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

>> I WOULD EXPECT A MORAL OUTRAGE.

>> THIS IS ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THE RESOLUTION ON IMPEACH.

INVESTIGATION IS DUMB.

>> THE MOST HAIR-BRAINED THING I THINK I'VE EVER SEEN.

>> Mary: IMPEACH.

, IMMIGRATION, SAFE SCHOOLS.

POLITICAL REPORTERS WILL BREAK IT ALL DOWN.

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, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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 IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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

I'M ARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE THERE'S ABOUT A MONTH LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND NOT MUCH ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE STILL FAR APART ON ALL OF THE MAJOR ISSUES.

I WILL TALK WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS IN JUST A MOMENT ABOUT THE IMPEACHMENT EFFORT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR WHICH DIED ON A TIE VOTE TODAY IN COMMITTEE.

BUT FIRST A BROADER LOOK AT A WEEK ALREADY FULL OF POLITICS.

>> WE'RE STILL REELING FROM THE INCIDENTS OF METRO SURGE AND SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS' TOP PRIORITY IS ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACTION IN THE STATE.

>> I.C.E.

IS STILL HERE.

THE EFFECT THAT THEY'VE HAD THROUGH OPERATION METRO SURGE, WE'RE STILL FEELING THOSE EFFECTS.

>> I.C.E.

METRO SURGE IMPACT IS NOT OVER.

THE FEAR IS REAL, AND THE FISCAL IMPACT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL BE FELT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> MINNESOTA'S SMALL BUSINESSES NEED IMMEDIATE, STRATEGIC RELIEF.

>> WHEN THE TWIN CITIES OR MINNEAPOLIS EXPERIENCES THIS KIND OF DAMAGE, IT IMPACTS THE WHOLE STATE.

>> WE WORK SO HARD TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN.

>> Mary: ONE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER, WITH EMPLOYEES AND CONSTITUENTS WHO ERE IMPACTED, SPOKE UP.

>> I AM NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH METRO SURGE.

I AM NOT GONNA SIT HERE AND SAY THIS WASN'T POORLY EXECUTED.

THERE WAS A LOT OF EMOTIONS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF LEADERS THAT SAID A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WISH THAT HADN'T BEEN SAID.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE HAVE HIS NOW IN FRONT OF US.

AND MINNESOTA DOES NEED RELIEF.

MINNESOTA BUSINESSES NEED RELIEF.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO AGAIN TALKED OF OFF-DUTY OFFICERS BEING RACIALLY PROFILED.

AS RAMSEY COUNTY ANNOUNCED AN INVESTIGATION OF EDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICERS FOR KIDNAPPING, BURGLARY, AND FALSE IMPRISONMENT.

>> Mr.

THAO IS AND HAS BEEN AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

THERE'S NOT A DISPUTE OVER THAT.

THERE'S NO DISPUTE THAT HE WAS FORCIBLY TAKEN OUT OF HIS HOME.

AND YOU CAN ASK YOURSELF, AS YOU LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES, IS THAT GOOD LAW ENFORCEMENT?

WHEN YOU RUSH TO HIRE THOUSANDS OF AGENTS AND YOU GIVE THEM FIVE WEEKS OF TRAINING, THIS WAS TO BE EXPECTED.

THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE THE PROFESSIONALIZED TRAINING.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE DOGGED IN OUR PURSUIT OF THE TRUTH.

AND, SO, THAT MEANS UTILIZING EVERY AVAILABLE AVENUE OF TRUTH FINDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I ALSO WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THIS GO.

>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHETHER THAT WAS A KIDNAPPING CHARGE BY THESE FEDERAL OFFICIALS.

LOOK, ACCOUNTABILITY IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL.

WE WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF ASKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND JUSTICE ON THIS.

>> Mary: HOUSE REPUBLICANS HEARD A RESOLUTION LED BY THE FREEDOM CAUCUS ON THE IMPEACHMENT OF OUTGOING GOVERNOR WALZ ALLEGING CORRUPT CONDUCT FOR PERMITTING WIDESPREAD FRAUD.

>> WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO TAXPAYERS INSPECT THE TATE AND WHEN $9 BILLION WORTH OF FRAUD TAKES PLACE.

I WOULD EXPECT A MORAL OUTRAGE WHETHER YOU HAVE A D OR R BEHIND YOUR NAMES.

