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

>> Cathy: WE HAVE A LOT OF SHOW FOR YOU.

DEREK CHAUVIN'S FINANCING, THE DROUGHT IN MINNESOTA, AND THE LAWMAKERS GOING FULL STOP FOR THE DEADLINE.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS PICKED UPPING.

PACE, TO AVOID A BUDGE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

>> LOTS OF PIECES EING SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP, ON "ALMANAC."

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

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ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINE3US.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: LATER IN THE HOUR, WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THE PROGRESS LAWMAKERS ARE MAKING TO PASS BUDGET BILLS AND WILL FILL IN DETAILS ABOUT THE GROWING STATEWIDE DROUGHT.

BUT FIRST UP, THE SENTENCING TODAY OF DEREK CHAUVIN FOR THE 2020 MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> ERIC: SHORTLY AFTER 1:30 TODAY, GEORGE FLOYD FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING HIS DAUGHTER AND TWO BROTHERS, GAVE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS TO JUDGE PETER CAHILL.

AFTERWARDS, DEREK CHAUVIN MADE A VERY BRIEF STATEMENT TO THE FLOYD FAMILY.

AND WE START WITH THE FAMILY IMPACT STATEMENTS.

>> THE NIGHT BEFORE WE WENT TO BED.

MY BED ALWAYS USED TO HELP ME BRUSH MY TEETH.

>> IF YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING TO YOUR DADDY RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

>> IT WOULD BE I MISS YOU AND I LOVE HIM.

>> THE SITUATION HAS REALLY AFFECTED ME AND MY FAMILY.

ANY FAMILY MEMBER THAT HAS WENT THROUGH THIS, WE ARE PART OF A FRATERNITY OF FAMILIES AND IT'S NOT ONE OF THOSE, YOU KNOW, FRATERNITIES THAT YOU ENJOY.

>> MY BROTHER, GEORGE, WAS MURDERED BY DEREK CHAUVIN AND HIS CO-DEFENDANTS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT WITH A KNEE TO HIS NECK FOR NINE MINUTES AND 25 SECOND.

I HAVEN'T HAD A REAL NIGHT'S SLEEP BECAUSE OF THE NIGHTMARES OF CONSTANTLY HEARING MY BROTHER BEG AND PLEADS FOR HIS LIFE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> I WANT TO GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FLOYD FAMILY.

>> ERIC: SHORTLY AFTER THE STATEMENTS WERE READ, HENNEPIN COUNTY JUDGE PETER CAHILL ANNOUNCED THE SENTENCE.

>> SENTENCE FOR COUNT ONE, THE COURT COMMITS YOU TO THE COUNTY OF CORRECTIONS FOR A PERIOD OF 270 MONTHS, THAT'S 2-7-0, A TEN-YEAR ADDITION TO THE PRESUMPTIVE SESSION OF 150 MONTHS.

THIS IS BASED ON YOUR ABUSE OF A POSITION OF TRUST AND AUTHORITY AND ALSO THE PARTICULAR CRUELTY SHOWN TO GEORGE LOYD.

>> ERIC: AFTERWARDS CAME REACTIONS TO THE VERDICT FROM LAWYERS INVOLVED IN THE CASE, AND FROM THOSE OUTSIDE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

>> THERE IS NO REASON FOR US TO NOT HAVE GOTTEN THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE IN THIS CASE.

>> IT'S A STANCHION SENTENCE BUT NOT QUITE LONG ENOUGH, IN MY MIND.

AND THIS SENTENCE IS REALLY NOT GOING TO CHANGE MUCH.

>> IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SAY I'M FEELING LIKE I'M BEING HEALED RIGHT NOW BUT I CAN SAY IT IS STARTING TO HAVE SOME CLOSURE, WE CAN START PROGRESSING TO SOME CLOSURE.

>> YEAH, I'M JUST STUNNED AND SHOCKED AT THE SENTENCING.

IT WAS TOTALLY -- I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN, I'M AT A LOSS FOR WORDS RIGHT NOW AND I FEEL FOR THE CITY OFFICIALS AND HOPE THERE'S NOT ANOTHER UPROAR OR UNREST TONIGHT.

>> THE SENTENCE THAT THE COURT JUST IMPOSED ON DEREK CHAUVIN, 270 MONTHS OR 22 AND A HALF YEARS, IS ONE OF THE LONGEST A FORMER POLICE OFFICER HAS EVER RECEIVED FOR AN UNLAWFUL USE OF DEADLY FORCE.

LIKE THE CONVICTION OF DEREK CHAUVIN, TWO MONTHS AGO, TODAY'S SENTENCING IS NOT JUSTICE BUT IT IS ANOTHER MOMENT OF REAL ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE ROAD TO JUSTICE.

>> ERIC: JUDGE CAHILL'S SENTENCE OF 22 AND A HALF YEARS DEPARTED FROM THE MINNESOTA SENTENCING GUIDELINES.

THE SENTENCE WAS GREATER THAN THE RECOMMENDATION FOR A FIRST-TIME OFFENDER DUE TO WHAT CAHILL CALLED "THE PARTICULAR CRUELTY" OF DEREK CHAUVIN'S CRIMINAL ACT.

HERE WITH ANALYSIS IS SOMEONE WE'VE BEEN RELYING ON FOR MONTHS.

MARY MORIATY TEACHES LAW AT THE U OF M AND IS THE FORMER HENNEPIN COUNTY CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SHE'S ALSO WRITTEN A LEGAL COLUMN ABOUT THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER FOR THE "MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN" NEWSPAPER.

MARY, FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A MESSAGE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR A DETERRENT TYPE OF SENTENCE, HOW DID THOSE FOLKS DO TODAY?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY.

I KNOW JUDGE CAHILL SAID HE WASN'T SENDING A MESSAGE, THAT WASN'T THE PURPOSE AND REALLY THE PURPOSE OF SENTENCING IS TO SENTENCE THIS ONE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL, IT'S NOT TO SEND A MESSAGE BUT I THINK THIS TRIAL IN AND OF ITSELF WAS VERY DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE.

IT COULD BE A BLUEPRINT FOR HOW TO TRY THESE CASES AS WE KNOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAD THIS CASE, THEY HAD OVER 12 VOLUNTEER LAWYERS, THEY HAD SOME OF THE BEST EXPERTS I HAVE EVER EEN IN COURT.

THEY DID SOMETHING A LITTLE UNUSUAL IN THAT THEY EMBRACED GEORGE FLOYD'S ADDICTION, AS WELL.

I HAVE SEEN MANY CASES, AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER, WHERE THE PROSECUTION ISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM THE VICTIM AND WITNESSES AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN HERE.

WE ALSO SAW, AT LEAST SIX MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF, ESTIFY THAT THIS WAS WRONG, SO THAT WAS A BIG FIRST STEP, BUT I'M JUST GOING TO CALL IT A FIRST STEP BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, DAUNTE WRIGHT AS SHOT AND KILLED DURING THE TRIAL AND THEN WE JUST HAD WINSTON SMITH SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, SO THIS COULD BE A BLUEPRINT OF HOW TO DO THIS.

CERTAINLY, POLICE OFFICERS KNOW THAT THEY CAN AND MAYBE WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR ACCOUNTABLE BUT I'LL ALSO SAY, HAVING BEEN A PART OF MANY SENTENCES, SENTENCES DON'T BRING BACK THE PERSON.

THEY DON'T REALLY PROVIDE CLOSURE, AND WE CAN MOVE ON BUT NOTHING IS EVER GOING TO BE THE SAME FOR GEORGE FLOYD'S FAMILY, AS WE COULD SEE.

>> LET ME ASK YOU BOUT WHAT Mr. CHAUVIN SAID, WHICH WASN'T MUCH.

>> ES.

>> Cathy: WAS IT A OST OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO NOT SHOW SOME LEVEL OR REMORSE OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS BEFORE THE JUDGE?

>> HE LOST AN OPPORTUNITY BUT IT WASN'T TODAY.

JUDGE CAHILL HAD HIS SENTENCING MEMO RAPID ALREADY, IT WAS 22 PAGES.

HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO TODAY IN TERMS OF A SENTENCE.

WHERE CHAUVIN LOST THAT OPPORTUNITY WAS THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED A PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION, PEOPLE CALL IT A P.S.I.

THAT'S WHERE A PROBATION OFFICER INTERVIEWED CHAUVIN AND THAT PERSON DID A WHOLE SOCIAL HISTORY ON HIM, BUT ALSO PROBABLY ASKED HIM ABOUT THIS OFFENSE.

