>>> YOUR LEGISLATORS IS 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.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO PIONEER PUBLIC TELEVISION'S "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

I'M BARRY ANDERSON, HOST AND MODERATOR FOR THIS OUR OPENING EPISODE IN THE OPENING SEASON OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

OVER THOSE 42 YEARS WE HAVE COME INTO YOUR HOMES FROM A VARIETY OF LOCATIONS, STUDIOS IN APPLETON, GRANITE FALLS AND HUTCHISON.

THE ST. PAUL NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK AND A VARIETY OF OTHER LOCATIONS IN ST. PAUL.

THIS YEAR OUR PROGRAM IS ORIGINATING FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT IF THE HOW OF THIS PROGRAM HAS CHANGED OVER DECADES, ITS ESSENTIAL CHARACTER HAS NOT.

"YOUR LEGISLATORS" REMAINS YOUR PROGRAM AND YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS OF YOUR LEGISLATORS.

WE INVITE YOU TO SEND OUR PANEL OF GUESTS YOUR QUESTIONS BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON YOUR SCREEN.

LET'S BEGIN OUR EFFORT THIS EVENING TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL AS WE HAVE DONE OVERALL THESE YEARS BY GIVING OUR PANEL AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

I BEGIN WITH SENATOR MELISA LOPEZ FRANZEN FROM DISTRICT 49 IN EDINA, AND I WOULD ASK THE SENATOR TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON, AND YOUR DAY JOB, OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS.

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO OUR VIEWERS, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY.

THIS IS NOT MY FIRST TIME ON YOUR SHOW, AND I APPRECIATE SO MUCH TO SHARE SOME OF THE THOUGHTS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CAPITOL AND WHAT'S EVOLVED AND NOT JUST THE MODE OF POWER SHARING THIS INFORMATION.

TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT MYSELF, FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW ME, STATE SENATOR FOR DISTRICT 49 INCLUDING COMMUNITIES OF EDINA, EDEN PRAIRIE AND WETUMPKA.

THIS IS MY TENTH YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE, HARD TO BELIEVE.

I HAVE LITTLE BOYS, 10 AND 6 HOPE THEY DON'T COME IN THE DOOR BEHIND ME.

JUGGLING THAT JOB WITH BEING A LEGISLATOR PART-TIME.

BEING THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER THIS SESSION AND HAVE A PART-TIME JOB WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS BUT ALSO A LAWYER BY TRADE.

WHAT WE DO FOR FUN GO TO THE CABIN UP NORTH AND ENJOY THE WINTER AND ENJOY THE SUMMERS AND CABIN AT THE LATE.

I'M ON THE RULES COMMITTEE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.

BUT SERVED MOST OF MY TIME IN THE HEALTH AND SERVICES REALM AND TRANSPORTATION AND IMPLEMENT SAFETY HAS BEEN SOME OF THEM.

>> Barry: IF YOUR KIDS DO SHOW UP, SENATOR, THEY ARE WELCOME TO WAVE AS WE GO BY.

WE HAD A VISIT FROM SPIDERMAN LAST YEAR.

WE ARE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ALSO JOINING US SENATOR MARK JOHNSON FROM DISTRICT 1, EAST GRAND FORKS, DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER.

SENATOR JOHNSON AND I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT A LITTLE BIT WHEN THE COURT WAS UP IN THAT CORNER OF MINNESOTA BACK WHEN WE COULD MAKE LIVE VISITS AND HOPING TO START DOING THAT AGAIN THIS SPRING.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

SENATOR JOHNSON, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> YOU ARE WELCOMED TO COME BACK UP HERE AGAIN.

STILL OPEN.

SO YOU CAN COME AND VISIT IT AGAIN.

BE GOOD TO BRING THE CHIEF JUSTICE BACK UP.

YOU ARE RIGHT.

I'M THE SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER ON THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

SHERIFF AS VICE CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

I'M ALSO FORTUNATE AND BLESSED TO BE THE CHAIR OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

EARLY ON IN SESSION YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY HOT TOPIC.

GOING TO BE WORKING WITH THAT AS WELL.

ALSO ON FINANCE.

SO I'M UP HERE IN THE FAR NORTHWEST CORNER OF MINNESOTA, SENATE DISTRICT 1, AND YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF WINTER RIGHT NOW, SO WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE KIDS OUT TO GO DO SNOW SUGAR AND JUST ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL MINNESOTA WINTER THAT WE ARE HAVING.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

YOUR DAY JOB, AS I RECALL, YOU HAVE A LAW LICENSE AND PRACTICING LAW FROM TIME TO TIME IF I RECALL CORRECTLY.

>> FROM TIME TO TIME WE DO.

RIGHT NOW MY WIFE IS ALSO AN ATTORNEY.

MY JOB IN THE LAW FIRM IS GETTING HER COFFEE.

BUT ONCE THE SESSION IS OVER, I GET INTO IT.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

VERY GOOD.

ALSO JOINING US IS REPRESENTATIVE LIZ OLSON FROM DISTRICT 7B IN DULUTH, DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER AND SPEAKER PRO TEM.

THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE NOT UP ON YOUR LATIN IT MAKES HER SPEAKER WHEN THE SPEAKER IS NOT AVAILABLE.

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, TELL THE VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE WITH EVERYBODY TO RETURN TO THE PROGRAM, ALWAYS A DELIGHT.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 7B WHICH IS DULUTH, AND IT IS THE FROM WEST OVER IN DULUTH, SO I REPRESENT MOST OF THE WEST PARTS OF DULUTH, AND I'M SERVING IN MY THIRD TERM, WHICH MY SIXTH SESSION I WILL BE GOING INTO NOW.

AS MENTIONED, ALREADY I HAVE THE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER ROLE AS WELL AS SPEAKER PROTEM.

THE VICE CHAIR OF WAYS AND MEANS AND SET ON THE REDISTRICTING, CONGRESS AND JOBS COMMITTEE.

WE DO ALL THINGS TO RECREATE OUTSIDE.

WHEN I'M NOT DOING THIS WORK, I DO WORK ASSISTING NONPROFITS WITH ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND GLAD TO BE HERE AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

>> Barry: I THINK WE TALKED LAST YEAR, AND I WILL PUT YOU ON THE SPOT AGAIN, BUT IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, I THINK YOU CAME OUT OF DULUTH WITH A DEGREE AS WELL.