>> WHAT ACTUALLY GETS STUFF DONE INSTEAD OF JUST CATERING TO A NARROW BAND OF FOLKS AND THE NARROW BAND OF LEGISLATORS THAT SEEM TO HAVE ALZ DERANGE.

SYNDROME.

>> WE HAVE ONE MONTH LEFT OF SESSION.

AND INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS ARE ASKING US TO DO, LIKE REDUCE THEIR COST OF LIVING, LIKE DEAL WITH GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, THE REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING THAT WE SPEND THAT TIME, THE REMAINING TIME OF SESSION IN PARTISAN ATTACKS.

>> WHAT MOST MINNESOTANS ARE DEMANDING, ESPECIALLY TODAY ON TAX DAY, IS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR FRAUD SCANDAL THAT'S EMBARRASSING OUR STATE.

THERE BEING 8 AYES AND 8 NAYS, THE MOTION DOES NOT PREVAIL.

>> Mary: THER HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE FOCUSED ON PASSING A SCHOOL SAFETY PACKAGE.

>> IF WE WERE TO FINALLY CLOSE OUT THE SESSION IN MAY, MY HEAD WERE TO HIT THE PILLOW THAT NIGHT, AND WE DIDN'T GET A SCHOOL SAFETY PACKAGE DONE, THAT WOULD BE A GREAT SENSE OF SADNESS.

>> THESE ARE AREAS HERE WE FIND AGREEMENT.

WE SHOULD BE ACTING -- THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT US TO DO IN THE LEGISLATURE, ACT ON THINGS WHERE WE FIND AGREEMENT.

>> WE ARE FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN GET DONE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

WE'RE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH IT.

POLITICAL REPORTERS HAVE BEEN RUNNING.

CAROLINE COUPLINGS IS WITH US FROM WCCO TV AND DANA FERGUSON FROM MPR.

CUMMINGS.

WHAT A WEEK BUT NOTHING SIGNIFICANT REALLY HAPPENED SO FAR?

>> YEAH, WELL, THAT SEEMS TO BE THE THEME OF THE SESSION.

A LOT OF -- DANA IS LAUGHING AT ME.

BUT IT'S TRUE.

IN TERMS OF MAJOR PRIORITIES THAT EACH SIDE HAS, RIGHT?

THEY AREN'T PASSING THOSE BILLS OFF THE FLOOR, ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE TIED MINNESOTA HOUSE.

THERE'S A LOT OF EFFORTS O SUSPEND THE RULES, BRING BILLS UP DECLARING AN URGENCY, TO TRY TO PASS THE PARTISAN PRIORITIES.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THEY AREN'T -- THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT OUT OF THIS CHAMBER GIVEN THE POLITICAL REALITY OF THIS BUILDING.

>> Mary: YEAH, THE HOUSE IS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING UNSTUCK.

>> THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING UNSTUCK, AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF RESIDUAL TRAUMA FROM THE SUMMER, FROM THE WINTER, JUST SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED TO THE FOLKS IN THIS BUILDING, BUT ALSO THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND, SO, TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THAT AND HAVING REALLY DIFFERENT UNDERSTANDINGS, DEPENDING WHERE FOLKS COME FROM, ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE AND THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE THEM HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT AND AS WE SAW IN YOUR PACKAGE, YOU KNOW, JUST A LOT OF DUSTUP, A LOT OF CONFLICT OVER WHAT THAT MEANS FOR FOLKS AND THE EST WAY TO GO FORWARD.

>> Mary: FORMER LAWMAKERS LAST WEEK SAID THEY'RE NOT OKAY AND THEY'RE NOT SAYING THEY'RE NOT OKAY YET.

AND THEY REALLY SAW THIS AS AN UNDERLYING, HE GRIEVING, THE STRESS, ALL F THAT HAVING AN IMPACT.

WE DID GET A BILL SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: IN MELISSA HORTMAN'S NAME.

SO THAT WAS SOMETHING POSITIVE.

>> AND A BIPARTISAN BRIGHT SPOT, FOR SURE, UNANIMOUS SUPPORT.

>> Mary: THE SOLAR GARDENS, THERE ARE A LOT OF EFFORTS TO HONOR HER.

