POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM THE DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLACES.

MINNESOTA PROUD, LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I'M YOUR HOST AND MODERATOR FOR THE PROGRAM THIS WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR LEGISLATORS, AND YOU CAN DO SO BY ACCEPTING YOUR QUESTIONS IN TO OUR PROGRAM VIA E-MAIL AT YOUR TV AT PIONEER.ORG OR DO THIS BY WAY OF THE OLD FASHIONED TELEPHONE.

8-HUNDRED 726-7318: WE BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR ATTENDANCE THIS EVENING.

THEY WILL HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

WE HAVE SENATOR MARY KUNESH.

SHE'S BEEN WITH US ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN THE PAST.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, ISSUES THAT ARE OF CONCERN.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF GENERALLY TO THOSE WHO TUNED IN THIS EVENING.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING ME TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS EVENING.

I'M THE SENATOR FOR THE COMMUNITIES OF ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE AND NEW BRIGHTON, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND HILLTOP AND A LITTLE BIT OF SPRING LAKE TOP.

I'M IN THE SECOND YEAR AS SENATOR, BUT I WAS FOUR YEARS IN THE HOUSE.

I HAD A LITTLE BIT OF EXPERIENCE OVER THERE.

I'M REALLY THANKFUL TO HAVE THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

I WAS A TEACHER FOR 25 YEARS AND JUST RETIRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND SO ISSUES OF EDUCATION AND LITERACY AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES IS, YOU KNOW, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, ESPECIALLY AS WE ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE STILL THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, AND OUR TEACHERS ARE DOING JUST THE VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN TO ENSURE THAT OUR KIDS, YOU KNOW, ARE STILL GETTING SOMETHING AS BEST THEY CAN.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THOSE TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND EVERYONE ELSE FROM THE BUS DRIVER TO THE FOOD SERVICE FOLKS WHO KEEP THE SCHOOLS RUNNING.

I AM A DESCENDANT OF THE STANDING ROCK TRIBE.

SO A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT I ALSO WORK ON IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE AROUND INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES.

THREE YEARS AGO I PASSED THE FIRST IN THE NATION MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S TASK FORCE.

WE COMPLETED THAT TASK FORCE, AND CAME UP WITH A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE VERY FIRST RECOMMENDATION WAS TO CREATE A PERMANENT MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS RELATIVES OFFICE IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT WE STARTED WITH THE TASK FORCE, AND SO AGAIN, READING IN THE NATION, I PASSED THAT LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

WE ARE HOPING TO ANNOUNCE OUR DIRECTOR FOR THAT OFFICE AND CONTINUE THE WORK BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL SEEING AS OUR PRESIDENT HAS TASKED OR SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR HOLLAND TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

KNOWING THE INTERSECTION OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN OUR NATIVE WOMEN AS WELL AS OUR BLACK WOMEN, THEY ARE THE TOP TWO RECIPIENTS OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IN OUR STATE, IN OUR NATION, WE ALSO CREATED THE VERY FIRST MISSING AND MURDERED AFRICAN-AMERICAN TASK FORCE AND VERY PROUD TO SERVE ON THAT.

EDUCATION, NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES, THE ENVIRONMENT, OF COURSE IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND JUST MAKING SURE WE ARE PROVIDING THE RESOURCES TO OUR MINNESOTANS AROUND THE STATE SO THAT ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC TIME AND AS WE MOVE HOPEFULLY OUT OF IT FOR THE NEXT TIME THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND THRIVE.

>> ALSO JOINING US FROM THE STATE SENATE ERIC PRATT FROM PRIOR LAKE.

SENATOR PRATT HAS BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST OVER MANY YEARS.

WE WERE VISITING ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO PLAYING FOOTBALL THERE AT WHICH I GUESS IT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE SENATE.

MAYBE THERE'S SOME CONNECTION THERE.

SENATOR PRATT, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HERE AGAIN.

MY NAME IS ERIC PRATT.

I REPRESENT MOST OF SHOCK COUNTY.

ALONG WITH FIVE TOWNSHIPS.

GREW UP IN PRIOR LAKE.

MY NO, MA'AM WAS A TEACHER IN SHAKOPEE IN SIXTH GRADE.

PRIOR TO JOINING THE SENATE I WAS ON THE PRIOR LAKE SCHOOL BOARD.

I SPENT 12 YEARS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT QUALIFIED ME FOR THE SENATE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PASS A TEST TO GET ELECTED, I GUESS.

ANYWAY, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

I CHAIR THE JOBS COMMITTEE AND ALSO SERVE ON FINANCE, TRANSPORTATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Barry: DO I RECALL FROM YOUR PRIOR APPEARANCES THAT YOU HAD A BACKGROUND IN BANKING MAYBE.

DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT?

>> I SPENT 30 YEARS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES, DOING MOSTLY CONSUMER CREDIT, MORTGAGE CREDIT.

I GOT INVOLVED WITH CREDIT CARDS AND DEBIT CARDS AND SPENT ALMOST A DECADE IN FRAUD PREVENTION AND IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION.

>> Barry: ALSO JOINING US IS REPRESENTATIVE TODD LIPPERT FROM DISTRICT 20B IN NORTHFIELD.

REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF, PRIORITY, DAY JOB.

>> HI, EVERYONE.

GREAT TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

TODD LIPPERT, STATE REP FOR NORTHFIELD, SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA, AND I'M IN MY SECOND TERM IN THE HOUSE.

I'M AN ORDAINED MINISTER IN THE YOU FIGHTED CHURCH OF CHRIST AND SERVE LOCAL CHURCHES IN WISCONSIN AND NORTHFIELD, AND KEY ISSUES OF MINE, I THINK THE REAL OPPORTUNITIES THIS SESSION IS LOWERING THE COST OF CHILD CARE FOR MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

THAT'S A ISSUE OF DEEP CONCERN FOR FAMILIES AND ALSO IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE, WILL HELP US GET MORE ADULTS IN THE WORKFORCE SO WE COULD LOWER THE COST OF CHILD CARE.

