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 ON WHAT WE HOPE IS THE BACK END OF THE LAST OF THE WINTER COLD SPELLS, AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE WARM CONVERSATION ABOUT PUBLIC POLISHES AFFECTING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS IS AS ALWAYS YOUR PROGRAM, AND WE INVITE YOU TO CALL IN OR TO SEND YOUR QUESTIONS VIA THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT WILL APPEAR LIKE MAGIC ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN.

WE WILL SEE THE QUESTIONS GET TO OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS, AND WE BEGIN OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO YOU.

LET'S BEGIN THIS EVENING WITH REPRESENTATIVE JULIE SANDSTEDE FROM HIBBING, MINNESOTA.

IF YOU COULD TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR BACKGROUND, COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON AND ANYTHING ELSE THEY NEED TO KNOW.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY, GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN YOU TONIGHT.

I'M JULIE SANDSTEDE.

I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 6A, WHICH IS UP ON THE IRON RANGE.

COMMUNITIES THAT I REPRESENT INCLUDE HIBBING, CHISHOLM, IN CHISHOLM, NANASHWAU, KEEWATIN.

THIS IS MY THIRD TERM.

IT'S A WONDERFUL PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE.

THE BACKGROUND IS I'M A MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN, MUSIC EDUCATOR SPENT 27 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM AND JUST LEFT THE CLASSROOM A FEW MONTHS AGO, ABOUT A MONTH AGO TO COME BACK DOWN TO THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I AM A VERY, VERY BUSY INDIVIDUAL JUGGLING MULTIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO WORK TOGETHER AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING NOT JUST MY DISTRICT BUT THOSE ACROSS THE STATE I CAN'T LET YOU GO WITHOUT PURSUING A MUSIC EDUCATION PIECE.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ALL OF THESE YEARS?

>> ACTUALLY I'M A LICENSED BAND INSTRUCTOR.

MY GOAL WAS TO BE A BAND INSTRUCTOR, AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FROM K-12 TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

CURRENTLY I'M IN A K-2 CLASSROOM SETTING.

I HAVE ENJOYED EVERY PIECE OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO.

I FEEL LIKE I HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS BECAUSE WHILE I HAVE THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE WITH THE YOUNGER STUDENTS, I'M ALSO A CITY BAND DIRECTOR, AND SO I GET TO DO THE INSTRUMENTAL PORTION OF MY PASSION WITH MY COMMUNITY GROUP, AND THEN I PLAY IN SYMPHONY AS WELL.

UNFORTUNATELY WITH COVID THINGS HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD TEMPORARILY, BUT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO IT.

>> Barry: I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WITH A SIMILAR BACKGROUND.

ALSO JOINING US IS CHRIS SWEDZINSKI.

DID I PRONOUNCE THAT CORRECTLY?

>> RIGHT ON THE MONEY.

>> Barry: IT'S AN ACCIDENT.

REPRESENTATIVE, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I WANT TO THANK ALL THE FOLKS IN PIONEER LAND AND MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE FOR WATCHING TONIGHT, GETTING ENGAGED IN OUR POLITICAL PROCESS.

I REPRESENT HOUSE DISTRICT 16A, WHICH IS IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE STATE.

I LIKE TO TELL FOLKS WE ARE THE FIRST DEFENSE OF SOUTH DAKOTA ANSWER ACROSS THE BORDER.

I SERVE ON THE TAXES COMMITTEE, AND ENERGY COMMITTEE AND SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE ENERGY COMMISSION AND SCHOOL TRUST LANDS LEGISLATIVE BOARD.

I FARM, HAVE A SMALL WELDING BUSINESS.

WE GROW CORN, WHEAT, BEANS AND ALFALFA.

JUST ENJOYING LIFE AND ENJOYING THE WARM WEATHER AS WELL OUT HERE.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

ALSO JOINING US, A REGULAR ON OUR PROGRAM OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS, SENATOR JIM CARLSON FROM EAGAN.

LIKE OUR LAST GUEST STARTED IN THE HOUSE, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.

AM I CORRECT ABOUT THAT?

>> ALMOST.

I RAN FOR THE HOUSE BUT CAME IN SECOND.

>> Barry: THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

SENATOR CARLSON, INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> I'M JIM CARLSON, SENATOR FROM EAGAN AND REPRESENT MOST OF EAGAN AND CALLED SENATE DISTRICT 51 WHICH I LIKE TO REFER TO IT AS AREA 51.

BUT I'M ON THE TRANSPORTATION FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE, ON THE CIVIL LAW AND DATA COMMITTEE, AND RANKING MEMBER ON THE STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

SO I HAVE BEEN NOW IN THE LEGISLATURE -- MY 13th YEAR, AND I'M AN ENGINEER.

I RETIRED FROM 3M, AND I WORKED ON RESPIRATORS, AND THIS IS THE KIND OF RESPIRATORS I WORKED ON AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT PEOPLE SOMETIMES CALLED MASKS.

IF YOU SAY IT'S AN N95 MASK, IT MEANS YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING BECAUSE THERE IS NO MASKS THAT ARE N95.

THOSE ARE RESPIRATORS.

I'M INTERESTED IN BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE BEING ON HERE AGAIN WITH YOU, JUSTICE, AND LIKE YOU SAY, IT'S A FUN AND INTERESTING EVENT TO COME ON HERE AND DISCUSS THINGS WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

>> Barry: UNFORTUNATELY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE HAD TO GET FAMILIAR WITH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MASKS AND RESPIRATORS, AND HOPEFULLY WE ARE MOVING INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT WILL BECOME LESS SIGNIFICANT, LET'S HOPE SO ANYWAY.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST REPRESENTING ROCHESTER, SENATOR CARLA NELSON.

