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

>> Mary: YOUR TAXES COULD BE GOING UP OR DOWN.

WE'LL TALK TO CHAIRS FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE ALONG WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS ABOUT TEENAGERS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

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

MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

LIUNA: MINNESOTA'S INFRASTRUCTURE UNION, REPRESENTING 12,000 SKILLED CONSTRUCTION LABORERS.

LIUNAMINNESOTA.ORG.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

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

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."

WE'VE GOT A FULL HALF HOUR FOR YOU TONIGHT.

AND HERE TO HELP ME OUT WITH ALL OF THAT IS NONE OTHER THAN ERIC ESKOLA.

>> ERIC: THANKS, MARY.

IT'S NICE TO BE IN THE STUDIO ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

WE'LL TALK LIVE WITH TAX COMMITTEE CHAIRS IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

A LITTLE LATER IN THE SHOW, TWO OF OUR CAPITOL PRESS CORPS COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN US.

BUT FIRST, YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS FROM THE CAPITOL.

>> MARY: THAT'S RIGHT, ERIC.

WITH THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL SET TO START IN JUST WEEKS, THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BEEN FRONT AND CENTER FOR MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING LAWMAKERS, WHO HAVE SOME STRONG DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON HOW INCREASED SECURITY SHOULD BE HANDLED THAT'S DIVIDING PEOPLE FROM THE SAME PARTY.

PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY AT THE CAPITOL FOR A POSSIBLE RIOTS IN THE UPCOMING POLICE OFFICER TRIAL IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

AS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TRY TO FIND THE EXTRA FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> BEING FREE FROM HARM IS A SHARED VALUE ACROSS THE STATE.

AND THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE A DEEP DUTY TO HELP ONE ANOTHER BE SAFE.

>> Mary: BUT THE HOUSE MAJORITY SAID THEY WATCHED THE SENATE PUT UP A MOSTLY ONE-SIDED VOTE AND THEY PULLED THEIR DIFFERENT BILL.

>> TODAY OUR MAJORITY COLLEAGUES IN THE OTHER CHAMBER ENGAGED IN A CYNICAL AND AMORAL POLITICAL GAME, PLAYING WITH PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> Mary: WE HEAR THERE WAS PROBLEMS IN YOUR OWN CAUCUS TOO.

>> WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED A FEW REPUBLICAN VOTES I THINK TO PASS THE BOARD TODAY.

YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL THE BOARD IS OPEN HOW PEOPLE WILL VOTE.

>> Mary: HOW MANY DEMOCRAT VOTES DO YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO LOSE AS WELL?

>> AGAIN, IT'S NEVER CLEAR UNTIL THE BOARD OPENS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS.

>> Mary: THE SENATE HAD A LONG AND PARTISAN DEBATE ON THEIR PLAN.

>> THIS WAS DONE AS A RESULT, AS I MENTIONED, OF A CONCERN FOR COMMUNITIES THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE PAID.

AND IT WAS ALSO DONE IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THERE HAD BEEN IN EXCESS OF A 10% REDUCTION MADE IN THE POLICE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

>> WE DO NOT NEED TO INSERT OURSELVES INTO THAT RESOLUTION WITH A PUNITIVE MEASURE THAT SEEKS TO CONTINUE TO HARM THE VERY COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS THE HELP.

>> Mary: THE MEASURE WOULD USE WITHHOLDING OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID IF A CITY LIKE MINNEAPOLIS DOESN'T PAY BACK OTHER CITIES' MUTUAL AID FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> AND NOBODY'S SAYING, PLEASE DON'T RIOT.

RIOTING IS A BAD IDEA.

>> MY CITY IS THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THIS STATE.

IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I HAVE GROWING POPULATION IN MY DISTRICT.

PEOPLE WANT TO COME AND LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE HAVE A TAX BASE THAT SUPPORTS RURAL MINNESOTA BECAUSE YOUR COMMUNITIES ARE DECLINING.

>> THE LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR IS TARGETED, DISRESPECTFUL, HATEFUL, AND DANGEROUS.

>> ANYBODY CAN SEE THE PATH THEY'RE ON WHEN YOU GET RID OF THE POLICE FORCE AND THEN WONDER WHY CAR-JACKINGS AT GUN A POINT ARE UP IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Mary: IN THE END, THE TWO PARTIES AND THEIR TWO LEADERS CAME AWAY WITH VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE NEXT PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGE AHEAD.

>> WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DIALOGUE ABOUT THESE ISSUES HAS GONE ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND PUT US INTO THIS HEALTHYN ABOUT US VERSUS THEM.

WHAT'S MINE IS MINE.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THE RIOTS COULD HAPPEN.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE HAVE A LARGE ENOUGH FORCE, WE STOP THEM BEFORE THEY REALLY GET STARTED.

SO THIS IS AN EASY GREEN VOTE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED HIS BUDGET LATE LAST MONTH, AND IT INCLUDED SOME TAX INCREASES, SOME TAX CUTS, AND A NEW TAX BRACKET.

BUT A GOVERNOR'S TAX PLAN IS REALLY JUST A WISH LIST.

LAWMAKERS ARE THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY PROPOSE AND PASS ANY CHANGES IN OUR TAX SYSTEM.

HERE WITH US TONIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART, DFLER FROM DILWORTH AND CHAIR OF THE HOUSE TAX COMMITTEE.

AND SENATOR CARLA NELSON, REPUBLICAN FROM ROCHESTER WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE TAX COMMITTEE.

CHAIR NELSON, FIRST OF ALL, DO WE KNOW THE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF THE COVID FAMILY CHECKS THAT WERE HANDED OUT, AND MORE MAY BE COMING, THE P.P.P.

LOANS AND GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES?

WHAT ARE THE STATE TAX IMPLICATIONS FOR THAT INCOME?

>> WELL, THERE ARE GREAT STATE IMPLICATIONS AND WE SHOULD BE CONFORMING TO WHAT THE FEDS HAVE SAID WHICH IS THOSE FORGIVEN LOANS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM INCOME.

WE SHOULD NOT BE TAXING MINNESOTANS ON THOSE LIFE LINES, JUST AS THE FEDS ARE NOT.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT HAD SUCCESS YET IN GETTING THAT PASSED THE OTHER BODY.

AND WE WILL BE WORKING ON THAT AGAIN.

TAX SEASON OPENED UP ON FRIDAY SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BRING SOME OF THAT CONFORMITY TO THE TABLE AND WE SHOULD DO IT NOW.

THAT INCLUDES THE INCOME EXCLUSION, S.A.L.T.

CAP PARITY.

AND SO VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE HOUSE ON THAT, CHAIRMAN MARQUART?

>> WE JUST HAD A HEARING THE OTHER DAY ON ALL THE CONFORMITY ITEMS AND IT'S ABOUT $890 MILLION.

YOU KNOW, OUR BUSINESSES ARE HURTING OUT THERE.

THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM WAS VERY VITAL TO THEM.

BUT WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT HOW WE CAN TARGET THAT.

I MEAN, IT'S, YOU KNOW, 890 MILLION.

ONE THING ABOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, UNLIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IS WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY PAY FOR THINGS.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HELPING BUSINESSES, BUT WE DO IT IN A STRATEGIC TARGETED WAY THAT REALLY HELPS THE BUSINESSES THAT NEED IT THE MOST AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PAY FOR THAT.

>> Mary: SENATOR NELSON, I WANT TO GO TO YOU NOW.

YOU MAYBE JUST HEARD THE PIECE OF TAPE AHEAD OF US WHERE SENATOR TORRES RAY SAID MINNEAPOLIS HAS A TAX BASE THAT IS GROWING AND GREATER MINNESOTA IS BEING SUPPORTED, SHE WAS SAYING, BY MINNEAPOLIS.

I NOTICED BOTH OF YOU TWO ARE FROM GREATER MINNESOTA.

SENATOR NELSON, HOW IS YOUR TAX BASE DOING?

>> WELL, I LIVE IN A AREA THAT I'M VERY EXCITED BY ROCHESTER, OLMSTED COUNTY AREA IS GROWING.

WE ARE NET PRODUCERS TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND WE ARE GLAD TO DO SO.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

WE PAY OUR BILLS.

SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS LEFT OUT OF THOSE EARLIER COMMENTS.

THE YOU NEED TO PAY YOUR BILLS.

AND SO WHILE WE'RE GLAD TO BE NET TAX CONTRIBUTORS TO THE STATE, WE DO PAY OUR BILLS BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ECONOMIC ENGINES ARE NOT STIFLED.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE THOSE ECONOMIC ENGINES AND THAT MEANS THAT WE SHOULD NOT TAXING THEM AT A TIME OF SUCH STRESS.

