HD490(CC1) at 192.168.16.242 HD490(CC1) at 192.168.16.242 >>> STATEWIDE BROADCASTS OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ARE 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 FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

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

WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSING IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY ANDERSON.

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR AN HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AS IS USUALLY THE CASE, WE HAVE A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS THAT WILL HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL BUT BEFORE WE GET TO INTRODUCING THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS I WANT TO REMIND YOU, THE VIEWER THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND SEND THEM VIA VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT STAFF WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU PROVIDED ON YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN.

TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, WE MOVE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THAT DISTINGUISHED PANEL, AND WE BEGIN WITH A FREQUENT GUEST ON THIS PROGRAM, BEEN WITH US MANY TIMES, SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM, TELL US WHAT YOU SERVE ON, YOUR DAY JOB.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, AND HELLO TO MY COLLEAGUES.

STATE SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM, REPRESENT DISTRICT 54, COTTAGE GROVE, HASTINGS, SOUTH ST. PAUL.

AFAFFIDSPENT SOME TIME WORKING E HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MANY YEARS ACTUALLY, AND HAVE THE HONOR TO TEACH AT ADJUNCT PROFESSOR FOR INTRO TO AMERICAN POLITICS.

I HAVE TWO DOGS AND A HUSBAND AND JUST, YOU KNOW, PRETTY FOCUSED ON SESSION AND GETTING SOME GOOD STUFF DONE.

I SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND CIVIL LAW COMMITTEE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHICH ALL SUIT ME.

I'M A FORMER CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND COME WITH EXTENSIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AS WELL.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ALSO JOINING US, REPRESENTATIVE DAVE PINTO FROM DISTRICT 64B, ST. PAUL.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, MR. JUSTICE.

I'M REALLY GLAD TO BE HERE.

DAVE PINTO, AND YOUR VIEWERS MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH ST. KATES AND MCALESTER.

I WORKOUTS THE LEGISLATURE AND SPECIALIZE IN DOMESTIC ASSAULT, SEX TRAFFICKING, AND KIND OF WORK THAT I HAVE DONE A LOT OF, HANDLE A WIDE VARIETY OF THOSE, FELONIES AND SERIOUS CRIMES.

I SERVE ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND DO A LOT OF WORK IN THAT AREA, BUT ACTUALLY THE CHAIR OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE.

I HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF NOT GETTING THOSE EARLY YEARS OFF RIGHT, AND YOU GET TO SEE THAT IN A REALLY BAD WAY, AND THE DAY JOB WAS DETERMINED TO FOCUS ON THE EARLY YEARS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE, AND IT'S A MAJOR FOCUS ON THE LEGISLATURE, AND FOCUSED ON THOSE TWO AREAS AND OTHERS AS WELL.

SO GLAD TO BE BACK AGAIN TONIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Barry: DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

WE WON'T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT PROSECUTION STUFF.

>> WHATEVER WORKS.

>> Barry: SENATOR MIKE GOGGIN IS ALSO JOINING US, BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I'M STATE SENATOR MIKE GOING ON, RED WING, DISTRICT 21.

I SERVE ON AG COMMITTEE, HIGHER ED AND:FORESTRY, AND WHILE I'M NOT AT THE LEGISLATURE I WORK AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND PROJECT MANAGER, MARRIED TO MY WIFE PAM FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW, AND I HAVE TWO SONS, HAD MY FIRST GRANDCHILD COMING IN APRIL, AND MY SON AND MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, SO MY WIFE AND I ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BECOME GRANDPARENTS AND GO ONTO THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR LIVES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US ON TODAY.

>> Barry: FINALLY, JOINING US FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALSO FROM THE RED WING AREA, DISTRICT 21A, REPRESENTATIVE BARB HALEY, TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR AWAITING AUDIENCE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SENATOR GOGGIN AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER SINCE WE WERE KIDS, AND WE FIGURED OUT RECENTLY WE REMEMBERED OUR FIRST HIGH SCHOOL JOB, AT THE HOTEL, A RESTAURANT THAT THEY WERE LAUNCHING.

WE HAVE STORIES ABOUT LEARNING TO BE WAITERS AND WAITRESSES BACK IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL DAYS TOGETHER.

I DO REPRESENT 21A, RED WING AND I WOULD LOVE TO CALL OUR BEAUTIFUL SOUTH SHORE IN MINNESOTA, AND I'M DOING THIS JOB FULL-TIME, AND MY PREVIOUS CAREER WAS IN BUSINESS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION AND I TEASE MY FRIENDS WHEN YOU BECOME AN EMPTY NESTER AND YOUR KIDS GRADUATE AND GO OFF TO COLLEGE AND THE WORKFORCE, YOU PICK AN ENCORE CAREER, AND THAT'S WHAT I CALL MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER, MY ENCORE CAREER WHEN MY KIDS LEFT THE HOME.

BUT I BRING, LIKE I SAID EXTENSIVE BUSINESS EXPERIENCE, AND HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION ARE REALLY MY PASSION.

THIS SESSION I'M SERVING ON THE JOBS COMMITTEE, COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND REFORM COMMITTEE, AND MY TWO PREVIOUS TERMS I WAS ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE, AND STILL HAVE A KEEN INTEREST IN THE HEALTHCARE ARENA, AND AS I SAID IN THE AREA, WORKFORCE, AND MAKING SURE THAT KIDS ARE PREPARED FOR THEIR CAREERS AND POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

THOSE ARE MY AREAS.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE SESSION, WE HAVE BEEN GIVING OUR GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT WERE A PRIORITY TO THEM IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BECAUSE OF COURSE THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE IS REALLY BEGINNING TO GET UNDERWAY WITH SEEING OTHER THINGS, AND SOME OF THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY PRODUCE NEWS IN TERMS OF TOPICS OF CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK SOME OF THE PRIORITIES THAT OUR LEGISLATORS HAVE DOES PRODUCE NEWS.

LET'S START WITH REPRESENTATIVE PINTO, MAYBE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE CONCERNING TO YOU IN THE SESSION, MATTERS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAVE SOME ACTION.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORK, TRYING TO CONTRAIN MYSELF BECAUSE I GET REAL EXCITED.

I WILL NOTE THAT FOR ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WE HAVE THIS HUGE CRISIS GOING ON IN CHILD CARE, PARENTS CAN'T FIND CARE THAT IS AFFORDABLE, A RATE THAT WORKS FOR THEM TO PAY, AND PARENTS ARE PAYING HUGE PROPORTIONS OF THEIR INCOME, AND PEOPLE DOING THAT WORK ARE BEING PAID EXTREMELY LITTLE.

THE LOWEST PAID OCCUPATION REQUIRING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS BACK IN CHILD CARE, AND THEN ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE A HUGE CRISIS IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITY GAPS IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND I THINK FOLKS MAY BE AWARE OF RACIAL GAPS BUT OTHER GROUPS AS WELL.