SENATOR NELSON HAS BEEN WITH US MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST DECADE BUT INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I'M STATE SENATOR CARLA NELSON, AND I DO LIVE IN ROCHESTER AND HONORED TO REPRESENT ROCHESTER, CHATFIELD, AND 14 TOWNSHIPS IN OLMSTED COUNTY.

I'M SERVING MY FOURTH TERM IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

THIS TIME I'M THE TAX CHAIR AND THRILLED TO BE ON THE TAXES COMMITTEE.

I HAD TO LEAVE THAT COMMITTEE ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I BECAME THE EDUCATION CHAIR, AND YOU KNOW, I'M SO -- I ALSO SERVE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, POLICY AND FINANCE AND THE HUMAN SERVICES REFORM COMMITTEE.

MY HUSBAND JERRY AND I LIVE HERE IN ROCHESTER.

WE HAVE THREE GROWN SONS AND TWO BEAUTIFUL GRANDDAUGHTERS.

I'M A FORMER TEACHER HAVING TAUGHT IN THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION TOO MUCHER, READING G TEACHER AND PASSIONATE HOW IMPORTANT EDUCATION IS, AND ALSO INVOLVED IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS, AND FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM.

IT'S GREAT TO JOIN YOU AGAIN, JUDGE, AND SO APPRECIATE OUR DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUES BEFORE US.

>> Barry: LET'S BEGIN OUR CONVERSATION THIS EVENING WITH AN ISSUE -- ACTUALLY THERE'S BEEN ACTION ON IT TODAY IN THE HOUSE.

THERE IS THIS QUESTION, REIMBURSEMENT FOR SECURITY IN MINNEAPOLIS WITH UPCOMING CRIMINAL TRIALS ARISING OUT OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD LAST SPRING S I THINK PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS MAYBE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE AND WE WILL MOVE TO THE SENATE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE SANDSTEDE, CAN YOU BRING US UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HOUSE AND GO TO SENATOR SWEDZINSKI AND BACK TO THE SENATE.

>> I THINK WHAT WE SAW TODAY WAS THAT WE A VERY IMPORTANT BILL THAT WAS BEFORE THE BODY, AND I THINK CONCEPTUALLY THERE IS CONSENSUS AROUND THE ISSUE FOR THE NEED TO HELP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO CREATE THIS ACCOUNT, CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO NEED TO CALL IN MUTUAL AID FROM OTHER PLACES, THEY ARE GOING TO SHOW UP REGARDLESS, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A COST THAT'S GOING TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

THIS ACCOUNT ALLOWED FOR REIMBURSEMENT TO THAT, AND IT IS CRITICAL AS THE WORLD IS GOING TO BE WATCHING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE UPCOMING TRIALS.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING THE NEED FOR REINFORCEMENTS IN THESE EVENTS, AND THIS IS JUST PROBABLY ONE EVENT.

THERE WILL BE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD.

I THINK WHAT WE SAW IS THAT THERE ARE JUST DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON HOW FAR THE BILL WENT IN MAKING IT RIGHT OR TOO FAR, AND FOR ME PERSONALLY, I'M NOT COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE BILL.

I DID END UP SUPPORTING IT TODAY, BECAUSE I WOULD RATHER PASS THE BILL OFF THE FLOOR, SEE IT GO INTO SOME KIND OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHERE WE CAN IRON OUT THE KINKS, WHERE WE CAN COME TO SOME KIND OF CONSENSUS RATHER THAN JUST KILL IT.

WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING WAS NOT ENOUGH VOTES TO GET IT OFF THE FLOOR TODAY, SO WE ARE GOING TO TAKE IT UP FOR RECONSIDERATION AT ANOTHER STIME TIME, HOPEFULLY GO BACK, SHARPEN OUR PENCILS AND CONTINUE TO WORK.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN ON GOING CONVERSATIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND BOTH BODIES ON HOW WE CAN GET THIS DONE.

SO MORE WORK TO BE DONE, BUT I THINK WE WILL SEE THIS TAKEN UP AGAIN SOON AS IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF JUSTICE OR CHIEF ANDERSON, AND WE DID HAVE THAT BILL COME BEFORE US ON THE FLOOR.

WE HAD A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, HE WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAD AN AMENDMENT AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD POTENTIALLY HELP THE BILL GAIN SUPPORT ACROSS THE AISLE.

I THINK IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT BILL.

I THINK WHETHER YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WHAT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, NO ONE WANTS TO SEE AGAIN.

SO OBVIOUSLY THE IMPETUS ABOUT THIS IS THE TRIAL THAT'S COMING UP AND THE FEAR OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN, YOU KNOW, POTENTIAL OF WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN FROM A POTENTIAL VERDICT OUT OF THAT.

WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRIAL WILL BRING AND HOW THE VERDICT WILL BE READ, BUT THERE IS SOME CONCERN THERE, AND I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS TO IRON OUT YET.

I THINK WE NEED TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.

THERE'S NOT ACTUALLY A SENATE COMMAND ICOMPANION FOR THIS PARR BILL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF KINKS TO WORK OUT, AND WE NEED TO BRING MORE THAN JUST A FEW PEOPLE INTO THE ROOM AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL ALSO, YOU KNOW, TRADE GOING TO COUNT BUT ALSO HAVE A LOT OF OVERSIGHT LEGISLATIVELY AS WELL, AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF S SINGULARITY IN R OVERSIGHT.

>> Barry: SENATOR CARLSON, ACTION TODAY ON THE HOUSE SIDE, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, A VEHICLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR COMMUNITIES THAT GET INVOLVED IN PROVIDING MUTUAL AID TO THE STCITYOF MINNEAPOLIS OR ANYBODYE THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THE NEED TO HAVE MUTUAL AID.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SENATE PERSPECTIVE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF YOUR CAUCUS, AND WE WILL GO TO SENATOR NELSON FOR HER VIEW.

GO AHEAD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED THAT THESE BILLS ARE NOT AS REPRESENTATIVE SAID, THEY ARE NOT COMPANIONS, SO THEY DON'T ADDRESS THINGS EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.

