PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS.

ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

I'M NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

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

WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM FOR YOU THIS EVENING, AND WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IN A MOMENT INTRODUCTION OF OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS THAT WILL UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

WE WANT TO HAVE QUESTIONS FROM YOU TO PASS ALONG TO OUR PANEL.

YOU CAN SEND THEM TO US VIA E-MAIL AT PIONEER TV.ORG.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THOSE QUESTIONS AND PASSING THEM ALONG TO OUR GUESTS.

LET'S BEGIN BY INTRODUCING, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS BY GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEMSELVES, DISTRICT THEY REPRESENT, COMMITTEES THEY SERVE ON AND PERHAPS THEIR DAY JOB OR OTHER INTERESTING FACTS THAT THEY THINK VIEWERS NEED TO KNOW.

BEGIN WITH SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM.

FREQUENT GUEST ON THE PROGRAM.

DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I'M STATE SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM.

I REPRESENT THE SOUTHEAST METRO, SO I HAVE SOUTH ST. PAUL ALL THE WAY DOWN BOTH BEAUTIFUL RIVER VALLEYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO WEST OF HASTINGS AND COTTAGE GROVE IS THE LARGEST COMMUNITY AND IT'S MY HOMETOWN.

I SERVE ON JUDICIARY IN THE SENATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND I BELIEVE ON THE CIVIL LAW COMMITTEE.

PRIOR TO THIS I WAS WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

I ALSO SERVED IN THE HOUSE FOR TWO TERMS AND THE COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL.

>> Barry: WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING.

ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 11 IN PINE CITY, SENATOR JASON RARICK.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

SENATOR JASON RARICK, COME FROM THE PINE CITY AREA.

I REPRESENT ALL OF PINE COUNTY AND CARLTON COUNTY, AND A LITTLE BIT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE I'M A UNION ELECTRICIAN, AND RUN A ONE MAN ELECTRIC OUTFIT.

SPENT FOUR YEARS IN THE HOUSE AND BEGINNING MY FOURTH YEAR IN THE SENATE AND FOCUSED AROUND AREAS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR AND THE JOB SECTOR.

I'M THE CHAIR OF THE LABOR COMMITTEE AND HONORED TO BE VICE CHAIR FOR HIGHER ED TO HELP OUT SENATOR TOM, KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ESPECIALLY.

>> Barry: WORTH NOTING THAT ONE OF THE MORE ASPIRING EVENTS OF THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS THAT I HAVE SEEN WAS THE GREETING THAT SENATOR TOM RECEIVED WHEN HE CAME INTO THE SENATE CHAMBERS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSIONS SWEARING IN THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND SO FORTH.

OF COURSE THAT'S THE REASON I WAS THERE.

IT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF COURTESY AND WARMTH AND FRIENDLINESS THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T OFTEN GET A CHANCE TO SEE, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE IT'S IN THE TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH HERE.

ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 41B FROM NEW BRIGHTON, SENATOR SANDRA FEIST.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I REPRESENT 41B, WHICH IS THE NORTH METRO, SOUTHERN PART OF NEW BRIGHTON, ST. ANTHONY, AND MY OTHER JOB IS AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY.I KIND OF SPLIT MY TIMN TWO SPEARS, AND ONE SIDE IS EDUCATION, AND I SERVE ON THE EDUCATION FINANCE AND EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS KIND OF MY LAWYER BRAIN.

I LTS SERVE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY COMMITTEES AND KIND OF FOCUS ON CRIMINAL LEGAL REFORMS.

>> Barry: I KNOW ALL ABOUT THE LAWYER BRAIN.

GIVE ME A REAL PROBLEM SOMETIMES.

WE HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGAL ISSUES BEFORE WE ARE DONE HERE THIS EVENING.

FREQUENT GUEST ON OUR PROGRAM OVER MANY YEARS, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL ANDERSON REPRESENTING DISTRICT 12B AND STARBUCK.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE AGAIN TONIGHT PAUL ANDERSON, STATE REP FROM 12B.

HOMETOWN IS STARBUCK.

DON'T REPRESENT STARBUCK, BUT OFF TO THE EAST OF THAT, IT COVERS MOST OF POLKE COUNTY AND THE SMALLER PART OF DOUGLAS COUNTY.

I'M A FARMER AND SAW THE DIRECT IMPACT OF LAST YEAR'S DROUGHT ON MY FARM HERE IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

I SERVE AS A LEG ON THE AG COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

ALSO SERVE ON THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION AND ON THE LEGACY COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND I'M IN THE SECOND YEAR OF MY SEVENTH TOUR IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

>> Barry: I THINK THAT MAKES YOU OUR VETERAN LEGISLATOR ON THIS PANEL.

I THINK THAT SOUNDS RIGHT.

WE WILL LOOK TO YOU FOR RECEIPT VAN ASSISTANCE AS WE MOVE THROUGH OUR QUESTIONS THIS EVENING.

LET'S BEGIN WITH A QUESTION WE HAD LAST WEEK THAT WE HAD SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT.

I DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON IT.

BUT WE HAVE GOT A MEMBER OF OUR PANEL THAT HAS INTRODUCED A BILL ON THAT TOPIC AND I THINK IT'S WORTH DOING A LITTLE FURTHER DISCUSSION TODAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT EXPERTISE.

SENATOR BIGHAM YOU INTRODUCED SENATE FILE 374 DEALING WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN FARM DEER.

MAYBE YOU COULD LET US KNOW WHAT THAT BILL IS ABOUT AND GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO REACT AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TOPIC.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WILL BE AS QUICK AS I CAN, BUT IT'S A BIG TOPIC, AND IT'S ACTUALLY A COMPLICATED TOPIC.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IMPACTS, AND IT'S DEVASTATING TO HERDS AND DEVASTATING TO OUR ECONOMY BECAUSE WE HAVE WELL OVER A BILLION DOLLARS HUNTING ECONOMIC IMPACT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

WHAT I HAVE DONE IS LISTENED TO THE DEER HUNTERS ASSOCIATION AND THEIR FEEDBACK AND PUT TOGETHER A BILL WITH REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE BECKERFIN, AND WE ARE FINDING THE HOT SPOTS OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE BEING SPREAD.

WE PROHIBIT MOVING DEER FROM FARMS, AND WE PROHIBIT IMPORTING DEER.

WE HAVE A BUY-OUT PROGRAM WHICH THOSE DETAILS ARE STILL GOING TO BE DISCUSSED, AND YOU KNOW, NOT IN THE BILL BUT A VERY STRONG COMPONENT IS THE TESTING SIDE OF IT, WHICH IS STILL BEING DISCUSSED AS A LIVE TESTING OR POST MORTEM TESTING AND HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT VERY FAST TO GET DETERMINATION WHETHER OR NOT A DEER -- A KILLED DEER HAS CWD, AND WE HAVE TESTING DURING THE SEASON.

