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>>> STATEWIDE BROADCASTS OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ARE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STABBING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSING IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY ANDERSON.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON, AND I WILL BE YOUR HOST AND MODERATOR THIS WEEK AS I AM MOST WEEKS.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THE HOUR OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY FACING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TODAY.

I WANT TO REMIND ALL OF OUR VIEWERS THAT THIS IS OUR PROGRAM AND BECAUSE IT'S YOUR PROGRAM, WE WANT YOU TO CALL IN OR USE THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN TO PROVIDE US THE QUESTIONS THAT PANELISTS SHOULD ANSWER.

AS PART OF OUR INTRODUCTION THIS EVENING, WE BEGIN, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, BY INTRODUCING THE PANEL OF GUESTS TO YOU.

I BEGIN WITH SENATOR CARRIE RUUD FROM DISTRICT 10, BREEZY POINT.

YOU KNOW THE DRILL.

YOU HAVE BEEN WITH US MANY TIME BEFORE.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOU MIGHT TELL THEM ABOUT THE WEATHER UP IN YOUR AREA THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A FACTOR IN THE VIDEO WE ARE GETTING FROM NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> VERY TRUE.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M SENATOR CARRIE RUUD AND I REPRESENT ALL OF AITKIN AND CROW WING COUNTIES, AND I CHAIR THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY COMMITTEE AND LEGACY FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND I SIT ON LONG-TERM CARE AND AGING, AND THIS YEAR WE ADD A NEW COMMITTEE CALLED MINING AND FORESTRY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SITTING ON THAT COMMITTEE, ALSO.

IF YOU HAVE A THREE-DAY WEEKEND FORMATTER MART'S WEEKEND, COME UP BECAUSE WE HAVE 6 TO 8 INCHES OF BRAND-NEW SNOW, AND SNOW BUILT TRAILS ARE GOING TO BE AWESOME, AND CROSS COUNTRY SKIING, AND IF YOU HAVE GOT AN EXTRA DAY OFF THIS WEEKEND COME UP, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE WONDERFUL.

>> Barry: SENATOR RUUD, WE WON'T EVEN CHARGE YOU FOR THAT ADVERTISEMENT.

THAT WAS REALLY WELL DONE.

ALSO JOINING US FROM THE DILWORTH AREA, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART.

REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART HAS BEEN WITH US MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE WITH US AGAIN.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO BE WITH YOU.

I'M REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART, REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 4B WHICH IS ALL OR PARTS OF CLAY, BECKER AND NORMAN COUNTY UP IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA.

THIS IS MY 11th TERM.

WHEN I'M NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE, I HAVE TAUGHT SOCIAL STUDIES AT BELTON FOR 36, 37 YEARS NOW, AND MARRIED TO MY WIFE JUST A FEW MONTHS SHY OF 40 YEARS.

WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN.

LINDSEY, WHO IS MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN AND OTHER DAUGHTER ASHLEY IS MARRIED TO ANDREW, AND THEY HAD A FOUR-MONTH-OLD, AND THE OTHER ONES ARE ADDISON AND LINCOLN.

GOT ANOTHER GRANDCHILD SINCE THE LAST TIME I HAVE BEEN ON THE SHOW.

SO IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

>> Barry: WE HAVE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IN THE PAST, REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART ABOUT EDUCATION IN GOVERNMENT, AND MAYBE YOU CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE THERE, AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, YOU ARE CONTINUING TO TEACH EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE AT LEAST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

>> YES, I STILL TEACH USUALLY UNTIL SESSION STARTS, AND WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT, AND SOCIAL STUDIES, AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS SOCIAL STUDIES VERSUS MATH OR ENGINEERING IS IF THEY DO A FORMULA WRONG OR SOMETHING, BRIDGE CAN FALL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT WITH ME, WITH DEMOCRACY, YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE IT INTERESTING BECAUSE THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN IS PEOPLE AREN'T INTERESTED AND THEY DON'T BECOME ACTIVE PEOPLE IN DEMOCRACY, AND THINGS REALLY CAN GO DOWN IN A HURRY, AND I ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE IT A LOT OF FUN, AND SHOW STUDENTS HOW THEY ARE A PART OF THINGS AND HOW IT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND HOW GOVERNMENT AND HOW THEY ARE A PART AND CAN BE AN ACTIVE PART OF DEMOCRACY.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU DO IN SOCIAL STUDIES.

>> Barry: FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THERE'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.

SENATOR DIBBLE FROM DISTRICT 61 IS ALSO JOINING US THIS EVENING, AND THIS IS A VETERAN PROGRAM.

EVERYBODY WITH US THIS EVENING HAS BEEN WITH US ON MANY OCCASIONS.

SENATOR DIBBLE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS, AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, AND COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON.

>> MY NAME IS SCOTT DIBBLE, AND I SERVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AS THE DEMOCRATIC LEAD THERE, AND SORRY I'M NOT ON SENATOR RUUD'S COMMITTEE THIS YEAR, AND I ENJOYED SERVING WITH HER, AND NOW I'M ON THE ENVIRONMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE COMMITTEE AND METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRED BY SENATOR OZOSMIC.

SENATE DISTRICT 61 IS A LITTLE BIT OF SOUTH AND A LITTLE BIT OF DOWNTOWN, AND I WANTED TO INVITE FOLKS TO MY CORNER OF THE WORLD THIS WEEKEND IF THEY CAN'T MAKE IT UP TO SENATOR RUUD'S PART OF OUR GREAT STATE BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE CHAIN OF LAKES, AND WE HAVE GOT CEDAR LAKE, AND LAKE OF THE ISLES, AND I LITERALLY LIVE A HALF A BLOCK FROM THE LAKES, AND HAVE CROSS COUNTRY SKIS RIGHT OUT IN THE HALLWAY AND PUT THEM ON MY SHOULDER, WALK A HALF BLOCK, AND I HAVE GOT MANY, MANY MILES OF BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL TRAILS, AND SO COME ON DOWN TO SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Barry: NO CHARGE FOR THAT ADVERTISEMENT EITHER SENATOR DIBBLE.

I HAD AN E-MAIL EXCHANGE WITH A LAWYER IN D.C., THE ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA AREA HERE A COUPLE DAYS AGO, AND I EXPLAINED TO HIM WE WERE GOING TO HAVE THE SNOWSTORM AT THE END OF THE WEEK, AND IT WOULDN'T KEEP ANYBODY FROM SKIING, SNOWMOBILING, ICE SKATING AND OTHER THINGS, AND HE THINKS WE ARE ALL NUTS.

BUT THAT'S OKAY.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY, AND SENATOR DIBBLE YOU TOUCHED ON A QUESTION THAT WE HAVE.

>> I WOULDN'T MIND IF I INTRODUCED MYSELF ONE SECOND.

KIND OF NEW AT THIS GAME AND WOULD YOU MIND IF JUNIOR MEMBER WOULD STEP IN.

>> ALL RIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

GO AHEAD AND ALLOW YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.

