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

>>> JUST DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, PETITIONS AND SIT-INS ARE PLANNED.

WE'LL HAVE HOUSE LEADERS UP IN THE GALLERY.

THAT'S 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 B BY: MANITOBA HYDRO.

PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBA HYDRO POWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES.

A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY.

PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER/OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEE DAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA.

EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

>>> WELCOME TO NAUK.

I'M MARY LAHAMMER COMING TOY LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE THERE ARE JUST FOUR FLOOR SESSIONS LEFT IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT MIGHT BE ENOUGH, BECAUSE WE ARE HEARING THAT NEGOTIATIONS ARE PRODUCTIVE.

AND A DEAL COULD BE COMING AS SOON AS TONIGHT, A SESSION-ENDING DEAL.

SO PERHAPS THAT COULD START TRICKLING OUT TONIGHT OR TOMORROW.

WE DO HAVE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HERE AND WE'LL ALK TO THEM ABOUT THAT.

BUT BILLS ARE PASSING AND PRESSURE IS BUILDING.

>>> WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT, HE SENATE SENT THE GOVERNOR A ILL TO CREATE AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL THIS IS NOT A MESSAGE.

WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

MINNESOTANS ARE FRUSTRATED.

MINNESOTANS ARE ANGRY.

AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE.

THIS NEW OFFICE, WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A SILVER BULLET TO STOP ALL FRAUD, IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR TOOL TO CREATE A CULTURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

>>> WE ARE HERE ON A DAY THAT MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE, AND WHY?

BECAUSE WE ARE PASSING A BIPARTISAN, WELL-VETTED THOROUGHLY WORKED THROUGH ANTI FRAUD BILL.

>>> I WISH MORE BILLS WERE BUILT THIS WAY.

WHERE YOU HAD THAT REAL TRUE BIPARTISAN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH A GOAL.

IT IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>> THIS PROVIDES A GREAT FOUNDATION.

YEAH, IT ISN'T PERFECT, BUT IT'S REALLY GOOD.

>>> THE SENATE PASSED I.C.E.

ACCOUNTABILITY THAT EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES WANT TO REQUIRE FEDERAL AGENTS TO SHOW I. D. AND WARRANTS.

>>> AM I SAFE?

DO I NEED TO HIDE?

MY HERITAGE?

THAT KIND OF FEAR DOESN'T GO AWAY.

IT STAYS WITH YOU, AND IT LINGERS.

>>> WE NEED TO STOP PRETENDING THAT THIS FEAR CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

PARENTS ARE NOT CREATING FEAR BY BEING HONEST WITH THEIR CHILDREN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

>>> THE CONSTITUTION WAS BEING VIOLATED, AND THEY LOOKED AWAY.

YOU DON'T GET TO CLAIM THOSE VALUES AND THEN ABANDON FAMILIES.

AND YOU DON'T GET TO CLAIM THOSE VALUES AND ABANDON THE CONSTITUTION YOU SWORE TO PROTECT.

>>> WE ARE ASKING THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO LEAD WITH BOLDNESS AND COURAGE, THE SAME WAY THESE PARENTS HAVE LED ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> ALSO IN RESPONSE TO IMMIGRATION ACTION, DEMOCRATS DEMANDED BUSINESS RELIEF.

>>> WE KNOW THAT THIS WAS A STATEWIDE ISSUE WE KNOW THERE WERE IMPACTS IN WILLMAR, GRAND RAPIDS, ST.

CLOUD AND ROCHESTER.

WHERE MINNESOTA IMMIGRANTS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE MAIN STREETS AND ECONOMIES THERE.

>>> FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO BUILT SOMETHING REAL IN THIS STATE, AND WHO ARE NOW WATCHING IT SLIP AWAY WHILE THE HOUSE CAUCUS PLAYS POLITICS.

>>> WHEN JUST ONE CHILD IS SHOT AND WHY THEY WANT A ILL PASSED TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE AFTER THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL SHOOTING.