WE HAVE TESTING DROPPING FROM THE WONDERFUL DNR AND SUPPORTED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN HOW THE DEER, HERD AND POPULATION.

I ALSO HAVE IN THE PAST AND CONTINUE TO BE THE SPONSOR FOR THE ADOPT A DUMPSTER PROGRAM TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF DEER.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEANDERSOS CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE, AND ANY OBSERVATIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE BILL THAT SENATOR BIGHAM HAS JUST DISCUSSED.

>> I WOULD AGREE THAT IT IS A PROBLEM.

I DON'T THINK TAKING AWAY ALL THE FARM DEER IS GOING TO TAKE AWAY CWD EITHER.

WE HAVE TO SOMEHOW TRY TO WORK TOGETHER AND KEEP BOTH SIDES OF THIS DISCUSSION GOING.

I THINK OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE POSITIVE CASES FOUND IN THE WILD HERD IN MINNESOTA HERE THAN THE TAMED HERD.

WE HEARD A BILL IN THE HOUSE, AND IT DID SOME OF THE SAME THINGS, AND IT DID GET INTO THE TESTING WITH A LIVE TEST.

THE ONLY ISSUE THAT WAS RAISED THEN WAS SO FAR THE U.S.D.A.

DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THIS LIVE TEST.

SO IF AN ANIMAL OR SERVE APARTMENT AID FARM ANIMAL HAS TO BE PUT DOWN AND DETERMINED IT WAS NOT TESTING POSITIVE, WHO COVERS THE INDEMMITY?

THIS BILL NEEDS A LITTLE MORE WORK.

>> SENATOR RARICK, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THERE WAS A POSITIVE CASE FOUND IN PINE COUNTY, A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

THE ONE THING THAT I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE A NUMBER OF SERVANT AID FARMS.

WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED AND SEEN, IT'S WHAT I CALL A SMALL HOBBY FARM.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DON'T DO THE DOUBLE FENCING OR TAKE THINGS QUITE AS SERIOUSLY.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO DO OUR CRACK-DOWN, I THINK, TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND, JUST BECAUSE THEY THINK IT'S CUTE TO HAVE A DEER, THEY ARE PUTTING AT RISK, YOU KNOW, ARE THE HUNTING, THE BILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRY IN MINNESOTA AROUND DEER HUNTING, AND WE JUST CAN'T HAVE THAT.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO BEGIN.

AS WE SEE THE LIVE TESTING COME AROUND, THEN WE WILL HAVE A BETTER GRASP.

I THINK THE ONES THAT MAKE A LIVING OUT OF IT, THEY ARE DOING IT RIGHT.

>> Barry: DO YOU THINK THERE'S A REASONABLE PROSPECT, NOT NECESSARILY WITH RESPECT TO EVERY PIECE OF THE BILL THAT SENATOR BIGHAM HAS OUTLINED BUT THAT SOME LEGISLATION PASSES IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR ON THAT TOPIC?

>> I THINK THERE'S A CHANCE IT CAN.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OUT OF MY AREA TO FOLLOW ALL OF IT, BUT I DO BELIEVE THERE'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE.

I THINK IT SHOULD FOCUS ON THE SMALLER FARMS TO BEGIN WITH.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, YOUR THOUGHTS ON CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND FARM DEER ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING SUBSTANTIVE TO HAVE.

THIS IS AN ISSUE ISN'T REALLY PREVALENT IN THE SUBURBS.

I KNOW IN THE HOUSE, JAMIE BECKERMAN IS TAKING A LEAD ON THIS ISSUE.

THE REALM OF AREAS THAT WE NEAT TO REGULATE IS BEST.

I CAN'T BE AN EXPERT IN ALL, BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERTISE AND COLLEAGUES IN THE AREAS THAT I'M NOT AS FOCUSED.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING BRILLIANT TO ADD, BUT I'M LEARNING.

>> Barry: WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT ISSUE AS WE GO FORWARD.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, LET'S START WITH YOU ON THIS NEXT QUESTION THAT COMES FROM A VIEWER IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT DISABLED PEOPLE IN GROUP HOMES, NOTES WAGE INCREASES FOR STAFF ARE AN ISSUE.

THIS PARTICULAR VIEWER HAS A SON WHO IS IN A GROUP HOME AND THE GROUP HOME IS CLOSING, CONCERNED ABOUT FINDING HOMES FOR THEIR ADULT CHILDREN.

IN THIS CASE PARTICULAR CASE, THAT HOME IS GOING TO BE CLOSING PERHAPS IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND EMPLOYEE AVAILABILITY IS A PROBLEM IN A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES, REIMBURSEMENT RATES, AND ALL OF THIS PLAY INTO THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT TOPIC.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES THAT PEOPLE HAVE E-MAILED ME ABOUT THIS SESSION ALREADY.

I HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF E-MAILS OF PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN AS WELL AS STAFF MEMBERS AT GROUP HOMES.

IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ALONE WE HAVE TWO GROUP HOMES ACTUALLY DOWN THE STREET FROM ME.

I KNOW STAFFING HAS BEEN A HUGE ISSUE, AND THIS IS AN ISSUE BOTH FOR THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS HOMES AND ALSO THE STAFF MEMBERS, DON'T WANT TO FEEL OVER EXTENDED TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN'T DO THEIR BEST.

SO I AM DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF TAKING SOME LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THEIR WAGES, WORKING CONTINUES ARE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I KNOW I HAVE A LAW FIRM AND HAVE 8 EMPLOYEES, AND I KNOW WHEN I PAY COMPETITIVE WAGES I'M ABLE TO FIND THE STAFF AND I.D.

WHO ARE DEDICATED SKILLS AND WILL STICK AROUND.

SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND THE LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFFING SHORTAGES DON'T EXIST BECAUSE IT'S CLEARLY A LARGE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED LARGELY.

>> Barry: SENATOR RARICK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GROUP HOME AND STAFFING SHORTAGES AND SO FORTH.

>> SOMETHING WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS AROUND HERE, TRYING TO GET MORE AID TO RAISE THEIR SALARIES, AND I THINK THE LAST TWO YEARS REALLY EXACERBATED THAT.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEFT, THOSE THAT ARE HERE ARE OVERWORKED.

I FOLLOW SENATOR ABELER'S LEAD IN THIS AREA, AND I BELIEVE HE'S GOING TO HAVE A PROPOSAL SOON TO HELP GIVE BONUSES FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE THROUGHOUT AND INCENTIVES TO GET NEW PEOPLE IN AND ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT PRESSURE.

