>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS 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.

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

ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

IN PREVIOUS WEEKS AND WEEKS TO COME I WILL BE THE HOST FOR THE PROGRAM AND INTRODUCING THE GUESTS, GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN ST. PAUL.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND INVITE YOU TO SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT WILL APPEAR ON YOUR SCREEN, AND WE WILL SEE THEY GET TO THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

LET'S BEGIN THIS EVENING AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL.

THE HOUSE IS ACTUALLY IN SESSION.

REPRESENTATIVE FEIST WAS HOPING TO JOIN US, OCCUPIED ON THE FLOOR.

SENATOR MCDONALD WILL BE WITH US FOR AT LEAST PART OF THE EVENING.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEGINNING FROM HIM.

WE WILL BEGIN WITH SENATOR SCOTT DIBBLE.

BE SO KIND TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR GUESTS -- OUR VIEWERS, I MEAN.

>> I'M STATE SENATOR SCOTT DIBBLE AND I REPRESENT PART OF MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN, AND ONE IS SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS, A LITTLE SLICE OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, SERVED IN THE SENATE SINCE 2003, AND I AM ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE WHICH I HAVE THE HONOR TO CO-CHAIR.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE, WE HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOUR CAREER AS A TRACK STAR IN DISTRICT 196, AS I RECALL.

>> OH, YEAH, APPLE VALLEY GRAD.

I WASN'T A TRACK STAR.

BUT I RAN CROSS COUNTRY.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 54, PRIOR LAKE, SENATOR ERIC PRATT.

SENATOR PRATT, TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANKS, IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

MY NAME IS ERIC PRATT AND I REPRESENT MOST OF SHOCK COUNTY, SHAKOPEE.

MY WIFE AND I RAISED OUR TWO KIDS.

I WANT TO BRAG FOR A MINUTE.

MY DAUGHTER GRADUATED WITH HER DOCTORATE IN PHYSICAL THERAPY.

SHE'S LOOKING FOR HER FIRST REAL JOB.

HOPEFULLY MY SON WILL FOLLOW SOON.

I AM A 30 YEAR CAREER IN THE MAKING OF FINANCIAL SERVICES.

I'M CURRENTLY THE LEAD ON FINANCE, AND I ALSO SERVE ON THE JOBS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

I LIKE TO CALL MYSELF THE AL NEWMAN OF THE SENATE.

I HAVE BEEN ON A LOT OF COMMITTEES, KIND OF PLUG AND PLAY WHEREVER THEY PUT ME.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

VERY DISTINGUISHED CAREER.

THAT'S QUITE THE DESCRIPTION.

FOR THOSE THAT DON'T REMEMBER, HE WAS UTILITY FOR MINNESOTA TWINS.

REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD AND I WERE VISITING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS FATHER, K.J.

MCDONALD WHO WAS LEGENDARY, REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE KONY AREA.

I DON'T MEAN TO TREAD ON YOUR YEAR.

IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M A LEGEND IN MY OWN MIND.

REPRESENTED CARVER COUNTY FOR 14 YEARS AND FOLLOWED IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.

HOWEVER, I'M IN DELANO.

I REPRESENT RAY COUNTY AND A LITTLE BIT OF HENNEPIN AND MEEKER COUNTY.

THIS IS MY 13th YEAR IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND I COME TO YOU LIVE FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

WE ARE IN SESSION DEBATING A BILL, SO I MAY HAVE TO DASH OFF.

BARRY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

I'M MARRIED TO MY WIFE RACHEL FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS.

I HAVE ONE GRANDCHILD.

WHEN I'M NOT HERE AS A PART-TIME POLITICIAN, I'M A FULL-TIME PHOTOGRAPHY IN MY MCDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO WHERE I'M CELEBRATING MY 35th YEAR IN THE STUDIO IN DELANO.

GOOD TO BE BACK WITH YOU, BARRY.

>> Barry: FOR OUR VIEWERS, WE WERE WONDERING ABOUT HIS BACKGROUND.

REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD IS HANGING OUT ON THE SUPREME COURT WING OF THE CAPITOL OF WHICH I WOULD ARGUE -- YOU CAN SEE THE PLAQUE ABOVE THERE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

I THOUGHT SENATOR DIBBLE, I WOULD START WITH YOU.

WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT AND ARE GOING TO BE ILLUMINATING.

BUT YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS RECENTLY ON AN ISSUE THAT WE DISCUSSED BEFORE.

THAT'S THE QUESTION ABOUT MET COUNCIL, HOW IT SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AND SHOULD THERE BE A CHANGE IN HOW MET COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ELECTED.

CAN YOU INTRODUCE THAT ISSUE TO THE VIEWERS AND TALK ABOUT WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS HAPPENING IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> CERTAINLY.

THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, IF FOLKS ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, IS THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.

IT'S THE UNIT OF GOVERNMENT THAT KIND OF IS AN UMBRELLA OVER THE 7 COUNTY METROPOLITAN AREAS.

IT'S LIKE A SUPER COUNTY KIND OF.

IT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL SERVICES, NAMELY TRANSITS, SEWER SERVICES.

IT HAS A ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR REGIONAL HEART SYSTEM, AND IT'S A MULTIJURISDICTIONAL UNDERTAKING.

IT HAS AUTHORITY OVER LAND USE.

INTERESTINGLY, IT HAS THE ABILITY TO DIRECT ALL OF THE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND HOW THEY PLAN FOR HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS, ET CETERA.

SO AS SUCH, IT HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF AUTHORITY AND CONTROLS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ASSETS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

INTERESTINGLY, THOUGH, UNLIKE A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY, ITS LEADERS ARE ALL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

IT HAS SOME PROPERTY TAX AUTHORITY AS WELL.

SO IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE A UNIT OF GOVERNMENT THAT RATHER THAN IS ONE OF 20 OR MORE PRIORITIES, THERE'S EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ALL AND ON, IT REALLY FEELS LIKE IT REALLY SHOULD BE THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FOR WHOM THE REGIONAL PRIORITIES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND IN A REALLY STRONG POSITION TO BE ABLE TO REALLY HAVE A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES MUCH LIKE WE DO AS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE, MAYORS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ET CETERA, AND IN SO DOING HAVE A MUCH STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL OF THOSE.