NOW, CHAUVIN WAS IN A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFICULT ITUATION BECAUSE HE HAS TWO PENDING FELONY INDICTMENTS, AND HE WANTS TO APPEAL SO YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU SAY BECAUSE IT COULD BE USED AGAINST YOU.

BUT I TAKE IT THAT HE CHOSE NOT TO TALK TO THE PROBATION OFFICER ABOUT THE OFFENSE BECAUSE I THINK WE WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT IN THE SENTENCING MEMOS THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY THE STATE AND THE DEFENSE.

THAT WAS REALLY THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WHAT JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT I THINK CAHILL MIGHT HAVE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION IS DOES A PERSON HAVE INSIGHT INTO THEIR ACTIONS, EVEN IF THEY SAY, AS THE DEFENSE MEMO SAID, I WAS FOLLOWING MY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE IF HE COULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING LIKE, YOU KNOW, N RETROSPECT, AND IN THE FUTURE, I WOULD DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND ALSO IS THERE REMORSE?

IS THERE EMPATHY, IS THERE SYMPATHY?

AND SO MY GUESS IS THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE THAT IN THE P.S.I., WHICH IS REALLY WHAT JUDGE CAHILL LOOKED AT BEFORE HE WROTE HIS MEMO TODAY.

SO I DON'T REALLY THINK HAT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED TODAY REALLY HAD AN IMPACT ON WHAT JUDGE CAHILL DID IN TERMS OF SENTENCING.

>> Eric: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE KIND OF CRYPTIC STATEMENT HE MADE, "MORE INFORMATION IS COMING THAT WILL GIVE THE FLOYD FAMILY PEACE OF MIND."

ANY IDEA WHAT THAT MIGHT BE?

>> I HAVE SOME SPECULATION BUT I'M NOT -- SINCE IT IS JUST SPECULATION, I WON'T SHARE THAT EXACTLY, BUT YOU DID HEAR JUDGE CAHILL SAY, YES, I READ THE COMMENTS IN THE P.S.I., AND SO THERE'S SOMETHING IN THAT P.S.I.

THAT CAHILL WAS AWARE OF, AND BY THE WAY, THAT P.S.I., BECAUSE IT'S GOT SOMEBODY'S -- IT GOES INTO YOUR HEALTH BACKGROUND, ALL KIND OF PERSONAL STUFF, IT IS NOT A PUBLIC DOCUMENT.

>> Cathy: SO WE'LL NEVER HEAR WHAT'S IN IT.

>> WE WILL NOT.

WE MAY HEAR IF HE DEFENSE CHOOSES TO TALK ABOUT THAT BUT IT WON'T BE FILED OR DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.

SO THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE THAT JUDGE KAY SHILL AWARE OF, THE REST OF US AREN'T.

AND WEAVER JUST LEFT TO SPECK AND WE ARE JUST LEFT TO SPECULATE ABOUT IT.

>> WOULDN'T T COME OUT POSSIBLY IN AN APPEAL?

>> I WOULD SAY NO, BECAUSE IF THERE'S SOME NEW SOMETHING OR ANOTHER, YOU WOULD WANT TO PRESENT THAT IN YOUR MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL, AND REMEMBER, EARLIER THIS MORNING, THE JUDGE DENIED THAT MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL AND THERE WAS NOTHING NEW IN THERE THAT HADN'T BEEN RAISED BEFORE OTHER THAN THE ALLEGATIONS OF JUROR MISCONDUCT WHICH WERE ALSO SET ASIDE BY JUDGE CAHILL.

>> Eric: IS MY MATH RIGHT, 15 YEARS IN PRISON AND 7 AND A HALF ON SUPERVISED RELEASE?

>> YES.

SO IN SENTENCES IN MINNESOTA, WE DON'T HAVE GOOD TIME.

SENTENCES ARE ALWAYS PRONOUNCED IN MONTHS, WHICH IS BAD FOR LAWYERS BECAUSE WE ALWAYS CARRY AROUND CALCULATORS.

BUT IT IS IN MONTHS AND YOU DO TWO-THIRDS OF THAT TIME IN PRISON.

YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD TIME BUT YOU CAN HAVE THAT LAST THIRD TAKEN AWAY FOR BAD BEHAVIOR.

SO THINK OF THE LAST THIRD AS BEING, LIKE, PAROLE.

WE CALL IT SUPERVISED RELEASE.

SO HE WILL DO THAT TWO-THIRDS IN PRISON.

WE DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE HE'LL DO IT BECAUSE IF THERE'S SOME KIND OF PLEA NEGOTIATION ON THE FEDERAL CASES, HE COULD END UP DOING HIS TIME IN FEDERAL PRISON BUT HE WOULD DO -- HE WOULD BE OUT FOR THAT LAST HIRD ON WHAT WE CALL SUPERVISED RELEASE.

>> Cathy: SO HE'S 45 YEARS OLD, WOULD HE GET OUT WHEN, HE'S, WHAT, 60?

>> Eric: 60?

>> AND DEPENDING ON WHAT -- WE STILL HAVE THE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS.

>> Eric: YOU DON'T STACK THE SENTENCE, THE FEDERAL SENTENCE ON TOP OF THE STATE SENTENCE.

>> PROBABLY NOT, THAT WOULD BE CONCURRENT OR AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS HIS LIFE GOING TO BE LIKE IN PRISON?

WILL HE BE IN ISOLATION?

>> WELL, FIRST I'LL SAY, LIFE IN PRISON IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYONE.

BUT WITH HIM, HE'LL PROBABLY BE -- AND WE -- I HEARD THIS EARLIER TODAY, IN ISOLATION, OR SEGREGATION IS ACTUALLY WHAT IT'S CALLED.

THAT TYPICALLY MEANS HE IS IN HIS CELL FOR 23 HOURS A DAY.

AND THAT IS PROBABLY BECAUSE -- FOR HIS OWN PROTECTION, BEING IN PRISON.

THAT MAY BE ANOTHER REASON WHY HE WOULD WANT TO NEGOTIATE TO BE IN FEDERAL PRISON.

BUT IT'S NOT PLEASANT AT ALL.

IF YOU CAN IMAGINE BEING IN A FAIRLY TINY SPACE FOR 23 HOURS A DAY, IT'S NOT AS THOUGH YOU CAN BRING YOUR BOOKS AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE FREEDOM AND YOU ARE TOLD WHEN TO SHOWER, YOU'RE TOLD WHEN TO EAT.

YOU GET OUT FOR MAYBE AN HOUR TO EXERCISE, SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE, PRISON IS NOT A PLEASANT PLACE.

>> Eric: EXCUSE ME.

SOUNDS LIKE THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO LOOK AT CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM MORE BROADLY.

>> >> YES.

>> Eric: YOU WERE AGAINST IT, YOU'VE KIND OF COME AROUND A LITTLE BIT OR... >> I HAVE, I WAS -- I HAVE TO ADMIT, TOTALLY AGAINST IT, BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF WITNESSES BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES, JURORS ARE EVALUATING THE BELIEVABILITY, THE ACCURACY OF WITNESSES AND IF THE WITNESS IS NERVOUS BECAUSE OF CAMERAS, YOU KNOW, HAT IS A JURY GOING TO DID WITH THAT?

BUT I HAVE TO SAY, I THINK THE IDEA THAT THE PUBLIC GOT TO SEE THIS TRIAL IN ITS ENTIRETY, NO ONE IN THE PUBLIC I THINK HAD EVER SEEN JURY SELECTION BEFORE, UNLESS YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE BEEN ON A TRIAL AND I THINK THAT WAS TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR TRIAL, FOR THE LEGITIMACY OF THE PROCEEDING, AS WELL, I THINK IT WAS REALLY GREAT FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO WATCH TO SEE AND HEAR THE WITNESSES AND COME -- AND ARRIVE AT THEIR OWN OPINION ABOUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT HAPPENED.

>> Cathy: I THINK I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ASK THIS QUESTION OF YOU.

SO, WITH THIS VERDICT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE OTHER OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THIS CASE?

WILL THEY PLEA, COULD THEY HAVE -- GET A PLEA DEAL TOGETHER?

>> I'M SURE THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING IN MINNESOTA, IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH AIDING AND ABETTING, YOU ARE LOOKING AT EXACTLY THE SAME SENTENCE, YES.

IF PEOPLE REALLY DON'T EALIZE THAT.

