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

>> Mary: WITH CONTINUED CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY AT THE STATE CAPITOL, WE'LL TALK WITH THE HEAD OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEADING LAWMAKERS.

>> FIRST TIME STATE PATROL ENTERING THE LIVING QUARTERS AND REMOVING MY 14-YEAR-OLD SON TO A SAFE LOCATION.

>> YOU DON'T NEED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE FOR ONE SECOND THAT I CONDONE THAT BEHAVIOR.

I'VE DENOUNCED IT.

>> BUT YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT OCCURS.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TV STATION.

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

THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN BACK IN REGULAR SESSION FOR A FULL WEEK NOW AND IT'S BEEN A CONTENTIOUS ONE.

I AM HERE IN THE "ALMANAC" STUDIO, OUR NOW-FAMILIAR SPOT DURING THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC.

ON TONIGHT'S SHOW WE'LL TALK WITH SENATE LEADERS AND MEET A LAWMAKER WHO IS NEW TO THE STATE SENATE.

>>> BUT FIRST TONIGHT, ONGOING THREATS OF VIOLENCE AS WASHINGTON, D.C., PREPARES FOR A TRANSITION IN THE WHITEHOUSE.

EARLIER TODAY, THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IMPEACHED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 13 MONTHS.

AFTER LAST WEEK'S VIOLENT INSURRECTION IN D.C., THE NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN CALLED UP AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PROTECT PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THREATS OF VIOLENCE FROM PROTESTORS IN MINNESOTA LED TO A TENSE FORUM WITH GOVERNOR WALZ AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

[ INDISTINCT ] >> Mary: THEY STORMED THE CAPITOL RALLY AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL WHILE A VIOLENT MOB STORMED THE U.S. CAPITOL AND MORE POTENTIAL THREATS AHEAD CONTINUE TO CREATE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.

JANUARY 6 RALLY AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND PROTESTS THERE AND IT'S BEEN NOTED, YES, THEY WERE PEACEFUL, A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE OPEN CARRYING AND, YOU KNOW, LONG GUNS OUT, ALONG WITH STATE TROOPERS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT BALANCE OF STATE SECURITY?

AND DO WE FEEL LIKE OUR STATE CAPITOL TRULY IS SAFE?

AND WHAT HAPPENED IN D.C. DO NOT HAPPEN HERE?

>> THE ANSWER IS YES.

WE PUT THINGS IN PLACE, WE WERE AGGRESSIVE AROUND THAT BACK IN MAY.

WE ALL KNOW WHY THEY OPEN CARRY FOR THAT, IT'S ABOUT INTIMIDATION.

WHETHER YOU CAN OR NOT, HECK, YOU CAN CARRY A CHAINSAW BUT I WOULDN'T TAKE ONE INTO McDONALD'S.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT.

BUT NO ONE'S GOING TO SAY THAT.

I'VE GOT MEMBERS STANDING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, STANDING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE NEXT TO PEOPLE CARRYING ARs BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> Mary: HALF A DOZEN STATE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE STATE VERSION OF STORM THE CAPITOL.

AFTERWARDS, ALL HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASED A UNANIMOUS LETTER CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE IN D.C. AND VIOLENT RHETORIC IN St. PAUL.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK OUT IN STRONGER TERMS THAT THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

YOU AND I AGREE ON THAT.

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF YOU DON'T TRY TO INSINUATE THAT SOMEHOW I OR ANYBODY ASSOCIATED WITH THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE MINNESOTA SENATE IN ANY WAY CONDONES THAT BEHAVIOR.

WE DO NOT AND WE SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT IN THE STRONGEST TERMS.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

>> WELL, I'LL RECLAIM MY TIME.

YOU DON'T NEED ME TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION.

THE PUBLIC WILL MAKE THAT CONNECTION.

BUT I'M GOING TO JUST END AND SIGN OFF.

YOU CAN SEE THE DEPTH OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.

>> PEOPLE ARE SAYING ON THE CAPITOL PREMISES THAT THERE SHOULD BE A CIVIL WAR AND THERE SHOULD BE CASUALTIES AND BY CASUALTIES THEY MEAN HIM.