ALLOCATING RESOURCES, ET CETERA.

RECENTLY SOME ISSUES HAVE COME UP AROUND, I BELIEVE, THAT LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT TRANSPARENCY WE HAVE SEEN, MAJOR TRANSIT LINE, THE SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR, EXTENDED BY A NUMBER OF YEARS.

ANALYSIS THAT SOME HAVE, INCLUDING MYSELF, IS THAT THAT MAY WELL HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THEY DO A LOT OF THEIR WORK KIND OF OUT OF SIGHT AND HAVE THE ACCOUNTABILITY THE REST OF US MIGHT HAVE, WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE VIEW AS SUBSTANTIAL SERIES OF ERRORS.

SO MY POSITION IS THAT WE SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF THE POLITICAL POSITION OF THE ENTITY, THE ABILITY TO DRAW THE REGION TOGETHER AND UNIFY IT IS AS WELL AS KINDS OF THINGS THAT WOULD DRIVE BETTER DECISIONS, BE MORE AVAILABLE TO INFORMATION FROM OUTSIDE INTERESTS AND OUTSIDE EXPERTS AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, GOOD IDEAS.

IT'S TO MAKE IT SO THAT'S WHAT I HOPE WE CAN DO.

AT A MINIMUM IT WOULD SPARK AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE, BUT I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE THAT WOULD BE A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL AND SIGNIFICANT PART GOING FORWARD.

>> Barry: HAS A BILL TO THAT EFFECT BEEN INTRODUCED?

>> THE BILL HASN'T QUITE BEEN INTRODUCED.

I'M WAITING FOR THE MAGIC MOMENT TO INTRODUCE IT, BUT IT IS JACKETED AND READY TO GO, AND THE GOVERNOR INDICATED TO ME THAT HE WOULD SIGN THAT BILL IF WE WERE ABLE TO PASS IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, YOUR THOUGHTS ON MET COUNCIL AND MET COUNCIL RELATED ISSUES: SENATOR PRATT?

UNMUTE.

WE ARE NOT HEARING YOU.

WE WILL COME BACK TO SENATOR PRATT.

REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD.

MET COUNCIL ISSUES.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

I AGREE WITH SENATOR DIBBLE.

THIS BOARD, THIS UNELECTED BOARD WITH SO MUCH AUTHORITY AND TAXING AUTHORITY AND ABILITY TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

I WILL TELL YOU I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED STARTING WITH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR AND LEGISLATURE.

WE IN RAY COUNTY ARE VERY, VERY PLEASED AND FIGHT TO ENSURE THE MET COUNCIL DOESN'T COME OUT [INAUDIBLE] AND INTO OUR ELECTED -- WHAT'S BEST IS OUR COMMUNITIES, BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THINK THERE'S A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

AN UNELECTED BOARD SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY, AND IT DEFINITELY NEEDS REFORMS.

ENSURE THAT THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAN THE MET COUNCIL AND I HOPE THAT WILL BE A SUCCESS THIS YEAR.

JUST REITERATE AGAIN, IN RAY COUNTY, MEEKER, WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE MET COUNCIL, AND THAT'S NOT JUST ME SPEAKING.

THAT'S MANY, MANY FOLKS, BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN, RESIDENTS, ELECTED OFFICIALS IN OUR COUNTY AND CITIES.

THAT'S MY BRIEF THOUGHT ON MET COUNCIL.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, WE WILL TRY YOU AGAIN NOW.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MET COUNCIL AND RELATED ISSUES.

WE ARE STILL NOT HEARING YOU, SENATOR PRATT.

I'M GOING TO TURN YOU OVER TO MATT TO WORK WITH YOU TO GET YOUR AUDIO GOING AGAIN.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT IN A BIT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO A QUESTION FROM ONE OF OUR RURAL VIEWERS WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT RURAL HOSPITALS AND REIMBURSEMENT READS FOR RURAL HOSPITALS, AND RURAL HEALTHCARE HAS BECOME VERY MUCH A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE, PART OF THE STATE THAT I'M FROM, SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, ORIGINALLY THEY ARE HAVING PRETTY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN THAT REGARD.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD, AND THE SESSION MOVING AND EFFECTS, AND REIMBURSEMENT RATES OR FINANCIAL VIABILITY.

>> THANK YOU.

I SURE HOPE THERE IS, BECAUSE OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND RURAL NURSING HOMES ARE IN DIRE STRAIGHTS.

SOME ARE FORCING FORECLOSURE IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL FOR AREAS.

WITH THE 17 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS, I HOPE A SIGNIFICANT RATE INCREASE FOR OUR FOLKS WHO ARE TAKING CARE OF THE ELDERLY AND THE SICK AND THOSE WHO ARE NOAA NEED AND REALLY HELP GET THAT FUNDING NECESSARY FOR OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

SO FAR I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

MAYBE SENATOR DIBBLE HAS OR SENATOR PRATT.

YOU I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANYTHING.

BUT REALLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, AND PARTICULARLY THE MAJORITY, THE DFL, THEIR NO.

1 PRIORITY SHOULD HAVE BEEN OR AT LEAST THE TOP 10, ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR RURAL HOSPITALS IN NURSING HOMES.

>> Barry: RURAL HEALTHCARE FUNDING, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH US?

>> ACTUALLY BEFORE I CAME ON THIS FALL, I CAME OUT OF A CONVERSATION WITH THE CHAIR ABOUT THE SERVICES COMMITTEE AND ABSOLUTELY LONG-TERM CARE FUNDING, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, REIMBURSEMENT RATES IS A HUGE PRIORITY.

IT'S A BIG ASPECT OF THAT AND SHORTAGE OF STAFFING AS WELL.

SO OUR HOSPITALS, OUR NURSING HOMES, OUR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES, THOSE WHO RELY ON HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN THEIR HOMES, THE WAIVER SERVICES AND PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS, IT IS NOTHING LESS THAN A CRISIS HAPPENING.