THESE ARE FOLKS THAT ARE DOING SOME OF THE BEST WORK OUT THERE, AND WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT NURSES AND CONSERVATION OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND SHORTAGES THERE, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING INTO OTHER HOMES SO THAT THEY CAN STAY THERE, TAKE CARE OF THEM.

WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO ALLEVIATE THE PRESSURE THEY HAVE BEEN UNDER AND TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THAT FIELD.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM?

>> THIS COMES DOWN TO PAYING PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE WORTH.

THE WORK THAT THESE FOLKS DO IS UNBELIEVABLE AND SO IMPORTANT, MOST ARE VULNERABLE.

WHETHER IT'S WORKERS IN A GROUP HOME, NURSES, TEACHERS, DAY CARE PROVIDERS, WE HAVE A WORKFORCE PROBLEM BECAUSE WE HAVE A WAGE PROBLEM.

SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

I ALSO TAKE THE LEAD OF SENATOR ABELER AND SENATOR HOFFMAN ON THIS ISSUE.

I'M NO LONGER ON THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE BUT WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THIS, AND IT'S ABOUT HAVING ACCESS TO CARE SO THAT FOLKS CAN STAY IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ARE AND THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES TO BE ABLE TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND I THINK THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

THIS NOT ONLY IS A TWIN CITY ISSUE BUT IT'S ALSO EXACERBATED IN GREATER MINNESOTA WITH WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THIS ARENA ACROSS THE BOARD.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, TEACHERS, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL, AND I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE BLESSING OF $8 BILLION SURPLUS, AND WE WILL FIND OUT NEXT WEEK IF IT'S A LITTLE MORE.

AND THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS TO BOTH WORKERS AND RESIDENTS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEANDERSO?

>> I THINK A LOT OF EMPLOYERS OR NEARLY ALL EMPLOYERS ARE FACING A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE, BUT IN THIS AREA WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DISABILITY HOUSING AND NURSING HOMES SEEMS LIKE THE STATE PLAYS A DIRECT AND THE STATE DICK DICTATES HOW MUCH THEY CAN PAY.

WITH RATES GOING UP IN EVERY OTHER LINE OF WORK, MCDONALD'S OR WHATEVER, THEY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH OFFERING A COMPETITIVE WAGE, AND YES, THE STATE NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES SO HOMES CAN OFFER WAGES THAT ATTRACT AND KEEP GOOD WORKERS WHO DO THE JOBS TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEANDERSOU WITH OUR NEXT QUESTION WITH A VIEWER THAT CALLS IN AND SOREN MINNESOTA AND THIS IS ONE OF THE SENSITIVE ISSUES THAT INVOLVES A BALANCE BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC INTEREST.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LAKES THAT REDUCE PHOSPHATES AND NITROGEN LARGELY COMING FROM, PERHAPS NOT EXCLUSIVELY BUT LARGE RI COMING FROM RUN OFF FROM AGRICULTURAL SOURCES AND THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, THE LEGISLATURE COULD DO ABOUT THIS EITHER IN THE SHORT OR LONG RUN.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, LET'S START WITH YOU.

YOU HAVE GOT A BACKGROUND IN THESE AREAS.

>> ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT MINNESOTA IS DOING A GOOD JOB ON, WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM, AND THE GOAL IS TO GET UP TO A MILLION ACRES ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM.

MY FARM IS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM WHERE YOU CERTIFY YOUR PRACTICES, FERTILIZATION RATES.

YOU USE PRESCRIPTION APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER AND SUCH, REDUCE TILLAGE, THINGS LIKE THAT, TO REDUCE THE RUN OFF AND KEEP THE NUTRIENTS ON THE FIELDS WHERE THEY BELONG.

NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH FERTILIZER PRICES DOUBLING AND TRIPLING IN PRICE FROM LAST YEAR, WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LET THOSE NUTRIENTS WASH ON DOWN THE FIELD AND INTO THE RIVERS.

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

SOME LAKES HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE IMPAIRED LIST THE PAST YEAR, AND SOME HAVE BEEN PUT BACK ON AGAIN.

I THINK WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS AND MINNESOTA IS REALLY ENCOURAGING THE USE OF THIS WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND GETTING MORE AND MORE ACRES SIGNED UP EVERY WEEK.

>> SENATOR BIGHAM, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THAT'S A FANTASTIC PROGRAM, AND I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE EVERYBODY DESERVES CLEAN WATER NO MATTER WHAT ZIP CODE.

WE REALLY DO NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY AND FINE TUNING BEST PRACTICES, AND THEY ARE TREMENDOUS STEWARDS OF OUR LAND BECAUSE THEIR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON GOOD QUALITY LAND TO GROW THEIR CROPS AND PROVIDE FOOD FOR US.

I THINK CONTINUING TO WORK WITH FARMERS ON WHAT WE KNOW BEST PROTECTS OUR WATER SOURCES, BUT ALSO IS STRONG BEST PRACTICES FOR MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR US.

SO I MEAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS ON THIS, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK COVER PROP POLICIES IS IS ANOTHER AREA THAT WE CONTINUE TO, AND BUFFER LEGISLATION OUR OTHER AREAS THAT WE CONTINUE TO FINE TUNE AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS AT THE CAPITAL AND ALSO ARE IMPORTANT TO KEEPING OUR WATER CLEAN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE FEIST?

>> THANK YOU.

YEAH, THIS IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT ISSUE IN MY DISTRICT.

IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED, A LOT OF PEOPLE E-MAILED ME ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND SOIL HEALTH AND I KNOW THAT ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE FARMING IN MY DISTRICT THAT THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION.

IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE FOCUS A LOT ON THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY AND LOOK AT WAYS WE CAN TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE SOURCES IN THAT SPHERE BUT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON THE AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION, BECAUSE IT'S A GREATER SOURCE OF POLLUTION THAN FOSSIL FUELS IN A LOT OF WAYS.

I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE AN APPROACH WHERE WE ARE REGULATING BUT FINDING WAYS, LIKE THE SOIL HEALTH BILL WHICH WOULD SUPPORT FARMERS WHO WANT TO USE MORE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL METHODS AND HAVE SOME SUBSIDY FROM THE STATE TO ENCOURAGE THAT TYPE OF FARMING THAT WILL LEAD TO LESS POLLUTION IN THE LONG RUN.

>> Barry: SENATOR RARICK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON AGRICULTURAL RUN OFF AND PHOSPHATE AND SO FORTH.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF ATTENTION AT THE CAPITAL.

