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

>> Mary: THE FIRST BILL OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS ALREADY ON THE WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT COULD HELP YOU.

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.

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

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

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MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

I'M YOUR HOST, MARY LAHAMMER.

WE'RE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY AS WE DO EACH WEEK THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND YOU MAY HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE LAWMAKING MIND ME.

ACTUALLY IT'S FRESHMEN GETTING SOME ORIENTATION, LEARNING HOW TO DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

BUT LAWMAKERS WERE IN ACTION TONIGHT, NOT LONG AGO, AND THEY HAVE PASSED AN UPDATE TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT, IT'S CALLED THE CROWN ACT, AND IT DISALLOWS DISCRIMINATION ON HAIR.

- IT'S ONE OF MANY BILLS MOVING VERY QUICKLY, INCLUDING ONE THAT'S ALREADY HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

IT'S FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY.

AND IT IMMEDIATELY HELPS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS.

>> THE BILL IS PASSED AND THE TITLE AGREED TO.

>> Mary: BIG BIPARTISAN ACTION ON FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY IS THE FIRST FAST-MOVING BILL OF SESSION.

>> THIS WILL BE OVER $104 MILLION OF TAX RELIEF TO MINNESOTANS AT A TIME WHERE THEY MAY BE STRUGGLING THE MOST.

>> THE FIRST BILL TO GO TO THE GOVERNOR WITH STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> THERE EING 132 AYES AND 0 NAYS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

>> THERE'S BEEN SOME GOOD BIPARTISAN WORK DONE ON THIS BILL, AND WE'RE HOPING TO MOVE IT QUICKLY SO THAT TAX PREPARERS AND TAX FILERS WILL HAVE THE GUIDANCE THEY NEED IN TIME.

>> COMMISSIONER PAUL MARQUART TOLD US THAT IF WE CAN GET THESE CHANGES SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 13th, THEY'LL BE ABLE -- THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CAN IMPLEMENT THEM IN TIME FOR THE 2022 TAX FILING SEASON.

SO THAT'S HY WE'RE PROCEEDING WITH THE URGENCY THAT WE ARE TODAY.

>> ALL OF THE OTHER CONFORMITY PIECES ARE REALLY GOING TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I HOPE THAT BOARD LIGHTS UP AS GREEN AS IT CAN BE.

>> THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF THINGS FOR US TO FIGHT ABOUT LATER ON.

I HOPE THIS IS A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME THAT FOR THOSE ITEMS THAT HAPPEN WE DO AGREE ON, WE CAN WORK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO ENACT THOSE THINGS INDIVIDUALLY AS SINGLE BILLS.

>> BUT A NEW SENATE REPUBLICAN SUGGESTED JAIL FOR THE GOVERNOR AND CALLED COVID VACCINES ERRONEOUSLY A DEAD SHOT IN A SPEECH AT THE CAPITOL.

>> MAYBE START SENDING PEOPLE TO JAIL BECAUSE OF THESE MANDATES, MAYBE WE SHOULD START WITH TIM WALZ.

[ Cheers and applause ] THIS IS AMERICA.

THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T GET TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BODY.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE, THE STATE'S TOP VOTE GETTER WHO SAYS HE'S IN THE DEMOCRACY BUSINESS WANTS ELECTION REFORMS, INCLUDING RESTORING THE VOTE, AUTOMATIC OTER REGISTRATION AND PROTECTING ELECTION WORKERS.

>> ANYONE WHO HOLDS THIS OFFICE HAS TO LEAVE THEIR POLITICS AT THE DOOR.

IT IS IMPROPER FOR ANYONE IN THIS POSITION AND IN THIS JOB TO PUT THEIR THUMB ON THE SCALE FOR ANY PARTICULAR CANDIDATE OR POLITICAL PARTY.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

[ MEMBERS VOTING ] ALL THOSE OPPOSED, PLEASE SAY NAY.