WE HAVE A NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S A METRO ISSUE, AND WE CAN MAKE A BIG INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALWAYS A CONCERN OF MINE 6789 I HAVE A PARTICULAR CONCERN FOR THE NEEDS OF RURAL COMMUNITIES, AND SERVED CHURCHES IN SMALL TOWNS.

I THINK WE CAN BANK A BIG INVESTMENT IN WEATHERIZATION AND KILL MULTIPLE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE.

LOWER ENERGY COSTS FOR HOUSEHOLDS, MAKE SURE FAMILIES HAVE HOUSES THAT ARE WARM IN THE WINTERTIME, COOL IN THE SUMMERTIME, HOMES THAT ARE SAFE, MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE MINNESOTANS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HOUSING WITH DIGNITY, NO MATTER WHAT.

THESE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I THINK ARE IN FRONT OF US THIS SESSION AND ISSUES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ME.

>> Barry: I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING ORDINATION ON SATURDAY OF A NEW ELCA PASTOR.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO, REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, AND THE SERVICE THAT WAS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY TO INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA, DOESN'T GET MUCH ATTENTION, BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

ALSO JOINING US IS REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS SWEDZINSKI FOR DISTRICT 16A IN GHENT, MINNESOTA.

A FREQUENT GUEST.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> CERTAINLY.

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU FOLKS FROM PUBLIC TELEVISION TUNING IN TONIGHT, GETTING ENGAGED IN POLITICS AND THE DIRECTION OF OUR STATE.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA DISTRICT 16A.

LYON COUNTY, AND A LITTLE SLIVER OF RED WOOD COUNTY.

I FARM.

I HAVE A SMALL WELDING BUSINESS.

I HAVE A WIFE AND SOME CHILDREN.

WE ENJOY OURSELVES OUT HERE IN THE GREAT PRAIRIE LANDS IN THE WINTER, SUMMER, FALL AND SPRING.

WE ARE WORKING HARD IN ST. PAUL.

AND THE MAIN FOCUS THIS YEAR IS REACTING REALLY TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING AT US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., THE HIGH ENERGY COSTS THAT I HEAR FROM FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET NOT BY JUST GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION BY PAYING FOR THINGS BUT ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE ISSUES THAT ARE CAUSING AND DRIVING THOSE HIGH COSTS, THE HIGH COSTS OF FOOD, LOOKING AT HIGH INFLATION RATES.

JUST SAW THAT LAST MONTH 7.5% INFLATION RATE FOR ONE MONTH.

FOLKS, WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF SOME BAD STUFF WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES BEING ABLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND THAT'S WHAT OUR FOCUS NEEDS TO BE HERE IN ST. PAUL.

A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE HEAR ABOUT, TALKING TO CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

A LOT OF FOLKS THAT I TALK TO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY ACROSS THE STATE, WHEN THEY ARE TRAVELING, WHETHER IT'S CARJACKINGS, THEFTS, CADILLAC CONVERTERS BEING STOLE THAN FROM SMALL THINGS TO BIG THINGS.

I KNOW THREE PEOPLE PERSONALLY THAT HAVE BEEN CARJACKED IN THE TWIN CITIES.

I THINK THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN RURAL MINNESOTA BUT ALSO FOLKS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, METRO, URBAN AND THE REST.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE BIG AREAS, OBVIOUSLY AGRICULTURE IS A PASSION OF MINE WITH THE CONVERGENCE OF A BIG GOVERNMENT, AND A LOT OF PANDEMIC ISSUES THAT ARE AFFECTING BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES.

WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO LOWER THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

NOT THROUGH GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES BUT ACTUALLY GOING AFTER THE THINGS THAT ARE HIGH COST.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO, AND WE CAN DO IT NEXT WEEK, WE CAN FOCUS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THAT ARE ABOUT HITTING OUR SMALL TOWN BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE STATE WITH HEAVY LOADS OF INCREASED TAXES AND STATE LEGISLATURE CAN STEP UP RIGHT NOW AND ALLEVIATE THE COSTS.

THOSE ARE ISSUES WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, GREAT IDEAS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I FIRST LEARNED A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING AN IDEA AND A GOOD IDEA.

IT'S OUR JOB TO SIFT THOSE TWO OUT AND DO THE BEST JOB WE CAN.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

GO RIGHT TO THE QUESTIONS VIEWERS INVITED US.

I WARNED OUR PANEL WE HAVE A DRY RUN ON ONE OF THESE INQUIRIES AND WARNED OUR PANEL WE WOULD PROBABLY START THERE, AND NO SOONER DO I SAY THAT, BUT A SECOND VIEWER HAS A SIMILAR QUESTION.

A VIEWER FROM NICOLLET COUNTY AND THE FAMOUS MINNESOTA COUNTY UNKNOWN BOTH HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

WONDERING WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR DEALING WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, AND WHAT WILL BE DONE TO STOP THE SPREAD AND THE OTHER VIEWER HAS A SPECIFIC INQUIRY ABOUT A SPECIFIC BILL THAT ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR COMPLIANCE ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, NOTING THE CONCERNS ABOUT DNR INVOLVEMENT AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD BE DONE HERE, SUGGESTING SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE SOONER THAN LATER.

LET'S START WITH SENATOR KUNESH, KICK THINGS OFF.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON THIS, BUT YOU ARE FIRST.

TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HEARD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WHAT YOU CAN TELL OUR VIEWERS.

>> WELL, WHAT I KNOW ABOUT CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, AND NO, I'M NOT A DEER FARMER NOR AM I A DEER HUNTER, BUT I KNOW PLENTY AND HAVE PLENTY OF FAMILIES.

THIS ISN'T A NEW ISSUE FOR MINNESOTA.

WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE, WE HAD CHAMPIONS LIKE CRAZY, LIKE REPRESENT STIFF HANSON AND REPRESENTATIVE BECKER FINN WHO RECOGNIZED THE THREAT THAT THIS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE HAS FOR OUR DEER AND ACTUALLY FOR AGRICULTURE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A BAN THAT WAS SUGGESTED BY THE COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER STRAWMAN, AND SHE'S THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND MUCH LIKE THIS PANDEMIC WE HAVE BEEN IN, I KNOW THAT SHE CALLED FOR A STATEWIDE BAN ON THE MOVEMENT OF FARMED WHITE TAILED DEER SO THAT THEY COULD KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I BELIEVE THERE WERE A NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN BELTRAMI COUNTY -- EXCUSE ME, A NUMBER OF AREAS OF THAT COUNTY THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR CWD.

