>> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF PBS FOR THE STATIONS.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISIO ASSOCIATION.

>> MORE CONVERSATIONS AND WE'RE TALKING AND IT'S GOOD.

>> A PECIAL SESSION IS VERY, VERY LIKELY.

>> THE CLOCK IS TICKING, LIKELY TOWARDS A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE I ALLOT OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS PAST AND PRESENT COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY ... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: HEALTHIER HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER LAHAMMER COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE THERE'S ABOUT FIVE DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND AT THIS POINT SPECIAL SESSION SEEMS INEVITABLE, WHICH IS COMMON IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, IN BUDGET YEARS.

BUT THIS SESSION HAS BEEN UNLIKE ANY OTHER WITH THE HOUSE TIED, THE SENATE TIED AT ONE POINT, A BOYCOTT, A COCHAIR MODEL, AND FEDERAL FUNDING O CREATING A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> YES.

THE HEAD START KIDS ARE OING GOOD.

ALL OF THE KIDS ARE DOING GOOD.

>> ADVOCATES GATHERED AT THE STATE APITOL TO TRY TO SAVE HEAD START FROM FEDERAL CUTS.

>> THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE ARE FUNDING IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ APPLAUSE ] AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT THINKS THAT'S WHAT TRIMMING THE FAT IS.

THAT'S BALONEY.

THAT IS BALONEY.

OUR KIDS DESERVE MORE, WE DESERVE MORE AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE FEDS O, REGARDLESS OF WHAT D.O.G.E.

AND ELON MUSK AND THE BILLIONAIRES DO, WE MAKE SURE THAT WE STAND WITH OUR KIDS, THAT MINNESOTA CONTINUES TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOUNG FAMILIES CAN PROSPER.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT THROUGH A CHILDCARE TAX CREDIT THAT IS THE MOST GENEROUS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> THE MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE STOOD UP FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS CONTINUING TO GET HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE.

>> THE HUMANITY TO BE ABLE TO SAY, OH, WE'RE GOING TO CUT MEDICAID THAT AFFECTS EVERYBODY, WELL, HOW IS THAT BUILDING UP A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS, A NATION OF FRIENDSHIP, A NATION OF NEIGHBORS WHERE WE DO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER?

>> THE TIED HOUSE PASSED A HEALTH CARE BILL.

REPUBLICANS WANT NO MORE FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR MINNESOTACARE COVERAGE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND A REDUCTION IN ABORTION FUNDING.

>> WILL THIS LEGISLATURE AND PARTICULARLY DEMOCRATS IN MINNESOTA, Mr. SPEAKER, WILL THEY PLACE THE NEEDS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AHEAD OF THE NEEDS OF MINNESOTANS.

>> YOU ALL OWN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NOW.

YOU WENT AND GOT ELECTED.

THAT MAKES YOU RESPONSIBLE.

I KNOW YOU DIDN'T BUILD THE SYSTEM WE HAVE NOW, BUT YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE VOTES YOU TAKE IN THIS CHAMBER FOR THE COST OF HEALTH CARE.

>> MY TOP PRIORITY WAS IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH.

THIS BILL DOES IT A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT BETTER THAN ON THE OTHER SIDE.

IT'S TO SUPPORT LIFE.

>> THE SENATE TUSSLED OVER ENERGY ISSUES THAT HAD DIVIDED DEMOCRATS IN THE MAJORITY.

>> WE HOULD NOT BE HAMSTRUNG BY WHAT A SMALL MINORITY OR WHAT LEADERSHIP IS TELLING OTHER MEMBERS TO DO.

WE SHOULD BE SPEAKING FOR THE PEOPLE F MINNESOTA AND STANDING UP FOR OUR VALUES AND FOR THE REASON WHY YOUR DISTRICT ELECTED YOU AND SENT YOU DOWN HERE.

>> I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROCEDURAL POSTURING AND THE SHOW OF IT, I WANT TO ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING DONE.

MEMBERS, THE PUBLIC HAS TO COME WITH US ON OUR CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THEM AND SAY WHAT DID YOU ACTUALLY DO?