AM I YOU GO RECALLING THAT CORRECTLY.

>> THEY ARE LUTHER GRADS, AND I NEVER WANTED TO GO INTO MINISTRY, NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER SEE THE INSIDE OF A SEMINARY AS A STUDENT.

FIND MYSELF THERE AND GOT THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE AT LUTHER SEMINARY.

>> Barry: HOW TO MAKE GOD LAUGH AND TELL HIM YOUR PLANS.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US THIS EVENING.

FINALLY, ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 13A IN COLD SPRINGS, ASSIST MINORITY LEADER LISA DEMUTH.

DID I PRONOUNCE THAT CORRECTLY.

>> VERY CLOSE.

DEMUTH.

>> Barry: TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

THIS IS MY FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN YOU ON THE SHOW.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 13A WHICH IS THE AVON, COLD SPRING, EDEN VALLEY, RICHMOND, ROCKVILLE.

I'M IN THE SECOND TERM AND HAVE THE PRIVILEGE SERVING ON THREE COMMITTEES, EARLY CHILDHOOD, EDUCATION FINANCE AND HEALTH FINANCE, AND AS MENTIONED I ALSO SERVE AS ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER OF MY CAUCUS.

WHAT I LIKE TO DO AS FAR AS IN MY AREA THAT I LIVE IN, I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES.

WE HAVE IN OUR AND A HALF GRANDCHILDREN AND LOVE SPENDING TIME TOGETHER AS A FAMILY.

OUTSIDE OF THAT WORK, I AM A BUSINESS OWNER, AND I DO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION THIS EVENING.

THANK YOU.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

LET'S BEGIN OUR PROGRAM THIS EVENING BY LAYING OUT WHAT EACH MEMBER OF OUR PANEL THINKS OF THE PRIORITIES, AND WHILE WE ARE DOING THAT I INVITE OUR VIEWERS TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS, AND WE HAVE A COUPLE, AND WE WILL GET TO THOSE IN A LITTLE BIT.

LET'S START WITH OUR VETERAN LEGISLATURE, SENATOR LOPEZ FRANZEN, TALK ABOUT THE PRIORITIES YOU SEE IN THIS SESSION.

MENTION TO OUR VIEWERS, THERE'S A $7 BILLION SURPLUS, AND THAT'S TRANGLY ONLY SOME OF THE CONVERSATION.

BUT THERE ARE MANY POSITIONS AND PANELS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

SENATOR, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

TAKE US THROUGH A COUPLE MINUTES OF WHAT YOU SEE AS THE PRIORITY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THIS SURPLUS AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF OPTIONS WE CAN DO WITH IT.

CERTAINLY WE CAN USE SOME AND INVEST IT AND SPEND IT OR SAVE SOME OR SEND IT BACK TO SOME OF THE TAXPAYERS WHO SENT IT TO US IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO A LOT OF INVESTMENTS AND SUPPORTS FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

BUT I HEAR IN MY DISTRICT WHERE WE HAD A SERIES OF CARJACKINGS IN THE LAST MONTH, A PERIOD OF A MONTH WE HAD THREE CARJACKINGS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS ON THE MINDS OF MINNESOTANS.

WE HAVE TO TACKLE THAT, AND WE WILL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TACKLE THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE WE SEE, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN IN NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, AND THERE IS A DIRE NEED AS WELL IN THE TEACHING AREA.

WE HAVE TO TACKLE THOSE ISSUES, AND THAT IS A ROLE OF GOVERNMENT BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC AND PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESSES AS WELL.

THE OTHER PIECE, TOO, LIKE I MENTIONED, EDUCATION IS HUGE, AND I HAVE TWO LITTLE ONES AND KNOW THEY HAVE NOT HAD THE EXPERIENCES THAT NORMAL FIVE AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS HAVE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TACKLE THOSE GAPS AND GETTING THEM BACK IN THE SCHOOLS AND GETTING THEM BACK IN THE EXPERIENCES AND SERVICES THAT THEY EXPECT FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ON OUR MIND.

CERTAINLY THERE'S TALK ABOUT POTENTIALLY SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS IN TERMS OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND WHICH WAS A MECHANISM WE USED DURING THE PANDEMIC TO SUPPORT WORKERS AND FAMILIES WHEN THEY WERE NOT WORKING BECAUSE OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE FROM COVID WHEN WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING AHEAD.

NOW THAT WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT.

WE HAVE EXHAUSTED THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND WHICH NOW HAS A DEFICIT.

WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN BACK IN 2013, I WAS AN AUTHOR OF THE BILL TO LOWER THE TAX RATE TO THE LOWEST WE COULD BECAUSE IT WAS FLUSH WITH CASH AND WE HAD A SURPLUS.

TABLES HAVE TURNED AND IT'S GOING TO BE TOP OF MIND HOW DO WE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BUT HOW DO WE TARGET TAX CUTS WHO NEED THEM THE MOST.

IN THIS CASE WE KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING, SOME WITHOUT JOBS, SOME WITH THE PAYCHECK THAT THEY NEED BECAUSE OF INFLATION TO COVER THE COST OF GROCERIES AND COVER THE COSTS OF FUEL AND UTILITIES.

WE KNOW THAT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE.

WE HAVE TO COME WITH CAUTION AND RESPONSIBLE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH THIS MONEY, BECAUSE IT'S ONE TIME THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE BIG IMPROVEMENTS AND WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS OF THE FUTURE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND COMPROMISE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO SET UP MINNESOTA FOR SUCCESS.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND WE WANT TO SHOW A ROADMAP FOR MINNESOTANS TO BELIEVE IN THE HOPE AND FUTURE THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER, LEARNING A LOT FROM THIS EXPERIENCE BUT COMING OUT OF IT STRONGER FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AND THE SURPLUS AND BUDGET AND FUNDING COUNTY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT ALSO HAS BEEN APPROVED.

THOSE ARE SOME THOUGHTS, AND I'M SURE WE WILL GET INTO MORE WITH THE QUESTIONS.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON DID I SEE IN THE PAPER THAT AMOUNT OF THAT DEFICIT ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WAS SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 2.7 BILLION?

DOES THAT NUMBER SEAWRIGHT.

>> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON, YOUR PRIORITIES, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> JUSTICE ANDERSON, I THINK EARLY ON BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE GOVERNOR HAD A CAMPAIGN PROMISE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE ONE MINNESOTA.