THE JUDGE CAN TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION YOUR LESSER PART IN IT, BUT THE JUMP DOESN'T HAVE TO AND IF I RECALL, THE ATTORNEY ENERAL IS ACTUALLY ASKED TORE AGGRAVATING FACTORS AGAINST THE THREE OF THEM, AND SO THE STAKES ARE REALLY, REALLY HIGH FOR THEM AND THEY ALSO HAVE THOSE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS SO THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME INCENTIVE OR THEM HAVING SEEN HOW THE TRIAL WENT, HOW WONDERFUL -- LIKE, I'VE NEVER SEEN EXPERT WITNESSES AS GOOD AS THE ONES I SAW IN THIS CASE, AND ALSO HEARING FROM THE BYSTANDERS, THAT WAS PRETTY DEVASTATING TO THE DEFENSE.

BUT, WE ALSO KNOW THEY DID PLAY LESSER ROLES, AND AIDING AND ABETTING, WE'VE HEARD FROM LANE'S LAWYER TALKING ABOUT WHAT DID YOU EXPECT SOMEBODY WHO WAS NEW TO DO, GO PUSH CHAUVIN OFF, THE LAW DOESN'T REQUIRE YOU TO AFFIRMATIVELY DO SOMETHING.

SO THE LAW DID NOT REQUIRE LANE TO GO PUSH HAUVIN OFFER.

THE LAW SAYS YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR.

IF LANE HAD TAKEN HIS HANDS OFF GEORGE FLOYD AND STEPPED BACK, HE WOULD NOT BE CHARGED TODAY.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

>> Eric: TRIAL IN MARCH FOR THOSE FORMER OFFICERS.

YOUR INSIGHTS HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET TOGETHER IS ACTUALLY COMING TOGETHER FOR THIS AUGUST.

YES, THE STATE FAIR IS BACK.

BUT THE FAIR NO LONGER HAS ITS OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IS STILL MAKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES TO HANDLE PUBLIC SAFETY.

JERRY HAMMER IS THE LONG-TIME HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> IT'S NICE TO SEE ANYBODY, ISN'T IT?

>> Cathy: RIGHT, XACTLY.

[Laughter] WILL THIS BE A WIDE-OPEN FAIR THIS YEAR, JERRY?

ANY CONCESSIONS TO THE VIRUS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING WHAT-IFs SINCE LAST MAY, SO 15 MONTHS OF THIS.

WE DON'T KNOW.

IF THINGS CONTINUE DO PROGRESS THE WAY THEIR, IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT AND WITH A LOT OF LIMITS LIFTED FOR ATTENDANCE AND WE'RE KEEPING A VERY CLOSE EYE ON THE MLB, CONCERTS, MUSIC FESTIVALS, NOT JUST HERE BUT EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S WHERE IT'S HEADED RIGHT NOW BUT WE'RE PREPARED IN CASE WE NEED TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS.

WE'LL DO THAT.

>> Eric: LATEST ON STAFFING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT BEST INCHES?

>> THE RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS DONE JUST REMARKABLE WORK IN PUTTING TOGETHER A PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN, BUILDING ON WHAT WE ALREADY HAD IN RAMSEY COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, RISK MANAGEMENT, STATE LEVEL, COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON AT THE STATE LEVEL PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERYBODY'S BEEN ON BOARD TO GET WHAT EVERYBODY -- WHAT WE REALLY NEED MOST AND WHAT WE ALL EXPECT AND HOPE FOR AND THAT'S THE BEST PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE.

>> Cathy: WHY DID YOU GET RID OF YOUR OWN TATE FAIR POLICE DEPARTMENT?

YOU'VE HAD IT FOR SO LONG.

>> WHAT WE HAVE WILL BE VERY SIMILAR REGARDLESS, USING A LOT OF OUTSIDE AGENCIES, ONLY NOW WE'LL USE RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFFS' DEPARTMENT.

>> Cathy: IS IT CHEAPER TO DO THAT?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

GLAD YOU ASKED.

THE LAST TIME WE HAD A FAIR, 2019, THE FAIR HAD PUBLIC SAFETY EXPENSES OF ABOUT $2.4 MILLION.

THIS YEAR WE BUDGETED 4.3.

YEAH, SO IT'S NOTHING TO DO WITH SAVINGS.

IT'S EVERYTHING TO DO WITH PROVIDING THE BEST PUBLIC SAFETY WE POSSIBLY CAN AND THAT ENCOMPASSES NOT JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT ALSO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE, HOSPITALS, LOT OF DIFFERENT SECURITY.

WE DO HIRE THREE SEPARATE SECURITY COMPANIES IN ADDITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HELP OUT WITH A VARIETY OF THINGS, BUT THE OVERALL PLAN IS VERY COMPLEX.

IT'S VERY DETAILED.

IT'S MULTI-LAYERED AND ENCOMPASSES TECHNOLOGY, PEOPLE, LOTS OF DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS, LOTS OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES, FEDERAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS.

>> Eric: DID THE STATE FAIR TAKE AN ECONOMIC HIT WITH NO EVENT LAST YEAR?

>> WE GOT CLOBBERED.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR GOING FORWARD?

>> 97% OF OUR REVENUE DISAPPEARED LAST YEAR WITH NO FAIR AND NO NON-FAIR EVENTS.

BUT WE MADE IT OUR PRIORITY TO KEEP OUR TEAM INTACT, TO KEEP OUR STAFF TOGETHER, AND THAT WAS HUGE.

NOT KNOWING HOW THINGS WERE GOING TO TURN OUT BUT KNOWING THAT WE NEEDED TO BE READY TO GO WHEN THE TIME CAME ND I NEED TO KEEP REMINDING MYSELF, SIX WEEKS AGO, WE DIDN'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT WHAT THE FAIR COULD LAKOTA LIKE.

>> EIGHT WEEKS AGO, WE DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A FAIR.

BUT WHEN THE TIME CAME, EVERYBODY'S ON BOARD AND READY TO GO AND EVERYTHING'S HAPPENING IN A VERY COMPRESSED THYME FLAME RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DOING IN TWO AND A HALF MONTHS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN 7 OR 8 BUT WE CAN DO IT.

IT'S THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY BACK.

>> Cathy: SO WITH THIS PUBLIC SAFETY LEMENT THAT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, WILL WE SEE METAL DETECTORS AT THE GATES OR NOTHING LIKE THAT?

>> YES, THAT'S PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM.

THERE IS SOME TECHNOLOGY THAT'S OUTSTANDING, THOUGH.

INITIALLY WHEN YOU THINK OF METAL DETECTORS, YOU THINK OF AIRPORT, EVERYBODY EMPTIES THEIR POCKETS, THE EQUIPMENT NOW IS MUCH MORE ADVANCED, MUCH EASIER TO PERATE.

DISNEY PARKS HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR A WHILE.

YOU WALK THROUGH AND IF THERE'S AN ISSUE, THEN YOU'RE INVITED OVER FOR A ALSO EXTRA CHAT BUT THEY WORK GREAT.

ONE OF OUR DEPUTY G.M.s JUST LAST WEEKEND SAW HOW THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WORKS AT A NASCAR RACE SO WE'RE PLUGGED IN READY CLOSELY TO ALL OF THAT.

>> Eric: YOU HAD THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FAIR, YOU HAD BACK TO THE '50s, DID THOSE SERVE AS SHAKEDOWNS AND HOW DID THEY DO?

>> THEY DID -- AND THE MEMORIAL DAY EVENT ARE, ACTUALLY, WE -- AT THE TIME WE SCHEDULED THAT, WE DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A FAIR OR NOT SO WE NEEDED TO DO THAT FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS.

ONE -- ONE WAS TO HELP KEEP THE DOORS OPEN, WE HAD TO BORROW SOME AND THAT'S EXPECTED, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS AND YOU WERE A OUT OF BUSINESS, THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.

BUT ALSO JUST AS IMPORTANT, IT WAS A CHANCE FOR US TO TRY SOME THINGS THAT MIGHT APPLY UNDER DIFFERENT SORTS OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

AGAIN, WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF RESTRICTIONS THERE MAY BE OR NOT, WITH THE FOOD PARADES, EVERYTHING WAS IN YOUR VEHICLES, WITH THE MEMORIAL DAY EVENT, IT WAS PEOPLE WALKING AROUND, BUT LIMITED AND WE LIMITED IT TO A SPECIFIC AREA.

BUT IT WAS SO GRATIFYING, SO COOL TO SEE PEOPLE WALKING IN AND WHEN THEY CAME -- RIGHT WHEN THEY CAME IN, WE USED THE TRANSIT HUB GATE WITH THE STREET CAR ARCH, THE STREET CAR ARCH?

YEA, RIGHT WHEN THEY CAME IN THE GATE, THEY WERE SILENT AND LOOKING AND ECESSITY STARTED SPEAKING AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT UNDER THE ARCH, THEY WERE LAUGHING.

IT WAS 43°, BLOWING DRIZZLE, PEOPLE DIDN'T CARE.

