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

>> Mary: AS A BONDING BILL HITS THE SENATE FLOOR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND CHAT ABOUT THE LEGALIZATION OF SPORTS BETTING.

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 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.

D.A.V.

OF MINNESOTA: KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO MINNESOTA'S VETERANS.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

I'M COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

IT'S A BUSY BONDING WEEK AT THE CAPITOL WITH TWO IMPORTANT BILLS HEADING TO THE SENATE TOMORROW.

WE'LL HEAR FROM HOUSE CAPITAL INVESTMENT LEADERS ON THAT.

WE'LL ALSO TALK SPORTS BETTING, AN ISSUE GAINING MOMENTUM THIS SESSION.

WE'LL MEET A FIRST-TERMER WHOSE SMALL BUSINESS INSPIRED HER TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

BUT FIRST, LET'S LOOK AT ISSUES IMPACTING SOME OF LAWMAKERS' MOST IMPORTANT CONSTITUENTS, OUR CHILDREN.

>> THERE BEING 40 AYEs, 26 NOS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

THE SENATE PASSED FREE FOOD FOR ALL MINNESOTA SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> TODAY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING REALLY GOOD FOR KIDS, FOR PARENTS, FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS.

WE CAN VOTE YES TODAY AND MAKE SURE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR EVERY STUDENT GETS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT SCHOOL.

LET'S DO THAT.

LET'S FEED THE KIDS.

>> I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS WHO HAD TO GO GET FREE LUNCH TICKETS AT SCHOOL.

THEN THERE WAS NO SMALL AMOUNT OF EMBARRASSMENT AND STIGMA AND SHAME THAT WAS ATTACHED TO HAVING TO DO THAT.

>> WHAT WE DON'T HAVE HERE IS A DIVISION AGREEMENT THAT THERE IS A NEED THAT SHOULD BE - SERVED.

WHAT WE DO POTENTIALLY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT ABOUT IS HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING THAT.

>> BY TAKING THIS UP TODAY, Mr. PRESIDENT, WE ARE SAYING THIS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION SPENDING THIS YEAR.

THIS IS NOT WHAT I HEARD FROM ANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS AS I WAS OUT CAMPAIGNING THIS LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME TO EDUCATION EDUCATION.

>> THEIR ISSUES THEY'VE TOLD ME ARE CLASS SIZE.

THEIR ISSUES ARE FORMULAS INCREASES, TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BUY TECHNOLOGY, BOOKS, HIRE STAFF, FINDING ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS.

THEY WILL AT THE ME THEY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELORS.

>> UNDERSTAND HOW ILLNESS CAN IMPACT FAMILIES OUT OF NOWHERE.

>> CLERGY CAME TO THE CAPITOL TO ADVOCATE FOR PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> UNEQUIVOCALLY, EXCITEDLY, AND DEMANDING THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE POLICY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AS URGENTLY, QUICKLY, SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AS A RABBI, I SEE EVERY SINGLE DAY THE WAY THAT FOLKS IN MY CONGREGATION STRUGGLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES OR CARE FOR A LOVED ONE WHO IS IN NEED.

AS MUCH AS ANYONE TRIES TO PLAN AND PREPARE, EMERGENCIES HAPPEN TO ALL PEOPLE AND ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF ACCESS TO THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO CARE FOR THEIR NEEDS OR THE NEEDS OF A LOVED ONE WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS.

>> Mary: AND ABOUT 250 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE STATE MARCHED TO THE CAPITOL TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO END ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO SALES.

[CHANTING] >> THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD END THE SALE OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING MENTHOL CIGARETTES, FLAVORED CIGARS, E-CIGARETTES AND SMOKELESS TOBACCO.

>> MARY: TOMORROW THE SENATE WILL HEAR TWO BONDING PACKAGES THAT COULD CHART A COURSE FOR SOME CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY DONE THEIR HEAVY LIFTING HERE.

HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THOSE PACKAGES, REPRESENTATIVE FUE LEE, WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, AND REPRESENTATIVE DEAN URDAHL, THE COMMITTEE'S REPUBLICAN LEAD.

>> Mr.

