>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

TONIGHT WE'LL WELCOME A PAIR OF FIRST-TERM LAWMAKERS TO SHARE THEIR REACTION TO THIS HISTORY-MAKING SESSION.

WE'LL ALSO MEET THE NEW HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

BUT THE BIG NEWS OUT OF THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK IS THE $17.5 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

THE STATE BUDGET MUST BE BALANCED AND THE DEBATE ABOUT HOW TO SPEND ALL THAT MONEY IS ON.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE ECONOMY IS STABLE AND THE BUDGET OUTLOOK IS VERY GOOD.

>> Mary: A VERY GOOD OUTLOOK, THAT MEANS LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE A $17.5 BILLION SURPLUS TO SPEND, EVEN WITH INFLATION NOW ACTORED IN, WHICH REMOVED $1.5 BILLION.

>> MORE ACCURATE BUDGETING TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND OUR TRUE PICTURE.

>> Mary: A POSSIBLE RECESSION, INFLATION, IMPASSE IN D.C. AND A LACK OF WORKERS IN THE STATE ARE ALL RISK FACTORS.

>> THERE'S STRONG DEMAND FOR WORKERS ACROSS HE STATE, WITH ONLY ABOUT FOUR UNEMPLOYED JOB SEEKSERS FOR EVERY TEN JOB OPENINGS.

THIS MEANS THERE'S LITTLE SLACK IN MINNESOTA'S LABOR MARKET COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> THE THINGS THAT WE INVEST IN TO MAKE MINNESOTA A DESTINATION PLACE FOR FAMILIES, A DESTINATION PLACE TO MAKE LIFE AFFORDABLE HERE, TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN PAY FOR CHILD CARE, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS REMAIN THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, TO MAKE SURE THAT HEALTH CARE IS AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND TOP QUALITY.

TO MAKE SURE OUR STREETS ARE SAFE WHEN WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

TO MAKE SURE YOU PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HE FOLKS WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME.

>> WE HAVE $19 BILLION SURPLUS, THAT'S HOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED LAST WEEK HAD THE GOVERNOR NOT SIGNED THE BILL AND SO I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE COULD COGNIZANT OF THAT ISSUE THAT'S GOING FORWARD.

WHERE DO THOSE DOLLARS COME FROM?

THAT'S COMING FROM MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS ROLLED OUT THE GIVE IT BACK TAX RELIEF PLAN.

>> TAX RELIEF FOR MINNESOTA SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN.

WE KNOW WHAT THE $17.5 BILLION SURPLUS, PLUS AS YOU HEARD ALMOST $19 BILLION, THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND GIVE THE RELIEF THAT MINNESOTANS NEED AND DESERVE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> SENIORS NEED THIS MONEY NOW AND WE NEED TO BE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO DO THE FULL REPEAL.

>> I AM CALLING ON THE NEW MAJORITIES TO BE SURE AND GET THIS MUCH-NEEDED SOCIAL SECURITY RELIEF OUT THE DOOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IN FACT, IT COULD BE RIGHT AWAY.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

>> THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN MINNESOTA'S HISTORY.

I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, I SAW THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DO A PRESS CONFERENCE ON GIVE IT BACK.

WELL, OIN THE CROWD.

THEY CHOSE TO ROLL THE DICE AND THEY LOST.

>> OUR BUDGET SURPLUS MEANS THAT OUR STATE IS IN A STRONG POSITION TO TAKE DESKIESIVE ACTION TO SOLVE BIG CHALLENGES.

DFLERS REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE VALUE AND CARE ABOUT.

>> WHEN WE ARE DONE, MINNESOTANS WILL SEE STRONGER SCHOOLS THAT HELP STUDENTS.

SAFER COMMUNITIES.

A CLEANER CLIMATE.

MORE FREEDOM AND EXPANDED RIGHTS, AND STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES WITH MORE MONEY