IT'S NOT LIKE IT JUST PASSES THROUGH BREATHING OR BY FECES OR THAT SORT OF THING, BUT IT ACTUALLY PUTS LIKE -- FORGET WHAT IT'S CALLED.

IT'S SOME KIND OF PROTEIN INTO THE GROUND, SO THAT CAN LAST FOR SEVERAL YEARS ON THE GROUND.

IT'S NOT LIKE IT JUST -- WHEN WE GET A SUPER FREEZE, IT'S GONE.

IT CONTINUES TO AFFECT ANIMALS LONG AFTER THE INFECTED ANIMAL DIES.

I THINK IT CERTAINLY IS A CONCERN FOR ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA BECAUSE WE HAVE HUNTERS THAT GO OUT INTO THE GREATER MINNESOTA TO HUNT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, AND I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE A REALLY CONCERTED EFFORT.

I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD IN THE HOUSE TO GET THIS DONE.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE.

I HATE TO TELL YOU I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE OUTCOME OR WHAT THEY ARE SUGGESTING, BUT I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE SOLUTIONS AND THEY ARE WORKING HARD ON IT.

I DO THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS BEFORE, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY AFFECTS ALL OF OUR DEER, WHETHER THEY ARE WILD OR NOT.

>> Barry: LET'S GO TO A HOUSE MEMBER FOR INPUT ON THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, DEER, ET CETERA.

IN YOUR PART OF THE STATE, THERE PROBABLY ARE A FEW DEER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DEER FARMERS OUT ALL AROUND THE STATE.

A LOT OF THIS DISCUSSION HAS DRIVEN A LOT OF THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS TO JUST MOVE THEIR OPERATION ACROSS THE BORDER.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN FROM A SPORTSMAN PERSPECTIVE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOSE DISEASES, AND YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT MEANS TO OUR WILD DEER FLOCK.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION HOW TO DOUBLE FENCE, AND ESSENTIALLY IF YOU ARE A DEER FARMER THE STATE WOULD FUND A DOUBLE FENCE TO HAVE A BUFFER BETWEEN THE OUTSIDE AND THE INSIDE OF PENS.

THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT THE STATE BUYING OUT THESE HERDS, PAYING FULL STOCK BARREL PRICE FOR ALL THE ANIMALS.

THE WORST THING WE CAN DO IS TAKE A SHOTGUN APPROACH TO A BIG ISSUE.

THESE ARE FAMILIES BUSINESSES AND ALSO A WAY OF LIFE FOR OTHER PEOPLE AND HUNTING AND FAMILY.

YOU NEED TO TAKE A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO IT.

IT WAS TALKED ABOUT IT IN ONE OF THE HEARINGS THAT THE -- KUNESH WAS TALKING ABOUT, THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE.

IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

WE HAVE GOT TO BE LOOKING AT SCIENCE ON THINGS BUT ALSO WORKING WITH BUSINESS OWNERS AND FARMERS.

THERE'S A BIG TUG OF WAR.

BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND DNR, A LOT OF TERRITORIAL ISSUES.

RUN IN THERE, GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S REGULATIONS WHERE YOU HAVE A PERSON FROM THE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH GOING TO SOME OF THE DEER FARMERS, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LAW THAT PASSED, DNR IS FULLY ARMED DNR OFFICER STANDING OVER THEIR SHOULDER.

THAT COULD BE A BIT INTIMIDATING TO FAMILIES, CHILDREN THAT ARE WORKING AND JUST KIND OF TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING IN RURAL MINNESOTA, WHEREVER THEY ARE AT.

WE NEED TO STEP LIGHTLY WITH THESE ISSUES.

YOU KNOW ANIMAL DISEASES ARE EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT, BEYOND JUST FROM A DEER DISEASE PROBLEM.

WE JUST GOT WORD THAT THERE'S AN AVIAN FLU THAT WAS DISCOVERED IN A FLOCK DOWN IN INDIANA.

THE BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH REALLY NEEDS THE TOOL IT NEEDS TO WE CAN REACT IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD COME THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA, WHETHER IT BE CHICKEN, AND SOMETIMES THOSE DISEASES COME FROM WILD INTO SOME OF THE CONFINEMENT AREAS.

WE REALLY NEED TO BE VERY DILIGENT.

DISEASES ARE IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL, AGRICULTURE AND BEING ABLE TO REACT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, ANY THOUGHTS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ISSUES.

>> I THINK REALITY IS THE HERD HAS ACCELERATED CWD ACROSS THE STATE.

IT PUTS OR WILD DEER AT RISK.

AT MINIMUM WE HAVE TO HAVE A MORATORIUM ON THE MOVEMENT OF DEER.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN DEER FARMERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSIBLE ACTORS.

WE HAVE SEEN CWD SPREAD QUICKLY FROM ONE PART OF THE STATE TO ANOTHER.

THAT HAS TO STOP, AND THERE'S A VERY SERIOUS CONVERSATION NOW ABOUT BUYING OUT THESE HERDS.

THERE AREN'T THAT MANY DEER HERDS BUT THERE ARE SO MANY HUNTERS ACROSS OUR STATE.

THE WILD DEER HERD IS SUCH A KEY PART OF THE ECOSYSTEMS ACROSS MINNESOTA.

WE DON'T WANT THE WILD TO BE AT RISK, AND CONVERSATION ABOUT WHETHER THESE HERDS SHOULD BE BOUGHT OUT IS A VERY SERIOUS ONE, AND I EXPECT THAT CONVERSATION TO CONTINUE IN THE HOUSE THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A FEW DEER FARMS DOWN HERE IN SCOTT COUNTY.

IN FACT I GOT A CHANCE TO TOUR ONE WITH ONE OF OUR FARMERS.

I CAN TELL YOU AS REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT SAID, MOST OF OUR FARMERS ARE GOOD FOLKS.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE.

THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I AGREE WITH THE SHOTGUN APPROACH.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THE DEER FARMER HE SAID THERE'S A NEW TEST THEY HAD BEEN LOOKING AT TO TEST LIVE DEER THAT'S LIKE 80, 90% EFFECTIVE.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THAT RATHER THAN TRYING TO BUY OUT HERDS OR PUTTING A MORATORIUM ON SOMEBODY'S BUSINESS WHERE THEY CAN'T MOVE THEIR HERDS.

IF THERE'S OPTIONS TO GET AROUND IT, WE SHOULD BE EXPLORING THOSE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM ONE OF OUR FACEBOOK VIEWERS ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE CHANCES FOR AN INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE IN THIS SESSION.

THIS TOPIC HAS HAD DISCUSSION OVER RECENT YEARS AND OF COURSE THE RUN-UP IN WAGES AS A RESULT OF SHORTAGES AND SO FORTH, YOU KNOW, IT'S PUT A LITTLE DIFFERENT SPIN ON IT.

BUT THE QUESTION HASN'T GONE AWAY.

THIS VIEWER IS WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE DISCUSSION OF MINIMUM WAGE IN THIS SESSION.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR PRATT.

WHAT ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE?

>> WHAT I HAVE SEEN WITH A SHORTAGE OF APPLICANTS FOR JOBS, OUR WORKFORCE IS STILL 100,000 PEOPLE LOWER THAN IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

WAGES ARE ON THE RISE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE WHEN CURRENTLY MARKET RATE WAGES ARE SO FAR AHEAD OF WHERE WE ARE.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT BIG OF AN ISSUE.

THE BIGGER ISSUE IS LOOK AT HOW WE CAN HELP PULL PEOPLE BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEFICIT, MAKING SURE WE PAY THAT DOWN OR NOT INCREASE THE PAYROLL TAXES THAT EMPLOYERS WILL BE PAYING SO THEY CAN AFFORD TO HIRE WORKERS AND PAY THAT MARKET WAGE.

I DON'T SEE THIS BEING A HUGE ISSUE.

IT HASN'T COME UP ON MY RADAR SO FAR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> MY THOUGHT IS DOES YOUR WAGE ALLOW YOU TO LIVE?

ARE WE MOVING TOWARDS LIVING WAGES.

SENATOR PRATT TALKED ABOUT SEEING WORKFORCE ISSUES ACROSS SECTORS.

IT'S MORE LIKELY THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONVERSATION THIS SESSION ABOUT PARTICULAR SECTORS AND WHETHER THEIR WAGES ARE ABLE TO KEEP UP, ESPECIALLY THOSE SECTORS THAT ARE RELYING ON STATE SUPPORT.

IN A CARE GIVING SECTORS, FOR EXAMPLE, CHILD CARE, ELDER CARE, CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEY RELY ON A REIMBURSEMENT RATE FROM THE STATE.

HEARING FROM A SENATOR FROM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN NORTHFIELD THEY CANNOT PAY WAGES, KEEP UP WITH QUIKTRIP, KEEP UP WITH MCDONALD'S.

IT'S GOING TO NEED MORE STATE SUPPORT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ELDERS ARE ABLE TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE ABLE TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED, CHILD CARE, MAKE SURE FAMILIES GET THE CARE THEY NEED FOR CHILDREN, AND THE STATES NEED TO BE A STRONGER PARTNER.

WITH THE SURPLUS WE HAVE, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A BIG STEP IN THAT DIRECTION THAT WILL HELP US MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN CRITICAL SECTORS LIKE CARE GIVING HAVE A LIVING WAGE AND CAN TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR HOUSEHOLD WITH THE WAGE THEY ARE RECEIVING.

>> Barry: SENATOR KUNESH, MINIMUM WAGE.

>> UNMUTE MYSELF HERE.

>> Barry: YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH A PROGRAM WITHOUT SOMEBODY SAYING YOU NEED TO UNMUTE YOURSELF.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT PERSON.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE THAT PERSON HERE.

I THINK, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE THAT ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION AS OF JANUARY 1st.

THAT SOUNDS GREAT, THIS AUTOMATIC INCREASE, BUT IT'S STILL ONLY LIKE $10.33 AN HOUR FOR LARGE EMPLOYEES AND ONLY $8.42 AN HOUR FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES.

SO I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND HOW ANYBODY COULD LIVE ON THAT.

SO WHILE IT MIGHT INCREASE THROUGH INFLATION, IT CERTAINLY HASN'T KEPT UP WITH INFLATION JUST AS REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THE -- I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT, THAT INFLATION HAS GONE UP SO HIGH IN JUST A MONTH.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THAT IN A WAY THAT REALLY ALLOWS A FAMILY OR A PERSON TO LIVE IN A DIGNIFIED WAY, JUST AS REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT SAID.

I THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL BE DEALING WITH THAT MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE EMPLOYERS ARE RECOGNIZING THAT THEY HAVE TO PAY THOSE TOP WAGES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THOSE EMPLOYEES.

I THINK FOLKS ARE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC REALIZING THAT THEY HAVE GOT A LOT MORE OPTIONS THAN THEY HAD BEFORE.

THEY CAN EXPLORE NEW AVENUES OF EMPLOYMENT OR PROFESSION.

THEY CAN GO BACK AND GET RETRAINED IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO ENSURE THAT MINNESOTANS ARE PARTICIPATING IN A REALLY STRONG ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

THAT MEANS, OF COURSE MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS CHILD CARE AND THAT THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE PROVIDING THE CHILD CARE ARE ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY COMPENSATED.

IT MEANS, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS SOME REALLY STRATEGIC TAX CUTS FOR FAMILIES, LIKE MIDDLE INCOME, LOWER INCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE TRYING TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC AND, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THEIR OPTIONS IN THE FUTURE, SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW OUR FAMILIES TO THRIVE COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC, AND OF COURSE HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO HELP OUR SCHOOLS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL BE ADDRESSING THE MINIMUM WAGE, BUT CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING THAT WE EVER FORGET ABOUT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI, MINIMUM WAGE, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WITH MINIMUM WAGE.

