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

>> Mary: WOMEN ARE LOAFING THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT AND CHAT WITH EDUCATION CHAIRS ABOUT A STRIKE AND SOLUTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM.

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

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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

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

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

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

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

>> MARY: WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS WILL JOIN ME LIVE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW REDISTRICTING AND RETIREMENTS ARE IMPACTING GENDER BALANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER LOOKS BACK AT A LIFE OF TEACHING AND MILITARY SERVICE THAT LED HIM TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

BUT FIRST, INCLUSION AND EQUITY CONCERNS, PARENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDING TOP THE LIST OF EDUCATION ISSUES AT THE CAPITOL THIS SESSION AS ONE OF THE STATE'S LARGEST DISTRICTS DEALS WITH LABOR ISSUES.

>> WHO ARE?

>> MSP.

>> WHO ARE WE?

>> MFT.

>> AS MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS HEADED ON STRIKE, EDUCATION ISSUES ARE FRONT AND CENTER AT THE APITOL, ESPECIALLY WITH A RECORD $9 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A BUDGET CRISIS IN MINNEAPOLIS, WE HAVE A VALUES AND PRIORITIES CRISIS.

IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Mary: ISSUES OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION CONTINUE TO ATTRACT ATTENTION.

SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF RACISM AT SCHOOLS AND IN SPORTS BROUGHT THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

>> A MINNESOTA SCHOOL CANCELED ALL GAMES AGAINST A COMPETITOR AFTER WHAT IT CALLS A RACIST EXPERIENCE AT A HOCKEY GAME.

>> THESE EVENT CLEARLY INDICATE THAT THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE EVENT BE SAFE, WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE.

EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE A PLACE IN UR SCHOOL AND IN OUR ACTIVITIES.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT HOPE DOESN'T SOLVE DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE ON THE BOARD.

IT'S NOT AI SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.

I ACTUALLY DON'T THINK EXPANDING THE BOARDS IS A SOLUTION.

I THINK THAT THESE ENTITIES SHOULD JUST BE ELECTING AND APPOINTING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> REGARDING THE RACISM, WHEN IT COMES TO THE YOUNGER PROGRAM, I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE THAT'S WHERE IT STARTED WITH US SO I KNOW THAT YOU'RE ENGAGING IKE THE HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS BUT A LOT OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL COACHES OVERSEE THE YOUTH PROGRAMS AND THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THIS STARTS.

>> THESE THINGS CAUSE TRAUMA.

I AM TRAUMATIZED.

THE CHILDREN WHO WERE INSULTED IN THE SPORTS ARENA ARE TRAUMATIZED, AND THESE TRAUMATIZED, THEY LAST A REALLY LONG TIME.

THEY DON'T JUST GO AWAY JUST BECAUSE YOU EVEN GO TO THERAPY, THEY DON'T GO AWAY.

>> Mary: THE SENATE HAS FOCUSED ON A PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS, SUPPORTED BY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

>> THE REASON WE'RE HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE WE ALL LOVE KIDS AND WE KNOW CHILDREN DESERVE THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE AND A PARENT IS THE CHILD'S FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT TEACHER AND ADVOCATE.

>> REQUIRE SCHOOLS PUT A SYLLABUS FOR EACH CLASS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY TO PARENTS AND THE PUBLIC.

>> WE HAVE TO START WITH THE FACT THAT ARENTS KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR KIDS, INCLUDING THEIR EDUCATION.

THEREFORE, WE WANT THE PARENTS TO BE ENGAGED.

>> CHILDREN ARE NOT A CREATION OF THE STATE.

THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE SCHOOLS.

THEY DO NOT BELONG TO THE STATE AND TO THE EPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THEY BELONG TO THE PARENTS.

AND THEREIN LIES THE ABSOLUTE AFFIRMATIVE RIGHT OF PARENTS TO HAVE A POSITIVE ROLE IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

♪♪ >> MARY: HERE WITH MORE ON EDUCATION PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATURE, SENATOR ROGER CHAMBERLAIN, REPUBLICAN CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

AND DFL REPRESENTATIVE JIM DAVNIE, WHO HEADS UP THE HOUSE EDUCATION FINANCE COMMITTEE.