[ MEMBERS VOTING ] >> Mary: LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO LOOKING TO ADD NFLATION BACK INTO BUDGET FORECASTING.

>> TAKES AWAY KIND OF THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE THAT OVERSEE THE BUDGET AND THOSE THAT ACTUALLY PROPOSE THE BUDGET AS TO HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SAVINGS IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.

>> THE WAY WE DO UR FORECAST MISLEADS INNESOTANS AND MAKES THEM THINK THAT WE HAVE MORE SO-CALLED EXTRA MONEY THAN WE REALLY DO.

>> THIS DOES NOT APPROPRIATE ANY MONEY.

SCRUTINY CAN AND SHOULD BE PLACED BY THE LEGISLATURE ON EVERY SINGLE APPROPRIATION IN THIS -- AND THIS BILL DOESN'T CHANGE THAT.

♪♪ >> Mary: AS YOU SAW, IT'S BEEN A BUSY FIRST WEEK AND SOME CHANGE SO FAR.

EXAMINE THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN THE CENTER OF ALL THE ACTION.

WE HAVE THE NEW LEADERS OF THE HOUSE.

I THINK I WAS SAYING FIRST TIME TWO BRAND-NEW LEADERS AT THE SAME TIME.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE LONG AND REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER LISA DEMUTH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU BET.

>> Mary: YOU TWO HAVE TO BE FEELING GOOD, A WEEK IN AND YOU ALREADY HAVE A BILL HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR, EXPLAIN THIS BILL AND HOW IT CAME TOGETHER SO QUICKLY.

>> SURE.

WELL, WE HAVE TAX CONFORMITY, WHICH IS HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR TOMORROW, AND IN MINNESOTA WE HAVE TO CONFORM OUR STATE TAX CODE TO THE FEDERAL CHANGES, SO THESE ARE TAX CUTS FOR MINNESOTANS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ENACTED THAT NOW WE'RE ABLE TO PASS THROUGH IN THE STATE TAX BILL.

>> Mary: TAX CUTS, HE HAVE BEEN LIKES, RIGHT?

>> EVERYBODY LIKES TAX CUTS.

THE TAX CONFORMITY TYPICALLY IS BIPARTISAN.

AND WE'VE BEEN WAITING THE FOR FIVE YEARS FOR SOME OF THESE PROVISIONS.

SO IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEE THAT WE COULD GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE WORK DONE IN THE COMMITTEES, BOTH BY THE CHAIR AND THE REPUBLICAN LEAD WHERE THEY COULD WORK TO GET SOME OF THE CONCERNING PROVISIONS OUT IN THE COMMITTEE LEVEL SO WE HAD A CLEAN BILL WHEN IT CAME TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AND IT PASSED 132-0, COMPLETE SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE.

AND THAT WAS VERY EXCITING TO SEE.

>> Mary: MORE TAX CUTS TO COME?

REBATE CHECKS?

THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE.

WHAT ARE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A GOOD, ONGOING TAX DISCUSSION THROUGHOUT THE SESSION, THERE'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE MORE TAX CUTS TO COME.

I THINK IN WHAT FORM, HOW THOSE LOOK WILL BE UP TO OUR TAX CHAIRS TO WORK HROUGH.

BUT CERTAINLY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HELPING MINNESOTANS WITH THE SURPLUS, WHILE WE'RE ALSO DOING THE IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS WE NEED TO.

>> Mary: AGAIN, SOUNDS LIKE THIS COULD BE BIPARTISAN.

>> IT COULD BE BIPARTISAN.

AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE TAX CUTS ON SOCIAL SECURITY, ENDING THAT TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, STILL REMAINS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY FOR OUR CAUCUS.

SOMETHING THAT WE TALKED ABOUT CAMPAIGNING.

IT'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM MINNESOTANS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MOVE FORWARD.

>> Mary: COULD THAT MOVE SEPARATELY?

