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

>> Mary: WE NOW KNOW THE GOVERNOR'S ENTIRE BUDGET.

KEY LAWMAKERS WILL BREAK IT DOWN.

AND ADULT USE OF CANNABIS IS MOVING THROUGH COMMITTEES.

WE'LL TALK TO AN IMPORTANT ADVOCATE.

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.

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: 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 YOUR HOST, MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

ON ONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'LL TALK WITH FORMER LEGISLATIVE LEADER RYAN WINKLER ABOUT HIS CONTINUED EFFORTS TO GET ADULT USE OF CANNABIS LEGALIZED.

THE BILL JUST PASSED TS FIRST COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE TODAY.

WE'LL MEET ANOTHER FRESHMAN LAWMAKER.

AND HEAR FROM THE LEADERS FROM THE ALL-IMPORTANT WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

BUT, FIRST, DETAILS OF THAT BUDGET THAT THE GOVERNOR FINISHED UNVEILING THIS WEEK.

PUBLIC SAFETY PROVED A TOP ISSUE IN THE LAST ELECTION AND WITH BILLIONS OF SURPLUS DOLLARS TO SPEND, GOVERNOR WALZ HAS A BUDGET WITH BIG INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY.

>> TO BE ABLE TO LET LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, IF THAT MEANS FIREFIGHTERS, IT MEANS FIREFIGHTERS.

IF IT MEANS POLICE, IT MEANS POLICE F. IT MEANS 911 DISPATCHERS OR SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> BEING A FIREFIGHTER AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY IS TRULY THE BEST JOB ON THE PLANET.

NO OFFENSE, GOVERNOR.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: ON THE VISUALS AND THE DOLLARS, THE ADMINISTRATION IN A SECOND TERM IS GOING BIG.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND I, ALONG WITH OUR LEADERS IN HOUSING, BELIEVE THAT WE MUST GO BIG SO OUR NEIGHBORS CAN GO HOME.

>> THIS IS HE ACCUMULATION OF YEARS OF WORK, OF HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS' ADVOCACY, OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, OF SITTING DOWN AND SAYING, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO THRIVE AND BE SAFE, SAFE FROM HOUSING INSTABILITY, SAFE FROM HUNGER, SAFE FROM CRIME, SAFE FROM FIRE, SAFE FROM EMERGENCIES, NATURAL DISASTERS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO ADDRESSES CRIME AND GUN VIOLENCE THROUGH A SERIES OF IMITS ON WEAPONS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FINALLY TACKLE THIS ISSUE AROUND SOME COMMON-SENSE GUN THINGS.

>> LINKING SAFETY AND HEALTH TOGETHER, THOSE GO HAND IN HAND AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT A HOLISTIC APPROACH ON HOW WE REDUCE CRIME, HOW WE NCREASE SAFETY ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

ONE DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THE OTHER.

>> Mary: THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER SAYS 300 MILLION FOR LOCAL AGENCIES WILL HELP OFFICER RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.

HOUSING GETS MORE THAN A BILLION OLLARS AS PART OF THE HEALTH ND SAFETY PACKAGE.

>> FAMILIES ARE HURTING, RENT PRICES ARE RISING FASTER THAN WAGES.

BUT THERE'S LOTS OF TOOLS THAT WE HAVE.

AND IT'S HONESTLY, IT'S EASIER FOR THE AGENCY TO PUT MONEY OUT FAST WHEN WE USE AN EXISTING PROGRAM THAT'S ALREADY UP AND RUNNING.

>> Mary: TAX CUTS, INCLUDING REBATE CHECKS FOR FAMILIES MAKING LESS THAN $150,000, CONCLUDED THE SPENDING ANNOUNCEMENTS.

>> THE LARGEST TAX CUTS IN STATE'S HISTORY TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

WE'VE BEEN TARGETED IN HOW WE DO THINGS.

>> IT IMPACTS PEOPLE.

FAMILIES.

SENIORS.