>> WELL, LET'S START WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM MINNEAPOLIS BECAUSE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS CAME TO THE CAPITOL TODAY AND RALLIED AND TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THERE IS A BUDGET SURPLUS AND THEY WANT MORE MONEY.

IS THERE A CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE SO, BECAUSE WHEN I LISTEN TO THE TEACHERS AND I LISTEN TO THE DISTRICT, THEY'RE BOTH SAYING IN THEIR OWN WAYS, THE TEACHERS ARE SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE ESOURCES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE KIDS WHO ARE COMING INTO THE CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.

AND THE DISTRICT IS SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MEET THE KIDS WHO ARE COMING INTO YOUR CLASSROOMS EVERY DAY.

AND-THAT'S ON US.

>> Mary: IS THAT THE STATE'S JOB?

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT.

THE GAP IN MINNESOTA, STATEWIDE, BETWEEN WHAT IT COSTS FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO NEED THOSE SUPPORTS AND WHAT WE GIVE THEM TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, $700 MILLION GAP STATEWIDE.

THAT'S ON US.

THAT'S NOT ON THE SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: SAME QUESTION.

IS THIS THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO JUMP IN AND HELP FUND MINNEAPOLIS?

THE STATE DID IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION MANY YEARS AGO PASS THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE THAT MOVED FUNDING AS A STATE RESPONSIBILITY BUT IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, IS IT STILL?

>> OF COURSE THE STATE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY AND WE'VE BEEN DOING IT.

LAST YEAR, WE PASSED ONE OF THE LARGEST FORMULA INCREASES IN 5 YEARS.

TOTAL SPENDING WENT UP OVER 6%.

AND, YES, AS MUCH AS PEOPLE WANT TO SAY THAT IT HASN'T KEPT -- FUNDING HASN'T KEPT UP WITH INFLATION, IT HAS.

THE DATA FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT -- THE DEPARTMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHOWS IT.

WE WANT STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS BUT THEY DO THE A LOT OF MONEY LAST YEAR, $3 BILLION CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON TOP OF WHAT THEY GAVE THEM AND MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL WERE OUT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS.

WE NEED -- >> Mary: SO SOUNDS LIKE NO MORE MONEY, YOU DON'T WANT MORE MONEY GOING -- >> WHAT WE WANT IS STABILITY AND NORMAL SEE FOR THE KIDS TO CATCH UP.

THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY, WE NEED STABILITY AND NORMALCY FOR THE KIDS.

>> YOU KNOW, THE PANDEMIC HAS ROILED PUBLIC EDUCATION PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER SYSTEM.

WHAT THE DISTRICTS NEED IS STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY IN THEIR FINANCING, IN THEIR FUNDING.

AGAIN, THAT'S ON US.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY, THE GAP IN WHAT WE -- WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICT NEED TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES AND WHAT WE FUND THEM, $147 MILLION STATEWIDE.

AGAIN, THAT'S NOT STABLE, PREDICTABLE FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOLS, WHICH IS WHAT THEY NEED.

THAT'S ON US.

THAT'S NOT ON THEM.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED THE PANDEMIC AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON HINDS THE PARENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS AND SOME OF THE NEW INITIATIVES ITH SENATE REPUBLICANS.

WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AND WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO CHANGE?

>> WELL, WHAT WE LEARNED AND WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON IS PRETTY SIMPLE, GETTING BACK TO NORMAL, READING, PARENTS AND EMPOWERING EDUCATORS, AS WELL, AND MENTAL HEALTH.

STABILITY, NORMALCY, THERE WAS MONEY LAST YEAR, PLENTY OF IT.

AND BY THE WAY, IF WE TALK ABOUT ISSUES, THE LITERACY PROBLEM IN THIS STATE IS CRIMINAL.

40% OF OUR KIDS AREN'T ABLE TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL AND THAT'S NOT A MONEY ISSUE.

THAT WAS A FAILURE FROM THE STATE BUREAUCRACIES THAT DO THEIR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT HIGHER ED WAS CREATING A PROGRAM SO THAT TEACHERS COULD LEARN HOW TO TEACH TO READ.

THE TEACHERS ARE LEFT IN THE LURCH, THE KIDS ARE OUT IN THE COLD.

SO THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND WITH THE BUREAUCRACY, NOT DOING THEIR JOB.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT ISSUES OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION?