CHAIR, WHAT'S THE HEAD COUNT IN THE SENATE?

IS IT GOING TO PASS?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING, WHAT ARE THE CONVERSATIONS AT THIS POINT?

>> SO I'VE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH SENATOR PAPPAS TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE AND AT THIS POINT SHE SAID THAT SHE'S HAVING INDIVIDUAL CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATORS BUT IT'S GOING BACK TO THEIR TALKING POINTS OUT THERE, YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE ACTION ON A BONDING BILL UNTIL THEY GET TAX CUTS.

>> Mary: WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN HOUSE REPUBLICANS STANCE.

YOU POSTED SNUFF VOTES AND SOME TO SPARE, RIGHT?

HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

>> WELL, I LIKE TO THINK THAT WE PUT TOGETHER, FUE AND I, AND OTHERS, A VERY, VERY GOOD BILL.

AND REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, AT LEAST 21 OF THEM, BELIEVE THAT, RECOGNIZE THAT AND -- >> Mary: THAT'S A LOT.

LET'S JUST SAY 21 IS NOT JUST A COUPLE, RIGHT?

>> NO, IT WAS A GOOD NUMBER.

AND I THINK UNDER -- IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE.

BUT I -- I DON'T TWIST ARMS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

MY PHILOSOPHY IS, WHEN 'M WORKING ON LEGISLATION, TO TRY TO DO SUCH A GOOD BILL THAT PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE FOR IT AND DO SO.

>> Mary: ARE THERE ENOUGH REPUBLICAN PROJECTS OVER IN THE SENATE?

DO YOU NEED TO TWEAK THE BILL?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN TERMS OF WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE VERSUS THE HOUSE?

>> SO THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE OPERATED FROM LAST YEAR WAS THAT FOR LOCAL PROJECTS, WE WERE GOING TO SPREAD IT EVENLY AMONG ALL CAUCUSES.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSAL THAT WE GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE, WE HAVE EVENLY DIVIDED LOCAL PROJECTS BETWEEN DFLers AND HOUSE GOPERS, AND SENATE GOPER AND SO I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S A VERY BALANCED BILL OVER THERE IN THE SENATE FOR THEM TO TAKE UP.

>> Mary: SEEMS LIKE THE SENATE IS A TIMING ISSUE MORE THAN A PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUE BECAUSE THEY'RE SAYING THEY WANT TAX CUTS.

I'M GUESSING YOU GUYS WANT TAX CUTS HERE, TOO?

>> SURE, WE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE WANT TO SEE SOME TAX CUTS BUT, YOU NOW, THE SENATE IN TERMS OF TIMING, THERE ARE OTHERS EVEN IN THE HOUSE SAYING THAT WE'RE RUSHING THIS.

WELL, THIS IS A BILL AS FUE SAID, WE STARTED WORKING ON A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THIS BILL HAS BEEN TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, WE'VE VETTED SOME OF THESE PROJECTS OVER THAT ENTIRE TIMESPAN SO I DON'T LOOK ON IT AS RUSHING.

THIS IS A BILL THAT WE WERE BEHIND ON, WE'RE CATCHING UP ON AND NEEDED TO GET DONE.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF THE CATCH-UP, HOW MUCH DO PRICES CHANGE AND INTEREST RATES THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT?

THIS IS A BILL TO LARGELY BORROW FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

HOW SENSITIVE IS IT TIME-WISE?

>> EARLY ON IN SESSION, WE HERALD FROM MMB ON INFLATION AND SO THEY HAVE RESPONDED TO US SAYING THAT INFLATION COSTS 20% SO IF WE WERE JUST TO LOOK AT THE CONTEXT OF ALL THE REQUESTS THAT WE HAVE SAW IN 2021, WHICH WAS AROUND 5.6 BILLION, FACTORING IN 20% INFLATION, THAT'S ROUGHLY 6 AT THIS POINT 2 BILLION DOLLARS.

>> Mary: THAT'S A LOT.

>> THAT IS A LOT.

>> Mary: THAT IS $6 BILLION.

MUCH YOU SEEN THAT LEVEL OF INFLATION IN YOUR TIME HERE?

YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

>> NO, NOT IN TERMS OF BONDING PROJECTS, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE IS A SITUATION WHERE THE NEED IS THERE, THE DESIRE IS GREAT AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA TO MAINTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND LARGELY THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL WAS ABOUT.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK BOUT WHAT THE BILL DOES.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PROJECTS, WHAT STANDS OUT?

>> SO FOR ME REALLY INVESTING IN OR ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE SHARE SOME COMMON GROUND WITH THE OTHER POLITICAL CAUCUSES OVER HERE, MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE INVEST IN OUR PARKS AND TRAILS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC HEAVY USES SO REALLY REINVESTING INTO OUR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL SAID.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOU, WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY INTO PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY, THAT'S WATER TOWERS, WASTE WATERS TREATMENT PLANTS, WATER ISSUES ARE A BIG THING IN MINNESOTA, PARTICULARLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF FAILING SYSTEMS OUT THERE.

>> Mary: WE'VE TOURED THEM, SOME OF THEM AREN'T PRETTY.

>> NO, SO THAT WAS IMPORTANT.

LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES, GETTING A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY INTO LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES TO HELP MAINTAIN OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NOT JUST PLEASURE TRAVEL BUT OUR RUCKS AND THE FARM EQUIPMENT, LL OF THOSE THINGS.

GOOD TRANSPORTATION IS IMPORTANT AND THAT'S WHAT A GOOD SHARE OF THIS BILL WAS ABOUT.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SEE THOSE PROJECTS IN PERSON BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY THE COMMITTEE THAT HITS IT IS ROAD THE MOST.

DID YOUR FRESHMEN GET TO SEE THESE PROJECTS, TOO?

I KNOW A LOT F HOLD-YOUR HONOR ON THESE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE FIRST-TERMERS THIS YEAR DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT BUT WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THIS FALL AS WE TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE AGAIN AND WE'RE PLANNING TO GO TO ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT HIGHER ED, THAT'S USUALLY A BIG CLUNK OF IT.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP TO MAINTAIN THE BUILDINGS IN OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND WE ALSO PUT A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY INTO THAT HAVE THE.

THE HEPR, THE MONEY THAT THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES GET TO MAINTAIN HEIR BUILDINGS -- >> Mary: HIGHER EDUCATION, ASSET PRESERVATION?

>> WRITE, THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE COULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT MORE 234 THAT AREA, I THINK THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE MORE HEPR MONEY BUT THEY CHOSE TO PUT IT INTO FRAZIER HALL.

>> Mary: LAST WORD, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY IN THIS, TOO.

>> YES, SO THE CASH PROPOSAL THAT WE HAD, YOU KNOW, FOCUSED ON HOW DO WE INVEST IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE, WHETHER THAT'S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR OR, YOU KNOW, OUR LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES AND I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WHEN WE PUT OUT THE CASH BILL, WHICH HAVE MORE SUPPORT FOR THAT THAN WHAT WE DID FOR THE G.O.

BONDING BILL THAN THE SUPER MAJORITY.

>> Mary: THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

I CAN SEE HOW YOU BUILT THE VOTES TOGETHER.

>> 98 VOTES ON THE CASH BILL.

>> Mary: THANKS A LOT.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ Ph.D. WELL, LAST YEAR, SPORTS BETTING HAD KIND OF AN OBSTACLE IN THE SENATE.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THE SENATE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT IS SENATOR ATT KLEIN, THE SPONSORS OF LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING.

EXPLAIN, FIRST OF ALL, FOR ANYBODY LIVING UNDER A ROCK, WHAT'S DIFFERENT.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT, MARY, TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

IT'S REALLY MOVING FORWARD LAST THIS YEAR AND I THINK A LOT OF MINNESOTANS WANT THIS, THEM DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GOVERNMENT IS STANDING IN THEIR WAY.

AND THEY'RE ALREADY ACCESSING IT.

SO WHAT WE FEEL OUR ROLE IS IN THE SENATE IS TO GET THIS ACROSS THE LINE IN A WAY THAT MAKES IT TRUSTWORTHY AND SAFE AND CREATES BARRIERS AROUND PROBLEM GAMBLE AND BARRIERS AROUND IMMATURE GAMBLING.