>>> IT DOESN'T GO AWAY.

I MEAN, THAT WAS NINE MONTHS AGO?

AND IT STILL WAKES ME UP AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

>>> WE NEED EVERYONE WHO IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF THIS VOTE COMING TO THE FLOOR, AND WE NEED EVERYONE WHO HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A VOTE ON IT TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE VOTING FOR OR AGAINST.

>>> I URGE SPEAKER DEMUTH TO BRING THAT BILL OUT OF HIDING SO WE CAN TAKE A REAL VOTE N IT.

>>> THIS WOULD BE ONE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE VETTED THROUGH COMMITTEE.

>>> REPRESENTATIVE NISKA MOVES A RECESS TO THE CALL OF THE SPEAKER.

>>> Mr.

SPEAKER, I ASK FOR A ROLL CALL.

Mr.

SPEAKER, I ASK FOR A ROLL CALL.

ROLL CALL, 15 HANDS FOR A ROLL CALL, Mr.

SPEAKER.

♪ >>> JOINING US NOW, THE FACES BEHIND THE VOICES.

IT GOT A LITTLE CHIPPY YESTERDAY.

WE HAVE THE HOUSE FLOOR LEADERS, DEMOCRAT JAMIE LONG AND REPUBLICAN HARRY NISKA.

WELL, GENTLEMEN, I KNOW YOU CAN'T REVEAL ALL OF IT, BUT WE'RE HEARING A DEAL IS DONE.

OR VERY CLOSE TO DONE.

THINGS ARE GOING WELL ON A SESSION-ENDING DEAL, CORRECT.

>>> I MEAN, WE'RE COMING CLOSE TO -- WE HAVE TO PASS BILLS BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY, AND SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION, AND OBVIOUSLY WE ARE STILL WORKING VERY HARD AND TRACKING TO FINISH THAT WORK BY MIDNIGHT SUNDAY THAT WE -- THAT THE TAXPAYERS EXPECT US TO DO.

>>> AND YOU BOTH TOOK IT TO CAUCUS.

CAUCUS.

ARE MEMBERS FEELING GOOD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

>>> I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GOOD BIPARTISAN CONVERSATION ABOUT SOME OF THE HIGH-PICTURE, BIG PRIORITIES, LIKE MAKING SURE WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE HOSPITAL IN HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE WITH THE BONDING BILL.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S SOME AREAS WHERE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT, BUT AREAS THE LEADERS WERE WORKING TOWARDS, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT F GOOD FEELING.

>>> SO HCMC AND BONDING, THAT FEELS LIKE THE MOST BIPARTISAN MOMENTUM.

THAT SEEMS DOABLE OR DONE?

>>> WELL, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO THIS YEAR HAS TO BE BIPARTISAN.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN PLACES WHERE WE HAVE HAD OUR DIFFERENT VIEWS AND SHOWN OUR DIFFERENT VIEWS.

AND WHERE WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS IS ON THINGS THAT -- WHERE THERE'S BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT, AND YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TWO IMPORTANT THINGS.

THERE ARE OTHERS.

MODERNIZING THE TAX SYSTEM FOR OUR SCHOOLS, DEALING WITH CONFORMITY WITH FEDERAL LAW IN A NUMBER OF AREAS.

YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE -- THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT, AND WE'RE OH WORKING ON FINDING BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO THAT.

AND LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE TO GET THAT WORK DONE BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND, AND I THINK EVERYBODY IS RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO MOVE FORWARDS THAT DEADLINE.

>>> AND YOU SAW AND OUR VIEWERS SAW THAT SENATE BILL THAT THEY PASSED DEALING WITH SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN CONTROL.

YOU HEARD TODAY 24-HOUR ULTIMATUM, SIT-INS IF THE SPEAKER DOESN'T RECEIVE THAT.

WILL SHE RECEIVE IT?

IS THE HOUSE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT BILL.