WHEN YOU SEE HOW THAT PLAYED OUT OR WHAT IT FEELS LIKE IS A VERY TOP DOWN DICTATED MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, SO WE HAVE MANDATES AND ALL THESE THINGS GOING ON FROM THE TOP GOING DOWN TO THE PEOPLE, AND WHAT THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND THE SENATE IS REALLY FOCUSED ON IS HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ALL MINNESOTA ANSWER?

WE ARE STARTING AT THE BOTTOM.

WE ARE ON TRACK.

WE ARE GOING ON TRACK TO DO THREE THINGS THAT WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON.

WE WANT TO MILK SURE THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL.

WE WANT TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION.

WE HAVE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED TO OUR STUDENTS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET TRACK ON THAT, AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR THIRD.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE IN THEIR HOMES AND IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE DOING A NUMBER OF THINGS WITH THAT.

FIRST OF ALL EDUCATION.

WE HAVE TO HAVE POWER WITH THE PARENT.

WE SEE HOW CRITICAL THE PARENT IS IN CHILD'S EDUCATION.

THEY ARE INTEGRAL IN THE PROCESS OF EDUCATING THEIR CHILD, NOT INDOCTRINATING THEM BUT EDUCATING THEM SO THEY CAN CRITICALLY THINK.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER THING WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE KIDS ARE IN A CLASSROOM.

WE HAVE SEEN THE DETRIMENTS AND RESEARCH ON CHILDREN BEING AT HOME IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN OR IPHONE SCREEN OR WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE DOING THEIR EDUCATION ON.

IT'S TIME TO BRING THEM BACK IN THE CLASSROOM WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY CONCENTRATE.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

CENTER FRANZEN HIT IT RIGHT ON.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE IN EDINA OR DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR CITIZENS.

WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING IS FINDING PATHWAYS FOR NEW RECRUITS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MAYBE IT CAN BE GRANT PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE DOING.

BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION, TOO, ON THE CRIMINAL SIDE.

WE NEED TO ENFORCE THE MANDATORY MINIMUMS, JUST TO MAKE SURE THE VIOLENT CRIMINALS ARE NOT GOING BACK OUT ON THE STREET, THE REVOLVING DOOR, WHERE THE SAME CRIMINALS ARE GETTING OUT AND COMMITTING CRIMES.

IT'S GOT TO BE DISHEARTENING TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT AND SEEING THE SAME GUYS GOING BACK OUT OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON THE STREETS.

FINALLY IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMICS, TOO, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BROAD BASE.

WE ARE OVER TAXING OUR CITIZENS.

HOW CAN WE DO A BROAD BASE RELIEF.

LET'S START WITH SENIOR CITIZENS.

ONE OF THE MOST EGREGIOUS ACTS IS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

YOU TALK TO FOLKS IN THE COFFEE SHOP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS YOU GET.

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE TAX OFF MY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE LOWERING THE FIRST MARGINAL RATE.

THAT WILL HELP ALL FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE, NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL PARTICULAR GROUPS, BUT LET'S HELP MORE PEOPLE.

LET'S HELP THE STATES.

THOSE ARE THE MAIN THREE THINGS WE ARE GOING TO BE ZEROED IN ON ON THIS SESSION THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, THE FLOOR IS YOURS, WHAT PRIMARIES AND PROJECTS DO YOU SEE TAKING MOST OF THE ATTENTION IN THIS SESSION?

>> WE HAVE SEEN A WELL MANAGED STATE THAT WE ARE IN A PLACE WE CAN BE LOOKING AT A SURPLUS AND GOING INTO THIS EVENT YEAR OF OUR BIENNIUM, WHICH IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

A DEFICIT WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLY HARD PLACE TO BE IN A PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE HURTING.

I MEAN, WE HEAR IT EVERY DAY, AND DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE PEOPLE ARE FEELING EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS OF A NUMBER OF WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

DFL CAUCUS HAS BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR WE WANT TO CENTER WORKERS AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING CAN FEEL -- CAN GET THROUGH WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

THAT MEANS A NUMBER OF THINGS.

IT MEANS PUTTING FORWARD AN ECONOMIC SECURITY PACKAGE THAT CENTERS PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T DONE WELL.

IT DOESN'T PUT WEALTHY CORPORATIONS THAT DID JUST FINE.

IT CENTERS PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T.

INVESTING THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN AT THE BEDSIDE.

IT'S OUR TEACHERS, MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, AND IT'S MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO STAY IN THE WORKFORCE AND MAKE SURE THEY FEEL SAFE AND HAVE THE BENEFITS.

IT'S MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE STABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA, THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE THAT WE PLAN TO TACKLE AND HAVE PUT FORWARD SERIOUS INVESTMENT IN THAT.

WE KNOW CHILD CARE SHORTAGE, ESPECIALLY AGAIN IN MY DISTRICT, AND I KNOW IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND MANY PARTS OF GREATER MINNESOTA, THAT IF WE WANT TO TACKLE WORKFORCE, WE HAVE TO TACKLE CHILD CARE.

IT'S BEEN SOMETHING I HAVE PERSONALLY WORKED ON BUT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF OVER CAUCUS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE.

WE KNOW DESPITE ALL OF THIS AND THE URGENT NEEDS WE HAVE AROUND THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE MORE CLEAR DURING COVID, WE HAVE A CLIMATE CRISIS, AND WE NEED TO NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO THAT BUT ADDRESS THAT HEAD ON SO THE HOUSE HAS PUT FORWARD A SET OF PROPOSALS AROUND INVESTING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND INVESTING IN OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA THAT WE LOVE.

WE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT A FULL PACKAGE OF THINGS THAT MAKE SURE WE MEET MINNESOTANS WHERE WE ARE AT AT THIS MOMENT BUT WE DON'T TURN AWAY BUT THAT WE ALSO NEED TO BE INVESTING IN.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO HAVE GIVE AWAYS TO WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS BUT IT'S A TIME TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE HURTING THAT TELL US ABOUT THOSE ECONOMIC POCKETBOOK CONCERNS AND KEEP THEM UP EVERY NIGHT.

THEY WORRY ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES AND WORRY ABOUT THE KIDS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF PERSON WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHEN WE ARE PUTTING IT FORWARD.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH, YOU ARE NEXT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THIS SESSION?