>> Mary: THE OBVIOUS THING IS THAT THERE'S NOW LEADERSHIP AND NEW PARTY CONTROL.

REPUBLICANS OR AT LEAST REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP MAYBE DIDN'T WANT THIS UP, DIDN'T PUT THE VOTES UP.

YOUR LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO ALLOW THIS UP?

>> YEAH, IT'S AN IMPORTANT PRIORITY OF OUR CAUCUS AND IT'S ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT MAINTAINS EXCLUSIVITY OVER THESE LICENSES TO OUR 11 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IT'S HISTORICAL JUSTICE ISSUE FOR THEM.

SO GAMING HAS REALLY ALLOWED OUR TRIBES TO RESTORE THEMSELVES TO DIG NIGHTS AND INDEPENDENCE AND PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES FOR THEIR MEMBERS AND AS WE EXPAND GAMBLING IN THIS, THE LARGEST WAY WE HAVE HAVE, IT'S IMPORTANT WE MAINTAIN THEIR RIGHTS OVER THEIR - LICENSES.

>> Mary: I HEARD YOU USE THE PHRASE EXPAND GAMBLING, FOR SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER LIKE ME, THAT USED TO BE WHERE THE VOTES WOULD HIT, THERE WAS ASKING TELL CAPITOL THAT WOULD SAY WE DO NOT EXPAND GAMBLING.

YOU DO SAY THIS IS AN EXCEPTION.

>> THERE'S NO BEATING AROUND THE BUSH, THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF LEGAL GAMBLE AND WE DO HAVE SOME NO VOTES ON BOTHER SIDES OF THE AISLE.

BUT STATISTICS SHOW THAT STATES THAT HAVE GAMBLING, PARTICIPATION RATES ARE IDENTICAL SO PEOPLE ARE DOING IT WHETHER YOU LEGALIZE IT R NOT.

>> Mary: YOU MENTION YOU HEAR BIT.

I'VE ASKED A BUNCH OF LAWMAKERS HOW MUCH DO YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?

TELL US QUITE HONESTLY, I KNOW THEY ALL WANTS TO SAY IT'S EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BUT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS, RIGHT?

>> HEY REALLY DO AND IT'S A QUIET ROWD, A QUIET BUT VOLUMINOUS CROWD, SIMILAR TO SUNDAY SALES A FEW YEARS AGO.

THERE ARE A LOT OF VOTERS M WHO MAY NOT CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT POLITICS AT THE CAPITOL BUT THEY WANT TO SPORTS WAGER AND ON THEIR PHONES AND THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE STANDING IN THEIR WAY.

>> Mary: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR COMMUNICATION IS UP BECAUSE THEY IS HE YOUR FACE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THIS?

>> I DO SEE SOME PEOPLE AT THE GYM WHO ARE LIKE, GREATS JOB, AND I'M LIKE WHY DIDN'T YOU CLAP ME ON THE BACK WHEN IT WAS A PUBLIC OPTION BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS WITH MINNESOTANS OF EVERY RANK AND FILE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL, BECAUSE THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT POTENTIALLY AND BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION AND SOME OF THE OPPOSITION STEMS FROM PROBLEM GAMBLING.

YOU'RE A DOCTOR.

YOU'RE A PHYSICIAN.

YOU PROBABLY GET THIS ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

SO CAN YOU PUT ON YOUR STETHOSCOPE AND TALK ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT ADDICTION?

>> I CAN, AND, AGAIN, PEOPLE ARE STILL DOING THIS WHETHER WE LEGALIZE IT OR NOT.

THE BENEFIT WE GET WHEN WE DO LEGALIZE IT IS THAT 50% OF THE TAX REVENUES IN THE CURRENT BILL ARE GONNA GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ADDRESS PROBLEM GAMBLING AND DO OUTREACH SERVICES AND TREATMENT SERVICES AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION SERVICES.

SO WILLIE BE STRONGER AS A STATE IN ADDRESSING PROBLEM GAMBLE E.KNOWLEDGE AND AS A PHYSICIAN, I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN THAT.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED REVENUE, HOW MUCH DOES IT RAISE?

