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

>> Mary: IT WAS A HISTORIC INAUGURAL IN D.C. THAT A MINNESOTAN PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN.

>> YOU ARE ALL ABOUT TO BE PART OF AMERICA IS A HISTORIC MOMENT OF FIRSTS.

>> Mary: WE'LL ANALYZE IT ALL.

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... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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.

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

TODAY'S INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS DOMINATED THE NEWS WORLDWIDE, AND THAT'S WHERE WE'LL START TONIGHT.

IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK WITH PROFESSOR LARRY JACOBS FROM THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

A LITTLE LATER, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON WILL JOIN ME.

AND WE'LL MEET ANOTHER NEW MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO HAS ALREADY LEARNED SOME TOUGH LESSONS.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT, IN THE MIDST OF A HISTORIC TRANSFER OF POWER, A LAWMAKER FROM OUR STATE WAS FRONT AND CENTER IN OUR NATION'S CAPITOL.

>> MY FELLOW AMERICANS.

IT IS NOW MY GREAT PRIVILEGE AND HIGH HONOR TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO OFFICIALLY INTRODUCE THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JUNIOR!

>> Mary: MINNESOTA U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE INAUGURAL OF A NEW PRESIDENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. .

>> DEMOCRACY HAS PREVAILED.

>> A HISTORIC MOMENT OF FIRSTS.

TO ADMINISTER THE OATH TO OUR FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN, OUR FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN, AND OUR FIRST WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT.

>> ♪ OH, THIS LAND ♪ >> THIS IS THE FIRST INAUGURATION IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA WHERE J-LO WAS THE WARMUP ACT FOR CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS.

>> Mary: BACK IN MINNESOTA, THE CAPITOL GROUNDS WERE QUIET.

TWO WEEKS AFTER VIOLENT RHETORIC FILLED THE MALL HERE, CONTINUED TO TAKE A STAND, SOME WITH DIVISIVE LANGUAGE.

>> YOU'RE EITHER ON THE SIDE OF NAZIS AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND FAR RIGHT GROUPS OR YOU'RE ON THE SIDE OF DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM AND CONSTITUTION.

>> IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT CHAIR MARTIN USES -- INVOKES THE TERM NAZIS IN AN UNSENSITIVE -- INSENSITIVE WAY AROUND SOMETHING THAT IS SERIOUS.

AND SHAMEFUL FOR HIM FOR SAYING THAT.

IF ANY REPUBLICAN USED THAT WORD, YOU GUYS WOULD BE ALL OVER US.

>> Mary: LOTS OF FOLKS ARE CALLING ON REPUBLICANS TO DENOUNCE THIS BUT WHAT ACTION CAN THE LAWMAKERS TAKE.

>> THE ONLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN THE COUNTRY, SO THAT'S FIRST STEP.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT BUSINESSES WHO HAVE PULLED BACK THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS?

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'RE LOOKING INTO, TRYING TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

>> I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT, BUT I DO THINK THAT IS A GREAT STEP.

AND IA LOT OF EMPLOYEES THAT WERE FOUND TO BE PART OF THOSE, ARE BEING FIRED.

WHY?

BECAUSE PEOPLE DO NOT WANT FOLKS THAT ARE AGAINST THE LAW THE THE RULE OF THE LAW.

>> THESE SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN ISSUES.

AND SO I THINK THE FACT THAT WE SHOULD BE HAVING THIS EXACT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES, WITH LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES.

>> Mary: BREAK-AWAY REPUBLICANS WHO ATTENDED MINNESOTA'S STORM THE CAPITOL PROTEST HAD A STRONG REACTION AND PERSIST IN QUESTIONING THE ELECTION CREDIBLE.

>> PEOPLE ARE UPSET BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT -- BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FOLLOW OUR ELECTION LAWS AND THEY'RE -- THEY WANT ANSWERS -- THAT'S WHY THEY CAME TO THE CAPITOL BECAUSE THEY WANT A LEGISLATURE TO GET INVOLVED.