MOST PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC DON'T KNOW THE NAME OF THEIR STATE SENATOR AND MANY OF THEM DON'T CARE.

WHAT THEY WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT DID YOU ACTUALLY GET DONE.

>> THAT'S A BUNCH OF B AS IN B AND S AS IN S. PASSING THIS TODAY GIVES US A SENATE POSITION SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING FOR OUR RURAL CO-OPS AND MUNICIPAL.

>> SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, I'M CALLING IT TO ORDER.

I'M THINKING THAT WE PROBABLY WON'T GET TOGETHER UNTIL WE GET TARGETS, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE THINKING OR WHAT ARE YOU ALL THINKING?

>> KNOWING THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE OUR TARGETS YET DELIVERED TO US I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP POUNDING AWAY ON THE POLICY PROVISIONS WE CAN GET TO.

I THINK JUST FROM A TIME MANAGEMENT WE HAVE NOT MANY DAYS LEFT.

>> LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR ARE STILL TRYING TO GET A GLOBAL BUDGET DEAL.

>> >> Instructor: BEING PRETTY AMBITIOUS WITH THEM NOW BECAUSE WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THAT ROOM FOR NUMEROUS REASONS.

ONE IS WE WILL THEM TO GET THEIR WORK DONE BUT I THINK THERE'S STILL AN OUTSIDE CHANCE BUT I THINK THE THING IS WHEN WE RUSH THE REVISORS AND THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE FOR SOME OF THESE ERRORS IN DRAFTING AND I THINK IT'S BETTER FOR US TO GIVE THE TIME NECESSARY.

I THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT POINT BUT STILL AN OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S A NIQUE DYNAMIC WHERE YOU'VE GOT A TIE IN ONE-THIRD OF THE RIANGLE, IF YOU WILL.

THE SENATE HAS THEIR VOICE, HE HOUSE HAS THEIR SHOULD YOUS CFSS VOICE AND OF COURSE THE ADMINISTRATION AND IN THE HOUSE THEY'RE SPLIT.

I THINK I WANT TO THANK THE LEADERSHIP OF SPEAKERS DEMUTH AND HORTMAN HAVE BOTH NAVIGATED THIS.

AND THIS IS TOUGH.

THE CAUCUSES HOLD TOGETHER.

THEY WANT MOVEMENT ON THEIR ISSUES, AND I THINK THEY'RE NAVIGATING THEM WELL.

I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, THE PROOF'S IN THE PUDDING.

THE RESULTS ARE WHAT ARE REALLY GOING TO MATTER.

BUT I DO THINK THE PROCESS DOES MATTER IN THIS.

THIS HAS BEEN A INCREDIBLY CORDIAL, WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME YESTERDAY, TEN, 11 HOURS IN THE ROOM TOGETHER AND IT'S REMAINED POSITIVE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING BACK IN FOR MORE CONVERSATIONS AND WE'RE TALKING AND IT'S GOOD.

>> AT THIS POINT IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO GET DONE AND DO THE WORK IN THE WAY WE NEED TO, SO, YES, I THINK A SPECIAL SESSION IS VERY, VERY LIKELY IF NOT INEVITABLE, YES.

♪♪ >> JOINING US NOW IN THE HOUSE GALLERY WE HAVE LEADERS, WE HAVE DEMOCRAT JAMIE LONG AND REPUBLICAN HARRY NISKA.

WELL, GENTLEMEN, HOW CLOSE ARE WE?

WHO WANTS TO PEG HOW CLOSE WE ARE TO THAT GLOBAL DEAL?

>> WELL, WE'RE PRETTY CLOSE, WE'RE WORKING HARD, WE'RE HOPING OBVIOUSLY THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE TO GET DONE WITH OUR REGULAR SESSION IS MONDAY AND WE'RE STILL TRYING TO WORK AS HARD AS WE CAN TO GET HERE.

