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

>> WE'LL PREVIEW THE UPCOMING BUDGET FORECAST WITH IMPORTANT COMMITTEE CHAIRS WHO CONTROL THE CASH.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪♪ "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TV STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINE3US.

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

LIUNAMINNESOTA.ORG.

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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."

LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN BACK IN REGULAR SESSION FOR NEARLY TWO MONTHS NOW, TACKLING THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND MUCH MORE.

ALL WHILE LOOKING AT A PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT THIS BIENNIUM.

THE TWO LAWMAKERS WHO HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WILL JOIN ME LIVE IN A FEW MINUTES.

A LITTLE LATER, WE'LL MEET A FRESHMAN SENATOR WHOSE SUBURBAN RACE ATTRACTED MORE ATTENTION THAN HE EXPECTED.

BUT FIRST, ON FRIDAY THE BUDGET COMMISSIONER WILL RELEASE THE UPDATED BUDGET FORECAST.

MINNESOTA'S SPLIT LEGISLATURE HAS DIFFERENT SPENDING PRIORITIES AND A GOVERNOR WHO WANTS TO INCREASE TAXES.

A NEW SURVEY SUPPORTS HIS IDEAS BUT WILL MEET RESISTANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AS THE STATE PREPARES TO RELEASE WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A GREATLY IMPROVED BUDGET FORECAST, A SURVEY FROM THE MINNESOTA BUDGET PROJECT THROUGH A NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION OF NONPROFITS HAS SOME INTERESTING FINDINGS.

67% OF VOTERS SUPPORT RAISING INCOME TAXES ON HOUSEHOLDS MAKING MORE THAN $250,000 A YEAR, AND 67% SUPPORT INCREASING TAXES ON PROFITABLE CORPORATIONS.

POLITICALLY COMPETITIVE POPULATION CENTERS ALSO MIRRORED THE STATEWIDE RESULTS.

69% OF VOTERS IN St.

CLOUD SUPPORT BOTH INCREASING INCOME TAXES AND PROFITABLE CORPORATIONS.

THE NUMBER IS THE SAME IN ROCHESTER, MOORHEAD CAME IN AT 66% SUPPORT.

>> THIS SESSION IS LIKELY THE MOST UNEQUAL ON RECORD.

THOSE WITH THE LEAST RESOURCE TOSS GET THROUGH IT HAVE BEEN RAILROADEST HIT, INCLUDING LOWER INCOME -- TO PAY THAT I FAIR SHARE AND THIS REFLECTS THESE VALUES.

THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY GIVES US A CHANCE TO DO BETTER THAN GO BACK TO NORMAL.

IT ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE DOING EVEN BETTER, IT ALLOWS US TO UNDERSTAND AND REIMAGINE A MORE EQUITABLE SOCIAL CONTRACT.

>> OUR LEADERS HAVE A DUTY TO HELP EVERYONE RECOVER EQUALLY, NO MATTER OUR RACE, WHERE WE LIVE, OR THE WORK WE DO.

THEY ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SET US ALL UP FOR STABILITY AND SUCCESS, FAR BEYOND THIS MOMENT.

>> Mary: THE SURVEY ALSO FOUND 61% OF MINNESOTANS SUPPORT FUNDING POLICIES AIMED AT REDUCING RACIAL INEQUITIES, AND PROVIDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.

>> THIS IS A HUMAN RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO [INDISCERNIBLE].

WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR CHARITY, WE'RE ASKING FOR OPPORTUNITY.

IT REALLY IS ABOUT INVESTMENT.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST INVESTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE IS IN OUR CHILDREN.

>> IT IS NO SECRET THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS UNDERFUNDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

THERE WAS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE FULL IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH AT THIS POINT.

ONLY A STUDENT COME BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM FULL TIME WILL WE SEE THE TRUE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.

>> Mary: BUT WITH BUDGET NUMBERS IMPROVING AND THE ECONOMY RESTARTING, THERE STILL WILL BE LITTLE APPETITE FOR TAX INCREASES IN THE SENATE, JUST LIKE AFTER THE LAST 4 CAST.

>> WE HAVE A SURPLUS, WE DON'T NEED TO RAISE TAXES, PERIOD.

WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT.

AND WE DO NEED TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT BECAUSE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, IF WE MOVE IN A DEFICIT, IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF SPENDING NOW.

>> WE'RE ASKING A 5% REDUCTION IN ALL STATE AGENCIES FROM THEIR ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE.