>> Mary: AND IF I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU SENATOR, ALSO BEING SAID THERE ON THE FLOOR WAS AN US VERSUS THEM.

IS THERE REAL TENSION BETWEEN THE RURAL AREA AND THE METRO RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE L.G.A.

AND THE ISSUE OF TAXES?

>> YEAH, IT WAS VERY HARD TO HEAR THAT RHETORIC, MARY.

THIS IS A TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE NEED TO SET ASIDE PARTISAN POINT SCORING, RHETORIC, AND WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

AND SO I'M HOPING THAT THOSE WERE JUST WORDS OF EMOTION.

AND THAT WE WILL ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER, AND WHEN WE CAN, AND THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN WE DISAGREE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE RESPECTFULLY SO.

AND MY DISTRICT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.

OF L.G.A.

THERE'S ROCHESTER, WHICH IS MUCH LIKE MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL.

AND THEN THE REST OF MY DISTRICT WHICH IS VERY SMALL CITIES.

SOME OF OUR SMALLEST CITIES AND TOWNSHIPS.

AND SO WE NEED TO BE BROAD IN OUR APPROACH.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE DILWORTH, WHAT ABOUT THAT TENSION THAT'S HAPPENING REALLY IN BOTH CHAMBERS, DEMOCRATS WERE EVEN DIVIDED AMONG THEMSELVES?

>> YOU KNOW, I WISH IT WASN'T HAPPENING.

A STRONG HENNEPIN COUNTY, A STRONG CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS MAKES FOR A STRONG MINNESOTA AND A STRONG RURAL MINNESOTA.

MAKES FOR A STRONG MINNESOTA.

AND IT'S DISHEARTENING TO SEE WHEN YOU GO AFTER A CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, AND THREATEN TO TAKE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AWAY.

WHEN YOU'RE TAKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AWAY FROM MINNEAPOLIS, YOU'RE THREATENING THE WHOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID PROGRAM AND 65% OF THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID DOLLARS GO OUT TO RURAL MINNESOTA.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALL ONE STATE.

AND TO HEAR SOME OF THE RHETORIC THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY HELP OUT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WHEN I COME FROM AN AREA WHERE WE'VE RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO HELP THE FLOOD MITIGATION AND RELIEF.

AND MINNESOTA, WE'RE ALL MINNESOTANS.

WE'VE ALL COME TOGETHER WHEN WE'VE WANTED -- WHEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN NEED, AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS RIGHT NOW IS IN THAT SITUATION.

THE STATE SHOULD STEP UP AND PROVIDE THAT.

>> Eric: SAY, CHAIR NELSON, FROM 30,000 FEET, I'M WORKFORCE HOUSING IF THERE'S GOING TO COME A TIME AS THE ECONOMY SHIFTS FROM PHYSICAL GOODS TO SERVICES WHERE THE SALES TAX NEEDS TO BE BROADENED TO SERVICES, CLOTHING, LOWER THE RATE, EXPAND THE BASE?

IS THAT JUST IMPOSSIBLE?

THAT KIND OF REFORM IN THIS CLIMATE?

OR WHERE ARE THE WEAKNESSES IN OUR CURRENT SYSTEM?

>> WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BROADENING THE BASE, LOWERING THE RATE, SINCE I WAS ON THE TAX COMMITTEE AS A FRESHMAN, 10, 11 YEARS AGO.

IT HASN'T BEEN DONE YET.

I DO THINK DURING THIS TIME, PARTICULARLY, OUR FOCUS REALLY MUST BE ON TAX REFORM, TAX POLICIES, THAT ACTUALLY ARE RECOVERY POLICIES.

SO WE NEED TO GET OUR BUSINESSES IN A RECOVERY MODE AND PRODUCING REVENUE, PROVIDING PAYCHECKS, GOODS AND SERVICES, AND THAT WILL BE THE LENS THROUGH WHICH I LOOK THROUGH WHAT TAX POLICIES MOVE FORWARD.

AND WE ARE PART OF THE STREAMLINED SALES TAX, SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL OF THAT AS WELL.

BUT, AGAIN, FOCUSING ON RECOVERY AND GROWTH, ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> Eric: I KNOW THAT'S EXPAND THE SALES TAX, CHAIR MARQUART, IS A LOBBYIST FULL EMPLOYMENT BILL, BUT ANY CHANCE FOR THAT IN THE LONG-TERM FUTURE?