>> THE PRIORITIES THAT I SEE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION, A LOT OF THEM HAVE ALREADY BEEN TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE INCREASE IN CRIME IN OUR STATE.

IT'S NOT JUST IN OUR METRO AREA BUT AS IT SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE STATE THERE'S CONCERN ALL OVER FROM EAST TO WEST, NORTH TO SOUTH.

PUBLIC SAFETY ADDRESSING THE CRIME, AND THAT WOULD BE AT A LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS TAX RELIEF AS WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD FROM SENATOR JOHNSON.

ENDING THAT TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR SENIORS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

OUR WEATHER HAS MUCH VARIETY, AND SO IT'S GREAT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP THEM, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY AS ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT MIGHT BE DRIVING THEM AWAY.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RELIEF IS IMPORTANT TO OUR BUSINESS.

IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T DELAY.

WE SHOULDN'T WAIT UNTIL THE END OF SESSION, BUT WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE AND TACKLED RIGHT AWAY AS WE ENTER IN.

ALSO IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION, OUR KIDS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FACED ENORMOUS CHALLENGES IN ADDITION TO OUR FAMILIES WHERE WE HAVE HAD FAMILIES WORKING FULL-TIME AND TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN DURING DISTANCE LEARNING, KEEPING OUR KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE EDUCATIONALLY.

WHERE ARE THE GAPS?

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND ADDRESS THE LEARNING LOSS.

MENTAL HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR WITH THE YOUNGEST LEARNERS ALL THE WAY UP THROUGH SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH PIECE ALSO IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THOSE ARE KIND OF THE TOP FOUR THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING ON RIGHT AWAY WHEN WE GET BACK INTO SESSION.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE THE FIRST QUESTION OF A VIEWER.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE PROSPECT FOR LEGALIZATION OF THE USE OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS RELATED KINDS OF LEGISLATION?

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT OBSERVATIONS DO YOU HAVE ON THAT?

>> HAPPY TO SHARE THAT.

THE HOUSE HAS DONE ITS PART.

WE HAD A REALLY ROBUST PROCESS.

WE WENT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE, ENGAGED STAKEHOLDERS AND RYAN WINKLER JUST DID AN INCREDIBLY THOROUGH PROCESS TO ENGAGE EVERYONE TO TALK ABOUT HOW DO WE LEGALIZE ADULT USE CANNABIS AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT TAKES ALL THE CONCERNS INTO CONSIDERATION.

LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY PASSED A BILL TO LEGALIZE ADULT USE CANNABIS IN A WAY THAT ADDRESSED ALL THE CONCERNS, WHETHER IT'S AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, AROUND HEALTH, AROUND ACCESS, AROUND EXPUNGEMENT, CRIMINAL HISTORY AND HAD A BILL THAT WAS SUPPORTED BY ROBUST GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS.

WE HAVE DONE THAT ON THE HOUSE SIDE, AND WE HAVE SENT THAT TO THE SENATE GOP.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IN THEIR HANDS IF THEY WANT TO ACT ON AN ISSUE THAT EVEN LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORTED THIS PACKAGE.

WE HAD LAW ENFORCEMENT COMING TOGETHER TO SAY THIS IS THE TIME AND THIS IS HOW WE DO IT.

WE NEED FINE TUNING.

MAYBE IT NEEDS WORK.

OVERALL WE HAVE STARTED THAT CONVERSATION AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING IT UP.

I KNOW SENATOR MELISA FRANZEN IS A LONG TIME SUPPORTER AND HAS WORKED ON THIS ISSUE, TOO, AND WE ARE HOPING OUR GOP COLLEAGUES CAN MEET US ON THIS.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON, YOUR THOUGHTS, CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

>> THERE MIGHT BE BROAD SUPPORT FOR IT IN SOME AREAS, AND IN OTHER AREAS THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF OPPOSITION.

THE SENATE HAD PERIODS TWO YEARS AGO REGARDING LEGALIZED CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

THE OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE REALLY CAME OUT NOT IN FAVOR OF THE PRODUCT BEING OUT IN THE STATE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE NOW OR HAVING A WORKFORCE CRISIS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND CANNABIS PRODUCTS AND HAVE THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY START TO SORT OUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES INSURANCE LOOK LIKE?

IF YOU ARE A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, AND YOU HAVE LEGALIZED CANNABIS NOW, AND YOU HAVE FOLKS WALKING AROUND WITH THE SUBSTANCE IN THEIR BLOODSTREAM, WHERE IS THE LIABILITY ON THESE THINGS?

HOW DO YOU WORK OUT TESTING FOR DRIVING?

THERE'S SO MANY QUESTIONS FOR THAT.

AT THE END OF A PANDEMIC WHEN WE ARE FEELING OUR WAY OUT AND THERE'S ISSUES ALL OVER THE PLACE, LEGALIZING CANNABIS SHOULD NOT BE THE TOP ISSUE THAT WE ARE TAKING FORWARD INTO THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE GOT ECONOMICS WE HAVE GOT TO BE WORKING ON.

WE HAVE EDUCATION.

WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE A PRIORITY WALKING INTO THIS NEW SESSION RIGHT NOW.

IT'S A DISTRACTION FROM THE REAL NEEDS OF MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Barry: SENATOR FRANZEN, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> JUST AS I WAS THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE 2019 BILL.

>> Barry: DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION ON IT THEN?

>> I DO.

I CAME AT IT FROM A PURE, REASONABLE MOM SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE OTHER STATES ARE TACKLING, AND YOU CAN LEAD PROHIBITION, AND WE ARE INCARCERATING LITTLE KIDS AND ADULTS ON SOMETHING THAT'S MEDICINAL.

WE HAVE A MEDICINAL PROGRAM IN MINNESOTA AND WE KEEP EXPANDING IT BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S NOT ACCESSIBLE TO MOST PATIENTS.

VETERANS WANT THIS TO BE LEGALIZED AS WELL.

IT'S BEING USED AS A POLITICAL PLOY NOT TO ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE OR TO BE LEGALIZED.

AS YOU KNOW AS WELL, WE HAVE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES THAT LAST ELECTION CYCLE.