>> THERE ARE EFFORTS FOR CREATING A NEW STATUE, GARDEN OVER AT THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING, RENAMING A HIGHWAY THAT IS THROUGH HER DISTRICT THAT SHE WORKED ON, COUPLE OTHER PROPOSALS TO CREATE A PARK, OTHER THINGS.

SO, I THINK THAT IS ONE AREA WHERE THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THERE IS A STRONG DESIRE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE TO REMEMBER HER AND TO HONOR HER MEMORY.

BUT ON MANY, IF NOT MOST OTHER THINGS, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF DIVISION.

>> Mary: MAYBE THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE AND SOME COMPENSATION FOR BUSINESSES, WE SAW REPUBLICAN FROM WILLMAR, DAVE BAKER, SPEAK UP.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A YES VOTE.

BUT THAT MIGHT BE BIPARTISAN.

>> WELL, THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CORE THING THAT'S UP FOR DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS MOVING -- THE RELIEF PACKAGE FOR BUSINESSES IS MOVING THROUGH THE DFL-LED SENATE RIGHT NOW.

OF COURSE, ANOTHER PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS IS THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PACKAGE, PROVIDING RELIEF FOR PEOPLE WHO STAYED HOME DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE OUT OF FEAR AND ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY MAKING THEIR RENT.

YOU NOW, EVERYTHING IS UP FOR NEGOTIATION, I LIKE TO SAY, AROUND HERE.

WHEN YOU PASS DEADLINES, ONCE THEY GET INTO THE CLOSED-DOOR NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN FIGURE OUT, I MEAN, IT'S ALWAYS A GIVE AND TAKE.

REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO GET THINGS THAT THEY WANT, DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO GET THINGS THAT THEY WANT, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS MAYBE NOT GOING TO LIKE THE OTHER THING THAT THE OTHER PARTY GOT.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT SHAKES OUT IN THE FINAL WEEKS HERE.

>> Mary: RENTAL RELIEF WAS ACTUALLY A BIPARTISAN VOTE IN THE SENATE.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: BUT NOT YET HERE.

>> AND IT'S UP IN WORKFORCE COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE TOMORROW.

WE HEARD REPRESENTATIVE BAKER MAKE THOSE COMMENTS ABOUT THE RECOGNITION FOR SOME OF THE NEED, BUT HE ALSO SAID THERE ARE A LOT OF REGULATIONS THAT SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FACING THAT HE ALSO WANTS TO TAMP DOWN ON.

SO WE COULD SEE SOME SORT OF LAST-MINUTE EFFORT TO DO CHANGES TO PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE THAT COMES AS PART OF THIS RENT RELIEF.

>> Mary: IN IS COMMENTS -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Mary: WITH THE IMMIGRATION.

>> AND THAT ILLUSTRATES THE GIVE AND TAKE, RIGHT.

I'LL OFFER MY SUPPORT FOR THIS THING IF YOU OFFER YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS MY THING.

AND I THINK IN THE HOUSE, WHAT I FIND REALLY INTERESTING, IT DOES SOMETIMES GIVE RANK-AND-FILE MEMBERS A LOT MORE POWER THAN MAYBE THEY OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE, BECAUSE OF THE NATURE YOU JUST NEED ONE TO COME TO YOUR SIDE TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> Mary: REALLY GOOD.

WHAT ELSE ARE WE SEEING BIPARTISANSHIP ON, ARE YOU SEEING ANYTHING ELSE?

>> TODAY THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO TALK ABOUT LEGISLATOR AND COURT SAFETY, AND I THINK THERE'S A REAL SENSE AFTER THE EVENTS OF LAST SUMMER THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPLEMENT ORE SECURITY, WE'VE SEEN MORE IN THE BUILDING, BUT OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING FOR LAWMAKERS AND JUDGES WHEN THEY GO HOME, SOME SORT OF EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY CAN GET THERE AND RESPOND TO THREATS, WHICH ARE MOUNTING AT TRULY A WILD LEVEL.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Mary: IT'S A DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE.

>> AND IT TOUCHES BOTH SIDES, YOU KNOW.

I MEAN, THE HORTMAN ASSASSINATION LAST SUMMER, WE KNOW THE ACCUSED SASS ANYONE HAD A -- SASS SAN HAD A LIST OF DEMOCRATS IN THAT INCIDENT, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN THREATS LODGED AGAINST SPEAKER DEMUTH, THIS THIS TOUCHES DEMOCRATS VERY PROFOUNDLY OVER THE LOSS OF THEIR LEADER.

