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

>> OUR COMMUNITIES NEED AND ARE ASKING FOR MORE HOUSING.

>> WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS.

>> Mary: HOUSING IS A UGE ISSUE.

HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND LAWMAKERS BEHIND SOME BIPARTISAN BILLS.

THAT'S COMING P 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: DELIVERING 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.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

THERE'S DIVISION IN D.C. AND HERE IN MINNESOTA SO TONIGHT ON THE SHOW, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT AN ISSUE HAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND MOMENTUM AND THAT IS HOUSING.

WE HAVE THE HOUSING COMMISSIONER AND BIPARTISAN LAWMAKERS, BOTH CHAMBERS, BOTH PARTIES HERE A LITTLE BIT LATER.

BUT FIRST STRIFE OVER SOCIAL ISSUES STARTED AM WEEK OFF AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

A BILL TO BAN TRANSGENDER KIDS FROM SCHOOL SPORTS BROUGHT NATIONAL ATHLETES TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> HOW CRAZY IS IT THAT YOU HAVE TO WALK DOWN THE STEPS WITH AN ENTOURAGE OF SECURITY FOR SAYING SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS MEN AND WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT.

UTTERLY INSANE.

>> I WAS ATTACKTH RATHER VICIOUSLY, TOLD THAT I AM FILLED WITH HATE AND AM A HATEFUL PERSON.

BIOLOGICAL MALES HAVE NO PLACE COMPETING AGAINST OUR GIRLS.

>> TODAY'S YOUNG ATHLETES ARE TOMORROW'S LEADERS.

[ Cheers and applause ] WHEN WE PROTECT FAIRNESS AND SAFETIED IN OUR GIRLS SPORTS, WE ARE PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS A BILL WITHOUT DEMOCRATS, SO IT TOO FAILED WHILE THE HOUSE AWAITS A PECIAL ELECTION.

>> THE BILL DOES NOT PASS.

>> HISTORY HAS NEVER LOOKED FAVORABLE UPON ANY MOVEMENT THAT TRIES TO CRIMINALIZE PEOPLE BASED SOLELY ON THE FACT OF WHO THEY ARE.

I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT AS LONG AS I NEED TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO LIVE AS YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF AND PLAY THE SPORTS THAT YOU LOVE, JUST LIKE I DID.

>> I EALLY FOUND MY OUTLET AND MY SAFE SPACE THROUGH SPORT, THROUGH BELONGING, AND CONFUSION OF HO I M, AND WHERE I FIT IN THE WORLD.

>> Mary: MORE CONCERNS ABOUT BILLS MOVING INCLUDE A DELAY OF PAID FAMILY LOVE.

>> PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE JOINED US IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST BRAIN CANCER TWO YEARS AGO, AND WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT TEN MORE MONTHS FOR IT TO BE STARTED.

AND NOW THEY WANT US TO HAVE US START A YEAR LONGER.

WE CAN'T WAIT.

>> PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, WHICH ALLOWS FAMILIES TO CARE FOR THEIR OWN MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND KEEP THEIR JOBS.

>> THERE IS A BODY OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH THAT BAKST THIS UP.

AND I KNOW BECAUSE I CARRIED A VERY LARGE BOX FILLED WITH THESE STUDIES TO NINE COMMITTEES IN 2023.

>> ALL OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHAOS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE IMPACT THAT THE FEDERAL CUTS COULD HAVE.

>> MAKING SURE WE HAVE TIME TO GET THIS BILL BETTER.

AGAIN, I'M ANOTHER GOING TO TALK ABOUT REPEALING THIS IDEA.

I THINK IT IS AT THE DOOR NOW.

WE HAVE TO REALLY GET IT RIGHT.

>> Mary: AND HOUSING LEADERS ANNOUNCED A BIG BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE.

>> TODAY WE AS A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS STAND TOGETHER IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE THAT IS CORE OF EVERY MINNESOTA OMMUNITY, HOUSING.

>> WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS.

MINNESOTA IS A 114,000 HOUSING UNITS BELOW WHAT WE NEED.

>> WE REPRESENT URBAN, SUBURBAN, GREATER MINNESOTA, CORNER TO CORNER, AND YET WE RECOGNIZE THAT ADDRESSING OUR HOUSING SHORTAGE IS PRIORITY NUMBER ONE.