WE SHOULD TELL OUR VIEWERS WHEN WE DID THE PRETEST BEFORE WE WERE GOING TO GO ON THIS EVENING, WE HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE WITH REPRESENTATIVE'S AUDIO, SO I MUST HAVE SKIPPED OVER FOR THAT REASON.

>> NOW, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET ME TO SHUT UP.

THANK YOU.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE AGAIN.

I LOVE THIS SHOW AND DAVE BAKER, WILLMAR COUNTY AREA, WEST OF MINNEAPOLIS, ABOUT 100 MILES THE SNOW IS FALLING, AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL RIGHT NOW.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS GUY IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING LIKE MAD TO HELP OUR COLLEAGUES OUT IN THE WORLD OF THE PANDEMIC AND YOU ARE TRYING TO SERVE FOOD, AND IT'S BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE FOR MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OUT THERE.

I'M GOING INTO MY SEVENTH YEAR, MY FOURTH TERM, AND PROUD TO REPRESENT THE AREA FOR A LONG TIME.

I SERVE ON THE WORKFORCE AND JOBS COMMITTEE, AND ALSO THE COMMITTEE OVER IN THE HOUSE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, EVICTION, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND HAPPY TO HELP IN OTHER ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

READY TO GET BUSY AND WE CAN GET STARTED.

>> Barry: SINCE I WAS SO RUDE AS TO CUT YOU OFF, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, LET'S START WITH YOU WITH OUR FIRST QUESTION OF THE EVENING, BECAUSE WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM OUR VIEWER WHO WAS INTERESTED IN INTERESTS RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THIS BUSINESS WAS WONDERING WHAT LEGISLATION WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE, PARTICULARLY AT THE STATE LEVEL, THAT MIGHT BE OF SOME HELP WITH THOSE BUSINESSES.

WE WILL START WITH YOU.

WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE, MYTHICAL HYPOTHETICAL VIRTUAL TABLE HERE AND TELL US HOW YOU RESPOND TO THAT QUESTION.

>> THANKS, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND IT'S BEEN A DEVASTATING YEAR FOR FOR THE INDUSTRY.

WE ARE SEEING HOTEL OCCUPANCIES AT UNBELIEVABLY LOW RATES.

GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED THE BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS THAT WERE RELEASED IN LATE DECEMBER, AND I THINK THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE CHECKS ARE BEING THIS WEEK, AND A LOT OF COUNTIES ARE HELPING THE OTHER RESTAURANTS AND BOWLING ALLIES, AND GYMS THAT MAY HAVE MISSED THAT LINE FOR SALES REDUCTION AND SALES FROM A YEAR AGO, AND NOW THE COUNTIES ARE COMING IN FOR APPLICATIONS TO HELP BUSINESSES GET ENOUGH TO TRY TO STAY OPEN.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO GET RECOVERED, AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO MAKE ANYBODY HOLD BUT HELPING PEOPLE ON LIFE SUPPORT, AND WE ARE SEEING GOOD THINGS, AND WORKING ON A HOSPITALITY RECOVERY ACT THIS YEAR, AND I WILL BE SPENDING TIME WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART, TALKING ABOUT TAX IDEAS THAT WE HAD, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO BRING HELP AND RELIEF TO SOME BUSINESSES TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, SO LOTS PLANNING TO HELP THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

>> Barry: SENATOR RUUD?

>> THANK YOU.

I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN WORKING A LOT WITH EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM TO HELP THE BUSINESSES AND HELP THE ECONOMY, AND THE ECONOMY HAS THRIVED, AND WE HAVE SEEN RESORTS ACTUALLY DO QUITE WELL BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO ADJUST AND DO BUSINESS DIFFERENTLY, AND THE RESORTS HAVE ACTUALLY DONE QUITE WELL, BUT THE HOTELS HAVE NOT.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, I CHAIR THE LEGACY COMMITTEE, AND WE HAD A VERY GOOD HEARING THIS LAST WEEK BECAUSE WHEN WE THINK OF HOSPITALITY WE SHOULD ALSO THINK OF THE ARTS AND THINGS LIKE GUTHRIE AND A LOT OF THE -- THOSE TYPES OF ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ARE SUFFERING, ALSO, AND THEY HAVE KIND OF BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE PICTURE.

SO WE ARE HOPING SOME OF THESE GRANTS CAN GO TO THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES, BECAUSE ACTUALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A DANCE STUDIO OR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, THOSE ARE VERY IMPORTANT SMALL BUSINESSES, TOO.

IT'S SUCH A BROAD RANGE OF BUSINESSES AND JUST WHEN YOU THINK WE HAVE COVERED IT ALL, WE HAVE TO FIND OUT HOW DIFFICULT IT HAS BEEN FOR THEM AND THINK ABOUT HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE AT THE GUTHRIE, AND IT'S NOT JUST ARTISTS BUT ALL THE ELECTRICIANS AND STAGE HANDS AND ALL OF THAT, AND SO IT'S SO WIDE REACHING THAT I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE BAKER WORKED REALLY HARD ON THE BUSINESS RELIEF PACKAGE, BUT IT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO JUST KEEP WORKING ON OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO MAC SURE MAKE SUREEVERYONE GETS HELP.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHILE IT'S HIT PROBABLY EVERYONE EQUALLY PHYSICALLY, KNOWING SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD COVID-19, SOMEONE WHO HAS PASSED AWAY BUT ECONOMICALLY IT REALLY HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY GET SOME PEOPLE WHILE OTHERS HAVE DONE ALL RIGHT ECONOMICALLY AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HIT THE HARDEST IS AS REPRESENTATIVE BAKER MENTION ITSELF, THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND THEY HAVE LOST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN IN MARCH, AND THAT INDUSTRY HAS LOST 71,000 JOBS, AND IT'S 26%, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NOVEMBER FORECAST AND THEY TALK ABOUT NATIONWIDE, IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS THAT IS SELLING DURABLE GOODS, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE ABOUT A 7% INCREASE, AND IF YOU ARE A SERVICE RELATED INDUSTRY LIKE BARS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, FITNESS CENTERS, EVENT CENTERS, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE ABOUT 11% LOSS, AND SO, YOU KNOW, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT INDIVIDUALS, IT'S ALSO DISPROPORTIONATELY HIT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, 57% OF THOSE FOLKS ARE IN THE BOTTOM 40% INCOME LEVELS.

ONE THING AS THE TAX CHAIR AND REPRESENTATIVE BAKER ALLUDED TO THAT, THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS WE CAN DO, BUT ONE THING WE CAN'T DO IS KIND OF A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

UNLIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE CAN'T GO INTO HUGE DEBT.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TARGET OUR RELIEF TO THOSE BUSINESSES.

THE THING ABOUT IT IS OUR BARS AND RESTAURANTS WHO HAVE BEEN CLOSED, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE REALLY SACRIFICED AND HELPED KEEP THE NUMBERS DOWN SO SOME OF THESE OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE DOING REALLY WELL TO DO REALLY WELL, AND WASN'T THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND THE SERVICE INDUSTRY SACRIFICING HERE, THE OTHER ONES WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE NOT ONLY DO WE PROVIDE THE RELIEF BUT PROVIDE -- SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE RETRO RETROFIT.