AND WHEN YOU LEVERAGE CHILDREN, THAT IMPACTS SO MANY OTHER QUALITY-OF-LIFE FACTORS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, STRONGER WORKFORCE, BETTER ECONOMY, ALL OF THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

>> Mary: REPS SAY THE GROWTH -- REPUBLICANS SAY THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT IS GLARING.

>> WE'VE GOT A SURPLUS F $17.6 BILLION CURRENTLY.

THIS BUDGET SPENDS ALL OF THAT.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IT GROWS GOVERNMENT BY 25%.

>> IN A TIME THAT THERE IS A RECORD SURPLUS, $17.6 BILLION, MINNESOTANS ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE THAT BACK.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE HEARD TODAY IS MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING IT AND IT'S GOING TO COST MINNESOTANS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO BE HERE.

♪♪ >> Mary: ONE OF THE COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE TAKING A VERY CLOSE LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, THE ALL-IMPORTANT WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE CHAIR IZ OLSON AND REPUBLICAN LEAD PAT GAROFALO.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, CHAIR OLSON, 25% INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S A REALLY BIG NUMBER.

IS THAT TOO BIG FOR THE HOUSE?

>> I THINK WE SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT IN HIS BUDGET, AND IT REALLY REFLECTS THE VALUES OF MINNESOTANS AND WHAT THEY ASKED FOR US TO DELIVER ON AFTER THIS LAST ELECTION.

SO WE'LL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

AND WE'LL LOOK, AND THE HOUSE WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR PROPOSAL, SO WILL THE SENATE.

BUT I THINK WE'RE LOUD AND CLEAR THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE URGENT EEDS THAT THEY NEED US TO ADDRESS.

AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS ALIGNED WITH US AND THERE ARE SOME PLACES WHERE THERE ARE REALLY GREAT IDEAS HAT I THINK WE CAN BUILD ON AND WORK ON TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: SO, DEMOCRATS WON, THEY CAN DO 25% INCREASE IF THEY WANT TO, RIGHT?

>> WELL, THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

THEY ONLY CONTROL 52% OF THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THEY'VE MADE THE DECISION TO MAKE 100% OF THEIR AGENDA IMPLEMENTED.

AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS NOT A IME FOR PRAGMATISM, REASONABLENESS OR CONSENSUS.

THEY'RE GOING TO GO WITH THE HARD LEFT AGENDA, THEY'RE GOING TO JAM IT DOWN MINNESOTA'S THROAT, WHETHER YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU, THAT'S THE STORY.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT REBATE CHECKS, THOUGH, DON'T REPUBLICANS LIKE THOSE BETTER THAN DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW?

>> IT IS FUNNY THAT THE SURPLUS EXPLODED AFTER THE ELECTION AND TIM WALZ'S RESPONSE WAS TO NARROW THE SIZE OF THE REBATE CHECKS TO FEWER PEOPLE.

SO I GUESS THERE'S PREELECTION TIM WALZ AND THERE'S POST-ELECTION TIM WALZ.

YOU GET A LITTLE DIFFERENT POLICY FROM THOSE.

BUT, I MEAN, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN VERY CONSISTENT.

THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER'S DFL PARTY.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR PRAGMATISTS OR MODERATES.

THEY'VE BEEN IN LOCK STEP WITH THEIR AGENDA.

AND EVEN WITH AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS, WE SEE GOVERNOR WALZ IS PROPOSING TAX INCREASES.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THERE ARE TAX INCREASES AS WELL AS SPENDING INCREASES IN HERE.

DOES THE HOUSE WANT TO DO AND DEPOT BACK TO THE VOTERS -- GO BACK TO THE VOTERS WITH TAX INCREASES?

>> I THINK WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING CONSISTENT.

IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PRIORITIES LIKE EDUCATION, WHICH IT ISN'T JUST A DFL PRIORITY, WE HEAR THAT LOUD AND CLEAR, PEOPLE WANT US TO INVEST IN OUR SCHOOLS.

I KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO AND I TALK ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION CROSS-SUBSIDY, FIXING THAT.

>> YEAH.