>> THE CITIES ARE NOW FINALLY REALIZING, THEY'VE GOT A HOUSING PROBLEM ON THEIR HANDS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT I CAN REMEMBER, THEY'RE COMING TO US AND SAYING, YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE KNOW WE'RE NOT BUILDING ENOUGH HOMES.

>> Mary: HERE TO TALK WITH US MORE ABOUT HOUSING IS THE COMMISSIONER, JENNIFER HO.

COMMISSIONER, DO YOU LOVE HOUSING BEING PUT UP IN A BIG BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL PRESS CONFERENCE AND CALLED A CRISIS.

IS THAT GOOD FOR YOU OR NOT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT HOUSING HAS ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT WHAT WE'VE REALLY SEEN IS IT MOVE FROM KIND OF A TIER THREE ISSUE TO A TIER ONE ISSUE AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO NEED US TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM IN EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE STATE.

>> Mary: SO YOU AGREE WITH THE STATS THERE?

OVER 100,000 HOUSING UNITS SHORT IN THE STATE?

>> YEAH, IT HAPPENED DURING THE HOUSING CRISIS.

WE STOPPED BUILDING, BUT WE KEPT HAVING HOUSEHOLD FORMATION OR NEW HOUSEHOLDS COMING, AND SO YOU JUST GET BEHIND ON THE NUMBERS, THEN YOU GOT A PRICE PROBLEM.

>> Mary: YOU GOT RECORD FUNDING.

IS THAT GETTING OUT THERE?

IS THAT HELPING?

WHY DO WE STILL HAVE A CRISIS AFTER A LOT OF MONEY COMING YOUR WAY?

>> WELL, WE ALWAYS KNEW THE ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS WEREN'T GOING TO FIX A LONG-TERM PROBLEM.

AND WE CAN'T MAKE HOUSES IMMEDIATELY FALL FROM THE SKY.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING ON CONSTRUCTION.

YOU KNOW, PROJECTS WITH PARTNERS AND SO IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THEM TO PULL TOGETHER ALL THEIR FINANCING AND PERMITTING AND ACTUALLY START BUILDING.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE EFFECTS OF THAT OAFER EFFECTS OF THAT OAF OVER TIME AD WE DEFINITELY HAVE COMMITTED A LOT OF THOSE DOLLARS TO PROJECTS.

IT'S JUST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING TAKES TIME.

>> Mary: AND HOW MUCH DO THOSE DOLLARS CHANGE NOW WITH THINGS LIKE INFLATION AND TARIFFS?

I WAS HEARING FROM SOME BUILDERS ABOUT HOW MUCH MATERIALS COME FROM OVER THE BORDER?

>> THE PRICE OF LUMBER HAS BEEN AN ISSUE.

WE SAW THAT IN THE EARLY PANDEMIC.

SO TARIFFS ON LUMBER, ON GYPSUM, ALL THOSE THINGS AND THE PRICE OF HOUSING, HE COST OF CONSTRUCTING HOUSING IS IMPACTED BY SO MANY THINGS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO BRING IT DOWN.

>> Mary: YOU KNOW, HOW FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY INTERPLAYS.

YOU WERE A HOUSING -- A SENIOR HOUSING ADVISOR, RIGHT, IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

WHAT CONTEXT AND PERSPECTIVE CAN YOU GIVE US NOW ON THAT INTERPLAY BETWEEN FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS AND POLICIES?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THE HUD RESOURCES COVER A BROAD RANGE OF RESOURCES.

THERE'S MONEY IN HOUSING AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THE V.A.

HELPS PEOPLE BUY HOMES.

WE WORK WITH THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT WITH LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT HAVING AN F.H.A.

INSURED MORTGAGE OR YOU THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY WHOSE MOM LIVES IN RENT ASSISTED HOUSING, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S HOUSING DOLLARS AT WORK HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND THAT'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS.

THAT'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> Mary: HAS THE MONEY STOPPED?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FLOW OF FUNDS?

>> WE HAD A HICCUP IN THE SECOND WEEK OF ADMINISTRATION.

THERE WAS A THREE-DAY PAUSE.

BUT THEN THE COURTS SAID NO.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS OUR FUNDING MOSTLY.

THERE'S A COUPLE PROGRAMS.