>> THERE IS A 10% TAX ON GROSS RECEIPTS AND THE PROJECTIONS ARE THAT ITS WILL RAISE ABOUT $30 MILLION IN TAX REF NEWS.

I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY OFF THE CUFF AS IT EXPANDS IT WILL PROBABLY BE MUCH LARGER THAN THAT.

>> Mary: YOU ALSO MENTIONED EXCLUSIVITY AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT LOSE YOU SOME VOTES, MILE IT MIGHT GAIN YOU EVERY OTHER, TOO.

SO FAR, REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, IF YOU DON'T PUT HE TRACKS IN, TOO, WE WON'T SUPPORT IT.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL EXCLUSION,IVITY IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

THAT'S A -- IF WE CAN'T GET THAT ACROSS THE LINE, THEN WE WON'T PASS THE BILL.

HAVING SAID THAT, THE TRACKS ARE IMPORTANT TO MINNESOTANS, THEY'RE A DESTINATION, SIMILAR TO GOING TO THE STATE FAIR, GO TO CANTERBURY PARK OR TO ACES AND THEY HAVE GOOD TIME WITH THEIR KIDS, SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS AND FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SATISFIED WITH THIS DEAL AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Mary: SO WHAT CAN YOU DO, THEN, HOW CAN YOU SATISFY THE TRACKS IF THEY'RE NOT IN IT?

>> THAT GETS INTO THE SPECIFICS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND I'M VERY SENSITIVE TO NOT UPSETTING THE APPLE CART ON THAT BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS WE COULD DO TO MAKE SURE THE TRACKS FEEL SUSTAINED IN THIS.

>> Mary: ALSO YOUTH SPORTS BENEFIT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: I'M A SOCCER MOM RIGHT HERE, TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUTH SPORTS.

>> THE BEST PART ABOUT THE YOUTHS SPORTS, 50% OF THE REVENUES GO TO DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING, THE OTHER 50% GO TO YOUTH SPORTS OUTREACH EFFORTS AND IT'S SPECIFICALLY TARGETED TO COMMUNITIES AND A HALF HIGH PREVALENCE OF JUVENILE CRIME SO IT'S GOING TO BE COMMUNITIES, YOU KNOW, OF POVERTY AND DISTRESS AND THEY ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM SORT OF INCREASED, SUSTAINED SPORTS ACTIVITY IN THEIR AREA.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU SEEN THE HEADLINES, I THINK IT'S St. PAUL THAT'S DOING NO REGISTRATION NOR SPORTS AND IT'S GOING THROUGH THE ROOF?

>> ISN'T THAT GREAT?

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THAT COULD BE THE SAME FUEL HERE?

>> WOULDN'T THAT BE GREAT AND THAT'S MY DREAM, THE VISION THAT WE ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING KIND OF GOOD OUTS OF THIS BILL.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TIMING IS?

YOU MENTIONED YOU'RE STILL IN TALKS, WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE FLOOR VOTES YET.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> '6" HEARD FROM ALL PARTIES THAT WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT.

IT'S STILL MOVING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

I'VE HAD FRIENDLY RECEPTIONS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND I THINK WE'LL GET A DEAL THIS YEAR.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE TO TIME IT IN MAYBE THE LESS SERIOUS PHASE BECAUSE ALREADY A BUNCH OF BIG, HEAVY POLICY RECORD AMOUNT OF MAJOR BILLS ALREADY SIGNED INTO LAW.

BUT OST-FORECAST, IT'S KIND OF BUDGET TIME NOW.

SO DO YOU AVE TO WAIT FOR SOME OF THE BUDGET, DOES THAT MATTER IN TERMS OF MESSAGING?

>> I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE THERE'S NO EXPENSE IS TO THIS BILL.

IT'S A REVENUE -- IT CREATES REVENUE SO THAT'S NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T ONE OF OUR TOP FIVE DFL PRIORITIES WHICH I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SO THERE WAS THAT, LETTING THOSE BIG ONES GET NOW THE COMMITTEE PROCESS AND THIS ONE IS TRAILING AFTERWARDS BUT WE'VE GOT TWO MONTHS LEFT HERE AND WE'LL WORK HARD.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE PACE SO THAT ARE?