AND I THINK THERE'S STRONG RECOGNITION OF THAT, AND A HUGE DESIRE TO BE WILLING, REALLY MAKING SURE WE HAVE GOT WORKERS IN PLACE AND ACCESS TO THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

MY OWN BROTHER-IN-LAW WAS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND LITERALLY TOOK HIM FOUR DAYS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM BEFORE HE GOT UP TO A ROOM.

HE NEEDED SURGERY, COULDN'T GO HOME, COULDN'T GET HIM IN.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, I THINK WE HAVE THE TECHNICAL ISSUES RESOLVED.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT ON REAL HEALTHCARE AND REQUEST ASK YOU TO CLEAN UP ON THE MET COUNCIL THING.

START WITH RURAL HEALTHCARE.

>> SURE.

YOU KNOW, HEALTHCARE IS A HUGE PART OF OUR BUDGET AS WE GO FORWARD.

IT MAKES UP ABOUT 30% OF WHAT WE SPEND.

YOU KNOW, AS REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD TALKED ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR ELDERLY IN SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE ADULTS.

I SAT ON THE BOARD OF ST. GERTRUDE'S IN SHAKOPEE.

WE ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND PEOPLE COME IN AND WORK.

WE CAN'T AFFORD THE REIMBURSEMENTS WE ARE GIVING FOR THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED DON'T COVER THE COSTS OF PEOPLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

WE DO NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE FUNDING OUR HEALTHCARE AT A RATE, WHETHER IT'S GROUP HOME, WHETHER IT'S RAWAL HOSPITAL, WHETHER IT'S LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, AT A RATE THAT COVERS OUR COST.

>> Barry: WE HAD THE LITTLE TECHNICAL ISSUE.

I WANTED TO GO BACK WITH YOU ON THE QUESTION OF THE MET COUNCIL BECAUSE I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THAT AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO MORE QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

>> SURE.

SENATOR DIBBLE AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MET COUNCIL FOR MANY YEARS.

THE FIRST TIME WE STARTED WORKING ON SOMETHING WAS BACK IN 2016.

I HAVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TAKE ON HOW WE SHOULD BE FIXING THE MET COUNCIL, AND THAT IS TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH THE OTHER PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

THE MET COUNCIL IS CONSIDERED A METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION, AND WE HAVE ROUGHLY 26 OF THEM IN THE STATE, AND THEY ARE ALL -- ALL THE MEMBERS ARE LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ALSO SERVE ON THE MPO.

SO I THINK THAT'S A MOTTO WE CAN BRING TO THE MET COUNCIL THAT WILL PROVIDE SOME LOCAL ACCOUNTABILITY BACK TO OUR CITIES AND COUNTIES, AND I WILL ALSO BE DROPPING A BILL THAT IS SUPPORTED BY THE FIVE SUBURBAN COUNTIES TO DO THAT, TO MAKE SHAWR THAT WE HAVE A COUNTY LEVEL REPRESENTATIVE, PLUS WE HAVE OUR DISTRICTS DIVIDED UP, SPECIAL SEED FOR MINNEAPOLIS, SPECIAL SEED FOR ST. PAUL AND THE GOVERNOR POINTS THE CHAIR.

>> Barry: DO YOU THINK -- I ASKED SENATOR DIBBLE THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE SUPPORTED AND HE INDICATED THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE SUPPORTED IF IT COULD BE PASSED.

DO YOU SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS?

WHAT ABOUT BODIES AS A WHOLE?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK.

I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT DIRECT ELECTION OF METROPOLITAN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES IN THAT -- QUITE HONESTLY THEIR DISTRICTS ARE BIGGER THAN OUR SENATE DISTRICTS, AND THOSE ARE GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE AND HIGHLY CONTESTED ELECTIONS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY COMING IN.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED ANOTHER LEVEL OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I THINK OUR LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, OUR CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE, TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS CAN DO A FINE JOB WITHOUT PUTTING THEIR OWN INTEREST ABOVE THE INTEREST OF THE REGION.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE LAST SHOT AT MET COUNCIL AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS.

>> WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, OPEN TO ALL KINDS OF IDEAS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE'S ACTUALLY A LEGAL THEORY, IF YOU WILL, A LEGAL ANALYSIS THAT WOULD ARGUE THAT THE LEVEL OF POWER AND AUTHORITY THEY HAVE IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL ILLEGAL DELEGATION OF POWER BY THE EXECUTIVE IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH GIVEN THEIR TAXING AUTHORITY AND THE SIZE AND SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE DECISIONS OF OTHER ELECTED BODIES.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORGE CHANGES TO COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND LANDINGS AND ZONING AND THE LIKE THAT'S ADOPTED AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL.

I THINK THAT NECESSITATES ELECTED AUTHORITY OF, YOU KNOW, THAT'S REFERRED TO DIRECT ELECTION BY THE PEOPLE.

BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION.

WE HAVE MANY BLUE RIBBON COURSES, STUDIES.

THEY ONLY RECOMMEND MARGINAL CHANGES MOVING THE PROVERBIAL DECK CHAIRS AROUND ON THE SINKING SHIP.

WE NEED SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE TO THE ENTITY.

I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T WANT TO FRAME IT IN THE NEGATIVE.

I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REGION TO PULL TOGETHER AND ADVOCATE ROBUSTFULLY TO WHAT IT NEEDS.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE ON TO EDUCATION ISSUES.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I USED TO CALL K-12.

IT'S PREK TO 12 EDUCATION.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE SIGNIFICANT FEATURES FOR FUNDING AND OTHER DETAILS THE LEGISLATURE IS BRINGING TO ADDRESS THIS YEAR.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR PRATT AND GO TO SENATOR DIBBLE AND FOLLOW UP WITH SENATOR MCDONALD.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> I THINK THERE'S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY HERE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I CHECK ON WHEN I WAS CHAIR OF THE EDUCATIONAL POLICY COMMITTEE WAS EDUCATION, AND IT WAS A HOT BUTTON THROUGHOUT THE ELECTION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MANDATES ON OUR SCHOOLS AND A LOT OF, AS THE EDUCATORS HAVE TOLD ME, LOW VALUE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE PUT ON.