RESEARCH SAYS THAT ALL STARTS IN THE EARLIEST YEARS AS WELL.

YOU HAVE TWIN CRISIS GOING ON, AND SO A LOT OF MY WORK IS FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE CRISIS AND RECOGNIZING THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE, SUCH AS IT IS, IS FUNDAMENTALLY BROKEN.

JUST LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT, IF WE DIDN'T HAVE SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC FUNDING FOR K-12 SCHOOLS AND PARENTS HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEIR KIDS EDUCATED AND CARED FOR, AND WE RECOGNIZE NOW DURING THE PANDEMIC SCHOOLS ARE ABOUT TO CARE FOR KIDS AS WELL, HAVING A PLACE FOR KIDS TO GO, ET CETERA, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT FOR OLDER KIDS, AND WE WOULD BE IN A REAL WORLD OF HURT, AND THAT'S THE SITUATION WE ARE IN.

PLENTY MORE TO TALK ABOUT ABOUT THAT, AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.

ONE THING I'M ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE IDEA OF HAVING A DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD AND TAKE IT THAT OCCUR IN MULTIPLE AGENCIES, AT LEAST THREE, AND PUTTING THEM IN ONE PLACE, SO THERE'S ONE PERSON IN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IS REALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IN SOCIETY MAKING SURE THE EARLIEST YEARS GET OFF RIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE WITH ACCOUNTABILITY AND AUTHORITY RIGHT NOW.

I WILL BE MOVING THAT PROPOSE ALFORD FOR OUR NEW DEPARTMENT.

IT'S JUST A COUPLE THINGS.

THANKS.

>> Barry: SENATOR GOGGIN YOUR PRIORITIES FOR THIS SESSION?

>> MY PRIORITIES ARE GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, GETTING BACK TO WHATEVER KIND OF NORMALCY WE CAN GET TO, BUT ALSO KEEPING IN MIND THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR AGRICULTURAL ENTRY AND OUR VETERANS, WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THOSE TWO AREAS.

I REALLY WANT TO FOCUS ON THOSE BECAUSE I HAVE A PROGRAM THAT I GOT STARTED BACK IN 2017, THE HELMETS TO HARD HITS PROGRAM FOR OUR EXISTING VETERANS, RETURNING VETERANS, TO BE ABLE TO START A NEW CAREER IN THE SKILL TRADES.

REPRESENTATIVE HALEY CAN TALK EXTENSIVELY ABOUT HER WORK WITH THE PROGRAM AND THAT, BECAUSE WE NEED TO HELP THOSE FOLKS, OUR VETERANS FIND A GOOD CAREER, AND GREAT CAREERS ARE IN TRADES, AND IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE A GREAT FUTURE AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT PROGRAM.

I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME, BUT WE HAVE HAD OVER 500 PEOPLE JUST IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA GO THROUGH THAT PROGRAM AND GET GREAT JOBS.

IN FACT THIS MORNING IN THE VETERANS COMMITTEE, I PRESENTED THE BILL FOR THIS YEAR, THIS BUDGET YEAR SO THAT WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO KEEP THAT PROGRAM GOING.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S ABOUT A THOUSAND TO $1,500 PER PERSON THAT GOES THROUGH THE PROGRAM, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HELPS THEM GET BACK INTO THE CIVILIAN LIFE PLUS DEAL WITH ANY PTSD OR STRESS THEY HAVE FROM THEIR DEPLOYMENTS, IT'S MONEY VERY WELL SPENT AND IT REALLY HELPS THOSE FOLKS.

IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, YOU LOOK AT WHAT OUR FARMERS HAVE GONE THROUGH.

LAST YEAR WE FINALLY HAD THE PERFECT STORM OF GOOD WEATHER, GOT THE CROPS IN EARLY, GOT THEM ON TIME, OUT ON TIME, HIGH YIELDS, AND PRICES WENT UP, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF STRESS IN THE FARMING INDUSTRY.

THOSE COMMUNITIES HAD A TOUGH TIME THE LAST 7, 8 YEARS, AND WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OUT THERE ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO STAY FOCUSED ON THEIR JOB AND STAY SAFE ON THE FARM.

IT'S AN AREA THAT I WAS TALKING WITH COMMISSIONER PETERSON TODAY ABOUT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS HAVE SOMEONE THEY CAN CALL WHEN THEY ARE FEELING STRESS AND THEY NEED TO TALK TO SOMEBODY, AND THE FARM ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY, THOSE ARE PRETTY MUCH MY MAJOR ISSUES, MAJOR ITEMS THAT I'M WORKING ON.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HALEY, PRIORITIES.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I THINK OUR MAJOR FOCUS THIS BIENNIUM, WE HAVE TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET THIS YEAR.

THAT'S CHIEFLY WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO THIS YEAR.

IT'S KIND OF BEEN A SLOW START.

IN MY COMMITTEES, THERE'S NOT A BUDGET YET.

WE HAVE TO HUNKER DOWN IN ORDER TO GET THAT WORK DONE ON TIME, AND PART OF MY FOCUS AROUND THAT IS MAKING SURE WE DO THAT RESPONSIBLY.

CERTAINLY COVID HAD AN EXTREME IMPACT ON THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SINCE THAT'S AN AREA THAT I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE HAVE TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET WITHOUT PUTTING ANY ADDITIONAL TAX BUDGET ON THE BUSINESS OWNERS, AND THAT WOULD BE A PRIORITY OF MINE.

AS I SAID BEFORE, I SPEND A LOT OF TIME FOCUSING ON THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN OUR JOB SEEKERS AND OUR EMPLOYERS, AND I THINK WE HAVE TO GET VERY CREATIVE ABOUT THAT AND REALIZE THAT WE ARE COMPETING FOR WORKERS NOT ONLY IN THE STATES NEIGHBORING US, BUT WITH THE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FROM HOME THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

WE ARE COMPETING FOR WORKERS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

SO AGAIN OUR TAX CODE IS A REALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN HOW WE ATTRACT WORKERS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF JUST GETTING THAT MESSAGE OUT TO WHERE WE HAVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

IN RURAL MINNESOTA THAT I REPRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE FANTASTIC MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, AND THIS IS TRUE ALL OVER THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I THINK A LOT OF JOB SEEKERS AREN'T AWARE OF THOSE REAL HIGH SKILL, HIGH TECH JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN PHENOMENAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

I'M INTERESTED IN THE WORK, AND HOW WE CAN DO IT BETTER, FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY.

I'M ALSO LOOKING AT CREATIVE PROGRAMS, YOU KNOW, SIMILAR TO SOMEWHAT OUR BORDER STATES ARE DOING.

SOUTH DAKOTA HAS AN INTERESTING PROGRAM WHEREBY THEY WILL REQUIRE IF YOU GIVE A SCHOLARSHIP AT A TWO-YEAR SCHOOL IN SOUTH DAKOTA, THEY HAVE RAISED ENOUGH MONEY FOR THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS BUT ALSO REQUIRING THAT YOU WORK FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS AFTER YOU COME OUT WITH THAT DEGREE OR THAT SKILL TRAINING.