>> MARY: ON FRIDAY, THE ALL-IMPORTANT FEBRUARY FORECAST WILL BE RELEASED BY THE MINNESOTA OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

IT WILL HELP PROVIDE LAWMAKERS WITH A ROAD MAP TO THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PLANS.

THE PANDEMIC-INDUCED BUDGET DEFICIT SHRANK A BIT IN LATE 2020.

WILL THAT TREND CONTINUE?

HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT BUDGET OPTIONS AND PRIORITIES, THE TWO LAWMAKERS WHO WILL GUIDE THE PROCESS.

SENATOR JULIE ROSEN, A REPUBLICAN FROM FAIRMONT, CHAIRS THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE.

HER COUNTERPART IN THE HOUSE IS D.F.L.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RENA MORAN.

THE ST. PAUL LEGISLATOR IS THE NEW HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIR.

WELCOME VERY MUCH, CHAIRS.

SENATOR ROSEN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

LET'S BALLPARK THAT NUMBER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE IN HOW IMPROVED?

>> WELL, THE BETTING WORD WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL IN THE SENATE IS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT PLUS 80 MILLION.

>> OKAY, THAT CHANGES THINGS.

LET ME SEE, REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, WHAT'S THE GOOD MONEY IN THE HOUSE ON WHAT THE NUMBER'S GOING TO BE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE -- WE'RE STILL OPEN TO THAT.

WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THE STATE BUDGET FORECAST TO COME IN AND HAVE SOME GOOD NUMBERS TO WORK WITH.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO EXPECT AN IMPROVED ECONOMIC FORECAST THANKS TO, YOU KNOW, REALLY THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT OF MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE TAKEN, YOU KNOW, CONTROL OF THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, MASKED UP, WASH THEIR HANDS AND DID SOCIAL DISTANCING, THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT, AS WELL AS THE VACCINATIONS AND THE STIMULUS COMING FROM CONGRESS, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED THE STIMULUS.

DO WE EXPECT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BAIL OUT THE STATE, AGAIN, SENATOR ROSEN?

>> OH, YES, I THINK THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY COMING IN.

IT COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM THE MIDDLE OF MARCH TO -- WHICH IS REALLY GOING TO MESS UP OUR BUDGET TO THE END OF MAY, BUT, YES, THEY HAVE SENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY, OVER $5 BILLION ALREADY TO DATE TO MINNESOTA, AND IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED TIMING.

I REMEMBER AT THE LAST FORECAST, I ASKED COMMISSIONER SCHOWALTER, BUDGET COMMISSIONER, IF THERE WERE GOING TO BE MULTIPLE FORECASTS NEEDED.

THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO POSE TO ABOVE OF YOU, FIRST, REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, IS IT EACH HARD TO GO WITH THESE FEBRUARY NUMBERS SINCE THEY'VE CHANGED SO MUCH SINCE THE NOVEMBER FORECAST AND FEDERAL MONEY COULD BE COMING IN AND MORE PEOPLE BACK TO SCHOOL AND WORK AND ALL THESE THINGS.

THIS NUMBER HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY FLUID.

>> YES, OF COURSE IT HAS BEEN FLUID BUT WHAT I SEE AND WHAT WE SEE AS DEMOCRATS IS A HOPEFUL PROGRESS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE BUDGET.

THE ONE-TIME STIMULUS DOLLARS WILL HELP MINNESOTANS, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, DOING WHAT THEY'RE ASKING US TO DO TO GET BACK TO THEIR NORMAL WAY OF LIFE.

BUT WE STILL HAVE TO RELY ON SOME SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES FOR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT, SO THIS IS NOT ABOUT SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT BUT ALSO WE'RE LOOKING TOWARD THESE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS THAT WE AS A STATE HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT.

>> Mary: LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, SENATOR ROSEN, THAT SOUNDS LIKE TAXES.

WE JUST HEARD FROM SENATOR GAZELKA A MOMENT AGO SAYING NO WAY.

YOUR CAUCUS IN YOUR CHAMBER DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH TAX INCREASES, AM I RIGHT?

>> NO, WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN TAX INCREASES AT ALL.

WE FEEL LIKE THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THE ABOVE HAVE TAKEN A HIT THROUGH COVID.

WE HAVE A HEALTHY BUDGET RESERVE OF $1.9 BILLION AND WE PROBABLY WILL NOT HAVE TO USE THAT IN THIS -- BECAUSE OF THE FORECAST.

WE'VE SEEN INCREASE IN CORPORATE INCOME TAX AND SALES TAX REVENUE.