WE WERE DOING SOMETHING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE THAT HELPED US BUY DOWN THE INTEREST RATE ON ENERGY IMPROVEMENT LOANS.

THAT MONEY HAS DRIED UP FOR COMMERCE TO BE ABLE TO GET IT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THEN WE HAD SOME DEVELOPERS WHO WERE GETTING MONEY TO INVEST IN GREEN RETRO-FITS IN BIG MULTI-FAMILY ONES AND THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY MAY NOT ET THAT MONEY.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED HUD, AND MAYBE WE'RE BURYING THE LEDE HERE.

>> IT WAS RUMORED LAST WEEK BUT I SAW IT IN THE NEWS TODAY THAT HUD DOES INTEND TO CLOSE THE FIELD OFFICE HERE.

THAT'S 100 PEOPLE.

OUT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FIELD OFFICE THAT COVER THE WHOLE RANGE OF HUD PROGRAMMING.

AND FOR US, AS AN AGENCY AND OUR PARTNER EASHZ, THAT'S KIND OF THE DAILY INTERFACE ON ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO TOGETHER.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE GO TO GET CONTRACTS CLOSED AND WHEN SALES HAPPEN AND GET INSURANCE FROM HUD.

IN THE FIELD OFFICE.

SO THE -- IT'S IN STATUTE THAT EVERY STATE SHOULD HAVE A FIELD OFFICE.

SO WHETHER THIS IS KIND OF ANNOUNCED OR DONE OR NOT DONE OR UNDONE, REALLY HARD TO SAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE OUR PARTNERS EVERY DAY.

>> Mary: TOMORROW WE GET AN UPDATED BUDGET FORECAST.

I SHOULD SAY SOMEWHAT.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE BUDGET.

FROM THE FORECAST?

I'M GUESSING YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING RECORD FUNDING AGAIN?

BUT I DON'T KNOW.

THERE'S A LOT OF BIPARTISAN LOVE HERE IN THE WINGS FOR HOUSING.

>> I AM, OF COURSE, WE'D BE HAPPY TO GET MORE FUNDING.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BE EXCITED FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, THE GOVERNOR'S STARTING POSITION, MY STARTING POSITION THIS SESSION IS LET'S HOLD THE BASE.

LET'S NOT CUT HOUSING.

THIS IS A TIME FOR MOVING FORWARD, NOT BACKWARD.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THAT BIG BIPARTISAN COALITION, THIS ONE -- I THINK THEY CALLED IT KIND OF THE MIDDLE, THE MISSING MIDDLE OF HOUSING.

CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES IN THE PAST.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT CONCEPT IN HELPING THE HOUSES CRISIS?

>> IT'S BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS REALIZING THAT HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY IS REAL ISSUE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO WE'RE SEEING THESE CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN AS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF WAYS TO HANDLE IT.

WE'RE NOT REALLY IN THAT CONVERSATION.

WE'RE THE HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY.

I RUN THE STATE'S HOUSING BANK.

WE'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THINGS LIKE LOCAL ZONING AND LAND USE, THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WE'RE VERY CURIOUS TO SEE WHERE THE CONVERSATION GOES AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE BIPARTISAN DISCUSSION HAPPENING.

>> Mary: THAT'S GOING TO E OUR THEME TONIGHT, BIPARTISANSHIP AND HOUSING.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ >> Mary: WELL, WE'RE CONTINUING THIS BIPARTISAN HOUSING CONVERSATION AND JOINING US, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN CALL THEM AN ODD COUPLE.

>> LET'S NOT START RESUMERS.

OKAY.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN SENATOR ERIC LUCERO AND DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN BAHNER.

FIRST OF ALL, SENATOR LUCERO, I MEAN, YOU GUYS ARE KIND OF DIFFERENT POLITICALLY.

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE.

>> WELL, WE ACTUALLY BOTH LIFEHOUSE IN THE NORTHWEST METRO.

SO WE'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER, BUT ONE THING THAT THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED IS THE DEFINITE NEED FOR HOUSING.

AND SO WE IN THE NORTHWEST HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE HOUSING EXPLOSION OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SO WE'RE ON THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ISSUE.

SO H.O.A.s IS AMONG THAT.

>> Mary: YEAH, WE'LL GET THERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FIRST THING OF HOW YOU GET TOGETHER WITH LUCERO AND WHETHER YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE BELIEVE YOU.