BUT TO DANA'S POINT, WE'RE IN A NEW WORLD, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE OF THE SPIRIT OF THIS PLACE, HOW IT WAS SO OPEN, NO SECURITY TO GET INSIDE.

>> Mary: SO DIFFERENT NOW, YEAH.

>> BUT THEY'RE HAVING TO EET THE MOMENT, UNFORTUNATELY, AND THIS IS WHAT POLITICS IS TODAY.

>> Mary: AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THE FRAUD ISSUES, WE SAW THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL START TO GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

DO WE THINK THAT'S STILL GOING TO GET DONE?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL.

WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DETAILS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S GETTING KIND OF MANEUVERED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, BUT THERE'S A STRONG BIPARTISAN DESIRE TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE OTHER MEASURES DEALING WITH PENALTIES FOR FRAUD.

TRYING TO PREVENT FRAUD.

AND I WOULD SAY, TOO, SCHOOL SAFETY, WE SAW THIS WEEK THERE'S REALLY STRONG DESIRE FROM BOTH PARTIES TO DO SOMETHING.

THERE IS OVERLAP ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN, BUT THERE IS ALSO DISAGREEMENT ABOUT WHETHER IT SHOULD BE MANDATES, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE SUGGESTIONS, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE -- HOW TO FUND IT.

>> Mary: AND GUN CONTROLS, DEMOCRATS HERE IN THE HOUSE HAVE BEEN SAYING, SCHOOL SAFETY PACKAGE WILL ADDRESS GUNS.

>> AND FOR REPUBLICANS THEY SAY, THAT'S A NONSTARTER.

SO WHERE DO THEY MEET, IN THE MIDDLE, IS THE OPEN QUESTION.

>> Mary: FRAUD TODAY, WE COVERED BIPARTISAN PRESS CONFERENCE, ADDRESSING FRAUD, THIS CONCEPT OF TAXING AND TRYING TO GET THE MONEY BACK.

>> YEAH.

SO, IT'S IMPLEMENTING 100% TAX ON ANY MONEY A PERSON MADE FROM FRAUD.

THE DETAILS SEEM TO BE STILL OUTSTANDING, THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SAYS MAYBE IT SHOULD BE A TAX PENALTY INSTEAD.

>> Mary: RIGHT.

>> BUT AGAIN, AS REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS SAID, AS HE'S A DFL CO-AUTHOR ON THIS REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TRY TO GET SOME OF THE MONEY BACK.

THAT REALLY SUMMED IT UP.

I GUESS MAYBE IT TAKES BEING CLEVER TO GET SOME REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO WORK TOGETHER.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> SO FRAUD WAS ALSO THE BASIS FOR AN IMPEACHMENT HEARING.

NOT SOMETHING I REMEMBER COVERING IN THE ALMOST THREE DECADES I'VE BEEN UP HERE.

THIS IS UNUSUAL.

>> BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN AN IMPEACHMENT SINCE 1895 OR SOMETHING.

THAT'S WHAT HOUSE RESEARCH SAID.

>> EAH, THEY NOTED RIGHT OFF THE BACK OF THIS HEARING THAT THIS HASN'T HAPPENED IN -- >> 140 YEARS SOME YEARS.

DON'T CHECK ME ON MY MATH.

>> Mary: A JUDGE WHO WAS DRUNK ON THE BENCH WAS REMOVED.

>> IT WAS JUDGES AND A STATE TREASURER, THOSE WERE THE NLY TWO PEOPLE, YEAH.

>> YEAH, SO SORT OF IN MODERN TIMES, UNPRECEDENTED TO TAKE THIS ACTION.

THE WAY THAT IT CAME THROUGH RULES COMMITTEE WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN THAT WE HEARD TESTIMONY ABOUT TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT WEREN'T ACTUALLY THE SUBJECT OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.

>> YES.

WAS PROCESS RESOLUTION.

>> THEY WERE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO O ABOUT IMPEACHMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

THEY WERE TRYING TO DISCUSS WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR GOVERNOR TIM WALZ, ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON TO BE IMPEACHED OVER THESE CONCERNS ABOUT FRAUD.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TESTIMONY ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH FROM MEMBERS, BUTTING HEADS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

>> Mary: YEAH, IT WAS CHIPPY, T DIDN'T SEEM LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO GET DEALS ON OTHER THINGS, THE TONE AND THE VOTE, TOO.