THEY WERE BACK AT THE FAIR, IT WAS WAY OUT OF SEASON BUT SO GOOD TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING AGAIN.

>> Eric: SO GLAD WE'LL ALL BE GETTING TOGETHER.

GOOD LUCK THE REST OF HE SUMMER.

WE'LL LOOK FOR YOU IN AUGUST.

>> WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY AT THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET BACK TOGETHER.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CATHY: A VIEWER NOTE, "ALMANAC" WILL ONCE AGAIN DO A PROGRAM FROM THE STATE FAIR.

AND YOU CAN TAKE IN THE ACTION.

CIRCLE THE DATE, THE SECOND FRIDAY OF THE FAIR, SEPTEMBER 3, MIDDAY AT THE TPT BOOTH.

MORE DETAILS TO COME.

UP NEXT, HOW DRY WILL THIS SUMMER GET?

WE'LL TRY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

WE'LL BE IGHT BACK.

>> ERIC: SOME VIEWERS REMEMBER HOW HOT AND DRY THE SUMMER OF 1988 WAS IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.

SOME FEAR THAT THIS SUMMER WILL BE A REPEAT.

AS OF THIS WEEK, ABOUT 75% OF THE STATE IS EXPERIENCING DROUGHT, WITH A BIG JUMP IN AREAS WHERE THE DROUGHT IS LABELED SEVERE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW DRY THINGS ARE, KENNY BLUMENFELD.

HE'S A SENIOR CLIMATOLOGIST FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

KENNY, WHAT'S CAUSING ALL THIS?

>> OH, WELL, WE'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH RAIN.

I MEAN, THAT'S PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

WE'VE GOT PARTS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE ONLY HAD IT RAIN TWO OR THREE TIMES THIS MONTH AND THIS TIME OF YEAR, NORMALLY, WE WANT TO SEE IT RANG EVERY THREE OR FOUR DAYS AND YOU NEED ABOUT AN INCH OF RAIN PER WEEK JUST TO KIND OF KEEP UP.

A LITTLE MORE IN THE SOUTH, A LITTLE LESS IN THE NORTH BUT THAT'S ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES AND WE'RE WAY, WAY BEHIND AND WE'VE BEEN BEHIND NOW FOR MONTHS.

WE JUST CAN'T REALLY BUY A GOOD RAIN AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: DOESN'T DRY BEGET DRY IN THE SENSE THAT THIS IS KIND OF A CYCLE?

>> YEAH, IT SURE DOES BECAUSE YOU THINK OF ALL THE THINGS THAT NORMALLY HAVE A LOT OF WATER IN THEM, THE SOIL, THE LAKES AND THE RIVERS, VEGETATION, AND WHEN THERE'S JUST LESS WATER IN THOSE THINGS, THEN LESS OF THAT WATER CAN GO BACK INTO THE AIR.

THERE'S LESS WATER IN THE AIR, THEN YOU HAVE LESS FUEL FOR YOUR PASSING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

THOSE THEN PRODUCE LESS PRECIPITATION AND YOU'RE LEFT WITH LESS, YET AGAIN, AND IT DOES CONTINUE.

SO IT IS ONE OF THESE POSITIVE OR SEVERAL-REINFORCING FEED BACKS.

>> Cathy: LET'S OOK AT THE MAP.

WE'VE GOT THIS MAP THAT WE'LL PUT UP HERE ON SCREEN.

THIS IS FROM JUST YESTERDAY, SO, YEAH, DOESN'T LOOK GREAT AT ALL.

LOOKS LIKE FAR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND THEN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, THE DRIEST SPOTS?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S REALLY THE WHOLE STATE IS DRY.

IT'S JUST WHO'S GOTTEN KIND OF LUCKY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND GOTTEN SOME BENEFICIAL PRECIPITATION SO PARTS OF SOUTHEAST AND NEICE MINNESOTA HAVE DONE A LITTLE BETTER BUT THE FAR SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE HAS HAD VERY LITTLE PRECIPITATION.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING SOME KIND OF HARROWING STORIES OUT OF PARTS OF SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, JUST PEOPLE KIND OF LOOKING FOR WATER, AND THEN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA HAS REALLY HAD A MORE PROLONGED DROUGHT WHERE THEY'VE BEEN IN PRECIPITATION DEFICIT GOING BACK NOT JUST TO 2020 BUT EVEN INTO THE LATE 2010s, WHEN THE REST OF US WERE GETTING A LOT OF PRECIPITATION.

SOME OF THOSE AREAS WERE STILL KIND OF RUNNING DRY, SO -- >> Eric: HAVE THE FARMERS DECIDED IT'S NOT GOING TO DO IT THIS YEAR OR COULD SOME TIMELY RAIN STILL SALVAGE THINGS FOR THE HARVEST?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE FARMERS BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE FARMERS ARE STILL GIVING IT A GO.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR SENSE TO -- OF RAIN IN THE FUTURE?

>> OH, WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- THAT'S -- >> Cathy: HE WOULD BE A MILLIONAIRE IN HE COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> THAT IS SOME VALUABLE INFORMATION.

IF WE LOOK AT I WOULD HISTORICALLY, THIS IS A FAIRLY WELL-BEHAVED DROUGHT IN THAT IT'S BEEN RAMPING UP PRETTY SLOWLY AND GRADUALLY, AND WE COULD KIND OF SEE IT BUILDING OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND WE'VE BEEN CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS COMING.

IF IT FOLLOWS KIND OF A NORMAL TIMELINE AND WE WOULD REMAIN DRY THROUGH THE SUMMER.

HOWEVER, HOWEVER, WE'VE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE AND HAD BIG RAINS KIND OF COME AND BAIL US OUT.

THIS IS MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE ARID WEST AS WE DO O THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND IF WE ET A GOOD TURN IN THE WINDS, WE COULD -- WE COULD SWITCH THIS AROUND.

SO FORTUNATELY, I'M NOT A SEASONAL FORECASTER AND I'LL LET THEM TAKE ALL THE BEATINGS FOR THIS.

[Laughter] BUT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SEE ANY IMMEDIATE TURNAROUND, IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

>> Cathy: COMPARE IT TO '88, THOUGH.

DO YOU FEE FINGERPRINTS OF '88 IN THIS?

>> NOT YET, NO.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE BIG ONES AND WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

WE'RE NOT EVEN CLOSE.

'88 WAS ON THE WALL BEFORE SPRING EVEN STARTED AND WE WERE IN PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT ACROSS THE STATE BY MAY.

AND THAT'S WHEN THIS ONE WE KIND OF RAMPED UP IN JUNE ASK WHEN THINGS GOT NASTY HERE.

WE WERE REALLY FAR ALONG BY THIS TIME IN '88.

EVERYONE NEW WE WERE IN DROUGHT AND WE ALSO HAD REALLY SEVERE DROUGHT BEGINNING IN 1987 THAT KIND OF PRIMED IT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE LITTLE AREA RIGHT AROUND THE TWIN CITIES WHERE WE HAD A HUGE JULY RAINFALL, EVERYONE ELSE WAS ALREADY DRY FROM 1987 AND SO ONCE JULY -- JUNE, JULY, 1988 CAME, IT WAS DISASTER BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT.

WE HAD 40 TO 50 DAYS THAT WERE 90 GROWS OR WARMER THAT SUMMER.

>> Cathy: THAT WAS TOUGHER.

>> Eric: I REMEMBER.

>> WE'RE NOT AT THE POINT WHERE WE CAN MAKE THAT COMPARISON.

>> Cathy: WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT, HOW MUCH RAIN DO WE NEED RIGHT NOW, 4 INCHES, FIVE INCHES?

>> WE NEED SEVERAL WEEKS TO SEVERAL MONTHS OF ABOVE NORMAL PRECIPITATION TO KIND OF TURN IT AROUND, SO WE NEE, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN AN INCH A WEEK FOR SEVERAL EEKS.

s ALL RIGHT, KENNY, GOOD STUFF.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THEATER WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE AMONG THE LAST ELEMENTS OF LIFE TO RE-EMERGE AFTER COVID.

ASKING PEOPLE TO SIT SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER IN A CONFINED SPACE, UNABLE TO MOVE FOR A COUPLE HOURS, IS, INEVITABLY, GOING TO BE A TOUGH SELL.

BUT HOPE, AT LEAST AS SUGGESTED BY THE EMAILS I'VE BEEN GETTING IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO, GLIMMERS ON THE HORIZON.

AFTER A SUMMER DOTTED WITH SMALL-CAST OFFERINGS AND OUTDOOR PLAYS, THEATER IS POISED TO MAKE A FULL-BLOWN COMEBACK THIS FALL.