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE LIKE EACH OTHER MORE THAN WE LET ON.

SENATOR LUCERO AND I HAVE WORKED A NUMBER OF TIMES ON I.T.

RELATED ISSUES AND HAVE HAD A REALLY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP THERE.

AND THEN OF COURSE TALKING ABOUT H.O.

A.s I THINK BRINGS A LOT OF FOLKS TOGETHER RIGHT NOW.

AND AS YOU MENTION, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF HOUSING BOTH NATIONALLY ND HERE IN MINNESOTA AND PARTICULARLY IN THE NORTHWEST.

WHERE WE LIVE.

AND ALONG WITH THAT, WE'VE ALSO SEEN AN EXPLOSION OF H.O.A.s AND ASSOCIATIONS.

I THINK IT'S RIGHT NOW THAT 82% OF NEW HOUSING IS -- FALLS UNDER AN H.O.A.

>> Mary: LET'S JUST STOP FOR A SECOND.

THAT'S A HUGE NUMBER.

I'M GUESSING THE AVERAGE PERSON HAS NO IDEA, HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS, WE SHOULD DE-LINGO FOR A SECOND TOO.

WHY ARE WE SEEING IT SO PREVALENT NOW?

>> WELL, THE -- SO PART OF MY BACKGROUND IS A REAL ESTATE AGENT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN EXPLAINING AS I'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION IS I GREW UP IN THE NEW BRIGHTON, ST. ANTHONY VILLAGE AREA, AND A COMMUNITY LARGELY DEVELOPED IN THE '60s.

ALSO THEN GOING AROUND THE FRIDLEY, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

THESE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE DEVELOPED WITHOUT H.O.A.s.

AND THEN YOU EXPAND A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, GET OUTSIDE THE 694/494 BELT AND THAT'S WHERE YOU BEGIN TO SEE THAT.

IN OUR DIRECTION ANYWAY.

AND SIMILAR.

SO THE REASON IS, MANY COMMUNITIES ARE PUTTING REQUIREMENTS FOR AMENITIES THAT REQUIRE AN H.O.A.

TO BE FORMED.

SO WHEN A DEVELOPER COMES TO A CITY, THEY WOULD SAY, HEY, IN ORDER FOR US TO APPROVE THIS, WE WANT YOU TO HAVE A SWIMMING POOL OR A PLAYGROUND OR SOME OTHER FEATURE, >> Mary: LET ME JUMP IN.

THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE?

>> WELL, AND I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY, OUR LAWS JUST HAVEN'T KEPT PACE.

AND WE SEE THIS AGAIN NATIONALLY AND HERE AT HOME.

WITH ABOUT ONE IN FOUR FOLKS IN MINNESOTA NOW LIVING IN AN H.O.A.

REALISTICALLY, OUR LAWS REALLY DON'T DO A GOOD JOB OF SETTING SORT OF THOSE GUARDRAILS, SETTING UP EXPECTATIONS AND RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OUR ASSOCIATIONS.

OR FOR OUR PROPERTY MANAGERS.

AND THEY OFTEN LEAVE CONSUMERS WITHOUT ANY PROTECTIONS, RIGHT?

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE AMERICAN DREAM TURNS INTO YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE, RIGHT?

>> Mary: AND YOU'VE HEARD SOME NIGHTMARES.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NIGHTMARES THAT ARE BEHIND THIS BILL?

>> WELL, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF GUARDRAILS, BECAUSE THE LAW HAS NOT BEEN KEEPING UP, WE HAD COMMUNITY SESSIONS DURING THE WORK GROUP THAT WE HOSTED.

AND AMONG THE PEOPLE THAT CAME IN, A LOT OF DIFFERENT TESTIMONIES.

ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS MOST STRIKING WAS IN MY OWN COMMUNITY IN OTSEGO WHERE A WOMAN CAME IN.

HER TOWNHOPE WAS PART OF AN H.O.A.

SHE WAS TRAVELING FOR SEVERAL WEEKS OUT OF COUNTRY AND HER TRASH CAN WAS LEFT DOWN AT THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY.