YOU JUST HEARD THAT QUOTE FROM REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO SAYING, SEE, WHEN YOU DO LITTLE THINGS, ONE ISSUE BILLS, THEY CAN GET THROUGH.

COULD THAT SEPARATE OUT AS A SEPARATE ISSUE BILL?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL BILLS.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> Mary: NOT HUGE OMNIBUSES, YOU'RE GOING TO STOP THE TREND?

>> WELL, WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE BUDGET BILLS.

THERE WILL BE BILLS THAT INCLUDE A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BALANCING THE BUDGET.

BUT I THINK WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE MORE OF THESE INDIVIDUAL BILLS.

WE HAD THE CROWN ACT P TODAY, WHICH WAS A GOOD BIPARTISAN VOTE FOR US.

SO HAVING THESE SINGLE-SUBJECT THE BILLS DOES ALLOW FOR THOSE MOMENTS WHEN WE HAVE BIPARTISAN VOTES.

AND I THINK ON SOCIAL SECURITY, WE'LL SEE.

I MEAN, IT MIGHT BE -- MIGHT HAVE TO BE PART OF THE BROADER TAX CONVERSATION.

WE CERTAINLY WANT TO SEE RELIEF FOR SENIORS, AS WELL.

BUT WE, I THINK, HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE, WHICH IS THAT THE VERY WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID, BILLIONAIRES, MULTIMILLIONAIRES, PROBABLY DON'T NEED THIS AND WE CAN PROBABLY MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING THAT MONEY BETTER TO TRY TO AKE SURE WE'RE HELPING WITH THINGS LIKE ONG-TERM CARE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT ON THAT.

>> WE DO DISAGREE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT FULLY ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THAT RELIEF.

BUT AS FAR AS THE SINGLE-ITEM BILLS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HEARD, IT'S HARD TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS HERE FOR MINNESOTANS.

AND, SO, WHEN IT IS EASIER FOR MINNESOTANS TO FOLLOW A SINGLE-ITEM BILL OR A SINGLE- -- BUDGET BILL, THAT'S GOING TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT IN THE WAY THAT WE CAN DO THAT IN A BETTER FASHION, MORE TRANSPARENT FASHION, AND A WAY TO GET THAT MESSAGE ACROSS.

>> Mary: ANOTHER BILL MOVING AND PASSED COMMITTEE WAS MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION AND EXPUNGEMENT.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THIS GETS THROUGH AS IS AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AHEAD IN THE SENATE ON IT.

>> I THINK THAT THERE'S A STRONG LIKELIHOOD.

YOU'RE SEEING PUBLIC OPINION CHANGE.

WE KNOW THAT PROHIBITION REALLY HASN'T WORKED.

IT'S FAILED OUR ITIZENS.

AND FOR ME, THE BIGGEST ISSUE HAS BEEN THE RACIAL DISPARITIES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE'VE SEEN IN MY CITY, THE DATA IS THAT EVEN THOUGH USAGE RATES ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME FOR WHITE MINNESOTANS AND BLACK MINNESOTANS, THE ARREST RATES ARE SEVEN TIMES HIGHER FOR BLACK MINNESOTANS.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT I THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IN A VERY RESPONSIBLE WAY, PROTECTING OUR YOUTH, REGULATING THE INDUSTRY, MAKING SURE IT'S SAFE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THAT LAYER, THE EXPUNGEMENT AND THE RACIAL JUSTICE, YOU SERVED ON THE BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE.

>> THE SELECT COMMITTEE.

YEAH, I DID HAVE A CHANCE TO SERVE ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE MARIJUANA, THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, THERE RE SO MANY PIECES, IT'S COMPLEX.

WE HAVE TO ANSWER A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS, THE SAFETY, THE IMPAIRMENT FOR DRIVING, HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS, OUR WORKFORCE SHORTAGE IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, THERE'S MANY THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT.