I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE OUR STAGES COMING TO LIFE AGAIN.

BUT I THINK WE ALL MUST BE WILLING TO GIVE EACH OTHER A LITTLE GRACE AS WE HEAD BACK INTO THE GREAT INDOORS.

I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT MASKING AND HAND-SANITIZING, THOUGH I'M SURE THOSE WILL BE ISSUES.

I'M TALKING ABOUT RE-ACQUAINTING OURSELVES WITH THE BASIC CUSTOMS OF THEATER-GOING.

FOR INSTANCE, FELLOW AUDIENCE MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE ALL OF YOU, NOT JUST THE ZOOM-SCREEN BOX VERSION OF YOU.

THIS MEANS, IN A WORD, PANTS.

AND AT LEAST SOME EFFORT AT COLOR COORDINATION.

B.C., BEFORE COVID, I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO GIVE THE STINK-EYE TO CELLPHONE USERS AND LOUD TALKERS IN THE THEATER.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME FOR US TO RELEARN THAT THE ACTORS UP THERE, UNLIKE KATE WINSLET IN "MARE OF EASTTOWN" CAN HEAR YOU.

AND SEE YOU.

SO... AND THAT THING THAT YOU CALL THE "PAUSE" BUTTON?

REMEMBER THAT IN THE THEATER, IT'S CALLED "INTERMISSION."

AND SOMEONE ELSE HOLDS THE REMOTE.

PLAN YOUR BATHROOM BREAKS ACCORDINGLY.

WE ARE ADAPTABLE FOLKS.

HECK, WE PRETTY MUCH LEARNED A WHOLE NEW WAY OF LIVING DURING COVID.

AND SO, THE MUSCLE MEMORY OF THEATER-GOING WILL COME BACK TO US.

JUST HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE.

[PAPER CRACKLING] ♪♪ >> CATHY: 30 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, MINNESOTA SHOOK UP K-12 EDUCATION BY PASSING THE NATION'S FIRST CHARTER SCHOOL LEGISLATION.

NOW, ALL BUT A FEW STATES ALLOW CHARTER SCHOOLS TO OPERATE.

THIS WEEK, LONG-TIME CHARTER SCHOOL CHAMPION JOE NATHAN AND HIS ASSOCIATE AALIYA HODGE WROTE AN OP-ED IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE PAST THREE DECADES.

LET'S CONTINUE THAT CHAIN OF THOUGHT.

JOE NATHAN JOINS US, HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR SCHOOL CHANGE.

HERE TOO IS AALIYA HODGE, SHE'S A SENIOR CONSULTANT FOR THE SAME ORGANIZATION."

WE'RE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE FIGHT ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS AND I REMEMBER THEY WERE CALLED EDUCATIONAL LABS, RIGHT?

AND WHAT WORKED IN THESE SCHOOLS COULD BE USED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, RIGHT?

HAS THAT HAPPENED IN 30 YEARS?

>> THANKS FOR THE QUESTION AND THANKS FOR ASKING US TO COME.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN CHARTERED CHARTER SCHOOLS.

CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC.

I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, OUR KIDS GO TO DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OUR GRANDKIDS GO TO DISTRICT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOLT BEEN DISTRICT SCHOOL TEACHERS SO AALIYAH AND I WERE EXCELLENT EDUCATORS, WE'RE -- BUT HERE IS AN EXAMPLE.

SOME PEOPLE IN ROCHESTER WANTED TO HAVE A PARTICULAR KIND OF SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT SAID, NO, WE DON'T WANT TO DO, THAT THERE'S LOTS OF RESEARCH BEHIND IT.

THE PARENTS SAID WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A CHARTER AND THE SCHOOL BOARD SAID, NO, WE THINK WE'LL WORK WITH YOU, THAT WAS A GOOD THING.

SO NOW THERE'S THIS KIND OF SCHOOL IN ROCHESTER, A NEW OPTION FOR FAMILIES THERE.

SO PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THAT SOME DISTRICTS HAVE PICKED UP ON IDEAS.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE HERE IN St. PAUL, SOME PARENTS SAID FOR YEARS THEY WANTED TO HAVE A MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL.

DISTRICT SAID NO, SO OME PARENTS CREATED A MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL HERE IN St. PAUL IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE DISTRICT FINALLY SAID, OH, WE THINK WE'LL DO THAT, TOO.

SO THERE HAS BEEN SOME POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM DISTRICTS.

SO THERE HAS BEEN SOME OF THE KIND OF THING WE HOPED WOULD HAPPEN.

>> Eric: HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS MADE HARDER TO INTEGRATE THE SCHOOLS?

>> WHEN YOU SAY INTEGRATED, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE -- >> Eric: FOR THE SOMALI KIDS OR THE BLACK KIDS OR... >> YEAH, SO, DEFINITELY, THERE ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH CULTURAL FOCUSES OR LANGUAGE FOCUSES AND THAT DEFINITELY RESONATES WITH SOME FAMILIES.

BUT LIKE JOE SAID, CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE -- THEY SPAN THE GAMUT OF WHAT THEY OFFER, AND, YOU KNOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF CHOICES FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES.

>> Eric: WHERE DOES THIS FIT IN KIND OF THE CHOICE MENU THAT WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA?

>> OH, YEAH, SO -- GREAT QUESTION.

SO IT'S NOT JUST CHARTER SCHOOLS, THOSE AREN'T THE ONLY CHOICE OPTION, WE HAVE OPEN ENROLLMENT, PESO, THAT'S A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THE TENTH AND 11th GRADE STUDENTS TO TAKE COLLEGE COURSES SO IT'S MAKING EDUCATION WORK FOR OUR FAMILIES AND OTHER STUDENTS, MAKING IT SERVE THEIR NEEDS BASED ON WHAT THEY INDIVIDUALLY WANT.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD, JOE.

>> YOU SPENT SOME TIME TODAY TALKING ABOUT THE TRIAL.

I DID WANT TO POINT OUT THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS OFTEN BEEN IGNORED WHICH WAS IN OUR COLUMN WAS THAT Mrs. FRAZIER, WHO ACTUALLY TOOK THE MOVIES THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN LITERALLY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, IS A STUDENT AT A CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND NOT JUST ANY CHARTER PUBLIC SCHOOL BUT A SCHOOL THAT EXPLICITLY SAYS IT WANTS TO PROMOTE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVITIES.

NOW, THAT'S DEFINED BROADLY BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT CHARTERING HAS GIVEN TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT'S GIVEN SOME WONDERFUL OPTIONS AND IT'S GIVEN SOME IDEAS THAT HAVEN'T WORKED OUT WELL AND IT'S ALSO ENCOURAGED SOME DISTRICTS TO CREATE NEW OPTIONS, AND, BY THE WAY, HE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FEDERATION, TWO OF THEM, HAVE GOTTEN INTO CREATING -- HELPING TEACHERS CREATE NEW KIND OF CHARTERED PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THESE ARE DISTRICT UNION PRESIDENTS WHO HAVE SAID, WE REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF EMPOWERING TEACHERS, SO PART OF THE CHARTER IDEA IS LET'S EMPOWER TEACHERS TO CREATE THE KINDS OF SCHOOLS EITHER WITHIN A DISTRICT OR AS A CHARTER, THAT THEY THINK MAKE SENSE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SHOW WHEN IT COMES TO CHARTER SCHOOLS CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

>> I THINK IT REALLY SPANS THE GAMUT.

A LOT -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, LIKE A BELL CURVE.

THERE ARE SOME CHARTER SCHOOLS KILLING IT AND THERE ARE SOME THAT DEFINITELY NEED INTERVENTION FROM HEIR AUTHORIZER, BUT THE VAST MA ORARE STILL IN THAT MIDDLE PART OF THE BELL CURVE.

THERE IS DATA THAT SHOWS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL WITH OUR STUDENTS OF OLOR, THOUGH, O HONESTLY, IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE OUR TRADITIONAL DISTRICTS, TOO.

SO I WISH I HAD A SILVER BULLET OR I COULD TELL YOU THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION, I MEAN, THEY'RE DO THE A LOT OF AMAZING THINGS, BUT I THINK THE CONVERSATION IS A BOTH-AND, NOT EITHER-OR.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE DEBATE ON MORATORIUM ON CREATING CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> SURE.

WELL, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONDING TO THE CHARTER CHALLENGE AS THEY RESPONDED TO THE PSEO CHALLENGE, BY TRYING TO SHUT IT DOWN.