I THINK FARMERS, ONE, THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LAND.

TWO, THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON FERTILIZER AND WATCH IT RUN OFF THEIR LAND.

THEY WANT TO KEEP IT THERE, AND THEY ARE LEARNING BETTER PRACTICES ALL THE TIME.

IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS, WE NEED TO ALSO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BUILT CABINS AND HOMES AROUND THE LAKES WHO OVER FERTILIZE THEIR LAWNS AND KEEP A MANICURED LAWN RIGHT UP TO THE LAKE, AND WE ALSO NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE CITIES AND STORMWATER RUN OFF.

THEY HAVE ALL KINDS OF PAVED SURFACES, AND ALL OF THAT GOES DIRECTLY INTO OUR RIVERS.

WE CAN'T JUST BLAME FARMERS.

THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK, AND IT'S TIME FOR EVERYBODY ELSE TO STEP UP AND DO THEIR PART AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, IT'S EASY TO POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT FOR EVERYBODY THAT'S DOING THAT, THEY BETTER THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS WELL AND WHERE THEIR RUN OFF IS GOING.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TOPIC, AND THAT IS OF COURSE THIS YEAR IS A YEAR IN WHICH BONDING BILLS AND THE BONDING ISSUE GENERALLY ARE VERY MUCH FRONT AND CENTER.

SENATOR RARICK, LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING THIS YEAR RELATIVE TO BONDING AND ANY ADVICE YOU MIGHT HAVE TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE ABOUT WHAT WE MIGHT BE DOING IN THAT AREA.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> IT IS A BONDING YEAR AND IT'S NOT GETTING NEAR THE ATTENTION AS IT WOULD NORMALLY BE GETTING.

BUT THE FOCUS I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ON IT IS AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, BRIDGES, AND THEN THE UPKEEP OF STATE PROPERTIES.

MOST EVERYTHING IS FOCUSED AROUND THAT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I BELIEVE THAT'S A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE, AND WE CAN HELP OUT WITH THAT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THE FLUFF IN IT TO BUY VOTES.

I HOPE WE CAN LOOK AROUND AND SAY HEY, IF WE CAN HELP WITH THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE TREATMENT PLANTS, FIX UP OUR ROADS, THOSE ARE REALLY GOOD THINGS TO DO, AND WE SHOULD ALL GET ON BOARD AND FOCUS THERE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BONDING BILL, ANY PARTICULAR PROJECTS THAT YOU THINK ARE CRITICAL THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BONDING BILL INCLUDE AND OBSERVATIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK MIGHT HAPPEN.

IT'S EARLY.

I KNOW.

IT'S PRETTY HARD TO TELL.

LET'S TAKE A RUN AT IT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THIS IS MY FIRST BONDING YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT HAPPEN.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I THINK WILL HAPPEN.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR RARICK, ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BASICS ARE SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

BUT I ALSO LIKE FLUSH, BECAUSE I'M A DFLER, AND I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSAL THAT IT INCLUDED INVESTMENT IN HISTORICAL SOCIETY SITES.

I RECENTLY TOURED FORT SNELLING AND SAW THE FRUITS OF ALL OF THOSE BONDING INVESTMENTS IN THE UPGRADES.

IT IS MAGNIFICENT.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHY I LOVE LIVING IN MINNESOTA, WHY I WANT TO RAISE A FAMILY HERE, BUILD A BUSINESS HERE, BE A PUBLIC SERVANT HERE, IT'S INVESTMENTS LIKE THOSE THAT I THINK REALLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THAT TYPE OF SLIGHTLY FLUFFIER INVESTMENT BECAUSE I DO THINK IT IS WORTH IT IN MAKING US A PLACE THAT IS A DESTINATION FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT A GOOD LIFE.

I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS I'M EXCITED ABOUT.

THIS IS MY BURST BONDING YEAR.

GLAD TO SEE THE INVESTMENTS.

>> Barry: EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME, YOU CAN'T ALWAYS PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE'S THAT TO CONSIDER.

SENATOR BIGHAM, BONDING BILLS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I LIKE THEM.

I LIKE BONDING BILLS.

HAVING THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS, HEPRA, AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE HASTINGS VETERANS HOME, AND THEY HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSION AND RENOVATION TO THAT.

THEN ALSO THE HASTINGS CIVIC CENTER NEEDS HELP.

I HAVE A COUPLE FLUFF PIECES AND I TOO LIKE FLUFF, BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT BEING A GOOD PARTNER WITH OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE TAX BASE TO DO THIS, AND THEY ARE OUR RESPONSIBILITY A LOT OF THE TIMES IN THINGS LIKE WHAT REPRESENTATIVE FEIST SAID.

THEY ARE THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY.

WE CAN HELP OUT AND OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, AND OUR PORTS, AND OUR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, I THINK, ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO BE INVESTING IN.

THESE ARE JOBS, AND IT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND IT'S A KEY COMPONENT WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEANDERSO.

>> BARRY, I'M ALL ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES, ESPECIALLY LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES.

I DO HAVE ONE PIECE WE HOPE TO GET IN A BONDING BILL FOR A PROJECT IN GLENWOOD CALLED CENTRAL SQUARE.

IT'S AN EXAMPLE HOW THE STATE CAN STEP IN AND HELP THE LOCAL PROJECTS.

LOOKING AT DOING AN INTERCHANGE OFF I94 AROUND ALEXANDRIA WHICH IS GOOD, BUT IT WOULD DROP ALL THE TRAFFIC OFF ON TOWNSHIP ROADS.

WE NEED HELP BUILDING UP THOSE AS WELL.

I THINK THE STATE CAN STEP IN THERE WITH THESE LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGE PROJECTS IN THE BONDING BILL AND HELP GET SOME OF THE PROJECTS DONE.

I'M HEAVY ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR THAT FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, WE HAVE A QUESTION THAT WE GET OFTEN, OR AT LEAST WE GET IT MOST YEARS.

IT HASN'T GONE VERY FAR, AT LEAST AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, BUT THIS IS A VIEWER FROM CROSBY THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

I'M WONDERING TO SORT OF BRING EVERYBODY WHO MAY BE WATCHING AND OUR PANEL ABOUT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, IT'S MOSTLY AIMED AT TECHNOLOGICAL GADGETS AND MAKING SURE THAT MANUFACTURERS ARE WILLING TO ALLOW THOSE TO BE PREPARED OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURERS, PARTICULAR UNIVERSE.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE.

IS THERE SUCH A BILL MOVING?

ANY PROSPECTS FOR PASSAGE?

>> WELL, THERE IS A BILL, AND I WAS E-MAILED ABOUT IT, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING, AND IT SUDDENLY WASN'T.