>> Mary: WEAPONS CHARGES REVEAL AN OWATONNA MAN WANTED TO KILL POLICE AND POLITICIANS AT A PRO-TRUMP RALLY AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL.

INSIDE THE CAPITOL, LAWMAKERS ARE WARNING CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OF POSSIBLE CUTS AHEAD.

>> THIS IS NOT THE LAND OF MILL MILKAND HONEY.

>> WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN ECONOMIC DISTRESS, WE GET MORE CALLS.

WE'VE HAD TO ENFORCE THE EVICTION MORATORIUM.

>> THE CUTS WILL NOT BE TO STUFF.

IT'LL BE TO PEOPLE.

>> DRAG OUT YOUR PARRING KNIFE AND LOOK AT WAYS TO CUT BACK.

>> Mary: JOINING ME TO TALK MORE ABOUT TODAY'S HISTORIC INAUGURATION AND THE WORK AHEAD FOR THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, LARRY JACOBS FROM THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

WELL, PROFESSOR, I'VE GOT TO SAY YOU HAVE A TEACHING MOMENT HERE I'M GUESSING WITH DEMOCRACY HANGING NET BALANCE AND A USUALLY -- UNUSUAL TRANSFER OF POWER.

SO TELL ME, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE TWO DATES, JANUARY 6TH, AND JANUARYL REMINDER, BOTH THE PERILOUS NATURE OF DEMOCRACY.

IT'S NEVER GUARANTEED.

AND THEN ITS ABILITY TO BE RESURGE YENT.

AND THE TWO OF THOSE THINGS LIE IN BALANCE, AND I THINK BOTH MOMENTS ARE QUITE TEACHABLE.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THE PROMINENT ROLE PLAYED BY U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR?

I NOTED EARLIER TODAY ON TWITTER, FOUR YEARS AGO, CHOAP PECULIAR WAS IDENTIFIED BY GETY IMAGE AS A WOMAN WHO WAS POSING WITH SENATORS, AND TODAY SHE WAS THE SENATOR WHO WAS FRONT AND CENTER AS EMCEE.

WHAT IS AHEAD FOR HER?

>> WELL, CLEARLY, THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION.

IT LAUNCHED AMY KLOBUCHAR INTO NATIONAL PROMINENCE.

SHE'S MOVING UP IN THE LEADERSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

AND THAT PUT HER IN THE POSITION TO REALLY SHOWCASE HER INTELLIGENCE, AND HER HUMAN HUM, AND HER ABILITY TO TALK IN A VERY CORDIAL WAY AND WORK IN A CORDIAL WAY WITH REPUBLICANS.

ALL OF THAT SHOWCASED IN MANY WAYS.

THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.

SHE WAS KIND OF THE EMCEE PULLING EVERYONE TOGETHER.

IT WAS IMPRESSIVE.

>> Mary: WHERE DOES BIDEN NEED HER MOST?

DOES SHE NEED TO STAY IN THE SENATE WITH THAT VERY CLOSE MARGIN, OR COULD SHE BE WAITING FOR A SUPREME COURT JOB TO OPEN UP?

>> I THINK IT'S ALL OPEN.

I THINK THE KEY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD BE THAT THERE'S A DEMOCRAT AS GOVERNOR.

AND THAT ALLOWS THAT POSITION TO BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER DEMOCRAT.

THE CONCERN WOULD BE, IF YOU HAD A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, THEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE A SEAT, EYEWITNESS FOR INSTANCE ELIZABETH WARREN WAS MENTIONED AS A POSSIBLE CABINET SPOT, BUT THEN YOU WOULD LOSE A POSITION.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, SENATOR KLOBUCHAR HAS GOT MANY OPTIONS.

SHE MAY DECIDE TO STAY IN THE SENATE.

HER POWER IS ONLY GROWING.

>> Mary: INTERESTING.

HOW ABOUT PARTISANSHIP?

THAT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE PIECE THAT JUST PREKEYED CEDED US.