NOW, I DO HAVE PEOPLE IN MY CAUCUS THAT BOTH ARE FOR AND AGAINST THE LEGALIZATION.

>> Mary: YES, THIS IS NOT A PARTY POSITION, IS IT FOR YOU?

>> IT IS NOT.

THAT'S WHERE THE CONVERSATION REALLY NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE IN THAT COMMITTEE WORK.

WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT THE EXPUNGEMENT.

I SEE THAT AS A SEPARATE ITEM.

I THINK WE HAVE TO ANSWER SOME OF THE COMPLEXITY FIRST OF THE ACTUAL LEGALIZATION OF THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'RE SEEING JUST TONIGHT ON THE -- FLOOR, THE CROWN ACT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, RACIAL JUSTICE RE MOVING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT BILL?

>> I SPORT THAT BILL THE OTHER TWO TIMES IT CAME ACROSS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SUPPORT.

I LOOKED BACK AT A CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH MY DAUGHTER WHEN SHE HAD HER FIRST BABY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

AND WE ARE A BIRACIAL FAMILIMENT.

AND, SO, SHE SAID, DEPENDING ON WHAT MY BABY'S HAIR ENDS UP LOOKING LIKE, IT COULD DETERMINE HOW HE IS TREATED IN THE PUBLIC.

YOU KNOW, WITHOUT ANYBODY GETTING TO KNOW HIM OF AS HE GREW.

SO THAT WAS A CONVERSATION THAT I SAID, HAIR SHOULD NEVER BE AN ITEM WHERE YOU'RE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

AND I KNOW THIS IS ALREADY COVERED UNDER THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT, BUT THIS BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL THAT I PERMANENTLY SUPPORTED.

IT WAS NOT UNANIMOUS.

I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT FEELINGS ON IT.

SOMETHING THAT I SUPPORTED ALL THREE TIMES.

>> Mary: THIS WAS ANOTHER ONE WHERE THE CAUCUS COULD VOTE AS THEY PLEASE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: YOU'RE LETTING PEOPLE BREAK OFF ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES.

>> Mary: IN YOUR CAULKS, ARE YOU GOING TO BE STRIDENT ON ALL THESE BILLS OR ARE YOU GOING TO LET PEOPLE BREAK OFF ON SOME OF THESE?

>> ON THE CROWN ACT TODAY, I DID WANT TO THANK LEADER DEMUTH FOR THE SUPPORT.

IT WAS A NICE MOMENT ON AN IMPORTANT BILL.

AND I'M IN A MIXED-RACE FAMILY, TOO, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK HAVING THESE CONFERRINGS IN A RESPECTFUL WAY AND GETTING TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO A DIFFERENT QUESTION THEN.

YOU TWO ARE GETTING ALONG SO DARN WELL.

IT'S A HUGE CONTRAST TO THE SENATE.

WHAT'S IN THE WATER IN THE HOUSE, EVEN THOUGH THE SENATE CAN HAVE WATER NOW.

>> I THINK WE'VE JUST BEEN ABLE TO DRINK IT A LITTLE LONGER.

>> Mary: IS THAT WHAT IT IS?

>> WE'RE BETTER HYDRATED OVER THE LONG RUN.

>> THE WAY THAT I WAS ALWAYS LOOKED AT LIFE, WHEN WE COLLABORATE, WE ARE BETTER.

AND, O, WHEN I LOOK AT BUSINESSES, RAISING A FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS 'WITH FRIENDS, WHEN WE GET ALONG AND ARE KIND, EVEN WHEN WE COMPLETELY DISAGREE, IS WHAT HAS ALWAYS WORKED A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

NOW, THE LAST EIGHT DAYS, AS WE'VE BEEN IN SESSION, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF AGREEMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME THINGS, IN RULES COMMITTEE AND OTHER COMMITTEES, WE DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A RESPECTFUL WAY TO DO IT AND THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO APPROACH IT.