I KNOW I WAS E-MAILED ABOUT IT.

I DO SUPPORT IT.

I SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

I DO THINK IT'S KIND OF RIDICULOUS.

I PAID ATTENTION TO THE FARMERS WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR JOHN DEERE TRACTORS.

IT SEEMS LIKE A RACKET THAT FORCES PEOPLE TO BUY NEW PRODUCTS.

IT'S BOTH UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER AND BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT SEEMS WASTEFUL TO ME.

BUT I KNOW THAT WE RECEIVED A VERY LONG LETTER SIGNED BY A LOT OF COMPANIES RECENTLY, LIKE IN THE LAST WEEK, SAYING THAT THEY REALLY DIDN'T THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RIGHT TO REPAIR.

SO I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CHANCES OF PASSAGE.

THERE'S MOST DEFINITELY A BILL, AND IN MY COMMUNITY THERE'S SUPPORT FOR THE BILL, BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY VIGOROUS OPPOSITION AS WELL FROM THE COMPANIES WHO SAY THAT THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WARRANTIES ON THOSE PRODUCTS.

BUT I THINK IT'S A FUNDAMENTAL CONSUMER RIGHT THAT IF WE HAVE A PRODUCT THAT'S BROKEN AND WE HAVE THE SKILL AND PARTS TO REPAIR IT THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO.

>> Barry: GO TO OUR OTHER HOUSE MEMBER.

REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

RIGHT TO REPAIR?

>> THAT BILL IS IN THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN REPAIRING YOUR CELL PHONE.

IT WOULD EFFECT COMBINES AND TRACTORS AND HUGE EQUIPMENT.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE HERE.

THERE'S A RIGHT TO REPAIR, WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT, BUT NOT A RIGHT TO MODIFY.

IN THE CASE OF A TRACTOR, FOR EXAMPLE, TO GO INTO THE SOFTWARE OF A TRACTOR AND DELETE SOME SYSTEMS THAT WOULD CLEAN UP YOUR EXHAUST, FOR EXAMPLE, INCREASE HORSEPOWER AND MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE.

I'M FOR RIGHT TO REPAIR BUT IT'S GOT TO BE CRAFTED VERY NARROWLY.

THE BILL THAT I SAW ALSO MAKES DEALERS HAVE TO SELL PRODUCTS AT COST, AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT COMES FROM HERE IN OUR COUNTRY WITH A CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY WHERE WE ARE LEGISLATING THAT A BUSINESSMAN HAS TO SELL HIS PRODUCTS AT COST.

THIS BILL NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S READY FOR PRIME TIME AND I DON'T SUPPORT IT IN ITS CURRENT FORM.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM.

>> I ACTUALLY THINK THAT WE SHOULD GIVE SENATOR RARICK SOME TIME ON THIS.

AM I RIGHT?

IT MIGHT BE YOUR BILL.

AM I RIGHT?

>> NOT MY BILL, BUT I KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.

>> I SUPPORT IT, AND I THINK IT'S A FANTASTIC IDEA FOR WHAT REPRESENTATIVE FEIST SAID, WHICH IS THAT IT'S VERY GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ALSO I JUST THINK IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO, YOU KNOW, FOR FOLKS TO LEARN, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THESE PRODUCTS.

IF THEY CAN DO IT ON THEIR OWN, I THINK THAT THAT'S FANTASTIC.

WE HAVE THESE FIX IT CLINICS IN COUNTIES NOW, PART OF THEIR WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMING, AND I THINK THAT'S FANTASTIC, TOO.

THESE ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS AND I LIKE IT.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

EVERY TIME I'M ON THE SHOW, JUSTICE ANDERSON, I GET ASKED THE QUESTION.

BUT THIS IS A GREAT BILL.

I HOPE IT PASSES.

IT'S TALKED ABOUT EVERY SESSION BUT IT NEVER GETS ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> Barry: SENATOR RARICK, I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH YOU.

TALK ABOUT RIGHT TO REPAIR YOUR VIEWS ON THIS, PLEASE.

>> THIS IS ONE.

IT CAN BE A TOUGH ONE.

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME DAY AND AGE AS WE WERE BACK WHEN YOU COULD, YOU KNOW, DO SO MUCH WORK ON YOUR OWN VEHICLE OR YOUR OWN TRACTOR, YOUR OWN FURNACE.

IN TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY, SOME MUCH OF IT IS ON A COMPUTER, SO MUCH OF THE CONTROLS ARE THERE, NOT JUST ANYBODY HAS THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

I'M ALL IN FAVOR.

I HAVE WORKED ON MY OWN VEHICLES FOREVER.

I HAVE DONE ALL OF THAT.

I LOVE TO REPAIR THINGS, BUT AS REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON SAID, WHEN YOU START DELVING INTO THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE, YOU CAN START TO MAKE CHANGES THAT WERE NEVER REALLY MEANT TO BE MADE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A WAY, WITH THE LIABILITY ISSUES THAT ARE OUT THERE IN TODAY'S WORLD, WE CAN'T HAVE A COMPANY AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING WHEN SOMEBODY MAKES AN ALTERATION THAT WAS NEVER INTENDED AND WAS PROGRAMMED OUT.

IT'S A VERY TRICKY TOPIC RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO COVER THAT PIECE THAT WHEN YOU ARE GOING IN AND REPAIRING, YOU ARE NOT ALTERING AND CHANGING WHAT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

>> Barry: I'M THE WRONG GUY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

I VENEERLY FAILED SEVENTH GRADE SHOP.

I THINK WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THAT TOPIC AND WILL MOVE ON.

SENATOR BIGHAM, WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROSPECTS ARE FOR SPORTS BETTING.

WE HAD A LITTLE PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION, AND YOU TOLD ME YOU HAD INTEREST IN THIS, AND HERE WE GO.

WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT'S INTERESTED IN THIS AS WELL.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

GO AROUND THE TABLE.

>> THANKS.

I WOULD SAY BET ON THE OVER.

THEN IT'S GOING TO PASS.

THIS IS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

MYSELF, SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN, SENATOR HOUSLEY, COLEMAN, KORAN AND SENATOR KLEIN AND SENATOR BERG ALL TOGETHER WITH LEGISLATION AND REPRESENTATIVE STEVENSON AND GAROFALO IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS.

I THINK WE ARE GETTING EXTREMELY CLOSE.

THE TRIBES ARE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANT.

