EVERYWHERE.

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

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

WELL, POWER HAS SHIFTED ONCE AGAIN HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AS DEMOCRATS WON A SPECIAL ELECTION WITH RECORD TURNOUT.

SO THE TIED HOUSE WILL RETURN TO A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.

LUCKILY, WE HAVE FORMER HOUSE LEADERS HERE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM IN JUST A MOMENT.

LATER, THE TEMPORARY COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES.

BUT, FIRST, A LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE ACTION SO FAR THIS WEEK.

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

>> Mary: WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT, THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL TO PROTECT FLAWED WHISTLEBLOWERS WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT NECESSARY TO PASS AS THE HOUSE RETURNS TO A TIE AND POWER-SHARING.

>> WE'VE HAD MANY PEOPLE COME FORWARD AND WANT TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH US.

AND THEY ARE IN FEAR OF THEIR JOBS, THEIR CAREERS, AND THEY ARE VERY RETICENT TO COME FORWARD AND TESTIFY PUBLICLY.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE PROTECTION WHEN THEY'RE SHARING INFORMATION, THAT CAN IMPROVE OUR PROGRAMS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT CAN ROOT OUT FRAUD OR MISUSE.

>> 66 AYES AND 67 NAYS, HE BILL DOES NOT PASS.

>> Mary: BUT ON A PARTY-LINE VOTE, THE HOUSE FAILED TO PASS A BILL TO ADDRESS FRAUD WITH MORE AUDIT INFORMATION.

>> MORE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF MINNESOTA EXCEPTIONALISM THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT.

>> SO THIS IS A HEAVY HAND HERE OF SAYING, ESSENTIALLY, FORCING THE AUDITOR, WITH LIMITED FUNDS, TO IRE MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE A REPORT TO SEND TO ALL OF US, OR ESPECIALLY THE CHAIRS, TO READ.

COMMON-SENSE BILL THAT STRENGTHENS LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND ENSURES ACCOUNTABILITY OF OUR STATE AGENCIES.

AS LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL DUTY, A DUTY THAT'S BEEN IGNORED, TO ENSURE THAT EVERY TAXPAYER DOLLAR IS SPENT WISELY, EFFICIENTLY, AND FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO GRAPPLE WITH PROJECTIONS OF A DEFICIT.

>> YOU LOOK AT HUGE NUMBERS OF LAYOFFS, YOU LOOK AT TARIFFS, ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, PARTLY ON AGAIN, PARTLY OFF AGAIN, YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS, YOU LOOK AT THE LAYOFF OF PERHAPS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

>> THIS DEFLECTION TO THE FEDERAL SIDE IS REALLY GETTING OLD HERE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THIS WAS DONE IN 2023, UNDER ONE-PARTY CONTROL THAT SPENT A $19 BILLION SURPLUS AND INCREASED TAXES BY $10 BILLION, A 40% GROWTH IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> I WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IS COMING FROM WASHINGTON, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS FUTURE ORIENTED BUT BECAUSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING NOW.

>> EVERY ADMINISTRATION HAS THEIR OWN PRIORITIES.

JUST LIKE OUR GOVERNOR HAS HIS OWN PRIORITIES.

AND, YOU KNOW, OUR JOB HERE IS TO COME UP WITH OUR OWN BUDGET.

>> THIS IS AN UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED BALANCING THE STATE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF COUNTIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> WE AS GOVERNORS WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL.

>> Mary: AND HUNGER RELIEF GROUPS SAY THERE'S A CRISIS.

>> MINNESOTA IS IN A HUNGER CRISIS.

AND ON THE BRINK OF A CATASTROPHE IF WE DON'T HAVE EVERYONE AT THE TABLE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A NONPARTISAN AND