NATIONALLY HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAD THE MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR TODAY, JENNIFER CARNAHAN SAYING THAT THE PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS -- SAYING YOU'RE EITHER WITH NAZIS OR WHITE SUPREME CYSTS OR NOT.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE TEMPERATURE IS BEING DIALED DOWN HERE IN MINNESOTA OR EVEN NATIONALLY, IS IT?

>> NO, I THINK WE'VE GOT REAL CHALLENGES.

I THINK JOE BIDEN WAS VERY, VERY UP FRONT ABOUT THIS.

HE DESCRIBED OUR SITUATION TODAY AS AN UNCIVIL WAR.

AND I THINK THE CHALLENGE, AS PRESIDENT BIDEN PUT IT, IS FINE DEFINE AREAS OF WHERE WE AGREE.

DISAGREE ON POLICY, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION TO IMPROVE AMERICA, CONTROL THE CORONAVIRUS, GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK, AND KIDS IN SCHOOL.

AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BOTH PARTIES AGREE.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

THIS IS NOT A SNAP YOUR FINGERS, ONE SPEECH, SOLVE IT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT IN THE THICK OF THINGS STARTING TOMORROW OVER BIDEN'SNETTE APPOINTEES, WHETHER THEY'LL BE CONFIRMED.

HE'S PUT UP A $1.9 TRILLION CORONAVIRUS PACKAGE.

AND THERE'S MORE.

THERE'LL BE BIG DISAGREEMENTS, BUT CAN PEOPLE WITH CIVIL IT?

THAT'S THE QUESTION AND CLEARLY MINNESOTA'S GOT WORK.

>> Mary: AND IS MORE CIVILITY EXPECTED IF THE SENATE GOES AHEAD AND IMPEACHES PRESIDENT TRUMP?

WHAT DO YOU SEE AHEAD THERE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HEARING FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADER, MITCH MCCONNELL, THAT HE IS CONSIDERING IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE OF THE PRESIDENT'S ENCOURAGEMENT AND INCITING OF THE RIOT, AND THEN THE INNOVATION OF -- INVASION OF THE CAPITOL.

IF THAT HAPPENS, IT MAY BRING ALONG ENOUGH REPUBLICANS TO ACTUALLY CONVICT THE PRESIDENT.

THE OBJECTIVE FOR SENATOR MCCONNELL IS, HE DOESN'T WANT THE PRESIDENT RUNNING AGAIN IN 2024.

HE WANTS TO MARGINALIZE THE PRESIDENT, HIS SUPPORTERS.

THE BIG CONCERN FOR SENATOR MCCONNELL IS 2022, AND WHETHER SOME OF THE MORE RIGHT-WING HOUSE MEMBERS MIGHT TRY TO RUN IN PRIMARIES AGAINST LONG-STANDING INCUMBENTS THAT WOULD PUT THOSE SEATS AT RISK.

AND REALLY HELP DEMOCRATS EXPAND THEIR SITUATION IN THE U.S. SENATE.

>> Mary: YEAH, AND FINALLY, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, DOES HE DISAPPEAR?

DOES HE REEMERGE?

IS HE STILL A KING MAKER?

AND HIS FUTURE COULD BE TIED TO PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA LIKE MIKE LUNDELL WHO WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT DONALD TRUMP IS NOT DISAPPEARING.

HE WILL FIND A WAY TO BE VOCAL AND A REAL FORCE.

WHETHER HIS FOLLOWING IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE AS LARGE AS ASSUMED IS A BIG QUESTION.

IN FACT, WE SAW IN THE GEORGIA ELECTION THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS NOT HELPFUL.

HE PROBABLY HURT THE TICKET.

IF HE HAD SIMPLY SAID NOTHING, THE ODDS ARE THAT THE REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE WON BOTH OF THE GEORGIA SEATS.

I THINK WE DO HAVE, THOUGH, A BATTLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BETWEEN THE TRUMP WING AND THE, YOU KNOW, MORE ESTABLISHMENT WING THAT MITCH MCCONNELL REPRESENTS.

THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY LOOKS TO.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR POINT OF TENSION, AND IN FAIRNESS, DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR DIVISION TOO, AND WHEN JOE BIDEN IS TALKING ABOUT UNITY, IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT REPUBLICANS.

HE'S GOT SOME, YOU KNOW, MORE LEFT-LEANING PROGRESSIVES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH THE DIRECTION HE'S TAKING.

>> Mary: YEAH, YOU MENTIONED BUSINESS BECAUSE IN MY PIECE THERE I TALKED ABOUT THE ROLE BUSINESS IS HAVING AND WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, WE MENTIONED MIKE LUNDELL, MY PILLOW, SOME BUSINESSES PULLING BACK THERE.

BUSINESS IS PLAYING MAYBE A NEW ROLE IN POLITICS?

>> BUSINESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PLAYER.

THEIR VISIBILITY COMES UP AND DOWN.

BUT I THINK THE QUESTION IS GOING TO BE HOW SUSTAINABLE IS IT?

I THINK PROBABLY PARTICULARLY RETAIL BUSINESSES WILL BE UNCOMFORTABLE SUPPORTING CANDIDATES WHO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS.

AND THE JUDICIAL ROLE IN ADJUDICATING ELECTIONS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, BUSINESSES PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE THAT THRILLED WITH THE TAX INCREASES, THE SPENDING, AND THE GREATER REGULATION UNDER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.

SO I THINK WE'LL SEE THEM COMING BACK TO SUPPORT REPUBLICANS, BUT MAYBE NOT THOSE MORE RADIOACTIVE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE NOT WILLING TO SUPPORT THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION DESPITE, YOU KNOW, OVER 50 COURT CASES AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS VERIFYING THE RESULTS.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH, LARRY JACOBS.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> Mary: OUR SERIES OF VISITS WITH LEGISLATIVE NEWCOMERS CONTINUES THIS WEEK WITH A NEW FACE IN THE HOUSE WHO SAYS SHE STILL HAS A LOT TO LEARN.

REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND, THE QUESTION WE WANT TO START WITH EVERYONE IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> THIS LAST STAGE, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT I WAS REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

AND FOR ABOUT A YEAR, I SEARCHED.

AND NOTHING QUITE FIT UNTIL ONE DAY, WE WERE IN MY KITCHEN WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS, EIGHT TO TEN OF US, TALKING ABOUT POLITICS.

AND AT THAT POINT, SOMEBODY JUST OUT OF THE BLUE SAID, SUZE, I THINK YOU SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE.

I HONSLY DISENFRANCHISE KNOW ANYTHING POLITICS.

I JUST KNEW THAT I WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE DIVISIVENESS THAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND I FELT LIKE I COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Mary: YOU KIND OF GOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT BECAUSE YOU ENDED UP AT THE STORM THE CAPITOL RALLY.

JUST IN RETROSPECT, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT IT?

>> I WAS IN MY OFFICE THAT DAY.

I HAD HEARD THERE WAS GOING TO BE A RALLY, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

AND I GOT UP, WALKED DOWN THE HALL AND HE SAID, ARE YOU GOING TO THE RALLY TODAY?

AND HE SAID, I'VE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK, I SAID BE OKAY, AND WE WENT DOWN THE STAIRS, IN FACT, IT WAS SUCH AN IMPROMPTU DECISION, I DIDN'T HAVE ON MY HAT, COAT, AND GLOVES.

IMMEDIATELY I RAN INTO CONSTITUENTS FROM MY DISTRICT.

AND WE TALKED AND THINGS WERE PLEASANT AND I SORT OF WAS MAKING MY WAY THROUGH THE CROWD, MINGLING WITH THE CROWD.

INTRODUCING MYSELF AND TALKING TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

AND SOMEBODY AT SOME POINT SAID, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK?

AND I SAID I'M NOT REALLY PREPARED FOR A SPEECH, BUT I'LL SAY A FEW WORDS.

SO I SAID A FEW WORDS, VERY FEW.

TURNED, AND TOOK SOME PICTURES WITH THE CONSTITUENTS WHO HAD COME UP IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL.