>> TAKES INVESTMENT.

MAKING SURE EVERYBODY HAS A HOME, THAT WE CAN HAVE FREE MEALS FOR KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL, WE HEARD THAT ACROSS THE AISLE FROM BOTH SIDES.

THAT TAKES INVESTMENT.

AND IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET, WHICH WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT TAKING A FAIR AND BALANCED APPROACH.

AND, SO, THAT MAY MEAN SOME OF THE REVENUE PIECES THAT WE SAW IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, BUT THAT STILL HAS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE, CONSIDERED BY THE SENATE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

BUT MINNESOTANS HAVE ASKED US FOR BIG THINGS.

THEY'RE HURTING.

AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO INVEST IN THEM.

OF.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, IF I CAN JUMP IN, THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET DOES HAVE A TAX INCREASE TO GRAB TAXES FROM LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.

THERE'S BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN THAT.

DOES THAT HURT IT WITH YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE, HE'S PROPOSING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX INCREASE AND THEY'RE PROPOSING A SALES TAX INCREASE.

AT A TIME WITH AN $18 ILLION SURPLUS, THE DEMOCRATS STILL WANT TO RAISE TAXES.

AND I WILL SAY, REPRESENTATIVE OLSON'S RIGHT ABOUT ONE THING.

THAT'S THE SPECIAL ED SIDE OF THINGS.

AND I HOUGHT A SLAM DUNK THIS SESSION WOULD BE THAT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT MAKES ANY NEW PROMISES, WE WOULD FUND THE PROMISES WE'RE NOT KEEPING.

IN THE AREA OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT, THERE'S BEEN A MASSIVE SUBSIDY -- A MASSIVE PUSH ON PROPERTY TAXES.

I JUST ASSUMED THAT EVERYONE WOULD AGREE THAT WE WOULD FULLY FUND SPECIAL ED BEFORE WE MOVED ON TO OTHER THINGS.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TAX ON MARIJUANA.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO WINKLER WHO'S WAITING IN THE WINGS IN JUST A MINUTE ON THAT.

CAN REPUBLICANS GET ON BOARD WITH THAT TAX INCREASE, IN THAT AMOUNT?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT A TAX INCREASE, IT'S AN ILLEGAL MARKET RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE REGULATING.

SO THE TAX RATE IS ACTUALLY A PRETTY REASONABLE AND LOW.

REPRESENTATIVE WINKLER, LAST YEAR, DID A GOOD JOB MAKING SURE THAT IT WOULDN'T BE A BARRIER TO ENTRY, WHICH IS COMPLETELY OUT OF ALIGNMENT WITH A LOT OF OTHER BUSINESS TAX INCREASES.

BUT, YEAH.

>> Mary: THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT THEN?

>> IT S. AND IT HAS BEEN.

AND I THINK THE WORK THAT REPRESENTATIVE WINKLER DID OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE, TO INVEST ALL STAKEHOLDERS, IS REALLY CONTINUING WITH THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE THAT WE'RE TAKING AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE SENATE, THAT IT'S A VERY WELL-VETTED PROPOSAL, A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO IT TO BRING ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO THE TABLE.

I HOPE SO.

IT'S BIPARTISAN WHEN OUR COLLEAGUES CHOOSE TO MAKE IT BIPARTISAN, RIGHT?

AND, SO, IT WILL TAKE THEM COMING AND MAKING SURE THIS THEY CAN HELP MAKE THAT A BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

>> Mary: YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR JUST A MINUTE AGO CALL IT THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

I WAS AROUND FOR THE LAST LARGEST TAX CUT IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, COUPLED WITH REBATE CHECKS, JESSE CHECKS, THEY WERE KNOWN AT THE TIME, WHICH RESULTED IN -- WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS?

WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?

>> WE HAD 9/11.

>> THE STATE DID END UP WITH HUGE SHORTFALLS, IS THERE A CONCERN THAT YOU CUT TOO DEEP AND SHORTFALLS BOOMERANG ACK?