THE QUESTION ASKED WILL YOU RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE SO THEY CAN HELP MAKE ENDS MEET.

IT SHOULD BE CONCERNING TO ALL THE LEGISLATORS, THE GOVERNOR AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFLATION, AND SAID IT NEEDS TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

7 1/2% IN ONE MONTH WHEN IT COMES TO THE INCREASED LOSS OF LIVING, WHETHER IT'S GASOLINE, UTILITY BILLS, GROCERIES, GALLON OF MILK, WHETHER IT'S JUST A BASIC THINGS TO MAKE LIFE GO.

OUR GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PRINTING MONEY ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE, TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TRILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND THAT IS THE FRUIT OF THAT LABOR.

THERE IS DECREASED VALUE IN THOSE DOLLARS WE ARE GETTING.

YOU CAN SAY WE ARE GOING TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

LOOK AT WHAT WE DID.

BUT THE COST OF LIVING IS GOING UP FASTER THAN THOSE DOLLARS WILL EVER BE ABLE TO KEEP UP TO, WHETHER IT'S MONEY CONSUMPTION, AND INFLATIONARY ISSUES, COST OF GASOLINE TO GET TO WORK, THERE ARE A LOT OF JOBS AVAILABLE THAT PAY 20 AND $30 AN HOUR.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE WE HAVE DO OUR SKILL SETS, FOLKS LOOKING TO MOVE UP THE SCALE, MATCH THE JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THOSE VEHICLE AREAS THAT ARE GOING TO PAY MORE.

IF I WENT TO SCHOOL FOR WELDING, I COULD DRIVE WITHIN 50 MINUTES AND FIND 25, 35 TO $50 AN HOUR WITHOUT MUCH TROUBLE AT ALL.

HOW DO YOU MATCH THOSE FOLKS UP THROUGH TECHNICAL TRAINING, THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND SO UNIQUE THINGS LIKE MINNESOTA WEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DOWN IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF GETTING SKILL SETS IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME SO FOLKS CAN MOVE UP THAT CHAIN AND MOVE UP THAT LADDER SO THEY CAN ESSENTIALLY MOVE THEIR ECONOMIC STATUS TO A DIFFERENT PLACE.

I THINK THAT'S THE WAY WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS.

LIPPERT TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR NURSING HOMES, AND THAT IS A CRISIS.

THE FOLKS THAT WORK IN OUR NURSING HOMES, GROUP HOMES, WORKING WITH FOLKS THAT ARE DISABLED AND ELDERLY, THAT IS TOUGH WORK.

I AGREE 100% WE NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING THERE TO INCREASE WAGES, AND ALSO WHEN THERE'S SO MANY CHOICES ON THINGS TO DO, TO SAY WOULD YOU RATHER BE PAID $15 AN HOUR WORKING AT A NURSING HOME OR $10 WORKING BEHIND A CASH REGISTER AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE SAYING I WOULD RATHER WORK BEHIND BECAUSE OF LESS STRESS, LESS PRESSURE IN THOSE TYPES OF JOBS.

THAT TRAINING AND THAT ABILITY TO MOVE UP THE CHAIN ARE BIG PARTS OF THAT.

ARBITRARY NUMBER FOR MINIMUM WAGE, I THINK IS QUITE FRANKLY FOOLISH AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

WE HAVE TAXES RAISING ON MINNESOTA BUSINESSES IF WE DON'T ELIMINATE THIS UNEMPLOYMENT TAX THAT'S GOING TO BE HITTING BUSINESSES 2.$7 BILLION ACROSS OUR STATE.

THAT'S GOING TO ERASE A LOT OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> Barry: ALL I WILL SAY ABOUT YOUR WELDING CAREER, REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI IS I NEARLY FAILED SEVENTH GRADE SHOP.

HE WAS NOT IMPRESSED WITH MY TOOL SKILLS.

YOU ARE EARNING EVERY DIME OF THAT MONEY YOU GET FROM WELDING.

WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU THERE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT SKILL.

REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM EDINA, SHE'S A RESIDENT OF A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY THERE, AND LOOKING AT LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT BE MOVING FORWARD LOOKING AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, NURSING HOMES, AND PART OF IT IS THE TOPIC THAT REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI MENTIONED WITH RESPECT TO COMPENSATION BUT I THINK IT'S BROADER THAN THAT IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE.

I THINK THE VIEWER IS CONCERNED THAT RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES SOMETIMES ARE FORGOTTEN.

REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, LET'S GO TO YOU TO START WITH.

WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ON THAT TOPIC?

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS VALUED AT EVERY STAGE IN LIFE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE VALUING OUR ELDERS, MAKING SURE WE CAN ACCESS THE CARE THAT'S NEEDED.

WE HAVE HAD PLENTY OF CHALLENGES TO THE PANDEMIC AND LONG-TERM CARE HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT PLACE THESE LAST COUPLE YEARS BECAUSE OF COVID.

I THINK I WILL BE HAVING SOME CONVERSATION THIS SESSION, CARRYING A BILL RELATED TO MAKING SURE THAT IN FUTURE PANDEMICS, THAT PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO A PRIMARY LOVED ONE.

THAT LOVED ONE CAN VISIT THEM WITH MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING PROPER PROTOCOLS IN THE FACILITY, AND A RECOMMENDATION.

WE KNOW THAT LONELINESS IS ALSO A SEVERE HEALTH CONCERN AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN, AND WE ARE SEEING THAT IN HEART BREAKING WAYS, AND AT THE SAME TIME AS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DOING EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF COVID AND KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE WITHIN NURSING HOMES.

WE HAVE SEEN SUCH DIFFICULT CHALLENGES.