WE HAVE MUTUAL AID, AND WE HAVE HAD MUTUAL AID FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND THE CITY OF EAGAN PROVIDES MUTUAL AID FOR THE COMMUNITIES NEARBY AND ALSO UP IN THE CITIES IF THEY ARE CALLED.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY REASON TO TRY TO EXTRACT MONEY TO PAY FOR ANY OF THE SERVICES AND OF COURSE MINNEAPOLIS HAS ESSENTIAL AID ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT CAN AFFORD THEIR SYSTEMS OF EMERGENCY RESPONSES, YOU KNOW, AND THE HOSPITALS AND HELICOPTERS, AND WE HAVE BIG HOSPITALS IN THE TWIN CITIES, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THE -- IT'S JUST BEEN SOMETHING WHERE WE TRY TO WORK BEST WITH ALL PEOPLE AS OPPOSED TO TRYING TO CARVE OUT FUNDING FROM ONE TO THE OTHER.

WELL, THIS PARTICULAR BILL THAT'S ATTEMPTED TO BE RUN THROUGH THE SENATE WAS SOMETHING PRIMARILY TO PUNISH.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BILL, IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT WAY, BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO ALL THE RHETORIC THAT SURROUNDS IT, IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE PUNISHMENT OF MINNEAPOLIS IS THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IS THAT THIS KILLING OF A MAN IN MINNEAPOLIS TRIGGERED WORLDWIDE RESPONSE.

SO IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

IT WAS A VERY BIG DEAL.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD PEOPLE THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IT.

THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT CAME FROM ALL OFFER THE STATE AND IN FACT EVEN FROM OTHER STATES TO COME UP HERE AND INSIGHT MORE VIOLENCE, AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH CRIMES AND MANY OF THEM ARE FROM OUTSIDE TWIN CITIES, AND MOST ARE FROM MINNEAPOLIS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT OCCURRED IN MINNEAPOLIS.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TONE DOWN THE RHETORIC A LITTLE BIT AND REALIZE WE DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED, AND WE DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

I'M AFRAID THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING, AND I THINK EVERYBODY AGREES THAT WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING AWAY TO REACT TO ANY POTENTIAL OUTCRY THAT HAPPENS WITH THE TRIAL, AND I'M GOING TO SAY PERSONALLY, I WISH THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SETTLE THIS BACK IN THE DAYS RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT SO THAT -- BECAUSE THERE WAS A PLEA, AND THIS PLEA COULD HAVE BEEN EXERCISED HAD THERE BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE CLEAR THINKING AT THAT TIME AND WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED AN AWFUL LOT OF THIS KIND OF STRESS AND FIGHTING AMONGST EACH OTHER.

WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T FORGET THAT WE HAVE THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOW GETTING MORE AND MORE POWER AROUND HERE AND ACTUALLY CAME TO THE U.S. CAPITOL AND WERE PARTICIPATING IN THAT UNREST, TOO.

>> Barry: SENATOR NELSON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MUTUAL AID ISSUE AND THE NONPARALLEL BILLS.

>> SURE.

DEFINITELY WE LIVE IN A TIME THAT IS FILLED WITH ANGST AND DISTRESS, AND WE HOPE TO PREVENT THOSE TYPE OF THINGS, AND I THINK EARLIER ACTION BACK IN MAY WOULD HAVE HELPED, BUT ONCE THAT PRECINCT BURNED DOWN, IT WAS KIND OF THAT SILENT CALL FOR FOLKS TO COME IN FROM ALL OVER TO DO BAD THINGS, AND I DO WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THOUGH, ABOUT THE SENATE BILL.

THE SENATE BILL IS NOTHING ABOUT PUNISHMENT.

THE SENATE BILL IS LOOKING AT HOW THESE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS THAT PUBLIC SAFETY HAS WITH ONE ANOTHER HAVE NOT BEEN A PROBLEM BEFORE.

WE HAD SCORES COME IN TO HELP WITH THE RIOTS IN THE TWIN CITIES IN JUNE, MAY AND JUNE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS SOMEHOW THEY HAVE TO BE PAID FOR, AND USUALLY THOSE MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS, THE CITIES THEY HAVE WRITTEN OUT AGREEMENTS ABOUT HOW THEY HELP ONE ANOTHER AND HOW THEY REIMBURSE FOR THAT.

WHAT WE FOUND OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS THAT SOME OF THE SUPPORT THAT CAME IN TO HELP MINNEAPOLIS, THE BILLS WEREN'T BEING PAID.

MINNEAPOLIS WAS REFUSING TO PAY THOSE BILLS.

THEN THE QUESTION IS ARE OTHER JURISDICTIONS GOING TO SEND THEIR FOLKS BACK IF THEY KNOW THOSE BILLS AREN'T BEING PAID.

SO THE SENATE PROPOSAL WAS TO TAKE A MECHANISM THAT IS DESIGNED TO PAY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, IN THIS CASE SOMETHING CALLED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AND IF AND WHEN A CITY IS NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH, NOT PAYING ITS BILLS THROUGH THOSE MUFNL ML AID AGREEMENTS THEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID WHICH IS DESIGNED QUITE FRANKLY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WOULD BE USED TO REIMBURSE THOSE CITIES THAT SENT, THE SENDING CITIES.

OF COURSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR CITIES ARE STILL WILLING TO SEND IN MUTUAL AID, BUT OF COURSE THERE HAS TO BE A MECHANISM TO PAY FOR IT, AND THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE AID, BUT ALSO I HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE NOT PLEASED AT THINKING THEIR TAX DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO FUND WHAT MINNEAPOLIS, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, SHOULD PAY ITS BILLS.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE PAY YOUR BILLS, BILL.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO ON THIS.

THERE ARE MORE IDEAS AS WELL.