AND WENT BACK IN THE OFFICE BUILDING.

>> Mary: SO DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON IN D.C. AND THAT YOU MAY HAVE TO ANSWER FOR BEING THERE LATER?

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> NO, I WORKED IN MY OFFICE THAT NIGHT UNTIL PROBABLY 10:30, AND THERE'S NO TV OR RADIO IN HERE.

AND I DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THAT.

BASICALLY, IT WAS EARLY MORNING BEFORE I HEARD ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: DOES THIS -- DO YOU CHALK THIS UP TO, YOU KNOW, LESSON LEARNED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, AS A FRESHMAN OF, YOU KNOW, KNOWING WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO?

HOW THINGS CAN BE HANDLED AFTERWARDS?

JUST TELL US WHAT YOU LEARNED, BECAUSE THIS IS NEW TO YOU.

>> WELL, WHAT I LEARNED IS, SOMEBODY'S ALWAYS WATCHING.

I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE WRONG IMPRESSION.

YOU NEED TO STAND ON YOUR PRINCIPLES, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE WRONG IMPRESSION.

>> Mary: YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU WERE A PART OF THE LETTER JUST TO SAY OFFICIALLY CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE -- >> YES.

YES, I JUST UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMNED THE VIOLENCE AND THE VIOLENCE RHETORIC.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE THE ISSUES YOU THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS MORE BROADLY?

IT'S HARD FOR US TO MOVE BEYOND THESE SAFETY, SECURITY, PROTESTS, WHAT -- >> REALLY, THE BUSINESSES ARE THE MAIN ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO WORK ON, GETTING THEM OPEN.

AND WHILE AT THE SAME TIME KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE.

I THINK MOVING FORWARD, WE'RE GOING TO REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES ALSO TO OUR DISTRICT, BECAUSE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED PERMANENTLY.

AND WE WILL WANT TO GROW OUR CITIES AGAIN.

KEEP THEM VIBRANT AND GROWING.

AND ONE THING IN PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE A HEALTHCARE BACKGROUND, ARE THE TELE-HEALTH PROGRAMS HAVE REALLY GROWN DURING THIS COVID TIME AND TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE THAT WORK WELL FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS, THAT HAVE TO TRAVEL.

THE OTHER ISSUE AROUND HEALTH IS THE HIGH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND THE HIGH DEDUCTIBLES.

AND THAT IS A BIG ISSUE.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT SOME OF THESE SOLVED QUICKLY OR EASILY.

BUT I'M ON THE HEALTH POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.

AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE THERE.

BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

♪♪ >> Mary: AS YOU HEARD EARLY YERLG IN THE PROGRAM, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE MAY BE BUSIER THAN EVER AND WE HAVE ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON JOINING US ON THE TELEPHONE TONIGHT.

A VERY BUSY NIGHT FOR HIM.

WE HEARD EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM, MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, THAT LAWMAKERS TOLD YOU TO PREPARE FOR CUTS.

WE KNOW YOU HAVE THE GEORGE FLOYD TRIAL COMING UP.

TELL ME ABOUT THE MESSAGE YOU HEARD FROM LAWMAKERS AND YOUR REACTION TO THAT.

>> WELL, I WANT TO SAY THAT ALL THE LAWMAKERS WERE POLITE, THEY LISTENED CAREFULLY AND I WAS HAPPY TO HEAR THAT, BUT I DID HEAR THE MESSAGE FROM REPRESENTATIVE NASH, AND HE POINTED OUT THAT THINGS ARE TIGHT AND THAT WE ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE POSSIBILITY OF A RESTRICTIVE BUDGET.

FORECAST.

AND HAVE TO ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.

I THINK THAT'S A FAIR THING FOR HIM TO POINT OUT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS COUNTER-CYCLICAL.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE BEING EVICTED, PEOPLE ARE BEING VICTIMS OF WAGE THEFT AND SUBJECT TO A LOT OF FRAUD AND PRICE GOUGING, THEY CALL ON US EVEN MORE, AND IF OUR BUDGETS ARE CUT, WE ARE GOING TO BE UNABLE TO HELP PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE IN THEIR GREATEST NEEDS.