MAYBE IN THE NEW NORMAL THEY WON'T BE PREPANDEMIC NORMAL.

YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THINGS, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THEM OVER THE BRIDGE HERE INTO THIS NEW NORMAL.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> THANKS.

EXCELLENT POINTS MADE BY ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE -- MY DISTRICT HAS A TON OF AMAZING SMALL MOM AND POP RESTAURANTS, AND PART OF THE REASON OTHER THAN SKIING, PEOPLE COME TO MY DISTRICT.

I TAKE THE CALLS ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE HAVE POURED THEIR LIVES AND ALL OF THEIR RESOURCES AND PASSION AND CREATIVITY AND EVERYTHING THEY HAVE POURED INTO THE BUSINESSES AND TO TAKE THE CALLS IS ABSOLUTELY HEART BREAKING.

THEY COME UP WITH FANTASTIC AND CREATIVE IDEAS, AND ONE IS THE COCKTAILS TO GO IDEA, A LITTLE MEXICAN RESTAURANT DOWN IN THE SOREN PART OF MY DISTRICT, AND THEY ARE DOING AN OKAY TAKE-OUT BUSINESS, BUT WHERE THEY MAKE THE MARGIN ARE ON MARGARITAS, AND IT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY MAYBE NECESSITATE AS MUCH DIRECT SUPPORT FROM TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART MAKES AN EXCELLENT POINT.

WE CAN DO A LOT AND WE DID IN THE LAST BILL THAT WE PASSED AND THE SPECIAL, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE REAL RESOURCES COME FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY CAN GO INTO DEBT AND THEY CAN DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS, AND I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS COME OUT WITH THE 1 1.9 TRILLION-DOLLAR PROPOSAL TODAY.

WE HEARD ABOUT THAT.

I'M GLAD THE SENATOR BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE OF ARTS MENUS AND ARTS AND THEATER AND THE LIKE, AND OF COURSE SENATOR KLOBUCHAR LEADING THE NATIONAL EFFORT AND SUCCESSFULLY GOT IT INTO THE SMALLER BILL THAT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS.

ANOTHER IDEA THAT HAS COME UP IS A LOT OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES RENT, AND THE PROPERTY TAXES IT WASN'T AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELAY PROPERTY TAXES BUT AN IDEA IS PERHAPS MAYBE ALLOW FOLKS TO POSTPONE PAYING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, KEEP LOCAL JURISDICTIONS THROUGH STATE RESOURCES AND ASSESS BACK THOSE PROPERTY TAXES IN FORM OF A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, LIKE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ADVERTISEMENT IN 10 YEARS, AND REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART, I'M GOING TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

ONE OR TWO YEARS PROPERTY TAXES AND THE LANDLORDS CAN PASS ON SOME OF THAT RELIEF TO THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Barry: AS I WAS LISTENING TO SENATOR RUUD AND DIBBLE TALK ABOUT THE ARTS COMMUNITIES AND SO FORTH, THESE THINGS ALL DON'T FIT INTO A SINGLE BOX.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL AND OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAVE REALLY CONCENTRATED IN THOSE TWO COMMUNITIES IS OUR BARS AND RESTAURANTS THAT FEATURE SOME TERRIFIC ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

I HAVE A NEPHEW OR COUSIN THAT PERFORMS AT A LITTLE PLACE IN MINNETONKA THAT I NEVER HEARD OF BUT BECAUSE HE PERFORMS THERE, WE WENT AND WATCHED A SHOW THERE MAYBE A YEAR OR TWO AGO, AND ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

REALLY INTERESTING TO TALK ABOUT HOW THOSE THINGS INTERSECT.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THE PANDEMIC BEFORE WE ARE DONE, BUT WHEN I INADVERTENTLY CUT OFF AND IGNORED REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS SO ANXIOUS TO GET TO A QUESTION THAT TOUCHED ON A COMMENT THAT SENATOR DIBBLE MADE.

WE HAVE A FEWER FROM STILLWATER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WILL THERE BE A BILL INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE AND ACTION ON A COMPANION BILL THE HOUSE FILED 30 APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUNDS FOR THE 2020 LCMR PROJECTS.

THIS WAS A TOPIC, OF COURSE, OUR PANEL MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN LAST YEAR AS WELL.

SENATOR DIBBLE, SINCE YOU PERSONALLY THREW ME OFF MY GAME BY INTRODUCING THAT TOPIC, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT IT, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE.

>> I HOPE SO.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A BUNCH OF PROJECTS IN THE LCC PROPOSAL THAT ARE A CONTINUATION OF PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH AND THE LAKE, ALL TOLD IT REPRESENTS 700 JOBS, AND YOU KNOW, THE SENATOR WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR HE WAS CONDITIONING PASSAGE OF THOSE DOLLARS THAT SUPPORTS OUR ENVIRONMENT AND PRESERVES OUR NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE GOVERNOR'S ABANDONMENT, AND LOOKING FORWARD.

I THINK IT'S A PRETTY CYNICAL ON BOTH SIDES.

TO HOLD UP A BUNCH OF WORK EFFORTS, AND NOT PUNISHING THE GOVERNOR, BUT PUNISHING MINNESOTANS AND PUNISHING NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THAT IS CHAIRED BY SENATOR RUUD AND SO I WILL DEFER IT TO HER KNOWLEDGE AT THIS POINT.

>> Barry: THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

SENATOR RUUD, WE WILL GO TO YOU.

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I HAVE REALLY WORKED HARD TO GET THIS BILL PASSED.

SO I'M REALLY EXCITED, BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A LOT OF FOLKS ON THIS ISSUE, AND THE HOUSE THIS WEEK, THEY INTRODUCED THE 2020LCCMAR BILL AND PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, AND WE ARE NOT THERE ON MONDAY, SO I'M THINKING EITHER TUESDAY OR THURSDAY THAT BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE SENATE, AND IT IS ALL THE -- IN TOTAL IT'S $84 MILLION, AND IT'S A BONDING BILL AND GETS PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, AND THESE FOLKS, WE HAVE MADE COMMITMENTS TO THESE PEOPLE AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE MONTH, AND THE PROJECTS ARE ALREADY, AND IT'S REALLY SAD THAT IT HASN'T BEEN DONE, AND I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT WE WILL -- IT WILL PROBABLY BE THE SAME BILL, AND I'M ADAMANT THAT THE COMMITMENTS THAT WE MADE IN THOSE PROJECTS BE HONORED, AND THERE'S ONLY A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY THAT THEY CAN FIGHT ABOUT, AND THERE'S $3 MILLION FROM A PROJECT THAT WAS TURNED BACK BECAUSE IT DIDN'T FIT OR THEY DIDN'T FINISH THEM.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE, BUT THERE'S $3 MILLION IN A PROJECT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN PLUS THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT MONEY IS NOT IN THE BILL, AND THERE'S A MILLION AND A HALF FROM THAT.