>> FIRST OF ALL, TIM WALZ AND THE DFL DID NOT GET ELECTED TO PUT MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THEIR AGENDA IS.

THEY'VE BEEN VERY BOLD, VERY AGGRESSIVE ABOUT THIS DESIRE TO RESHAPE MINNESOTA.

AND THE DISAPPOINTING PART FOR ME IS THAT THERE'S NOTHING NEW HERE.

THERE'S NOTHING UNIQUE.

>> Mary: THERE'S NEW TAX CUTS, NEW TAX CREDITS?

>> ALL THE IDEAS YOU'RE SEEING ON THE SPENDING SIDE, ALL THE IDEAS FOR POLICY, THESE ARE IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER STATES, JUST LOOK AT ILLINOIS, NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, ALL THOSE IDEAS ARE THERE.

AND, SO, THE IDEA THAT SOMEHOW WE'RE GOING TO BE A COLD CALIFORNIA, I MEAN, AGAIN, MINNESOTA, YOU VOTED FOR THIS.

BUT THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT ON TAX POLICY, IS COMMISSIONER MARQUART, THE SECRET WEAPON?

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS KIND OF LIKE HIM.

>> WE HAVE A REALLY WONDERFUL REVENUE COMMISSIONER AND WE HAVE VERY SMART PEOPLE WORKING ON TAXES IN THE HOUSE.

AND WE'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A APPROACH THAT DOESN'T LEAVE US, I THINK BOTH REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO AND I HAVE A GOOD GOVERNANCE OF LENS OF HOW WE LOOK AT DOING THIS WORK.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN TAX CUTS HAPPEN, WHEN WE GET IN THE SITUATION OF ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, YOU SEE GIMMICKS THAT HAPPENED THAT LEFT US IN A STATE.

WHERE SURPLUS ISN'T ACTUALLY AS BIG AS WE THINK IT IS, BECAUSE WE LREADY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION AND HOW WE'RE DOING OUR REVENUE, BUT NOT IN OUR EXPENDITURES.

AND, SO, WE RE WORKING ON MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE THAT ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE TO MAKE THE NUMBERS LOOK A LOT BETTER THAN THEY WERE.

>> Mary: LAST ISSUE WE HAVE TIME FOR.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE SECOND LARGEST LINE ITEM, IN PART, BECAUSE PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS IN THERE.

IS THAT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> YES.

MINNESOTANS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN PLEADING WITH US FOR YEARS.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO TO DELIVER FOR MINNESOTANS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF OUR WORKERS, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE, AND THIS IS A BIG PRIORITY FOR THE HOUSE, AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR.

>> Mary: LAST WORD.

>> WE WANT PAID FAMILY LEAVE FOR WORKERS.

BUT THE DEMOCRATS ARE INSISTING ON BUILDING AN INSURANCE COMPANY INSIDE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WITH A PAYROLL TAX INCREASE.

I MEAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE -- THIS IS NOT A PROGRAM THAT'S GOING TO WORK.

BUT, AGAIN, THEY'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT IT.

THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE TAXES TO PAY FOR IT.

AND WE'RE GOING -- WE'LL SEE THE EFFECTS OF IT.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF, SEE, I TOLD YOU SO, IN A COUPLE OF YEARS BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO HELP OUT MINNESOTA OW.

>> Mary: THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary: WELL, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WILL BE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT IT, THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA PASSED THE FIRST SENATE COMMITTEE.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME FORMER HOUSE LEADER RYAN WINKLER, WE'VE EVER SEEN WHO'S NOW ADVOCATING FOR MINNESOTA IS READY.

THINGS ARE HAPPENING HERE.

THE SENATE'S CHANGED EVERYTHING FOR YOU, RIGHT?

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, WE SLOGGED THROUGH TOWN HALLS ACROSS THE STATE, WE WORKED THROUGH 12 COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE TO PASS A BILL THAT WE KNEW THE SENATE WAS VERY UNLIKELY TO TAKE UP.

