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

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THESE CUTS.

>> FEDERAL CUTS HIT THE STATE.

WE'LL TALK TO LEADING LAWMAKERS FROM STATE GOVERNMENT AND GAGE BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE SESSION SO FAR.

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.

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.

COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE ALLERY.

YOU MIGHT SAY THE SERIOUS PART OF SESSION HAS NOW BEGUN.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE REACHED BUDGET TARGETS, SO NOW THE WORK GOES TO THE COMMITTEE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COCHAIRS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, WE'LL TALK TO THEM IN JUST A MOMENT, BUT MORE NOW ON HOW DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IS WORKING SO FAR HERE.

>> BEFORE US THIS EVENING, THE FIRST ONE BEING THE ADOPTION OF THE AGREED-UPON HOUSE BUDGET TARGETS.

>> BACK FROM A SHORT BREAK, LAWMAKERS DOVE INTO DEADLINE WEEK.

>> WE ARE IN, AS YOU KNOW, UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITH A TIE.

IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

WE'VE NEVER HAD COCHAIRS BEFORE NEGOTIATE BUDGET TARGETS.

>> THIS, I THINK, WAS THE FIRST MAJOR TEST OF OUR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER UNDER THIS POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT, AND I'M REALLY PLEASED THAT WE PASSED THAT TEST AND DELIVERED A BUDGET ESOLUTION ON TIME.

>> BUDGET TARGETS ARE SET TO GUIDE THE REST OF THIS BUDGET SESSION.

>> THESE BUDGET TARGETS REPRESENT A COMPROMISE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, AND IF DEMOCRATS WERE SETTING TARGETS ON OUR OWN, THESE TARGETS WOULD OF COURSE LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE ASKED THE WEALTHY AND LARGE ORPORATIONS TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

IN ORDER TO MAKE ADDITIONAL NEEDED INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE >> HIS DOES REFLECT THE HOUSE PRIORITIES THAT WE BROUGHT INTO NEGOTIATIONS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AND EDUCATION AND PENSIONS AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTING OUR INVESTMENTS IN OUR TRANSPORTATION, SO I THINK EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T THE BUDGET THAT WE WOULD HAVE WRITTEN YOU CAN SEE WHERE OUR PRIORITIES WERE AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO STAND UP FOR.

>> THE GOVERNOR HOSTED LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND KEY CHAIRS TO TALK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

>> A BROADER MEETING WITH SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP BIPARTISANLY, BUT THE LEADS, THE CHAIRS AND SOME OF STAFF AND I THINK THE PROGRESS MADE WE HAVE A CHART OF SIDE-BY-SIDES COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES TO APPLES, THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEING MADE FROM THE BUDGET THAT 'VE HAD OUT, NOW A HOUSE BUDGET AND A SENATE BUDGET.

>> ONE OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING THINGS THAT I HAVE, THAT I'M SEEING OVER TIME IS THE GOVERNOR'S CALLING US TOGETHER.

AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM ME SPECIFICALLY WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS THAT WE CAN START THE CONVERSATIONS.

>> WE HAVE JUST LEFT A VERY CROWDED TABLE WITH, YOU KNOW, CREDIT TO THE HIGH WOMEN.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE NOW GAUGED IN THIS ISSUE OF THE WORK TO BALANCE THE BUDGET TOGETHER.

I AM REALLY PROUD SENATE D.F.L.ERS THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER TARGETS THAT BALANCE OUT INTO THE TAILS SO FOR ALL FOUR YEARS, WE DO IS RESPONSIBLY AND WE DO IT CLEARLY, WE'RE LINED UP WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THAT.

>> WE'VE GOT A MONTH AND A HALF LEFT BEFORE THE END OF SESSION BUT VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE CAN GET FINISHED ON TIME.

♪ ♪ >> JOINING US NOW, THE COCHAIRS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN IM NASH AND DEMOCRAT GINNY KLEVORN.

REPRESENTATIVE NASH, FIRST OF ALL, TARGETS ARE OUT, I MEAN, THIS IS LIKE THE GUN GOING OFF AT THE BEGINNING OF A RACE.