>> RIGHT.

BUT I THINK ABOUT THE PARTISANSHIP WE'VE SEEN AND I THINK ABOUT THE QUOTE THAT THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN OFTEN SAID, IT WAS SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT OF LIKE THERE'S ALWAYS DARKNESS BEFORE THE DAWN.

SHE REALLY SAID THAT ALL THE TIME.

>> NO, T'S TRUE.

>> Mary: IT'S TRUE.

>> AND I FEEL LIKE THAT WAS JUST A REFLECTION OF SHE'D BEEN AROUND HERE LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IT CAN GET REALLY UGLY AND THEN THEY STILL FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH AND THEY CAN NAVIGATE REALLY TENSE NEGOTIATIONS.

I MEAN, THEY PASSED A BUDGET AGAINST ALL ODDS WITH THIS UNIQUE TIE THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN.

>> Mary: AND WE ALWAYS USED TO CALLED IT THE BREAKDOWN THROUGH THE BREAKTHROUGH, THIS IS A NORMAL RHYTHM AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> THIS IS WHEN THEY COME OUT A LITTLE BIT, PERFORM FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR THE PRESS AND BEAT UP ON ONE ANOTHER, NOT PHYSICALLY, ONLY IN WORDS.

RHETORICAL BEATING UP.

AND THEN THEY'RE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER BEHIND THE SCENES MUCH OF THE TIME AND COME OUT WITH SOMETHING, EVEN IF IT'S NOT WHAT EITHER SIDE WANTED IN ITS ENTIRETY.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: AND WE'RE HOPING NOTHING COMES OUT EARLY THAT MAKES IT UNTIL AFTER SESSION, RIGHT?

>> MY BABY COMES AFTER SESSION.

>> Mary: CONGRATULATIONS.

WE'RE ALL SO VERY EXCITED FOR YOU, CAROLINE.

>> MY INTERN HAS NOT VERY HELPFUL THIS SESSION, I WILL SAY.

>> CO-ANCHOR NEEDS TO WORK.

>> Mary: GET TO WORK.

THANKS, LADIES.

>> THANKS, MARY.

♪ >> Mary: THIS NEXT RETIRING LAWMAKER FIRST CAUGHT OUR EYE WHEN SHE BROUGHT HER BABY TO WORK HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

BUT THEN AN ACCIDENT A FEW YEARS LATER CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION, SOMEONE WHO LIKES TO BE LOW-KEY.

JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME IMAGES YOU MAY FIND GRAPHIC IN THIS.

>> WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO HEAR THIS IN COMMITTEE.

>> Mary: WE FIRST NOTICED REPRESENTATIVE ERIN KOEGEL WHEN SHE MAY HAVE BECOME THE FIRST LAWMAKER TO WORK SO CLOSELY WITH HER INFANT AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN BE A MOM WITHOUT THAT BEING THE TOP LAYER OF EVERYTHING YOU DO.

IT'S REALLY ARD AS A MOM NOT TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR YOUR KIDDO.

>> Mary: THE THIRD-TERM LAWMAKER WAS ENJOYING LIFE WITH HER KIDDO AND FAMILY AT A CABIN THEY RECENTLY PURCHASED AND WERE DOING ONE OF MANY DIY PROJECTS.

>> I WAS MAKING A COFFEE TABLE.

I FOUND, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE COOL PINTEREST IDEAS.

>> Mary: SHE AS CUTTING WOOD WITH A POWER SAW.

>> THERE WAS A KNOT IN IT, I DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT I REMEMBER THE NOISE.

AND THEN THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER I'M ALKING TO THE CABIN, YOU KNOW, WITH MY HAND IN MY HARM GOING, DON'T WORKER IT'S THE LEFT HAND.

>> Mary: KOEGEL BLACKED OUT FOR A MINUTE AND DIDN'T REALIZE THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES INITIALLY.

>> MY MIDDLE FINGER WAS DANGLING.

TIP OF MY POINTER FINGER GOT CUT OFF AND THEN MY RING AND POINTER -- RING AND PINKY FINGER WERE IN THE YARD.