THE HOUSE HAS BEEN MOVING A VARIETY OF BILLS THROUGH COMMITTEE.

CAN YOU TALK BRIEFLY WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES ON MAKING SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS THERE?

>> WELL, THE SENATOR IS RIGHT ABOUT THE GAPS IN LITERACY BUT IF WE LOOK AT THE GAPS, THE MOST PROFOUND GAPS IN MINNESOTA ARE RACIAL AND ETHNIC GAPS COMPARED TO THEIR WHITE PEERS.

THAT'S THE PIECE THAT WE'VE GOT TO ATTACK AND YOU CAN'T TWEAK ONE SMALL PART OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND EXPECT THAT TO CHANGE THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE KID WHO COMES IN THE SCHOOL THAT MORNING AND DEAL WITH WHO THEY ARE, WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE.

KIDS ARE COMPLICATED.

ASK ANY PARENT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND SOME OF THE RACIAL RECKONING ISSUES.

>> YOU KNOW, THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THE INEQUALITIES AND THE EQUITY, TEACH KIDS TO READ.

THEY'VE BEEN ABSOLUTELY ROBBED OF THAT RIGHT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RICH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE WHITE TO LEARN HOW TO READ.

YOU CAN LEARN TO READ.

THE MISSISSIPPI IS BEATING S, AND THEY'RE MUCH POORER THAN WE ARE.

THIS IS ABOUT -- THIS IS ABOUT FOCUSING ON A SIMPLE -- THE SIMPLE PROBLEMS, DO YOU WANT EQUITY, DO YOU WANT EQUALITY?

TEACH KIDS O READ AND THAT HAS BEEN A COMPLETE AND UTTER FAILURE IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IN THE STATE.

WE'VE HAD STATUTE THAT SAID YOU GOT TO TEACH KIDS HOW TO READ.

YOU GOT TO TEACH TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH READING.

AND IT HAS ABSOLUTELY BEEN IGNORED SO IF YOU WANT EQUITY, IF YOU WANT EQUALITY, YOU TEACH KIDS TO READ BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T TEACH 'EM TO READ, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS, SO THERE'S ONE THING WE GOT TO DO, TEACH 'EM TO READ.

WITHOUT IT, MATH AND NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

>> OU KNOW, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE THREE Rs BECAUSE THEY'RE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I WAS A TEACHER OR 17 EARS AND A PARENT.

I GET IT.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THREE OTHER Rs, RELATIONSHIPS, CARING ADULTS IN THE SCHOOLS, RESOURCES, TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, AND RELEVANT CURRICULUM.

THAT'S HOW YOU GET KIDS TO READ IS HAVE TEACHERS WITH THE SKILLS IN THE SCHOOLS, HAVE RELEVANT CURRICULUM THAT'S MEANINGFUL TO STUDENTS.

THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED.

>> Mary: OU MENTIONED CURRICULUM, ONE OF THE BILLS IS MAKING SURE PARENTS CAN SEE CURRICULUM.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

>> IT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR 30 YEARS.

FOR YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING, WE SHOULD HAVE TEACHERS MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

I AGREE.

PARENTS SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

PARENTS CAME TO US IN DROVES AND SAID, WE NEED SOME HELP.

THE BOOK -- THE LAW THAT WE'RE REFERENCING HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR 30 YEARS.

ALL IT'S SAYING IS, SCHOOLS JUST TELL THE PARENTS THAT THIS -- THAT YOUR RIGHTS HERE EXIST AND YOU CAN EXERCISE THEM.

SAYS SENDS OUT AN EMAIL, PARENTS, HERE'S THE LAW, YOU HAVE A RIGHT.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER.

OUR GOAL IS TO PPROACH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SCHOOLS AND THE PARENTS FOR HE BENEFIT OF THE CHILD.

REENGAGE PARENTS AND SCHOOLS INTO A BENEFICIAL PARTNERSHIP TO TALK, TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

MISDEMEANORS THANK YOU SO MUCH, EDUCATION CHAIRS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: YEAH, THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> MARY: REDISTRICTING ALWAYS CHANGES THE MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE AS THE REDRAWN MAPS LEAD LAWMAKERS TO RETIRE, OFTEN BECAUSE THEY ARE PAIRED WITH ANOTHER LEGISLATOR IN A NEW OR DIFFERENT DISTRICT.