SO I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S BUDGET IS PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, NOT THE FIRST PLACE TO LOOK BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED.

AND IF YOU'RE IN NEED, AND YOU'VE JUST BEEN RIPPED OFF BY AN UNETHICAL, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, PERSON, DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CALL THE A.G.'S OFFICE AND SAY WE HAD TO CUT HALF OUR STAFF AND WE CAN'T GET TO YOU?

SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I THINK THAT THE MORE PRUDENT APPROACH TO THE BUDGET IS TO CUT WHERE YOU CAN CUT, BUT DON'T CUT THE LIFE LINE THAT PEOPLE HAVE DEPENDED ON IN THIS VERY DIFFICULT MOMENT.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER PAUL GAZELKA ALSO WARNED YOU EARLIER THAT YOU BUDGET COULD BE CUT THE SAME AMOUNT THAT YOU ARE FINING BUSINESSES.

WHO ARE DEFYING THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

SO HOW POLITICALLY THORNY HAS IT BEEN TO BE THE ENTITY THAT HAS TO ENFORCE THOSE EXECUTIVE ORDERS?

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUSHBACK IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AGAINST THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, MARY, I'M GOING TO ENFORCE THE LAW, THAT'S FULL STOP.

I WILL ALLOW THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TO DO WHAT HE HAS TO DO.

BUT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO WHICH IS TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM COVID DISEASE.

AND I'M GOING TO DO THAT.

WE DON'T ENJOY IT.

WE DON'T EVER WANT TO BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST ANYONE.

BUT IF WE -- THERE ARE 2,000 RESTAURANTS AND 1500 BARS, ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAVE COMPLIED VOLUNTARILY.

WE'VE ONLY HAD TO BRING 12 LAWSUITS AND THAT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN.

THEY WOULDN'T COMPLY.

SO WE SUE THEM AND THAT'S WHAT OUR JOB IS.

I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT ON OUT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DOESN'T FINE ANYONE.

WE BRING VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW TO ATTENTION OF THE COURT THROUGH LAWSUITS AND THE COURT DECIDES WHAT THE REMEDY IS GOING TO BE.

IF THE COURT FINED THEM, THEN THE COURT FINED THEM.

I DIDN'T FINE THEM.

IF THE COURT ORDERS THE VIOLATORS TO PAY ATTORNEY'S FEES, THEN THAT IS THE DECISION THAT THE COURT IS MADE, A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION -- >> Mary: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT D.C. AND WHAT WE WITNESSED TODAY AND PARTICULARLY THE FIRST.

YOU'RE THE FIRST MUSLIM, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, IN CONGRESS, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN PARTICULAR TO WATCH THAT VICE PRESIDENT TODAY TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE TODAY FOR YOU?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE BOTH BIDEN AND HARRIS UP THERE.

BECAUSE TOGETHER, WHAT THEY SHOW IS THAT WE HAVE A FUNCTIONING, VIBRANT, IMPORTANT, POWERFUL, MULTIRACIAL DEMOCRACY.

WHERE EVERYBODY, WHETHER YOU'RE WHITE OR BLACKLOCK OR NATIVE AMERICAN OR ASIAN OR FEMALE AS IN KAMALA HARRIS IS ASIAN, BLACKLOCK, AND FEMALE, EVERYBODY CAN PARTNER AND EVERYBODY CAN GIVE THEIR GIFTS TO THIS GREAT COUNTRY.

IT REALLY JUST SHOWED THAT THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> Mary: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SORRY WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THAT IS OUR SHOW TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN WE'LL TALK LIVE WITH HOUSE LEADERS HORTMAN AND DAUDT.

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 A VIRTUAL COUCH FULL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI GOETZ BRINGS US A STORY ABOUT THE ICE ROAD TO AND FROM THE NORTHWEST ANGLE.

AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST ACTION AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

IN PARTICULAR THE NEW DIVERSITY WE'RE SEEING IN COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION 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.