MY WEDDING RING GOT COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

THEY FOUND PIECES OF IT IN THE YARD.

WE CALLED 911.

AND THEY SENT THE LONGVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE DOWN.

AND THEN THE AMBULANCE CAME AND WHEN THE AMBULANCE CAME, THEY'RE, LIKE, OH, WE GOT TO FIND A SPOT FOR THE CHOPPER TO LAND.

AND I SAID, I DON'T NEED A HELICOPTER.

AND EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM SAID, YES, YOU DO.

SO, YEAH, THEY LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON THE COUNTY ROAD OUT IN FRONT OF MY CABIN.

AND AIRLIFTED ME TO NORTH MEMORIAL.

THEY BROUGHT ME STRAIGHT FROM THE HELICOPTER AIRLIFT DOWN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE I MET MY DOCTOR.

SHE STARTED THE SURGERY AT 4:00, I THINK, IN THE AFTERNOON.

AND IT DIDN'T FINISH UP UNTIL 4:00 A.M.

>> Mary: 12 HOURS.

>> 12 THAN HOUR SURGERY TO RECONSTRUCT MY HAND AND THEN ATTACH -- REATTACH THE MIDDLE FINGER, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, DIDN'T TAKE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, STAFFERS, AND MORE ALL RALLIED TO THE CAUSE.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I KIND OF AFFECTIONATELY CALL THIS BILL THE I JUST CUT OFF MY FINGERS, GIVE ME WORK TO DO BILL."

SO THIS IS ONE I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WHILE SO THANK YOU GUYS.

I AM UTTERLY GRATEFUL TO REPRESENT SPRING LAKE PARK, FRIDLEY, HILLTOP AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS.

WE FOLLOWED BUSES HOME FROM SCHOOL IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS JUST SO THAT FAMILIES FELT SAFE.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS I WAS SITTING -- I WAS WALKING KIDS HOME FROM WOODCREST TO FRIDLEY TERRACE, WE SAW I.C.E.

AGENTS WAIT UNTIL SCHOOL LET OUT AND GRAB PARENTS.

YOU GUYS, YOU TOOK IT ALL ON.

NATIONAL MEDIA.

IT WAS TOUGH.

IT WAS REALLY HEART WRENCHING.

AND TOUGH.

>> Mary: HERE WITH US NOW IN PERSON, DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ERIN KOEGEL.

SO LET'S START WITH THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE.

BECAUSE YOU USED TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS LOW-KEY, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT ISSUE HAS MADE YOU SPEAK OUT AND BE FAR MORE PROMINENT.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> YEAH.

WELL, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF -- YOU KNOW, I THINK I JUST KIND OF SPOKE OUT.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT.

SO, -- BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SEE IT HAPPENING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, TO YOUR KIDS' CLASSMATES, TO THE TEACHERS IN YOUR SCHOOL, I SAT IN A TEACHER'S APARTMENT BUILDING FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOL TO SIGN DOPA FORMS, TO NOTARIZE DOPA FORMS FOR PEOPLE.

SO IT WASN'T SOME ABSTRACT THING THAT WAS HAPPENING.

IT WAS PEOPLE I CARED ABOUT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SEE YOUR NEIGHBORS BEING HARMED, YOU STEP UP AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: WERE PEOPLE SURPRISED, BECAUSE INITIALLY IT WAS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS IN MINNEAPOLIS AND THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT IT WOULD BE SUBURBS, THAT IT WOULD BE GREATER MINNESOTA.

DID YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF MINNESOTA, LIKE, OH, THIS IS HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO SEE, YOU NOW, HITTING THE SUBURBS.

I WASN'T SURPRISED TO SEE IT COME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE I KNOW MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LARGE ECUADOREAN POPULATION, THAT WE ARE -- WE HAVE A LOT OF AFFORDABLE HOMES IN MY AREA.

SO IT MAKES IT AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE COME TO START THEIR LIVES IN MINNESOTA.

AND, SO, WHEN YOU EE THAT WRONG HAPPENING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOU HAVE TO STEP UP AND SAY SOMETHING.

>> Mary: DO YOU SEE BIPARTISANSHIP 'IN THIS HAPPENING HERE IN YOUR FINAL SESSION?

>> I HOPE SO.

I THINK I'VE BEEN HERE TEN YEARS NOW, AND I'M STILL HOPEFUL.