SO I THINK THAT'S A UNIQUE PROGRAM THAT WE COULD LOOK AT EMULATING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AS SENATOR GOGGIN SAYS, A COUPLE BILLS THAT I CARED IN THE PAST, TRAINING PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GET WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON A MANUFACTURING FLOOR IN ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT, MARKETING DEPARTMENT AND REALIZE WHAT THE WORKFORCE IS LIKE WHEN THEY ARE 16 AND 17 YEARS OLD.

THEN THE NEXT STEP OF THAT, I CARRIED THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS WHICH AGAIN PROVIDED GRANT MONEY TO THE TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS IN THE AREAS WHERE WE NEED SKILLS.

I'M ALWAYS VERY FOCUSED ON BEING TARGETED WITH STATE DOLLARS AND MAKING SURE WE TARGET ANY OF THIS GRANT MONEY TO THE SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES WHERE WE HAVE JOB OPENINGS, SO AREAS LIKE AGRICULTURE AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, I.T.

AND HEALTHCARE INSTRUCTION, AND I WILL BE MAKING A FEW CHANGES TO THAT LEGISLATION THIS YEAR AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM, PRIORITIES.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE NO.

1 THING WE ARE UP THERE TO DO IS TO BUDGET, AND WE WILL BE GETTING OUR FINAL FORECAST FEBRUARY FORECAST THE END OF FEBRUARY, AND FROM THERE WE WILL START PUTTING TOGETHER THE STATE BUDGET.

THAT WILL TAKE UP A LOT OF OUR TIME.

I THINK A TOP PRIORITY IS GETTING THE VIRUS UNDER CONTROL, GETTING VACCINES IN PEOPLE'S ARMS AND OPENINGS BACK UP IN A SAFE MANNER, REALLY FOCUSING OUR BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESSES, MAKING SURE THAT THINGS ARE SAFE FOR OUR CONSUME RESPECT AND CON, AND THEY ARE THE LIFELINE OF OUR COMMUNITY, THESE SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BE PARTNERS WITH THEM TO HELP WEATHER THIS STORM.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES THAT NOT ONLY COVID SHOWN REALLY HIGHLIGHTED BUT DID TRULY EXIST BEFORE COVID THAT WE KIND OF DIDN'T ADDRESS, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT STUFF IN EDUCATION.

I'M TALKING ABOUT STUFF IN HEALTHCARE AND IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

I THINK THAT THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON AND USE THOSE TARGETED DOLLARS AND TWEAK POLICIES SO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE DISPARITIES.

I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUSH GREEN CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND POLICIES AND TRANSITION INTO CLEAN ENERGY.

I KNOW THAT SENATOR GOGGIN AND I IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER HAVE HAD BILLS AT THE LAST SESSION THAT PASSED THAT DID THAT.

IT'S A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, AND IT CREATES JOBS, AND IT'S GOOD FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND GOOD FOR FOR OUR ECONOMY.

SO WE SHOULD DO IT.

WE HAVE GOT TOTINO BROADBAND, BROADBAND, BROADBAND, BROADBAND.

WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION, WHETHER IT'S JOBS, WHETHER IT'S TELEMEDICINE.

WE ARE GOING TO TELEHEALTH NOW.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE NEW WORD.

INSTEAD OF TELEMEDICINE, IT'S TELEHEALTH.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THAT.

TWO THINGS THAT I WORKED ON PRETTY MUCH SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE SENATE IS CONTINUING TO BUILD OUR INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRY.

I WANT TO BE NO.

1 IN THE WORLD WITH INDUSTRIAL HEMP IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE FARMERS, AND THERE'S A GOOD COMMODITY MARKET FOR IT, SO WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT, AND SOMETHING I THINK MINNESOTA NEEDS TO DO AND JOIN THE 27 OTHER STATES AND TERRITORIES IS LEGALIZE SPORTS WAGERING.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE MARKET IS DEMANDING.

IT'S ALREADY CURRENTLY DONE, AND LET'S LEGALIZE IT, PUT PARAMETERS, CONSUMER PROTECTIONS ON THAT, AND HAVE A GOOD CONSUMER EXPERIENCE.

I'M SPONSORING A BILL WITH REPUBLICAN PAT GAROFALO, AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT AS WELL.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR VIEWERS HAVE PROVIDED TO US AND WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE VACCINE ROLL-OUT AND WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE MORE INVOLVED IN THAT, VIEWERS OF THE OPINION THAT PRIORITIES SHOULD BE THE ELDERLY AND NOT TEACHERS OR OTHER GROUPS.

LET'S TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THAT AND WHAT ROLE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD PLAY IN THAT.

LET'S TALK WITH YOU, SENATOR GOING INSIDE AND GO WITH YOU, SENATOR PINTO.

>> WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A ROLE IN IT.

THIS IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING.

I PERSONALLY WANTED TO BE PART OF THAT -- THE SUPPORT TO HELP HIM DEVELOP THAT PLAN.

THAT'S WHAT I DO IN MY DAY JOB.

I PUT PLANS TOGETHER, AND I IMPLEMENT THOSE PLANS, AND I THINK I COULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD RESOURCE FOR HIM BUT WE DO NEED TO PRIORITIZE THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE FIRST AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE VACCINES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

I JUST HEARD TODAY THAT BIDEN JUST GOT 200 MILLION MORE VACCINES COMING IN, BUT WE WILL PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THOSE OUT UNTIL SOMETIME THIS SUMMER.

IT'S GOING TO BE AWHILE, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE ROLL-OUT IS GOING SLOWLY.

WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TAKING CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE FIRST, FIRST AND FOREMOST, AND I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HELP THE GOVERNOR OUT WITH WHATEVER I CAN TO HELP MAKE THIS ROLL-OUT GO BETTER.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PINTO.

>> THANKS.

I MEAN, THIS IS SUCH A TOUGH SITUATION, BECAUSE THERE'S SO LITTLE VACCINE.

WE HAVE HAD -- I THINK IT'S PRETTY FAIR TO SAY WE HAD A REAL FAILURE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AT THE VERY LEAST NO COORDINATION, AND A NUMBER OF MONTHS WE WERE HEARING EACH STATE HAS TO FIGURE IT OUT ON HIS OWN.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR GOGGIN, WE ARE NOW HEARING UNTIL THE EARLY WEEKS IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION A REAL MOVE TO RAMP UP THE PRODUCTION OF VACCINES, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE INCREASINGLY -- I REMEMBER DOSES ARE DOUBLING NOW, BUT STARTING, OF COURSE AT SUCH A LOW BASE, BECAUSE WE ARE IN SUCH A REAL DIFFICULT SITUATION.