WE HAVE LOWER PER PUPIL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND ON THEIR SCHOOLS.

TWO OF MY SCHOOL DISTRICT JUST TOLD ME TODAY THEY HAD 30 CHILDREN GO OVER TO IOWA, OPEN-ENROLL INTO IOWA, 40 AT THE WASECA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I MEAN, THAT'S A TREMENDOUS HIT FOR THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SO THAT'S GOING TO SHOW IN THE BUDGET, AND ALSO YOU HAVE HHS IS DOWN ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS OF SPENDING, ALSO.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING FORECAST THAT COMES UP BUT, NO, WE DON'T SEE ANY NECESSITY IN RAISING TAXES AT ALL.

>> Mary: AND REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR DEFINITELY SUPPORTED -- HE HAD TAX CUTS AND TAX INCREASES AND WE JUST WENT THROUGH THE NONPROFIT STUDY SHOWING STATEWIDE SUPPORT, EVEN IN RURAL MINNESOTA FOR INVESTING AND FOR TAX INCREASES, AT LEAST WHEN YOU'RE TAXING THE RICH.

SO HOW DO WE RECONCILE THESE TWO POINTS OF VIEW?

>> YOU KNOW, AS DEMOCRATS AND AS YOU'VE SEEN WITH THE GOVERNOR, WE MUST AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PEOPLE AND THEIR NEEDS INSTEAD OF THE NUMBERS.

WHICH, YOU KNOW, WITH HE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE YET BUT I THINK IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE TO HELP MINNESOTANS THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES WHO HAVE -- WHO HAVE SUFFERED, LOST THEIR JOBS, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE, YOU KNOW, LOOKING TOWARDS WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THEIR MORTGAGE OR FOR THEIR RENT, YOU KNOW, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LIFT THEM UP AND HELP THEM THRIVE BEYOND THIS PAN DID HE MEAN, SO AS STATE LAWMAKERS, YOU KNOW, WE WILL BEGIN TO ASSEMBLE A TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

WE ARE BEGINNING A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERY FAMILY, EVERY SMALL BUSINESS AND EVERY STUDENT AND EVERY MINNESOTANS, AND I JUST WANT US TO BE CLEAR ABOUT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RAISING TAXES, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RAISING TAXES ON THOSE BIG CORPORATION WHO HAVE DOWN VERY WELL AND THAT IS A GREAT THING.

IT'S NOTHING ABOUT WE DON'T WANT CORPORATIONS AND BIG COMPANIES TO DO WELL, THAT'S A GOOD THING, BUT WE ARE IN THIS PANDEMIC WITH SO MANY OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE SUFFERING, FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING, STUDENTS ARE, YOU KNOW, HAVING DIFFICULTIES AND SO WE'RE ASKING TO TAX THOSE WHO MAKE $20,000 A WEEK.

I'LL SAY THAT AGAIN.

FOR THOSE CORPORATIONS -- FOR THOSE CORPORATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MAKING $20,000 A WEEK.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS -- I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SEE ANY FAMILIES, ANY SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECOUP IN THAT TYPE OF WAY SO IT'S JUST ABOUT ALLOWING THESE SMALL BUSINESSES TO HELP US THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC AND THROUGH THE MOMENT THAT WE ARE IN SO THAT WE AS A STATE CAN COME IN AND BE THE SUPPORT FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR OUR FAMILIES AND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: SENATOR ROSEN, WHAT ABOUT THAT ASPECT SPECIFICALLY SPECIFICALLY, I MENTIONED THE NON-PARTISAN STUDY SHOWING ABOUT WHEN YOU YOU'RE SHOWING TAX THE RICH AND NON, THE MAJORITIES OF MINNESOTANS WERE IN FAVOR OF THAT.

IS THERE ANY INTEREST IN TAXING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BENEFITED THROUGH THIS?

>> WELL, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITED THROUGH THIS.

I THINK THAT EVERYBODY HAS HAD TO -- BUCKLE UP THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

WE ARE THE 8th HIGHEST TAXED STATE IN THE NATION AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL -- WE'LL BE THE THIRD HIGHEST BEHIND HAWAII AND BEHIND CALIFORNIA.

>> HE RAISES TAXES $3 BILLION AND SPENDS $3 BILLION, ON TOP OF ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY ALSO.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT THOSE BUSINESS ESNA ARE THE JOB CREATORS.

WE NEED TO GET THIS ECONOMY BACK GOING AND WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

THOSE JOBS ARE MOBILE.