>>> WELL, WE NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD ON THINGS SO REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON TRYING TO FIND BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON SCHOOL SAFETY, PUBLIC OFFICIAL SAFETY AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

WHAT WE SAW FROM THE SENATE WAS APPARENTLY THE DECIDING VOTE IN THE SENATE, VOTED FOR THAT BILL WITH THE IDEA THAT THE OUSE WASN'T GOING TO PASS IT.

AND SO WE'RE NOT REALLY INTERESTED N TAKING UP SOMETHING THAT'S -- HASN'T BEEN VETTED THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SOMETHING SUPER COMPLICATED HAS I THINK PROBLEMS THAT WERE KNITTED TO ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

IT WOULD NEED TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL COMMITTEE STOPS AND DOESN'T HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

SO IT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING THAT WE REALLY HAVE TIME TO TAKE UP IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS OF SESSION.

>>> IS IT POSSIBLE ONE OR TWO REPUBLICANS MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN SOMETHING, SOME LANGUAGE?

>>> WELL, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT VOTE AND FIND OUT.

BUT, APPARENTLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO.

WE HAVE HAD THE BILL HIDDEN FOR NINE WHOLE DAYS, SO IT CAN'T GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

IF IT IS AND WE'RE ABLE TO GET TO COMMITTEE.

THE SENATE HAD AN UP OR DOWN VOTE.

YOU HEARD FROM THE PUBLIC, THEY ARE ASKING FOR AN UP OR DOWN VOTE, AS WELL.

THIS IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE WITH THE PUBLIC.

THE PUBLIC WANTS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

THEY WANT US TO RESPOND TO THE 3 ANNUNCIATION TRAGEDY.

ALL WE'RE ASKING IS THAT WE PUT UP THE BILL FOR A VOTE.

BUT SO FAR, THE BILL HAS BEEN HIDDEN.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT.

>>> AND YOU WON'T JUST DO THE SCHOOL SAFETY PART, THAT THERE COULD BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND DEMOCRATS ARE STILL HOLDING ON TO IT, IT'S A WHOLE PACKAGE.

>>> WE HAVE A BILL THAT PASSED THE SENATE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

WE WANT TO HAVE A VOTE IN THE HOUSE ON THAT BILL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND TRY TO GET AN ANSWER FOR THE PUBLIC ABOUT WHERE FOLKS STAND ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

>>> ANY SCHOOL SAFETY LANGUAGE POSSIBLE COMING OUT OF THESE NOTIONS?

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, IT'S A PRIORITY WE FIND BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON SCHOOL SAFETY JUST LIKE WE FOUND SOME -- MADE SOME BIPARTISAN PROGRESS ON PUBLIC OFFICIAL SAFETY.

THE FRUSTRATION WE'RE HAVING IS THERE IS THIS GIGANTIC SENATE BILL THAT HAS PARTISAN ELEMENTS, AND SOME BIPARTISAN ELEMENTS, AND IT'S UNCLEAR TO US WHY DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO ALLOW BIPARTISAN WORK ON UBLIC OFFICIAL SAFETY TO GO FORWARD, BUT HAVE HELD UP THE BIPARTISAN WORK THAT WE COULD BE DOING ON SCHOOL SAFETY, HOSTAGE TO A GUN CONTROL THEY KNOW DOES NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT TO PASS THE HOUSE.

>>> WHAT ABOUT SAFETY FOR YOURSELVES?

IN OBVIOUSLY WE EVERY DAY WHEN WE SIT IN THE HOUSE HERE, WE ARE FACED WITH LOSING ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS, FORMER SPEAKER.

IS THAT GOING TO BE A DONE DEAL, DEALING WITH MORE SECURITY FOR LAWMAKERS, JUDGES, ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS?

HOW IS THAT GOING?

>>> I THINK WE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD WORK ON A BIPARTISAN BILL TO TRY TO PROTECT EVERYONE WHO IS AT THE CAPITOL.

CERTAINLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT THE PUBLIC THAT COMES UP HERE EVERY DAY, PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, JUDGES, AS WELL, WE KNOW THAT WE WERE LAGGING BEHIND A LOT OF OTHER STATES IN TERMS OF SECURITY IN OUR PUBLIC SPACES AND I'M GLAD WE'RE TAKING THESE STEPS TOGETHER.

>>> IS THERE A DEAL BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ON THAT?

>>> SAFETY FOR LAWMAKERS, SAFETY FOR JUDGES, SAFETY FOR VISITORS AT THE CAPITOL, NOT IMPORTANT TO JUST US PERSONALLY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.

SO IT IS GOOD THERE IS BIPARTISAN WORK BEING DONE ON THAT AREA.

WHAT I THINK IS NOT GOOD IS THE IDEA THAT THAT PROGRESS CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT BEING HOSTAGE TO GUN CONTROL.

BUT DEMOCRATS AREN'T WILLING TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE COULD AGREE ON TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE WITHOUT HOLDING IT HOSTAGE FOR GUN CONTROL.

>>> SO IS IT OR ISN'T IT GOING TO COME OUT OF NEGOTIATIONS AND ON TO THE FLOOR?

IS IT LINKED?

IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>>> WHAT WE SAID WHEN WE MOVED THE PUBLIC OFFICIAL SAFETY PROGRESS, YOU KNOW, BILL THROUGH, AND INTO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD AT THE END OF THE DAY FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE TO VOTE FOR THAT.

IF THERE'S NOT SOMETHING DONE MORE ABOUT KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE AT THE SAME TIME.

AGAIN, ON THE SAME BASIS.

NOW, WE'RE LOOKING FOR BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON SCHOOL SAFETY IN THE SAME WAY THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS ON CAPITOL SAFETY.

>>> SO CAN THIS NEW LEVEL OF SAFETY AND SECURITY CONTINUE IF THERE IS NOT A BILL?

CAN THIS CONTINUE THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER IN THE ADMINISTRATION?

>>> WELL, WE DID PASS A BILL OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR.

I THINK THERE IS INTEREST IN TRYING TO FIND A PATH FORWARD ON THAT.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT ON THE GUN VIOLENCE PIECE, WE HAVE NOT TIED THAT TO SAFETY IN THE CAPITOL.

THAT IS A BIPARTISAN BILL EVERYWHERE ELSE.

EXCEPT AT THE CAPITOL.

AND I IMAGINE THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE THEIR MEMBERS STABBED ON A COMPREHENSIVE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION PACKAGE.

>>> LET'S VISIT BACK TO HCMC, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S COMING TOGETHER.

CAN EITHER OF YOU SAY WHAT THE MECHANISM?

BECAUSE THERE DEFINITELY SEEMED TO BE THE WILL FROM BOTH PARTIES, BOTH CHAMBERS.

BUT THE WAY WAS IN DISPUTE.

IS THERE A CLEAR FUNDING MECHANISM?

>>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT REALLY IS NOT TRYING TO INCREASE THE COSTS ON MINNESOTANS THAT THEY'RE ALREADY CURRENTLY DEALING WITH AND TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO USE EXISTING RESOURCES, AT LEAST FOR -- A LONG ENOUGH FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ITS GOVERNANCE NEEDS TO BE GOING FORWARD.

WE'RE REALLY DEALING WITH NOT JUST THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ALL HOSPITALS ARE DEALING WITH, BUT SOME REAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY THAT THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN RUN AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A TEMPORARY SOLUTION TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET THAT HOSPITAL INTO A MORE SUSTAINABLE SPOT, AS WELL AS TRYING TO DEAL MORE GENERALLY WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT ALL, ESPECIALLY CRITICAL CARE HOSPITALS, ARE DEALING WITH IN TERMS OF THE WAYS THAT THE FINANCIAL STRUCTURE JUST REALLY ISN'T WORKING FOR THEM.