WE ARE RECEIVING REGULAR BRIEFINGS AND REGULARLY IN TOUCH WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING SITUATION TO BE IN AS WE ARE BALANCING NOW -- I TOTALLY GET WHAT THE CALLER IS SAYING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE ELDERLY ARE SO MUCH AT RISK.

WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS ARE OPEN, AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS ARE SAFE AS WE ARE HAVING THE IN-PERSON LEARNING GOING ON, AND CHILD CARE WORKERS, ET CETERA.

AS WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE PANDEMIC, WE ARE IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION AND CERTAINLY WASN'T HELPED BY WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF ADDRESSING THINGS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HALEY, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I AGREE IT'S A CHALLENGING SITUATION AND WE HAD MISSTEPS.

WE KNEW VACCINES WERE COMING, AND THERE WAS TIME TO PLAN.

IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT ROLL-OUT PLANS, AND IT'S START, STOP, START.

IT'S CONFUSED PEOPLE AND IT HASN'T BEEN EFFECTIVE IN GETTING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF VACCINE IN PEOPLE'S ARMS AT ONE TIME.

WHAT I HEARD FROM THE LOCAL PROVIDERS IS THEY KNOW THE PATIENTS.

PATIENTS ARE USED TO CALLING THEIR PROVIDER.

THEY ARE USED TO GETTING THEIR OTHER VACCINES AND SHOTS, ET CETERA.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO FOCUS FOR THE ELDERLY.

I'M PLEASED THE GOVERNOR DID MAKE A CHANGE THIS WEEK, AND IT SHOULD BE RAMPING UP.

AS FAR AS MY TEACHERS, I TALKED TO TWO SUPERINTENDENTS TODAY, AND THEY ARE GLAD THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO CHANGED AND GOT PUBLIC HEALTH MORE INVOLVED BECAUSE THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE HELPFUL TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY ARE USED TO HAVING FLU SHOT CLINICS IN SCHOOLS FOR ALL THE TEACHERS.

THAT'S A NATURAL CONNECTION.

CERTAINLY WE NEED MORE VACCINE DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT ALSO NEED TO GET IT OUT THE DOOR EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY TO THE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA.

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WE HAVE TURNED THE CORNER AND WALKED INTO A PLAN THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE NOW.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM.

>> WE DID KNOW THAT VACCINES WERE COMING, AND IT WAS FAR FEWER THAN ANTICIPATED.

REALLY THE FEDERAL ROLL-OUT NOT HAVING A NATIONAL PLAN DID AFFECT THAT, AND IT'S COMING HOME TO ROOST.

NOW IT'S GOING STRAIGHT TO PHARMACIES AND CLINICS, WHICH IS PHENOMENAL AS REPRESENTATIVE HALEY SAID.

WE REALLY NEED THEM TO BE GETTING TO THEIR PHARMACIES, TO THEIR CLINICS WHERE THESE DOCTORS KNOW THEIR PATIENTS AND CAN GET THEM IN.

I THINK TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE VACCINES SO WE CAN OPEN SCHOOLS AND GET KIDS BACK IN SCHOOLS WHERE THEY BELONG, WHERE THEY SUCCEED.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE -- THERE IS NO BLUEPRINT FOR THIS, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN SINCE A YEAR AGO WHEN WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

THE ISSUE HAPPENS TO BE IS NOW WE ARE WALKING IN WITH A NEW ADMINISTRATION THAT THOUGHT THINGS WERE BETTER THAN THEY WERE, AND NOW THEY ARE MAKING THE ADJUSTMENTS AND THAT'S GOOD, AND I'M HOPING THAT BETWEEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY AND THE CHANGES THAT THE GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN ARE MAKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND REALLY TRYING TO GET THESE VACCINES IN PEOPLE'S ARMS IS GOING TO REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND OPEN UP.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN ALBANY THAT IT ACTUALLY TOUCHES ON SOME LEGAL ISSUES, BUT IT HAS BEEN THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL SESSIONS, AND IN FACT I HAVE HAD QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS PREVIOUSLY ON THIS.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CIVIL CONFISCATION LAWS AND ABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUDICIAL FORFEITURE FOR VEHICLES OR OTHER PROPERTY AND ASSETS IN THE EVENT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

THERE HAVE BEEN REFORM BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IN FACT, ONE WAS PASSED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, BUT NOTHING RECENTLY, AND THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THIS IS GOING.

I DON'T THINK WE WILL SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF TIME ON IT.

BUT SENATOR BIGHAM, LET'S START WITH YOU, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE VIRTUAL TABLE.

>> I SIGNED ON THE PARTISAN BILL WITH SENATOR JOHNSON ON THIS ISSUE.

THERE IS, I'M GOING TO SAY, 95% TO 96% AGREEMENT AMONG STAKEHOLDERS.

I DON'T THINK THERE WILL EVER BE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE.

IF WE CAN MAKE AN IMPROVEMENT TO 95% OF THE SITUATIONS THAT QUITE HONESTLY IT'S EACH DEPARTMENT FOR THEMSELVES, AND WE HAVE SOME UNANIMITY, WE HAVE STANDARDS THAT COULD BE CAPPING WHEN A CAR CAN BE RETURNED OR SETTING PARAMETERS OF WHEN A CAR CAN BE RETURNED AND WHO CAN GO -- WHEN IT CAN GO BACK TO THE OWNER WITHOUT INTERFERING IN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.

I THINK IT'S KEY.

THERE ARE SOME HORRIFIC STORIES OUT THERE.

IF WE DON'T PASS ANYTHING, THEY JUST DON'T STOP.

IF WE PASS A BILL THAT HAS 95, 96% AGREEMENT, WE ARE GOING TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS AND DUE PROCESS AND REALLY SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SITUATION, AND I DO HOPE THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR CAN COME TOGETHER AND PASS THIS BILL AND SIGN IT INTO LAW.

>> Barry: YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE NO INVOLVEMENT WITH THIS IN MY DAY JOB.

I HANDLE THE CRIMINAL SIDE, BUN I DO HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY.

JUST TO MAKE SURE YOUR VIEWERS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, IF THERE'S, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY IS INVOLVED IN MAYBE POSSESSING DRUGS, BUT THEY ARE DRIVING A CAR, THEN PERHAPS THEIR CAR COULD BE FORFEITED, YOU KNOW, COULD BE TAKEN BY THE STATE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CRIME, AND I THINK THAT VIEWERS COULD IMAGINE THAT THERE COULD BE REAL CONCERNS WITH THAT, DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION, AND YOU HAVE THE PROCEEDS MAYBE FUNDING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

DO THEY HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO POLICE DIFFERENTLY OR PROSECUTE DIFFERENTLY AND THIS IS A REAL ISSUE THAT REALLY DOES PULL FOLKS TOGETHER FROM WIDE ENDS OF THE POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM AND IT'S A REALLY NICE ASPECT TO IT, AND WHAT'S GREAT AS SENATOR BIGHAM SAID, IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR VIEWER WOULD BE HAPPY TO KNOW THERE IS REAL MOVEMENT, AND PROPOSAL THAT IS MOVING WELL THROUGH THE HOUSE, AND IT'S GOT -- I THINK IT'S HAD STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTES IN THE JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEES AND I THINK WE WILL BE FINALLY MAKING PROGRESS.