THEY CAN PICK UP AND THEY CAN LEAVE AND THEY CAN MOVE ACROSS TO ANY STATE THEY WANT, ESPECIALLY NOW WE HAVE PROVEN THAT YOU CAN -- JOBS ARE MOBILE, YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME, YOU CAN -- YOU CAN -- THERE IS A LOT OF MOBILITY RIGHT NOW IN THIS ECONOMY SO LET'S MAKE THIS STATE ATTRACTIVE AND WELCOMING TO BUSINESSES INSTEAD OF BEING PENALIZING TO THE BUSINESSES.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW THRUST IN THE HOUSE AND YOU SPENT THIS SESSION STARTING WITH THIS NEW LENS, THAT YOUR COMMITTEE AND EVERY COMMITTEE WILL BE LOOKING AT ISSUES THROUGH AND THAT'S A LENS OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE SPENDING AND THE FINANCING OF BILLS AS WE MOVE FORWARD?

>> YOU KNOW, SO THE ONE THING THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS REALLY HIGHLIGHTED IS THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE REALLY BEEN ON THE DOWN END, THEY'VE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST WHEN IT COMES TO LOST JOBS, WHEN IT COMES TO JUST THE PANDEMIC AND THE NUMBER WHO ARE DYING FROM IT AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

AND SO IN LOOKING AT THAT, YOU KNOW, I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY, IT IS NOT SOMETHING ADDITIONAL THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RACIAL EQUITY AND MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF US ARE THRIVING.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE SAYING NEEDS TO BE EXTRA, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THIS METAPHOR THAT I PICKED UP FROM MY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THAT SAID, EQUITY IS NOT ABOUT THE ICING ON TOP OF THE CAKE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT SOMETHING AND SAY, OH, LET'S DO THIS ONE THING OR LET'S DO THAT.

REALLY, EQUITY IS ABOUT THE BUTTER THAT'S IN THE CAKE, THAT IS EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT HOW WE DO OUR WORK, HOW WE ARE BEING INCLUSIVE, HOW IT IS PART OF THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE PUTTING FORTH.

SO IT IS EMBEDDED IN WHAT WE DO FOR ALL MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: AND SENATOR ROSEN, HOW DOES THAT LINE UP WITH THE SENATE'S POSITION, OBVIOUSLY POST-GEORGE FLOYD AND THE CIVIL UNREST AND EVERYTHING WE FEEL' LEARNED IN OUR STATES AND COMMUNITIES.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

HOW IS THE SENATE CHANGING HOW THEY'RE BUDGETING?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, I THINK THAT DISCUSSION IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE, THOUGH, THAT THE PENDULUM DOESN'T SWING TOO FAR OVER AND THAT WE ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT IS BEST FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS DISCUSSION ON EQUITY IN EVERY SINGLE BUDGET DIVISION BUT THERE'S ALREADY A LOT OF PROGRAMS OUT THERE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH, THAT WE DON'T EVER DUPLICATION, THAT WE ARE BEING VERY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT MONEY AND THAT IT IS SPENT WISELY AND THAT WE DON'T SET UP PROGRAMS THAT ARE UNSUSTAINABLE IN THE FUTURE.

BUT, NO, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS EQUITY, I THINK ESPECIALLY IN THE HEALTH CARE AREA, IN EDUCATION, THAT'S A VERY VALID, VALID DISCUSSION, AND I JUST RECEIVED A WONDERFUL FOSTER CARE BILL, REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, THAT I'M ANXIOUS TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT HAS BROUGHT BOTH SIDES TO THE TABLE AND IT DEALS WITH THIS EQUITY ISSUE WITH OUR CHILDREN.

>> Mary: THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.

QUICKLY, BEFORE I RUN OUT OF TIME, I THINK YOU TWO MIGHT BE THE FIRST FEMALE FINANCE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRS.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE WOMEN, REPRESENTATIVE MORAN, IT'S A DIFFERENT FEEL AT THE CAPITOL.

>> WELL, IT'S A DIFFERENT FEEL FOR MANY REASONS, RIGHT, FROM THE PANDEMIC, FROM LOOKING AT WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, TO LOOKING AT THE GROWTH OF PEOPLE AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS WHO ARE LEGISLATORS OF COLOR.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE ZOOMING SO THERE ARE MANY, MANY DIFFERENT LOOKS TO THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT EQUITY AND LOOK AT THE DISPARITIES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE, IT IS SOME OF THE OF THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY, I WILL SAY WHEN WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT AND CREATING BETTER OUTCOMES, MAKING SURE THAT THE SMALL BUSINESSES OF COLOR ARE GETTING ACCESS, YOU KNOW, TO -- >> I'M SORRY, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I'M SORRY.