>>> SO ULTIMATELY, DO YOU THINK THE LEGISLATION THAT COMES OUT, THE FINAL WILL JUST BE HCMC OR DEAL WITH BROADER PROBLEMS?

>>> I KNOW THAT'S A BIG PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

HCMC IS A STATEWIDE ASSET.

PEOPLE TRAVEL TO HOUSE BILLING MISCHARACTERIZE.

LAST TIME I WAS TERE, THERE WAS A HELICOPTER COMING FROM WISCONSIN.

THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT, CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL FOR THE WHOLE STATE.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, A LOT OF OUR HOSPITALS ARE FACING CHALLENGES AND THAT'S FRANKLY BECAUSE OF HR1, THE BILL THAT PASSED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WHERE WE'RE SEEING THESE CUTS O PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE THAT'S PUTTING MORE PRESSURE FOR UNCOMPENSATED CARE ON OUR HOSPITALS.

THEY'RE COMING TO US ND TELLING US THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE A REALLY BIG DEAL WHEN WE SEE OVER 100,000 MINNESOTANS LOSE HEALTHCARE THIS FALL.

>>> REPUBLICANS IN OMMITTEE HAVE SAID, THIS IS IN PART BECAUSE OF FEDERAL ACTION, AND SOME OTHER FACTORS.

WHAT FACTORS DO YOU SEE?

>>> SO, I MEAN, THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS JUST THE FACT THAT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UNCOMPENSATED CARE, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC PROGRAMS, A LOT OF THAT IS SUBSIDIZED BY OTHER PIECES OF IT.

AND DIFFERENT HOSPITALS HAVE DIFFERENT MIXES BETWEEN THE PRIVATE PAYERS THAT REALLY SUBSIDIZE THE OTHER PIECES OF IT.

AND SO IT'S A COMPLICATED PROBLEM THAT INVOLVES FIGURING OUT WHAT THE RIGHT REIMBURSEMENT RATES ARE TO MAKE IT WORK FOR DIFFERENT HOSPITALS, AND ALSO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO, YOU KNOW, CREATE BACKSTOP PROGRAMS THAT HOSPITALS THAT ARE REALLY FACING ERIOUS PROBLEMS CAN ACCESS.

BUT, AGAIN, DOING IT IN A WAY THAT'S NOT INCREASING THE COSTS OF -- ON MILLENNIALS -- >>> THAT'S DOABLE, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S COMING TOGETHER.

>>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, HENNEPIN COUNTY -- THE HCMC CAME IN ASKING FOR A MASSIVE NEW TAX INCREASE THAT REALLY WAS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE POLITICALLY VIABLE THIS YEAR.

SO FINDING SOME OTHER SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM IS WHERE A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION IS.

>>> IN SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM?

BECAUSE REPUBLICAN TAX CHAIR DAVID SAID WE DON'T WANT BAND-AID.

WE ACTUALLY WANT TO FIX THIS.

THAT SEEMS REALLY HARD.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FINAL RESULT IS?

SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM?

>>> I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN ACTIVE CONVERSATION AROUND GOVERNANCE AND MAKING SURE THE STATE IS MAKING BIG STAKE IN HELPING OUT THE HOSPITAL.

THERE IS BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THERE IS A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM SET UP FOR THE HOSPITAL.

SO, YOU KNOW, ARE WE GOING TO FIX VERYTHING THIS YEAR, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I THINK THERE IS AGREEMENT THAT WE NEED TO STABILIZE AND KEEP HCMC OPEN.

>>> AND THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE KIND OF THE BONDING SESSION.

IT'S NOT THE BUDGET.

SO ANOTHER BONDING BILL IS COMING TOGETHER?

>>> THERE'S A LOT -- HERE'S A LOT F GOOD DISCUSSION AROUND A BONDING BILL, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT, AGAIN, IT'S SIZED RIGHT SO IT MAKES SENSE WITHIN OUR BUDGET IN TERMS OF THE DEBT SERVICE AND THAT IT'S FOCUSED ON THE THINGS THAT THE CORE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MINNESOTA EXPECTS US TO USE THIS -- THIS FOR.

THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THAT IT'S FOCUSED ON, YOU KNOW, WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, BRIDGES.

THAT KIND OF HARD INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAKES SENSE.

AGAIN, WE'RE THINKING ABOUT BORROWING MONEY IN THE FUTURE.

IT NEEDS TO BE THE KIND OF THING THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE IN A FAMILY BUDGET IN OUR STATE BUDGET TO BE BORROWING MONEY FOR.

AND SO THERE'S BEEN GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

>>> THANK YOU, LEADERS.

WE'LL LOOK FOR AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE DETAILS OF A DEAL AND HOPE YOU FINISH BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪ ♪ >>> THIS WEEKS RETIRING LAWMAKERS SERVED FOR 15 YEARS WITH A REAL DEDICATION TO HEALTHY AND HUM SERVICES, AND THAT'S WHERE HE IS RIGHT NOW, SO WE'RE HOPING HE SHOWS UP, BUT ALSO IN NEGOTIATIONS, WE HEAR, AS A BIG GLOBAL DEAL APPEARS TO BE COMING TOGETHER HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

USUALLY, YOU CAN FIND HIM IN THE BACK ROW HERE AT THE CHAMBER.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CAREER OF REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JOE SCHOMACKER.

>>> STRONG, BIPARTISAN COALITIONS ARE NOT NLY INTERESTED IN MORE MONEY FOR NURSING HOMES, BUT ALSO CHANGING THE WAY FUNDING WORKS.

>>> IF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE TATE WERE GROWING AT THE SAME RATE THAT THE NUMBER OF SENIORS ARE GROWING IN THE STATE, WE WOULD NEED 1,200 NEW CLASSROOMS IN MINNESOTA.

>>> THE SEPARATE 5% CAMPAIGN IS BACK, BIGGER AND MORE FOCUSED ON HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER ADULTS, AND THEY WERE SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED TO BE LEFT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, BUT THEY EXPECT LAWMAKERS WILL STEP UP AGAIN.

>>> HOME-BASED CAREGIVERS SAYING THEY'RE LEFT OUT AND THEY WERE SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?

>>> A LOT OF THE SAME, THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR ELDERLY AND DISABLED ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE A PRIORITY IN THE STATE AND I THINK THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR AND THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE OUT THERE WITH US ON THAT ONE.

>>> THE MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER.

>>> THANK YOU, Mr.

SPEAKER AND MEMBERS.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE SUPPORT FOR THIS.

I THINK THAT'S A WORD I'VE BEEN USING A LOT THIS AFTERNOON.

AND WOULD JUST -- CRAP, I WAS GOING TO DO IT AGAIN.

JUST VOTE FOR THE BILL.

>>> I'M EXCITED FOR THE NEW EXPERIENCES THAT 'M GOING TO HAVE MOVING FORWARD.

I'M EXCITED THAT I'M FINALLY PUSHING MYSELF TO GO OUT AND SERVE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

BUT I'M NOT EXCITED TO SAY GOODBYE.

24-YEAR-OLD JOE MIGHT BE A LITTLE DISILLUSIONED WITH 39-YEAR-OLD JOE AND HOW HE GOT THROUGH LAST YEAR, BUT YOU WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, AND YOU GET THROUGH WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

BECAUSE POLITICS, OF COURSE, IS THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE.

>>> WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TODAY.

WE HAVE NO FURTHER COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED.

SO WE GETTING TO OUT AND SERVE OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND NEW AND EXCITING WAYS.

WE ARE ADJOURNED [ BANGING GAVEL ] [ APPLAUSE ] ♪ >>> AGAIN, CO CHAIR SCHOMACKER, WE HEAR IS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN NEGOTIATIONS RIGHT NOW WITH HIS FELLOW CO CHAIR ON THE HUMAN SERVICES BILL AS LAWMAKERS GET VERY CLOSE TO COMING UP WITH A GLOBAL SESSION-ENDING DEAL.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SMALLER BIPARTISAN MEASURES MOVING, SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN FUN.