TOOK A LOT OF VOTES FROM FOLKS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

I GET THE POLITICS, BUT WE HAVE TO GET THE SCIENCE, AND OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THIS IN A VERY RESPONSIBLE WAY, AND WE ARE LEARNING FROM IT, AND THE QUESTION IS WHEN.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME FOR US TO START TALKING ABOUT IT IN 2019 TO START DOING THE RIGHT POLICY DECISIONS BECAUSE WE CAN GET IT REALLY WRONG, AND I AGREE WITH THAT.

IT HAS TO BE DONE RESPONSIBLY WITH A RESPONSIBLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, WHICH WHAT WE PROPOSE, WHICH IS THE BILL THAT PASSED HOWTS AND READY TO COME INTO THE SENATE AND BE DISCUSSED.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE RIGHT TIME POLITICALLY.

BUT IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE IT'S EXPECTED AND NEEDED.

QUITE FRANKLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SCIENCE, TOO, CANNABIS IS ACTUALLY A PATHWAY OUT OF OPIOID ADDICTION.

IT CAN HELP WITH PAIN AND ALL THESE AILMENTS THAT WE ARE PRESCRIBING AND OVER PRESCRIBING.

JUST LIKE WE DID WITH ALCOHOL, IT'S LESS LETHAL THAN ALCOHOL.

WE HAD HEARINGS AND WE ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE POLICY MAKING DISCUSSIONS WE ARE ELECTED TO DO.

WE WOULD FIND ALL THIS STUFF OUT.

WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART IN THE SENATE.

THERE IS NO HURRY, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE, I GUESS LATE ADAPTERS, AND I DO HAVE THE CONCERN ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND FOR SURE, BUT WE NEED THEM AT THE TABLE AND THEY HAVE BEEN BEEN.

THEY ARE SPENDING A LOT MORE TIME ON THESE TYPE OF CRIMES WHEN THEY SHOULD BE DEALING WITH THE CRIMINALS THAT ARE DOING THE CARJACKINGS AND OTHER THINGS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO POLICE THIS, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S DONE IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY.

RIGHT NOW THE ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO TRACK, WE CAN'T DRIVE IMPAIRED WITH ANY SUBSTANCE, PRESCRIPTION, LEGAL OR OTHERWISE.

THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THIS BILL.

WHAT WOULD CHANGE IS THAT WE ARE MODIFYING IT AND GETTING TOOLS SO WE CAN ACTUALLY DETECT HOW MUCH IMPAIRMENT YOU HAVE BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING AND YOU ARE REGULATING IT AND TAXING IT.

A LOT OF STATES ARE MAKING MONEY THAT WE COULD BE PUTTING IN OUR SYSTEM IN OTHER AREAS.

>> Barry: REMINDER TO OUR VIEWERS TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SEND THEM TO US AS INDICATED ON YOUR SCREEN.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CANNABIS QUESTION.

>> WE DID HEAR THE BILL.

IT DID PASS OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT I HAD, AND I WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THE BILL.

I HEARD FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT HAVE HEAVY MACHINERY OPERATORS THAT SAY HOW DO WE EVEN KNOW IF IT WOULD BE SAFE.

WHAT IS THE TEST.

THERE'S NOT A FIELD TEST OUT THERE.

SO CONCERN FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, ALSO CONCERN FOR JUST ATTENDANCE IN THE WORKPLACE, AND WE KNOW HOW WOULD THIS NEGATIVELY AFFECT IT.

I AM A SUPPORTER OF MEDICAL CANNABIS, AND I KNOW WE MADE MOVEMENT FORWARD ON THAT.

BUT I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF RECREATIONAL USE.

I THINK THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE COMING FORWARD THIS YEAR THAT WE NEED TO HANDLE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD THROUGH AND OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC BEFORE WE NEED TO ACTUALLY TAKE ACTION ON THIS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH, LET'S START WITH YOU ON THE NEXT QUESTION.

THIS IS ANOTHER PERENNIAL, AND IT'S A MATTER OF SIGNIFICANT CONCERN ON BOTH SIDES, HASN'T SEEN MUCH LEGISLATIVE ACTION BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT DOGS AND LEGALLY SET BODY GRIP TRAPS AND WANTS TO KNOW -- THERE'S A DOG PROTECTION BILL IDENTIFIED AS HOUSE FILE 2086 AND SENATE FILE 2082, AND THIS VIEWER THINKS IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO PASS THIS BILL, BUT THIS ISSUE GENERATES A FAIR AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION.

LET'S START WITH REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PERENNIAL ISSUES THAT COME FORWARD.

I HAVE NOT HEARD SPECIFIC TESTIMONY ON THIS BILL.

I CAN'T SPEAK SPECIFICALLY AS TO IT, BUT I WOULD BE WILLING TO LOOK AT BOTH SIDES AND UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE BACKGROUND AND ALSO LEARN FROM MY COLLEAGUES THAT ARE ON THE CALL, ALSO, THAT HAVE BEEN ON YOUR SHOW BEFORE, AND MAYBE THEY HAVE ALREADY HEARD THE QUESTION.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS CAME UP LAST TIME.

MAYBE THIS PERENNIAL ISSUE WAS ONE THAT I TACKLED BEFORE.

IF A REPRESENTATIVE OF ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE GET TO TAKE THE CONCERNS AND LISTEN TO THEM AND SEE WHAT THE PROPER RECOURSE IS, THIS CLEARLY IS SOMETHING THAT IS A CONCERN THAT CONTINUES TO BE RAISED BY THIS CONSTITUENT.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT PERSON TO REACH OUT TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, TOO, AND THEIR OWN REPRESENTATIVE CAN CHAMPION THEIR OWN ISSUES, AND I WOULD CERTAINLY LOOK INTO IT, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM MY CONSTITUENTS ON THIS, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

SENATOR FRANZEN, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> I'M ACTUALLY TRYING TO LOOK IT UP.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME HOMEWORK TO DO HERE.

THANK YOU TO THAT VIEWER, AND UNLESS MARK JOHNSON HAS HEARD IT.

WE END UP GETTING A TON OF E-MAILS.

SO I WOULD SAY IF YOU HAVE A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT ARE FOLLOWING TRACKING, LET THEM DO -- WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS IS AN E-MAIL CAMPAIGN, AND ALL OF US GET TO HEAR THE SAME STORY AND MAKE SURE WE ALL HAVE AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON US.

EDUCATING US WOULD BE GREAT ON THE ISSUE.

THANKS TO THE VIEWER.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON.