BUT GOING FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WE ARE ON THE -- WE ARE GLAD TO SEE THAT CASE NUMBERS ARE FALLING RAPIDLY BECAUSE OF THE PEAK OF THE OMICRON, AND HOPEFULLY GOING FORWARD WE CAN BE FOCUSING ON WAGES IN NURSING HOMES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE VALUING CAREGIVERS AND VALUING THAT CARE, AND I THINK AS WE ARE DEALING WITH WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF A DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT, WE ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON AREAS WHERE WE NEED PEOPLE, AND CARE GIVING IS ONE, AND WE ARE SIMPLY GOING TO HAVE TO VALUE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PROVIDING CARE AND STRONGER PARTNER IN PROVIDING REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND WAGES THERE AND SO MAKING SURE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE AND CARE FACILITIES IS GOING TO BE KEY.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, NURSING HOME ISSUES, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THEY ARE CRUCIAL.

WE WERE ON A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY, REHAB FACILITY, MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING, AND OUR BIGGEST ISSUE IS FINDING PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK.

ABLER IS WORKING AND RETENTION BONUSES, HELP WITH TRAINING.

HE WILL BE ROLLING THAT OUT NEXT WEEK SOMETIME.

OUR CAUCUS IS EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THIS ISN'T GREATER MINNESOTA.

IT'S NOT METRO.

IT'S NOT A DFL OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE.

WE ALL HAVE THESE FACILITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PULLING THAT SUPPORT IN, AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET NURSES IN TO HELP CLOSE THAT GAP, BUT YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S THE NO.

1 ISSUE WE FACE, AT LEAST ON THE NURSING HOME THAT I'M ON THE BOARD OF, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING CREATE THOSE RETENTION DOUGH NEWSES AND LIKE REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT SAID, WE DO VALUE THOSE EMPLOYEES.

WE JUST NEED HELP RECOGNIZING IT OFTEN AS WE WOULD LIKE.

>> Barry: SENATOR KUNESH, NURSING HOMES, LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES RELATED PROBLEMS.

>> WELL, I JUST HAVE TO THINK THOSE THAT HAVE WORKED AND DO CONTINUE TO WORK IN THESE FACILITIES, MY MOTHER WAS IN A LONG-TERM FACILITY FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS BEFORE SHE PASSED AWAY AS A RESULT OF A PROCEDURE THAT DIDN'T GO QUITE THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO.

SO THE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE IS NOT NEW SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

THE ISSUE -- A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE HERE TODAY ARE JUST EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK THAT IN THE PAST INSUFFICIENT PAY, THE LACK OF APPRECIATION, AND THE KIND OF WORK, IT'S A HARD JOB.

IT'S NOT AN ATTRACTIVE JOB, BUT IT REALLY TAKES A UNIQUE PERSON TO DO THAT.

THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, MANY, MANY OF THOSE FOLKS WENT IN TO WORK WHEN NOBODY ELSE COULD GO IN THERE BECAUSE OF QUARANTINES.

WHEN LOVED ONES WEREN'T ABLE TO SIT WITH THEIR RESIDENTS, EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES GOT SICK AND WEREN'T ABLE TO COME TO WORK, AND SO, YOU KNOW, NOW WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS OUR MILITARY FOLKS IN THERE DOING THE WORK, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT AGAIN WITH THE WHOLE ECONOMICS AND THE JOBS SITUATION THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PAYING THESE PEOPLE, THAT WE ARE REALLY SHOWING THE APPRECIATION IN A FINANCIAL WAY.

THEY WORK HARD.

IT'S PHYSICAL.

THEY WORK LONG HOURS.

THEY ALL HAVE UNIQUE SKILLS AND TALENTS WITH OUR LOVED ONES.

WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATING THEM APPROPRIATELY.

THE OTHER THING THAT GOES INTO THAT, OF COURSE, IS THE NURSES SHORTAGE.

OUR NURSES AND OUR HOSPITAL ARE EXHAUSTED.

REMEMBER THESE WERE THE FRONTLINE WORKERS.

THESE WERE THE ONES WORKING LONG HOURS, OFTENTIMES NOT GOING HOME BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE THEMSELVES.

SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY STOP FOR A MINUTE, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, LOOK AT WHAT THE SITUATION IS AND BUILD THE KIND OF CARE SYSTEM WHERE NOT ONLY THE NURSES AND THOSE THAT ARE CLEANING THE ROOMS AND PROVIDING THE FOOD AND THE PHYSICAL THERAPY, THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY BEING PAID APPROPRIATELY, BUT WE ARE SHOWING THE APPRECIATION THAT THEY ALL DESERVE.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THAT IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPECTRUMS WITHIN OUR SOCIETY GOING FORWARD.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVESWEDZIN.

>> I THINK I KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT WITH THE LAST QUESTION.

>> Barry: YOU DID MENTION IT, YES.

SO SENATOR KUNESH, LET'S GO TO YOU WITH A QUESTION WE HAVE FROM A VIEWER ABOUT AN EDUCATION ISSUE.

YOUR STATUS AS A RETIRED EDUCATOR EARNED YOU THE PRIVILEGE OF ANSWERING THIS QUESTION FIRST.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE PAGE AMENDMENT WHICH OF COURSE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AT LEAST A COUPLE OF SESSIONS, I THINK, AND MAYBE WE COULD ALSO TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE MIGHT BE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BECAUSE THIS IS THE YEAR WHEN YOU WOULD SUSPECT THOSE TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO ACT ON IN NOVEMBER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PAGE AMENDMENT FIRST.

NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.

BUT I'M SURE YOU HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH PEOPLE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ITS CHANCES ARE?

MAYBE TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT, IF YOU CAN.

>> THE FIRST THING I KNOW IS THAT CHAIR CHAMBERLAIN SAYS NO.

HE IS THE CHAIR OF EDUCATION AND THEREFORE HE WILL BE THE ONE THAT DECIDES WHAT GETS HEARD AND WHAT DOESN'T GET HEARD IN OUR EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, HE IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT.

WHAT THIS AMENDMENT DOES IS BASICALLY JUST CHANGING THE LANGUAGE.

IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WILL CHANGE THE LANGUAGE THAT -- IF I COULD REMEMBER WHAT OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS.

OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE -- IS IT AN ADEQUATE OR GOOD EDUCATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THE AMENDMENT CHANGES THAT WORD IN A WAY THAT I DON'T REALLY FEEL IT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE.

CHANGING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BY CHANGING A WORD TO SAY -- I'M SORRY.