I HAVE BEEN TRACKING THE FAVORITE FEEL-GOOD ILLS OF SESSION.

>>> 48 AYES AND 18 NOS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS ITLE AGREED TO.

>>> BIPARTISAN BILLS ARE BREAKING THROUGH.

SMALLER THINGS, SUCH AS A NEW LICENSE PLATE CONTEST.

>>> THIS MIGHT BE THE EASIEST GUESS VOTE THAT WE'LL GET TO TAKE ALL SESSION, BECAUSE THIS BILL CELEBRATES ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE SYMBOLS WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

>>> THIS IS AN AWESOME EXAMPLE OF HOW THINGS SHOULD GET DONE AROUND THIS PLACE.

THIS BILL TRULY SHOWS THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE.

>>> WATCHING FROM THE SENATE GALLERY IS THE ITIZEN WHO SPEARHEADED THE IDEA OF CELEBRATING THE OFFICIAL STATE GEMSTONE.

>>> SO HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE ONE OF THE FEEL-GOOD BILLS OF SESSION?

>>> IT FEELS INCREDIBLE.

IT'S JUST ABSOLUTE, ABSOLUTE AMAZING ENERGY TO SEE THIS COME TOGETHER, SEE THE RESPONSE.

AND HAVE THIS AS SOMETHING THAT CAN BRING MINNESOTA TOGETHER.

>>> LEAFBLAD GOT TO GO ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO SEE LAWMAKERS ENJOY DEBATING THE NEW AGATE PLATE.

>>> THIS BILL MAY NOT PLOT A BOLDER PATH FORWARD, BUT IT IS FUN, AND I WOULD CHARACTERIZE IT AS HIGHLY UNCONTROVERSIAL.

>>> I RISE IN SUPPORT, NOT JUST FOR SHST AND GILGSS, BUT REAL SUPPORT FOR -- THOSE OF US THAT WORK ARE ROCKS IN OUR DISTRICT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.

I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT TO AKE IT FOR GRANTIT.

>>> UPON LEARNING IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE GODFRIED'S FIRST BILL TO PASS AND SEEING THE COLLEGIALITY OF FOLKS FROM ACROSS THE AISLE TOO COULD I HAVE DO THE FIRST BILL MOMENT AND BE PART OF THAT JOURNEY AND STORY HAS BEEN ANOTHER AMAZING PART OF THE JOURNEY.

>>> THANK YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, MAY THE MOST AMAZING THING THAT HAPPENS TODAY BE MY TERRIBLE PUNS.

VOTE GREEN AND ROCK ON, ALL.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE JOURNEY PLAYS LIKE A CLASSIC TALE OF HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW.

>>> REACHING UT TO MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE I NEVER MET REPRESENTATIVE GODFRIED, REACHED OUT IN IN AN HE EMAIL TO SAY CAN WE HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE TO TALK ABOUT HOW DOES SOMETHING END UP ON ICENSE PLATE.

AND HE SAID ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT'S HOW THIS STARTED.

>>> IN A SESSION WHERE NOTHING HAS TO HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY A BUDGET, LAWMAKERS ARE EAGER TO EMBRACE SOME OF THE FEEL-GOOD BILLS OF SESSION, WHICH INCLUDE A NURSING HOME HAPPY HOUR, MEAT RALPH RULE UPDATES AND A NEW CONTEST FOR A STATE AGGREGATE LICENSE PLATE.

>>> I FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A SESSION WHERE IT'S RAFFLES, ROCKS AND RETIREES R & R.

>>> AND A STAND-ALONE BILL THAT INCLUDES SAILING TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE PROCESS IS PRETTY REMARKABLE TO YOU, YEAH?