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS IS AN UNUSUAL PACE.

>> IT'S GOOD, ND WE HAVE GREAT LEADERSHIP IN LEADER DEEDS DICK, AND I WISH HER WELL, WE ALL MISS HER VERY MUCH.

SHE'S TAKING CARE OF THE STAFF AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES AND WE'RE.

>> Mary: DID FRESHMEN CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE ON THIS?

DO YOU HAVE A SENSE THAT NEW LAWMAKERS ARE WITH YOU MORE ON THIS THAN SOME OF THE PRESENTED ASSESSORS?

>> I THINK THE YOUNGER SOMEBODY IS THE MORE THEY SEE THIS AS AN OBVIOUS ISSUE, SIMILAR TO SUNDAY SALES AND THEY'RE CONFUSED WHY IT'S BEEN HELD BACK.

BY THE SAY WAY, I HAVE TO SAY OW EXTRAORDINARY OUR FRESHMEN CLASS IS, GREAT POLITICIANS, CIGARETTE LEGISLATORS AND WORKING ON BILLS.

>> Mary: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SENATOR.

WE'LL KEEP WATCHING THE BILL.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER DECIDED TO RUN AFTER COVID AND RESTRICTIONS IMPACTED HER RESTAURANT.

TAKE A LOOK.

FIRST QUESTION FOR EVERYBODY IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> WE'RE ASKED A LOT RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS INTERESTED TO RUN.

I'M A RESTAURANTS OWNER AND HOW COVID WAS HANDLED IN PARTICULAR WAS REALLY HARD FOR US, BUT I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR ME RUNNING IS MY CHILDREN.

I WANT TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE OPPORTUNITY THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> Mary: I AM ABSOLUTELY STUNNED HOW MANY FRESHMEN I'VE TALKED TO SAID IT WAS COVERED, IT WAS THE RESTRICTIONS THAT INSTEAD OF JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AND BE FRUSTRATED ABOUT IT, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

ARE YOU SURPRISED HOW MANY OF YOU THERE ARE?

>> NOT, I'M NOT AT ALL, HONESTLY.

I THINK JUST THAT POWER GRAB AND HAT OVERREACH IN MY OPINION SHOOK A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THEIR CORE.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN IN AMERICA.

YOU KNOW, WE WORKED FOR TEN YEARS TO CREATE OUR BUSINESS, TO CREATE OUR RESTAURANT AND IN ONE DAY THAT WAS CLOSED DOWN, TAKEN AWAY FROM US.

IT HIT SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS SO I'M NOT SURPRISED AND WHEN YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT AND IN OUR STATE, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAW THAT FRUSTRATION.

>> Mary: FOR YOU, THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST TIME IN ELECTIVE OFFICE.

YOU'RE MAYOR, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> CORRECT, YEP.

[Overlapping Conversation] >> Mary: THIS DECISION AND HELPING YOUR ABILITY TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND SAY, YEP, I'LL PUT MY NAME ON THE BALLOT.

>> POLITICS HAS NEVER BEEN SOMETHING THAT I GREW UP THINKING, OH, I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT, AT ALL, ACTUALLY.

WHEN WE STARTED OUR RESTAURANT, I HAD GONE TO A FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS HERE IN LAKESHORE AND JUST TO LEARN LIQUOR LICENSING AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF AND AS I WAS SITTING THERE, I REALIZED YOU KNOW WHAT, THERE ARE NO WOMEN ON THIS COUNCIL.

THERE ARE NO MOTHERS ON THIS COUNCIL.

AND THERE WERE NO RESTAURANT OWNERS AND WE HAVE FIVE RESTAURANTS IN OUR LITTLE CITY HERE SO I JUST FELT THAT MAYBE THERE WAS A NEED FOR THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> Mary: IN YOUR CAUCUS, THERE IS A NUMBER OF WOMEN, YOU KNOW, THE MAJORITY OF THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY ARE WOMEN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WOMEN COMING TO THE CAPITOL.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT?