YOU ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT $5 MILLION THAT THEY CAN FIGHT OVER, AND I'M TELLING THEM TO KIND OF SPLIT THE BABY, AND ONE CHAIR TAKE AND PUT A COUPLE PROJECTS THAT ARE HIS PET PROJECTS AND THE OTHER CHAIR CAN TAKE THE OTHER HALF AND PUT HIS PET PROJECTS, AND THEN WE CAN GET THIS THING GOING, AND IF WE CAN GET IT OFF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE FLOOR EARLY ON, IT NEEDS TO JUST HAPPEN.

SO I'M REALLY PUSHING HARD FOR THAT, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN SOME GOOD MOVEMENT ON THAT BILL AND SOME GOOD COMMON SENSE FOR A CHANGE HAPPENING AROUND IT.

SO I'M ACTUALLY VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT THE 2020 BILL WILL GET DONE.

>> ANY CONTACT WITH SENATOR INGEBRIGTSEN ON THAT ISSUE?

HE SAID SOMETHING SIMILAR ON OUR PROGRAM LAST YEAR ABOUT IT NOT PASSING.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT?

SENATOR RUUD.

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH SENATOR INGEBRIGTSEN BECAUSE HE IS THE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

HE'S IN CHARGE OF THAT.

I'M ON POLICY.

HE WILL BE CARRYING THE BILL IN THE SENATE.

I'M HOPING HE ALLOWS ME TO SIGN ON AS A K COAUTHOR, BUT I THINK HE'S COMMITTED TO GETTING IT DID NOT.

WE PASSED IT ACTUALLY OFF THE SENATE FLOOR AT ONE OF THE SPECIAL SESSIONS.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH IT WAS.

I THINK WE HAVE A COMMITMENT THERE FROM HIM TO GET IT DONE, AND THAT'S VERY EXCITING FOR ME.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN THE BILL YET BUT HISTORICALLY I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG SUPPORTER OF THAT BILL.

FOR THE REASONS JUST MENTIONED.

KIND OF LIKE A BONDING BILL WHERE NOT ONLY DOES IT CREATE JOBS BUT GEARED TOWARDS HELPING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

I HAVEN'T SEEN THE BILL, BUT FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, I USUALLY SUPPORT THIS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

>> AGAIN, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART SAID IT BEST, I HAVEN'T SEEN THE BILL EITHER, AND I HAVE TYPICALLY SUPPORTED THE BILL, AND SENATOR RUUD'S AREA, AND THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT A LOT.

WE HAVE A GOOD GROUP OF PEOPLE IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION WORKING ON THAT.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR RUUD, AND HOPING TO GET THAT DONE EARLY THIS 2020, 2020, 2021, ACTUALLY.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A PERENNIAL, AND WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE, AND WE WILL START WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE ANY MARIJUANA RELATED LEGISLATION, AND WONDERING IF IT WOULD GO ON THE BALLOT.

IN GENERAL, ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE LEGISLATION IN THE AREA OF MARIJUANA.

>> I HOPE NOT.

I'M NOT A SUPPORTER.

AND I NEVER HAVE BEEN, AND A COUPLE REASONS.

FIRST OF ALL, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OPPOSED.

IT CREATES ANOTHER PROBLEM, AND AS A TEACHER, I JUST -- I SEE THE POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS.

I JUST DON'T SUPPORT IT.

HAVING SAID THAT, I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, PROBABLY IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

I THINK THINGS ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I THINK IN MY CAUCUS, I'M CERTAINLY IN THE MINORITY ON THAT ONE, AND IT'S KIND OF ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

I DO THINK THAT MAYBE FIVE YEARS I THINK RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA WILL PROBABLY BE LEGAL.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

>> I AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART, AND I'M GOING TO BE AN ABSOLUTE NO AS LONG AS I CAN HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

WORKING WITH SO MANY FOLKS IN ADDICTION AND RECOVERY, AND I KNOW THE SLIPPERY SLOPE MARIJUANA CAN CAUSE WHEN USED RECREATIONALLY.

I GET THE ARGUMENT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CRIMINALIZING THE ACTS OF THIS AND EVERYTHING, AND HOW DO YOU COMPARE WITH THE LIQUOR AND ALL THE THINGS WE FACE THERE, TOO.

IT'S JUST KNOWN A REASON TO OPEN UP THE DOOR FOR THAT LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

I HAVE BECOME ACTUALLY A PRETTY GOOD SUPPORTER OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND EFFECTS IT HAS HELPED WITH MANY, MANY PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCING SEVERE PAIN.

THERE'S SOMETHING VA VALID THER.

BUT I'M A BIG NO.

NOT WORKING FOR ME.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO OCCUR THIS YEAR.

IT IS BIPARTISAN, BUT IT DEFINITELY LEADS STRONGLY IN THE DFL, AND WITH REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, I DON'T SEE IT GOING ANYWHERE.

I WAS THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL, AND I FEEL VERY, VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT.

AS REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, I BELIEVE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS RELIEF FOR CHRONIC AND SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DISEASE IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DELIVER.

LIKE I SAID, I DON'T MEET THE PARADE ON CANNABIS FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

I AM SUPPORTIVE AND I DON'T BUY THE SLIPPERY SLOPE ARGUMENTS.

IF YOU ATE PEANUT BUTTER AND BECAME A HEROIN ADDICT, THERE'S NO CAUSATION THERE.

IT'S NOT A SUBSTANCE THAT DOESN'T HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE FOR SOME PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT AND TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT ON THE POLICY WE DO DEVELOP.

IF IT FORMS AN ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR FOR SOME FOLKS, AND AS OTHER SORTS OF F NEGATIVE.

BUT FOR MANY, MANY PEOPLE, THEY CAN USE IT RESPONSIBLY, AND IT'S JUST LIKE USING ALCOHOL TO UNWIND AT THE END OF THE DAY OR WHATEVER, AND THEN THERE'S A WHOLE RACIAL COMPONENT, THE DESPERATE CONSEQUENCES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT HAVE BEEN REVEALED IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS IT RELATES TO MARIJUANA, AND SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH LEGALIZATION.

>> Barry: SENATOR RUUD.

>> I'M ANOTHER ABSOLUTE NO.

I ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

I DON'T THINK I HAVE CHANGED BY POSITION ON THAT.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON IT TO MAKE SURE WHY I'M A NO.

SO I WENT TO A CANNABIS SUMMIT IN COLORADO, AND WE MET WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE MET WITH LEGISLATORS.

WE MET WITH SCHOOLTEACHERS.

WE HAD ABOUT A FOUR-DAY SUMMIT.

WE WENT TO DISPENSARIES.

WE REALLY DID A DEEP DIVE ON WHAT IT DID TO THE STATE AND WHAT IT'S DONE TO DIFFERENT POPULATIONS, AND I CAME BACK WITH A VERY REAFFIRMING NO AFTER I SAW THE PROBLEMS IT CREATES.

NOW, IF DOWN THE ROAD COLORADO COMES UP WITH A SOLUTIONS FOR A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT IT HAS CAUSED, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT, BUT THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW, THE SENATE IS NOT HAVING ANY HEARINGS ON BILLS UNTIL FEBRUARY BECAUSE THEIR TECHNOLOGY ISN'T READY.