I DON'T THINK ANY STAKEHOLDER LOVES 100% OF THE BILL BUT LOVE PARTS OF IT, AND IT'S OFTEN A SIGN OF COMPROMISE.

I THINK WE HAVE REAL PROSPECTS FOR MOVEMENT IN THIS SESSION.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HALEY, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I DON'T SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OR PUBLIC SAFETY SO I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS PROPOSAL THIS YEAR.

SO I DON'T KNOW THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

REPRESENTATIVE PINTO KIND OF DESCRIBED THE TENSION.

HOW DO YOU PROTECT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES AND ALSO REALIZE WHEN A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED AND PROPERTY IS SEIZED AS PART OF THAT INVESTIGATION THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A BALANCING ACT THERE, AND SOME OF THIS, YOU KNOW, FORFEITED MATERIAL WHEN THEY ARE ABLE TO SELL IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND THAT DOES FUND, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL THINGS FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT.

THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE COMING TOGETHER, AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

LIKE I SAID, I HAVEN'T READ THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE MOVING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

SO I CAN'T COMMENT ON THOSE SPECIFICALLY.

THESE ISSUES USUALLY DO TAKE SOME TIME.

SO FOR THE VIEWER THAT CALLED IN, IT TAKES A NUMBER OF SESSIONS TO WRESTLE THROUGH, AND MAYBE THIS SESSION WE WILL HAVE A COMPROMISE ON ALL SIDES.

>> Barry: SENATOR GOGGIN, YOUR THOUGHTS, VEHICLE, CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE.

>> WELL, AGAIN, I HAVE NOT SEEN THE BILL MYSELF OR ANY OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BUT I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH ALL MY PREVIOUS COLLEAGUES HERE.

WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH COMMON SENSE, RATIONAL REALISTIC SOLUTION ITSELF FOR 95, 96% OF THE PEOPLE.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PARAMETERS SET UP SUCH THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING ANY ABUSES OF THE FORFEITURE LAW OR THE CONFISCATION LAW, BECAUSE IN MY PERSPECTIVE, IT HAS TO COME BACK ON WHAT'S THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE COURT SYSTEM?

THAT SHOULD BE MORE THAN ANYTHING THE OVERARCHING ANSWER IS HOW DID THEY -- WHAT WAS THE FINAL OUTCOME?

AND WITH THAT THERE SHOULD BE PARAMETERS SET UP WITH WHICH TO DEAL WITH PROPERTY THAT WAS CONFISCATED AT THE TIME UNDER, WHETHER IT WAS SOMEBODY POACHING A DEER OR DOING SOME OTHER TYPE OF CRIME.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM SPICER, MINNESOTA THAT WANTS TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT A TOPIC THAT WE TOUCHED ON -- SOME MEMBERS OF OUR PANEL TOUCHED ON BRIEFLY IN THE OPENING REMARK DEALING WITH CLEAN ENERGY ISSUES.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA MIGHT MANDATE EPA STANDARDS IN CALIFORNIA INSTEAD OF LETTING THE MARKETPLACE DETERMINE TYPES OF VEHICLES THAT ARE BOUGHT AND SOLD.

THIS VIEWER IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE MANDATE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY, I THINK, A REGULATION, RULE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TALKED ABOUT ADOPTING.

THERE'S A PROCESS THAT GOES WITH THAT.

IT'S A FAIRLY LENGTHY PROCESS, AND I THINK WE COULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISSUE ITSELF AND WHAT OUR PANEL THINKS OF IT AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT DO HERE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR GOGGIN.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE GIVEN YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BAT LEAD OFF TODAY, AND WE WILL START WITH YOU AND GO AROUND THE VIRTUAL TABLE FROM THERE.

GO AHEAD.

>> MY TAKE ON THIS IS THE WAY THIS IS BEING HANDLED IS THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT BEING PART OF THE PROCESS.

THIS IS A VERY LENGTHY PROCESS THAT REALLY NEEDS TO GET BETTER.

WE REALLY SIT TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS, PUT ALL THE OPTIONS OUT ON THE TABLE.

I'M IN ALL THE ABOVE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ONE ANSWER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE IN METRO AREAS AND PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS AND FARMERS, OUR TRUCK DRIVERS, OUR MINING AND LOGGING INDUSTRY, SO WE HAVE VERY DIVERSE NEEDS FOR ENERGY OUT THERE, AND TO DO THIS TYPE OF MANDATE IS GOING TO REALLY, WITHOUT HAVING IT GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND HAVE THE PEOPLE'S VOICES HEARD, IT OPENS ITSELF UP FOR DISENFRANCHISING DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE, AND IN THE END, IT MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT SOLUTION, AND I PERSONALLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE OUR EPA STANDARDS ITCHED TO THE CALIFORNIA WHERE WE CAN'T HAVE ANY SAY IN IT.

WE ARE VERY SMART PEOPLE, AND WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND WE DON'T JUST SAY WE ARE GOING TO DO WHAT CALIFORNIA DOES.

MYSELF, I WANT TO SEE A SOLUTION, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A DIVERSE MIX OUT THERE SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE CHOICES AND BY DOING IT THIS WAY, SEVERELY LIMITING THE CHOICES OF PEOPLE OUT THERE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PINTO, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> YEAH.

I AGREE ABOUT OPTIONS OF CHOICES, AND I THINK THERE'S MORE THAN 40 ELECTRIC MODELS SOLD.

WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, THIS IS SETTING A STANDARD AND ALLOWING CONSUMERS TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE, CUSTOMERS TO CHOOSE A VEHICLE THAT ACTUALLY MEETS THEIR NEEDS, AND I THINK WE ARE SEEING ALL AROUND MINNESOTA THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AND WE HAVE NOTICED THAT LAKES ARE FREEZING LATER AND THAWING EARLIER AND WE ARE HAVING SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, AND WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND PROTECT THE TRANSPORTATION AND AUTOMOBILES ARE PARTICULARLY LARGE PORTION OF THOSE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

IT'S AN EXE AN EXSTENSIAL THREA.

TO MY MIND, SETTING A STANDARD THAT DRIVES US TO A CLEANER MINNESOTA AND GIVING PEOPLE THE OPTION TO DO THAT ONLY MAKES SENSE.

I THINK IT'S A TERRIFIC PROGRAM AND APPROACH.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HALEY.

>> I LINE MORE WITH SENATOR GOGGIN'S VIEW.

FIRST AND FOREMOST THIS NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN VET IT AND THE VOICES OF MINNESOTANS CAN BE HEARD.

I AM VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO DO ON THIS AND IMPOSE STANDARD RULE MAKING THAT HAS NOT BEEN VETTED.