SO TO ASK HIM TO TURN AROUND AND, YOU KNOW, TURN THE OTHER CHEEK AND HUG THESE PEOPLE CLOSE AND SAY, WHY IS IT THAT YOU DON'T THINK THAT WE HAD A FREE AND FAIR AND LEGAL ELECTION IS COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC.

NOW, I WILL -- >> I NOW FOR ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME HAVE DENOUNCED -- >> MINNESOTANS -- >> IN DENOUNCING THAT BEHAVIOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAUDT.

>> I DON'T WANT YOU TO LEAD PEOPLE TO BELIEVE FOR ONE SECOND THAT I CONDONE THAT BEHAVIOR.

I HAVE DENOUNCED IT ABOUT FIVE -- >> BUT YOU HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HAS OCCURRED.

LET'S IMAGINE FOR A MOMENT SOMEBODY REFERRED TO CASUALTIES TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY.

>> THIS IMAGE OF A NOOSE AT THE CAPITOL, I TAKE REAL UMBRAGE WITH THE IDEA THAT WHAT HAPPENED HERE AT OUR CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY WAS OKAY BECAUSE THE RESULT OF THAT IN THAT LANGUAGE OF TAKING THE GOVERNOR AND HIS FAMILY PRISONER AND THERE MAY BE CASUALTIES RESULTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE PATROL ENTERING THE LIVING QUARTERS AND REMOVING MY 14-YEAR-OLD SON TO A SAFE LOCATION.

AS HE'S CRYING LOOKING FOR HIS DOG, WONDERING WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> I REALLY DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE LOWER THE TONE.

I MEAN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS GOING ON THAT WE'VE GOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH.

THE FENCE AROUND THE STATE CAPITOL IS HERE AND THE PICKET AROUND ALL THE MANY PEOPLE THAT GOT THEIR PLACES PICKETED, MYSELF, SPEAKER HORTMAN, THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS, HAPPENED LONG BEFORE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY.

AND, SO, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO LOWER THE TONE HERE.

>> Mary: THREATS OF VIOLENCE AND MORE PROTESTS AREN'T THE ONLY ISSUES STIRRING SERIOUS CONTROVERSY AMONGST POLITICAL LEADERS.

THERE CONTINUES TO BE CONCERNS ABOUT SOME SENATE REPUBLICANS WHO REFUSE TO WEAR MASKS AT THE CAPITOL.

>> THE BEHAVIOR OF MEMBERS OF ONE CAUCUS WHO, FOR WHATEVER THEIR REASONS ARE, I DON'T PRETEND TO BE ABLE TO READ THEIR MINDS HERE, BUT DO NOT APPEAR TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THAT MASKS WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE ARE INCREDIBLY DISRESPECTFUL TO MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY PARTY AND NONPARTISAN STAFF WHO DO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

AND ARE MOCKING, IN SOME CASES, BUT IT MATTERS, IT ABSOLUTELY MATTERS IN OUR ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER ON THESE ISSUES WHEN IT IS CLEAR THAT ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE SIMPLY DOESN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AS MANIFESTED THROUGH THEIR BEHAVIOR AND THE WAY THEY TREAT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SENATE.

>> Mary: JOINING ME TO TALK MORE ABOUT CAPITOL SECURITY IS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER JOHN HARRINGTON, HE'S ALSO A FORMER St. PAUL POLICE CHIEF AND FORMER STATE SENATOR.

COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON, HELLO.

>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW, THE LATEST INTEL THAT YOU'RE GOING, THERE WERE VARIOUS REPORTS, SOME OF THEM NATIONALIZED, SOME OF THEM LOCALIZED ABOUT THREATS SPECIFIC HERE IN St. PAUL AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW AT THIS POINT?

>> AT THIS POINT WHAT WE KNOW IS THERE ARE NO LOCAL CREDIBLE THREATS TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, BOTH FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE FBI.

THE STATE BCA, THE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION WHICH WORKS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S CENTER HAS BEEN TRACKING THIS, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A VERY ROBUST DISCUSSION WITH OUR FEDERAL, STATE, AND St. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS COUNTY SHERIFFS TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION OR ANY INTEL OUT THERE THAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THAT THE CAPITOL AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE FOLKS THAT WORK AT THE CAPITOL ARE CURRENTLY AT RISK.