AS YOU KNOW THINGS OFTEN START OFF DIFFERENT IN BOTH BODIES AND WORK TOWARDS CONSENSUS AND THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER BILLS THAT WILL BE COMING LIKELY BEFORE MY COMMITTEE THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE A CLOCK THAT'S TICKING, AND WE REALLY DO NEED TO MAC SUR MAKE SURE WE HAE SECURITY IN PLACE, AND THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WILL ACTIVATE THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS IN PLACE AS WELL.

>> Barry: PROCEDURALLY, THESE BILLS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT DO THEY -- LET'S PRESUME THE HOUSE PASSES SOMETHING THAT WENT INTO DEFEAT TODAY, AND THE SENATE PASSES SOMETHING, DOES THAT THEN BECOME A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BILL, OR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> WELL, IT CAN, YOU KNOW, WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.

THERE ARE VEHICLE BILLS WHERE WE CAN ADD THE SENATE BILL, AND ALTHOUGH WE ARE A LITTLE EARLY IN SESSION TO HAVE THOSE BILLS OUT THERE, BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST THING -- AND WE CAN MAKE IT WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT THE FIRST THING IS WE HAVE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, AND THAT IS REALLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS GETTING THESE AGREEMENT OF HOW DO WE BEST PROTECT, NOT JUST MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, BUT OTHER LARGE EVENTS, AND HOW DO WE DO SO IN A WAY THAT'S FAIR AND THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE REST OF THE STATE?

ONCE WE DO THAT, WE CAN MAKE IT WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> SENATOR, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE VIRTUAL TABLE.

>> ONE THING ABOUT THE HOUSE BILL IF IT DID NOT PASS, IT'S DEAD.

THE ONLY THING ONE CAN DO IS HAVE A COMPANION BILL TO THE SENATE, AND WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THE DEADLINES NOW OR ROO USE WHAT SENATOR NELSON SAID, ANOTHER BILL WE CALL A VEHICLE BILL THAT WOULD HAVE A CLOSE ATTACHMENT AND THOSE CAN BE MADE INTO A CONFERENCE BILL, BUT THE ONE THAT WAS KILLED IN THE HOUSE TODAY, THAT IS DEAD.

THAT IS GONE.

SO YOU CAN'T REVIVE A BILL ONCE IT'S BEEN VOTED DOWN ON THE FLOOR.

>> Barry: ONCE IT'S RECARD, I SUPPOSE.

>> DID THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT?

>> YES, THEY DID, SENATOR CARLSON.

>> WAS THAT MOTION PASSED SO IT IS LIVE AGAIN?

>> YES.

YES, AND IT WOULD STILL TAKE SOME EFFORT TO MAKE THEM INTO CLONES, AND THE FIRST BODY THAT PASSES THE BILL OUT SENDS IT TO THE OTHER BODY, AND THE OTHER BODY HAS THE OPTION OF MAKING IT A CLONE.

THEY CAN MAKE IT A CLONE.

I'M SORRY NOT A CLONE, A COMPANION.

THAT'S HOW THEY CAN GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND HAVE IT IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

I WAS AWARE IT WAS BROUGHT BACK.

>> Barry: SENATOR SWEDZINSKI, YOUR THOUGHTS BRIEFLY.

>> AS WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE LAST BUDGETARY CYCLE, WE SAW THE POWER 4, AND WE HAD GOVERNOR WALZ, MICHELLE, MELISSA AND GAZELKA MAKING DECISIONS.

THIS IS A BIG ENOUGH DEAL WE SHOULD HAVE OPEN TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH THIS.

HAVE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AIR THIS OUT AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE MADE IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND DEBATE THESE IN OPEN AIR.

THERE'S CONCERN.

YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND AT THE LAST MINUTE, MAJORITY LEADER WINKLER RECORDED AGAINST THE BILL SO WE COULD MAKE THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER, BROUGHT IT BACK TO RECONSIDER AND TABLED THE BILL.

>> Barry: PARLIAMENTARY, PROCEDURES, BUT MORE THAN THE VIEWER WANT TO HEAR.

>> Barry: LAST WORD ON THE SUBSEQUENT TOPIC AND PROCEDURE.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THE HOUSE BILL TODAY WAS BACKED BY THE MINNESOTA PEACE AND POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, THE SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION, THE CHIEF OF POLICE, THEIR ORGANIZATION, AND THERE'S DEFINITELY A SENSE OF URGENCY ON THIS BILL, AND IT COMES TO THE BILL TAKING CARE OF MINNESOTANS, AND WE ARE NOT PERHAPS DOING IT PERFECTLY IN THE FIRST BILL, BUT WE DO NEED TO PUT PEOPLE'S SAFETY AS A PRIORITY, AND I AM CONFIDENT WHEN WE PRIORITIZE THAT WE WILL FIND A WAY TO DO IT FINANCIALLY.

WHEN WE ARE HEARING FROM ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS THAT WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE FOR THEIR WELL-BEING, IT'S TIME WE ARE SUPPORTING THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AND THIS EVENT HAPPENED, AND ISN'T TO SAY IT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE TO DO IT THROUGH ALL OF THIS.

>> WE WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THIS AS SURE.

AS HAS BEEN OBSERVED, THE TRIAL IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH, SO THERE IS A NEED FOR MOVING ON THIS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER QUESTION.

THIS COMES TO US VIA TWITTER.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IT'S INTERESTING, AND PERHAPS PEOPLE DON'T THINK OF AN ISSUE, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT PERHAPS AS OTHER ISSUES THAT THE LEGISLATURE HANDLES.

BUT THESE ARE REAL FLASH POINTS AND ISSUES THAT CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF CONTROVERSY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

PLEASE ASK THE PANEL TO REACT TO JIM NASH'S PROPOSAL TO LIFT THE CAPS ON WHAT SMALL BREWERIES ARE ABLE TO SELL ON A TO GO BASIS AND STATUS OF OUR LIQUOR BILLS OVER ALL.