THERE WAS A BY-LAW THAT SAID IT HAD TO BE UP BY THE HOUSE AND BECAUSE SHE NEGLECTED TO DO THAT, SHE INCURRED SEVERAL FINES TO A WHOPPING TOTAL OF $56, AND THEN THEY BEGAN THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS.

>> Mary: WAIT, FORECLOSED ON A $56 >> WELL, THEY BEGAN IT.

I THINK SHE WORKED TO NOT ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.

>> Mary: HAS THIS BEEN SHOCKING FOR THE LAWMAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO HEAR?

>> IT DIDN'T END WITH THE $56.

WHAT IT ACTUALLY DELIVERED IS AN ATTORNEY'S BILL FOR ALMOST $3,000.

$2,500 TO $3,000.

ON TOP OF THE $56 FINE.

AND I THINK WHAT WE TALK ABOUT A LOT IN THE WORK GROUP AND WORKING WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY IS, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHEN YOU TALK TO AVERAGE PEOPLE, THAT'S JUST NOT REASONABLE.

RIGHT?

TO HAVE SOMEONE FORECLOSE ON YOUR HOUSE FOR $56?

TO END UP WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ATTORNEY FEES FOR SOMETHING REALLY SIMPLE THAT COULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

AND SO THIS REALLY SETS SOME REALLY STRONG GUARDRAILS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ABUSES THAT WE'VE SEEN.

AND START TO MAKE GOOD -- >> Mary: I WONDER IF THE TWO OF YOU AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A CASE STUDY FOR LEGISLATING.

YOU MENTIONED WORKING GROUP OUTSIDE OF SESSION, BEFORE YOU KNEW THAT EITHER OF YOU MAY BE SERVED IN A TIED CHAMBER AND HAD TO WORK TOGETHER.

TALK ABOUT THE VALUE OF THAT.

>> WELL, WHEN IT COMES TO THESE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY HOUSING, ACROSS THE BOARD, IT'S NOT JUST REPUBLICANS.

IT'S NOT JUST DEMOCRATS.

IT'S NOT INDEPENDENTS.

IT'S NOT ANY OF THOSE TRADITIONAL BREAKDOWNS OF GROUPINGS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S IMPACTING EVERYBODY.

YOUNG AND OLD.

DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN.

>> Mary: BUT IT TOOK WORK OUTSIDE OF SESSION.

>> CORRECT, MY POINT IS, THE NECESSITY THAT THIS IS AFFECTING EVERYBODY, WE COME TOGETHER, IT'S NOT -- TAKE OFF THE HATS OF DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN.

THE CONVERSATIONS -- ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN THAT POLITICAL AT ALL.

IT'S BEEN, WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS, THE PAIN POINTS THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING.

>> Mary: HOW DO OTHER PEOPLE DO THIS ON OTHER ISSUES HERE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK -- WELL, I WOULD ARGUE THAT IT HELPS TO BE A GOOD MODERATE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATOR FROM THE SUBURBS.

>> Mary: THE SENATOR DOESN'T LIKE THE WORD MODERATE, THOUGH, RIGHT, DO YOU?

[ Laughter ] >> BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT REASONABLE PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER WHEN WE HAVE REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED US TO TACKLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, REALISTICALLY, WHEN WE HEARD FROM FOLKS IN EVERY CORNER, DURING THOSE LISTENING SESSIONS, WHICH I KNOW I FELT REALLY STRONGLY WERE SUPER IMPORTANT, WE START TO SEE THOSE THEMES EMERGE.

AND THAT HAS NO IDEOLOGY.

IT HAS NO SPECIFIC POLITICAL PARTY.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT SAYING, HOW DO WE COME TOGETHER AND DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: THANKS, YOU TWO.

>> AWESOME, THANK YOU.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, WELL, THIS WEEK'S FRESHMAN LAWMAKER STANDS OUT BY RUNNING TOWARDS THE MIDDLE.

IT WAS ONE OF OUR RACES TO WATCH, WITH A TIGHT PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION.

HE WON CAMPAIGNING AS A MODERATE.

>> I WANTED TO RUN BASICALLY BECAUSE AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER I SAW SOME OF THE EFFECTERS THAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE COUNTY AT THE STATE LEVEL, PROPERTY TAXES, ALSO AS A BUSINESS OWNER, SEEING DECISIONS MADE THAT WERE AFFECTING BUSINESS OWNERS.