>> I THINK THAT THAT'S FANTASTIC.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WOMEN AND MEN, I THINK WE BOTH HAVE JUST DIFFERENT UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES.

I THINK THAT WE BRING DIFFERENT THINGS TO THE TABLE AND RIGHT NOW, I KNOW A BIG CONCERN FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE IS EDUCATION, IS SCHOOLING, ISSUES RELATED TO CHILDREN, CHILD CARE.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED CHILD CARE, THAT IS EMERGING AS A REAL BIPARTISAN ISSUE, ONE OF THE ISSUES I'M HEARING THE MOST ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT, THAT STATEWIDE PARTIES THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE ON HELP ITH LIKE?

>> I THINK NUMBER ONE, YOU NEED TO DIAL BACK SOME OF THE VERY RESTRICTIVE REGULATIONS.

I KNOW UP IN RURAL MINNESOTA WHERE WE'RE FROM, A LOT OF THE HOME DAY CARES HAVE JUST STOPPED DOING DAY CARE BECAUSE IT'S NOT PROFITABLE ANYMORE.

THEY'RE OVER-REGULATED.

IT REALLY DOES GO BACK TO ELIMINATING THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, SO OUR SENIORS CAN STAY HERE, SO GRANDMA AND GRANDPA CAN STAY HERE SO WE HAVE THOSE FAMILY RESOURCES, AS WELL.

>> Mary: SO TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR DISTRICT.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME LAKES UP THERE.

>> WE HAVE VERY RURAL FARMING LAND AND COMMUNITIES AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE, LIKE, THE LAKES AREAS, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, WHERE I'M FROM, GULL LAKE AREA, AND THEN PARK RAPIDS AND THE FRINGES OF DETROIT LAKE ARE VERY TOURISTY, SO WE HAVE SUMMERS ARE REALLY BIG UP HERE.

YOU KNOW, THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.

FARMING'S JUST HUGE UP HERE, CATTLE FARM, BEEF FARMS AND MEETING OUR FARMS ALONE.

THEY'RE THE BEST STEWARDS OF THE LAND, THEY WANT THEIR LAND TO BE THE BEST IT CAN BE, THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TO OVER-FERTILIZE THEIR LANDS, THERE IS A FINE LINE THERE AND THEY KNOW THAT BEST, THEY DON'T NEED TO BE OVER-REGULATED.

>> Mary: SUDDENLY, ONCE YOU LIT THE LEGISLATURE YOU HAVE TO BE KIND OF AN EXPERT ON EVERYTHING.

>> EVERYTHING, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S LIKE DRINKING OUT OF A FIRE HOSE, YOU HAVE ALL THESE MEETINGS, MINNESOTA FARMERS' UNION, THE FARM BUREAU, JUST EVERYBODY AND I CAN ONCE WE GET INTO ITS, IT WILL ALL FALL INTO PLACE.

>> I GREW UP IN STILLWATER, MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL REMINDER OF WHY IT'S SO MPORTANT TO FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY.

WALTER MONDALE AND SENATOR NELSON, ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, PUT IN PLACE THIS BEAUTIFUL JEWEL, IT IS CONSTANT, HE EVER FAILS TO PUT ME IN AWE.

MAKING SURE THAT MINNESOTA'S WORK YEARS HAVE A FAIR SLOT.

ALSO, PROTECTING A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO MAKE HER OWN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE THREE LITTLE GIRLS AND THERE WERE' A CONSTANTS REMINDER ON WHY WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA.

WE NEED TO PUT POLICIES IN PLACE THAT ENSURE THAT THEIR GENERATION AND TEN GENERATIONS AFTER THEM GET TO ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL PLACE THAT WE CALL HOME.

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

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK TO CHECK IN WITH CAPITOL REPORTERS AS THE SESSION PASSES THE HALFWAY POINT.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL AND CENTRACARE HEADS ABOUT PLANS FOR A NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL IN ST.

CLOUD.

AND I'LL HAVE A LOOK AT A 99-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AT THE CAPITOL ADVOCATING FOR EDUCATION.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM "A LMANAC 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.

D.A.V.

OF MINNESOTA: KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO MINNESOTA'S VETERANS.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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