WE'VE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT HOW SOME PEOPLE AREN'T EVEN GIVING SKIDS WHAT THE STATE LAW REQUIRES IN TERMS OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE PSEO LAW, ND WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

THERE ARE OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHO HAVE RESPONDED OH PSEO BY CREATING NEW OPTIONS WITHIN THE DISTRICT AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF DISTRICTS AND CHARTERS.

SOME CHARTERS, SOME CHARTERS ARE BEING ATTACKED AND SOME DISTRICT PEOPLE ARE SAYING, LET'S STOP CREATING THESE NEW OPTIONS, BUT HERE IN MINNESOTA, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN WONDERFUL IS THAT ON BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC SIDE, AS NATIONALLY, WITH BOTH PRESIDENTS FROM THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PARTY, INCLUDING BY THE WAY, OST RECENTLY PRESIDENT BIDEN, LET'S ALLOCATE $400 MILLION TO HELP PEOPLE START CHARTER SCHOOLS, EVERY SINGLE PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT SINCE BILL CLINTON HAS SAID LET'S GIVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND, MANY OF US HAVE SAID, LET'S DO THE SAME THING FOR DISTRICT TEACHERS, LET'S GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE NEW OPENINGS AND THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, EMPOWERMENT OF EDUCATORS, EMPOWERMENT OF THE FAMILIES, EMPOWERMENT OF THE STUDENTS, NOT EITHER-OR, BOTH-AND.

>> Cathy: HOW DOES THIS WORK IN GREATER MINNESOTA IN THAT WE HAVE SOME DISTRICTS THAT ARE STRUGGLING WITH LOW ENROLLMENT AND THAT KIND OF THING.

ARE CHARTER SCHOOLS A HELP OR HINDRANCE TO GREATER MINNESOTA?

>> I THINK THEY'RE ALWAYS A HELP.

I THINK ALWAYS PROVIDING STUDENTS AS MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, EVERY CHILD IS A DIFFERENT LEARNER.

THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO THRIVE AND PROJECT-BASED SETTING, THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO THRIVE IN A MONTESSORI SETTING.

SO, HONESTLY, EITHER SUPER HELPFUL BECAUSE THERE AREN'T A TON OF OPTIONS SOMETIMES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE AND TO HAVE A SPECIFIC SCHOOL THAT WOULD MEET THOSE NEEDS OF THOSE STUDENTS, THAT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING POSITIVE.

I THINK SOMETHING THAT WE ALSO DON'T REALLY TALK ABOUT IS THAT IT'S ABOUT SPLIT BETWEEN CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT RESIDE IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA AND THEN CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT RESIDE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

>> QUICK THING ON THAT -- >> Cathy: ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

>> IN [INDISCERNIBLE] WHICH IS OUTSIDE FARIBAULT, THE DISTRICT SAID, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP THAT SCHOOL OPEN BUT THE PARENTS IN THAT SMALL TOWN, SAID WE WOULD KEEP IT OPEN AS A CHARTER.

AND FARIBAULT TO ITS CREDIT SAID FINE, THAT WILL BE A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN THIS LITTLE TOWN.

IN Le SUEUR, THERE IS AN INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN SCHOOL CREATED BY A GROUP OF TEACHERS AND THE TEACHERS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THINK ABOUT THAT, THE TEACHERS ARE LITERALLY BUILDING ON THE FARMERS' CO-OP IDEA AND THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: GOOD DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CATHY: LAWMAKERS WILL BE WORKING THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND TO TRY TO AVOID A STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

THE DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT NEXT WEDNESDAY.

MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS HOW THE PACE PICKED UP THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: A WEEK AWAY FROM WHEN A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN COULD BEGIN, THE HEAD OF STATE GOVERNMENT SEES PROGRESS T THE STATE CAPITOL TOWARDS PASSING A BUDGET IN TIME.

>> GENERALLY, GOOD NEWS, LOTS OF PIECES OF GOVERNMENT BEING FUNDED, BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> Mary: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FOR COMPLETION OF THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT?

>> WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON ALL BILLS EXCEPT PUBLIC SAFETY AT THIS POINT.

WE ARE PROCESSING EACH OF THE BUDGET BILLS EVERY DAY AND TAKING AMENDMENTS AND MOVING THEM BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, SO WE ARE ON TRACK TO FINISH IN A LONG GRINDING BUT ORDERLY MANNER, I THINK, BEFORE JULY 1 AND GET A BUDGET READY FOR MINNESOTA THAT WILL DO A LOT OF VERY GOOD THINGS.

>> WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS AND THAT CERTAINLY FEELS GOOD.

PASSING SOME BILLS AND GETTING THE DEBATES DONE AND HOPEFULLY BEING ABLE TO GET THIS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE THINGS THAT PEOPLE CAN POINT TO AND SAY I REALLY LIKE THAT AND THEN BOTH SIDES ARE GOING TO POINT TO SOME THINGS AND SAY WHY DIDN'T YOU GET THAT AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT.

IT'S -- WE'RE THE ONLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND FOR EITHER SIDE TO ASSUME THEY'RE GOING TO GET EVERYTHING IS JUST NOT REALITY.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THAT FACING UP AGAINST THE SHUTDOWN THAT REALLY AFFECTS ALMOST ALL OF MINNESOTA NOW AND IT'S JUST EVENTUALLY HAVE TO GIVE UP ON THINGS THAT EITHER SIDE CARES ABOUT.

>> Mary: AS ACTION PICKED UP ALL WEEK LONG AT THE CAPITOL, OPTIMISM GREW OVER COMPLETION OF THE BUDGETS.

>> WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL.

>> THE TRANSPORTATION BILL INCLUDES NO TAX INCREASES, AND NOTHING TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ON TRANSIT.

>> THIS IS A BILL THAT WAS A HARD, LONG, DIFFICULT SLOG IN ORDER TO GET IT TO THE FINISH LINE.

AND IT INVOLVED A LOT OF COMPROMISE.

>> WE MET IN THE MIDDLE AND I THINK HAVE A PRODUCT THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF, THAT WE CAN ALL SUPPORT ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

>> Mary: THE EDUCATION BILL INCREASES TEACHERS OF COLOR AND MORE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING THAT SHOULD STAVE OFF LAYOFFS.

>> WE STILL HAVE THE LARGEST INCREASE IN K-12 SPENDING FOR THE PROPOSAL, THE FORMULA, FOR 15 YEARS.

>> I DO THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE TALKING -- TAKING CREDIT FOR THE AMOUNT F FUNDING ON THE BASE FORMULA WHEN THEIR ORIGINAL PLAN WAS NONE.

BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR A MEANINGFUL INCREASE TO THE FORMULA.

>> INCLUDED LONG SET OF NEGOTIATIONS SINCE WE'RE WELL INTO EXTRA INNINGS AT THIS POINT.

>> Mary: PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN THE HARDEST BUDGET BILL TO SETTLE WITH POLICY PROVISIONS DEALING WITH THE RISE IN CRIME AND POLICE REFORM FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> IT'S JUST BEEN TOUGH, THERE'S NO REASON OTHER THAN THERE'S SO MANY THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON, BOTH SIDES, THAT JUST TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME SO IT'S NOT A NEGATIVE, I'M SAYING, BUT WE'RE SIMPLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT OFFER, BUT WE'VE NARROWED DOWN TO A PLACE WHERE I KNOW THAT WE WILL GET DONE RELATIVELY QUICK.

>> Mary: PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE BUDGET THE ENTIRE SESSION AND CONTINUES TO BE IN SPECIAL SESSION.

WHAT ARE THE HANGANCE AND WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET THROUGH, ULTIMATELY?

>> FUNDAMENTALLY, THIS IS JUST A QUESTION OF HOW TO DISMANTLE SOME OF THE SYSTEMS THAT PROTECT BAD POLICE BEHAVIOR.

THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR THE D.F.L.

TO CHANGE.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICANS HAVE CERTAINLY RAISED THE RISE IN CRIME AND THE CONCERN ESPECIALLY IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IS THAT COMPLICATING THINGS?

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE DEMONIZED MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THEY ARE TRYING TO CREATE FEAR IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY A PARTISAN AGENDA, NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO HELP US SOLVE PROBLEMS.

>> HOW DO WE KEEP OUR CITIES SAFE, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN A COMMUNITY FEELS SAFE AND THAT THEY CAN BELIEVE WHEN THEY CALL THE POLICE, THE POLICE ARE GOING TO COME, RESPONDS, BE THERE ON TIME AND ALSO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NOT DISCREPANCIES IN HOW THAT HAPPENS.

>> Mary: WHAT DAY DOES THIS ALL WRAP?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT JUNE 30th IS A GOOD DAY TO PLAN TO WATCH EGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS IF THAT'S THE KINDS OF THING YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.