WE'VE OBVIOUSLY HAD SOME STOPS AND STARTS AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION, THE FEBRUARY FORECAST DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL MARCH, WE LOST 23 DAYS AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION WHEN DEMOCRATS DIDN'T SHOW UP.

BUT AND WE HAVE 100 REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS AND 100 DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS IF YOU COUNT LEGISLATORS WHO AREN'T UNDER FULLNY DIME.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE AND WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET IT DONE.

>> THERE'S A LOT N THERE.

I'VE SEEN REPUBLICAN ADS SAYING DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO CREATE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

>> WELL, WE'RE AS LEADER NISKA SAID WORKING LOSE TO RESPECTFULLY TO GET A DEAL.

WE SAW THE REPUBLICANS TRY TO ILLEGALLY SEIZE POWER AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT TOLD THEM THEY COULDN'T.

WE HAD EARLY AGREEMENTS ON TARGETS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET TO THIS POINT.

THE HOLDUP HAS EEN THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN INSISTING ON POLICY DEMANDS LIKE ROLLING BACK PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT MINNESOTANS AND HOLDING UP THE BUDGET OVER THAT.

IF WE WERE JUST TALKING NUMBERS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT FASTER TO SOLVE.

>> AND I BET YOU SEE A DIFFERENT HOLDUP FROM THE OTHER SIDE.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE HAD A DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA LAST SESSION THAT HAD AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS, TURNED THAT INTO COMING DOWN THE PIKE, -- >> WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT BUDGET, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE HOLDOUT?

IS >> WE HAVE TO BRING GOVERNMENT UNDER CONTROL AND IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE CUTS TO GOVERNMENT OBVIOUSLY IN ORDER TO BRING THAT UNDER CONTROL SO EIT'S NOT JUST RAISING MORE TAXES ON MINNESOTANS BUT WE'RE ALSO NEEDING TO HAVE A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, A BUSINESS CLIMATE THAT'S GOING TO ALLOW MINNESOTA TO GROW AND THRIVE IN THE FUTURE.

THAT'S THE REAL WAY THAT WE THRIVE BOTH FROM A FISCAL PERSPECTIVE AND JUST MAKING MINNESOTA HAVE THE FUTURE THAT IT CAN HAVE.

AND SO WE NEED TO DO ALL OF THOSE HINGS AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> ND OBSERVE CFSS AND WE WILL HEAR FROM SOME BUSINESS LEADERS WHO ARE FORMER LEADERS DOWN HERE IN JUST A MINUTE, THEY'RE IN THE WINGS.

LET'S GET BACK TO THAT, YOU MENTIONED POLICY BEING A PROBLEM BUT YOU ALSO NEED NUMBERS.

HOW HARD AND WHERE ARE YOU AT BETWEEN POLICY, ARE THERE ANY CONFERENCE COMMITTEES READY TO GO ON POLICY?

OR IS IT TOO CONNECTED TO THE BUDGET NUMBERS AND TARGETS?

>> WELL, THE G.O.P.

AND DEMOCRATS CAME UP WITH A PRETTY GOOD I THINK SET OF NUMBERS AGREEMENTS IN THE HOUSE, THAT ACTUALLY WASN'T THE HARD PART.

RIGHT, THE HARD PART HAS BEEN ALL OF THESE PROVISIONS THAT ARE UNRELATED TO THE BUDGET WHERE THE G.O.P.

HAS BEEN TRYING TO LEVERAGE THE BUDGET AND LET'S NOT FORGET THIS IS PROBABLY ONLY ROUND ONE BECAUSE TODAY IN THE U.S. CONGRESS THEY PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE BUDGET CUTS FOR MEDICAID, WHICH WOULD KICK 8.6 MILLION AMERICANS OFF OF MEDICAID AND WE KNOW THAT THAT MEDICAID COVERS ONE IN FOUR MINNESOTANS SO WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING A HUGE BUDGET GAP IF THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO BE BACK NO MATTER HAT TO DEAL WITH THE FEDERAL IMPACT ON THE BUDGET LATER THIS SUMMER?