THEIR VOICE NEEDS TO BE HEARD AND RESPECTED IN THIS PROCESS.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE HAVE LEGALIZED SPORTS WAGERING READY TO GO BY THE END OF THIS YEAR IF WE CAN AND THAT IT HAS A MOBILE COMPONENT THROUGH THE CASINOS THAT IT ALSO INCLUDES THE TRAP OF BRICK AND MORTAR SPORTS WAGERING, AND WE ALSO WILL HAVE MONEY FOR COMPULSIVE OR PROBLEM GAMBLING AND CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN THERE FOR MAKING SURE THAT TRANSACTIONS ARE TRANSPARENT RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN A BLACK MARKET, AND IT'S NOT A SAFE THING TO DO, AND IT'S NOT OKAY TO DO.

SO WE NEED TO SHINE LIGHT ON IT.

WE NEED TO REGULATE IT TO HAVE A GOOD CONSUMER EXPERIENCE, AND I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY STATES THAT HAVE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS IN BOTH MEN AND WOMEN SPORTS PROFESSIONALLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TOURNAMENTS HERE THAT ENHANCE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE, AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE ECONOMY, IF THE STATE MAKES A BUCK OR TWO, GOOD FOR US.

BUT I THINK IT WILL PASS THIS YEAR.

I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THE POSSIBILITY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I AGREE.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS, ALTHOUGH I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, DURING THE SUPER BOWL THERE WERE ADS ON FOR CAESARS PALACE.

IT'S ALL AROUND US, AND IT'S HERE.

I WOULD HOPE IT'S GOING TO BE AVAILABLE STATEWIDE AND NOT ONLY AT THE CASINOS AROUND THE STATE.

SO IT'S AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME, AND IT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED AND THE STATE SHOULD PLAY A BIG ROLE IN IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR RARICK.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY SIMILAR KIND OF TO THE SUNDAY SALES WHICH I JOINED IN WHEN THAT WAS PARTWAY THROUGH WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S COMING.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VERSIONS OUT THERE.

SO THERE NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSION AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT WORK.

BUT I THINK THE CHANCES ARE PRETTY GOOD THAT WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

I ALSO AGREE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME OPTIONS MAYBE FOR SOME OF THE SMALL LOCAL CHARITABLE GAMBLING PEOPLE TO BE A PART OF IT AS WELL.

THE OTHER THING I'M GOING TO DO IF WE CAN GET IT TO THE FLOOR, I HAVE TO CONVINCE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE THAT MY FIREWORKS AMENDMENT WILL BE GERMANE.

>> WE ARE COOKING UP SOMETHING, MR. ANDERSON.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LEGALIZE THE AERIAL AND AUDIBLE FIREWORKS SINCE I GOT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Barry: GOOD LUCK WITH THE PRESIDENT IN THE SENATE.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, WE WILL LEAVE THE FIREWORKS ALONE BUT I WILL ASK YOU ABOUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, AND I WOULD SAY I HAVEN'T HAD A STRONG OPINION ABOUT THIS.

BUT I HAVE A CONSTITUENT THAT IS VERY STRONG IN FAVOR.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THERE ARE PROVISIONS IN THE REGULATION FOR A ADDRESSING COMPULSIVE GAMBLING AND JUST ENSURING THAT THERE'S SOME GUARDRAILS, BUT YEAH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT BILL AND HAS SUPPORT IN 41B, SO I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

SOUNDS LIKE IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU.

JUST ONE LITTLE CLEANUP QUESTION HERE.

ON THE COMPULSIVE GAMBLING THING, I DON'T NORMALLY GET INVOLVED WHETHER A BILL IS A GOOD IDEA OR BAD IDEA, AND MAYBE THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I WAS DOING CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCIES.

BUT COMPULSIVE GAMBLING WAS A MAJOR FACTOR IN SOME OF THE CHAPTER 7 BANKRUPTCIES THAT I SAW OR AT LEAST GAMBLING LOSSES WERE.

I CAN'T MAKE A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS.

I'M WONDERING, IS THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC ABOUT DEALING WITH THAT PROBLEM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH VIEWERS ABOUT THE GAMBLING PIECE?

>> IT'S A FAIR QUESTION AND A GOOD QUESTION.

ONE, I THINK SEPARATE FROM THIS BILL WE PROBABLY NEED TO UPDATE OUR LAWS ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING BUT RELATED TO THIS BILL WE WILL HAVE A DEDICATED AMOUNT OF REVENUE TOWARDS PROGRAMMING GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS AND PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS FOR IF YOU NEED HELP HERE IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

I THINK THE OTHER ISSUE -- WE WILL BE THE 34th STATE, GOD WILLING, THAT LEGALIZES THIS.

SO WE HAVE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT, AND THESE MOBILE APPS ACTUALLY HAVE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU BET ON THE SUPER BOWL AND YOU SAID THE RAMS WERE GOING TO WIN AND HIT THE SPREAD AND YOU WOULD WANT A BOATLOAD OF MONEY, THERE'S AN ACTUAL PAUSE BEFORE YOU CAN TAKE THAT MONEY TO MOVE ON TO ANOTHER BET.

I THINK THERE'S THINGS IN PLACE LIKE THAT THAT WILL HELP MAKE A PERSON PAUSE BEFORE GOING ONTO THE NEXT BIG BET.

IT'S THINGS LIKE THAT THAT NOW ARE IN PLACE THAT WE HAVE AND WE KNOW ABOUT, AND WE CAN MAKE SURE ARE IMPLEMENTED.

>> Barry: WE HAVE 15 MINUTES REMAINING, A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THAT, AND ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT WE HAVE SPENT VERY LITTLE TIME TALKING ABOUT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHICH WE SHOULD MOVE TO IS THE QUESTION OF EDUCATION, AND I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON PREK TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION HERE.

LET'S START WITH THAT.

SENATOR RARICK, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT THE EDUCATION BILL MIGHT LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR.

FOR OUR VIEWERS THAT WONDER ABOUT THIS, THE LAST NUMBER I SAW WAS SOMETHING ON THE ORDER OF 40% OF THE STATE BUDGET WINDS UP GOING INTO EDUCATION, MIGHT BE EACH HIGHER THAN THAT.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

SENATOR RARICK?

>> YOU KNOW, BETWEEN HHS AND K-12 EDUCATION, THAT'S A HUGE CHANGE OF THE STATE BUDGET THAT GOES THERE, AND THERE'S ALSO FEDERAL MONEY THAT GOES TO IT, AND THEN THERE'S LOCAL PIECES THAT GO TO EDUCATION AS WELL.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE -- AS LONG AS THEY FEEL WE ARE USING THE MONEY WISELY, THEY ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE IN INVESTING IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE SHUT DOWNS AND HOW FAR BEHIND HAVE OUR KIDS GOTTEN BECAUSE OF THE REMOTE NATURE, JUST LACK OF TIME IN FRONT OF THEIR TEACHERS, INABILITY TO BE TOGETHER WITH EACH OTHER.