YOU KNOW, I TALK TO SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS WHO WILL TELL ME THEY SPENT AS MUCH TIME WRITING REPORTS AS THEY DO TEACHING THEIR KIDS.

THEY DIDN'T GET INTO THE BUSINESS IN ORDER TO WRITE REPORTS.

CLEARLY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE, AS A BUDGET CLEAR, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE AN INCREASE TO THE FORMULA.

WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR RAN ON FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION, AND BY MOST OF THE ACCOUNTS THAT I HAVE SEEN, HE'S COME UP TO ABOUT HALF OF THAT.

SO HE HASN'T KEPT HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE FORMULA AMOUNT.

I'M HOPING WE CAN STAY FOCUSED IN OUR EDUCATION SPENDING AND NOT EARMARK TOO MUCH OF OUR MONEY TO SPECIFIC ISSUES, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT REALLY GET INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON A SCHOOL BOARD BEFORE I JOINED THE LEGISLATURE, AND I KNOW THAT MEN AND WOMEN WHO SIT ON THOSE BOARDS REALLY ARE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT.

THE NEEDS OF PRIOR LINK ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEEDS OF PERHAM.

>> Barry: K-12 EDUCATION.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> NOT MUCH TO DISAGREE WITH WITH WHAT SENATOR PRATT JUST SAID.

IF WE DO NOTHING ELSE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS I'M THE TRANSPORTATION CHAIR AND I LOVE TRANSPORTATION AND WANT TO FUND -- MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND FIX OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, ET CETERA, BUT I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THE THING THAT WE HAVE THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO DO IS FUND OUR E-12 OR K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION.

I LIKE TO CALL IT E-12 BECAUSE I THINK EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT AS WELL.

FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION IS SUCH AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE.

IT'S A VITAL SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE.

IT DRAWS FROM A LOT OF OTHER AREAS, AND WE ALSO INCREASED THE PER PUPIL FUNDING FORMULA, WHICH YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T MADE UP THE CUTS WE MADE IN THAT AREA SINCE THE CUTS THAT WE EXPERIENCED UNDER TIM PAWLENTY.

WE STILL HAVE NOT MADE UP THE CUTS YET.

THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

PEOPLE SAY WE SPEND MORE THAN WE EVER HAVE ON E-12 EDUCATION.

THAT'S SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

WE HAVE LOST GROUND AND NEVER MADE IT BACK OF THOSE 30 DAYS THAT I STARTED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR PRATT.

I HOPE WE DON'T GET INTO DIVIDING UP, YOU KNOW AND SLIVERING OFF OUR ABILITY TO FUND EARLY LANGUAGE LEARNER, SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND THE BASIC PER PUPIL FORMULA.

THERE'S STUFF WE CAN TO DO TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE READY FOR DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATIONS AND ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, ET CETERA.

BUT THIS IS, I THINK, THE NO.

1 OPPORTUNITY OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH THE SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCDONALD, E-12, K-12, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE ARE GOING TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION, AND I AGREE WITH PRATT AND DIBBLE AS FAR AS SPECIAL EDUCATION.

BUT IT'S FAILING ON ITS COMMITMENT TO FUND THIS.

IT'S COSTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IF THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO STEP UP, WE ARE SIMPLY GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE JOB.

I WANT YOUR VIEWERS JUST TO LISTEN AND JUST KNOW QUICKLY.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE DEBATING A BILL IN THE HOUSE FLOOR TO FEED HUNGRY CHILDREN.

THAT'S A GREAT AND WORTHY CAUSE.

THE BILL RIGHT NOW IS TO FEED EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT'S IN SCHOOL, WHETHER THEIR PARENTS HAVE THE NEEDS OR NOT.

SO IT'S OVER A $400,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, AND 202,000 IN YEAR 2025.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON FEEDING CHILDREN FOR PARENTS IN DISTRICTS THAT CERTAINLY DON'T NEED THE HELP WHATSOEVER.

MANY OF THE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH AND KIDS THAT SIMPLY ARE GOING HUNGRY ALREADY ARE BEING FED.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO PASS A BILL AND SPEND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FEEDING DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH AND BASICALLY FEEDING WEALTHY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.

IT ACCOUNTS TO ABOUT 2% OF FUNDING TO FEED EVERY SINGLE KID IN THE STATE DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR WHEN THAT MONEY COULD BE GOING RIGHT ON THE FORMULA AND GETTING RIGHT TO THE CLASSROOMS.

I JUST FUNDAMENTALLY THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY LOST, AND IT'S TAKEN A BIG SLEDGEHAMMER TO A PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA THAT SIMPLY IS NOT NEEDED.

I DON'T NEED STATE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR MY SON'S MEAL AT ALL.

I CAN PAY MY OWN SON'S FOOD AT THE SCHOOL THIS ON THIS SALARY.

IT WILL COST ABOUT $680 PER YEAR PER KID.

IF YOU HAVE TWO KIDS $1,176.

I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY LOST TO PUT THAT MONEY INTO CROSS SUBSIDY INSTEAD OF JUST WITH A BROAD BRUSH THROWING MONEY AWAY.

IT'S ABOUT $120 MILLION THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY WASTED ON FOOD WHOSE PARENTS CAN AFFORD TO PAY.

OUR AMENDMENT TONIGHT WAS TO RAISE THE POVERTY LEVEL FROM 175% TO 220% THEREFORE WE FILL THE GAP FOR THOSE KIDS GOING HUNGRY.

I HOPE AT THE END OF THE DAY WE DO HAVE FULLY FUNDED EDUCATION AND FIX SOME OF THE UNFUNDED.

IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT, IT WILL COST SCHOOL DISTRICTS MONEY.

IT WILL COST THEM MONEY IN MANY AREAS AND WILL BE YET ANOTHER UNFUNDED MANDATE.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

>> Barry: MOVE ON TO OTHER QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS.

OFTEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE HAD QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS ABOUT THE PROTECTION OF DOGS FROM LETHAL BODY GRIP TRAPS AND SNARES.

BILLS TO THIS EFFECT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.