>> NOT NECESSARILY, IF WE GET OUR BUDGET UNDER CONTROL IN MINNESOTA AND IF WE DON'T DO THINGS LIKE CONTINUE TO FUND HEALTH CARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN LOSING MORE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF WE HAVE THAT CUSHION IN OUR BUDGET WE'RE NOT GOING TO NEED TO WORRY AS MUCH ABOUT WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO.

THEY'VE GOT A HUGE BUDGET PROBLEM THEMSELVES AND MOST MINNESOTANS, MOST AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THE FEDERAL BUDGET DOES NEED TO GET UNDER CONTROL AS WELL.

>> DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BUDGE ON HAT ISSUE ABOUT IMMIGRANTS, UNDOCUMENTED HAVING HEALTH CARE?

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF EVENTS, FAITH COMMUNITIES BEEN UP A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS WEEK SAYING PRESERVE IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE ISN'T IT THERE HAD?

>> THIS HAS BEEN PRETTY UGLY POLITICS, AND I THINK REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT PEOPLE DYING IN OUR STATE BECAUSE OF COVERAGE.

WHEN ARE WE COVERING PEOPLE, WHEN IT'S MOST EXPENSIVE AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR PREVENTATIVE CARE AT THE BEGINNING, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS, LUTHERAN BISHOPS TODAY.

ING ITS LESS EXPENSIVE FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IF WE'RE PROVIDING HEALTH CARE UP FRONT.

ALL WE'RE SEEING IS REALLY UGLY DIVISIVE POLITICS ON TRYING TO MAKE THIS ISSUE ONE OF THE BUDGET POINTS.

>> DOES THE FAITH MEMBERS HAVE -- ARE MEMBERS LISTENING TO THEM?

>> OF COURSE WE CARE ABOUT THE HUMANITY OF EVERYBODY BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FISCAL IRRESPONSIBLY OF THE WAY DEMOCRATS STRUCTURED THIS LAST YEAR.

EVEN CALIFORNIA AND ILLINOIS WHO STARTED DOWN A SIMILAR ROAD ARE REALIZING THEY CAN'T FISCALLY AFFORD IT.

THE COST IN OUR STATE IS EXPLODING, OVER THREE TIMES THE ENROLLMENT THAT WERE USED TO PROJECT THE FISCAL COST OF THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO WE NEED TO AS OUR, WE'RE DEALING WITH THIS HUGE FISCAL CHALLENGE WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE WAY THAT THE DEMOCRATS STRUCTURED IT TWO YEARS AGO AND FIX THAT.

>> SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LOT THAT'S STILL FROM THE PAST THAT'S RAISING UP THIS YEAR.

>> WELL, THE FIRST THREE MONTHS WAS WITHIN THE PROJECTED COST OF THE PROGRAM.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REDUCING COSTS, HOSPITALS AND INSURERS WANT THIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THIS BRINGS DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS.

THIS IS ABOUT DEMONIZING A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO TRY TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS AND THAT IS FRANKLY REALLY DISGUSTING.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA THAT HOSPITALS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THEY HAVE MORE SKIN AND THEY PUT FEES OR TAXES?

>> WELL, WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL ABOUT THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE ISSUE OBVIOUSLY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COSTS OF GOVERNMENT ARE COMMENSURATE WITH THE, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE PAYING THOSE COSTS CERTAINLY.

BUT THE COST OF MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT, TAXES ON MINNESOTANS HAVE GONE UP ASTRONOMICALLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND WE WILL TO BE REALLY CAREFUL BEFORE WE PILE MORE TAXES ON.

MINNESOTANS.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN REALLY STRONG ON.

>> WE'VE TALKED HEALTH CARE, WE HEAR THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S A PROBLEM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

OTHER IS PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND WHETHER TO DELAY IT, BACK OFF ON IT.

WHERE ARE YOU AT ON THAT?

ARE DEMOCRATS WILLING TO GIVE ON THAT PART OF THE TRIFECTA?

>> WELL, THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY POPULAR PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT ON JANUARY 1ST, IT'S GOING TO COVER FOLKS WHEN THEY'RE TAKING LEAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A NEWBORN, WHEN THEY HAVE A SICK FAMILY MEMBER.