REGARDLESS OF THE POLICY, THAT PROCEDURAL PROCESS IS WRONG IN MY OPINION.

TO ADOPT A CALIFORNIA STANDARD WHEN WE HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ECONOMY, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WEATHER, IT'S JUST -- IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

THE FARMERS AND THE MANUFACTURERS IN MY COMMUNITY THAT I REPRESENT HAVE NO INTEREST IN THIS STANDARD, AND IT DOESN'T MEET OUR NEEDS FOR THE TYPES OF VEHICLES THAT WE NEED TO DRIVE AND FOR THE COMMERCE THAT WE NEED TO CONDUCT IN MY AREA.

JUST RIGHT OFF THE FACE OF IT, THE STANDARD WOULD INCREASE THE COST OF AUTOMOBILES BY OVER $1,000.

BUT AGAIN, GOING BACK TO FIRST AND FOREMOST THE PROCESS IS WRONG.

THIS NEEDS TO COME THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND VET IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR A LOT OF MINNESOTANS AND THE NO.

1 CONTRIBUTING FACTOR FOR GREENHOUSE GASES IS TRANSPORTATION.

IT'S A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FOR YEARS WASHINGTON -- WELL, FOR FOUR YEARS WASHINGTON HADN'T ACTED ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE ISSUES.

MOST VEHICLES, MOST RECENT VEHICLES MEET THE STANDARDS ALREADY, AND ALL THIS SIMPLY DOES IS SET STANDARDS SO THAT MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES WILL BE IN THE MARKET AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MORE THAN AMPLE SUPPLY OF THOSE VEHICLES.

WE ALSO NEED TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, CHARGING STATIONS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO ALL OVER MINNESOTA AND CHARGE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT CHARGING YOUR VEHICLES, AND NOT WORRY ABOUT ANY ISSUES.

NO ONE IS GOING TO BE FORCED TO GIVE UP A CAR.

THERE'S GOING TO BE NO EMISSIONS TESTS LIKE THERE WERE WAY BACK IN THE DAY.

THERE HAS BEEN ACTUALLY A LOT OF INPUT AND HEARING, I THINK, FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE HEARING IS NEXT WEEK, I THINK, OR THE WEEK AFTER, AND THERE'S PUBLIC INPUT, AND YOU CAN GO TO THE MTCA'S WEBSITE AND SUBMIT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEY HAD PUBLIC HEARINGS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I CONTINUE TO CONTINUE TO SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS SO THEY ARE PART OF THE RECORD, WHETHER YOU ARE AN AUTOMOBILE DEALER OR SOMEBODY THAT'S REALLY WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR FUTURE.

PLEASE GO TO THE MTCA WEBSITE.

YOU SEE THE LINK RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE.

>> Barry: FOR OUR VIEWERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE TOPIC AND WISH TO PURSUE IT FURTHER, OF COURSE THERE ARE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THAT SENATOR BIGHAM PROVIDED, AND I CAN ALSO ADVICE THE BUSINESS COLUMNIST FOR THE STAR TRIBUNE HAD A COLUMN THIS MORNING THAT DISCUSSES, I THINK, BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE AND LAYS OUT SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST, AND THAT MIGHT BE A PLACE TO START IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION.

LET'S MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT QUESTION.

THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WE HAD ON PREVIOUS PROGRAMS.

IT REMAINS AN AREA OF CONCERN FOR MINNESOTANS, AND THIS IS A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE BODY GRIP ISSUE IN PROTECTING DOGS FROM BITING TRAPS.

IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY ACTION ON THIS ISSUE, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

REPRESENTATIVE HALEY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS, IF ANY?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO PUSH THAT ON MY COLLEAGUES.

>> WANT TO PHONE A FRIEND?

>> I WANT TO PHONE A FRIEND.

I HAVE NO FAMILIARITY.

I ALWAYS SAY THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IF I DON'T KNOW, I WILL TELL YOU.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM, I THINK SHE CALLED YOU.

I DON'T KNOW WE WILL AGREE ON THIS, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE STANDS ON THIS.

TRAPPING IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION TO BE ON THEIR LAND.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE WRITTEN NOTICE THEY ARE GOING TO LAY A TRAP ON THAT LAND SO YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR DOG.

IT'S TRAGIC.

I SPONSOR LEGISLATION WITH SENATOR HOUSLEY ON THIS, AND IT'S REALLY A LAND RIGHTS ISSUE.

THAT'S HOW I SEE IT.

NOBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK ON TO YOUR LAND.

I HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN A HALF ACRE, BUT YOU HAVE HUGE ACRES YOU CAN'T TRACK AT ALL.

IF YOU WANT TO ALLOW TRAFFIC, YOU NEED TO HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD BE OUTLAWED, AND WE SHOULD HAVE ANYBODY THAT'S GOING TO DO ANY SORT OF TRAPPING HAS TO HAVE A WRITTEN PERMISSION THAT THE DOG DOESN'T GET CAUGHT UP IN IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

I DON'T KNOW WORK IN THE AREA ON ANY COMMITTEES I AM IN.

IT DOES COME UP A BT.

THERE'S THE ISSUE THAT SENATOR BIGHAM IDENTIFIED, WHICH I AGREED, IT SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUE, AND SAY RIGHT NOW THE LAW SAYS YOU CAN GO ON SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY AND SET TRAPS, THAT IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE EXPRESSED PERMISSION, BUT THE ISSUE OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE TRAPS ACTUALLY WORK CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DOGS, AND SO THE IDEA IS SIMPLY THAT WE SHOULD HAVE -- THE TRAP SHOULD BE DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT THEY WOULD BE SAFER AND BE PLACED IN SUCH A WAY TO BE SAFER FOR DOGS WHERE THEY CAN THEN CATCH THE ANIMAL THAT IS INTENDED, BUT REALLY UNDER HORRIFIC INCIDENTS THAT WERE DESCRIBED FOR DOGS, THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADVANCE, AND I THINK THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF SUPPORT IN THE DFL HOUSE, AND THERE HAS BEEN, AND I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN STOPPED IN THE SENATE, REPUBLICAN SENATE, I BELIEVE, ANYWAY, AND IN TERMS OF YOUR VIEWER'S QUESTION, I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PASS, BUT SENATOR GOGGIN MAY HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION ON IT.

>> Barry: LET'S GO TO SENATOR GOGGIN.

TRAPS, DOGS, MATTERS OF THIS SORT.

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY LEGISLATION COMING UP THIS SESSION IN REGARDS TO THAT.

WE HAD IT.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THAT, BUT IT DOES.

IT GOES BACK TO THE PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUE.

IT GOES BACK TO, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU MAKE THAT WORK?

FROM WHAT I RECALL FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THE MAJOR ISSUE WAS PROPERTY RIGHTS PORTION OF IT.

AND THE TRAPS.