I WILL OBSERVE, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT MINNESOTA HISTORY, WE HAVE BEEN ARGUING ABOUT LIQUOR LAWS IN MINNESOTA SINCE THE LATE 1800S.

THERE ARE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS THAT GOT PASSED AND THE AMENDMENT THAT GAVE US PROHIBITION WAS AUTHORED BY A MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN.

WITH THAT PIECE OF HISTORY, LET'S GO TO YOU.

THE NASH BILL AND BREWERIES.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A THREE TIER SYSTEM IN MINNESOTA, AND A LOT OF IT IS FROM THE BULLSTAD ACT AND AFTER.

WE HAVE A GREAT MUSEUM YOU CAN COME AND VISIT.

S BTHE BULLSTAD MUSEUM AND AND I RECOMMEND ALL THE TO SPEND THEIR MONEY, AND GO TO THE RESTAURANTS.

AND IT'S A LOT WITH THE BROWLERS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL SELL BROWLERS AS WELL, AND I IT WAS A PRECURSOR TO THE SUNDAY SALES BECAUSE WE WANTED TO ENCOURAGE TOURISM IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

THIS PROCESS OF SMALL BREWERIES ACROSS THE STATE HAS BEEN VERY UNIQUE, AND OUR LAWS ARE REALLY TRYING TO PROTECT BECAUSE YOU ARE GROWING A BUSINESS, WHETHER YOU ARE A DISTRIBUTOR, TEAMSTER OR ANY NUMBER OR A BREWER, THESE THINGS KIND OF PROTECT YOU AND IT'S A VERY REGULATED INDUSTRY.

IF YOU PULL THAT STRING, IT'S GOING TO LET SOMETHING DO SOMETHING ELSE.

WE HAVE A PROCESS HOW WE GO FORWARD WITH THE LAWS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Barry: DO YOU THINK SOMETHING IS GOING TO PASS THE SESSION THAT DEALS WITH THIS ISSUE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I KIND OF DOUBT IT.

THERE'S VERY STRONG OPINIONS ON THIS.

I FEEL THE TIME IS POTENTIALLY THERE, AND WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GROWLERS OR SMOKING MARIJUANA, THERE'S A LOT OF CONTROVERSIES AND A LOT OF CHANGE, AND I THINK THE BEST JOB OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE IS TO BE CONTEMPLATE I IVE WITH THE ISSUES AND NOT DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT CAN DAMAGE BUSINESS AND PARTS OF OUR STATE.

>> Barry: SENATOR CARLSON, GROWLERS, LIQUOR AND ALL OF THAT.

>> ALCOHOL LAWS GIVE ME A HEADACHE I WAS STRONGLY AGAINST SUNDAY'S SALES BECAUSE I WENT AROUND ALL OF MY LIQUOR OUTLETS IN EAGAN AND ASKED THEM, AND THEY WERE 100% AGAINST IT, AND IT WENT ON SEVERAL YEARS.

APPLE VALLEY HAS MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES, AND THEY WERE OPPOSED AS WELL, AND SO WERE THE CITIES BECAUSE THEY GOT THE REVENUE FROM IT.

BUT WHAT I SAID IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE LIQUOR STORES, AND IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I THINK IT WAS FOUR OF THEM THAT DID GO OUT OF BUSINESS, SO THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK, AND WE HAVE SUNDAY SALES, AND THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK, AND SO THE NEXT THING IS THE GROWLER ISSUE AND THE INCREASE IN THE GROWLERS, AND IT GOES BACK TO THE OLD LAWS OF PROHIBITION, AND THE THREE TIER SYSTEM, AND I OBJECT TO THAT, BECAUSE I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELL ANY LEGAL PRODUCT IN ALMOST ANY WAY WE WANT.

I'M FOR THIS INCREASE, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE DONE THE KIND OF DAMAGE THAT I WAS AFRAID OF AND NOW I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO LET BUSINESSES DISCUSS FOR THEMSELVES, DECIDE TO EXPAND FOR THEMSELVES AND LET'S OPEN UP THE SALES.

I DO HAVE TO SAY -- I DON'T KNOW IF SENATOR NELSON WILL WANT TO BACK ME UP ON THIS, BUT WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE WHO IS DEADLY AGAINST ALCOHOL BILLS.

SO THAT IS KIND OF PUT A HALT TO THIS IN THE SENATE.

GENERALLY IT'S THE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE QUEASY ABOUT ALCOHOL, BUT HERE WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN THAT HAS BEEN KIND OF THE PERSON THAT HAS BEEN THE GATE KEEPER OF ALCOHOL.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET IT PASSED THIS YEAR.

I'M NOT SURE.

IF IT COMES ONTO THE FLOOR, I WILL VOTE FOR IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR NELSON, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> FIRST I WILL SAY REALLY THE FOCUS OF THE SESSION IS RECOVERY, RECOVERY FROM THE VIRUS AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY, BUT I THINK ONE COULD SAY THAT LIFTING THE CAP ON THE GROWLERS IS PART OF THAT RECOVERY AS WELL, AND YES, WE HAVE HAD SOME STRONG OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT OUR LIQUOR LAWS ARE ANTIQUATED AND DO NEED TO CHANGE, AND I'M SUPPORTIVE AND HAVE KUO SPONSORED A BILL, AND ACTUALLY SPONSORED THE BREWERIES BILL THIS YEAR TO LIFT THAT GROWLER CAP.

I THINK THE TIME HAS COME.

OUR MINNESOTANS EXPECT THAT.

IT'S GREAT ECONOMIC RECOVERY QUITE FRANKLY FOR THESE BREWERIES, AND OFTENTIMES HISTORIC BUILDINGS, SMALLER COMMUNITIES, GREAT OFTEN LOCAL MUSIC THROUGH OUR LEGACY AMENDMENT.