SO THOSE ARE THINGS WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT, HOW DO WE MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THAT, WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS GOING TO BE ON STUDENTS, AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PARENTS WHO FEEL THEY WERE SHUT OUT.

I DON'T WANT TO BLAME EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT OUT THERE, EVERY SCHOOL BOARD.

WE KNOW THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE VERY GOOD, BUT WE HEAR STORIES AROUND AND THE STATE AROUND THE COUNTRY, PARENTS THAT FEEL THEY ARE BEING SHUT OUT, AND I THINK THOSE ARE ALL THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT AND ADDRESS SO THAT PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT THE MONEY THAT IS GOING INTO EDUCATION IS BEING USED WISELY AND TRULY BEING USED TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS AND GETTING THEM WHERE THEY NEED TO BE BECAUSE OF THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES THAT WE SEE AND HOW DO WE TRAIN THE OLDER KIDS TO GET WHERE WE NEED AND HOW DO WE EXPOSE YOUNGER KIDS TO ALL THE DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR THEM, WHETHER IT'S MOVING TO AN APPRENTICESHIP, DOING A TWO-YEAR SCHOOL, DOING A FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL.

I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPOSING OUR YOUNGER KIDS TO ALL THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR THEM SO THAT THEY CAN BETTER CHOOSE WHERE THEY WANT TO GO, AND I DO BELIEVE FROM THE STORIES I HAVE HEARD FROM SO MANY OF OUR YOUNGER KIDS THAT WHEN THEY SEE THAT PATH AND THEY SEE A FUTURE AND HAVE A HOPE, THEN THE EDUCATION MEANS SO MUCH MORE AND TAKE IT SO MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY.

I THINK WE NEED TO -- IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FUNDING.

IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE HELP THESE KIDS FIND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SO THAT THEY BUILD THAT DRIVE TO GET THE BEST EDUCATION THEY CAN SO THEY CAN GET WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.

>> Barry: I WAS ON MUTE.

PREK TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE A MILLION THOUGHTS.

>> Barry: IT'S A HUGE TOPIC.

GO AHEAD.

>> SO I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE SURPLUS.

THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE CAN SPEND IT ON THAN EDUCATION.

I'M ON TWO EDUCATION COMMITTEES, AND WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE IMPORTANT OF INVESTMENT AND HELP SUPPORTS.

SO MANY STUDENTS HAVE STRUGGLED GREATLY DURING THE PANDEMIC AS HAVE STAFF, AND THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

LAST SESSION I AUTHORED A BILL THAT CREATED ADDITIONAL FUNDING AROUND SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING IN SCHOOLS, AND I'M SUPER LUCKY ON EDUCATION FINANCE, AND I'M ABOUT TO INTRODUCE A BILL THAT WILL HELP US TO BETTER CALCULATE WHAT'S CALLED COMPENSATORY REVENUE WHICH ARE DOLLARS THAT WE TARGET TOWARDS LOW INCOME STUDENTS AND WE ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO -- THE WAY WE MEASURE IT RIGHT NOW IS REALLY BAD.

SO I'M INTRODUCING A BILL TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO REALLY LOOK AT THAT ISSUE.

IT WILL BE A BIPARTISAN WORKING GROUP.

I ALSO AM REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT EDUCATION POLICY, AND I AND SENATOR BIGHAM INTRODUCED THE STUDENT DATA PRIVACY ACT.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

I BELIEVE THIS IS THE YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF REMOTE LEARNING AND STUDENT DATA LAWS WERE WRITTEN IN THE '70s WHEN DATA WAS PIECES OF PAPER IN A FILING CABINET.

NOW THAT DATA IS IN THE CLOUD AND NOW STUDENTS ARE BEING MONITORED WHILE THEY ARE USING SCHOOL ISSUED DEVICES AT HOME FOR PERSONAL USE.

THIS STUDENT DATA PRIVACY ACT WILL BRING OUR STUDENT DATA LAW INTO THE 21st CENTURY.

I ALSO AGREE WITH SENATOR RARICK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS HAVE A FULL VISION OF ALL OF THEIR POSSIBILITIES AND WORKING WITH THE TWO-YEAR COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND ABILITY TO CREATE UNIVERSAL FAFSA IN MINNESOTA.

IT WOULD REQUIRE FAFSA COMPLETION FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

IN THE 7 STATES THAT HAVE DONE THIS, THEY HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN FAFSA COMPLETION, AND AS A RESULT COLLEGE ATTENDANTS IN PARTICULAR BY LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR FOR THAT AS WELL.

I HAVE 800 MILLION OTHER THINGS THAT I WILL SAY BUT I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

I THINK THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN SPEND MONEY ON.

IT'S AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE AND FUTURE LEADERS.

>> Barry: FOR OUR VIEWERS WONDERING WHAT FAFSA IS, YOU NEED TO HAVE A KID GETTING READY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

IT'S THE FINANCIAL FORM FOR POTENTIAL COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE FEIST IS A TRUE CHAMPION IN EDUCATION, POLICY AND EDUCATION ISSUES AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HER ON THE SHOW TONIGHT BUT ALSO THE HOUSE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS THIS ISSUE VERY WELL.

ONE THING I WILL SAY FOR VIEWERS TO KNOW, THIS ISN'T A BUDGET YEAR.

WE HAVE A COMPLETED BUDGET.

WE HAVE A SURPLUS AND DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T GET TO SPEND IT BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO.

SO IT IS A BONDING YEAR.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, NO MATTER WHAT YEAR IT IS, WE NEED TO BE PROPERLY FUNDING EDUCATION.

RECORD NUMBER OF PROPERTY TAX LEVIES WERE PASSED BUT THOSE PEOPLE WANT TO INVEST IN EDUCATION BUT THE STATE IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH PROPERLY FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH THEIR COMMITMENT CAUSING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE TO GO TO PROPERTY TAX LEVIES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

FUNDING ISN'T IN GROWTH, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS A CROSS SUBSIDY.

THIS IS A FINANCIAL ISSUE WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE, AND THAT'S SUPER IMPORTANT.

I THINK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD INSECURITY SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY, ARE ALL HUGE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS AND BE PARTNERS WITH WITH OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY IS AGAIN WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE ISSUE.

MORALE IS LOW.

THEY ARE RUN OUT -- BURNED OUT RUN DOWN.

ANOTHER WAY TO SAY IT.

WE HAVE GOT TO PAY PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE WORTH AND WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INVESTING IN OUR TEACHERS, OUR PARAS, OUR BUS DRIVERS AND CUSTODIANS THAT KEEP THE BILLINGS CLEAN AND SAFE.

WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES, TOO IN PROTECTING OUR EDUCATORS AND ALL THE PERSONNEL IN OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO TEACH THE STUDENTS AND AGAIN MAKING AN INVESTMENT.

I WOULD SAY HECK YEAH TO SENATOR RARICK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE SHOWING STUDENTS THE DIFFERENT PATHS TO A CAREER THAT IS WORTHY OF THEIR TALENT AND TO MOTIVATE THEM AND TO INSPIRE THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL, WHETHER THAT'S THE TRADES, WHETHER THAT'S, YOU KNOW, ACCOUNTING, WHATEVER, FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, TWO-YEAR COLLEGE, BUT THAT HAS TO BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE IT DOES MAKE THEIR EXPERIENCE MORE MEANINGFUL.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> ALL THE ABOVE.

I AGREE WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID TONIGHT.

IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH COUPLE OF YEARS IN EDUCATION.

COVID BROUGHT THIS ON.

TEACHERS HAVE HAD A TOUGH TIME.

STUDENTS HAVE HAD A TOUGH TIME.

I THINK SCHOOLS WITH THE COVID MONEY THEY GOT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIALLY, I THINK MOST OF THEM ARE DOING OKAY, BUT WE NEED TO INVEST IN, I THINK, IN THE CAREER AND TECH EDUCATION.

I THINK OUR WORKFORCE SHORTAGE IS REALLY SHOWING US AND SHOWING STUDENTS THAT I CAN, YOU KNOW, GO INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND GO TO A TWO-YEAR TRADE SCHOOL AND COME OUT OF THERE WITH A JOB THAT I CAN MAKE 50, 60, $70,000 A YEAR DOING AND NOT HAVE A LOT OF STUDENT DEBT WHEN I FINISH.

WE NEED TO KIND OF ADAPT AND HAVE OUR SCHOOLS TEACH WHAT BUSINESSES NEED, WHAT THEY WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE READY FOR COMING OUT AND GETTING A JOB WITH THEM RIGHT AWAY.

KIND OF A TRANSITION TIME, I THINK, AS WE ADJUST TO NOT THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE MANTRA TO ONE THAT LETS STUDENTS PICK THEIR PATH, WHETHER IT BE TRADE OR LIBERAL ARTS AND WE AS A STATE SHOULD SUPPORT ALL THE ABOVE AND I AGREE WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID.

>> Barry: WONDERING, JUST ASK THE PANEL MORE GENERALLY, ONE OF THE ISSUES IS OF COURSE THE LEGISLATURE HAS ENACTED A SERIES OF PROGRAMS OVER MANY YEARS, AND I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER EDUCATION, AND EVERY GOVERNOR HAS GOT A SET OF PROGRAMS.

PROGRAMS DON'T SEEM TO GO AWAY.

I'M WONDERING, HAS THERE BEEN ANY THOUGHT TO SOME KIND OF BIPARTISAN LONG-TERM REVIEW OF PROGRAMS MAYBE WE SHOULD END, TO JUST PUT IT BLUNTLY.

ARE WE LOOKING AT ALL AT REDUCING THE BURDEN ON OUR TEACHERS VERSUS EVERYTHING WE ASK THEM TO DO.

ANYONE WANT TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT.

>> I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO FILL OUT SO MANY REPORTS, AND THERE'S SO MUCH TESTING.

I THINK THE STATE SHOULD BACK OFF FROM A LOT OF THE MANDATES AND OPEN THINGS BACK UP TO LET LOCAL SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL BOARDS MAKE SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS.

WE CAN GET OUT OF THE WAY.

WE KEEP, JUST LIKE YOU SAID, WE PILE ON THING AFTER THING OF WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO, AND THEN THEY CAN'T DO THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO DO, THAT THEY KNOW ARE GOOD FOR THEIR KIDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A GROUP OUT THERE LOOKING AT IT, BUT THEY SURE SHOULD BE.

>> NOT ALL STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE HIGH ALGEBRA, FOR EXAMPLE IF THEY ARE GOING INTO A CAREER IN TECH EDUCATION FIELD.

DESIGN THE COURSES AND DON'T TEST ALL THE KIDS IN HIGHER MATH, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THEY DON'T NEED TO PURSUE THAT TO GO INTO THEIR PARTICULAR CAREER OPTIONS.

WE NEED TO AGAIN FINE TUNE OUR SYSTEMS AND LET THE STUDENTS GO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO AND NOT MAKE THEM ALL TEST FOR A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE IN HIGHER MATH, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THEY REALLY WOULDN'T NEED THAT WITH THE CAREER PATH THAT THEY WOULD CHOOSE TO FOLLOW.

>> Barry: SENATOR BIGHAM, YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE A POINT THERE, TOO.

>> TAKING A LOOK AT DIFFERENT PROGRAMS IS DONE OCCASIONALLY.

I KNOW THAT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I BELIEVE WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE STATE LEVEL FORMS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, BUT A LOT OF THAT IS FEDERAL.

IT IS A LOT OF PAPERWORK, AND I ALSO DO THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO NOT HAVE TEACHERS TEACHING TO TEST, BUT TEACHING THE CURRICULUM.

I AGREE THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT REDOING HOW WE ARE TESTING STUDENTS, AND I THINK A STANDARDIZED ACT TEST WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW WITH CONSTANTLY TESTING.

I THINK THOSE DISCUSSIONS -- >> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FEIST, YOU GET THE LAST 30 SECONDS ON THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT THE ST. ANTHONY AND BRIGHTON SCHOOL DISTRICT BROUGHT TO ME IS THEY WOULD LIKE MORE FLEXIBILITY AS WE PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL ACT TIME.

WE COULD HAVE MORE VARIETY IN THE TYPES OF EDUCATION THAT THEY CAN RECEIVE, THAT THEY CAN RECEIVE CREDIT FOR, THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BUTT IN A SEAT, IN A CLASSROOM LOOKING AT A TEACHER.

I ALSO INTRODUCED A BILL WHAT'S CALLED EXTENDED TIME REVENUE THAT WOULD ALSO LOOK AT MORE NONTRADITIONAL CLASS TIME FOR CREDIT AND THAT TYPE OF LEARNING.

>> Barry: ON THAT CLOSING NOTE, THAT PRODUCTIVE AND HELPFUL SUGGESTION OF POSSIBLE IDEAS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER, WE ARE GOING TO CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM FOR THE EVENING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS, AND HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

I WOULD INVITE YOU TO RETURN NEXT WEEK FOR THE NEXT PROGRAM OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

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

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