>> ERIC: THE STATE CAPITOL HAS OPENED ITS DOORS AND POLITICAL REPORTERS HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO GET BACK INTO THE PRE-PANDEMIC SWING OF THINGS, SUCH AS SESSION-ENDING NEGOTIATONS TAKING PLACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

DAVE ORRICK COVERS THE CAPITOL FOR THE "PIONEER PRESS."

RICARDO LOPEZ WRITES FOR THE ONLINE PUBLICATION "THE REFORMER."

DAVE, A LITTLE NEW WRINKLE TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR PROCLAIMED THAT HE WANTS TO END HIS EMERGENCY POWERS ON AUGUST 1 BUT THEN THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER, PAUL GAZELKA, CAME OUT AND SAID, THAT'S NOT YOUR CALL, THAT'S A LEGISLATIVE PREROGATIVE AND WE THINK IT SHOULD BE JULY 1.

>> CORRECT.

>> Eric: IS THIS THE BLOW-UP BEFORE THE FINAL DEAL OR SOMETHING IN JEOPARDY HERE?

>> SOMETHING ATTEMPTING TO BLOW UP.

IT'S DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, EVERYTHING IS LEVERAGED, EVERYTHING IS NEGOTIATION, WHAT BETTER TO HAVE ONE OF THE MORE CONTENTIOUS, SYMBOLIC ISSUES, THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND WALZ' EMERGENCY POWERS TO BE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT AS WE GO DOWN TO THE WIRE.

>> Eric: SERIOUS R JUST ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD?

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN HITTING ON GOVERNOR TIM WALZ FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS NOW.

IF YOU RECALL WHEN WE WERE BEGINNING THE SPECIAL SESSION, THERE WAS A PROTEST OUTSIDE OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE BUILDING AIMED AT SENATOR GAZELKA, YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY CONSERVATIVE GROUP THAT IS -- HAS BEEN CRITICIZING REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE FOR NOT DOING MORE TO STAND THEIR GROUND AND TO, YOU KNOW, EVEN SHUT DOWN BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS OVER THIS ISSUE.

>> Cathy: SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S OUT THERE THAT WAS LEFT TO WORK ON.

THE -- AS MARY MENTIONED, THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL IS EVIDENTLY JUST INCHES AWAY?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I THINK IT'S A BIT AT A STALEMATE AT THIS POINT.

WE -- THIS DEBATE HAS BEEN GOING ON ALL SESSION LONG, I THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE WIRE HERE.

AS I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE , SATURDAY SEEMS TO BE THE DAY THAT THEY HAVE UNTIL GETTING THIS BILL TO THE REVISOR'S, SO E TIME LEFT AT THIS POINT BUT REPUBLICANS ARE OT WANTING TO DO SO MANY EXTENSIVE REFORMS AS DEMOCRATS HAVE SOUGHT.

THEY'RE SORT OF LOOKING AT LITTLE THINGS, SORT OF LOW-HANGING FRUIT, THINGS LIKE BODY CAMS FOR CONSERVATION OFFICERS, THINGS LIKE POLICIES FOR INFORM ANGST AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE THINGS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE WANTED.

>> Eric: WELL, WILL THE POCI CAUCUS AND THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE IN GENERAL, WILL THEY JUST TAKE WHAT THEY CAN GET, DECLARE VICTORY AND GO HOME OR WILL THEY PLANT A FLAG AND -- >> WE DON'T KNOW.

IS THE SIMPLEST ANSWER.

I'M NOT SURE IF THEY KNOW BUT THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING SINCE DAY ONE OF THIS FOR EVERY INCH AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PUSHING BACK FOR EVERY INCH THAT THEY CAN GET.

AND AT SOME POINT, THE CLOCK IS GOING TO RUN OUT AND I THINK IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS CLOCK RUNNING OUT, WE'D BE RUNNING THIS SAME ARGUMENT UP UNTIL WHATEVER THE CLOCK WAS GOING TO RUN OUT.

YOU JUST SIMPLY HAVE TWO GROUPS THAT FEEL VERY STRONGLY, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM BETWEEN THEM AND SO AT SOME POINT, THEY'VE JUST GOT TO CUT BAIT OR WE RISK A SHUTDOWN.

>> Eric: NOW, BUT -- ON THE QUESTION OF THE SHUTDOWN, AS THESE OTHER BUDGET BILLS GET TO THE GOVERNOR, MONEY WILL FLOW TO THOSE PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS AFTER JULY 1ST.

>> UH-HUH.

>> >> Eric: SO, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A SUPREME COURT RULING THAT SAYS IT'S GOING TO LOT OF MONEY FLOWING INTO THE- PIPELINE,.

>> ' THEY?

>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PART OF A PARTIAL STATE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AND THAT SUPREME COURT DECISION SORT OF COLLAR FIGHT THE QUESTIONS BUT WHETHER WE'LL SEE, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE DNR, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SHUT DOWN, YOU KNOW, AFFECTING STATE PARK RESERVATIONS, I THINK THOSE ARE MORE UNLIKELY BUT THE PASSED -- THE BILL'S FOR EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MOVING FORWARDS THOSE TWO COMPRISE THE TWO BIGGEST COP POINTS OF THE STATE BUDGET, IF THOSE GET PASSED YOU'LL SEE A LOT SMALLER EFFECT TO A STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

>> RIGHT, STATE PARK RESERVATION HOLDERS REST EASY, TODAY THE HOUSE PASSED THE ENVIRONMENTAL BILL.

THAT SHOULD BE ALL SET.

THEY PROBABLY NEED TO GET INTEND INTO LAW BUT I ASKED GOVERNOR WALZ THE OTHER DAY ALL THE A PRESS CONFERENCE, I PUSHED HIM ON -- HE SAID, YOU KNOW, YES, THE SUPREME COURT RULING SAYS THAT WE COULD HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, OPEN THE DOORS TO THE PRISONS AND LET THE PRISONERS OUT AND HE SAID BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT THE LAW WOULD SAY.

I SAID, SO YOU'RE BASICALLY SAYING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO FUND THESE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS EVEN IF IT'S IE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY AND HE SAID, BASICALLY, YES.

>> Eric: OH.

>> SO I DON'T THINK PEOPLE NEED TO FREAK OUT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO, STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

REMEMBER, THERE IS CASH IN ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS' ACCOUNTS TO KEEP THINGS GOING, TOO.

>> Cathy: SO LET ME ASK YOU GUYS ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT EVER OCCURRED ALL BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE TRIO OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE TWO MAIN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

HOW IS THAT WORKING?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S -- THEY PROVIDE THE UPDATES AS THEY CAN DAILY BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE NITTY-GRITTY OBVIOUSLY IS KEPT BETWEEN THEM AND -- BUT, YOU KNOW, MY SENSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS THAT THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY MAJOR BLOW-UPS.

THEY'VE LARGELY LET THE NEGOTIATIONS PLAY OUT AT THE COMMITTEE CHAIR LEVEL, IF THEY GET SORT OF HUNG UP ON THINGS AND IT SORT OF GETS KICKED UP.

SO I THINK FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW, IT'S WORKING PRETTY WELL FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF TRANSPARENCY, NOT SO GREAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO EE THE LEGISLATURE SUDDENLY MAKE ITSELF MORE TRANSPARENT SIMPLY BECAUSE US REPORTERS ARE DEMANDING IT.

>> RIGHT, THAT'S IMPORTANT WHAT RICARDO SAID, UNLIKE LAST TIME, THEY REALLY ARE TRYING TO AVOID ACTING AS THE TRIUMVIRATE, TRIBUNAL, THEY'RE KICKING THINGS BACK TO THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND SAYING YOU GUYS FIGURE THEM OUT.

WHEN THINGS GET BAD, THEY ARE DEALING WITH THEM, MELISSA, PAUL GAZELKA, TIM WALZ, BUILD I THINK THEY FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A LEVEL OF TRUST WITH EACH OTHER THAT THEY -- IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT WITHOUT A MAJOR BAD BLOW-UP, LIKE WE HAVE SEEN WITH SOME GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN YEARS PAST.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT DO YOU MAKE THEN OF MINORITY LEADER DAUDT WITH THE FILL BUSTERS IN THE OUSE?

OBVIOUSLY THE MINORITY FEELS THEY'RE BEING LEFT OUT OF THE PARTY.

>> AND THEIR.

>> Cathy: DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE PRESSURE OF TIME.

THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE IS TO REALLY SLOW THINGS DOWN.

WHETHER IT WILL ACTUALLY HURT THEM POLITICALLY WITH THE PUBLIC REMAINS UNCLEAR.