BUT AROUND THAT ISSUE, I THINK PEOPLE ARE PRETTY MUCH TAKING SIDES AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS SESSION AND YOUR TEN YEARS AND HOW DIFFERENT A TIED HOUSE CO-CHAIR GAVEL SITUATION.

HOW DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING?

>> THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST YEAR HAS GONE SO MUCH BETTER.

WHEN I WAS LISTENING O YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT ALL THE STUFF THAT WAS STUCK IN COMMITTEE, I THINK OUR COMMERCE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN A BRIGHT SPOT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE GENERAL REGISTER, WE HAVE A LOT OF BILLS ON THE GENERAL REGISTER.

AND ONES THAT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

LIKE BANNING CRYPTO KIOSKS IN MINNESOTA.

9 9 % OF CRYPTO KIOSKS ARE USED IN SCAMS, OR THE THE TRANSACTIONS.

>> Mary: YOU SEEM TO BE GETTING ALONG WITH YOUR CO-CHAIR.

O'DRISCOLL AND YOU ZOOM TO HAVE GOOD, THAT'S REAL, THAT'S NOT FOR THE CAMERAS.

>> NO, WE MEET WEEKLY, A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK, CHAT ON THE FLOOR, WE MAKE AN EFFORT TO HAVE OUR CONVERSATIONS OPEN, HONEST.

98%.

WE ARE VERY TRANSPARENT WITH OUR PLANS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I'LL PUT UP A BILL THAT I KNOW WON'T ET ANY REPUBLICAN SUPPORT BUT AT LEAST IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TALK ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES.

AND THEY'LL DO THE SAME.

BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, WE SPENT MOST OF OUR TIME WORKING ON BIPARTISAN ISSUES THAT CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.

>> Mary: YOU HAVE THE GAVEL NOW.

WHY LEAVE NOW?

>> I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE.

I LOVE THIS JOB.

YOU KNOW, I JOKE, IT'S ONE OF THE FEW THINGS I'M REALLY GOOD AT.

BUT IT IS REALLY A REWARDING JOB.

AND T'S WONDERFUL.

BUT I ALSO HAVE TO WEIGH OUT MY FAMILY PRIORITIES.

YOU KNOW, I HATE TO QUOTE FORMER SPEAKER DAUDT, BUT I'M IN MY PRIME EARNING YEARS.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DO NEED TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ME, IT'S ABOUT MY FAMILY, IT'S ABOUT MY EXTENDED FAMILY.

AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S BEST FOR US.

MY KID CAN'T RIDE A BICYCLE AT NEARLY 7 BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE STREET FOR HER TO RIDE ON.

AND, SO, WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME THAT WE REALLY KIND OF PRIORITIZED HER AND OUR FAMILY.

>> Mary: THE LOSS OF MELISSA HORTMAN AFFECT YOUR DECISION MAKING AT ALL?

>> YEAH, I'VE NEVER KNOWN THIS PLACE WITHOUT MELISSA.

I CAME IN IN THE MINORITY, HE WAS MINORITY LEADER.

YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER THE SORRY/NOT SORRY NIGHT.

AND, YEAH, I MEAN, HAVING TO EXPLAIN THAT TO A 6-YEAR-OLD IS DIFFICULT.

AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE ONCE MY KIDDO'S A LITTLE BIT OLDER, I'LL COME BACK, YOU KNOW, GET MY SENIORITY BACK SOMEHOW.

BUT AT THIS MOMENT IN MY LIFE I REALLY DID NEED TO PRIORITIZE MY FAMILY.

>> Mary: WE GET IT.

GOOD LUCK, SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Mary: PPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: YOU BET.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER RETIRING LAWMAKER.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KRESHA COMING ON THE SHOW.

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

THERE YOU CAN FIND OUT WHAT'S COMIN' UP ON THE SHOW, REWATCH SHOWS, AND ALSO LINK WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, WE HAVE CONTENT FOR YOU THERE.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, ON THIS CHANNEL YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW, ON STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV, YOU CAN WATCH HOUSE, SENATE, FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE.

ALSO ON THIS STATION, FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL PREVIEW AN UPCOMING PBS DOCUMENTARY.

AND I'LL TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE TOUCH ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION, IMPEACHMENT AND FRAUD ALL MAJOR ISSUES HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "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, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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 IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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