THIS IS REAL, HOW REAL AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT HITTING THOSE TARGETS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING IN COMMITTEE WELL ON POLICY THINGS AND OTHER THINGS BUT THE SUPER BOWL IF YOU WILL IS THE FINANCE BILL AND TARGETS CAME OUT AND REPRESENTATIVE KLEVORN AND I PRETTY MUCH GOT ON THE PHONE MINUTES AFTER WE HEARD WHAT THEY WERE AND SAID, OKAY, WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT AND I THINK WHAT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE WONDERING IS HOW DO YOU IN A TIE STICK THAT LANDING BECAUSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE CUTS, THERE ARE GOING TO BE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE TO GET NEGOTIATED, BUT I THINK THAT WE'RE OFF TO A GOOD START.

WE HAD OUR FIRST IN EARNEST MEETING YESTERDAY AND I THINK WE'RE MAKING GROUND IN A GOOD FASHION.

>> HOW ABOUT THE TARGETS, THE JOKE KIND OF IS THAT EVERYBODY HATES THEIR TARGETS, DO YOU EQUALLY HIT HATE YOUR TARGET >> I IKE OUR TARGET MUCH MORE THAN JIM DOES.

>> I WAS ADVOCATING FOR ZERO.

>> OKAY.

>> BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT THOSE TARGETS, THEY'RE NUMBERS, RIGHT?

BUT THEY REPRESENT PEOPLE, THEY REPRESENT JOBS, THEY REPRESENT SERVICES TO THE STATE AND THINGS THAT PEOPLE DEPEND ON AND WILY ON IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

SO WHILE WE JOKE ABOUT WHO GOT THE BIGGER ONE OR LITTLE ONE WE STILL HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT AT THE HEART OF IT IS MINNESOTANS.

>> AND WHILE WE'RE TALKING NUMBERS THERE IS A LOT OF POLICY BEHIND THE NUMBERS.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT?

WHAT CHANGES, WHAT'S INTERESTING IN YOUR BILL DO YOU THINK >> SURE, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TWO BILLS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A POLICY BILL BECAUSE BOTH OF US OVER THE YEARS WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO PUT A RELATIVELY BENIGN POLICY BILL OUT THAT WE CAN LARGELY AGREE ON AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE FINANCE BILL WHERE WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE IT.

BUT THE POLICY BILL WE PUT TOGETHER IN FAIRLY SHORT ORDER AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE CONTROVERSIAL AT ALL.

>> ANY HIGHLIGHTS?

>> YEAH, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IT'S A BENIGN BILL, IT'S A DIFFERENT BILL, IT'S A SEPARATE BILL, BUT IT DOES REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS, RIGHT?

IT HAS GOOD FRAUD PREVENTION IN IT THAT WE ARE BOTH INTERESTED IN MAKING SURE THAT THE MONEY GOES WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO GO AND IS USED FOR THE REASONS IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE USED, RIGHT?

BUT THE BILL ITSELF HAS REALLY I THINK REALLY GOOD THINGS FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS WHOLE MODEL?

HOW'S IT GOING?

BECAUSE I KNOW SOME PEOPLE ARE LOVING THE COCHAIR, SOME NOT SO MUCH, GIVE US THE HONEST ANSWER.

>> WELL, SO, CHAIR KLEVORN AND I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH EACH OTHER FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS NOW AND I THINK WE KNOW HOW TO INTERACT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THERE WILL BE TIMES AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE WE DISAGREE OUT IN THE OPEN BUT WE ALWAYS DO SO RESPECTFULLY AND WHAT I WOULD SAY FROM THE WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IS REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A JOB THAT YOU HAVE TO DO BUT YOU ALSO AVE TO DO IT RESPECTFULLY AND THAT'S BEEN THE ENTIRE EFFORT THAT I'VE BROUGHT TO MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER IS AM I FORCEFUL?

YES, AM I STRAIGHTFORWARD?

YES?

AM I FIRM WHERE I BELIEVE?

YES BUT I'M ALSO WILLING TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND NOT ABUSE WHO THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS.

>> THERE'S NO MODEL, THERE'S NO TEMPLATE, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE SO IN LIGHT OF THAT HOW DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TOO?

>> I ALWAYS SAY I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BORING.

>> GOOD LUCK THIS SESSION.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> RIGHT, I'VE COME IN, THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR SO THE FIRST TERM IT WAS LIKE, OKAY, WOW, FIRST DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN, YOU KNOW, THE STATE.

WE HAD REPUBLICANS IN HE SENATE AND DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

THEN WE HAD COVID AND EPNOW WE HAVE A TIE.