>> Mary: IN THIS MODERN SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD, HOW HARD IS IT TO GET RELIABLE INTELLIGENCE AND REALLY KNOW WHAT THE CHATTER IS?

DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO KNOW WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN?

>> WE'RE HEARING LOTS OF CHATTER.

AND THE CHATTER HAS NOT STOPPED.

IN FACT IN FACT, IF ANYTHING, THE CHATTER HAS ACCELERATED SINCE THE 6th.

BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE WOULD CALL ASPIRATIONAL CHATTER AND OPERATIONAL CHATTER.

AND, SO, WHAT WE LOOK FOR ARE SIGNS OF OPERATIONAL CHANGES.

ARE THERE PEOPLE FLYING INTO THE STATE?

ARE THERE PEOPLE THAT ARE SHIPPING WEAPONS?

HAS THERE BEEN AN INCREASE IN PURCHASES OF CERTAIN THINGS?

ARE THERE HOTELS OR OTHER AREAS THAT ARE BEING BOOKED UP?

WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE SIGNS AND THOSE PIECES OF EVIDENCE, WE DON'T SEE OPERATIONAL INITIATIVES, BUT WE ARE CHECKING AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY RECHECKING AND CHECKING EVEN THE ASPIRATIONAL CHATTER TO SEE, DOES THIS GROUP HAVE ANY HISTORY OF VIOLENCE?

DO THEY HAVE CONNECTIONS TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE?

SO WE ARE TAKING EVERY THREAT EXCEPTIONALLY SERIOUSLY.

WE ARE NOT DISCOUNTING ANY POSSIBLE AVENUE, AND, AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALSO LEARNING FROM OUR PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE U.S. CAPITOL POLICE.

WE'RE TAKING STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED THERE WILL NOT BE HAPPENING AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THE PROTEST HERE A WEEK AGO AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL?

THERE WERE MANY FOLKS OPEN CARRYING, SOME WITH BULLET-PROOF VESTS, SOME WITH LONG GUNS OUT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT BALANCING CITIZENS' RIGHT TO CARRY AND OPEN CARRY AND AUTHORITY AND WHAT YOU MAYBE LEARNED A WEEK AGO?

>> WELL, I'D SAY THERE'S TWO THINGS.

ONE, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CORNELL LANGER AND I TALK ABOUT, AND I THINK MOST CHIEFS OF POLICE TALK ABOUT.

THE FIRST COMMITMENT THAT EVERY COP TAKES IS TO PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION.

AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE ARE VERY COGNIZANT OF TRYING TO PROTECT FIRST AMENDMENT AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHEN THEY'RE EXERCISED LAWFULLY.

THERE ARE LINES THAT CAN BE AND HAVE BEEN CROSSED AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE HAVE TAKEN ACTION, WHETHER IT IS TO STOP PEOPLE ON THE FREEWAY OR TO INTERDICT PEOPLE THAT WERE OUT OF CONTROL THAT HAD WEAPONS.

COLONEL LANGER.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR BEHAVIOR ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS AND AROUND THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

[ SIRENS IN THE BACKGROUND ] WE LEARNED THAT GOOD COMMUNITY POLICING STILL WORKS, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE EMPHASIZED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

MANY OF THE PROTEST THAT IS WE HAVE SEEN AT THE CAPITOL AND AT THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE ARE NOW SO ROUTINE AND SO REGULAR THAT WE KNOW THE ORGANIZERS, AND WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATION WITH THE ORGANIZERS TO TRY AND GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE REALLY CONCERNING EPISODES WAS WHEN THEY WERE DOING WHAT THEY CALL HOUSE CALLS, WHICH WERE COME TO THE CAPITOL AND THEN GOING AND SENDING 25 PLUS ARMED INDIVIDUALS TO STAND IN FRONT OF STATE REPRESENTATIVES' HOUSES.