I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS IN A PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WE HAVE NEVER ADEQUATELY PAID FOR FULLY FUNDED OUR EDUCATION.

NOW HERE WE HAVE A SURPLUS, AND SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND DO THAT.

I THINK THAT THERE'S GOOD MEANING AND THERE'S GOOD DISCUSSION.

I THINK THE FACT THAT THE PAGE AMENDMENT IS REALLY TRYING TO GET AT THE DISPARITIES WITHIN OUR STUDENTS AND OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR.

BUT CREATING THIS AMENDMENT I DON'T THINK IS THE ANSWER.

I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE AND NOW TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW WE CAN -- I HATE TO SEE REBUILD, BUT REIMAGINE WHAT WE MIGHT -- WHAT A REALLY GOOD EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE AND HOW WE CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE GOING FORWARD, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS SURPLUS TO REALLY FULLY AND INTENTIONALLY CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM THAT IS REALLY CENTERED ON EQUITY, NOT SO MUCH EQUALITY.

EQUITY IS NOT THE SAME AS EQUAL.

IT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE RECEIVING THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED IN THEIR UNIQUE DISTRICT TO CREATE A REALLY WELL ROUNDED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

IN GREATER MINNESOTA, THEY STRUGGLE WITH THE COST OF TRANSPORTING THEIR KIDS, YOU KNOW, MILES AND MILES AND MILES ON BUSES, WHERE IN THE TWIN CITIES YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

THERE'S THE PUBLIC.

THERE'S THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SUBSIDY.

ALL THESE UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH FOR SO LONG, WE HAVE TO STOP DOING THAT TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FULLY FUNDED AND MAKE SURE THAT THE RESOURCES ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR OUR STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC WHEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF VARIABLES AND TRYING TO MEET OUR STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PAGE AMENDMENT AND ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS YOU THINK MIGHT BE LIKELY.

>> SURE.

SO I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK UP THE LANGUAGE QUICKLY.

SO I BELIEVE THE LANGUAGE IS EVERY CHILD DESERVES A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO A PUBLIC QUALITY EDUCATION.

I THINK WHEN -- >> Barry: CERTAIN USE OF SOME THINGS HERE.

>> A LITTLE REFRESHER OF THE MEMORY.

I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY SPARKED AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

THE CONCERN IS RACIAL EQUITY.

HE WANTS EVERY CHILD TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN OR WHERE THEY LIVE.

THOSE ARE VALUES SHARED BY SO MANY AT THE CAPITAL.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS WILL THIS AMENDMENT HELP US ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE DESIRE FOR ALL CHILDREN ACROSS MINNESOTA.

SO THERE'S A DEEP DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, WHETHER THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE OUTCOMES WE DESIRE.

IF IT HAS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, MORE VOUCHERS, AND PERHAPS IT'S BEEN A BACK DOOR TO VOUCHERS, CONCERN ABOUT MYSELF AND OTHERS, AND IN MY CAUCUS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INVESTING AND STRENGTHENING ALWAYS.

THAT'S BEEN SOME OF THE CONTEXT OF THE CONVERSATION AS I HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT AMENDMENT IS GAINING TRACTION THIS SESSION.

I THINK WHAT TO DO WITH THE 7.7 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS, THE BEST WAY TO USE THAT IS ABSORBING, TAKING THE AIR OUT OF THE ROOM RIGHT NOW.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONVERSATIONS THIS MORNING.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT.

>> THIS IS A HOT TOPIC.

AS REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT SAID, THE LANGUAGE TALKS ABOUT QUALITY EDUCATION, QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION AS A CIVIL RIGHT.

I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON QUALITY RATHER THAN THE SYSTEM.

THAT'S PUTTING THE KIDS FIRST.

THE CONCERN THAT I HEAR FROM PARENTS IS WHETHER OR NOT IT ALLOWS FOR SCHOOL CHOICE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR HOME SCHOOL PARENTS?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS?

AND THAT'S SOME OF THE CONCERN THAT I'M HEARING.

SCHOOL CHOICE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY, SCHOOL CHOICE IS MAYBE ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE TALKED TO PARENTS IN MINNEAPOLIS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE THEIR KIDS IF THEY HAD THE MEANS TO DO IT.

SOMEHOW WE ALLOW SCHOOL CHOICE FOR FAMILIES WITH THE MEANS TO AFFORD IT, BUT FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES THAT CAN'T, THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SAME OPTION.

I THINK THAT'S IMMORAL.

I THINK EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALITY EDUCATION THAT MEETS THEIR NEEDS.

NOT EVERY STUDENT IS MEANT TO FIT WITHIN THE SAME SYSTEM.

I SAY THIS AS A SON OF A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER AND SOMEONE WHO IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATE.

I SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR 12 YEARS.

I'M NOT TRYING TO UNDERMINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT ALL.

I'M TRYING TO SAY WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENT FIRST.

MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVED.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND AS WE HAVE SEEN THIS SHIFT FROM IN-PERSON TO ONLINE TO MASKING AND NOT MASKING IS MORE PARENTS ARE OPTING TO HOME SCHOOL OR FIND PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAN THEY ARE PUBLIC OPTION.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS IDEA OF CHOICE WITHIN THE PAGE AMENDMENT SO VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVESWEDZINE AMENDMENT RELATED ISSUES.

>> I KIND OF AGREE WITH SOME OF THE SENDMENTS.

I DON'T THINK THE PAGE AMENDMENT IS GOING TO GET THE TRACTION IS NEEDS TO GET BEYOND THE HURDLE.

THE PASSION BEHIND MR.

PAGE AND HIS SUPPORTERS IS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, RIGHT?

WHAT DO YOU DO TO CLOSE THAT ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN FOLKS OF COLOR AND TRY TO BRING FOLKS TOGETHER?

WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION IS THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY TO BUILD A BUILDING.

BUILDING A LIFE ON A STRONG EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO WITH YOUR LIFE.

BEING IN A CHALLENGING ROBUST EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WITH STRONG STANDARDS, STRONG EXPECTATIONS, NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS BUT FOR EDUCATORS, I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM THAT.