SO FOR A POLICY COMMITTEE IT TAKES A WHOLE MONTH OUT OF OUR SESSION, AND WE HAVE THE FIRST DEADLINE, SO IT'S AN ISSUE THAT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND A LOT OF WORK IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT IT, AND IT WOULD NEED A LOT OF PUBLIC INPUT, AND I DON'T THINK DURING THE PANDEMIC WE HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO THAT.

I DON'T SEE ANY MAJOR POLISHES MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

I THINK MOST OF WHAT WE WILL DO THIS YEAR IS THINGS THAT WEREN'T COMPLETED LAST YEAR THAT ALREADY HAD HEARINGS AND SMALLER EMERGENCY ISSUES TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC.

BUT I DON'T SEE ANY MAJOR POLISHES BEING DISCUSSED THIS YEAR, I'M REALLY ALL ABOUT PUBLIC INPUT.

I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Barry: OUR NEXT VIEWER WITH A QUESTION, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN VERY MUCH ON THE FOREFRONT OF CONCERNS OF POLICY MAKERS AND ALSO THE COURT SYSTEM.

A VIEWER FROM ROCHESTER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT OUR PANELIST'S THOUGHTS ARE ON ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL LLTDZ WHO HAVE TENANTS, AND MANY OF WHO WORK IN THE BAR AND RESTAURANT AREA NOT ABLE TO PAY RENT, AND I THINK THE RELATED QUESTION IS WHAT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL EVICTION PROCEEDINGS ONCE THOSE BECOME AVAILABLE.

START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE LET OFF WITH YOU.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT ISSUE.

>> THAT'S A TRICKY ONE.

I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A REAL CLIFF ON OUR HANDS COME THIS SPRING AND SUMMER WHEN EVICTION MORATORIUM ENDS AND A LOT OF RENTERS HAVE -- THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT ARGUMENTS ABOUT THIS.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, AND THE 600-DOLLAR STIMULUS THIS SUMMER WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND IF YOU ARE ON UNEMPLOYMENT, IT'S $300 A WEEK FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

A LOT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY IT.

SOME HAVE PILED MORE PEOPLE IN THE APARTMENTS, AND PETS ARE INSIDE, AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LANDLORDS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY CAN'T ASK THEM TO LEAVE.

WE NEED TO HAVE A PLAN, I THINK, STEP DOWN VERSION BY APRIL 1st OR SOMETHING, AND THERE HAS TO BE A PLAN IN PLACE, ALLOW RENTERS TO CATCH UP, HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN IN PLACE, AND WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR LANDLORDS THEIR PROPERTIES BACK IF PEOPLE ARE NOT PAYING AS THEY SHOULD.

AGAIN, THERE ARE A LOT OF JOBS OUT THERE, AND I HAVE GOT EMPLOYERS BEGGING FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO WORK, AND THEY JUST AREN'T COMING IN AND FILLING THE JOBS.

IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE.

WE ARE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO DIVE INTO THIS THING.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE, WE HAD A REQUEST FROM A VIEWER THAT ASKED YOU TO SPEAK UP A LITTLE BIT.

HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE HEARING YOU.

>> YOUR TECH PEOPLE SENT MY AUDIO.

INPUT WASN'T WORKING.

I THINK I GOT IT.

LET ME KNOW IF IT WORKS THIS TIME BETTER.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE PROTECTING RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS IN THIS DOWN TURN, AND I THINK THE RENTAL PROTECTIONS ARE STREAMLY IMPORTANT.

IF WE WERE TO CUT OFF THE PEACE TIME EMERGENCY, KIND OF PRECIPITOUSLY AND ALL THOSE PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS IN A TIME WE DON'T HAVE WORK, AND THEY ARE UNDER EXTREME STRESS AND DURESS, AND IT WOULD BE FOOL HARDY.

THAT BEING SAID, I'M A RENTER.

I RENT FROM A FANTASTIC LANDLORD.

HE BASICALLY MAKES HIS INCOME FROM THIS AND ONE OTHER APARTMENT BUILDING.

I THINK EVERYONE IN MY BUILDING HAS BEEN PAYING THEIR RENT REGULARLY, BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT LIFE WOULD BE LIKE FOR HIM IF NO ONE WAS PAYING.

AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE FEDERAL RELIEF EFFORTS, YOU KNOW, REALLY TRYING TO GET RESOURCES INTO PEOPLE'S HANDS, AND I MOW THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE A LOT OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN TO HELP PEOPLE PAY THEIR RENT, BUT I THINK REPRESENTATIVE BAKER SAID IT WELL.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP REPAYMENT PLANS AS WELL, YOU KNOW, SO THAT FOLKS ARE NOT HIT WITH A TON OF BRICKS AT THE END OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THOSE RENTS ARE PAID TO THE LANDLORDS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ALL JUST BEG MEGACORPORATIONS WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE, AND SOME ARE MOM AND POPS, AND ONE OR TWO, IT'S THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND THEIR BUSINESS, AND WE NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WE NEED HELP WITH HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING THEIR MORTGAGES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> I THINK BOTH SENATOR DIBBLE AND REPRESENTATIVE BAKER HAS HANDLED THIS PRETTY WELL, AND I MEAN, WE HAVE TO ASSURE DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES THAT PEOPLE HAVE HOUSING AND PEOPLE HAVE FOOD.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR BASIC NECESSITIES.

SINCE 2009, THE NOVEMBER ECONOMIC FORECAST SHOW WE GAINED 345,000 JOBS, AND THEN MARCH THROUGH ABOUT JUNE OF THIS YEAR WE LOST 388,000 JOBS.

WE GAINED ABOUT HALF OF THEM BACK, BUT THERE'S STILL ABOUT 200,000 PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED FROM PREPANDEMIC TIMES.

A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE -- MANY UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, AND A LOT OF FOLKS DIDN'T HAVE MUCH SAVINGS TO START WITH.

SO RENT IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CONCERN, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE HOUSING.

HAVING SAID THAT, THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE THERE.

IT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE.

WE HAVE TO ASSURE LANDLORDS CAN BE MADE FULL WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ASSURING PEOPLE HAVE HOUSING AND AS REPRESENTATIVE BACKER MENTIONED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT PLAN IS RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE LANDLORDS ARE FULL AND RENTERS HAVE HOUSING IN THESE TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES WHILE THIS PANDEMIC IS STILL VERY MUCH GOING ON.

>> Barry: SENATOR RUUD.

>> IT'S A TICKING TIME BOMB HERE THAT WE ARE REALLY NOT ADDRESSING.

SO WE HAVE THE LANDLORDS WHO HAVE APARTMENTS.

THEY HAVE SINGLE DWELLINGS, AND WHILE THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID THE RENT, THEY STILL HAVE THE MORTGAGE.

THEY STILL HAVE THE ELECTRIC BILLS.

THEY STILL HAVE THE MAINTENANCE ON THE PROPERTY.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF LANDLORDS WALKING AWAY FROM THE PROPERTY BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY EQUITY IN THE PROPERTY.