I WANT YOU TO IMAGINE THAT IT'S YOUR CHILD AND YOUR WIFE OR YOUR HUSBAND THAT ARE THERE BY THEMSELVES, THEY DIDN'T SIGN UP TO BE PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

25 ARMED INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

AND YOU DON'T KNOW AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER THOSE -- >> Mary: IF I COULD INTERJECT, WHAT DO YOU DO IN THAT SITUATION?

WHAT'S LEGAL, WHAT'S ILLEGAL?

WHEN CAN AUTHORITIES GET INVOLVED?

>> WE GET INVOLVED IMMEDIATELY.

AND WHAT HAPPENED THAT -- LAST WEEKEND WAS, REPRESENTATIVES CALLED US, THEY CALLED ME PERSONALLY, I CALLED ST. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CALLED OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

THOSE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IMMEDIATELY DISPATCHED SQUADS AND THE PEOPLE DISBURSED UPON LAWFUL ORDERS BY THE POLICE TO GET OUT OF THE STREET AND MOVE ON.

WE KNOW THAT THAT HAS WORKED.

IT IS A MATTER OF KEEPING PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE VIGILANT, THAT THEY'RE CALLING.

AND WE HAVE WORKED LITERALLY, I HAVE CONTACTED EVERY CHIEF AND EVERY SHERIFF IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS NEW TREND AND ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN BOTH ACKNOWLEDGING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND STRATEGIES FOR HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RESPOND WHEN WE HAVE A HOUSE CALL THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY IN THE METRO AREA.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME WITH US TONIGHT.

>> IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Mary: HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT THE CAPITOL, ONGOING COVID-19 ISSUES AND MORE, WE HAVE REPUBLICAN DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER SENATOR MARK JOHNSON AND ALSO DFL MINORITY LEADER SENATOR SUSAN KENT.

LOOKS LIKE, SENATOR JOHNSON, WE DEFINITELY HAVE YOU THERE.

AND, SENATOR KENT, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, SENATOR JOHNSON, AND FOLLOW UP ON THE DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD WITH COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON ABOUT THE CAPITOL AND THREATS AGAINST THE CAPITOL.

SENATORS, DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL IS PROTECTED AND CAN HANDLE THE NEXT WEEK THAT'S AHEAD?

FIRST SENATOR JOHNSON.

>> WELL, THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, FOR HAVING ME ON THE PROGRAM.

AND, YES, OUR CAPITOL POLICE HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB HERE.

STATE PATROL HAS BEEN PRESENT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS JANUARY 6th WHEN WE HAD A PRESENCE HERE OF THE CROWD AND THE PROTESTERS OUT FRONT, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AROUND, BUT SINCE THAT TIME, YOU KNOW, FROM THE LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, I REALLY HAVEN'T SEEN CROWDS OR PEOPLE WANDERING AROUND THERE.

AND THE PATROL HAS REALLY TON A GREAT -- DONE A GREAT JOB OF MAKING THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN.

AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE AROUND HERE FEEL VERY VERY SAFE AT THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

>> Mary: OKAY, SENATOR KENT, SAME QUESTION, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR SECURITY?

DO WE STILL HAVE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> I'M HERE, YES, MARY, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Mary: THANK YOU.

>> I'VE BEEN REALLY GRATEFUL.

WE'VE HAD GOOD BRIEFINGS FROM THE GOVERNOR AND FROM COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON AND COLONEL MATT LANGER WITH THE STATE PATROL.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY'RE BEING VERY THOUGHTFUL IN THEIR PLANNING AND VERY COORDINATED AND THEY'RE BEING VERY DILIGENT IN THEIR COMMUNICATIONS.

AND WE'VE HAD THE STATE PATROL AROUND THE CAPITOL FOR THE PAST WEEK DOING, YOU KNOW, CHECKING I.D.s, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SECURE AND WE JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE CARE AND THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING, AS WELL AS THE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'LL BE SAFE.

>> Mary: AND COULD BOTH OF YOU ADDRESS CONCERNS, INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS, OF MEMBERS AND YOURSELVES?

WE KNOW PROTESTERS AND FOLKS, ARMED FOLKS HAVE SHOWN UP AT INDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS' HOMES.