SO BORING WOULD BE GOOD.

BUT I THINK TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTION ABOUT HOW RE OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS GETTING ALONG, I THINK PEOPLE WHO REALIZE AND FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE ARE REALLY DOING WORK, IT'S NOT A PARTY, THEY'LL WORK TOGETHER AND GET THEIR JOBS DONE.

>> BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME AND I LOST COMMUNICATION BACK THERE SO I DON'T HAVE HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE LEFT BUT THEY'LL TELL ME EVENTUALLY, I TELL ME EVENTUALLY, I WANT TO KNOW SOME OF THE BILLS YOU TWO ARE WORKING AND, YOU BOTH HAVE SOME REALLY INTERESTING THINGS TOO, WE'VE COVERED IT FOR YEARS, YOU TALKING ABOUT ABUSE AND MANDATORY REPORTING, WHERE IS THAT BILL?

>> YEAH, MY BILL PASSED OFF OUR FLOOR LAST WEEK AND THIS IS THE SECOND BILL THAT I'VE DONE TO ELEVATE MANDATORY REPORTERS.

LAST YEAR WE DID A BILL AND I HAD GREAT SUPPORT TO ELEVATE THE CRIME OF MANDATORY -- NOT DOING ANDATORY REPORT.

THIS YEAR WE ACTUALLY CREATED A BILL THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE, THAT TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION PROFESSIONALS.

IT CAME OFF OUR FLOOR 134-NOTHING AND IT WAS HEARD IN THE SENATE TODAY, I FULLY EXPECT THAT IT WILL GO SWIMMINGLY THERE.

AND I WILL REALLY SAY THAT'S A GREAT THING HAT I GET SUPPORT.

MY FRIEND GINNY, NOT REPRESENTATIVE KLEVORN, SHE ALWAYS REACHES OUT TO SEE HOW I'M DOING ABOUT THOSE THINGS BECAUSE IT'S HARD AND SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND ON THAT LEVEL.

>> IT'S HARD.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE YOU FEEL LIKE.

>> THEY REALLY ARE, MOST PEOPLE UNTIL I STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS HAD NEVER SEEN ME TALK ABOUT THAT OR UPSET OR CRY, MY FATHER PASSED AWAY AS I TOLD YOU, IT'S REALLY BEEN CATHARTIC TO DO THESE THINGS NOW MORE THAN EVER.

I HAVE A WIND AT MY BACK AND I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP CHILDREN IN MINNESOTA.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE WATCHING THAT, ANOTHER ISSUE I WATCH AFTER DOING THE CAPITOL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS THE MALL, THERE'S SOME HINGS HAPPENING OUT THERE.

>> THERE ARE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE MALL A LITTLE MORE HUMAN, TREES, BENCHES, WAYFINDING SO PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO THE MALL CAN ACTUALLY ENJOY IT FOR THE GRAND SPACE THAT THE CAPITOL IS.

AND IT'S A PLACE TO GATHER WITH YOUR FAMILY, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO DO THE WORK OF DEMOCRACY.

>> AND THERE WAS SOME MONEY IF PREVIOUS YEARS BUT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MORE MONEY, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> WELL, WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT SO THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW SOME OF MONEY HOPEFULLY TO CONTINUE SO WE CAN GET THE PROJECTS FINISHED.

>> NOT NEW MONEY.

>> JUST NOT NEW ONEY.

>> THAT'S HOW YOU GOT THERE.

>> THAT'S HOW E GOT THERE.

>> OKAY, ARE WE GOING TO LAND THIS SHIP ON TIME?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

YOU TWO ARE GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE BILL WILL BE DONE.

>> ON TIME.

>> ON TIME.

>> THE REST OF THE BUDGET TOO?

>> WE CAN ONLY CONTROL WHAT WE CAN CONTROL.

>> WE ARE NOT THE CHAIRS OF ANY OTHER COMMITTEE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COCHAIRS.

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR FROM THE TWO OF YOU.

>> THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YEAH.

♪ ♪ >> IT HAS BEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE AND NO BETTER TIME TO ANALYZE BIPARTISANSHIP WHEN IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> RETURNING, HANNON WATSON, MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE.

SHANNON, HOW DO YOU THINK, YOU JUST SAW SOME COCHAIRS HERE IN ACTION, HOW DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THOSE TWO ARE PROBABLY AN EXAMPLE OF PLACES WHERE IT'S REALLY, REALLY WORKING.