IT'S ALL BEEN EATEN UP BY TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE QUITE A BIT OF FORECLOSURES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO DECIDE IF THE BANK OWNS THE BUILDING NOW AND NOT A PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, WHAT IS THE EVICTION FOR A BANK OR LENDING INSTITUTION THAT NOW OWNS THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY.

WE COULD VERY WELL GO BACK TO THE 2008, 2009 BIG FORECLOSURE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE, AND WE MAY ANYWAY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING THEIR MORTGAGE, NOT JUST RENTERS BUT PEOPLE MAKING THEIR MORTGAGE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF ADDRESSING.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT A PROGRAM THAT MINNESOTA ANSWER KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT BUT PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES ARE WONDERING WHAT ON EARTH ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

I'M ASKING THE QUESTION AND I THINK THE PANEL WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE LIVING SNOW FRIENDS PROGRAM AND WHETHER IT SHOULD BE EXPANDED IN SOME WAY TO ANTICIPATE GREATER ANTICIPATION STATEWIDE.

HOW THAT SHOULD BE DONE AND IF NOT, WHY NOT.

IF A VIEWER ANTICIPATED A PARTICULAR SNOWSTORM IN LATE DECEMBER, AND I KNOW THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY PRETTY WELL, AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THAT VIEWER IS TALKING ABOUT.

SO OUR RESIDENT EXPERT THIS EVENING ON SNOWFALL IS SENATOR RUUD, AND WE WILL START WITH SENATOR RUUD AND HIS QUESTION ABOUT THE LIVING SNOW FRIENDS PROGRAM.

>> I CHAIRED THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE NOW FOR FOUR YEARS AND SAT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE FOR MY WHOLE CAREER AND NEVER HEARD OF A LIVING SNOW FENCE.

I NEVER FUNDED ONE, AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ONE, SO I GUESS I'M NOT THE RESIDENT EXPERT.

I'M GOING TO PASS ON THIS.

I WOULD LOVE TO LEARN.

>> Barry: WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THIS.

SENATOR DIBBLE?

>> MORE OF A TRANSPORTATION THING.

>> YES, TRANSPORTATION.

LIVING SNOW FENCES WITH PROPERTY OWNERS TO KEEP OR HELP MITIGATE THE DRIFTING ACROSS THE TRUNK HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND COUNTY ROADS AND THE LIKE.

I THINK MINN DOT WORKING WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS, MAYBE DOLLARS CAN COME OUT OF SOME OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES, AND IT HAS, YOU KNOW, MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS IN TERMS OF POLLINATORS AND HABITAT AND THE LIKE, BUT THEN IT ALSO LOOKS BETTER.

IT KEEPS THE ROADS SAFER.

IT'S A GREAT IDEA, AND YOU KNOW, MORE OF IT WOULD BE GOOD, AND YOU KNOW WITH A A LITTLE BIT OF FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO THE LANDOWNERS WHO BOUGHT THESE MAJOR FREEWAYS AND THOROUGHFARES AROUND THE STATE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> I'M NOT AS FAMILIAR WITH TREES AND SHRUBS AND SO FORTH, BUT ACTUAL MINN DOT PUTTING UP FENCES, AND THERE'S A COUPLE SPOTS, AND IT'S ABOUT 6 MILES BETWEEN DILWORTH WHERE I TEACH AND A MILE SECTION BEFORE YOU GET INTO GLEN DO GLENDON.

THERE'S ABOUT A MILE STRETCH THERE, AND THAT'S ON HIGHWAY 10, AND THERE'S AN OVERPASS WHERE THERE'S CONSTANTLY ACCIDENTS, AND MORE MANMADE FENCES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND WHAT MY EXPERIENCE ON THE GLENDON WAS IS IT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

IF YOU TALK TO MINN DOT, THEY WILL SAY THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE ROAD IS DOWN BECAUSE THERE'S NOT AS MUCH SNOW REMOVAL TO BE DONE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY ACCIDENTS ARE DOWN.

IT'S HAVING AN IMPACT BUT IT IS FARMERS GIVING UP LAND TO ALLOW MINN DOT.

IT'S KIND OF A PARTNERSHIP THERE.

AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY AREA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

>> LIKE SENATOR RUUD, I HAVE NOT SERVED ON TRANSPORTATION FOR FOUR YEARS.

I HAVE NOT BEEN UP TO SPEED.

I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SPEAK ON THINGS I DO NOT KNOW MORE ABOUT.

>> Barry: LET'S GO RIGHT TO THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE, BECAUSE WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE SORT OF GENERALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET BUDGET IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR, WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE GOING TO BE, AND WHAT DOES OUR PANEL THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS AND FUNDING.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I HAVEN'T HEARD WHAT THE INITIAL PLANS ARE FOR TRANSPORTATION THIS YEAR.

WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW, ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO MAINTAIN AND GROW OUR ROAD SYSTEM.

I WORKED HARD IN THE BONDING BILLS TO KEEP SUPPORTING THIS.

I'M EXCITED HIGHWAY 23 WILL BE FILLING THE GAPS HERE, AND THE OUR-RAIN HIGHWAY HERE, AND THE FUNDING HAS BEEN SECURE AND IN PLACE, AND I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT A ROBUST TRANSPORTATION PLAN, AND I THINK OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ROADS AND BRIDGES IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I DO NOT SUPPORT A GAS TAX RIGHT NOW, AND I HAVE TOLD PEOPLE I DON'T TAKE ANYTHING OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR SYSTEM IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE IN A FEW YEARS, AND I CAN'T MAKE PROMISES WHEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A SURPLUS THIS YEAR, IN THE HOLE FOR THE NEXT COMING YEARS, AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.

IT'S A CHALLENGE TO THINK OF AN INCREASE SOMEWHERE.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, BUSINESSES, COMPANIES IN MINNESOTA, RELY ON REALLY GOOD ROADS.

I'M GOING TO KEEP ANY OPTIONS OPEN BUT I KNOW WE HAVE GOT TO DO -- EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS HARD EVERY TWO YEARS TO GET THIS RIGHT.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE, TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE EXPERT.

>> THAT'S HIS BABY.

>> THE FUNDAMENTALS ARE STILL TRUE THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME NOW.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE FIFTH LARGEST ROAD SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, AND REALLY MIDDLE OF THE PACK IN TRM OF THE ECONOMY AND GEOGRAPHY.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

PROBABLY WHY WE PUNCH ABOVE OUR WEIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE UPPER MIDWEST, AND ESPECIALLY ON NATURAL MEASURES, BUT HALF OF OUR ROAD SYSTEM IS 50 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, AND 20% OF OUR BRIDGES ARE 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, AND WE ARE EXPECTING A MILLION PEOPLE OR SO TO COME HERE BY 2050, AND WE ARE FALLING BEHIND ON OUR MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS.

WE ARE CERTAINLY FALLING REALLY, REALLY FAR BEHIND ON TRANSIT METRO AREA.