YOU KNOW, IF I HAD DOGS, I WOULDN'T WANT MY DOGS GETTING CAUGHT.

IT'S NOT A PLEASANT THING TO SEE.

>> AS PEOPLE CAN IMAGINE, JUSTICE ANDERSON, YOU WARRANT TO KNOW WHERE THE TRAPS ARE SO YOUO KNOW WHERE THE TRAPS ARE, AND THAT'S WHY YOU NEED THE EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT.

BUT IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT WRITTEN SO PEOPLE WHO OWN THE PROPERTY KNOW WHERE IT IS SO THEY CAN STEER PEOPLE AWAY FROM IT AND WARN THEM.

>> Barry: ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE PROGRAM IS OUR VIEWERS ARE INVOLVED WITH AND CONCERNED ABOUT VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT DON'T ALWAYS GET HEADLINES, AT LEAST HEADLINES ON THE FRONT PAGE IN THE MORNING NEWSPAPER.

THIS NEXT TOPIC IS ONE WE HAD ON A COUPLE OF OCCASION, AND IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S ALSO GENERATED NATIONAL CONVERSATION, AND IT CONCERNS THE RIGHT TO REPAIR AND THE VIEWER IS CONCERNED WHETHER IT'S GOING TO PASS THE BILL ON THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

MAYBE YOU CAN TALK TO OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, WHAT IT MEAN, AND WHAT IF ANY ACTION YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT START ON IT.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT I HAVE NOT ENCOUNTERED IN COMMITTEE, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD, AND YET I HAVE QUITE A FEW CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED, AND EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE IT'S RAISED AS AN ISSUE, AND IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

THE IDEA IS TO SAY IF YOU PURCHASED AN ELECTRONIC PRODUCT YOU SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS THAT PRODUCT AND TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT, HAVE ACCESS TO REPAIR MANUALS, ET CETERA, RATHER THAN BEING SOMETHING WHERE YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SERVICE, NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE MANUALS, AND THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME FROM CERTAINLY A CONSUMER RIGHTS ISSUE BUT ALSO FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO REPAIR PRODUCTS, AND NOT TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE.

AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS, I THINK, HAS -- I HAVE SEEN MOVE A BIT FROM WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED, NOT COMMITTEES I HAVE BEEN IN BUT FROM AFAR.

IT'S BEEN KIND OF STALLED OUT, AND I WOULD CERTAINLY HOPE IT WOULD MOVE FORWARD, AND I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, BUT I THINK HAS OFTEN GOTTEN KIND OF BLOCKED.

LET ME POINT OUT THAT THE LARGE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURERS TEND TO BE VERY RESISTANT TO THIS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HAVE CONTROL, AND PERHAPS THERE'S AN INCENTIVE TO HAVE YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW SOMETHING RATHER THAN PREPARE THE OLDER VERSION THAT YOU HAVE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HALEY, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> VERY BASIC LEVEL GOING BACK TO MY INTEREST IN SKILLS AND THE WORKFORCE AND HAVING KIDS PREPARED FOR THAT, LET PEOPLE TINKER IF THEY WANT TO TINKER.

THAT'S WHAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF.

>> FREEDOM.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FARM KIDS FIXING EVERYTHING AND REPAIRING EVERYTHING, AND THE KIDS THAT WANT TO HAVE THE CAR SHOP IN THE GARAGE, SO ON THAT BASIC LEVEL, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO DO THAT, AND WE NEED MORE OF THE SKILL SET IN THIS WORLD.

I HAVE NOT REVIEWED THE LEGISLATION, SO I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT SPECIFICALLY.

IT HASN'T COME UP SO FAR IN THE FIVE WEEKS OF SESSION THUS FAR.

>> Barry: SENATOR GOGGIN.

>> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN, I WORK IN A POWER PLANT, AND BACK IN THE DAY, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TO WORK AT THE PLANT WERE FARMERS, AND PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH THEIR HANDS, THEY WERE GREAT EMPLOYEES TO HAVE BECAUSE THEY COULD FIGURE THINGS OUT.

THE TWO THINGS I HAVE HEARD MOST MANUFACTURERS AND THAT TALK ABOUT IS TRADE SECRETS AND PROPRIETARY EQUIPMENT AND THAT, AND SO THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE PROTECTING THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER, SO THAT SEEMS TO BE THE BIGGEST ISSUE RIGHT THERE, THE BIGGEST HANG-UP, AND I AM ALL FOR ONE THAT WANTS TO TAKE A RADIO APART OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, AND WORK ON FIXING IT.

I HAVE DONE SOME OF THAT IN MY LIFE AS WELL, WHERE I HAVE KNOWN THERE'S AN INTERNAL PART TO THE BLACK BOX THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND YOU OPEN UP THE BLACK BOX, AND YOU FIND OUT WHICH PART IT IS, AND YOU GO OUT AND FIND IT AND PUT IT IN.

BUT THAT'S WHERE YOU RUN INTO IT, AND IN MY WORK, I HAVE PROPRIETARY EQUIPMENT THAT WE CAN ONLY GET TO A CERTAIN POINT WITH IT BEFORE WE HAVE TO GET THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL THE INTERNAL INFORMATION INSIDE THE BLACK BOX.

>> Barry: FOR ANY OF OUR MILLENNIALS WATCHING, RADIO IS A THING, AND IT USED TO SET ON THE TABLE.

NEVER MIND.

SENATOR BIGHAM, RIGHT TO REPAIR.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WHAT SENATOR GOGGIN SAID, WHICH TO ME, THE ONE THING THAT KEPT COMING UP IN OPPOSITION WAS THE PRIRIGHT TO PROPRIETARY INFORMATION.

I ACTUALLY HAVEN'T HEARD OR SEEN ABOUT IT IN THE FIVE WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN THERE.

BUT I ALSO THINK REPRESENTATIVE HALEY IS GOING TO WING TWITTER TODAY, AND THAT'S GOING TO WIN TWITTER OF THE DAY, MAN, I TELL YOU.

>> Barry: THAT INTRODUCES A TOPIC, AND WE WILL TURN RIGHT TO REPRESENTATIVE HALEY TO TALK ABOUT IT, AND WE HAVE A VIEWER CONCERNED ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, WHERE THOSE BUDGETS MIGHT BE GOING AND WHAT THE PRIORITIES MIGHT BE IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE VIEWER IS WONDERING WHAT THE FLASH POINTS AND CONFLICT POINTS MIGHT BE IN HIGHER EDUCATION AREA.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE HALEY ON THAT QUESTION.

HIGHER EDUCATION, BUDGETS, AND PRIORITIES IN THESE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> CERTAINLY OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER FAMILY AND EVERY OTHER BUSINESS.

I'M SURE THAT THOSE BUDGETS ARE CERTAINLY A CONCERN FOR THOSE INSTITUTIONS, AND WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION AS A STATE TO SUPPORT OUR STATE LAND GRANT UNIVERSITIES, AND I ALWAYS SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT WORK IN THAT AREA THE SUCCESS OF OUR TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS AND OUR FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS PREDICTS A LOT OF OUR SUCCESS AS A STATE.