EVERY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD DOES THIS.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT MINNESOTANS WANT AND SO, NO, WE ARE STANDING FIRM ON TRYING TO HELP GET ACCESS TO PAID LEAVE FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> THE SENATE HAD SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT KIND OF SLOWING THIS DOWN, DOES THAT HELP YOU IN YOUR NEGOTIATIONS?

>> I THINK THE PAYROLL TAXES ARE GOING TO HIT MINNESOTA WORKERS AND REGULATORY COSTS ON MINNESOTA BUSINESSES, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW DIFFICULT THIS ACTUALLY IS GOING TO BE TO ROLL OUT, HOW COSTLY TO ROLL OUT AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE LOOK AT WAYS TO FIX THAT PROGRAM.

DEMOCRATS CREATED A HUGE NEW STATE BUREAUCRACY AND THAT'S GOING TO HAVE SOME COSTS AND CONCERNS AS IT OLLS OUT.

FRANKLY JUST DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN REALISTIC ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT'S GOING TO FACE, GOING TO POSE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE WAYS THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT FIXING THEM.

>> WHAT ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

THAT CAME UP TODAY ESPECIALLY UP ON THE RANGE.

THE RANGE USED TO BE DEMOCRATS, USED TO HAVE A MIX OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, NOW IT'S BECOME MORE REPUBLICANS, HAS THIS BECOME A PARTISAN ISSUE?

>> THERE WAS A PARTISAN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO MOVE THIS BILL WHEN THE SENATE HADN'T TAKEN UP THE INDIVIDUAL BILL, ALREADY MOVING IN THE BUDGET BILL SO THEY WANTED TO TRY TO FORCE A VOTE ON IT.

THE BROADER CONCERN WE'VE HAD ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED TO ROLL IT BACK FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT RIGHT NOW WHO ARE HOURLY SCHOOL WORKERS LIKE BUS DRIVERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS WHO NEED THIS TIME IN THE SUMMER TO BE ABLE TO COVER THEIR IN BETWEEN SCHOOL TIME.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE PROVIDE TO EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING MINERS WHEN THEY HAVE DOWN TIME WHEN THEY'RE NOT WORKING.

>> IS THIS BEING DISCUSSED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

COULD THIS BE ROLLED INTO A GLOBAL POLICY AND NUMBERS DEAL?

>> WELL, OF COURSE IT'S BEING DISCUSSED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT IT WAS A PARTISAN VOTE ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

I WOULD THINK THAT THIS WAS A DEMOCRAT BILL, IT SHOULD BE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PASS IT OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR WITH 34-0, IT'S UNFORTUNATE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE HAVEN'T MOVED IT FORWARD.

BUT TO COMPARE MINERS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF A ROLLBACK TO SEASONAL SCHOOL WORKERS WHO KNOW THAT EVERY SUMMER THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TIME OFF IS FRANKLY INSULTING TO THOSE FAMILIES ON THE IRON RANGE.

>> LAST QUESTION BECAUSE WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

TIMELINES, SPECIAL SESSION WE HEARD THE MAJORITY LEADER FROM THE SENATE SAY "INEVITABLE.." IS IT INEVITABLE?

ARE YOU WILLING TO CONCEDE THAT?

>> YES, I AM.

>> FOR A CLEAN FINISH IS IT SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I DON'T THINK IT HAS TO BE INEVITABLE BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW WE WOULD GET IT ALL DONE IN TIME.

HOPEFULLY THE, I KNOW THE WORK IS CONTINUING, HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN WRAP THINGS UP AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, BUT WHETHER WE CAN GET THAT ALL DONE BY MONDAY NIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

>> AND MAYBE COME BACK QUICKLY, DO YOU THINK THAT MODEL WOULD, YOU NOW, GET A DEAL IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND FINISH UP SPECIAL NEXT WEEK?

>> I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE WHERE FOLKS WILL COME BACK AND DO A ONE OR TWO-DAY SPECIAL SESSION TO TRY TO GET IT ALL WRAPPED UP.