I'M SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE DOING LIKE REALLY GOOD WORK.

THEY'VE HAD RELATIONSHIPS FOR A WHILE AND SO LIKE THAT HELPS.

PARTICULARLY, LIKE YOU SEE THE SPEAKER AND SPEAKER EMERITUS DO THIS AS WELL.

THEY'VE WORKED TOGETHER, THEY UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES THE THEATER OF THE PLACE AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SAY THIS AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SAY THIS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

>> AND I'D SAY THE FIRST TEST OF IT, THE FIRST REAL PROOF IS BUDGET TARGETS.

NUMBERS ARE REAL, NUMBERS ARE HARD, THEY'RE NOT EASY, ARE YOU SURPRISED THEY GOT THOSE NUMBERS WITHOUT TOO MUCH PAIN?

>> HOUSE RULES SAID THEY HAD TO BE OUT BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME AND THE 31ST WAS THAT DEADLINE.

I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW LATE THEY WERE GOING TO BE OR EARLY.

BUT I AM HEARING FROM SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT PROCESS IN THE PAST THAT THEY WERE VERY SHOCKED.

>> INTERESTING.

>> YEAH.

>> SO HOW DIFFERENT IS THE HOUSE AND SENATE THEN RIGHT NOW BIPARTISANSHIP?

WE TALKED ABOUT HE HOUSE HAVING TO HAVE COCHAIRS BECAUSE IT'S TIED.

THE SENATE WAS TIED.

IS NO LONGER TIED.

NOW DEMOCRATS ARE UP BY TWO SEATS SO THEY DON'T NEED REPUBLICANS AS MUCH.

ARE THEY NOT USING THEM AS MUCH?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

>> AND I MEAN USING IN A GOOD WAY, NOT A BAD WAY, AS A RESOURCE, YES.

>> YEAH.

I AM SEEING STILL SOME GAVELS BEING HANDED OVER.

YOU KNOW, IF THE CHAIR IS PRESENTING BILL SOMETIMES THEY WILL HAND THE GAVEL TO THEIR SAME PARTY.

>> WHICH THEY PROMISED THEY WOULD DO WHEN THEY WERE TIED, WE'LL CONTINUE THIS, SOME OF THEM.

BUT IT IS CONTINUING.

>> IT IS AND I HAVE WATCHED IT HAPPEN.

THERE WAS ONE AND I WON'T THROW PEOPLE UNDER THE BUS BUT THERE WAS ONE COMMITTEE IN PARTICULAR I WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE IT HAPPEN BUT IT ONLY HAPPENED FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT I WAS SURPRISED, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, IF THOSE PEOPLE ARE DOING IT THEN I THINK EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING WELL TOO.

>> WE GOT A LITTLE TIDBIT TODAY WHEN ALL THE LEADERS WENT BEHIND LOSED DOORS WITH THE GOVERNOR TOO AND D.F.L.

SENATE LEADER ERIN MURPHY SAID SHE WAS THE ONE WHO INVITED REPUBLICAN LEADER MARK JOHNSON.

BECAUSE.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS DIFFERENT THE DEMOCRAT INVITED THE REPUBLICAN RIGHT NOW EARLY AND INVITED THEM IN.

>> THAT MAY SHOW THE COMMITMENT TO GETTING DONE ON TIME.

IF YOU'RE PART OF THE CONVERSATION THEN YOU HAVE REALLY LESS, YOU KNOW, LESS INCENTIVE TO BE ALL RAUCOUS ON THE FLOOR OR TO SLOW THINGS DOWN.

SO I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD INDICATION THAT THEY'RE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SCHEDULE.

>> OKAY.

YOU HAVE SOME PROOF.

>> YEAH.

>> YOU HAVE SOME VISUAL EVIDENCE THAT WE ARE GOING TO DISPLAY BECAUSE YOU ARE TRACKING.

>> WE ARE TRACKING THE BILLS, YES.

SO THE THINGS THAT WE TRACK ARE THE BILLS THAT ARE GETTING HEARINGS.

>> MM-HMM.

>> BASED ON THE CHIEF AUTHOR AND THEN TAKING THE TOTAL AUTHORSHIP INTO ACCOUNT.

AND THEN WHAT THE BILLS LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE INTRODUCED.