THEY HAVEN'T GONE ANYWHERE.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM MERRIFIELD THAT HAS A BILL ON FILE.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY ACTION ON THOSE BILLS THIS YEAR?

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR MCDONALD.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS.

WE WILL GO TO SENATOR PRATT AND THEN SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> TO THE VIEWER, I'M SORRY.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THESE BILLS.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THEM AS FAR AS THIS SESSION AND WHAT THE LANGUAGE IS, BUT I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF MAKING SURE OUR HOME ANIMALS ARE SAFE FROM BEING TRAPPED AND INJURED AND/OR DEATH.

I'M IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS OUR ANIMALS.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD SAID IT VERY WELL.

WE ALL WANT TO PROTECT OUR PETS, UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE, AND MOST TRAPPERS ARE RESPONSIBLE BUT REGRETFULLY WE HAVE A FEW IRRESPONSIBLE TRAPPERS THAT ARE PUTTING THEIR TRAPS IN PLACES WHERE DOGS WILL GET.

I'M SORRY 245 THAT WE HAVE TO LEGISLATE IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE ANY ACTION THIS YEAR, BUT I WILL CERTAINLY KEEP MY EYES OPEN FOR IT.

>> I'M A COAUTHOR ON THAT BILL AND OPTIMISTIC THAT GRIDLOCK IS OVER AND THEY WILL MOVE FORWARD AND PASS THAT BILL.

IT'S BEEN BLOCKED BY REPUBLICANS IN THE PAST.

I DON'T KNOW WHY.

BUT PEOPLE OF PARTICULAR INFLUENCE HAVE BLOCKED THE BILL.

IT DOESN'T STOP TRAPPING, BUT MAKE SURE TRAPPING IS FIGURED IN A WAY THAT DOGS DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THESE THINGS.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO TRANSPORTATION, A COUPLE OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN AREA FOR SENATOR DIBBLE.

ONE QUESTION THAT WE HAD FROM A YEAR IN PRECEDING WEEKS, THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO ASK IT NOW, HAS TO DO WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES, HOWEVER ONE FEELS ABOUT SUBSIDIES AND WHETHER OR NOT AND HOW AGGRESSIVELY WE SHOULD MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.

GOING TO BE MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ELECTRIC VEHICLES DO NOT OF COURSE PAY ANY GAS TAX THAT IS USED FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE AND THINGS OF THAT SORT, AND THE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THERE MIGHT NOT BE IMMEDIATE ACTION, BUT IS THERE A LONG RANGE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION OF HOW DO WE PAY FOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE MOVING TO AT LEAST INCREASING NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUELED BY CARBON.

SENATOR DIBBLE, YOUR VIEWS ON THAT.

>> WELL, THE CALLER IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAVE TO HELP PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE ROAD AND BRIDGES AND THEY DON'T PAY GAS TAX BUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERS DO PAY LICENSE TAB FEES AND MOTOR VEHICLE SALES TAX, AND THOSE AMOUNTS, BECAUSE MOST ELECTRIC VEHICLES COST SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN OTHER CARS, ACTUALLY MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR WHAT THEY WOULD PAY GAS TAXES.

HOWEVER, THAT EXCESS THAT'S PAID INTO THE HIGHWAYS, PAID FOR WITH GAS TAX INSTEAD OF FEES AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND TAX.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES PAY TWO OF THOSE IN GREATER AMOUNTS THAT COME TO MORE THAN WHAT LESSER PRICE VEHICLES PAY, BUT THAT INCREASE GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD.

SO ABSOLUTELY WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A MECHANISM WHEREBY ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR LIFE PAY AS MUCH AS CARS DO NOW.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF WAYS WE CAN DO THAT.

WE CAN DO THAT FROM DECREASING FEES.

THESE BATTERIES ARE VERY HEAVY, SO THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THEM, SO MAYBE THEY HAVE A WEIGHT FACTOR.

MECHANISMS LIKE THAT.

LIKE GAS TAX, MAYBE THERE'S A VAT TAX OR FEE.

BEFORE PEOPLE GET TOO UPSET, KEEP IN MIND ELECTRIC CARS AT PRESENT ACCOUNT FOR ONE OR TWO PERCENT OF ALL VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

HOPEFULLY MORE SOON, BUT THE GAS TAX LICENSE MOTOR VEHICLED SALES TAX, THOSE ARE THE WORKFORCES OF OUR ROAD SYSTEM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

>> I GET THAT QUESTION POSED TO ME OFTEN AS WELL.

MET THE LICENSE TAB FEES AND TAX ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY PURCHASE IT, SENATOR DIBBLE SAYS THEY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE, IF YOU WILL, FOR THAT, BUT I THINK IT HAS TO BE A USER TAX.

I LIKE THE IDEA, SENATOR DIBBLE, AS MUCH AS I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF AN ADDED TAX, BECAUSE WE ARE ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX STATES IN THE NATION, INCOME TAX, CORPORATE TAX, AND THE SUMMER WE WERE THE TOP IN THE NATION.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO PAY FOR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

I DRIVE A TAHOE SO I PAY PLENTY IN GAS AND TAX.

BUT IT HAS TO BE A USER FEE, USER TAX BY THOSE WHO DRIVE ELECTRIC CARS, AND PERHAPS THE TAX OF ELECTRICITY.

WE HAVE TO FIND A MECHANISM FAIR AND EQUITABLE OF THOSE DRIVING THE ROADS AND NOT PAY THE SAME TAX OF THOSE WHO DRIVE WITH THEIR FUEL CARS WHO ARE INDEED PAYING INTO THAT SPECIAL FUND, DEDICATED FUND TO FIX THE ROADS AND BRIDGES.

THERE ARE IDEAS FLOATING AROUND THE CAPITAL, AND REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO WHO DRIVES AN ELECTRIC CAR, HAS A COUPLE HIMSELF, BUT I ENTERTAIN ANY REASONABLE FISCAL RESPONSIBLE TAX OR FEE THAT THEY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT.

>> I THINK WE HAVE A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT AROUND HERE.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD NEVER TAKE ON SENATOR DIBBLE WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING ROADS AND BRIDGES.

HE'S ONE OF THE EXPERTS IN THE CAPITOL.