>> NO, I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

AS SENATOR NELSON JUST SAID, THE FOCUS AND THE GOAL IS GOING TO BE ON COVID-19 RECOVERY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK.

WE HAVE SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR ECONOMY THAT HAVE GOT TO GET RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS AGAIN.

WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT NEED TO CATCH UP.

THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF INVESTMENT AND WE NEED TO PAY FOR THAT.

AND THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PLAN, I THINK, IS GOOD.

HE LAYS OUT A RECOVERY FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND UNLIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, HE PAYS FOR IT.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE WAY YOU HAVE TO GO.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO GET A BUDGET FORECAST HERE NEXT WEEK.

THAT CANNOT SET OUR PRIORITIES.

THE LIVES OF MINNESOTANS AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTED BY COVID-19, THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO SET OUR PRIORITIES AND OUR GOALS.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE ARE EXPECTING THAT BUDGET FORECAST TO CHANGE VERY DIRECTLY, DRAMATIC CHANGE.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER, EACH OF YOU?

>> YES.

I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER.

BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT GOVERNOR'S BUDGET INCREASES SPENDING BY $1.6 BILLION OF TAXES TO PAY FOR 9.5% OF SPENDING -- >> Mary: YEP, ALL RIGHT.

HAD TO BE QUITE.

AND MARQUART, YOU SAID IT'S IMPROVING TOO?

>> IT IS IMPROVING.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK WE HAVE TO DO.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES HURTING.

WE HAVE TO TEFT.

INVEST.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, TAX CHAIRS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> MARY: EARLIER TODAY, GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCED THAT ALL HIGH SCHOOLS AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE CAN REOPEN AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

SENATE REPUBLICANS CALLED IT, "A WEAK ATTEMPT TO GET SOME GOOD P.R."

WE'VE ROUNDED UP A COUPLE OF CAPITOL REPORTERS TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY.

DANA FERGUSON IS WITH THE FORUM NEWS SERVICE, WHICH COVERS THE MAJORITY OF GREATER MINNESOTA.

HERE TOO, TOREY VAN OOT, FORMERLY WITH THE STAR TRIBUNE BUT NOW WRITING FOR THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED TWIN CITIES AXIOS DIGITAL NEWS SITE.

TOREY, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

ERIC ESKOLA AND I HAVE KIND OF BEEN AROUND FOREVER AND WE BOTH SAID THAT WE DON'T THINK A RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BILL HAS EVER PASSED A COMMITTEE.

>> IT DID PASS THE HOUSE.

DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO PASS THE SENATE THIS YEAR.

>> Mary: OKAY, WELL, DANA, YOU KNOW, YOU MIGHT HAVE SEEN, REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO, A REPUBLICAN, SAID, DON'T COUNT THIS OUT.

HE TOLD ME BETTER THAN 50% THIS PASSES AND THE SENATE MIGHT BE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT SCENARIO?

>> WELL, THAT'S NEW.

BAILED ON WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM SENATE LEADERSHIP, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A SURPRISE IF THEY COULD PICK UP ENOUGH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT OVER THERE, BUT MAYBE REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO KNOWS SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T OR IS SENDING SETTING UP A PLAN TO PUT IT IN AN OMNIBUS BILL AT THE END OF SESSION.

>> Mary: ALSO, AGRICULTURE, BIG PROPONENT OF HEMP.

THEY COULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW.

SO THAT WOULD BE A PRETTY POWERFUL ALLY, IF VETERANS GROUPS AND AGRICULTURE IN YOUR AREA STARTED ADVOCATING FOR THIS.

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY HAVE AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS IT WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

BEFORE VOTERS PASSED IT IN THE BALLOT THERE, THERE WAS A STRONG PUSH IN THE LEGISLATURE AGAINST HEMP AND LEGALIZING HEMP, SO THEY PAIRED THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER.

IT SEEMS TO HAVE SUCCESS.

PUTTING THOSE IN THE SAME PACKAGE.

FARMERS WILL TELL YOU, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME MORE ABILITY TO GROW.

SO MAYBE THAT'S THE MOVE.

AGAIN, I WOULD BE A LITTLE SURPRISED.

BUT WE'VE BEEN SURPRISED ALL WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

SO -- >> AND I THINK YOU MIGHT SEE IT, IF YOU DO SEE THIS PUSH CONTINUE, YOU MIGHT SEE A BUDGET ARGUMENT, THAT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD GENERATE, BUT PERHAPS THAT'S PART OF THE PLAY HERE TOO.

YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TAX REVENUE FOR THE STATE.

BUT I'M WITH DANA.

I THINK THAT THE GETTING THE SUPPORT TO PASS THE SENATE WOULD BE TOUGH THIS YEAR.

BUT YOU NEW KNOW.

>> Eric: SAY, DANA, HOW MANY HEAT WAS THE GOVERNOR GETTING ABOUT THE SCHOOL OPENING AND CLOSING ARGUMENT?

HOW MUCH OF THAT WAS DRIVEN BY POLITICS TODAY?

AND WILL THIS BE ENOUGH TO CALM THE CRITICS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE ENOUGH TO CALM THE CRITICS.

HE SEEMED TO GET SOME PUSHBACK FROM VARIOUS SIDES.

I MEAN, WE SAW HIM UP THERE WITH SUPERINTENDENTS, WITH A SENIOR WHO TALKED ABOUT NOT HAVING BEEN ABLE GO TO PROM BEFORE.

WITH SOME OTHER FOLKS.

AND THEY PUT ON THEIR SHOW OF SUPPORT.

BUT EDUCATION MINNESOTA WAS PRETTY SLOW TO COME OUT AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO GET TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND EVERYBODY BACK IN SCHOOL, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF FUNDING AND STAFFING TO GET UP TO THE C.D.C.

GUIDELINES OF WHERE THINGS SHOULD BE, AND OF COURSE WE HEARD FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN PRETTY INSISTENT FOR MONTHS NOW THAT WE'RE SEEING THOSE TRANSMISSION RATES IN SCHOOLS VERY LOW, AND THAT INDICATES TO THEM THAT STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN BACK A LONG TIME AGO.

>> Eric: TOREY, IS THAT THE KIND OF AN ISSUE THAT CAN CAPSIZE THE GOVERNOR'S POPULARITY?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S AN ISSUE THAT CERTAINLY PARENTS, EDUCATORS, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT AND IS ON THEIR MINDS.

I MEAN, ANY PARENT WHO'S GONE THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR HAS VERY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THIS, RIGHT?

AND TEACHERS TOO.

IT IS WORTH NOTING, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY OPEN.

SO EVEN FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE WHAT THIS MEANS.

SOME OF THE LARGE DISTRICTS THAT HAVEN'T REOPENED FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING FOR THOSE UPPER GRADE STUDENTS, MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, KIND OF, I SAW THEIR STATEMENTS TODAY SAY, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF LOGISTICAL ISSUES TO WORK OUT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET THESE TEACHERS VACCINATED VERY QUICKLY.

BUT THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE A LONG-TERM ISSUE, RIGHT?

WE'LL SEE IF TESTING CONTINUES AS USUAL THIS SPRING.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE IMPACTS ON STUDENTS' LEARNING DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN.

SO I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON, ERIC.

>> Mary: DANA, THE OTHER ISSUE THAT FLARED UP TODAY IS LOOKING AHEAD TO THE TRIAL IN GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH AND THIS FIGHT BETWEEN MINNEAPOLIS AND MUTUAL AID AND POLICE AND GREATER MINNESOTA.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR READERS AND YOUR LAWMAKERS IN GREATER MINNESOTA IN THIS KIND OF US VERSUS THEM DYNAMIC?

>> I THINK THAT WE HEAR FROM MOSTLY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND PARTICULARLY ON THE SENATE SIDE OF THINGS, IT'S NOT CONSISTENT ACROSS BOTH BODIES.

IS THAT THEY WANT THERE TO BE SOME SKIN IN THE GAME FOR MINNEAPOLIS ABOUT PUTTING UP MONEY IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COME IN TO HELP THEM.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT WILL BE NEEDS AS THE STATE PREPARES FOR LARGE DEMONSTRATIONS.

POTENTIAL LOOTING.

POTENTIAL RIOTING.

BUT TODAY COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SAID, EVERYONE THAT HE HAS ASKED AROUND GREATER MINNESOTA, AROUND THE SUBURBS, TO STEP IN AND HELP, HAS SAID THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO DO IT.

THERE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS FROM SOME ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED OF THEM.

HOW LONG THEY'LL BE ASKED TO BE THERE.

WHAT SERVICES THEY NEED TO OFFER.

BUT NO ONE HAS TURNED HIM DOWN.

NO AGENCIES HAVE STEPPED OUT OF IT OR SAID NO.