IT'S ALWAYS HARD OVER ZOOM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIRS, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> MARY: EVERY TWO YEARS, A NEW CLASS OF LAWMAKERS JOINS THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE UP FOR ELECTION, THAT CLASS CAN GET QUITE LARGE.

WE'RE INTRODUCING YOU TO SOME OF THESE NEW FACES IN 2021.

UP THIS WEEK IS A FRESHMAN SENATOR WHO TOOK ON AN INCUMBENT IN A SUBURBAN SWING DISTRICT.

FIRST OF ALL, SENATOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT I LIKE TO TALK TO EVERY FRESHMAN ABOUT, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> I'M A SOLDIER, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, SERVED ON SCHOOL BOARDS SO FOR ME IT'S JUST THE ANSWER THAT -- I KNOW THAT SOUNDS CHEESY BUT IT'S WHAT I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT, IT'S WHAT I LOVE TO DO ANY CHANCE I GET TO BE OF SERVICE, SPECIALLY TO THE COMMUNITY OR TO THE STATE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND I WAS ASKED TO CONSIDER DOING IT AND HAVING THE CONVERSATION I NEED TO HAVE AND FELT COMPELLED AND ENCOURAGED TO VOTE.

>> AND YOU KNEW YOU WERE NOT JUMPING INTO AN EASY RACE, THIS WAG A SEAT THAT WAS HELD BY A DEMOCRAT AND SENATOR LITTLE LOVED TO REMIND PEOPLE, HE WAS THE NUMBER ONE TARGET FOR REPUBLICANS SO THIS RACE WAS UNDER A MICROSCOPE, WASN'T IT?

>> YEAH, I'LL BE HONEST, I DON'T THINK I NECESSARILY KNEW EXACTLY THE KIND OF SCRUTINY THAT MIGHT BE INVOLVED WITH THIS PARTICULAR RACE.

I CERTAINLY LEARNED THAT ALONG THE WAY BUT INITIALLY, I WAS KIND OF NAIVE TO JUST HOW IN TUNE PEOPLE MIGHT BE TO THE RACE IN DISTRICT 58.

BOTH PARTIES ENTER INTO THE CONVERSATION WHEN YOU'RE SEEKING A STATE SENATE OFFICE, FIRST VERSUS RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD OR CITY COUNCIL, THAT CHANGE THE DRAMATICS DRAMATICALLY, ESPECIALLY IN A PRESIDENTIAL I YEAR.

THEN YOU THROW IN ALL THE ISSUES THAT NOBODY REALLY THOUGHT WOULD BE ISSUES FOR 2020 AND IT WAS A WHOLE HOST OF INTERESTING CHANGES AND A ROLLER COASTER RIDE THAT REALLY WAS PROBABLY -- HOPEFULLY IS GOING TO BE A RACE THE LIKES OF WHICH WE'LL PROBABLY NEVER EXPERIENCE AGAIN.

>> Mary: NOW THAT YOU'RE IN OFFICE, WHAT ARE THE TOP ISSUES YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT?

>> TOP ISSUES, KIDS, EDUCATION, BUSINESSES BEING OPEN AND NOW WITH THE BUDGET THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED, HOLDING THE LINE OR NOT INCREASING TAXES, OBVIOUSLY ALL OF WHICH ARE THE PANDEMIC WHICH PEOPLE WANT TO SEE US SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME AND PUT BEHIND US.

AND WHEN I SAY PUT BEHIND US, I DON'T MEAN THAT CALLOUSLY OR FLIPPANTLY, HOW DO WE FIND A WAY WHETHER IT'S VACCINES OR WHATNOT TO HAVE A LONG-TERM STRATEGY THAT HELPS US PREVAIL IN TERMS OF THE VIRUS AND ALLOWS US TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM SAFELY, BUSINESSES REOPENED SAFELY SO WE CAN KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

>> Mary: IT'S BEEN A PRETTY TOUGH, CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN LAKEVILLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW LACKVILLE BECAUSE OF ALIBI BREWERY BEING OPEN AND GETTING IN TROUBLE WITH THE STATE AUTHORITIES.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT BUSINESS AND YOUR DISTRICT KIND OF DEFYING STATE GOVERNMENT AND STAYING OPEN WHEN THEY WERE ORDERED CLOSED?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY BUSINESS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT REALLY FELT THE SQUEEZE, YOU KNOW, DURING THAT -- SPECIFICALLY THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WHEN BUSINESSES WERE SHUT DOWN AGAIN, IT WAS TOUGH.