AND ALL THAT WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO TRY TO GET THE BILL READY FOR PASSAGE HAS BEEN PAYING OFF BECAUSE THE SENATE TODAY DID HAVE A FIRST-EVER HEARING TO PASS A CANNABIS LEGALIZATION BILL.

THEY HAD ONE ONCE TO KILL IT, KIND OF CREATE A SHOW TRIAL, BUT THIS TIME THEY ACTUALLY MOVED THE BILL ALONG.

THEY HAVE A PLAN TO GET THIS BILL PASSED THIS SESSION.

>> Mary: IN COMMITTEE TODAY, SENATE REPUBLICANS SAID, THIS IS STILL A RUSH JOB, THAT IT'S GOING TOO FAST, IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED, IT'S A 260-SOME-PAGE BILL, AND THERE'S 18 COMMITTEE STOPS.

IS THIS BEING RUSHED THROUGH?

>> REPUBLICANS OR ANYBODY ELSE WHO DOESN'T LIKE SOMETHING BUT DOESN'T WANT TO OPENLY OPPOSE IT SAY IT'S TOO FAST.

THEY SAID THAT IN THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL WHEN IT MOVED THROUGH TOO.

MINNESOTA IS ABSOLUTELY READY TO PASS CANNABIS LEGALIZATION.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-VETTED, WELL-DEVELOPED BILLS THAT I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND IT'S NOT JUST BECAUSE I HELPED DO IT BUT BECAUSE WE WENT THROUGH SO MANY COMMITTEES, WE'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

AND BY THE TIME THIS IS READY FOR PASSAGE, IT WILL GO THROUGH 30 COMMITTEES IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE, HE MINNESOTA SENATE.

IT IS NOT FAST.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE WILL PASS THIS.

DO YOU FOR SURE HAVE THE VOTES IN THE SENATE, THOUGH?

THAT'S STILL A LITTLE UP IN THE AIR, ISN'T IT?

THERE'S A ONE-VOTE MARGIN FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY IS A ITTLE UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT THE STATE SENATE WILL DO THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT'S A NEW MAJORITY, IT'S A ONE-VOTE DIFFERENCE.

BUT I THINK FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE NEED TO ADDRESS RACIAL EQUITY AND TO ADDRESS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROBLEMS WITH OUR CURRENT CANNABIS LAWS, DEMOCRATS ARE COMMITTED TO THIS BILL.

I THINK DEMOCRATS AT THE RANK AND FILE LEVEL, HOUSE, SENATE, GOVERNOR.

I DON'T SEE ENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCKING THIS BILL THIS SESSION.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK THE DETAILS.

HOW DOES IS IT IT ADDRESS EQUITY?

>> WELL, THROUGH A NUMBER OF WAYS.

FIRST OF ALL, WE CREATE A LEGAL MARKETPLACE, WE TRY TO CREATE A MARKETPLACE THAT PEOPLE WITH LESS ACCESS TO CAPITAL ARE ABLE TO GET INTO AND START A BUSINESS AND SUCCEED IN.

WE PROVIDE UP-FRONT GRANTS FOR PEOPLE TO START BUSINESSES, IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

>> Mary: CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE CONTROVERSY.

PEOPLE SAY THERE HAVE TO BE MORE CHECKS AND BALANCES.

>> ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS STILL GOING TO HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA.

OBVIOUSLY THE STATE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR IT HAVE TO MAKE SURE HAT IT'S DONE WELL.

THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

BUT INVESTING IN BUSINESSES THAT ARE AT THE MARGINS IS CRITICAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS AN EQUITABLE PROGRAM.

AND THAT'S ON TOP OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ELEMENT, EXPUNGING AST CRIMINAL RECORDS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET PAST BACKGROUND CHECKS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN FLAGGED IN BEFORE.

WE REALLY NEED TO ADDRESS THE DECADES-LONG SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL PROHIBITION THAT ADVERSELY AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR, ESPECIALLY AFRICAN AMERICANS IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT EXPUNGEMENT, ARE THERE LIMITS OF PEOPLE WHO MAYBE HAD VIOLENT CRIMES PAIRED WITH DRUG CRIMES, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> SO WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING IT.