IT'S JUST A GREAT FIT, AND IT'S REALLY TIME TO UPDATE OUR LAWS, AND I'M HOPEFUL IN A NORMAL SESSION BUT WITH THIS SESSION IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT HARD.

BUT THE OPINION IS SHIFTING.

WE WILL GET THERE, WHETHER IT'S THIS YEAR OR NEXT.

IT'S NOT CLEAR YET.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SANDSTEDE, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> FIRST OFF I'M NOT TERRIBLY FAMILIAR WITH THE NASH BILL OR AMENDMENT BUT I CAN SAY, MUCH LIKE SENATOR NELSON, WHEN I THINK ABOUT RECOVERY IN OUR BUSINESSES NEEDING TO RECOUP FROM COVID-19, IT WOULD BE REASONABLE IN MY OPINION TO AT LEAST OPEN IT UP ON A LIMITED BASIS AS A MEANS OF RECOVERY.

THESE M MICROBREWER I SAY AND MG UP IN MINNESOTA.

COVID HITS.

IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT.

IT'S THE REALITY THAT IS, AND THEY STILL HAVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

THIS MIGHT BE ONE REASONABLE WAY OF BEING ABLE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY AT LEAST ON A LIMITED BASIS.

>> Barry: ANY THOUGHTS?

I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD, REPRESENTATIVE SANDSTEDE.

DO YOU THINK IT PASSES THE SESSION OR NOT?

>> I WOULD SAY THIS IS NOT A TOP SHELF PRIORITY SPECIFIC TO THE BREWERIES, AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS FOR ME, AND SO I WILL DEFINITELY TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION.

IT ISN'T A BILL THAT WILL LIKELY COME ACROSS ANY OF THE COMMITTEES THAT I SIT ON, BUT I CERTAINLY WOULD, YOU KNOW, CONSIDER IT IN THE VEIN OF RECOVERY.

AS FAR AS HOW IT'S GOING TO GO IN THE HOUSE, I THINK ALL THINGS ARE ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK TO SAY ANYTHING IS OFF THE TABLE WOULD BE VERY, VERY PREMATURE.

WE ARE STILL EARLY IN THE SESSION, AND THERE'S STILL SAUSAGE BEING MADE RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK WE CAN DRINK TO THAT.

>> Barry: THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS THE LAST FEW DAYS.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN WILMER, HOW ARE UTILITIES PROTECTED SO THAT WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS DOESN'T HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA?

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLY KEEPING CO COAL AS A BACKUP TO THE INTER INTERMITTENF WINDMILLS AND WIND AND SOLAR.

I DON'T KNOW WE NECESSARILY WANT TO S SPEND A LOT OF TIME WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TEXAS.

THERE'S COMPLICATED CAUSATION ISSUES BEHIND ALL OF THAT.

BUT CERTAINLY THE QUESTION OF INTERMITTENSY OF SOLAR AND WIND, ISSUE IN CALIFORNIA, OTHER PLACES AND WE HAD A MINOR INCIDENT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN MINNESOTA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, VERY COMPLICATED QUESTION.

I GUESS MAYBE WE WILL START WITH THE CLOSEST THING WE HAVE TO AN ENGINEER HERE IS SENATOR CARLSON.

MAYBE WE WILL START WITH SENATOR CARLSON AND GO AROUND THE TABLE FROM THERE.

>> FIRST OFF WE ARE PART OF THE NETWORK, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT TEXAS DID NOT DO.

THEY DID NOT PLAN FOR THIS KIND OF DISASTER IN THEIR STATE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THESE NATIONAL AGREEMENTS.

WE CAN BUY POWER FROM NEBRASKA.

IF WE WERE TO HAVE A MAJOR SHUTDOWN HERE, BUT WE DID DO THAT.

WE HAVE DONE THAT WHEN WE HAD TO DIG POWER PLANTS WHEN WE HAVE SHUT DOWN, AND SO WE HAVE THAT OPTION.

IT'S NOT A BIG ISSUE FOR US.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A PRETTY ROBUST DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AS WELL WHERE WE WOULD NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF A PROBLEM STATEWIDE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE QUITE THE SPIRITED POWER HERE.

I REALLY THINK THAT TALKING ABOUT TEXAS AS FAR AS MINNESOTA GOES, WE ARE TALKING APPLES AND ORANGES.

>> Barry: HOW ARE THE ADVANTAGES MINNESOTA HAS, SENATOR CARLSON, AND MAYBE YOU COULD SAY A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT THIS, AND MINNESOTA HAS A VERY ROBUST NUCLEAR POWER SUPPLY, WHICH IS NONE OF THAT IS TRUE.

SOME PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA, FOR EXAMPLE, IS CLOSING THEIR LAST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.

THAT IS BASE LOAD POWER THERE.

>> YEAH, THAT IS.

THERE'S A LOT OF VARIATIONS OF BASE LOAD POWER, TOO.

WE HAVE NATURAL GAS TAS KNOWN AS BASE LOAD, AND OUR POWER PLANT THAT'S DOWN IN THE RIVER IS SLOWLY CHANGING OVER TO GAS, SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOWER POLLUTION RATES THAT NATURAL GAS HAS, AND WE ALREADY DID CONVERT THE ONE ON THE FLATS IN ST. PAUL.

CALIFORNIA IS A BIG STATE, SO IT BUYS A LOT OF POWER FROM OUT OF STATE, ALSO.

IT BUYS A LOT FROM NEVADA, BECAUSE LAKE MEADE GENERATES WAY MORE POWER, AND THEY SELL IT ACROSS STATE LINES, TOO.

THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS LOAD IN THE SUMMERTIME FOR AIR CONDITIONING, AND THEY ARE ADDRESSING SOME OF IT WITH EVEN THE HOUSING CODES TO PROVIDE MORE SOLAR POWER ON ROOFS OF HOUSES AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS, AND ALSO HELPING CITIZENS WITH SOLAR POWER.