THESE ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR FRIENDS THAT ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO EARN A LIVING AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GOING TO BE OPEN, LIKE MANY RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES ARE NOW, WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS, WE CAN STILL OPERATE THESE THINGS WITH SAFETY, YOU KNOW, GUIDELINES AND PRECAUTIONS, RIGHT, WHETHER IT'S MASKS, WHETHER IT'S DISTANCING.

I DON'T THINK WE COMPLETELY DISREGARD THE THINGS OR THE SAFETY MEASURES WE CAN PUT IN PLACE BUT I, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SEE OUR BUSINESSES HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY TO BE OPEN, ABIDE BY SAFETY GUIDELINES AND PLANS WHICH IS WHY I'M COAUTHORING A BILL WITH SENATOR MATHEWS TO DO JUST THAT.

>> Mary: WOULD YOU SAY THAT BUSINESS IS WRONG OR RIGHT OR IS IT A GRAY AREA?

>> WELL, IF YOU JUST LOOK AT THE REACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR ONLINE, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY IT'S GRAY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAY I FEEL FOR THE BUSINESS, I GET WHY THEY DID THAT, HOWEVER, THEY MAY HAVE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME SAFETY REQUIREMENTS OR GUIDELINES PUT IN PLACE IF THEY WERE GOING TO OPEN AGAIN AND KIND OF FLAUNT THE GOVERNOR'S GUIDANCE.

THANKFULLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A POSITION NOW WHERE BUSINESSES LIKE THOSE CAN BE OPEN IF THEY'RE ABIDING BY RESTRICTIONS BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, AND I WOULD SAY THIS TO ANYBODY THAT'S LISTENING BE, JUST BE SAFE.

BE SAFE.

IF YOU CAN ABIDE BY THE SAFETY GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS, DO IT.

>> Mary: TALK TO ME ABOUT BEING A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER DURING A PANDEMIC.

YOU'RE IN YOUR OFFICE SO ARE YOU GOING TO THE CAPITOL MUCH, ARE YOU GETTING MUCH IN-PERSON?

HOW IS IT GOING?

>> I'M HERE EVERY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, I COME UP TO THE CAPITOL, GO OVER TO THE CAPITOL FOR FLOOR SESSIONS IN PERSON.

I'M FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND FOR ME IT'S THE BEST WAY TO LEARN.

I GET TO INTERACT WITH FELL NO SENATORS, STAFF, ET CETERA.

THEY ARE A HUGE PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS, MENTORSHIP, ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

>> WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE SO FAR?

>> MY BIGGEST SURPRISE IS EVERYBODY HERE IS NORMAL PEOPLE.

THEY'RE NORMAL PEOPLE, THEY WANT TO HELP THEIR CONSTITUENTS, THEY WANT TO DO RIGHT BY THE STATE AND HONESTLY WHETHER YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN, GENERALLY, WE ALL GET ALONG, JUST NORMAL PEOPLE TRYING TO DO RIGHT.

♪♪♪ Ph.D. A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW YOUR NAME FROM THE METE METE MOVEMENT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH THAT AND YOU SPOKE UP AND SPOKE UP AGAINST A FELLOW DEMOCRAT.

THAT'S NOT EASY TO DO WITHIN YOUR PARTY.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THAT?

>> I LEARNED THAT WE STILL HAVE DEEPLY ROOTED MISOGYNY IN OUR POLITICAL LANDSCAPE AND OUR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE BUT I DON'T FOR A MINUTE REGRET IT.

I PAID A BIG PRICE AND IT WAS WORTH IT BECAUSE IT WAS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TO HAVE, AND THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE HAD WITH DOZENS OF WOMEN SINCE THEN HAVE REALLY SOLIDIFIED FOR ME THAT THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

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

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO A FIRST-TERM SENATOR WHOSE ROAD TO THE LEGISLATURE WAS A BIT BUMPY.

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 TALK WITH CURRENT RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI ABOUT THE UPCOMING DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL, THEY'LL MEET THE NEW HEAD OF HAZELDEN, VISIT WITH A FORMER TWIN CITIAN WHO MOVED NORTH TO PHOTOGRAPH LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST BUDGET FORECAST THAT WILL SET THE STAGE FOR SPENDING THE REST OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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 TV 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/LINE3US.

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.