AND I WANTED TO COME DOWN AND BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> Mary: YOU KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO BE EASY.

YOU HAD A REALLY TOUGH PRIMARY AND A GENERAL.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

>> I LOVE THE CHALLENGE.

I LOVE TO DO NEW THINGS.

AND I FIGURED, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I'D NEVER DONE BEFORE.

I HAD PEOPLE SAYING YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WIN.

SO I TAKE THAT PERSONALLY.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BUSINESS AND PERSONAL AND EVEN WITH THE ELECTION, I SAID, I'M GOING TO WIN.

HI, I'M WAYNE JOHNSON.

I'M RUNNING FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE.

>> Mary: THERE'S A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WHO HAD TOUGH PRIMARIES OR A TOUGH GENERAL.

THERE'S VERY FEW MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO AD TIGHT RACES BOTH TIMES, RIGHT?

>> I BELIEVE THAT'S RIGHT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

AS SOON AS I WAS DONE WITH THE PRIMARY, I AS TOLD, TAKE A LITTLE TIME OFF.

BOOM, I HAD PHONE CALLS COMING IN THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS ABLE TO NOT LOSE THAT FOCUS.

SO I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO.

I KNEW THE CHALLENGES AND SO I JUST NEVER LET UP.

>> Mary: WE TALKED ABOUT IT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND SAW THAT THROUGH THE RACE THAT YOU WERE ONE OF THE RARE PEOPLE WHO WON RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE.

YOU STAVE OFF SOMEBODY FROM THE RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU HAD TO STAVE OFF SOMEBODY FROM THE LEFT.

SO HOW DID MODERATION WORK FOR YOU?

>> I THINK THAT WORKED PERFECT IN MY DISTRICT, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY TALKED ABOUT ARE WE PURPLE, PURPLE-BLUE, PURPLE-RED.

AND WHAT I FOUND IN THE CITY, PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE EXTREMES.

FIRST OF ALL, THEY NEVER WANT TO BE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

SO THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THE EXTREMES LEFT AND RIGHT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE OUT THERE YELLING.

THEY ALSO KNOW PEOPLE IN OUR AREA, WE ALL GET ALONG.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOALS.

WE ALL HAVE THE SAME NEEDS AND I THINK PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT REALLY WANT TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT DOES TALK TO BOTH SIDES.

AND I'VE TOLD PEOPLE, I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU SUPPORTED, YOU CALL ME, YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME, I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU AND HAVE A DISCUSSION.

>> Mary: BUT ONCE YOU GET HERE, YOU FIND OUT, THERE'S TEAM BLUE AND TEAM RED.

IT'S HARD, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS HARD.

IT'S HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

I HAVE MET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, AND YOU SIT THERE AND SAY, OH, WE'RE CONNECTING AND STUFF, BUT THEN WHEN YOU GET RIGHT DOWN TO THE VET OR IN THE COMMITTEES, IT'S RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE AS FAR AS YOU'RE GOING TO GO ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND THEN HAVING A LITTLE CHALLENGE WITH THAT.

I'M HOPING TO CHANGE THAT.

I CHANGED THE WAY WE OPERATED ON THE COUNTY BOARD.

AND I GOT SOME MORE IDEAS IN AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SO I'M HOPEFUL.

BUT I'M ALSO REALISTIC.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU FINDING OUT ABOUT FRESHMAN AND HOW THEY GET TREATED HERE?

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY WELL.

>> >PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY OPEN AND MAYBE THAT MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF OUR SITUATION THIS TIME.

EVERYBODY'S NEEDED.

EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT.

YOU NEED EVERY VOTE.

AND SO THEY AVE REALLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME GETTING ME UP TO SPEED.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

AND I'VE BEEN VERY SURPRISED AND HAPPY WITH HOW OPEN EVERYBODY HAS BEEN.

>> Mary: YOU'RE NOT IN AN EASY COMMITTEE, TAXES AND YOU GOT HAILSTORK 4.

>> YES.

>> Mary: AT THING US ABOUT IT AND WHY YOU GOT SUCH A BIG BILL.

>> I THINK PART OF IT WAS IT WAS ONE OF OUR TOP ITEMS AND THEY GAVE IT TO ME ECAUSE THEY FEET I COULD MARCH FORWARD WITH IT.