IF IT'S A LOW-LEVEL CANNABIS OFFENSE T WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE EXPUNGED.

IF IT'S A HIGHER-LEVEL CANNABIS OFFENSE, THE RECORDS WILL BE SENT TO A BOARD THAT WILL BE SPECIFICALLY TASKED WITH LOOKING THROUGH THOSE RECORDS.

>> Mary: KIND OF LIKE THE PARDON BOARD AT ALL?

>> LIKE A PARDON BOARD, BUT THE ERSON WHOSE RECORD IS IN QUESTION DOESN'T HAVE TO MAKE AN APPLICATION.

THE RECORDS WILL ALL BE SENT.

THEY WILL MAKE DECISIONS.

AND THEY WILL BE EXPEDITED.

SO WE WON'T BE IN A SYSTEM WHERE PEOPLE WITH LESS ACCESS TO LAWYERS AND RESOURCES WON'T BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR TURN IN COURT.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED ISSUES AND THE QUESTIONS WE HEAR THE MOST IS ABOUT IMPAIRMENT AND DUIs AND HOW YOU TEST AND HOW YOU CHECK.

IS THERE A GOOD WAY TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CONSUME CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA TODAY.

AND WE DON'T HAVE A ROADSIDE TEST.

WE DON'T HAVE A ROADSIDE TEST - FOR ANYTHING EXCEPT ALCOHOL.

IN FACT, THE STANDARD IN THE LAW IS IMPAIRMENT.

NOBODY'S ALLOWED TO DRIVE WHILE THEY ARE IMPAIRED FOR ANY REASON.

AND, O, WE TAKE A NUMBER OF STEPS IN THIS BILL TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO PROTECT PEOPLE ON THE ROADWAYS, TO MAKE SURE THAT IMPAIRMENT -- >> Mary: A TEST IS A TEST COMING?

>> A TEST MAY COME OVER TIME.

ALCOHOL IS VERY UNUSUAL IN THAT THERE IS A VERY CLOSE CORRELATION BETWEEN YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT AND YOUR LEVEL OF IMPAIRMENT.

ALMOST NO OTHER SUBSTANCE HAS THAT KIND OF CLOSE CORRELATION.

>> Mary: IS THIS TOO SUBJECTIVE TO ENFORCE?

>> IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME.

>> Mary: DOES IT LEAVE SO MUCH SUBJECTIVITY?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

WE HAVE DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS IN TRAINING IN THE BILL TO HELP MAKE SURE THAT IT'S LESS SUBJECTIVE AND MORE OBJECTIVE.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, RYAN WINKLER, FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF NEW FACES HERE AT THE CAPITOL THIS YEAR.

AND ONE OF THEM IS A REPUBLICAN WHO BEAT THE LONGEST-SERVING DFLer, MARY MURPHY, WHO HELD THE SEAT FOR 46 YEARS.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> YOU KNOW, I SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AS A NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR WITH MY HANDS ON THE GLASS, HOLDING THE HANDS OF DYING RESIDENTS.

AND I THOUGHT, WE SPENT -- I SPENT DECADES TRYING TO SET UP PERSON-CENTERED CARE FOR SENIORS, AND I THOUGHT, THIS IS NOT PERSON-CENTERED CARE WHEN THEY'RE DYING ALONE.

AND HAVING HAD BREAST CANCER AND EIGHT SURGERIES AND I'M FINE NOW, I THOUGHT I HAD MY MOM WITH ME AND MY KIDS AND MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THESE WOMEN HAVE ALL BEEN ALONE.

>> Mary: THIS WAS NOT AN EASY RACE.

HOW CLOSE WAS IT IN THE VERY END?

>> NO.

33 VOTES.

TO THE POINT A REVOTE COUNTS -- EVERY VOTE COUNTS, IT TRULY DOES.

>> Mary: THAT WAS THROUGH RECOUNT.

>> WITH THE RECOUNT, IT CHANGED TWO.