THIS YEAR, THE GROWING RETIREMENT LIST SEEMS TO BE UNDOING GAINS WOMEN HAVE MADE AT THE CAPITOL AS FEMALE LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING LEADERS, ARE THE ONES STEPPING ASIDE.

HERE TO TALK MORE WITH ME ABOUT THIS TREND, AMY KOCH, WHO WAS THE FIRST, AND STILL ONLY, FEMALE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IN MINNESOTA.

WELL, FORMER SENATOR KOCH, LET'S TALK BOUT A LEADER.

I THINK THAT'S THE ONE THAT GRABBED HE MOST ATTENTION.

MINORITY LEADER, DEMOCRAT, LOPEZ-FRANZEN, STEPPING ASIDE BECAUSE SHE'S IN A SHARED DISTRICT.

>> >> SADLY, I WASN'T THAT SURPRISED AND I WAS TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED.

AS SOON AS THE REDISTRICTING MAPS CAME OUT, I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT FOUR OUT OF THE ONLY SEVEN SENATE REPUBLICAN WOMEN WERE PAIRED, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE MULTIPLE-AND INDEED WE DID.

WE SAW LEADERS LIKE JULIE ROSEN STEP ASIDE, SENATOR MAYOR CAN I HAVE KIFFMEYER, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE PAIRED WITH SOMEBODY ELSE AND THEY DECIDED TO ATTENTION TORREY TORMENT.

I WAS WATCHING THAT FRANZEN-LATZ SEAT BECAUSE MELISSA FRANZEN IS ONLY THE THIRD WOMAN LEADER IN THE SENATE, I WAS THE ONLY MAJORITY LEADER AND WE HAD TWO MINORITY LEADERS, LAST YEAR SUSAN KENT AND THIS YEAR FRANZEN.

AND DO YOU KNOW SHE HAD SO MUCH TO CONSIDER AS THE LEADER.

SHE HAD THE CAUCUS TO CONSIDER.

SHE COULD RUN A PRIMARY AGAINST SENATOR LATZ BUT THAT'S SOMEBODY IN HER OWN CAUCUS -- >> Mary: WASN'T SHE SEEN AS A RISING STAR, TOO?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HER PARTY AND, YOU KNOW, THE BENCH AS WE SAY?

>> RIGHT, THE FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR TO LEAD A CAUCUS IN THE SENATE.

AND SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY A RISING STAR, BUT WITH A YOUNG FAMILY, AND SO SHE HAS -- IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING TO ME, THERE WAS A "STAR TRIBUNE" ARTICLE AND IT WAS THIS REDISTRICTING PARTICULAR CHAOS WAS A LADDER AND THE GUYS WERE CLIMBING AND THE WOMEN WERE DOWN BELOW ANALYZING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE UT.

SO SENATOR LATZ JUMPED IN, ANNOUNCED AND THEN HE LEFT SENATOR FRANZEN WITH AN EVEN MORE DIFFICULT DECISION, AND SHE DECIDED TO RETIRE, WHICH IS DISAPPOINTING.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED SHE HAD A FAMILY BECAUSE THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, YOU HAVE A KID, I WAS COVERING THE LEGISLATURE WHEN I HAVE A KID, I'VE SEEN SO MANY WOMEN UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO HAVE FRANKLY REALLY STRUGGLED WITH RAISING A FAMILY AND THE HOURS.

HAS IT GOTTEN ANY BETTER AND IS THAT REALLY ONE OF THE SECRET REASONS IS HOW HARD IT IS TO MANAGE A FAMILY AND BEING AT THE CLEARLY?

>> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING, RIGHT, BECAUSE KNOW ONE TALKS ABOUT THAT WITH THE MEN THAT SERVE AND MANY OF THEM HAVE YOUNG FAMILIES SO RIGHT THERE IS THE INCONSISTENCY.

BUT, YES, I THINK THAT WOMEN JUST IN GENERAL -- THIS IS IN GENERAL, WHEN I'M RECRUITING, WOMEN, FIRST OF ALL, IF SOMEONE ELSE JUMPS IN, THEY'RE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SAY, OH, I'M GOING TO LET SOMEBODY ELSE RUN.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

STOP DOING THAT, WOMEN.