PEOPLE WERE SAYING WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK.

PEOPLE SAY THAT 18 BILLION AND THE 10 BILLION AND T WAS A TOP MESSAGE.

AND PEOPLE SAID WE WANT THAT MONEY BACK TO US.

>> Mary: IT'S AN AUTOMATIC SURPLUS?

>> IT'S 05% ABOVE WHAT IS IS PROJECTED IS NEEDED IS GOING TO GO BACK, AND GO INTO AN ACCOUNT AND THEN BASICALLY GIVEN BACK WHETHER IT'S PROPERTY TAX OR TAXES.

>> Mary: WHAT WAS IT LIKE HAVING THAT BIG OF BAIL UP IF TAXES?

>> THE FIRST TIME I WENT THROUGH IT, IT WAS FRIENDLY PEOPLE.

SO IT WAS EASY.

>> Mary: IT WAS ALL REPUBLICANS THERE.

>> RIGHT.

I BROUGHT IN TREATS, WHICH IS TRADITION.

FROM LAKE ELMO AND EVERYBODY WAS GREAT.

HAVING A FULL COMMITTEE AND HAVING THE OTHER SIDE THERE WITH THEIR OWN AGENDA CREATED A NEW LEVEL, AND I LEARNED A LOT FROM IT.

I'M PREPARED FOR WHEN IT DOES COME UP AGAIN, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

BUT IT WAS A LEARNING, AND I ALWAYS FEEL THAT AS LONG AS YOU LEARN FROM SOMETHING, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.

I APOLOGIZE IF I'M NOT AS LEGISLATIVELY ASTUTE AS YOU ARE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN FRESHMAN GET ASKED QUESTIONS.

IT'S KIND OF A FAMOUS TRADITION AROUND HERE.

IS A QUESTION A QUESTION?

>> NO, A QUESTION S NOT A QUESTION.

I FOUND OUT THAT A QUESTION IN THE CITY LEVEL AND THE COUNTY LEVEL AND IN BUSINESS LEVEL IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN A QUESTION YOU GET HERE.

QUESTION HERE, IT'S NOT TO LEARN, BUT TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT A SUBJECT OR ELSE GET YOUR OWN MESSAGE OUT THERE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I HAD TO LEARN AND FORTUNATELY I LEARNED IT QUICK.

>> I'M GETTING CAUGHT A LITTLE BIT ON THIS.

>> THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS YOU'RE WRITING INTO THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Mary: YOU KNOW SPORTS.

THIS IS A SPORT, ISN'T IT?

IT'S COMPETITIVE.

IT'S FULL CONTACT.

>> OH, YEAH, Q.R.

>> OH, YEAH, Q., YOU KNOW, FROM HAVING A DAUGHTER AND MYSELF HAVING A DAUGHTER, WHEN YOU GET OUT THERE ON THE FIELD, THERE'S NO PRISONERS.

>> Mary: SO WHAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD FOOTBALL FINISH FOR YOU?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THAT WE GOT A BUDGET DONE.

>> Mary: ON TIME OR IMPOSSIBLE?

>> I DON'T KNOW WITH THE DELAY WE'VE HAD HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE ON TIME.

WE DO HAVE THAT DEADLINE.

I THINK WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO GET THAT TO FINAL DEADLINE.

WHETHER THE SPECIAL SESSION, WE DON'T EVER WANT TO HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE GOVERNMENT.

I THINK IF WE GET DONE WITH A BUDGET ON TIME, I WILL CONSIDER THAT A WIN, BUT ALSO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT E LISTEN TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND GIVE THEM BACK SOME OF THAT MONEY THAT THEY SAID THEY WANTED WHEN WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER FRESHMAN, THIS TIME IT'S A DEMOCRAT.

THE MEAN TIME, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG, THERE YOU CAN WATCH ANY OF OUR SHOWS, INTERACT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND BE SURE TO WATCH LEGISLATIVE ACTION, HOUSE, SENATE, FLOOR, COMMITTEE, PRESS CONFERENCES ON THIS STATION.

FRIDAY NIGHT, ERIC AND CATHY HAVE A GREAT SHOW.

AND I'LL BE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET FORECAST WHICH COMES OUT TOMORROW.

THEY HAVE TO BALANCE A BUDGET.

IT'S BIG NEWS HERE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

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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.

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