MY DAUGHTER JUST PUT SOLAR POWER ON THEIR HOUSE RECENTLY, AND SHE'S ABOUT A NULL NOW ON USE VERSUS GENERATING POWER, AND THAT KIND OF THING HELPS A LOT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUNNY AREAS AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY A SUNNY AREA, AND THEN THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME OF THE STORAGE SYSTEMS THAT ELON MUSK IS DOING AS WELL AS AMAZON, SOME OF THOSE.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE YET.

BUT WE DO HAVE ENOUGH DISTRIBUTED, SOLAR, WIND POWER, AND WE HAVE BUFFALO RIDGE THAT GENERATES A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER, AND AT THIS POINT WE ARE SHUTTING OFF THE WIND TURBINES AT NIGHT, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD THING.

WE SHOULD BE KEEPING THEM ON.

WE ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AS FAR AS CAPACITY GOES.

>> Barry: SENATOR NELSON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK WE ARE MUCH DIFFERENT FROM TEXAS.

PART OF THAT PROBLEM IS THEY WEREN'T PREPARED FOR THE COLD.

OUR ENERGY PRODUCTION IS PREPARED FOR THE COLD.

WE LIVE IN THE BOLD COLD NORTH BUT TO YOUR BO POINT, JUSTICE AT THE NEED FOR BASE LOAD POWER, IT DOES REMAIN.

BUT IT'S GETTING BETTER WITH OUR RENEWABLES AND GREEN ENERGY BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVED BATTERY STORAGE ASPECTS, AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP MOVE US FURTHER.

WE ARE IN THE MIST OF A GREEN ENERGY RENEWABLE ENERGY REVOLUTION, AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE FORWARD THINKING ABOUT THAT, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE REALISTIC AND KNOW THAT YES, WE DO NEED BASE LOAD POWER AND WE MUST KEEP OUR ENERGY AFFORDABLE.

MINNESOTA USES A LOT OF ENERGY.

IN MANY CASES WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST WHEN IT COMES TO THE BEST STATE IN WHICH TO DO BUSINESS, AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T FURTHER MAKE IT HARD FOR BUSINESSES, JOB PROVIDERS TO STAY OR COME TO OUR STATE BECAUSE OF HIGH ENERGY COSTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A THOUGHTFUL MIX AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

BUT WE SHOULD BE MOVING TOWARDS RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SANDSTEDE, YOUR THOUGHTS, BASE LOAD POWER, ENERGY RELATED ISSUES.

>> I'M REALLY GLAD THE VIEWER BROUGHT THIS QUESTION UP.

THIS IS THE SITUATION THAT WE FACED JUST ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO OR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE LAST POLAR VORTEX.

I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN RENEWABLE ENERGIES, AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE LEAVING A CLEANER CARBON FOOTPRINT WHENEVER WE CAN AND STRIVING TO DO THAT IN ALL THINGS.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THERE IS A PLACE FOR ALL OF THESE ENERGIES, RENEWABLE AND CARBON BASED OR FOSSIL FUELS, AND I BELIEVE THE GOOD LORD GAVE US EVERY SINGLE THING WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE AND DO WELL, WHICH INCLUDES RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND ENERGIES BEYOND WIND AND SOLAR, AND THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE, BUT OUR CLIMATE IS CHANGING, OUR SCENARIOS ARE CHANGING.

UNPREDICTABLE SITUATIONS ARE HAPPENING LIKE WE ARE SEEING IN TEXAS, AND THIS IS THE PLACE, A PRIME EXAMPLE, WHEREFORES WILL FUELS WILL REALLY HELP.

A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN WE FACED THE LAST POLAR VORTEX, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE FOSSIL FUELS, WHICH WERE AFFORDABLE, OUR MINING INDUSTRY WOULD HAVE REALLY TAKEN A SIGNIFICANT HIT, BECAUSE WE WERE STRUGGLING TO KEEP ALL THE FURNACES GOING, AND WE WERE HAVING TO SHUT THEM DOWN, AND ONCE THEY ARE SHUT DOWN, THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK ONLINE RAPIDLY.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING YOU FLIP A SWITCH ON QUICKLY, AND HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR FOSSIL FUELS, THEY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE.

THE WIND WASN'T BLOWING.

THE SUN WASN'T SHINING, SO WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER MOTHER NATURE IN THAT SENSE, BUT SHE HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE NEED TO THINK GREEN, MOVE TOWARDS GREEN BUT NOT AT THE COST OF ELIMINATING ANOTHER ENERGY SOURCE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO DO THAT AND WHEN IT COMES, IT SHOULD NOT COST US AN ARM AND A LEG TO DO IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI.

>> I AGREE.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE ALL THE MOVE ENERGY POLICY WHERE WE ARE NOT PUTTING THE THUMB ON THE SCALES ON BEHALF OF SOLAR OR WIND BECAUSE IT SOUNDS GREAT.

A LOT OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE IS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE UNITED STATES HAS GOTTEN RID OF ABOUT 40% OF ITS BASE LOAD COAL BASED ENERGY, 40%.

WHILE WE HAVE ALSO DECREASED THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY WE DWHROO USE, WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES, THE IRON ORE MINES, THE WOOD PULP.

THE LUMBER MILLS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ETHANOL PLANTS ACROSS THE MIDWEST, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD MANUFACTURERS THAT USE A LOT OF ELECTRICITY.

THAT TAKES REALLY ROCK SOLID REAL ENERGY AND COAL IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE.

THERE ARE GREAT TECHNOLOGIES, AND WE HAVE BILLS MOVING THROUGH THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE THAT WILL NOT RECOGNIZE 80% CARBON CAPTURE WHERE YOU ACTUALLY CAPTURE THAT CARBON AND SHOVE IT DOWN THE ROUND.