NOW, WHEN WE DON'T AGREE, YOU WILL DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT I BELIEVE WE CAN DO THAT IN A RESPECTFUL WAY.

>> Mary: I KNOW THAT'S COMING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, BOTH OUR NEW LEADERS.

APPRECIATE IT.

YUP.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> Mary: EARLIER THE FIRST BILL OF SESSION IS ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR, AND THIS NEXT GUEST HERE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT.

IT IS THE NEW COMMISSIONER, THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, AND WE HAVE TO SAY, FORMER HOUSE MEMBER, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK IN YOUR CHAMBER?

>> IT IS FUN.

AND I SEE SOME OF THE MEMBERS FROM LAST YEAR, SO FORTH.

SO IT'S GREAT TO BE BACKMENT.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH CREDIT SHOULD WE PERSONALLY GIVE YOU AS A FORMER LAWMAKER, REALLY WELL-LIKED AND WELL-KNOWN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, HELPING SHEPHERD A LIGHTENING-FAST TAX CONFORMITY BILL THROUGH?

WILL YOU TAKE SOME CREDIT?

>> VERY LITTLE.

>> Mary: OKAY.

>> THIS WAS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN.

AND ALSO THE SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP.

AND YOU SAW THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE COME TOGETHER IN UNANIMOUS VOTES IN RECORD TIME.

THIS IS OING TO PRODUCE OVER $100 MILLION OF TAX RELIEF FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND BUSINESSES.

AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO CREDIT SENATE TAX CHAIR REST AND HOUSE TAX CHAIR GOMEZ AND THE LEADS, SENATOR WEBER AND REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS.

AND, SO, THIS WAS VERY GOOD.

IT WAS ONE OF THE TOP ITEMS FOR GOVERNOR WALZ TO GET DONE EARLY.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING THAT IT HELPS SPECIFICALLY.

CAN YOU GIVE US A FEW EXAMPLES?

>> WELL, FIRST, STUDENT LOANS, IF THEY -- YOU KNOW, WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS PROPOSED, IF THAT GOES THROUGH, THIS NOW, THOSE STUDENTS, ABOUT 600,000, WOULD NOT HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, PAY ANY TAXES ON THAT.

BUT ALSO, YOU HAD YOUR RESTAURANTS, THERE'S GRANTS THAT WENT OUT TO RESTAURANTS DURING COVID-19, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THAT.

OUR VENUES, OUR STAGES AND ALL THOSE, SHUTTERED VENUE GRANT, ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO RECEIVED THAT AID NOW WON'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THOSE GRANTS.

AND ONE MORE THING.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> IT SIMPLIFIES THINGS FOR TAXPAYERS.

WHEN THEY GO AND FILE, IT MAKES IT A LITTLE SIMPLER, A LITTLE LESS COSTLY, AND WE ALWAYS WANT THAT.

>> Mary: BECAUSE IT'S OFTEN AMENDED RETURNS, THE LEGISLATURE RARELY PASSES THIS IN TIME, FOLKS GENERALLY HAVE TO GO BACK IN AND AMEND THEIR RETURNS BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT USUALLY THIS FAST HERE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WELL, FOR 2022, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO AMEND.

BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO AMEND GOING BACK TO 2018.

>> Mary: GOT IT.

WHAT ABOUT AS A LONGTIME HOUSE MEMBER, WHAT ABOUT THE TONE THIS SETS AND THE SPEED?

YOU KNOW, DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THE LEADERS HERE, HOW BIPARTISAN THEY'RE BEING.

>> YES.

>> Mary: HOW WELL THEY'RE GETTING ALONG.

IS THIS KIND OF A NEW ERA HERE?

>> I HOPE SO.

AND WHAT A GREAT WAY TO START THE SESSION.

YOU KNOW, YOU GET A TAX BILL THAT YOU CAN ALL AGREE ON, IT'S GOING TO GREATLY BENEFIT CITIZENS AROUND THE STATE.