AND SO WE PULLED SOME NUMBERS, IT WAS THE WEEK BEFORE THE 134TH MEMBER WAS SEATED.

>> YEP.

>> AND BEFORE THE SENATE LOST A MEMBER AND JUST TO SORT OF GET A FLAVOR FOR WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> AND WE SHOULD TELL PEOPLE IT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU EXPECT HERE, RIGHT?

THE BLUE IS DEMOCRAT.

>> BLUE IS DEMOCRAT, RED IS REPUBLICANS AND THEN THE PURPLE IS THOSE ARE THE BILLS WITH AT LEAST ONE AUTHOR FROM EACH PARTY.

AND THE BARS THAT YOU'RE SEEING ON YOUR SCREEN, THE FIRST ONE IS AT CLOSE OF THE 2023 SESSION.

BECAUSE THE MEMBERS, OR THE AUTHORSHIP ON A BILL, IT MOVES AROUND SO WHAT WE DO FOR OUR REPORT IS WE TAKE A SNAPSHOT AT THE VERY END OF SESSION TO SEE WHAT THOSE LOOK LIKE.

THE BARS WITH THE PERCENTAGES ON THEM SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE END OF 2023 SESSION AND THEN WHAT'S HAPPENING N 2025.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE 2023 AND 2025 ARE MORE ALIKE THAN '23 AND '24 WERE.

>> AND T LOOKS LIKE AN IMPROVEMENT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ANALYZE THAT, MANAGER BIPARTISANSHIP CLEARLY.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> DATA-WISE.

OKAY.

FLOOR VOTES.

THIS IS ANOTHER MEASURE THAT YOU HAVE.

>> MM-HMM, YEAH.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ON THIS OVERALL?

>> YOU KNOW, I WAS HEARING SOME CHATTER ABOUT ONCE THEY GOT THE 134TH MEMBER THAT, OKAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE PARTISAN ANYMORE, AND THE THING THAT STRUCK ME IN THE HOUSE IS THAT THERE WERE, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE SOME FLOOR VOTES ON THE HOUSE THAT THEY DID FAIL ALONG PARTY LINES AND THERE WAS SOME OF THAT, BUT THERE WAS ALSO LIKE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF BILLS THAT WAS CONSEQUENTIAL AND BORING THINGS THAT DID PASS.

>> THAT WE DON'T COVER SO MUCH, RIGHT?

>> THAT WE DON'T COVER, YES.

BUT THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW?

EVERYBODY BILL HAS A STORY BEHIND IT OR A PROBLEM THAT'S STRIVING TO SOLVE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THOSE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING ABLE TO COME TOGETHER ON AND SOLVE THE LITTLE PROBLEMS AND I THINK THAT'S JUST GOING TO HELP AS WE GO INTO THE MORE CONTENTIOUS THINGS.

>> AND QUICKLY DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO GET BETTER OR WORSE AS SESSION GOES ON?

ANY PREDICTION?

>> I THINK IT -- BODE.

>> BOTH.

THAT'S FAIR.

WE'LL CHECK ON THAT AT THE END OF SESSION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SHANNON, GREAT DATA.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT ALL.

THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER WON AN OPEN SEAT AN FORMER REPRESENTATIVE DEAN URDAHL RETIRED.

IT WAS A RARE EXPERIENCE FOR HIM S A REPUBLICAN HOUSE FRESHMAN EARLIER THIS SESSION WITH THE D.F.L.

BOYCOTT.

>> WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF WESTERN MINNESOTA AND YOU GET INTO THESE THINGS BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PASSION.

I CARE ABOUT RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> DID PEOPLE COME TO YOU OR DID YOU RAISE YOUR HAND?

HOW DID THAT WORK?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME TO ME AND ASK ME TO DO THIS.

AND THEY'VE ASKED ME BEFORE.

IN POLITICS A LOT OF IT IS TIMING.

OF OF >> YEP.

>> AND THE TIMING WAS RIGHT BUT ALSO THERE WAS CLEARLY A NEED FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND TO SERVE AND GIVE BACK.

>> WHY WAS THE TIMING RIGHT?

>> REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL WAS THE CURRENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

HE'D BEEN THERE FOR 22 YEARS.

HE HAD DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO RETIRE.

