSED A BILL, BUT BOY, HAVE THEY BEEN EFFECTIVE -- PROGRAM HAS BEEN COMPLETELY -- WE NOW FOUND OUT -- IN TERMS OF THE NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION -- AND USAGE.

>> YEAH.

WE JUST HEARD THAT WAS THAT CLIP WAS THAT FROM THAT COMMITTEE SAYING -- >> YEP, AND SO -- >> -- WASN'T EVEN NECESSARY, RIGHT?

>> SO IT TURNS OUT THAT -- [ AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] >> PROSECUTIONS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE, IT'S BEEN THE JUSTICE -- DEPARTMENT THAT'S BEEN DOING IT AND WHEN THEY'VE HAD SHAKEUP N THEIR STAFF -- WORRIED THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ISN'T DOING ENOUGH IN MINNESOTA, AH -- -- I THINK THE NUMBER OF DIMES BY THE DOJ IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR IS GOING TO BE OVER 200.

>> DO WE TRUST THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST CONCERN IS THEY HAVE NOT -- THEY'VE HAD SUCH A EXODUS OF ATTORNEYS AND I MEAN THERE IS A LACK OF TRUST IN THE DOJ IN Y OPINION.

[ NO AUDIO ] >> THAT IF WE CAN GET SOME LEGISLATION THROUGH THIS YEAR ON I THINK THE FRAUD AND I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE INTERACT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE WILL BE OTHER ISSUES LIKE TO DEAL WITH REAL SERIOUS ISSUES LIKE THE FUNDING FOR HENNEPIN MEDICAL CENTER, HCMC IF THAT COLLAPSES THAT'S GOING O JUST BE ANOTHER HUGE ISSUE ON TOP OF THAT BUT THE MEDICAID CUTS, THE S.N.A.P.

SHIFTS AND CUTS, AND ALL OF THAT IS HURTING REAL MINNESOTANS AND NO ONE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS STEPPING UP TO HELP -- >> AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA GROCERS ASSOCIATION OBVIOUSLY WE CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT S.N.A.P.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU MY FRIEND KARLA HERE IS SEEING THE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS OF S.N.A.P.

CUTS SHE MUST BE A TIME TRAVELER.

THIS ISN'T GONE INTO EFFECT YET.

THIS IS SPECULATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND AGAIN WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE NITTY-GRITTY OF IT, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THEY'RE TRYING TO PUT INTEGRITY INTO THE S.N.A.P.

PROGRAM, IT'S A BIPARTISAN PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN AROUND OVER 06 YEARS.

IN ORDER TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS CONFIDENCE IN IT AND IN MINNESOTA THEY WANT TO HAVE THAT TRUST.

I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE NELLIE HERE, THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

I WISH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WAS DOING MORE, UNLIKE MY FRIEND HERE I DON'T REALLY THINK A LOT OF LAW CHANGES ARE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THIS IS A CULTURE THING.

THE ONE EXCEPTION IS THE OIG BILL.

THE OIG BILL IS SOMETHING >> OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> SENATE PASSED IT LAST YEAR.

FIRST OF ALL OUR BUDGETS WE'RE ALREADY STARTING THEM, S.N.A.P.

IS REAL FOR COUNTIES, I WILL SAY THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOUR OUR BUDGETS.

I WILL SAY PAT AND I COULD GO TO SWEENEY'S AND HAVE A COUPLE OF BEERS AND CHICKEN WINGS AND HAVE THIS OIG THING FIGURED.

THAT IN MY OPINION ABOUT HOW THINGS CAN'T GET DONE.

STOOD UP ON THE BCA OR STOOD UP ON ITS OWN.

>> THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW, MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES ARE BEING TOLD YOU CAN'T AGREE TO NYTHING THE OTHER SIDE WANTS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HOLD ON AND WAIT FOR NEGOTIATIONS.

AT THE END OF SESSION THE LEADERS ARE GOING TO EMERGE WITH A GLOW AROUND THEIR BODIES AND THEY'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER THIS GREAT DEAL AND COMPROMISE.