HOW IS THAT COORDINATION GOING?

AND DO YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS FEEL SAFE IN YOUR HOMES?

>> I'LL START ON THIS, MARY, I GUESS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS REALLY CHALLENGING.

AND, HONESTLY, I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO POINTS OUT THAT IT'S JUST REALLY NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BRING THIS TO PEOPLE'S FAMILIES.

AND I APPRECIATED WHAT COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON SAID EARLIER.

SOME OF US DO SIGN UP FOR THIS, BUT WE ARE A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

YOU KNOW, MOST OF US DO OTHER WORK THE REST OF THE YEAR, AND, YOU KNOW, THE THOUGHT OF THIS TURNING INTO SOMETHING WHERE ARMED PEOPLE ARE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS FRIGHTENING OUR FAMILIES, IT'S REALLY -- THAT CROSSES A LINE AND THAT'S TRUE FOR BOTH SIDES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

I THINK WE SHOULD JUST REALLY NOT SUPPORT THAT TYPE OF ACTIVITY.

>> Mary: SENATOR JOHNSON, SAME QUESTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I'D LIKE TO ECHO WHAT SENATOR KENT HAD TO SAY THERE.

I MEAN, WE DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THAT, AND I REMEMBER THIS SUMMER FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU KNOW, EARLY IN JUNE, BEING VERY NERVOUS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHO MIGHT BE COMING UP TO THE HOUSE, AFTER THE MINNEAPOLIS RIOTS BROKE OUT.

AND THEN WE SAW SOME PROTESTING UP IN HUGO, THINGS LIKE THAT, IN FRONT OF OFFICERS' HOUSES.

IT WAS REALLY A SCARY TIME.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE SEE SOME OF THAT ACTION COMING NOW.

I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS LEGISLATORS, THOUGH, IS TO REALLY TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND FOCUS ON WHAT OUR JOB IS GOING TO BE HERE NOW FOR THE NEXT FOUR, FIVE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE DOING FOR MINNESOTA.

AND IF THIS IS GOING TO BE CONTINUE TO BE SOMETHING THAT KEEPS BEING BROUGHT UP AND DISTRACTING US, IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH MUCH LONGER FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS.

SO I HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, AFTER THE 20th AND ALL THOSE THINGS, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN MAKING SURE THAT THE SCHEDULE THAT WE'RE LINED UP FOR GETTING THE THINGS DONE THAT MINNESOTANS NEED AND ARE HOPING THAT WILL HAPPEN.

>> Mary: SENATOR, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE OTHER WORK AHEAD AND SPECIFICALLY COVID-19 STILL LOOMING AND SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE HEARD EARLIER.

WHEN THE CALL BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS GOT CONTENTIOUS, FOR SURE.

AND ONE OF THE ISSUES WAS MASKING AND NOT MASKING.

WE HAVE FOOTAGE EARLIER OF YOU NOT MASKING ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND SOME TENSION AROUND THAT.

SHOULD YOU MASK, SHOULDN'T YOU MASK.

CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT?

>> OH, I'D BE HAPPY TO.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THERE IN THE SENATE TO COME DOWN THE AISLE AND TO, YOU KNOW, SMILE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND TAKE OUR ELECTION CERTIFICATE AND DO THAT.

AND WE WERE DOING THE SPACING AND DOING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS, MOST OF US WERE PUTTING ON OUR MASKS, DOING THOSE THINGS.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A REASONABLENESS FACTOR OF THIS AS WELL.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS GETS TO BE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE, THIS GETS TO BE A LARGER DISTRACTION FROM WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING, WORKING ON GETTING THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK, AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR AND DFL LEGISLATORS CONTINUE TO GO BACK TO MASKS AS IF THEY'RE A MAGIC BULLET THAT ARE GOING TO SAVE US FROM THE REPERCUSSIONS OF COVID-19.

AND, YES, WE DO TAKE REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS.

OUTSIDE IF YOU SEE ME WALKING AROUND OUTSIDE MY OFFICE, MOST OF THE TIME I'VE GOT A MASK ON AND I'M DOING THOSE THINGS.