AS I RECALL, WE IMPLEMENTED THE FEE, REGISTRATION FEE AS A MAKEUP FOR THE GAS TAX, BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO PAY FOR IT.

I KNOW LAST SESSION WE WERE ENTERTAINING IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO CHARGE THAT FUEL TAX, TAX ON THE ELECTRICITY ONLY FOR THE ELECTRICITY THAT WAS GOING TO CHARGE THE CAR.

WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK THERE WAS ANOTHER OPTION THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR THAT THE DFL HOUSE ABSOLUTELY REFUSED AND THAT WAS DEDICATING AUTO REPAIR AND PARTS, SALES TAX TO ROTED AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE UP A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE GAP THAT WE HAVE AND MAINTAINING AND REBUILDING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

SENATOR SCOTT NEWMAN CARRIED THAT.

IT WAS SUPPORTED BY A BROAD COALITION OF TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS.

UNION TRADES WERE BEHIND IT, AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED WE COULDN'T SEEM TO GET THAT DONE, BECAUSE WE DO NEED A STEADY STREAM OF FUNDING AS OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES CONTINUE TO WEAR OUT.

>> Barry: GO AHEAD, SENATOR.

>> I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT THE RECORD.

THE HOUSE DID ACCEPT THAT IDEA.

SO THAT WAS A PART OF THE DEAL.

WE JUST DIDN'T PASS THE FINAL BILL.

SENATOR PRATT ISN'T WRONG.

THE HOUSE RESISTED.

ALONGSIDE BY SIDE WITH SENATOR NEWMAN WE PERSUADED THE HOUSE TO ACCEPT.

IT WAS PARTIALLY ACCURATE.

>> Barry: LET'S TALK TRANSPORTATION GENERALLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE JUST ASKING GENERIC GENERAL QUESTIONS WHAT THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET IS LIKELY TO LOOK LIKE IN A YEAR WITH SOME SURPLUS FUNDS, NOT ARGUING ABOUT HOW MUCH.

BUT WHAT OTHER KINDS OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE FUNDED.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR DIBBLE, BECAUSE OF YOUR BACKGROUND.

>> I DO HAVE TO RUN.

THE VOTE IS GOING TO BE NEAR.

I WANT TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOU AND YOUR VIEWERS AND SENATOR DIBBLE AND PRATT AND I APPRECIATE BEING ON YET AGAIN.

YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.

>> Barry: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD FOR JOINING US AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT YOU AFTER YOU LEAVE.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

>> SO I AM HOPEFUL, OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE USE OF SOME OF THE SURPLUS AND OF COURSE OCCURS ON A ONE-TIME BASIS, BUT IT'S AN EXCELLENTIA OF ONE-TIME DOLLARS.

IT'S FOR CONSTRUCTION FOR CAPITAL, IF YOU WILL, GETTING SOME OF THAT MONEY INTO THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET TO FIX ROADS AND BRIDGES AND DO SOME SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AND, YOU KNOW, DO SOME OF THESE INNER-CITY ECONOMIC CORRIDORS.

THEY CALL THEM CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE CONNECTIONS AND THE LIKE AS WELL AS SUPPORTING SOME OF THE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE FOR TRANSIT, BOTH IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND IN THE METRO AREA AS WELL.

DCIALLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE HAVE THE IJA, LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE THAT WAS PASSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT $7 BILLION COMING TO THE STATE OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS OR SO, MAKING SURE SOME OF THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A STATE MATCH.

SOME OF THAT ALSO COMES TO THE STATE ON A COMPETITIVE DISCRETIONARY GRANT BASIS.

SO WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE FOR THOSE GRANTS, AND THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECTRIFY OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, MAKE SURE THAT TRANSPORTATION IS BUILT IN A WAY THAT SENIORS AND STUDENTS AND PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, HAVE ACCESS TO JOBS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

SO A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY THERE.

IN THE METRO AREA, WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW -- EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE SURPLUS THAT'S IN THE GENERAL FUND, THE TRANSPORTATION SOURCES I JUST CITED FOR HOWEVER THE TAX DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AS WELL AS TRANSIT AND METRO AREA, THOSE SOURCES ARE ALL IN DECLINE AND TRANSIT IN THE METRO AREA AND WE ACTUALLY HAVEN'T BEEN FUNDING IT ADEQUATELY WITH STATE SOURCES.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE LRT WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT, THAT'S ACTUALLY FUNDED WITH TAXES FROM THE COUNTY, AND IT'S NOT REALLY A STATE FUNDED -- IT'S NOT AT ALL A STATE FUNDED PROJECT.

THE STATE SOURCES THAT FUND OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM WERE COMING UP ON A CLIFF AND PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO DISMANTLE THE BUS SYSTEM, REGULAR ROUTE SERVICE, BUS SYSTEM UNLESS WE ACTUALLY RAISE FUNDS IN THE METRO AREA TO KEEP IT AFLOAT.

WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE INCREASED POPULATION AND NEED TO ADD TO THE TRANSIT SYSTEM AND PROBABLY NEED TO PUT A LITTLE MORE MONEY ON THE TABLE.

ALL THE TRANSPORTATION SOURCES FOR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A 70-YEAR-OLD ROADWAY SYSTEM THAT WE CONTINUE TO FALL FURTHER AND FURTHER BEHIND ON, AND SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT IF WE ARE GOING TO RAISE SOME DOLLARS TO SUPPORT THAT OVER THE LONG HAUL OR NOT.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT GENERAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND FUNDING QUESTIONS.

>> SENATOR DIBBLE, I THOUGHT EXPLAINED IT VERY WELL.

I WANT TO COMMENT ON SENATOR DIBBLE FOR PASSING ONE OF THE VIEW BIPARTISAN BILLS WE PASSED THIS SESSION INPUTTING MONEY FORWARD IN MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP ALL OF OUR COUNTIES, ALL OF OUR DISTRICTS IN DOING THE VERY IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR REPAIRING ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN UNIQUE INTERESTS.

MINE IS HIGHWAY 169.

WE HAVE THE LAST STOP LINE BETWEEN CHAMPLIN AND ST. PETER.