I MEAN, I JUST READ AN ARTICLE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO TALKING ABOUT HOW MISSISSIPPI WHO SPENDS PROBABLY HALF OF WHAT WE DO HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND EDUCATION IS ACTUALLY FINDING SUCCESS CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP WITH THE URBAN STUDENTS AND THE REST OF THE STATE.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING IS THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD CHANCE FOR A VERY BROAD APPROACH, AND IS THE CHANGE IN THE CONSTITUTION GOING TO FIX IT.

BUT IS ALLOWING PARENTS TO HAVE A SAY IN THE CHILD'S EDUCATION, WHETHER IT'S PUBLIC, WHETHER IT'S PRIVATE, WHETHER IT'S HOME SCHOOL, AND WHAT DOES THE STATE'S ROLE PLAY IN THAT.

I HEAR FROM A LOT OF PARENTS, THERE WAS A WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATOR SAYING IF PARENTS REALLY WANT TO SAVE IN THEIR EDUCATION, THEY SHOULD PULL THEIR KIDS OUT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HOME SCHOOL THEM OR SEND THEM TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

WELL, PARENTS I TALK TO DO WANT TO SAVE, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS HAS LABELED PARENTS WHO WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION CALL THEM DOMESTIC TERRORISTS AND IT WAS APPROVED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD FROM GOVERNOR WALZ AND HIS ABILITY TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THAT.

I THINK THAT'S SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO GET TO.

HOW DO PARENTS GET MORE ENGAGED AND HOW DO THEY ACTUALLY ENGAGE IN STUDENTS LIVES TO GET BETTER.

IT'S NOT BY SHUTTING THEM OUT OF SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

IT'S NOT ABOUT A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES WE HEAR DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

I KNOW THE TEACHERS UNIT IS AGAINST THE PAGE AMENDMENT, AND THAT MAYBE SHOULD TELL YOU A LOT.

IF YOU ARE STUCK IN AN URBAN SCHOOL THAT IS FAILING AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO HOME SCHOOL AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO PRIVATE SCHOOL AND HAVE THE MONEY TO BUS YOUR CHILD TO EDINA BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY FULL, YOU LIKE THIS AMENDMENT.

YOU LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHALLENGE THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THAT EXISTS THAT IS CONTROLLED BY POWERFUL INTEREST GROUPS IS FAILING KIDS, AND WE REALLY NEED TO CHALLENGE IT AND BE WILLING TO STEP OUT OF OUR SUPPORT BASE AND PUSH BACK AGAINST SPECIAL INTERESTS FOR WHAT'S BEST WITH CHILDREN ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LEFT.

YOU THINK THE NEXT QUESTION MAY CHEW UP MOST OF THAT FIVE MINUTES.

A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE REALLY HAVE A SURPLUS GIVEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SHORTAGES AND OTHER THINGS, AND WE HAVE TO LAY ON TOP OF THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MMB TODAY THAT TAX RECEIPTS WERE UP SUBSTANTIALLY AND SO MAYBE WE CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE EXTENT OF THAT SURPLUS IS, HOW MUCH OF IT IS LONG-TERM VERSUS ONE-TIME MONEY AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE GOING FORWARD.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE AND IT WILL TAKE OUR LAST FEW MINUTES HERE.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> I WILL GO QUICKLY SINCE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

OBVIOUSLY SURPLUSES ARE NICE TO HAVE COMPARED TO DEFICITS.

STARTING A CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH A MULTIBILLION DOLLARS DEFICIT AND NOT HAVING TO RAISE TAXES TO SOLVE IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS TO UNWIND IN THIS.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?

IS IT BECAUSE OF FEDERAL PRINTED MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED GRANTS AND OTHER PROCESSES THAT ARE BACKED UP IN PARTS OF ACCOUNTS AND THE REST.

WHAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON IS WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING OUR ECONOMY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE CHANCES OF TAXES RISING ON BUSINESSES THAT ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND THE CHANCES OF FAMILIES SEEING HIGH COSTS IN ENERGY, HIGH COSTS IN FOOD, HIGH COSTS IN JUST MAKING THEIR LIVES LIVE NEEDS TO BE OUR TOP PRIORITY AND RETURNING DOLLARS BACK TO THEM IN THE WAY THEY PAID THEM IN TAXES.

IF WE COULD SEE VERY TARGETED TAX RELIEF ON THOSE WHO PAY TAXES, I THINK IT WILL BE A BETTER BOOST TO THE ECONOMY AND HELP IN THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE LIPPERT, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> CALLING THE HOUSE AND TALKING ABOUT INFLATION QUITE A BIT.

I WANT TO SHARE WHAT IS DRIVING INFLATION IS THE PANDEMIC.

INFLATION ISN'T JUST HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S HAPPENING GLOBALLY.

IT'S BEING DRIVEN BY THE PANDEMIC AND THE REASON WE HAVE A SURPLUS IS THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID RESCUING.

THE RECEIPTS OF BUSINESSES ARE HIGHER THAN WHAT WAS EXPECTED BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY IS MUCH STRONGER BECAUSE OF GOOD FEDERAL POLICY.

NOW THE QUESTION IS WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE.

WE STILL HAVE GREAT NEEDS IN OUR STATE.

FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD CHILD CARE.

FAMILIES PAYING AS MUCH AS $30,000 FOR CHILD CARE, WHICH IS JUST HARD TO FATHOM.

HOW IS THAT SUSTAINABLE AT ALL.

MY FOCUS AND THE FOCUS OF MY CAUCUS IS ON FAMILIES AND WORKERS AND WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REALLY MEETING THOSE DEEP NEEDS.

UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> Barry: 15 SECONDS.

>> AS LONG AS WE ARE FOCUSED ON WORKERS AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL BE ENGAGING IN THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Barry: THAT'S GOING TO BE IT FOR THIS EVENING'S PROGRAM.

SORRY WE DIDN'T GET ON THE LAST TWO GUESTS ON WHAT TO DO THE WITH THE BUDGET.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR PARTICIPANTS.

I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS WHO CALLED IN WITH SO MANY GREAT QUESTIONS THIS EVENING.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW.

>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS.

MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FURTHER FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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