SO IT WAS NET 33.

SO, IT JUST SHOWED EVERYBODY THAT THE PROCESS WAS VERY TRANSPARENT AND WORKED.

>> LET'S MAKE THE FUTURE HAPPEN.

FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: YOU HAD A HARD RACE IN TERMS OF TAKING -- >> VERY HARD RACE.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE LONGEST-SERVING IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATURE, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

46 YEARS.

SO, IT WAS A 46-YEAR INCUMBENT.

VERY HARD TO BEAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS DOOR KNOCKING, I KNEW THAT.

I KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO BE AN EASY THING.

I JUST KEPT AT IT.

STAYING FOCUSED.

I DIDN'T PERSONALIZE IT.

LOOK, I LET THE -- I LIKE THE INCUMBENT TOO.

IT IS WHAT WE NEED FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND YEARS TO COME.

AND I THINK AT THIS POINT IT'S GREAT TO BE A LIFE-LONG VOLUNTEER, BUT I SIGNED UP SAYING, LOOK, I WILL SELF-RETIRE IN TEN.

I SIGNED A PLEDGE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO SERVE AND I THINK AT SOME POINT WE LOSE OUR RELEVANCY BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES AND IT DOESN'T INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO GET ACTIVE.

>> Mary: YOU TALKED ABOUT NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATION.

I KNOW IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRISES IN EMPLOYMENT THAT WE HAVE STATEWIDE.

TALK TO US ABOUT FIRSTHAND WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IN THE -- IN THE DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE?

>> WE'VE ALWAYS STRUGGLED TO HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.

BUT I THINK THE PANDEMIC JUST HEIGHTENED AN ALREADY EXISTING ISSUE IN MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE, IT BECAME A SITUATION OF VACCINATE AND UNVACCINATED AND FEELING DEFEATED, GETTING FINED AND GETTING DEFICIENCIES.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST MADE A LOT OF THE AIDES SAY, AND NURSES SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO O MAKE A LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.

>> Mary: WHAT LEGISLATION CAN HELP IMPROVE AND SAVE THE INDUSTRY?

>> I FEEL IT'S A TWO-PRONGED DEAL.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH REIMBURSEMENT, NURSING HOMES GET REIMBURSED MONTHS AND YEARS AFTER WE PROVIDE HE CARE.

ASSISTED LIVINGS, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RATE IS VERY LOW, AS IS NURSING HOMES.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THE REGULATORY PROCESS ISN'T ALWAYS A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH.

WHAT REGULATIONS ARE WE GOING TO HOLD AS A STANDARD?

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE DYING ALONE EVER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I GREW UP ON A FARM WHERE WE TREAT CATTLE BETTER THAN THAT.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, AT THE END OF OUR LIFE, WE HAVE THE BEST CARE FOR OUR SENIORS.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTHCARE JOURNEY?

I BELIEVE YOU WROTE A BOOK ABOUT IT?

>> I DID.

I WROTE ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, SEPSIS IS WHAT ALMOST KILLED ME.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE IN THREE HOSPITALIZATION DEATHS ARE SEPSIS.

AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS VULNERABLE AT 48 OR A 2-YEAR-OLD OR A 20-YEAR-OLD OR SOMEBODY THAT HAS DENTAL WORK OR SURGERY.

HIGH RISK IS FOR ANY AGE.

SO I WROTE A BOOK.

YOU KNOW, THE SCARS YOU CAN'T SEE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SCARS ARE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAPPENED IN COVID.

>> Mary: WHAT WERE THE TOP ISSUES YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> YOU KNOW, A STRONG ECONOMY.

I PINE -- I MEAN, PEOPLE WANT MINING UP IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

WE'VE GOT THREE SOURCES TO SUPPORT A GREEN PLATFORM, SO TO SAY.