>> GOOD LUCK YOU TOO.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS.

>> YEP.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> JOINING ME NOW TO DISSECT THE STATE OF THIS SESSION, FORMER LEADERS, THEY USED TO TOIL DOWN HERE, WE HAVE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER REPUBLICAN KURT ZELLERS AND FORMER MAJORITY LEADER, DEMOCRAT RYAN WINKLER.

OKAY, YOU TWO.

IS THE CALENDAR JUST, YOU KNOW, OUT OF DATE?

YOU'RE BOTH IN BUSINESS NOW, YOU HAVE TO REACH DEADLINES, ARE THESE UNREALISTIC DEADLINES HERE?

>> THEY'RE TRYING TO JAM TOO MUCH STUFF INTO A FEW SHORT MONTHS.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN CLEAR FOR A LONG TIME.

THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T HAVE ANY TIME TO DO OVERSIGHT, SO REPUBLICANS ARE MAD ABOUT PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE AND THE ROLLOUT, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS AND PUSH THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY DON'T, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL JUST KIND OF A BILL FACTORY, RUSH TO THE END AND HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT AND THAT'S WHY I THINK THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF CLEANUP TO DO THIS YEAR FROM THE 2023 SESSION.

>> HE'S 100% RIGHT.

>> WOW, THEY DIDN'T AGREE WHEN THEY WERE IN THE CHAMBER.

[ LAUGHTER ] BUT WE'LL DO IT NOW.

>> PUT ME ON THE AG COMMITTEE IF I REMEMBER.

>> THE BEST STRIKE ZONE YOU COULD ASK FOR AND HE ALWAYS STAYED WITHIN IT.

TESTED THE EDGES BUT ALWAYS STAYED WITHIN IT.

>> YOU'RE HEAD OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP NOW, NOW THAT YOU HAVE TO REACH BUSINESS DEADLINES AND CAN'T BLOW PAST THEM, YOU DON'T HAVE SPECIAL SESSIONS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, DOES THIS SEEM UNREALISTIC AND OFF NOW THAT YOU'VE LEFT IT?

>> ALL JOKING ASIDE, RYAN'S RIGHT, DO IT RIGHT.

DON'T HIT A DEADLINE TO HIT A DEADLINE, ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU PRINT OUT A 1500-PAGE BILL THAT TWO PEOPLE READ MAYBE.

AND THEN GO BACK AND GO OH, MY GOD, WHAT DID WE PUT IN THERE?

DO IT RIGHT AND E UP FRONT AND SAY, LOOK, WE'RE GOING TO TRY AS HARD AS WE CAN TO THE VERY LAST MINUTE BUT IF NOT COME BACK A COUPLE OF DAYS, OR TAKE A TWO-WEEK COOLING-OFF PERIOD, BUT COME BACK AND DO IT RIGHT, DON'T RUSH AND MAKE A BAD BILL.

>> THIS IS ALMANAC, SO WE CAN GEEK OUT AND TALK ABOUT THE REVISOR.

WE ARE HEARING THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THAT'S NOT NICE TO THE REVISORS.

YOU'D TRY TO GET A DEAL TO THE END AND FORCE THE REVISOR AND GET A TON OF MISTAKES.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S I GUESS PROGRESS BUT IT'S BEEN THE SAME WAY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I THINK REALLY THE COVID REMOTE WORK ENVIRONMENT KIND OF SHIFTED THE REVISOR'S CAPACITY TO CHURN OUT STUFF AND IT WAS UNSUSTAINABLE.

I MEAN, THE RISK THAT WE WERE ASKING PEOPLE TO TAKE WITH THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR LIVES, YOU KNOW, THESE 4:00 A.M.

SESSIONS AND SO ON, THAT WAS JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE.

SO I THINK IT'S BEEN A NEEDED CORRECTION.

>> AND I MEAN, DO PEOPLE LEAVE FRANKLY BECAUSE OF THE HOURS?