>> I WILL TAKE A SWING AT IT.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE YEARS SINCE I WAS ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, BUT I REMEMBER BACK THEN THE ISSUE WAS THAT THESE TRAPS WERE SET SO HOUSEHOLD DOGS AND PETS MIGHT BE INCLINED TO GO THROUGH THE TRAP AND ENDANGER THEM.

YOU KNOW, THERE HAS BEEN A PRETTY LOW CASE COUNT IN THAT REGARD.

THE EFFECT OF THE BILL ITSELF SEEM TO BE TARGETING THE INDUSTRY MORE THAN ANYTHING.

THESE DIFFERENT PERHAPS, NEWER TYPE OF TRAPS WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE TRAPPING VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH TRAPPING IN OUR STATE, IT'S NOT PRACTICED AS MUCH NOWADAYS.

BUT OUR HISTORY IS REALLY BUILT ON THE TRAPPING INDUSTRY.

ACROSS THE STATE, THE FRENCH VOYAGER COMING IN HERE AND DOING THAT.

BEFORE THAT, THE NATIVE AMERICANS DOING IT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE AIM OF THAT BILL, IF THAT'S TRUE, THAT IT'S LOOKING TO KILL THE INDUSTRY, I THINK WE HAVE TO REALLY REEXAMINE THAT ONE.

LIKE I SAY, IT'S BEEN A FEW YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN THERE, AND THE DYNAMICS MAY HAVE CHANGED ON THAT AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON WE FINISHED WITH YOU, AND LET'S START WITH YOU WITH THE NEXT QUESTION.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF ANY KIND OR DISCUSSIONS REGARDING BONDING BILL THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE VERY EARLY IN THE BONDING BILL DISCUSSIONS RIGHT NOW.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO LOOK AT THE NUMBER FIRST.

THEY ARE SAYING WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE BONDING BILL THAT'S GOING TO BE THIS YEAR?

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST QUESTION IS THERE GOING TO BE A BONDING BILL?

WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS ARE WE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CREATING THE RIGHT PROJECTS IN, BUILDING THE BILL UP FIRST, THAT'S PART OF IT.

IT'S NOT FINDING A NUMBER AND FILLING THE SLOTS BEHIND IT WITH PROJECTS TO GET YOU UP IN THAT NUMBER.

I HAVE BEEN PRETTY LEERY OF BONDING IN THE PAST, AND I HAVE BEEN AT TIMES ONE OF THREE PEOPLE TO VOTE AGAINST THE BONDING BILL AS IT CAME THROUGH.

I TAKE IT SERIOUSLY WHEN I'M LOOKING AT OBLIGATING OUR FUTURE AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS FOR THE STATE.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A 7.7 BILLION DOLLAR PURR PLUS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN A GOOD SPOT, THAT WE ARE NOT SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR NEGATIVE IMPACTS GOING FURTHER.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE ALREADY AT THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH FOR INDIVIDUAL CORPORATE INCOME TAX IN THE U.S.

IF THE ECONOMY STARTS GOING DOWN, WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR CUTS.

LET'S MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THINGS PROPERLY, AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE A PROPER -- IF WE ARE GOING TO DO A BONDING BILL, THAT IT'S PROPERLY SIZED, FUTURE CONSEQUENCE IS GOING FORWARD.

IT'S EARLY ON, BUT WE WILL SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE HERE GOING FORWARD.I MISSED THAT.

>> [NO AUDIO].

>> I'M NOT SURE IF I HAD A QUESTION TO ME BUT I WILL TACKLE BONDING IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> I THINK WE LOST THE JUSTICE.

>> I WILL GO AHEAD AND TALK FOR JUST A MOMENT ON THE BONDING PIECE, AND THEN IF IT COMES FORTH -- OKAY.

THANK YOU.

OUR BONDING, IT IS EARLY IN THE PROCESS, AND WE HAVE A LOT TO LOOK AT BUT TYPICALLY THE THINGS WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ARE OUR ROADS AND OUR BRIDGES, INFRASTRUCTURE, BEING SOLID IN THOSE, NOT NECESSARILY TALKING ABOUT A DOLLAR AMOUNT AT THIS POINT BUT DEFINITELY ADDRESS ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AND WHERE WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH OUR ROADS, OUR BRIDGES, WASTEWATER AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT WILL BE MY FOCUS GOING INTO ANY TYPE OF BONDING BILL EXPLORING THE ITEM.

>> I WILL TACKLE BONDING.

MAYBE WE WILL ROLL RIGHT INTO UNTIL WE HEAR JUSTICE ANDERSON.

WE WILL KEEP GOING.

SO YEAH, I THINK THE BONDING -- THIS IS TYPICALLY A SESSION WE DO BONDING AND GIVEN EVERYTHING IN THE WAY OUR SEAT HAS BEEN MANAGED, MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT BUDGET IS SAYING WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO REALLY DO A LARGE BONDING BILL.

ON THE HOUSE SIDE, WE APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR WHAT HE ROLLED OUT.

I THINK THAT REALLY SHOWED A GREAT NUMBER OF PROJECTS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA AND PRETTY MUCH EVERY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

IF WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND WE TALK ABOUT THINGS WE CAN DO TO INVEST IN OUR STATE, INVESTING IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE, AND WE SAW WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTTING FORWARD THEIR FRACTURE PACKAGE, THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO MATCH THE DOLLARS THAT WE SAW COME IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HAVE AN ENORMOUS BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

THOSE ARE PROJECTS BEYOND KIND OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, BUT IT'S CLEAN WATER.

IT'S MAKING SURE WE GET RID OF LEAD, AND MAKE SURE EVERY KID DOESN'T GET EXPOSED TO LEAD.

IT'S THINKING ABOUT THE WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK THERE'S AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE BONDING BILL, AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID A GREAT JOB LAYING OUT WHAT HE DID, AND HE WILL ECHO A LARGE BONDING BILL IN THE HOUSE, AND START THAT CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY GET SOMETHING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THAT COULD INVEST IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA.

>> I WILL ADD MY TWO CENTS ON THIS AS WELL.

WE HAVE A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY IN OUR STATE WITH 7.7 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE.

THE FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING FROM THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WE HAVE DOLLARS SO WE CAN COME TO MINNESOTA.

WE TYPICALLY DO A BONDING BILL EVERY TWO YEARS.