THAT BEING SAID, PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER A LOT OF STRESS AND STRAIN FROM THE PANDEMIC DOWN TURN, AND WHAT WE PAY FOR GAS TAX RELATIVE TO INFLATION IS A WHOLE LOT LESS, BUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WILL NOTICE IF WE RAISE THE GAS TAX AND THE VOLATILITY OF GAS PRICES ARE SUCH THAT THE AMOUNT OF GAS TAX WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROBABLY RAISING, KIND OF LIKE SWEPT AWAY FROM THE RISE AND FALL OF THE WEEKLY PRICES AND THE LIKE AND THE RETURN ON THE DOLLARS, 6 TO 1 OR MORE, BUT IT'S A TOUGH POLITICAL POSITION TO RAISE THE GAS TAX, AND PEOPLE ARE FEELING STRESSED.

BUT WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, LICENSE TAB FEES, AND GRANDFATHER EVERYONE, YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY ARE AT NOW, AND MAYBE SLOW DOWN DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE.

OVER THE LONG-TERM IT MIGHT BE AN IDEA, YOU KNOW, AND IF THERE'S A BIG FIGHT OVER THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE DEDICATED TO THE TRANSPORTATION IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHETHER OR NOT THOSE GENERAL FUND REVENUES SHOULD COME OUT TO SUPPORT THE DEFICIT AND THAT REPRESENTATIVE BAKER JUST TALKED ABOUT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, INVESTING IN TRANSPORTATION MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA IN TERMS OF THE RECOVERY.

THAT PUTS FOLKS TO WORK.

THOSE ARE JOBS.

BUILDING ROADS, FIXING ROADS, THOSE ARE JOBS.

BONDING BILL SHOULD HAVE IT PROPOSITION FOR TRANSPORTATION, AND NEVER KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOT.

WE NEED THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINED FUNDING YOU GET FROM FUNDING NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PACKAGE, ONCE IN A GENERATION PACKAGE, AND I HOPE WE PUT MONEY ON THE TABLE.

WE WILL SEE.

I'M IN THE MINORITY.

I HOPE SENATOR NEWMAN HAS THE SAME VISION.

WE WILL SEE.

>> Barry: SENATOR RUUD.

>> WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN THE BONDING BILL A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE BONDING BILL.

THAT'S ALWAYS VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT.

REVENUE FROM THE GAS TAX IS DECREASING AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IS BECAUSE WE ARE FOCUSED ON MORE HYBRID CARS, MORE ELECTRIC CARS AND WE ARE GOING IN THAT DIRECTION, AND I THINK WE NEED TO CAPTURE HOW DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE -- THEY ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE GAS TAX, AND SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY HARD, AND THE BATTERIES ARE VERY HEAVY IN THOSE CARS, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY HEAVIER THAN THE AVERAGE CAR, AND SO THEY ARE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ROADS IS JUST THE SAME AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE, AND I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW WE CAPTURE THEIR USAGE OF THE ROAD LIKE A GASOLINE POWERED VEHICLE.

THAT'S A CONVERSATION I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE, AND SOONER THAN LATER AS WE SEE MORE AND MORE NOT SO MUCH IN GREATER MINNESOTA THAT WE SEE THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE LOGISTICS PROBLEMS WITH BATTERIES AND PLUGGING THEM IN, BUT IN THE CITIES WHEN I'M DOWN THERE, I SEE A LOT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND A LOT OF HYBRID VEHICLES, AND I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE, BECAUSE RAISING THE GAS TAX WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO MORE ELECTRIC CARS DOESN'T REALLY MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US HAVE A GOOD ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> SENATOR DIBBLE CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG BUT I THOUGHT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AT LEAST LAST YEAR SAID FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS WE NEEDED $600 MILLION A YEAR.

IS THAT ROUGHLY IN THE BALLPARK, SENATOR DIBBLE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT AND IT'S JUST THE STATE OWNED PART OF THE SYSTEM WHICH IS ABOUT 10% OF THE ROADWAY MILES THAT WE WOULD HAVE IN THE STATE.

>> SO BIG QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU GET THE $600 MILLION?

YOU KNOW, FOR ANYTHING TO PRACTICALLY HAPPEN, EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO COMPROMISE, WHICH MEANS EVERYTHING IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE SOMETHING THEY DON'T LIKE.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO SUCH A I HAD LOGICAL PROBLEM, AND EVERYTHING HAS TO HAVE FUNDING AND THAT IS THE GAS TAX.

MAYBE YOU TAKE ANOTHER $200,000 AFTER THE GENERAL FUND OR AUTO PARTS OR SOMETHING I DON'T LIKE BUT I WOULD TAKE IT AS PART OF THE COMPROMISE.

$200 MILLION FOR BONDING, $200 MILLION ON A GAS TAX WHICH WOULD BE 6 OR 7 CENTS.

BUT I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST THAT UNLESS BOTH PARTIES SAID, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER BECAUSE IT'S BECOME TOO POLITICAL.

WE REALLY WANT TO DO THIS.

YOU KNOW, BACK IN 1956 WHEN THEY SET UP THE HIGHWAY USER TAX DISTRIBUTION FUND, HOW IT GOES OUT AND SO FORTH, I DID A STUDY AND LOOKED AT THINGS AS WHAT WE WERE PAYING PER DOLLAR INCOME ON THE GAS TAX, AND BACK IN 1938, AND PARENTS HAD BEEN MARRIED IN 1935, AND THIS WAS DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THEY WERE PAYING ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE OF THEIR INCOME IN THE GAS TAX THAN WHAT WE ARE PAYING TODAY.

SO HERE ARE MY PARENTS WHO REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF LOOKING AT A FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TAKING THAT -- TAKING CARE OF THAT OR THEIR NEXT GENERATION AND GENERATIONS AFTER THAT WHO WERE WILLING TO SACRIFICE MORE AS NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE IN THE MIDST OF A DEPRESSION TO PAY FOR THAT INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO IT'S BECOME WAY TOO POLITICAL THAT A NICKEL, 6 OR 7 CENTS, AND LOOK AT HOW GASOLINE AND THE PRICE OF GAS FLUCTUATES BUT YOU CAN'T SUGGEST IT, BECAUSE IT'S TOO POLITICAL.

BUT THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE NEED TO DO.

COMPROMISE, AND EVERYONE TAKE SOME THINGS WE DON'T LIKE AND GET TO THAT $600 MILLION, BECAUSE THE CONTRACT DEALS A LOT WITH ROAD CONSTRUCTION, AND ONE OF THE BIG COMPLAINTS IS THEY NEVER KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE FUNDING IS GOING TO BE DOWN THE ROAD.

YOU KNOW, WE BONDED AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF MONEY, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO DEDICATE IT OR SOME SORT OF A FORMULA AND GO WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.

IS.

>> Barry: WE NEED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION, AND IT'S A COMPLICATED TOPIC, AND EVERYBODY HAS TO JUMP IN THE POOL AT THE SAME TIME AS REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART SUGGESTS, AND IT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM, WE HAVE GOT TO GET THEM ALL TO THE DIVING BOARD, I GUESS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC.