AND SO IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S OIG, CMC WHICH BY THE WAY -- >> WHICH MEANS WE DON'T HAVE TO DO A SHOW 'TIL END OF SESSION.

>> -- BORROW MONEY TO MAKE PAYROLL.

>> WE RE OUT OF TIME.

THAT WAS GOOD STUFF.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU DIDN'T TALK ABOUT SPORTS BETTING.

>> GOOD.

♪♪ >> HE FLIPPED A SUBURBAN SEAT DEFEATING A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS LEADER AND WE WERE THERE BACK IN THE DAY IN THAT RACE IN EDEN PRAIRIE, IT WAS A RACE TO WATCH.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAREER OF SENATOR STEVE CWODZINSKI.

>> IN EDEN PRAIRIE AND MINNETONKA, THESE BUSY SUBURBS ARE AN AFFLUENT, EDUCATED AREA THAT TENDS TO BE REMARKABLY POLITICALLY ENGAGED AND INDEPENDENT.

AND EDEN PRAIRIE BOWLING ALLEY IS WHERE THE LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS A LUNCH BUFFET AND IT'S WHERE I GOT TO GRILL SIX ANDIDATES FROM AREA HOUSE AND SENATE DISTRICTS.

I DO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO JUMP IN ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T ANSWER MY QUESTION.

>> THE INCUMBENTS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE IN DEBATES WHEN WE GET TO SPECIFICS.

>> YOU WON'T SEE ME IN ANY EXTRACURRICULAR, THE EASON IS I WORKED AT SAMMY'S PIZZA IN SUPERIOR.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHY I WASN'T IN ACTIVITIES IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M STEVE CWODZINSKI, STATE SENATOR FROM MINNETONKA AND EDEN PRAIRIE.

SENATE DISTRICT 48.

THE CLASSES I HAD MY SENIOR YEAR WERE HUMAN MATH, AS OPPOSED TO UNHUMAN MATH -- BUT HUMAN MATH, BOYS FOODS, POWER MECHANICS.

BUT THE ONE CLASS I HAD IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT REALLY STUCK WITH ME OVER THE YEARS WAS MY SENIOR SOCIAL CLASS AND IT WAS ALL CURRENT EVENT BASED.

SENATOR COLEMAN AND I I THINK WE'VE WORKED WELL TOGETHER AND JUST TODAY WE COAUTHORED A BILL ON COMPREHENSIVE MINNESOTA, ASSESSMENT.

>> MCT.

>> YOU'RE FINISHING EACH OTHER'S SENTENCES.

>> WE AGREED WE WERE GOING TO BE HORRIBLE TV FOR YOU, WE ACTUALLY GET ALONG REALLY WELL NOT FOR THE SAKE OF BIPARTISAN BUT WE SHARE A BORDER AND WE'D HATE TO SEE A WALL GO UP BETWEEN EDEN PRAIRIE AND CHANHASSEN.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE BACK AT THE CAPITOL AND ASSESSING HOW THEIR JOBS HAVE CHANGED SINCE THE SHOOTINGS OF THEIR COLLEAGUES.

>> YOU WERE ON THE HITLIST, SENATOR.

>> YEAH.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY OTHER THAN WHAT I JUST DID.

I'M SPEECHLESS.

I JUST WHEN PEOPLE CAN TELL YOU YOU WERE ON THIS LIST, THERE'S NO WORDS.

I'VE BEEN HEARTBROKEN THAT THE SPOUSES AND SIGNIFICANT OTHER WAS ALSO TARGETED SO FOR OUR FAMILIES IT'S A DIFFERENT NORMAL.

>> WHAT DID YOUR WIFE THINK?

WHAT WAS HER RESPONSE >> LET'S GET OUT OF TOWN.

>> MY OWN SENSE OF CIVIC DUTY WAS INSTILLED IN ME BY MY IMMIGRANT GRANDPARENTS.