AND LET'S HOPE IT'S KIND OF A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME, AND WHEN YOU BRING EOPLE TOGETHER, WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS IN THIS STATE.

>> Mary: OW, MAYBE THIS IS ALL EASIER WITH ONE-PARTY CONTROL OF OVERNMENT.

DEMOCRATS HAVE THE TRIFECTA.

BUT YOU'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED.

DOES THIS FEEL SIMILAR?

WHAT ARE YOU DRAWING ON ON IN YOUR EXPERIENCE THERE?

>> THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE.

AT THE INAUGURATION THE OTHER DAY, GOVERNOR WALZ MADE IT VERY CLEAR, HIS NUMBER ONE GOAL IS TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO RAISE CHILDREN IN AND FOR FAMILIES.

AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO SET THE TONE FOR A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A CONCRETE GOAL AND A VISION LIKE THAT, I THINK IT MAKES THINGS EASIER AND LEGISLATORS CAN RALLY AROUND THAT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOUR GOALS, WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY EQUITY IN OUR TAX SYSTEM IS HUGE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU LIVE, HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, THROUGH THE TAX CODE, TO SUCCEED IN OUR ECONOMY AND OUR SOCIETY.

AND, SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE FOCUS.

BUT ALSO AS GOVERNOR WALZ - SAYS, WE NEED TO EASE THE PAIN OF INFLATION.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AS THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO BE RELEASING HIS PLAN -- >> Mary: REBATE CHECKS.

>> -- JANUARY 24th.

I WON'T SAY.

>> Mary: HOW BIG ARE THE REBATE CHECKS?

>> I WON'T SAY A WORD ON THIS.

THE GOVERNOR'S BEEN VERY CLEAR.

HE WANTS TO EASE THE PAIN ON INFLATION AND MAKE SURE THE STATE IS NUMBER ONE.

FOR CHILDREN.

>> Mary: AND SOCIAL SECURITY TAX REPEAL, YOU THINK THAT'S COMING TOO?

>> YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, JANUARY 24th.

>> Mary: WOULD YOU ADVISE IT ACROSS THE BOARD OR DO YOU THINK SELECTIVE?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES, MIDDLE-CLASS SENIOR CITIZENS, AND GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN HAVE BEEN BIG ON THAT POINT.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER MARQUART, WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: THERE ARE LOTS OF FIRST-TERM LEGISLATORS HERE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND MEET AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE TONIGHT.

IT'S A ONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO'S PRACTICING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

REPRESENTATIVE JACOB, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS DAY AND AGE, POLITICS IS DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, SO, MY STORY REALLY BEGAN TEN YEARS AGO.

I HAD A COURT CASE WITH WINONA COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WHERE PLANNING AND ZONING HAD DONE REALLY EXTREME OVERREACH ON DENYING MY PROPERTY RIGHTS.

AND IN THAT COURT CASE, I WON THAT COURT CASE QUITE HANDILY, AND CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY ASKED ME TO RUN FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

AND REALLY PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS THE WAY THAT I PROTECT MY OWN FAMILY'S RIGHTS.

>> Mary: THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE CLASSIC CASE OF DON'T JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT GOVERNMENT, BUT DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A FAIR DEPICTION OF HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED?

>> YES, YES, YES, ESPECIALLY EARLY ON.

THERE WAS A LOT OF LEFT-LEANING LIBERAL PAPERS AT THAT TIME AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ME ELECTED, BUT THEY ACTUALLY COMMENDED ME FOR THAT AFTER THE FACT, AFTER I WAS FIRST SELECTED TO THE COUNTY BOARD, IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON IN GOVERNMENT, HERE'S THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT TO DO.

>> Mary: A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES DO COME FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES IS LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROBABLY OPERATES IN A SLIGHTLY LESS PARTISAN WAY THAN STATE GOVERNMENT.