YOU GET RECRUITED AS A FRESHMAN, IT'S DANDY AND YOU GET HERE AND DON'T SEE YOUR KIDS AND YOUR FAMILY AND IT'S TOUGH, IGHT?

>> I DID LOVE THE CAMARADERIE IN THE RETIRING ROOM AND GET TO KNOW PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF FLOOR SPEECHES IWHEN DON'T TELL ANYBODY BUT A LITTLE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT AND THE REVISORS, OKAY, HURRY UP AND GET HIS DONE, YOU'VE HAD IT FOR THREE MONTHS AND WAIT 'TIL THE END TO GET YOUR AMENDMENT WRITTEN.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT.

I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR A LONGER SESSION OR FULL-TIME.

>> YEAR-ROUND.

>> IN OTHER STATES AND WE HAVE MEMBERS IN STATES IN THE INTERIM THERE'S A LOT OF WORK DONE TO RYAN'S POINT ON LOOKING AT THAT OVERSIGHT.

WHAT DID WE PASS, HOW CAN WE DO THIS BETTER AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT START ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE IN A TIE LIKE THIS, DO IT BIPARTISANLY.

SPEAKING OVERSIGHT THERE'S REAL BIPARTISAN MOMENTUM AND AGREEMENT ON WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE, CREATING A WHOLE NEW OFFICE, NEW LEGISLATION.

IS THAT ONE OF THE VICTORIES OF SESSION TOGETHER?

>> I THINK IT'S A POLITICAL IE MAYBE.

I'M NOT SURE IT ACTUALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE LAWS FOR PROTECTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A LONG TIME.

THE STAFF TO LOOK OVER IT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.

I THINK WHATEVER HAS HAPPENED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REALLY IS A DISASTER, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S HAPPENED BUT IT'S BEEN A DISASTER.

>> WOULD AN INSPECTOR GENERAL HAVE CAUGHT THAT?

THIS NEW OFFICE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GONNA HAPPEN?

>> WELL IN IN THE CASE OF FEEDING OUR FUTURE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BASICALLY DID FIND IT AND THEY WERE STILL FORCED TO KEEP PAYING.

I THINK THERE'S A SCALE PROBLEM, IT'S JUST LIKE THE LEVEL OF FRAUD AND THE LEVEL OF SCAM THAT HAS BEEN PERPETRATED ON STATE GOVERNMENT IS NOT LIKE ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN BEFORE, I'M NOT SURE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL IS GOING TO FIX IT, I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A CHANGE IN CULTURE AND THE PEOPLE ADMINISTERING THESE PROGRAMS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE KIND OF THREATS THEY FACE.

>> THE BUSINESS WORLD HAS AUDITS, IS THAT APPLICABLE HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND IN FACT WE ACTUALLY SOME OF OUR MEMBERS OFFERED AND SAID, LOOK, WE'LL COME, DELOITTE, PWC, WE HAVE SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST AUDITING FIRMS IN OUR BACKYARD.

WE'LL KEEP IT QUIET, WON'T RELEASE ANYBODY'S DATA BUT LET US COME IN AND HELP YOU.

LOOK AT THE ROBBINSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT, SOMEBODY MISTOOK A PLUS OR MINUS AND NOW THEY'RE HOW MANY MILLIONS IN ARREARS, STATUTORY OPERATING DEFICIT.

WELL, THAT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S A HEALTHY SKEPTICISM, BUSINESS, BUSINESS HAS MORE THAN HEALTHY SKEPTICISM OF GOVERNMENT BUT IN INSTANCES WHERE WE'RE DOING OUR BEST WORK HERE AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY, ASK FOR HELP, WE'RE HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> YOU TWO ARE NOW IN THE BUSINESS WORLD, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT SKIN YOU HAVE IN THE GAME.

>> I'M JUST A CITIZEN THAT HAS CONCERN ABOUT THE WORLD.

I HAVE NO -- >> YOUR THC BEVERAGE BUSINESS.

>> NO, NO.

> >> ARY TOLD ME ONE TIME IF YOU WANT TO GET ON TV, BRING PROPS.

AND THIS IS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.