AND SECONDLY, THIS DO TAKE LONGER TO RECRUIT BECAUSE THEY ARE FACTORING ALL THOSE THINGS IN, THE FAMILY BUDGET, THEIR CURRENT CAREER, THEIR CHILDREN.

I HAVE AN ANALOGY BUT FOR MEN, YOU ASK THEM IF HEY'RE DOING TO RUN AND THEY'RE, LIKE, IN.

OH, YEAH, I WOULD BE A GREAT SENATOR, THAT'S FANTASTIC, I'LL RUN TOMORROW.

BUT FOR WOMEN, THEY NEED TO BE WALKED THROUGH ALL THE STEPS.

AND THIS KIND OF REDISTRICTING JUST DIDN'T LENDS ITSELF TO THAT.

IT WAS A BIG HURT ON WOMEN AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> Mary: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT RETENTION AND THEN YOU MENTIONED RECRUITMENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE A LEADER, IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW AT HOME THAT'S OUR JOB, DOES THE LOOK LIKE BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING BOTH PARTIES THAT A DECENT AMOUNT OF WOMEN ARE THROWING THEIR HAT IN THE RING?

>> WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT REALLY.

AND I FEAR WE COULD -- ALREADY, FIRST OF ALL, WE WERE ONLY AT ABOUT 25 TO 30% WOMEN, WE'RE WELL BELOW THE MARK, THAT'S HIGHER THAN MANY STATES BUT STILL WELL BELOW THE REMARK.

SENATOR -- SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, HORTMAN, HAS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

I BELIEVE THE HOUSE WAS ALMOST AT 40% WOMEN.

AND I THINK THAT'S AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE AS A WOMAN RECRUITING, WOMEN ARE COMFORTABLE TALKING TO HER ABOUT WHY THEY -- WHAT ARE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT RUNNING.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S ANY ACCIDENTS THAT'S A WOMAN LEADER THAT HAD ALMOST 40% WOMEN BUT I DO WORRY ABOUT WHAT I'M SEEING EVEN IN THE RECRUITMENT BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE EMPTY SEATS THAT RESULTED AS THE PAIRINGS, I'M SEEING MEN JUMPING IN.

MOST OF THE PAIRINGS ARE FOLLOWING TO THE MEN STAYING IN AND THE WOMEN AREN'T.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD MAINTAIN THE PERCENTAGES BUT EVEN AS I'M LOOKING AT IT, WE WOULD HAVE TO FIGHT HARD TO KEEP THE SEVEN G.O.P.

WOMEN THAT WE HAD, WHICH WAS ABYSMALLY LOW.

>> Mary: FINALLY, WHY DO WOMEN MATTER?

I KNOW WHEN MY DAD COVERED THE LEGISLATURE AND SAW THE FIRST WOMEN COMING IN THE '70s, HE SAID IT IMPROVED THE PLACE, BETTER LEGISLATION, BETTER ENVIRONMENT.

DOES IT MATTER?

>> A THOUSAND TIMES MATTERS.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S THE ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT, WE BRING A DIFFERENT VOICE AND A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

SECOND OF ALL, FRANKLY, WOMEN JUST GET THINGS DONE AND YOU SEE THAT.

WE HAVE SENATOR BENSON AND REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING THAT RUN THE HHS, WHICH IS THE BIGGEST BUDGET AREA IN THE STATE, IT'S ALSO THE MOST CONTENTIOUS, USUALLY THE LAST ONE OUT.

THOSE WOMEN ARE GETTING THOSE-WE'RE GETTING THOSE BUDGETS OUT FASTER THAN I'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE, OFTENTIMES AHEAD OF MANY OTHERS.

IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

THERE IS A DIFFERENT WAY THAT WOMEN INTERACT AND WE NEED MORE OF THEM.

MILLION DOLLARS THANK YOU, AMY KOCH, APPRECIATE IT.

>> MARY: UP NEXT IS THIS WEEK'S INSTALLMENT OF OUR SERIES OF RETIRING LAWMAKER PROFILES.