DOES THAT SOUND FAIR AND HAVE PEOPLE KIND OF PREPPED YOU FOR THAT?

>> THAT'S THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK.

I HAPPEN TO COME FROM A VERY POLARIZED COUNTY THAT IS JUST KNOWN FOR A DECISIVE SPLIT ON THE COUNTY BOARD.

>> Mary: YOUR PARTY, YOUR CAUCUS WAS FEELING PRETTY GOOD AND YOU MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT YOU WERE COMING INTO A MAJORITY.

AND I THINK IT WAS A SURPRISE FOR MANY REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, THAT REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA KIND OF UNDERPERFORMED AND DEMOCRATS HELD ONTO THE HOUSE.

SO HOW DO YOU STRATEGIZE IN LIGHT OF THAT AND NOW HEADING INTO THE MINORITY?

>> IT WILL JUST BE PRETTY MUCH BUSINESS PER USUAL AS ME.

DIFFERENT WAY POSSIBLE TO WORK AND GET THINGS DONE FOR THE CITIZENS.

YOU KNOW, I'VE WORKED HARD FOR TEN YEARS TRYING TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT.

THE MINORITY PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE AND WITHOUT THE MINORITY THERE, IT'S JUST LIKE LETTING THE OPPOSITE SIDE PUT THE FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE HE CAN SELL RARITY.

WHAT YOU SAY IS SPOT ON, REPUBLICANS WERE JUST REALLY BLIND-SIDED, OVERCONFIDENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

I DIDN'T LEAVE ANYTHING ON THE TABLE IN MY CAMPAIGN SO I ENDED UP WITH A 66-33% VICTORY.

>> Mary: I BELIEVE I'M SPEAKING TO YOU FROM YOUR FARM, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

I'M ON THE FARM.

>> Mary: AGRICULTURE HAS TYPICALLY BEEN ONE OF THE LEAST PARTISAN ISSUES AT THE CAPITOL.

OFTEN EVEN IN BUDGET SHOWDOWNS AND GRIDLOCK, THE BUDGET BILL THAT ALWAYS GETS THROUGH IS THE AG BILL.

AND IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE COME TOGETHER ON.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS AN ISSUE WHERE YOU CAN BE EFFECTIVE AND BE BIPARTISAN?

>> YES.

DEFINITELY.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN AGRICULTURE?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: HIS LEGISLATION.

>> CURRENTLY I SIT IN THE -- IN THE COUNTY I SIT ON OUR SOIL ND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT AS THE LIAISON, I SIT ON THE WHITE WATER JOINT POWERS BOARD, PLANNING COMMISSION, ALL THESE THINGS THAT INTERRELATE WITH LAND USE.

MY EXPERIENCE IN MY OWN COUNTY FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS, I HAVE COMPILED A LIST OF 33 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT LOOK AND WORK ON WATER IN WINONA COUNTY.

SO WE NEED TO STREAMLINE THAT PROCESS.

>> Mary: DID I READ THAT YOU HAVE A NO TILL OPERATION?

>> YES.

YES, I DO.

>> Mary: TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WHEN YOU DRIVE BY JACOB HILL, THAT'S MY FARM, NO TILL PRACTICES, CONTOUR STRIPS, COVER CROPS, EROSION CONTROL STRUCTURES, EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE IN A WELL-RUN BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BEING IMPLEMENTED, THAT'S ALL BEING DONE ON MY FARM.

>> Mary: YOU SOUND LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.

BUT YOU CALL YOURSELF A CONSERVATIVE.

>> YEAH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, FARMERS ARE THE SOLUTION TO PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, MANY PEOPLE WANT TO POINT THE FINGER AT THEM AS THOUGH THEY'RE THE PROBLEM.

WELL, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT, YOU LOOK AT WHAT GOES ON IN A CITY AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, ALL THESE PEOPLE PUTTING -- THERE'S REALLY NO RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THEY CAN PUT ON THEIR LAWN.