IT'S FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC AND FOR GETTING THE AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS TO THE PORTS OF SAVAGE.

WE CAN FIND A LOT OF COMMON GROUND IN HELPING TO REBUILD OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, BECAUSE IT'S MAYBE THE ONE THING I HEAR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I'M IN MY DISTRICT OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S DISTRICT THAT WE HAVE.

YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS TRANSIT, I DO THINK WE NEED TO RETHINK OUR TRANSIT MODEL.

MORE AND MORE OF OUR JOBS ARE MOVING OUT TO THE SUBURBS, BUT WE STILL HAVE A TRANSIT SYSTEM FROM OUTSIDE MINNEAPOLIS GOING INTO THE CITY.

SO WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH A PILOT BUS LINE RUNNING FROM THE MALL OF AMERICA TO SHAKOPEE BRINGING PEOPLE TO AMAZON AND SERTEED.

WE ARE SEEING MORE WORK FROM HOME AND WE ARE JUST SEEING GROWTH IN THE SUMMERS, QUITE HONESTLY.

ON THE TRANSIT SIDE THERE'S THINGS WE CAN DO TO RETHINK OUR MODEL.

CONGRATULATIONS SENATOR DIBBLE FOR PASSING A BIPARTISAN BILL.

I THINK IT WAS ALMOST UNANIMOUS.

>> VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD.

QUESTIONS FROM A VIEWER ABOUT THE BONDING BILL, WHICH OF COURSE NORMALLY IS IN THE WHAT USED TO CALL THE OFF YEAR OR THE EVEN NUMBERED YEAR OF THE LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR SESSION, AND THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S GOING TO BE RESURRECTED.

WILL THERE BE A BONDING BILL THIS SESSION, AND WILL THERE BE A LARGER ONE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO PASS ONE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR PRATT.

>> WELL, THERE IS A LOT OF EFFORT TO GET A BONDING BILL STARTED.

TO RESTART THE BONDING BILL AGREEMENT THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.

I THINK IT'S UNKNOWN THAT WE ACTUALLY CAME TO AGREEMENT ON A BONDING BILL, BUT IT DIDN'T GET PASSED.

ALL BONDING BILLS HAVE TO ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE, AND WE NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT NATIONAL SENATE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A SMALL GROUP OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES MEETING TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND SOME COMMON GROUND, AND I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE FINAL PACKAGE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, BUT IT REALLY HASN'T BEEN SOCIALIZED ON A VERY BROAD BASIS, AND I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE BIT DISTURBING IN THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THE SCENES, BUT IN SOME WAYS IT USUALLY IS.

IT REQUIRES A SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS A BONDING BILL, SO AGAIN, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IF WE ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> BONDING BILL, SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> YES, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO INDEED PASSING A BONDING BILL.

THERE'S A LOT OF PENT UP NEED THERE TO INVEST IN THE LARGE CAPITAL ASSETS.

LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THERE'S -- THIS IS A VERY, VERY GOOD AND APPROPRIATE USE FOR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS THAT OCCUR ON A ONE-TIME BASIS, AND THAT'S OF COURSE CONTRASTED WITH ONE-TIME DOLLARS AND PUTTING THEM INTO THINGS THAT HAVE AN ONGOING BUDGETARY NEED.

WE WOULDN'T PUT ONE-TIME DOLLARS INTO OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT OCCUR OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE YEARS, BUT THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO INVEST IN THE BUILDINGS OF OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND OUR NATURAL RESTORES AREAS AND OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, ET CETERA.

I REALLY DON'T LIKE WHEN THINGS ARE DONE OUT OF VIEW, NOT IN THE FORM OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND PUBLIC DELIBERATION WHERE STAKEHOLDERS CAN COME IN AND PROVIDE THEIR INPUT AND PUBLIC CAN HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON.

REALLY HOPING THAT FUNDING CHAIRS DO BRING ON-THEY MIGHT FASHION THE PACKAGE, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY WOULD BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE FOR A FULL AIRING AND FULL HEARING AND BE ABLE FOR CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS, AND IT'S, I THINK, ONE OF THE WORST TRENDS OF OUR LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, NOT JUST THE BONDING BILL, BUT A LOT OF THESE OMNIBUS BILLS THAT ARE FULL OF POLICY, BUDGET ITEMS, ALL DONE OUT OF VIEW, AND THEY COME FORWARD IN THE GIGANTIC PACKAGES WITH VERY LITTLE IF ANY PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC INPUT.

THE REST OF US ARE JUST ASKED TO VOTE ON IT AS IS WITHOUT EVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND IT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WERE HE LEKDED TO DO.

I THINK WE ARE PUSHING HARDER FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY.

I APPRECIATE WHAT SENATOR PRATT SAID.

I AGREE WITH HIM ON THAT.

THE OTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND, WE HAVE AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS AND SOME OF THESE DOLLARS WE DON'T HAVE TO BORROW IN THE CAPITAL MARKETS.

THAT'S WHAT BONDING IS, IT'S BASICALLY BORROWING.

WE COULD JUST APPROPRIATE DOLLARS NEEDED FOR SOME OF THESE LARGER EXPENDITURES AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE I WANT TO PURSUE THE POINT YOU MADE.

BECAUSE YOUR COLLEAGUE, SENATOR MARTY, HAS MADE PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT TRYING TO AVOID OMNIBUS BILLS AND BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE COMMITTEES THAT HE CHAIRS, HE MIGHT BE IN A POSITION TO INFLUENCE THAT A LITTLE BIT.

DO YOU THINK THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM YOUR CAUCUS TO MOVE -- I SUPPOSE NEVER GOING TO MOVE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM AN OMNIBUS BILL BUT MOVE MORE IN THE DIRECTION OF A SINGLE SUBJECT BILLS AND SO FORTH.

IS THERE SOME SUPPORT FOR THAT?

MIGHT WE SEE DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS SESSION?

>> THERE'S A CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION ON BILLS THAT AREN'T SINGLE SUBJECT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE DO IT ALL THE TIME, AND WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN, OF COURSE, SOMEONE HAS TO SUE AND THEN YOUR ENTITY, YOUR BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAT HAS TO AGREE, THEN OH, YEAH, THAT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTION THAT THE LEGISLATURE TOOK.