>>> IT FEELS VERY SERENDIPITOUS THAT THE WAY THE PLANETS HAVE ALIGNED IN TERMS OF A MOMENT THAT WE COULD USE SOME OF THAT GOOD ENERGY AND TO SEE HOW THINGS CAME TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT WAS NOT ORCHESTRATED, BUT SIMPLY FOLKS COMING TOGETHER AND SAYING HOW MIGHT WE BE ABLE TO DO THIS TOGETHER HACK AMAZING.

>>> HEY, WHAT'S UP, EVERYBODY, I'M CURRENTLY MAKING MY WAY DOWN TO LAKE SUPERIOR BEACH.

>>> THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AGO AT ENTHUSIASTS WHO ORGANIZE, OFTEN FOUND ON THE SH SHORES' OF THE STATE'S MANY LAKES.

>>> OOH, THAT IS AWESOME.

>>> DO YOU THINK IT HELPED TO HAVE IT ESTABLISHED S A GEMSTONE?

YOU HAD A STARTING POINT?

>>> I THINK SO.

I THINK WE'RE BUILDING ON THE WORK OF ANOTHER GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS IN THE 1960s THAT SAID, WE HAVE A PASSION TO GET A STATE GEMSTONE.

AND CAME TOGETHER, SPENT SEVERAL YEARS HAVING A DEBATE AT THE CAPITOL ABOUT WHAT THAT SHOULD BE, AND LTIMATE IN 1969, THE MINNESOTA MINERAL CLUB WORKED TO HELP GET THE LAKE SUPERIOR AGO AT PICKED AND SIGNED INTO LAW INTO 1969 BY THE GOVERNOR.

>>> NOW THE PUBLIC WILL GET A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON CREATING A NEW PLATE.

>>> AND IT'S A CONTEST.

THAT'S PART OF THE FUN?

>>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY PART OF THE FUN.

I THINK I WANT TO CHANNEL THAT ENERGY IN THE NAME OF A SNOWPLOW CONTEST THAT YOU SEE MINNESOTANS SUBMIT IDEAS FOR A NAME A SNOWPLOW.

>>> AS A WELL-CONNECTED EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONDUCT ANT, HE IS NO -- THE TIME AND PLACE WHERE IT ARRIVES.

>>> YOU CAN SEE, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE AS A TWIN CITIES AND AS A STATE.

AND I THINK PART OF WHAT THIS WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN SUMP AN INFUSION OF HOPE AND OPTIMISM AND JOY IS TO SEE FOLKS A LITTLE SMILE CRACK WHEN YOU SAY THIS IS THE IDEA TO PUT A STATE GEMSTONE ON A LICENSE PLATE.

>>> TO ALL THE ROCK HOUNDS AROUND THE STATE, GOOD WORK AND ROCK ON.

>>> AND THAT STATE AGGREGATE LICENSE PLATE BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW, AS HAS THE GRANNY HAPPY HOUR MEAT RAFFLE.

THAT'S RUN INTO CHALLENGES, AND TOMORROW THERE IS AN EVENTUALLY ON THAT.

AND IF YOU WANT TO WATCH WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN SESSION AND SEE IF IT COMES TOGETHER, YOU WATCHING THE STATION YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV STATION, AS WELL AS "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" AND "ALMANAC."

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ONLINE AND THERE WILL BE LATE ACTION IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO FOLLOW ON BOTH SHOWS.

FRIDAY NIGHT, ON "ALMANAC," WE WILL CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS LIVE IN THE STUDIO.

IT'S MANY DECADES-LONG TRADITION.

I'M ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT SEEMS TO BE A GLOBAL BUDGET DEAL COMING TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TONIGHT.

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK, AND "ALMANAC" FRIDAY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

-GOOD NIGHT.

♪ ♪ ♪ >>> "ALMANAC" "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBA HYDRO POWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES.

A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY.

PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER/OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE DEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY.

A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA.

EDUCATING MILLENNIALS IN ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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