REPUBLICAN STATE REPRESENTATIVE BOB DETTMER LOOKS BACK AT A CAREER THAT INCLUDES DECADES OF TEACHING, MILITARY SERVICE AND THE LAST 16 YEARS IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

REPRESENTATIVE DETTMER QUESTION I'M STARTING WITH ALL THE OLKS WHO ARE LEAVING IS WHY, WHY NOW?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY MY WIFE TO RETIRE.

[Laughter] SO THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

WE'VE BEEN MARRIED 49 YEARS AND SHE HAS SUPPORTED ME ALL THESE YEARS, MY YEARS -- 34 YEARS TEACHING, 25 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, NOW 16 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

WITH REDISTRICTING AND ALL THAT STUFF, MAYBE THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BRING IN SOME NEW BLOOD INTO THE LEGISLATURE AND THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF NEW BLOOD.

I THINK I TOLD YOU THIS WHEN WE FIRST SPOKE BACK IN 2007 THAT MY GRANDFATHER CAME FROM GERMANY WHEN HE WAS 14 YEARS OLD, CAME OVER IN THE BOAT, WORKED ON FARMS AND HE HOMESTEADED OUR DAIRY FARM WHERE I GREW UP, DOWN IN FARIBAULT.

SOMETHING THAT WILL ALWAYS STAY IN MY HEART IS THAT NEVER FORGET WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN.

AND THAT WAS MY GRANDFATHER.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN A HALLMARK OF YOUR ENTIRE CAREER, AND WHEN I THINK OF DETTMER, I THINK MILITARY, AND I THINK -- I THINK SERVICE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR MILITARY CAREER HELPED INFORM YOUR WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> A KEY WORD THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED WAS SERVICE.

AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL IN '69, YOU KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON DURING THAT TIMEFRAME AND I WENT DOWN, I WAS GOING TO ENLIST RIGHT AWAY AND MY DAD SAID, NO, YOU GOT A SCHOLARSHIP TO GO TO COLLEGE AND I FEETED AND GOT MY EDUCATION, GOT MY TEACHING DEGREE, BUT I GOT INTO TEACHING AND JUST A FEW YEARS AFTER THAT, I STARTED TALKING TO ALL THESE RECRUITERS WERE COMING INTO MY SCHOOL TO TALK ABOUT MY ATHLETES THAT I WAS COACHING AND I ALWAYS HAD IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, I WANTED TO SERVE.

I WAS 33 YEARS OLD WHEN I ENLISTED.

SOME OF MY STUDENTS WENT OFF TO COLLEGE, TOO, OR WENT OFF TO WEST POINT AND SO FORTH.

OUR SONS WENT TO WEST POINT.

I WAS OLDER THAN MY DRILL SERGEANTS WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH ALL THE TRAINING AND EVERYTHING.

I BECAME A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.

THEN I WENT OFF TO WARRANT OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AND GOT MY COMMISSION AS A WARRANT OFFICER.

I GOT TO SALUTE MY SONS.

WHEN THEY COME HOME, THEY'RE LIEUTENANT COAL NELS SO THEY HAVE RANK ON ME.

>> Mary: I'VE SEEN YOU CALL UPON YOUR SERVICE IN THE MILITARY S A LAWMAKER.

HOW DO YOU THINK THAT HAS HELPED TO INFORM YOUR WORK THERE?

>> I THINK, BEING IN THE MILITARY, YOU LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT LEADERSHIP, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE AS YOUR RANKS GO UP, YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A LEADER GOES UP, TOO.

>> Mary: HOW DO YOU THINK THE DISCIPLINE OF BEING AN ATHLETE AND A COACH HAS ALSO INFORMED YOUR SUCCESS IN POLITICS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, AS AN ATHLETE, YOU GOT TO BE COACHABLE, IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE AT A HIGH LEVEL, YOU HAVE TO REALLY LISTEN TO COACHES.

SOME OF THE ATHLETES I COACHED REALLY MADE ME LOOK LIKE A GOOD COACH, YOU KNOW, THEY -- SEVERAL STATE CHAMPIONS OVER THE YEARS AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AS A TEAM.

>> HOW ABOUT ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE LEGISLATURE?

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING?

>> AS YOU KNOW, I'VE CHAIRED THE VETERANS COMMITTEE AND I'M NOW THE LEAD REPUBLICAN ON THE VETERANS COMMITTEE.