>> WHEN I WAS STILL TEACHING AND I GIVE EXAMPLES OF LIKE MUD-SLINGING AND NAME-CALLING AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING AND THE KIDS WOULD GET SO TURNED OFF BY IT.

AND THEY JUST WOULD HATE IT AND IF WE OULD BE MORE CIVIL TO EACH OTHER.

♪♪ >> YOU JUST SAW HIM THERE.

SENATOR.

THEY JUST CALL YOU CWOD.

RATHER THAN PRONOUNCE THE NAME.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AND YOU FLIPPED A SEAT HELD BY THE CAUCUS LEADER.

DID YOU THINK THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> YOU KNOW, I DID.

I JUST HAD FAITH AND I HAD SO MUCH HELP AND THE CWOD SQUAD.

AND IT WAS JUST A UNIQUE TIME AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

BI, YEAH, I JUST KIND OF NEVER ONCE THOUGHT.

>> DID YOU FEEL THE SUBURBAN POLITICS SHIFTING THEN AND WAS IT SOCIAL ISSUES, WAS THAT THE KEY?

>> THAT AND I THINK AT THAT TIME SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL.

THE MAJORITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE AND MINNETONKA WANTED IT TO BE FINISHED, OR STARTED I GUESS.

SO, YEAH, I THINK SOCIALLY AND SOUTHWEST LIGHT AIL WERE THE TWO BIG.

>> AND MARRIAGE AMENDMENT.

THAT WAS -- >> THAT HAD BEEN A COUPLE YEARS PRIOR, BUT, YEAH.

I THINK THAT WAS THE SPILLAGE OF THAT WAS, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME IN MY 33 YEARS THAT I TOLD THE STUDENTS WHAT I THINK OF AN ISSUE, PRIOR I ALWAYS JUST GAVE BOTH SIDE TO EVERY ISSUE BUT THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT WAS ONE THING I JUST, BECAUSE I HAD SO MANY -- NOT SO MANY, BUT QUITE A FEW STUDENTS HAD COME OUT AND IN SUPPORTING THEIR, THEY HAD -- YEAH.

>> YEAH.

HOW IMPORTANT WAS BEING A GOVERNMENT TEACHER AND THEN GOING TO SERVE IN YOUR GOVERNMENT?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> OKAY, THAT'S GOING TO BE MY SECOND BOOK.

BUT I JUST, IT WAS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE, YOU KNOW, YOU PRACTICE, TO PRACTICE WHAT I PREACHED ALL THOSE YEARS, 33 YEARS OF TELLING STUDENTS TO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HAVE A SENSE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND POLITICAL EFFICACY AND CIVIC VIRTUE AND LEAVE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE THAN YOU FOUND IT, TRY TO SOLVE AS MUCH OF THE PUZZLE AND OCCASIONALLY A KID WOULD GO WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU DO?

AND I WOULD KIND OF TURN AROUND AND START WRITING ON THE CHALKBOARD.

BUT I LOVE THAT MY FORMER STUDENTS WILL SEE ME, YOU KNOW, WHEREVER AND JUST GO, YOU KNOW, YOU FINALLY GOT TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACHED AND SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, TO PROVIDE ME THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> YOU GOT TO SEE A LOT OF FOOTAGE THERE OF YOU WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE AND HAVING A TRUE FRIENDSHIP.

HOW HARD WAS THAT TO MAINTAIN IN THIS PLACE THAT GOT INCREASINGLY PARTISAN?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IF I'VE LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT LIFE IS THAT THE BEAUTY OF RELATIONSHIPS AND REACHING ACROSS THE AISLE IS JUST WHAT IS, IT SHOULD BE INNATE IN THE SPECIES.

AND SO IT'S NEVER BEEN HARD FOR ME.

I THINK SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HERE.

I THINK -- >> ID YOU GET PUSHBACK?

>> NO, NEVER.

>> PEOPLE NEVER CRITICIZED YOU FOR IT?

>> NO, NEVER.

>> OKAY.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

BUT NEVER, MARY.