>> Mary: SENATOR KENT, CAN YOU -- >> IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE NEED TO BE DOING IT -- DOING EVERYTHING THAT, YOU KNOW, CDC SAYS, SITTING IN OUR OFFICE, DOING AN INTERVIEW.

I MEAN, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO DO THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> Mary: SENATOR KENT, CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT AND THE EFFECT IT'S HAVING ON RELATIONSHIPS AND BEING ABLE TO WORK ON SUBSTANTIVE COVID LEGISLATION?

>> YEAH, I HAVE TO SAY, I'M JUST VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT I'M HEARING.

YOU KNOW, IT'S WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE SENATE CHAMBER BECAUSE IT'S ALL ON CAMERA ALL THE TIME, MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, MANY OF THEM, ROUTINELY DO NOT WEAR MASKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

THEY ROUTINELY DO NOT WEAR MASKS IN THE PUBLIC SPACES THAT WE ALL SHARE.

AND, OF COURSE, NO ONE SAYS THIS IS A MAGIC BULLET THAT IS GOING TO ABSOLUTELY STOP IT.

BUT WE KNOW THAT IT IS EFFECTIVE.

THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE CAN ANALYZE CASES WHERE MASK POLICIES HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE AND IMPROVED SITUATIONS FOR FOLKS.

THE FUNDAMENTALLY, THIS COMES DOWN TO A MATTER OF RESPECT AND TRUST AND CARING FOR EACH OTHER.

YOU KNOW, FOR THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE THAT WHEN THE PEOPLE AROUND US REFUSE TO WEAR A MASK, THEY ARE SAYING, OKAY, THIS DOESN'T MATTER, I'M WILLING TO PUT YOUR WELL-BEING AND YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR FAMILY'S WELL-BEING AND YOUR HEALTH -- >> Mary: THANK YOU, SENATORS, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

I'M SORRY.

WE'RE LIVE AND OUT OF TIME.

WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.

WELL, OUR SERIES WITH VISIT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE NEWCOMERS CONTINUES THIS WEEK.

AND WE BEGIN WITH A FAMILIAR FACE THAT -- FOR THE STATE SENATE.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I AM A FIRST-TERMER IN A NEW BODY AND I HAVE LOTS TO LEARN BUT I BRING A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH ME.

THE REASON WHY I DECIDED TO RUN IS LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCE I HAD OVER 12 YEARS, BOTH AS A LEGISLATOR IN THE HOUSE, BUT I THINK, MORE IMPORTANTLY, AS A CANDIDATE RUNNING STATEWIDE.

AND IT TRANSFORMED ME AND MY BELIEF IN WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.

>> Mary: SO WITH ALL YOUR EXPERIENCE, HAVING WON AN ENDORSEMENT FOR GOVERNOR, GOTTEN A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF ACTIVISTS BEHIND YOU, HAVING A LEADERSHIP ROLE, ARE YOU WORRIED YOU'RE GOING TO BE FRUSTRATED, NOT NECESSARILY HAVING A LEADERSHIP ROLE, NOT BEING IN THE MAJORITY?

WHAT IS THIS SESSION GOING TO BE LIKE FOR YOU?

>> I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT LEADERSHIP IS, YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE A CATCH TO A POSITION OR TITLE, BUT LEADERSHIP IS REALLY ROOTED IN YOUR VALUES AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN.

AND YOU CAN LEAD WITHOUT A TITLE.

AND I WILL.

>> WE'RE THE SECOND MOST UNEQUAL STATE WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION AND OUTCOMES.

>> WE CAN BE DIRECT AND HONEST ABOUT THE HARD THINGS THAT WE FACE.

AND IF WE ARE DIRECT AND HONEST ABOUT THOSE AND WE LISTEN AND MAKE KNOWN PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVES, WE CAN ADVANCE A MORE UNIFIED FUTURE FOR US.

SO I DON'T HAVE A TITLE, THAT'S OKAY.

I AM A MINNESOTA STATE SENATOR.