IT HAS TESTED THEIR RELATIONSHIPS, I MEAN, IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAUL GAZELKA AND KURT DAUDT IS NOT EXACTLY KUMBAYA AT THE MOMENT.

>> I WAS GOING TO CONTRAST THAT, AS WELL.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT PAST PRINCIPALS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THIS PLACE BEFORE BUT OBV OBVIOUSLY SENATOR GAZELKA, SPEAKER HORTMAN AND GOVERNOR WALZ, THEY'VE SORT OF FAMILIAR DYNAMIC AND THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF RESPECT BETWEEN THE THREE OF THEM.

IF THERE WASN'T, YOU WOULD SEE MORE BOMBAST PARTICULAR PRESS CONFERENCES WHERE THEY'RE SORT OF HITTING EACH OTHER BUT WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING THIS PLAY OUT IN THE HOUSE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE BUT EVEN IN THE SENATE, THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT DOING WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING.

THIS COMES DOWN TO THE PERSONALITIES WHO ARE INVOLVED.

>> Eric: THERE IS SO MUCH MONEY SLOSHING AROUND AND I'M THINKING A JOB I WOULDN'T WANT WOULD BE TO BE ON THIS BOARD THAT'S GOING TO DECIDE WHO GETS THE HERO GRANTS FOR ESSENTIAL WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND ISN'T EVERYBODY GOING TO HAVE THEIR-JUSTIFIABLY HAVE THEIR HAND OUT?

>> YEAH, THERE IS MORE MONEY AND WORKERS THAN THERE IS MONEY TO GO AROUND WHO CAN CALL THEMSELVES ESSENTIAL WORKSER.

WE PEPPERED MELISSA HORT TAN HORTMAN WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO SHOULD GET IT AND SHE SAID OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES IN THE PANDEMIC AND ON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, SO THERE IS A CAVEAT, SHOULD GET IT BUT BEYOND THAT, I WON'T PICK ANY WINNERS AROUND LOSERS ON THIS ONE.

THE PANEL, THIS IDEA THAT THERE WOULD BE SEVEN OF NINE PEOPLE ON A PANEL WOULD HAVE TO AGREE, STAR TREK FANS CAN DO THEIR SEVEN OF INE MEMES, AND IT WILL BE MESSY.

>> IT'S SOMETHING LIKE $250 MILLION SO IF 250,000 WORKERS APPROVED ARE, THAT'S ROUGHLY $1,000 EACH SO THAT'S -- THAT'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF -- A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT WILL IT BE LIFE-CHANGING?

PROBABLY NOT.

>> Eric: WILL A BONDING BILL UNDER THE STEERAGE OF SENATOR BAKK COME OUT OF THE SENATE OR -- I GUESS IT WILL START IN THE HOUSE, OF COURSE.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT, SO THE HOUSE IS THE REAL QUESTION.

IF SENATOR BAKK HAS HIS WAY AND HE'S WALKING AROUND WITH A BIT OF SWAGGER AT THE CAPITOL LIKE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW BUT SENATOR BAKK HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPTIMISTIC WITH A BONDING BILL.

THEY WILL THEY WOULD REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, THIS IS THE THING WHERE KURT DAUDT'S CAUCUS HAS ABSOLUTE LEVERAGE AND IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I DON'T KNOW IF -- >> HEY'VE ALREADY STARTED TAKING STEPS ASSUMING THERE WOULD BE NO BONDING BILL.

THEY TOOK OUT A COUPLE OF PROJECT FROM THE BONDING BILL AND PUT THEM IN THE TAX BILL.

THE MONEY FOR THE -- WHAT IS IT, THE OSB PLANT IN COHASSET?

>> YEAH, COHASSET.

>> EXCUSE ME.

>> Cathy: AND THE RONDO LAND BRIDGE.

>> SO THOSE PROJECTS GOT MOVED OUT OF THE BONDING BILL BECAUSE NOW THEY'RE THINKING THERE MIGHT NOT BE A BONDING BILL BUT WE NEED THESE PROJECTS SO LET'S PARK THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> Eric: SOMETIMES A PROJECT INSERTED INTO ONE PERSON'S DISTRICT CAN SHAKE IT A LITTLE.

>> THAT WAS THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM BUT YOU HAVE A VERY FOR INSTANCE PRINCIPLED REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THAT FOR THINGS THEY'RE NOT GETTING IN THE OTHER MAJOR BILLS, AND SO THE QUESTION IS, WILL -- WILL THEY WANT ENOUGH TO BRING HOME SOME BACON FOR THEIR DISTRICT AT THE EXPENSE OF SOME ISSUES THAT ARE IDEAS LOGICALLY VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM.

>> Eric: WEDNESDAY, MID NIGHT WOULD BE THE DEADLINE FOR SURE.

>> THAT WOULD BE THE DEADLINE, YES.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, MEN.

LEARNED A LOT.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S INDEX FILE TIME.

LET'S JUMP INTO THE HISTORY QUESTION WE ASKED YOU LAST WEEK.

WE VENTURED BACK TO THE YEAR 1965 AND THE OLD GUTHRIE THEATER NEAR PARADE STADIUM.

THE GUTHRIE WAS PUTTING ON A PRODUCTION OF "THE CHERRY ORCHARD" BY ANTON CHEKHOV.

A FAMED GROUP ATTENDED A PERFORMANCE IN LATE JULY OF THAT YEAR, OBLIGING AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS AT INTERMISSION.

ONE OF THE GROUP WAS ASKED ABOUT THE PLAY AND SAID "I THOUGHT IT WAS QUITE WELL DONE, BUT I DIDN'T CARE TOO MUCH FOR THE PLAY ITSELF."

WE WANT YOU TO NAME THESE NOTED GUTHRIE PATRONS.

WHAT FAMED VISITORS TOOK IN THE GUTHRIE'S PERFORMANCE OF "THE CHERRY ORCHARD" IN JULY 1965?

WHAT GROUPS WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

LET'S START THE STRING OF WRONG ANSWERS WITH TWO JEFFS.

>> Cathy: THAT IS NOT A BAD GUESS, KEN.

IT'S WRONG.

YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE WILL GET ONE MORE CHANCE.

THAT'S BECAUSE NO ONE CALLED IN WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS ONE MORE TIME.

THE GUTHRIE THEATER IN JULY 1965 WAS HOST TO A GROUP OF MINNESOTANS.

HERE'S AN ADDITIONAL HINT, THE GROUP WAS INDEED A SPORTS TEAM.

THE TEAM OBLIGED PATRONS AT INTERMISSION WITH AUTOGRAPHS.

THAT'S ALL WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU.

THINK OF TEAMS, THINK OF THE GUTHRIE, AND THINK OF HOW WE LIKE TO GIVE MISLEADING HINTS.

WHAT FAMED VISITORS TOOK IN THE GUTHRIE'S PERFORMANCE OF "THE CHERRY ORCHARD" IN 1965?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM NEAR FOOTBALL LAKE, HOCKEY LAKE, GOLF LAKE OR TENNIS LAKE.

ALL REAL BODIES OF WATER IN MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430.

IF YOU WANT TO WATCH THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND WHO WOULDN'T?

YOU ARE IN LUCK.

ALL THE STATIONS OF THE MINNESOTA PBS NETWORK CARRY LIVE LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE STATION NEAR YOU.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THIS WEEK IN 2008 THE GROUP BOILED IN LEAD PERFORMED IN OUR STUDIO, SINGING ABOUT FLYING CARP OF ALL THINGS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪ SILVER CARP, COMING UP RIVER, I BELIEVE THEY STARTED IN ARKANSAS ♪ ♪ ILVER CARP, BELOW THE RADAR, SILVER CARP BOVE THE LAW ♪♪ TURNS * SURGEONS WORRIED, BUFFALO RUNNING, SEEKING ASYLUM AT THE DNR ♪♪ THE LITTLE ONES LEAP, CLOTH WITH HEAVEN, THE BIG ONES DOWN IN THE WEEDS IN HELL, KING CAR FLIES ON GOD'S OWN SANDBAR, PICKING OFF PERCH LIKE WILLIAM TELL?

♪ OH, THE CARP ARE COMING ♪♪ ♪ OH, THE CARP ARE COMING ♪♪ ♪ OH, THE CAMP ARE HERE ♪♪ ♪ NEW THE ZEBRA MUST SELL, HE'S A SHY LITTLE DEFINITELY ♪ BUT THE SILVER CARP GOING TO FIRE UP YOUR EVINRUDE ♪♪ FISHERMAN BOB, TRIED TO CATCH 'EM] Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting/Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: INVESTING $25 MILLION TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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

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