>> DID THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> NO.

>> BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T DO IT OR ARE AFRAID TO DO IT OR THINK THEY'LL BE CRITICIZED.

>> AT THE END OF THE VIDEO CLIP ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS BECAUSE IT'S IN THE PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN THE BUILDS IS ME AND THREE OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AND WE'RE ALL JUST CRACKING UP.

SO YOU JUST TAKE TIME TO GO INTERACT WITH THEM AS MEMBERS OF YOUR SPECIES AND, YOU KNOW.

>> YOU HAVE FUN HERE.

DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> I DO.

>> THERE ARE SO FEW PEOPLE WHO LAUGH AND EMBRACE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO HAVE FUN HERE?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SOME PEOPLE SAY I'M NAÏVE AND IGNORANT.

BUT I JUST, I'M JUST ONE OF THOSE LUCKY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT MY TEACHING CAREER I NEVER REGRETTED A MONDAY OR LOOKED FORWARD TIE FRIDAY.

I JUST LOVED WHEN I'D SAY TO MY STUDENTS I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK TODAY AND JUST PAUSED BECAUSE IT SOUNDED WEIRD TO SAY I WAS DRIVING INTO WORK BECAUSE CONFUCIUS SAID CHOOSE A JOB THAT YOU LOVE AND YOU'LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

AND I'M VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE'S SO MANY OF THESE 20-SOMETHINGS THAT JUST FUEL ME WITH THEIR ENTHUSIASM AND EXUBERANCE TO, THROUGH THEIR EFFORTS AND HARD WORK TO TRY TO LEAVE, YOU KNOW, THIS PLACE BETTER THAN WE ALL CAME ACROSS.

AND SO I'M JUST BLESSED, ALL 67 SENATORS ARE, WE MIGHT NOT AGREE BUT THEY'RE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME NOBLE REASONS TO HELP FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES AND, YEAH, SO.

>> WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE TO DO THIS FOLLOWING YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

HANDS DOWN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> OKAY.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> WOULDN'T BE SESSION WITHOUT HAVING ERIC ESKOLA LONG TIME WCCO RADIO REPORTER AND ALMANAC'S OWN.

IT REALLY STRIKES ME WITH THESE RETIREMENTS WE HAVE SOME BIG ONES THIS YEAR AND I'M URE THERE'S MORE COMING.

WE'VE HAD SENATOR REST ON, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THE CLOSERS ON THAT PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO GET A BILL DONE.

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THIS PLACE?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BILL IN THE HOPPER FOR TERM LIMITS, IS THERE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT AND THERE'S SO MUCH TURNOVER PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE BECAUSE THEY RUN EVERY TWO YEARS.

>> YEAH, AND THEY ALSO LOST ONE OF THEIR OWN, I DON'T THINK WE CAN OVERLOOK THAT.

AND NEARLY LOST ONE OF THEIR OWN OVER THERE TOO.

IT'S A FACTOR.

>> AND THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT THE MOOD AROUND HERE AND TIGHTENED SECURITY AND ALL OF THAT.

IT'S A DIFFERENT PLACE AND, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED SOME PEOPLE WITH FRESH IDEAS JUST FROM DOORKNOCKING AND A MONTH EARLIER THEY COME INTO PLAY, THE MID-CAREER TYPES WHO ARE JUST FEELING A WAY, BUT FEELING MORE CONFIDENT ND THEN SOME VETERAN CLOSERS, YOU NEED THAT MIX AND I THINK THE OLD-TIMERS AROUND HERE WOULD SAY, WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ANY CLOSERS HERE ANYMORE.

WE GOT SOME BUT THEY AREN'T THE OLD CLOSERS.

IT'S A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT AND A DIFFERENT SET OF ISSUES OF COURSE THAT ARE COMING UP, SO.

>> I THINK WE GOT TO HEAR FROM THE FORMER LAWMAKERS BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENT VIBE IN THE HOUSE FROM THE SENATE THIS YEAR.