HE CONTACTED ME AND TOLD ME, HEY, I'M LOOKING TO RETIRE AND HE SAYS I WANT TO FIND SOMEBODY GOOD TO STEP BACK UP AND HE'S KNOWN ME FOR A LONG TIME AND SO I THOUGHT ABOUT IT A LITTLE WHILE AND ACTUALLY MY WIFE I TOLD HER REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL CALLED AND SHE SAYS, WELL, HOW COME YOU'RE NOT JUMPING IN RIGHT AWAY?

AND SHE SAYS YOU KNOW YOU COME HOME AT NIGHT AND COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN MINNESOTA.

>> SO SHE WAS ON BOARD.

OPEN SEATS CERTAINLY HELP BUT URDAHL IS ONE OF THOSE EGENDS UP HERE ABOUT HIS SENSE OF HUMOR AND HIS BIPARTISANSHIP AND HIS LOVE OF THE PLACE.

HOW HARD IT IS IT TO REPLACE DEAN URDAHL?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY SOMEBODY THAT'S GOT THAT KIND OF HISTORY OF BEING HERE FOR 22 YEARS, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HE'S HAD.

BUT YOU KNOW ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD GO AND WE SHOULD SERVE THESE POSITIONS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> IF YOU HAPPEN BY THE RICHFIELD WAL-MART, YOU CAN PAUSE, POINT AT ME AND SAY THERE HE IS.

THE LAST EISENHOWER REPUBLICAN.

>> I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER FORGET HIS FAREWELL SPEECH.

HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF BEING MODERATE AND THAT GOVERNMENT COULD DO GOOD THINGS, THAT'S NOT SO POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

>> SURE, RIGHT.

IT'S A VERY DIVISIVE PLACE AS YOU KNOW.

WHICH IS SAD THAT THAT HAS BECOME BUT I'M CONSERVATIVE AND MAJOR WE'RE PROBABLY IN FOR SOME INTERESTING TIMES, WHAT'S COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON AND PRESIDENT TRUMP CAMPAIGNED HE WAS GOING TO BE A DISRUPTOR AND HE WAS GOING TO CHANGE THINGS AND SO.

>> BUT FARMERS VOTED FOR HIM.

>> FARMERS VOTED FOR HIM ND YOU KNOW WHAT, FARMERS WILL STICK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHEN I WAS YOUNG A LOT OF THE FARMERS WERE DEMOCRAT, THAT ISN'T THE CASE TODAY.

AS YOU KNOW, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE ELECTION RESULTS OVER THE LAST 10, 15 YEARS AND THOSE FOLKS HAVE MOVED TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

AND IT'S AN ECONOMIC MESSAGE THAT I BELIEVE IS ONE OF THE REASONS THEY HAVE MADE THAT MOVE.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT POLARIZATION AND TOUGH TIMES.

YOU HAD A VERY UNUSUAL START TO SESSION, TO HALF YOUR CHAMBER NOT BEING HERE.

HOW TOUGH WAS THAT FOR IT TO BE YOUR START?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS VERY UNIQUE.

THERE WAS A LEARNING CURVE.

AND SO A FEW OF THESE WEEKS WERE PROBABLY VERY BENEFICIAL FOR ME AND MY OTHER REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.

>> YEAH, HAD YOU GET UP TO SPEED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WERE HAVING UR SAME MEETINGS, JUST THE DEMOCRATS WEREN'T THERE.

>> IT'S A FULL CONTACT SPORT ONCE YOU'RE IN IT, ISN'T IT?

>> SOMEONE SAID DON'T GET IN POLITICS UNLESS YOU CAN HANDLE SEEING YOUR OWN BLOOD ON THE FLOOR.

WHICH IS SAD, IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

>> BUT ALLOW YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> BUT I DID,E.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH BASED ON WHAT YOU HEARD ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, WHAT WOULD BE A SUCCESS FOR YOU THIS SESSION?

>> THERE ARE A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES.

OBVIOUSLY MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE HEAVILIEST TAXED STATES IN THE COUNTRY AND THERE'S A TREMENDOUS BURDEN THAT'S PAID.

HEALTH CARE IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

WE'VE GOT SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE SYSTEM AND I'M ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE AND I'M ON COMMERCE, COUPLE COMMITTEES THAT I'M ON, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE'RE GONNA DO AND I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN LOOK AT SOME WAYS TO LOWER COSTS.

I HOPE WE CAN FIND SOME COMMON GROUND ON SOME KEY ISSUES, YOU KNOW, CHILDCARE IS AN ISSUE THAT'S PLAYING EVERYBODY AROUND THIS STATE.