WE NEED KIDS TO HAVE POST SECONDARY CREDENTIALS, TRADE SKILLS, WORK EXPERIENCE AND DEGREES, AND WE NEED THAT FULL SPECTRUM COVERED.

SO WE NEED THOSE SCHOOLS TO BE PREPARED TO TRAIN OUR KIDS AND TEACH OUR KIDS FOR THE FUTURE.

BUDGETS ARE GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR US, BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEFICIT, AND WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THE DI DEFICIT.

WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FORECAST COMING UP HERE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S A DEFICIT, AND THAT MEANS EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO GET WHAT THEY WANT, AND THOSE ARE THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE WERE HIRED TO MAKE.

YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME BUDGET CUTS IN SOME PART OF THE STATE BUDGET TO BALANCE IT OUT.

BUT I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF OUR SCHOOLS, SO IT WOULDN'T BE ANY AREA THAT I WOULD LOOK AT CUTTING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PINTO, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> YEAH, I TEND TO THINK IN TERMS OF THE FULL EDUCATIONAL SPECTRUM I REFERENCED BEFORE.

A REALIZATION THAT THE EARLIEST YEARS ARE PART OF DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING, AND WE FOCUSED A LOT ON K-12, AND THEN WE KNOW THAT SUCCESS IN THE 21st CENTURY ECONOMY REQUIRES A STRONG HIGHER EDUCATION, AND IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT WE SUPPORT THAT.

IT IS IMPORTANT ALSO FOR FOLKS TO REC NIGHT THAT THE SHARE SUPPORT FOR THESE WONDERFUL HIGHER ED HAS REALLY DROPPED A LOT.

IN THE '70s THE STATE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PROVIDING T TWO QUARTS OF SUPPORT AND NOW IT'S DOWN TO A QUARTER OR A THIRD, AND STUDENTS ARE GRADUATING WITH HUGE AMOUNTS OF DEBT.

I AGREE WITH HALEY, WE HAVE DIFFERENT CHOICES TO MAKE.

I'M THE SHORT-TERM VERSUS LONG-TERM THING.

AS WE MAKE CUTS IN EACH OF THESE AREAS, IF WE DO THAT, I MEAN, MAYBE IN FACT WE ARE SORT OF ENDING UP STARVING OURSELVES LATER ON AS WE HAVE STUDENTS NOT HAVE THE SUCCESS THAT WHEN THEY HAVE THAT SUCCESS, IT ENDS UP BEING FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF US.

IT'S TRUE FOR HIGHER ED AND TRUE IN THE YOUNGER AGES AND WE REALLY NEED TO INVEST IN OUR STUDENTS SO THEY CAN THEN INVEST IN AND PAY OFF FOR ALL OF US AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR GOGGIN, HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGETS PRIORITIES.

>> ACTUALLY WE ARE JUST STARTING TO HEAR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEAGUES, WHAT THEIR REQUESTS ARE, AND AS WE SIT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE AND HEAR THEIR PROPOSALS AND THAT, AND ALSO UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WE ARE WORKING ON FILLING FOUR POSITIONS ON THE BOARD OF REGENTS, AND I TOLD THEM, I SAID, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TRUE NEEDS ARE VERSUS WHAT THE WANTS ARE, AND THAT'S ALWAYS A VERY DIFFICULT THIN LINE TO WALK, BUT AT THE END, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PROPERLY FUNDED OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SO THAT STUDENTS THAT COME OUT WITH THE DEGREE AND GRADUATE CAN WALK AWAY SAYING I GOT THE HIGHEST VALUE I COULD FOR MY EDUCATION DOLLARS, AND IT'S A VALUE TO THEM, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CARRY FORWARD THROUGH THE REST OF THEIR CAREER AND THEIR LIFE.

SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS KEEPING THE STUDENT IN FOCUS THE WHOLE TIME AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY GET THE BEST VALUE THAT THEY CAN DURING THEIR EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION UNIVERSITIES.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM.

>> WELL, I THINK IF WE ARE GOING TO TURN THIS CORNER WITH COVID, WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE, OUR EXISTING WORKFORCE FOR RETRAINING, AND THAT'S GOING TO COST MONEY.

THAT'S GOING TO COST RESOURCES, SO WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE THAT.

MANY PEOPLE TO BE INNOVATIVE AND HAVE THAT ENTREPRENEUR SPIRIT AND TO BE WELL TRAINED AND HAVE REALLY GOOD SKILLS TO FLOOD THE WORKFORCE SO THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY AVAILABLE TO GO BACK TO WORK AND REALLY HELP US TURN THE CORNER AND REBUILD THE ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

MINNESOTA IS TRADITIONALLY ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD PLACE.

WE HAVE HOW MANY FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES THAT ARE HEADQUARTERED HERE, BECAUSE OF OUR WORKFORCE.

SO WE NEED TO KEEP THAT INVESTMENT, AND WE NEED TO KEEP DOING THAT, AND I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE NEW NORMAL WILL BE, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT IN I.T.

AND PROGRAMMING, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT IN OUR TRADES.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT IN HOW WE ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, REOPEN IN A SAFE MANNER, BUT IN A MANNER THAT'S GOING TO WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

SO THERE'S A LOT TO DO, AND THERE'S A LOT OF NEED THERE THAT IS GOING TO BE FOR RETRAINING AND FOR EDUCATION, AND SO WE HAVE TO REALLY FIGURE OUT THE PRIORITIES THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T TAKE OUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL BECAUSE WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE WORKFORCE AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> Barry: WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE.

BUT THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REGENTS PROCESS.

>> WE TOO, TOO.

WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

IT'S A JOINT COMMITTEE WITH 201 PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S A ZOOM ACCOUNT BIG ENOUGH, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

>> I AGREE WITH SENATOR BIGHAM.

>> Barry: SENATOR GOGGIN, JUST GIVE US ABOUT 15, 20 SECONDS ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

IT'S A 201 MEMBER BODY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANDIDATES THAT CAME OUT OF THE REGENTS CANDIDATE COMMITTEE.

SO WE ARE INTERVIEWING THEM RIGHT NOW, AND THEN I THINK IT'S THE 13th, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK IT'S ON THE 13th OF THE MONTH OF MARCH, IS THAT CORRECT, SENATOR BIGHAM?

>> I THINK SO.

>> Barry: THAT'S -- AND WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

SO WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE 13th OF MARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL AGAIN THIS EVENING FOR A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

I WANT TO THANK YOU THE VIEWERS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOU.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PANEL, NOT ABOUT THE MODERATORS.

I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO BE BACK NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT PIONEER.ORG/"YOUR LEGISLATORS".

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A GUEST AND WATCH PAST EPISODES AND DISCUSSIONS BY TOPIC.

TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

"YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF 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 FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR WARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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