CARS ON THE ROADWAY, DRIPPING ANTIFREEZE, TIRE SCRUB ON THE ROAD, WHEN THERE'S A HEAVY RAIN, IT'S JUST LIKE A BIG FLUSHING THE TOILET INTO THE RIVER.

SO, SHOULD FARMERS BE RESPONSIBLE, DO THE RIGHT THING?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT LET'S LOOK AT EVERYONE, NOT JUST THE FARMER.

>> Mary: O YOUR SEAT, THIS IS KIND OF THE DRAZKOWSKI SEAT, IS THAT FAIR?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WAS HAVING THE ENTIRE EASTERN HALF OF OLMSTED COUNTY ADDED TO THE DISTRICT.

>> Mary: HE WAS KNOWN FOR BREAKING OFF AND FORMING HIS OWN CAUCUS, NOT STAYING WITH THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

DO YOU INTEND TO STAY WITH THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS OR DO YOU WANT TO BREAK OFF AND ONTINUE DRAZKOWSKI'S LEGACY?

>> THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT HIM AND I NEVER HAD.

YOU KNOW, MY PHILOSOPHY IN GOVERNMENT, EACH TIME A NEW ISSUE IS BROUGHT BEFORE ME, YOU KNOW, LISTEN, LEARN, UNDERSTAND, STRATEGIZE, IMPLEMENT.

SO, CERTAINLY IN THE FIRST YEAR, I WOULD NOT SAY I'M GOING TO COME IN AND CONTINUE THAT TRADITION.

I NEED TO TAKE TIME TO -- TAKE EVERYTHING IN, THIS WILL BE A STEEP LEARNING CURVE BE FOR ME.

THE BEST TERM THAT I'VE HEARD USED QUITE FREQUENTLY IS DRINKING FROM A WATER HOSE.

>> Mary: FIND OF -- KIND OF FEELS LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY STEAKING OUT A MINI MODERATE FRESHMAN CAUCUS.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> THERE WERE THOSE OF US WHO ELECTED IN TIGHT DISTRICTS THAT WE ARE MODERATES.

I THINK IT WAS ABOUT TELLING THE PUBLIC, TELLING OUR VOTERS THAT WE HEARD THEM.

>> Mary: THIS IS KIND OF A NEW ERA.

THERE'S A LOT OF YOUNGER YOUTH COMING INTO THE SENATE.

>> I'M A DAD, I HAVE A YOUNG FAMILY.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION FUNDING AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD CARE COSTS.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

AS A YOUNG DAD, HOW DO WE CHAMPION FAMILIES?

THESE ARE NOT WOMEN ISSUES, THESE ARE NOT, YOU KNOW, JUST ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE FOCUSED IN THAT WAY, WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT CAN CHAMPION THESE ISSUES AND I HOPE TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: THAT'S ALMOST OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK AND WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL NEWS AND AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE KEENEST CAPITOL OBSERVERS FOR MANY DECADES UP HERE WHO REPRESENTED THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES AND HE'LL HAVE OBSERVATIONS ON MANY OF THE CHANGES HE'S SEEN.

IF YOU WANT TO REWATCH ANY OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR LOOK FORWARD TO OTHERS, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC, THERE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW O FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

AGAIN, IT'S ALL ON OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN HEAR LAWMAKERS BEHIND ME RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN WATCH WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY IN SESSION, HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MUCH MORE ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE URE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT.

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK ABOUT THE WILD WEATHER WE'RE HAVING WITH METEOROLOGIST PAUL DOUGLAS, THEY'LL ALSO HEAR FROM SOME FORMER LAWMAKERS ANALYZING WHAT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF SESSION.

AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIRST BILL THAT'S BEING SIGNED INTO LAW.

WE EXPECT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO FROM GOVERNOR ALZ ON TAX CONFORMITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING THIS PROGRAM 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.

DAV 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: POWERING PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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.