I HEARD A LOBBYIST EARLIER SAID THAT THE HOUSE IS SO CHIPPY ALREADY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> WELL, THERE IS SOME BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> BUT THERE'S SO MANY YOU TIE AND YOU DIE VOTES AND IN COMMITTEE THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIMES GETTING THINGS OUT AND MOVING IT ALONG.

>> I THINK REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO MADE THE POINT VERY WELL THAT POWER IS VERY, VERY CONCENTRATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR IS A LAME DUCK BUT DOES HAVE THE VETO PEN STILL SO HE'S A PLAYER.

AND I THINK THEY'LL HAVE INTERESTING BATTLE GETTING THEIR BUDGET TARGETS, HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO SPEND BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS TO PLAY WITH NOW.

>> JUST ENOUGH TO PLAY, ISN'T THERE?

YEAH.

AND IT'S JUST ENOUGH SO THAT PEOPLE CAN HAVE SOME HOPE THAT IF I GET MY HAND OUT I'LL GET MY SLICE OF THE PIE.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR A SALES TAX INCREASE, FOR HOUSING.

ANN REST I THINK SENT CONTAINING THE IDEA OF A TAX ON SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES.

SO THERE'S, AND THEN THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO ROLL BACK THE GAS TAX, VEHICLE SALES TAX, TAB FEES.

>> YEP.

>> ALWAYS A FAVORITE.

>> AND WE JUST SOME SOME OF THE EARLIER POPULAR ROLLING BACK, THE TIPS, RIGHT, THAT'S ALWAYS POPULAR.

>> AFFORDABILITY, BUT WHERE'S AFFORDABILITY?

THE ISSUES IN THE EARLY GOING ARE FRAUD, I.C.E., AND CONDUCT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT AFFORDABILITY'S GOT TO SNEAK IN THERE SOMEWHERE WHEN EVERYBODY 201 SEATS ARE UP FOR ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

>> I THINK IT'S COMING BUT DON'T YOU THINK THAT THE IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND GUN ISSUES WERE SO EMOTIONAL AND SO PRESSING EARLY ON?

>> THERE'S AN ANTI-PRICE GOUGING BILL.

>> MM-HMM.

>> THAT I WONDER IF THAT'S EVEN CONSTITUTION -- IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE STATE CAN DO ON PRICES?

>> I JUST ONDER IF THE WHOLE SESSION, DOES THIS HAVE THE POTENTIAL, WE USED TO TALK ABOUT DO-NOTHING SESSIONS, ODD YEARS IF THERE'S NOT APPETITE OR BIPARTISANSHIP FOR A BONDING BILL THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING, DO THEY?

>> TAKE IT TO THE ELECTION!

>> IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE THAT KIND OF YEAR.

>> AND IS THIS A 2022 SITUATION WHERE THE REPUBLICANS HAD A PRETTY GOOD OFFER FROM THE DEMOCRATS ON THE BUDGET, THOUGHT, WELL, WE'LL BE IN CHARGE IN 2023 SO WE'LL DO BETTER THAN THAT OFFER?

TURNED OUT THEY GOT BEAT IN THE '23-'24 SESSIONS WERE SO PROGRESSIVE.

>> AND CANDIDATES GALORE, WE STILL TECHNICALLY HAVE THREE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR IN THIS CHAMBER ALONE RIGHT NOW.

>> SO YOU'RE THINKING LESS RATHER THAN MORE?

>> I THINK SO.

AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THE BUDGET FORECAST NUMBERS ARE REAL NUMBERS EITHER.

THERE'S A LOT OF UNKNOWNS IN THERE.

>> WELL, IT'S LESS ACCURATE THAN USUAL I'M AFRAID.

>> DEFINITELY.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WISE ADVICE.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

AND FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC" TUNE IN FOR ERIC, WE'LL BE TALKING TO THE I.T.

COMMISSIONER AND I'LL BE TAKE A LOOK AT MORE OF NATIONAL POLITICS AT PLAY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK AGAIN AT "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

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, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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