EVEN IF THEY'RE IN AREAS THE STATE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS KIND OF CIVIL UNREST THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE TWIN CITIES.

>> Eric: AND TOREY, I THINK THAT'S ONE REASON THIS WAS KIND OF A FREE VOTE FOR FOLKS IN THE HOUSE, IN PARTICULAR, THE DFLerS IN CORE MINNEAPOLIS CAN VOTE AGAINST SAYING, WE DON'T LIKE OUR CURRENT POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FOLKS IN GREATER MINNESOTA CAN VOTE NO AND A LOT OF PLACES IN GREATER MINNESOTA DISCRIMINATIONING ON MINNEAPOLIS IS A GOOD POLITICAL MOVE.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THAT DYNAMIC.

AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT KIND OF A GET OUT OF FREE -- FREE VOTE HERE, YOU KNOW, AS DANA MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON DID SAY TODAY, WE THINK WE HAVE -- WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO IT'S NOT A MATTER OF, WILL THERE BE ENOUGH SECURITY AROUND THE TRIAL HEADING INTO THE TRIAL AND POSSIBLE UNREST?

IT'S, WHO'S GOING TO PAY THE BILL ON THE BACK END?

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CLASSIC LEGISLATIVE FIGHTS WHERE THERE'S TIME TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID REPEATEDLY HE WANTS THIS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE TRIAL ENDS.

I WOULDN'T COUNT ON THAT CERTAINLY.

AND SENATOR GAZELKA HAS ALREADY SAID, YOU KNOW, WE CAN DEAL WITH THIS IN A SPECIAL SESSION IF WE NEED TO.

YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE ISSUES WITH BACKFILLING FUNDING.

SO ANOTHER FIGHT LIKE A LOT OF THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT THAT IS GOING TO DRAG ON FOR WEEKS AND MONTHS.

>> Mary: DANA, IS THIS ROLLED UP TOO IN THE EXECUTIVE POWERS, AND WHAT THE REPUBLICANS AND LOT OF RURAL PEOPLE TOO HAVE SAID -- WHEN IT COMES TO GEOGRAPHIC DIVIDE TOO?

>> IT IS A VERY HOT ISSUE TOO STILL, AND I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SUCH PERSISTENT EFFORTS AND A BROAD ARRAY OF EFFORTS COMING FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, PRESSING BACK ON THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THEM.

I THINK THAT WHEN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAW THE GOVERNOR BRING THIS REQUEST, AND THAT COUPLED WITH SORT OF THE IDEA OF MINNEAPOLIS LEADING THIS EFFORT TO REALLOCATE FUNDING FROM ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S BASICALLY EVERYTHING THAT REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN CAMPAIGNING ON AND TALKING ABOUT FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR.

AND SO THAT SETS UP ALL KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HONE IN ON THIS DISCUSSION AND TRY TO FIND WAYS FOR THEM TO BE MORE RELEVANT AND TO HAVE A STAKE IN SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>> Eric: YES OR NO, SPECIAL SESSION, SHUTDOWN?

OR DO WE KNOW YET?

>> I HOPE NOT.

>> Eric: WHAT?

>> IT'S A LITTLE EARLY TO TELL.

>> Eric: I LIKE TO LOOK AHEAD.

THANKS, GUYS.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH ON THE BUDGET ON SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES.

WE'VE GOT TIME.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SEE YOU BOTH.

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

WE RAN A LITTLE LONGER THAN PLANNED TONIGHT, SO WE'LL CONTINUE OUR FIRST TERM LAWMAKER SERIES NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

UNTIL THEN, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

WATCH ANY OF OUR SHOWS, INCLUDING TONIGHT'S.

YOU CAN STREAM US LIVE.

FOLLOW US ALL WEEK ON FACEBOOK.

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

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET; WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND MORE, ALL DAY, EVERY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

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

ERIC AND CATHY WILL HAVE A LOOK AT BIG RETAIL DURING COVID.

LARRY FITZGERALD WILL BE BY TO TALK SPORTS.

THEY'LL HAVE AN UPDATE ON PLANS FOR A LAND BRIDGE IN THE OLD RONDO NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT TEENAGERS RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM IN MINNESOTA.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

LIUNA: MINNESOTA'S INFRASTRUCTURE UNION, REPRESENTING 12,000 SKILLED CONSTRUCTION LABORERS.

LIUNAMINNESOTA.ORG.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

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

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.