FOLKS SAY WE NEED TO STOP BURNING COAL IN THE U.S., AND THAT'S ALL WELL AND GOOD, THAT COAL IS STILL GOING TO GET BURNT.

IT'S GOING TO GET PUT ON A TRAIN AND SENT TO CHINA.

CHINA HAS BROUGHT, I THINK ABOUT 20 NEW COAL PLANTS JUST IN 2020 THE SIZE OF THE ONE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE, BEULAH, OR WHATEVER IT'S CALLED, 20 IN THAT SIZE RANGE, SO THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW WE ARE GOING TO SAVE THE PLANET.

WE HAVE YOUNG KIDS SAYING WE NEED TO DO THIS SO WE CAN SAVE OUR PLANET HOWEVER NONE OF THE SCIENTISTS WOULD MAKE A LICK OF DIFFERENCE BUT IT WILL PUT US AT DANGER.

WE DID HAVE SOME OF THE ROLLING BLACK-OUTS IN MINNESOTA AND WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THE ROLLING BLACK-OUTS, THEY NEEDED TO COME UP WITH 200 MEGAWATTS OF DECREASED USE, AND I THINK THEY SHUT DOWN AREASR IN LINCOLN COUNTY, UP IN MOORHEAD, AND WE HAD AREAS IN OUR STATE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CENTRAL POWER GRID WHO HAD TO GET SHUT OFF AND A LOT OF THAT SHUT OFF WAS WITHOUT WARNING.

PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP, 3, 4 MORNINGS AGO AND COULDN'T TURN THEIR COFFEE MAKER OFF BECAUSE THE ELECTRICITY WAS OFF BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY MIX THE WAY IT WAS SET.

>> Barry: THERE WILL BE MORE DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE.

THERE'S A COMPLICATED CHALLENGING TOPIC, INVOLVES TECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS AS WELL AS PUBLIC POLISHES, AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IT IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AND NO DOUBT YEARS AHEAD.

LET'S MOVE ON TO A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM THAT FINE MINNESOTA TOWN KNOWN AS UNKNOWN WHO WANTS US TO ADDRESS THE ELECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA REGENTS AND WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY TIMELINE FROM THE JOINT CONVENTION, AND HOW ARE THE PARTIES GOING TO ARRIVE AT A CONSENSUS?

ARE SOME OF THE 12 CANDIDATES THAT THERE'S AN AGREEMENT ON?

HOW IS THIS ALL GOING TO WORK OUT IN THIS COVID YEAR, AND WHAT'S THE PROCEDURE GOING TO BE?

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR NELSON.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT ELECTING REGENTS?

>> IT'S ALWAYS AN AUTHORITY ISSUE, EVEN IN A NONCOVID YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT HARDER THIS YEAR.

THE THING ABOUT SELECTING OUR REGENTS, IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

THEY ARE THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WHICH IS WITHIN OF OUR MAJOR INSTITUTIONS.

SO THE CHALLENGE IS, THOUGH, WHILE THERE ARE GENTLEMEN RENTS BY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND THEN TWO AT LARGE, I BELIEVE, THE CHALLENGE, IS USED TO BE, WHEN I WAS FIRST IN THE HOUSE THAT THERE WAS THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THEN WOULD SAY THIS IS OUR CANDIDATE, AND THEN THEY WOULD BRING THAT DATE TO THE JOINT CONVENTION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO ABIDE BY THAT.

IT WAS KIND OF LIKE AN HAVE TO.

>> IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT LEARNING LOSSES, EMOTIONAL CONCERNS, MEANTAL CONCERNS, AND IT'S BEEN A DISASTER FOR FAR TOO MANY OF OUR KIDS, AND PARTICULARLY OUR STUDENTS MOST AT RISK HAVE LOST THE MOST, AND SO I SEE GOING FORWARD A YEAR OF CATCH-UP.

IT'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGING, AND WE WILL BE PUTTING FORTH OBVIOUSLY A SUPPORT DURING THE SUMMER.

THERE'S GOING TO BE NEEDED SUMMER LEARNING CATCHING UP, BUT MOSTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE YOUNGEST KIDS, THOSE KINDERGARTENERS WHO HAVE NOT YET HAD A FULL YEAR OF SCHOOL TRYING TO LEARN TO READ.

>> Barry: INTERRUPT YOU THERE AND GO TO REPRESENTATIVE SANDSTEDE.

WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

GIVE US YOUR TAKE ON IT QUICKLY.

>> AS THE VICE CHAIR, WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON LOST LEARNING TIME AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE THAT UP, SUMMER PROGRAMS, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO MAKE UP THE LEARNING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, FULLY FUNDING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IN A TIME OF A BUDGET DEFICIT IT COULD COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS, AND IT COULD COME CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND OTHER METHODS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, WITH WRAP AROUND SERVICES WHERE YOU ARE PIGGYBACKING OFF SERVICES, WHICH IS GOING TO BE A COST SAVINGS TO DISTRICTS.

WE ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON OUR AT MISK S RISK STUDENTS WHIY OF THESE ARE RACIAL ISSUES, DISPARITY ISSUES THAT ARE LONG SEEDED AND TRYING TO CLOSE THE GAP BY ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES, AND MAKING VERY TARGETED SPECIFIC INVESTMENTS IN THOSE AREAS.

>> Barry: I'M GOING TO THANK OUR PANEL, AND I REGRET WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE ANSWERS FROM SENATOR CARLSON AND REPRESENTATIVE SWEDZINSKI: WE ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH NOT KNOWING WHAT WE THINK OF THAT TOPIC.

WE WILL HAVE THEM COME BACK ON A PROGRAM TO HELP ON THIS ISSUE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK AND THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW.

OUR LINES ARE OPEN, AND WE WANT TO WELCOME YOU NOT ONLY NEXT WEEK BUT IN ALL THE WEEKS THAT REMAIN UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

"GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE 365" NIGHT, EVERYONE, THANK YOU.

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