>> ESPECIALLY RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ESPECIALLY RURAL MINNESOTA.

ANOTHER KEY ISSUE YOU ASK WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS, THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE LAW THAT'S IN PLACE I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A REALLY CLOSE LOOK AT THIS.

IT'S GOING TO CREATE A GENERATIONAL CHANGE IN OUR STATE.

>> SO I'M GUESSING URDAHL GAVE YOU A LITTLE LAY OF THE LAND HERE BEFORE YOU CAME UP.

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU?

WHAT DIDN'T HE PREPARE YOU FOR?

>> WHEN YOU START A POSITION LIKE THIS THERE IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF, A LOT OF ISSUES THAT COME AT YOU AT ONE TIME.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR CLOSE TO 25 YEARS AND I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE A BUSINESS WHERE WE'VE HAD SEVERAL HUNDRED EMPLOYEES AND A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON BUT THIS IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT EVENT HERE AND, YOU KNOW.

>> SO A LOT OF SURPRISES, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO.

>> THERE'S NOT A LOT -- YES, THERE'S MANY SURPRISES, BUT.

>> WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE HE GAVE YOU?

>> HE SAID ALWAYS MAKE SURE, WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN, ALWAYS YOUR WORD IS YOUR BOND.

AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT SEVERAL TIMES AND MAKE SURE WHAT YOU SAY YOU'RE GONNA DO THAT YOU FOLLOW THROUGH.

THIS IS A RELATIONSHIP PLACE.

YOU BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND STARTING THAT PROCESS AND, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO GIVING AND SERVING AND I LOVE MINNESOTA, SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

♪ ♪ >> YOUR BACKGROUNDS IS A FIREFIGHTER, PEOPLE PROBABLY KIND OF KNOW YOU.

>> MY WIFE DID A LOT OF DOORKNOCKING FOR ME AND SHE SAID THAT WAS A VERY POPULAR THING.

I'VE SERVED IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT, DULUTH HAS GOT OUR TWO DISTRICTS 8A WHICH IS THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PORTION AND 8B WHICH IS THE EASTERN SIDE AND I'D SAY OF THE 19 YEARS I'VE BEEN IN DULUTH I'VE PROBABLY SPENT THE BETTER PART OF 18 OF THOSE IN DISTRICT 8A SO A LOT OF THESE FOLKS WHEN I'VE KNOCKED ON THEIR DOORS THEY'RE LIKE YOU LOOK FAMILIAR AND I'D BEEN TO THEIR HOUSE AT SOME POINT OVER THE YEARS.

>> EVEN IN A CRISIS, THAT YOU WERE THERE TO HELP IN A CRISIS, RIGHT.

>> RIGHT.

A LOT OF THAT WORK, I MEAN, THE FIRE SERVICE IS REALLY A TEAM EFFORT, RIGHT, WE RESPOND WITH THREE TO FOUR FIREFIGHTERS ON A TRUCK AND THEN WE WORK WITH THE AMBULANCE CREWS OR WHATEVER DURING THAT SITUATION.

AND YOU GET THERE, THAT'S YOUR WHOLE JOB IS JUST TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP.

♪ ♪ >> AND WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK AS YOU SAW WITH ANOTHER FRESHMAN PROFILE AND LIKELY PERHAPS ANOTHER DUO OF COCHAIRS.

YOU JUST GOT TO SEE EARLIER IN THE SHOW TONIGHT THAT INTERESTING HISTORIC MODEL HERE IN THE HOUSE OF THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN COCHAIR, VIRTUALLY EVERY COMMITTEE.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE THAT'S TPT.ORG/AATC.

YOU CAN INTERACT WITH US ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND WATCH THE LEGISLATURE IN ACTION.

HOUSE, SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS, COMMITTEE ACTION, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE ON THE STATEWIDE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

FRIDAY NIGHT ON STATEWIDE PBS ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON.

HE'S PLAYED A BIG NATIONAL ROLE WITH A LOT OF LAWSUITS AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT TOPIC AS WELL.

DIVE A LOT DEEPER INTO THAT FEDERAL-STATE RELATIONSHIP, IT'S THE POLITICS, THE POLICY, OUR GOVERNOR WHO IS STILL ON THE NATIONAL SCENE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

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 PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.