THEY ARE MIXING THEIR SUBJECTS.

>> Barry: WANT TO TAKE A SHOT AT THE SUPREME COURT, THAT'S JUST FINE.

THE CLAIM HAS BEEN MADE, I THINK WE CAN SAFELY SAY, THAT THE COURT HAS NOT BEEN PARTICULARLY AGGRESSIVE BY ENFORCING A SINGLE SUBJECT MATTER.

>> IT NEEDS TO BE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CHANGED.

IT DOESN'T WANT TO MISS AROUND IN THE OTHER BRANCH THESE DAYS.

I WISH IT WOULD MORE, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S BEEN REALLY, REALLY SLOPPY AND UNFORTUNATE, HASN'T SERVED THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT CONCENTRATES POWER IN VERY, VERY GOOD HANDS.

IT'S NOT HEALTHY.

THAT'S THE SINGLE SUBJECT WHEN WE ARE DOING THE BUDGET FOR AN AGENCY.

WE DON'T DO EVERY LITTLE LINE ITEM.

WE DO THE ENTIRETY OF THE BUDGET, BUT WHEN WE ENACT ALL THE POLICY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FINANCIAL IMPLICATION, SOME POLICY, WHICH REALLY DOES NEED TO BE DEBATED ON ITS OWN AND STAND ALL ON ITS OWN MERITS, RATHER THAN BEING TIED IN A MUST PASS BILL.

IF YOU DON'T PASS THE BUDGET BILLS, SHE SHUTS DOWN.

YOU PASS THE FAIRLY DISTASTEFUL POLICY IDEAS INTO THE MUST PASS BILLS.

WE VITAL THE SINGLE SUBJECT REQUIREMENT, AND WE HAVE DEALS THAT ARE CUT THAT SHOULDN'T BE AND STUFF IS DONE AGAIN LIKE I SAID WITHOUT THE INPUT AND I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR CHANGING THAT PRACTICE.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, MUCH DEBATED, MUCH CONTROVERSIAL SINGLE SUBJECT ISSUES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK SENATOR DIBBLE AND I SEE EYE TO EYE ON THIS.

THE OMNIBUS BILL PROCESS HAS BEEN ABUSED OVER THE YEARS, AND IT'S GETTING WORSE.

IT HASN'T BEEN A REPUBLICAN ISSUE.

IT HASN'T BEEN A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE.

IT'S BEEN BOTH OF US.

I HAVE GOT A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

LAST YEAR MY JOBS BILL GOT WRAPPED IN WITH ENERGY AND COMMERCE.

I THINK YOU CAN SAY THAT FUNDING DEED AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ENERGY POLICY BUT THE LEADERS OF BOTH CHAMBERS CAME TOGETHER, AND THAT WAS THE AGREEMENT WE GOT, AND WHILE I WASN'T HAPPY WITH IT, I HAD TO MOVE IT ALONG AS BEST I COULD.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET BACK, BECAUSE OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON, AND I THINK GETTING MORE TO A SINGLE SUBJECT ALLOWS US TO HAVE BETTER DEBATE AND BETTER DISCUSSION ON SPECIFIC TOPICS.

SENATOR DIBBLE IS RIGHT.

WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON A BUDGET, THE SINGLE SUBJECT IS THE BUDGET FOR FUNDING THAT AGENCY, AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FUND THE POLICY THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

BUT WHEN YOU START COMBINING TWO OR THREE AGENCIES TOGETHER THAT AREN'T RELATED, THEN I THINK YOU HAVE GONE TOO FAR.

I HAVE TOLD SENATOR MARTY DIRECTLY THAT I SUPPORT HIS EFFORTS IN TRYING TO GET US BACK TO MORE NARROWLY FOCUSED BILLS AND HAPPY TO HELP HIM HOWEVER I CAN.

>> Barry: WE HAD A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT -- AND WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT HERE.

BUT THIS VIEWER WAS WONDERING ABOUT ELECTION RELATED BILLS, VOTING BILLS.

THERE'S USUAL AN EFFORT TO TRY TO AT LEAST HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

ANY BILLS THAT EITHER OF YOU THINK ARE LIKELY TO PASS.

SENATOR DIBBLE, ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> THERE'S A FAIRLY LARGE BILL THAT HAS A LOT OF ELEMENTS TO IT ABOUT EASING VOTER REGISTRATION, MAKING SURE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER TO VOTE.

EVEN BEFORE 18, THEY WILL BECOME REGISTERED AND THEN VOTERS AND 18 YEARS OLD REFORMING A LOT OF OUR CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS TO MAKE SURE THOSE PUTTING BIG DOLLARS INTO INFLUENCING OUR ELECTIONS AND OUTCOMES, THERE'S MORE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THAT.

JUST UPHOLDING THE TRADITIONS OF MINNESOTA, VOTING FREE, FAIR, EQUAL, OPEN, ACCESSIBLE AND NOT TRYING TO EXCLUDE PEOPLE AND SEPARATE THEM FROM THEIR ABILITY AND THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> Barry: SENATOR PRATT, YOUR THOUGHTS VERY QUICKLY.

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE THE DFL THAT'S IN CONTROL DOES LOOK TO DO THIS ON A VERY BIPARTISAN BASIS, BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN OUR TRADITION.

I THINK WHAT'S BEEN FRUSTRATING FOR ME IS THAT MOST OF THE BIG BILLS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN UP SO FAR HAVE BEEN RUN BY SPECIAL INTERESTS KIND OF BEHIND THE SCENES.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF COLLABORATION, NO CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, AND I'M HOPING WE CAN GET BACK TO WORKING TOGETHER AND PUTTING A LEGISLATIVE SPIN ON THE BILLS.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS, SENATOR DIBBLE, SENATOR PRATT AND REPRESENTATIVE MCDONALD WHO RETURNED TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I WANT TO INVITE OUR VIEWERS TO JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER "YOUR LEGISLATORS" SESSION.

WE WILL BE WITH YOU EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

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 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.

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

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