THEY DON'T WANT IT HAPPENING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, THEY WANT MINNESOTA TO LEAD THE WAY.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A REASONABLE LIVING SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

CHILD CARE, CREATING BUSINESS PLATFORM, SO BUSINESSES WANT TO COME IN, SO WE HAVE A PLATFORM OF A TAX BASE, BESIDES JUST PERSONAL HOME OWNERS, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

I RAN ON THAT, AS DID DEMOCRATS, THAT WE WERE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

THEY'RE GOING TO HOLD US TO IT.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT, GET THAT DONE.

>> Mary: WHEN I WAS TOLD ABOUT YOU, I BELIEVE THE WORDS WERE, SHE'S A ROCK STAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HEARING THAT FROM YOUR -- >> I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN I'VE BEEN SERVING MY ENTIRE LIFE.

THIS IS A NEW WAY TO SERVE AS A LEADER.

YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINNESOTA AN EVEN BRIGHTER STAR.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY WANT THE TRADES BACK, MIDDLE SCHOOL, ELEMENTARY, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL THE ONLY CHOICE IS A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

IT'S NOT.

WE HAVE GUIDED STUDENTS TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, TAKE OUT THE LOANS, DO THIS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE $100,000, AND THE REALITY IS, I'VE SEEN THIS FOR A LONG TIME, NOT EVERY JOB LEADS TO A $1 TOWN,000 DEGREE.

SO -- $100,000 DEGREE.

SO WHAT YOU'RE TAKING YOUR LOANS OUT NEEDS TO MATCH.

>> Mary: SEEMS LIKE THE WORKFORCE ISSUES COULD BE BIPARTISAN ISSUES.

THESE ARE STATEWIDE, CHRONIC, URGENT ISSUES.

>> I THINK IT IS.

AND I THINK WE'LL FIND, YOU KNOW, WE'LL COME ACROSS PARTY LINES TO FIND WHAT'S RIGHT FOR MINNESOTA TO GET KIDS ENGAGED.

WE'VE GOT A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WE GOT TO GET KIDS ACTIVELY ENGAGED, SOCIALIZING AGAIN BECAUSE I SAW IT DOOR KNOCKING, KIDS JUST WANT ATTENTION, ADULTS WANT ATTENTION, THERE'S LONELINESS, DEPRESSION.

WE'RE NOT MADE TO BE ISOLATED FOR MONTHS AND YEARS.

♪♪ >> Mary: I WANT TO DIVE INTO YOUR MYRIAD F SKILL SETS.

NOW, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, LAWYER, YOU'RE JOINING US FROM YOUR LAW OFFICE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Mary: TEACHER, FIRST RESPONDER.

>> YES.

>> Mary: MOM, WIFE, MILITARY WIFE.

I THINK ANY ONE OF THOSE WOULD HAVE MADE YOU QUALIFIED.

>> I STARTED MY CAREER AS A TRIAL LAWYER, IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN DOING FOR 26 CAREERS.

BUT I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL IN MY 40s, AND GOT MY MASTER'S IN TEACHING.

I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW.

IT'S MY FAVORITE JOB OF ALL THE JOBS THAT I'VE EVER HAD.

AND IT I ALSO FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO JOIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO I DID.

I'M STILL A MEMBER OF MY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I'M A PARAMEDIC.

>> Mary: SO, DO YOU SLEEP?

>> I DO.

[ Laughter ] I DO.

>> Mary: HOW OFTEN?

HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THAT IN?

>> I'M HAPPYs WHEN I'M BUSY -- I'M HAPPIEST WHEN I'M BUSY, OBVIOUSLY.

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

WE'LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK AND BREAK DOWN MORE DETAILS OF THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

UNTIL THEN, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE.

TPT.ORG/AATC.

THERE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND LOTS OF VIDEO FROM ALL OF OUR SHOWS.

ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE'S IN SESSION, YOU CAN WATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, BILL SIGNINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

SESSION'S OFF TO A FAST START, SO TUNE IN.

AND FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, PEGGY FLANAGAN, THE NEW HEALTH COMMISSIONER, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE ON THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND BONDING BILL, WHICH WE'LL GET TOMORROW.

WE'LL PUT THAT ALL INTO CONTEXT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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: 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.