THIS IS JEAN CRANE, CEO FOR BREMER BANK, RETIRED TONIGHT, I WENT TO HER PARTY.

>> CLASSIC.

>> JEAN IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS TO THE STATE.

SHE'S ON THE GUTHRIE BOARD, ORDWAY BOARD, PART OF THE YMCA, CHAIR OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, THOSE ARE THE KIND OF BUSINESS LEADERS WE WANT IN OUR STATE AND IF YOU WANT TO BUILD THAT COMPETITIVE HEADQUARTERS ECONOMY, ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY PER CAPITA, YOU HAVE TO FIX THE BAN ON NON-COMPETE AGREEMENTS.

YOU DO HAVE TO FIX THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE BECAUSE IT'S JUST, AND GOD BLESS THEM, I HOPE THEY'RE RIGHT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE A REALLY GOOD HISTORY OF ROLLING OUT COMPLEX I.T.

SYSTEMS, AND HAVING THEM WORK ON DAY ONE.

>> MNLARS, MNSURE.

TO NAME A FEW IN THE PAST.

>> AND JUST TO MAKE A COUNTERPOINT HERE, KURT.

YOU KNOW, THREE OUT OF TEN KIDS IN MINNESOTA ARE ON MEDICAID, THAT MEANS THAT ONE OUT OF THREE KIDS ALMOST IS POOR ENOUGH TO QUALIFY TO BE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

AND THAT MEDICAID PROGRAM IS, YOU KNOW, UNDER THREAT.

THAT'S ONE THING.

BUT THE OTHER IS WE HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT IS SENDING ALL OF THE MONEY TO THE VERY PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

AND IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND DONALD TRUMP, IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THERE'S SO MUCH DISSATISFACTION ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT'S A BIG PART OF IT.

SO I THINK THERE'S A BIG LEVEL OF TURMOIL THAT'S GOING ON IN OUR SOCIETY RIGHT NOW AND IT'S A LOT OF IT IS ECONOMICALLY DRIVEN.

SO A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS SIDESHOW.

THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY GETTING TO THE HEART OF ISSUES.

>> DO PEOPLE DISLIKE POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA AND BUSINESS NOW EQUALLY?

IS THAT A PROBLEM FOR ALL OF US?

>> IT'S GOOD TALKING POINTS TO BASH A CEO OR BASH A GOVERNOR.

BUT THERE'S 500,000 MINNESOTAN THAT'S WORK FOR M BB MEMBER COMPANIES.

ONE-SIXTH OF MINNESOTA'S WORKFORCE WORKS OR OUR MEMBER COMPANIES.

GLOBALLY, 4.8 MILLION.

WHILE IT'S FUN TO SAY THAT CEO MAKES TOO MUCH OR SHE'S GETTING OVERPAID IT'S HE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT COMES FROM HAVING A COMPANY HEADQUARTERED HERE THAT PROVIDES THE REALLY GOOD JOBS, SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, AND THEN THE MARKETING THAT COMES AFTER, THE PRODUCTION THAT COMES AFTER.

AND THEN THAT DOESN'T EVEN INCORPORATE ALL OF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT FEED THESE COMPANIES.

SO, AGAIN, GOOD POLITICS, BAD POLICY.

WE WANT REALLY GOOD COMPANIES TO STAY HERE NOT MOVE O ANOTHER STATE.

>> I WISH WE COULD KEEP GOING.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION.

THANKS YOU TOO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> AND WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS TO LOOK AT HOW THE REGULAR SESSION CONCLUDED AND LIKELY A SPECIAL SESSION AHEAD.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE THAT'S WWW.TPT.ORG/AATC.

YOU CAN WATCH THE LEGISLATURE IN THESE FINAL HOURS, DAY, NIGHT, IT'S ON THE STATEWIDE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, FLOOR SESSIONS, PRESS CONFERENCE AND MORE.

FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC" ALL FOUR BIG DOGS, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THE SHOW AS IS THE TRADITION, SO TUNE IN FOR THAT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY ... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA: HEALTHIER HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

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