WE HAD A VIEWER WHO IS WONDERING ABOUT, IN LIGHT OF THE TRAGEDIES THAT UNFOLDED IN D.C., AND YOU KNOW, DUGS ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND OR WHATEVER, AND WHAT DOES SECURITY MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO GO INTO WHAT THE SECURITY MEASURES IN DETAIL.

IT PROBABLY IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION TO LET OUR VIEWERS KNOW THAT BOTH FROM A LEGISLATIVE HOUSE, SENATE, JUDICIAL BRANCH STANDPOINT AND FROM THE STANDPOINT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE ARE IN FACT -- ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO THESE ISSUES.

WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT ISSUE.

ANYBODY WANT TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT TO START WITH?

>> I WILL SAY WE HAVE A LOT OF THE STATE PATROL AT THE CAPITOL AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SECURITY AND CHECKPOINTS, AND THEY ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB, AND I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW KIND THEY ARE TO US, AND THINGS ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, AND WE HAVE CHECKPOINTS AT HALLWAYS AND WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO PARKING GARAGES, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SECURITY PIECES IN PLACE, AND I DON'T THINK WE COULD BE IN BETTER HANDS THAN WE ARE WITH THE STATE PATROL AND THE TROOPERS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE PROTECTING US.

>> GO AHEAD, PAUL.

>> I WOULD ECHO WHAT SENATOR RUUD JUST SAID.

OUR SERGEANT AT ARMS IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SOMETIMES IS JUST KIND OF A, YOU KNOW -- WHOEVER THAT MIGHT BE, AND WE HAVE MEYERSON, AND HE HAS ALWAYS LOOKING SEVERAL RI RUBES AHEAD.

THINGS ARE SAFE.

TAKING PLENTY OF PRECAUTIONS BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE HOUSE AND WITH THE STATE PATROL THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AHEAD AND PLANNING FOR ALL OF THIS.

>> YOU CAN SEE THEM IMPROVEMENT OR INCREASE IN PRESENCE, AND AGAIN AS REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AS SAID, WE HAVE GOT A TERRIFIC SERGEANT OF ARMS AND FEEL VERY SAFE THERE, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT ARE WORRIED ABOUT US, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OKAY.

SAFE, AND I NEVER FELT MORE SAFE.

>> SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> I SERVE ON THE CAPITOL SECURITY COMMISSION CHAIRED BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN, AND YOU KNOW, HER LEADERSHIP, THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, CERTAINLY COLONEL LANGER WITH THE STATE PATROL AND COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY COMMUNICATIVE WITH US ABOUT THE STEPS AND THE MEASURES THEY ARE TAKING TO KEEP US SAFE, TO KEEP OUR STAFF SAFE TO THE EXTENT THERE IS PUBLIC AT THE CAPITOL, AND KEEP THEM SAFE, VERY HART ANYTHING, AND WE HAVE THE REMOTE OPPORTUNITY, SO TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN NOT BE ON THE CAPITOL CAMPUS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL TO THE BETTER.

AND I THINK WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK NOTHING LESS THAN A NATIONAL TRAGEDY AND ONE OF THE DARKEST MOMENTS IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.

IT DIDN'T COME OUT OF THE BLUE.

IT'S A RESULT OF MANY YEARS PEOPLE BEING AGITATED AND ANTAGONIZED.

PART OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT OURSELVES, MINNESOTA WE ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN OTHER PLACES, AND YOU KNOW, WE GET ALONG GREAT HERE PERSONALLY IN OUR CHAMBERS, WHICH I THINK IS TO OUR CREDIT AND PROBABLY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CULTURE OF OUR STATE AND THE LIKE.

BUT WE ARE THINKING HARD ABOUT THE THINGS WE ARE SAYING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND TO THE STATE, AND MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT CASTING ASPERSIONS IN THE WORST POSSIBLE LANGUAGE ON EACH OTHER OR ON OUR DEMOCRACY OR TELLING LIES ABOUT OUR ELECTIONS, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO US AS LEADERS, AND ADD TO PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE IN OUR SYSTEM, DEMOCRACY, OUR INSTITUTIONS AND TO HELP NOT LIGHT THE FUSE THAT WAS LIT LAST WEEK.

>> Barry: SENATOR DIBBLE, YOU AND I PARTICIPATED AND I FILLED IN FOR THE CHIEF JUSTICE AT ONE OF THE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND SOME OF OUR VIEWERS MAY NOT BE AWARE.

THIS IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

THERE'S A FENCE THAT SURROUNDS THE CAPITOL AT THIS POINT AND SOME DISCUSSION WHEN THAT FENCE MAY COME DOWN, AND THAT WAS A PUBLIC MEETING, AND MAYBE YOU COULD TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT DISCUSSION, ILLUSTRATING THE SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON AND OTHERS ARE TAKING THE CO SECURITY ISSUES.

>> THE FENCE IS UGLY, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND PEOPLE WERE ANXIOUS FOR IT TO COME DOWN.

THERE WAS A DEMONSTRATION AT THE CAPITOL ON THE SIXTH, THE SAME DAY THAT THE TERRIBLE THINGS HAPPENED AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, AND THEY WANTED TO GET INTO OUR CAPITOL BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE OF THE FENCE, AND WE JUST SPENT $300 MILLION, IS THAT RIGHT, COLLEAGUES, ON REHABBING AND SVEN RATING THE CAPITAL, AND IT LOOKS AMAZING, AND IT IS, AND RIGHTLY SO, IT'S, YOU KNOW, WHERE OUR DEMOCRACY OCCURRED, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT, SACRED ON THE PART OF US AS ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC, IT SHOULD HAVE THAT LEVEL OF REVERENCE AND RESPECT, AND EVERY DOLLAR WAS WORTH IT, BECAUSE IT'S MUCH, MUCH MORE USEABLE FOR THE PUBLIC AND IT'S RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL SPLENDOR AND TO SEE THAT THREATENED IS A TERRIBLE PLOT.

>> I WILL JUST ADD ON TO THAT, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHY THAT FENCE WENT UP AND WHEN IT WENT UP, AND THAT HAVE THE SUMMER WHEN WE WERE HAVING RIOTING AND BURNING IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, AND THAT'S WHEN THE FENCE WENT UP, AND WHEN THE STATUE WAS TORN DOWN AND THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WAS BREACHED, AND SO IT'S GREAT THAT IT'S HERE NOW, AND WE HAVE IT, BUT THE ORIGINAL REASON WHY IT WAS PUT UP, I THINK WE CAN'T FORGET THAT EITHER.

SO I JUST WANTED TO -- NOT THAT I WANT TO CREATE ACRIMONY, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER WHY THAT FENCE WENT UP AND I WOULD LOVE IT TO COME DOWN SH, AND I WOULD HATE THE SCHOOL CHILDREN TO COME AND SEE THAT THE FENCE SURROUNDING IT -- IT'S HARD TO LOOK AT EVERY MORNING WHEN YOU COME IN, THAT BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

>> Barry: THAT NOTE, WE WILL BE FINISHED FOR THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM.

I WANT TO THANK OUR GUESTS FOR JOINING US AND INVITE ALL OF YOU TO RETURN TO OUR PROGRAM NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

THANK YOU ALL AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

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