IN MINNESOTA WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 330,000 VETERANS -- >> THE BIG THING THAT I THINK THAT WE HAVE DONE FOR THOSE THAT SERVED 20-PLUS YEARS IN THE MILITARY IS THAT WE WERE ONE OF THE ONLY FOUR OR FIVE STATES THAT STILL TAX THEIR VETERANS PENSIONS AND I WORKED ON IT FOR TEN YEARS, BY THE WAY, IN MINNESOTA, IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO START A TAX BUT HARD TO GET RID OF A TAX.

WE GOT PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDES OF THE AISLE TO SAY, YEAH, WHY RE WE TAXING VETERANS, WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO COME BACK TO MINNESOTA AND START A FAMILY AND START BUSINESSES AND SO FORTH.

>> Mary: ARE THERE SECRET FRIENDSHIPS?

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY RETIREES HAVE SAID YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THE QUALITY AND THE DEPTH OF MY FRIENDSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE.

BUT NOT PEOPLE -- PEOPLE REALLY DON'T KNOW BOUT.

IS THAT TRUE FOR YOU, AS WELL?

>> PAUL MARQUART HAS BEEN A REAL CLOSE FRIENDS.

BACK IN 2007, WHEN I CAME DOWN THE CENTER AISLE AS A FRESHMAN, HE WAS THE FIRST ONE THAT CAME UP TO ME AND TALKED TO ME BECAUSE HE TEACHES SCHOOL AND HE'S A WRESTLING COACH, HE WRESTLED AND SO FORTH.

WE GOT PRETTY CLOSE THERE.

MARY MURPHY IS JUST A GEM FROM NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO TALK, THERE'S TIMES WHERE I SAT REAL CLOSE TO HER ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, WE WOULD JUST CHAT AND TALK, THAT'S SOMETHING I'M GOING TO MISS IS THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> Mary: SO HOW ABOUT ADVICE?

WHAT WORKS?

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE WHO REPLACE YOU DO?

>> YOU BUILD BRIDGES WITH PEOPLE AND DON'T BURN 'EM DOWN BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CROSS THAT BRIDGE AND GET HELP.

WORK ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND KEEP IT GOING.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO ENJOY YOURSELF MUCH MORE AS A LEGISLATORS IF YOU BUILD POSITIVE BRIDGES, KEEP THOSE RELATIONSHIPS GOING, AND I KNOW THAT THOSE ARE SOME THINGS I'M GOING TO MISS THE MOST WITHIN MY OWN CAUCUS AND WITHIN PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE.

JUST WORK TOGETHER AND GET THINGS DONE THERE.

THAT'S THE KEY THING THAT I LEARNED OVER THE YEARS, AND -- BUT I TELL YA, IT'S CHALLENGING AND REWARDING AND FRUSTRATING AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Mary: WHEN I THINK PAUL MARQUART, I THINK TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES.

WHY HAS THAT BEEN AN IMPORTANT AREA FOR YOU TO SPECIALIZE IN?

>> I THINK IT GOES BACK TO MY MAYORAL DAYS WHEN WE WERE DEALING ALWAYS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES AND I'M KIND OF A NUMBERS GUY.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS ARE WORRIED THAT THIS SEAT FLIPS WHEN YOU LEAVE.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS A TOUGH SEAT, KIND OF MATCHES KIND OF RURAL MINNESOTA BUT THE FORMULA IS, IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT AND DOOR-KNOCK.

THE MOST ENJOYABLE THING I DID AS A LEGISLATOR WAS GOING OUT AND DOOR-KNOCKING AND MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS.

THE KEY IS, I NEVER LOST SIGHT OF WHO I WAS SERVING AND I THINK, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA, THEY DON'T SEE YOU AS OUT THERE LEFT OR RIGHT TOO FAR, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE LIKE THEM AND MOST PEOPLE ARE PRETTY MODERATE IN MY MIND.

♪♪ >> MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH THE LATEST FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

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

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

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

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

CATHY AND ERIC WILL HAVE THE LATEST ON THE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS STRIKE, AND A LOOK AT PUBLIC SAFETY HIRING CHALLENGES AND PRACTICES IN MINNESOTA.

AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE A.L.S.

BILL HONORING SENATOR DAVE TOMASSONI.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting/Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com "A LMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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

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

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

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

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

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