I AM ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO SERVE, TO SERVE THEM AND TO LEAD AND I'M GOING TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: THE HARD THINGS WE'RE FACING, I'D LIKE TO GO THERE, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S TOP OF MIND FOR EVERYBODY RIGHT NOW, THE STRIFE THAT OUR COUNTRY AND OUR STATE, I MEAN, THERE WERE MINNESOTANS IN THAT CROWD THAT RUSHED THE CAPITOL AND THERE ARE FOLKS WHO DEFINITELY AGREE AND DEFINITELY DISAGREE WITH THAT HERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR ROLE CAN BE AS A STATE SENATOR IN BRINGING SOME CLARITY AND SOME CALM IN THIS REALLY DIVISIVE, REALLY SCARY TIME?

>> I I THINKs -- I THINK IT IS A SCARY TIME.

IN MY LIFETIME I HAVE NOT SEEN AN ASSAULT ON OUR GOVERNMENT, AN ACTUAL INSURRECTION.

THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, I THINK, IS FOR MOST OF US TO COME TOGETHER AROUND THE IDEA OF THE THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW, HAVE A POLARIZED DEBATE ABOUT WHAT THAT IS, I THINK WE HAVE TO AGREE THAT WE SAW HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AT OUR NATION'S CAPITOL IS THE BEHAVIOR OF AN INSURRECTION, TRAITOROUS BEHAVIOR AND IT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.

THOSE WHO LED IT ARE NOT FIT TO LEAD AND TO SERVE IN OUR NATION.

I DO BELIEVE, LIKE WE HAVE ALLOWED EQUIVALENCIES IN OUR POLITICS, WE SEE IT IN COVID.

THE OTHER ISSUE THAT I THINK IS A CRISIS FOR OUR STATE AND OUR NATION RIGHT NOW, A VIRUS DOESN'T HAVE A POLITICAL IDENTITY.

A VIRUS IS JUST LOOKING FOR ITS NEXT HOST.

AND WE HAVE DIVIDED OVER THE WAYS THAT WE CAN PREVENT SUFFERING AND LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GET AND I CAN DIE.

WHICH IS FURTHERING, ACTUALLY, THE DISEASE AND THE PAIN AND MAKING IT HARDER FOR US TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

I AM HEARTBROKEN ABOUT THAT.

AND WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE NEVER SEE -- WHATEVER WE SAW HAPPEN AT THE CAPITOL, THAT TRAITOROUS EVENT, THAT WE NEVER SEE THAT AGAIN, AND THAT WE DON'T SEE THE RISK TO HUMAN LIFE AS A RESULT OF A POLITICAL POLARIZATION OF BOTH SIDES OF A VIRUS THAT DOESN'T HAVE TWO SIDES, IT'S JUST A VIRUS.

>> Mary: THE LAST THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE VIRUS.

AND, AGAIN, YOU BRING UNIQUE LEADERSHIP AND HISTORY ON THIS ONE, AS A NURSE, AND YOU'VE LED IN A LOT OF HEALTHCARE ISSUES.

WHAT CAN THE STATE AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE DO TO IMPROVE THE REACTION THAT, YOU KNOW, COVID TESTING, TREATMENT, AND VACCINE NOW, THAT'S REALLY THE PRESSURE POINT?

>> I'M GOING TO QUOTE MIKE OSTERHOLM FROM "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT, WHEN HE SAID, WE ARE IN A RACE AGAINST THE VIRUS WITH A VACCINE.

I WANT TO SEE AS MANY VACCINES GET INTO AS MANY MINNESOTANS' ARMS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO OUR PART, ALTOGETHER, IN SLOWING THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE BECAUSE THE SLOWER IT SPREADS, THE BETTER WE COME OUT OF THIS.

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

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

UNTIL THEN YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

WATCH ANY OF OUR SHOWS, INCLUDING TONIGHT'S.

YOU CAN STREAM US LIVE, FOLLOW US ALL WEEK ON FACEBOOK, LOOK FOR LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET, WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE, ALL DAY EVERY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

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

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD, FORMER GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT ONGOING CONCERNS OF VIOLENCE, THREATS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TV STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY·.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

LIUNA: MINNESOTA'S INFRASTRUCTURE UNION, REPRESENTING 12,000 SKILLED CONSTRUCTION LABORERS.

LIUNAMINNESOTA.ORG.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

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

Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com