I QUESTION THE IF BUT I THINK IT'S OUR DUTY TO PUT IN A BONDING BILL.

THE QUESTION IS HOW BIG AND HOW LARGE WOULD IT BE, IF WE THINK ABOUT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE NOT JUST THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR STATE ASSETS AND MAINTAIN OUR STATE ASSETS, LIKE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, WE HAVE COLLEGES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES AROUND THE STATE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE TO TRAIN.

WE HAVE GAPS THERE.

IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES I HAVE HEARD IN COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRIES THAT ALL OF THEM ARE LOOKING FOR, WOOERS AND THEY NEED TO BE RETRAINED AND RETOOLED AND REFILLED.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT THAT.

THE OTHER PIECE I WOULD SAY AGAIN, IT'S JOBS.

THESE ARE BUILDING PROJECTS.

THESE ARE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR OUR TRADES.

WE DO IT CORRECTLY.

WE DO IT IN A WAY THAT WE LEVERAGE THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT CAME FROM THE FEDS, OUR 7.7 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS, NOT THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND IT ALL BUT PAY A FEW KEY AREAS LIKE WORKFORCE AND HAVE A ROBUST BONDING BILL, WE CAN DO HISTORIC THINGS 230 OUR STATE TO SET US UP FOR SUCCESS FOR YEARS TO COME AND FRANKLY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

THIS IS OUR MINNESOTA MOMENT.

I THINK BONDING IS A BIG PART OF IT AND WE SHOULDN'T MISS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> I THINK WE HAVE ALL KIND OF TAKEN A CRACK AT THE BONDING ISSUE HERE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT.

IT LOOKS LIKE BARRY IS STILL HAVING SOME TROUBLE.

BUT ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I'M NOTICING IN MY DISTRICT, AND NOT JUST IN MY DISTRICT THAT I SEE IS WORKFORCE, IT'S BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY LARGE PROBLEM.

I WAS AT LONG-TERM CARE PLACES HERE RECENTLY, GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH THEM AND FINDING LONG-TERM CARE, AND I KNOW SENATOR FRANZEN HIT ON THAT JUST A MOMENT AGO, WAS HOW DO WE INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCE AROUND HERE?

IN OUR DISTRICT AND CITIES AND EVERYWHERE IT'S LOOKING FOR PEOPLE, AND YOU KNOW, AT A COUPLE OF LEVELS, NO.

1, WE NEED TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN.

IT'S A FEDERAL ISSUE WITH IMMIGRATION, BUT ALSO USING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO TRAIN PEOPLE TO DO THE RN'S, CNA'S, WELDERS, THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS, I THINK INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PIECE HERE, TOO, FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND IN THOSE JOBS.

IT'S BEEN A TOUGH WORK SITUATION, BUT WE ARE SO PRIMED FOR GROWTH.

EVERYBODY NEEDS PEOPLE TO BE HELPING OUT.

THINK WHAT THE STATE WOULD BE DOING.

IF WE HAD THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR THE CAPACITY THAT THESE BUSINESSES HAVE RIGHT NOW, MAN, WE WOULD JUST BE GOING HOG WILD IF WE COULD GET THOSE JOBS BUILT.

I'M HOPING THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN HELP.

WE WON'T BE THE MAGIC BULLET, THE SOLUTION, BUT WE CAN SURE HELP AND FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GET PEOPLE INTO THOSE OPEN POSITIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MENTAL HEALTH IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN EYE ON BASICALLY, WHETHER IT'S IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO DEAL WITH AND TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WE HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED FOR PILOTS TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S COMING FROM A CHEMICAL DEPENDS THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE ORCHIDS NEEDING MORE RESOURCES AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL OR IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE ISSUE, BUT WITH COVID, WE HAVE SEEN THE ISSUE EXACERBATE, NOT THAT IT WASN'T THERE, BUT THAT NOW IT'S REALLY TALKED ABOUT.

WE HAVE ALL SUFFERED TO A CERTAIN EXTENT OF THE ANXIETY OF THE UNKNOWN OF WHAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS DONE TO OUR LIVES AND DAILY LIVES OF OUR KIDS, AND WE HAVE TO DO BETTER BY ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE'S BEEN PROPOSALS ON A BIPARTISAN LEVEL WHICH I'M PROUD WE HAVE GOTTEN THERE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE, RACIAL BACKGROUND OR ECONOMIC STATUS OR POLITICAL PARTY.

IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TACKLE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE HEALTHY INSIDE AND OUT.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN MY MIND IS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE MORE FOCUS ON IT QUITE FRANKLY AND THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WE HAVE SUCH A BIG, I WOULD SAY, IT'S A BLACK HOLE IS HOW I DESCRIBED IT IF YOU SERVED IN THAT COMMITTEE AND THERE'S SO MANY THINGS WE ADDRESS IN THAT COMMITTEE, WHETHER IT'S HOUSING OR HEALTHCARE AND SO MANY OTHER AREAS, AND WE LOSE FOCUS ON WHAT'S REALLY NEEDED AND WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT WITH EXPERTISE OVER THE YEARS.

THERE IS A PROPOSAL THAT'S COMING OUT RIGHT NOW ABOUT TRYING TO MOVE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE OUT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND MAKE ITS OWN PERMANENT AREA WHERE WE CAN TACKLE IT MORE HOLISTICALLY VERSUS BEING LOST IN THE SHUFFLE AMONGST SO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS.

WE KNOW IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO SUPPORT WITH FUNDING.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT AGAIN WE KNOW PROVEN STRATEGIES BUT LACK A LOT OF RESOURCES.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A LOT MORE.

ESPECIALLY TO GET OUR KIDS BACK ON TRACK CREATING A LOT FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AT LEAST I AM, THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN EXACERBATED AT A SCHOOL LEVEL.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE OUR KID STRUGGLE AND NOT SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES GOING THROUGH THIS.

THE MINNESOTA MOMENT IS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE OF WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PUT SOME OF THIS RESOURCE THAT WE HAVE, THAT WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE WITH A SURPLUS, AND I WOULD SAY MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD RISE TO THE TOP.

>> Barry: CAN YOU HEAR ME?

HELLO.

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU.

JUSTICE ANDERSON.

>> Barry: YOU GOT ME.

>> WE HAVE YOU ON NOW.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

KEEP GOING.

WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST AGREE WITH SENATOR FRANZEN ON A NUMBER OF THOSE POINTS.

I MEAN, WE HAVE SEEN IT IN OUR COMMUNITIES, IN OUR SCHOOLS.

THAT WAS EVEN PRIOR TO COVID COMING AROUND.

NOW WITH COVID, IT'S REALLY COMING TO A CRITICAL POINT.

FORTUNATE UP IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA WE HAVE GREAT PROVIDERS UP HERE THAT HAVE REALLY HELPED OUT WITH THAT SITUATION.

WE ARE LACKING THINGS LIKE BEDS FOR CRITICAL ISSUES OR CRITICAL CASES OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND THERE'S -- WE HAVE PATROLMEN THAT ARE TAKING FOLKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ANOKA TO GET CHECKED IN, FIND BEDS.

HOW DO WE GET TO HELP PEOPLE INSTEAD OF THE PEOPLE TRAVELING MILES AND MILES AND MILES TO FIND HELP ACROSS THE STATE IS PRETTY CRITICAL TO GET THAT HELP CLOSE TO HOME AND SOMETHING WE CAN PUT DOLLARS IN AND INVEST.

>> Barry: HAVE WE COVERED EVERYBODY WITH MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH QUESTION?

WHOEVER HASN'T SPOKEN, IT'S YOUR TURN, GO AHEAD.

>> THERE'S A SLIGHT DELAY.

WE ARE WORKING THROUGH IT.

I THINK WE ARE DOING GREAT, TEAM.

SO HERE WE GO.

MENTAL HEALTH, ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPENED WITH TECHNOLOGY IN THE PANDEMIC IS ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TELEHEALTH HAS BEEN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAVE LEARNED SOME LESSONS AS A STATE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE ACCESS ACROSS OUR STATE WITH TELEHEALTH, WHETHER IT BE BROADBAND AND HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED TO ACCESS THOSE SERVICES AND THAT WE ARE REIMBURSING PEOPLE PROVIDING THAT TO MAKE A SUSTAINABLE TO VIEW TELEHEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH.

I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE REALLY DO COME TOGETHER AS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND UNDERSTANDING THAT IS THE NEED AND WILLINGNESS.

ONE OF THE STORIES I HEARD THIS WEEK IS FROM ESSENTIALLY YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ALSO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND A REALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT WE ACTUALLY STARTED RECENTLY WITH SHELTER LINK MENTAL HEALTH WHERE INSTEAD OF YOUTH HAVING TO GO TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER OR ACCESS THROUGH TELEHEALTH THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROVIDERS WRITE IN THEIR SHELTER SPACE, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THEM, AND THE PROVIDERS THAT THERE'S FIVE DIFFERENT PLACES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA THAT HAS ADOPTED THIS MODEL AND FINDING AND WHEN YOU ARE IN SOME OF THE HARDEST SITUATIONS OF THEIR LIFE AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER RIGHT THERE ON SITE.

EXPANDING PLACES WHERE WE DO REALLY WELL IS GREAT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE, WHERE THEY ARE, AND THAT MEANS MAKING SURE WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, AND WE MAKE SURE THERE'S NETWORK ADEQUACY THAT WE HAVE PROVIDERS IN ALL THE STATES IN AREAS LIKE SENATOR JOHNSON MENTIONED, SO THERE'S JUST, I THINK, A MULTITUDE OF WAYS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH THIS, AND THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH SENATOR FRANZEN HAS TALKED ABOUT, OFTENTIMES TO THE CHEMICAL DEPENDS PIECE OF THIS AND THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ARE TACKLING BOTH OF THE ISSUES AT THE SAME TIME FOR SOME OF OUR PROGRAMS AND INNOVATION THERE AS WELL.

I THINK THERE'S REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY, AND THERE'S BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF CONVERSATION DURING THE PANDEMIC AROUND MENTAL HEALTH, AND I THINK WE SHOULD LEAN INTO THAT AND USE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY SO WE CAN COME TOGETHER AROUND INVESTING.

>> THE COMMENTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AGREE WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE TALKED ABOUT SO FAR.

MENTAL HEALTH WAS AN ISSUE THAT WE FACED AS A STATE PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A QUICK FIX.

WE KNOW WE WERE SHORT PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH BEDS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAD KIDS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR MANY HOURS, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT INCREASING THOSE SO WE ARE NOT SENDING OUR KIDS OUT OF STATE FOR THE NEEDED SERVICES THAT DOESN'T SERVE THE FAMILIES OR THEMSELVES WELL.

POPULATIONS FROM YOUNGEST TO THE OLDEST, AND A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION, THE ST.

CLOUD AREA, WHICH IS THE DISTRICT RIGHT NEXT TO ME, HAS DONE SOME WONDERFUL WORK THROUGH THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEIR COUNTY, AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE THAT NEED THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ARE GETTING IT.

THEY HAVE CREATED SOMETHING CALLED THE COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM OR CAT, AND IT'S A MODEL THAT WE COULD LOOK CLOSER AT AND SPREAD ACROSS THE STATE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING NEEDED SERVICES RATHER THAN PUTTING THOSE THAT ARE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INTO OUR JAILS AND MAKING SURE THEY GET WHAT THEY NEED.

ALSO IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WE KNOW THAT WE NEED PROVIDERS AVAILABLE TO HELP THE STUDENTS THAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING.

THE LAST COMMENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IS I DID HEAR GOOD THINGS ABOUT TELEHEALTH ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO OUR VETERANS.

I HAD HEARD, AND I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW, BUT I HAD HEARD THERE WERE ACTUALLY MORE VETERANS THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE TELEHEALTH AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO GO INTO THE OFFICE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT, SEE HOW WE CAN INCREASE THAT, WHETHER IT'S LOCATION ACROSS OUR STATE OR FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS BUT I THINK THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CREATIVE AND HELP PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS.

>> Barry: SO WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

VERY QUICKLY.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

FIGHT ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE ADDRESSED IN THIS SESSION.

LET'S START WITH SENATOR FRANZEN.

GO AHEAD.

>> THANKS, JUSTICE.

ONE THING I WOULD HIGHLIGHT IS WE JUST GOT NEWS THAT THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT IS DELAYED AND MOVING UP.

IT'S NOT A SURPRISE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED WITH OUR ECONOMY IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS AND PRICES OF COMMODITIES AND LUMBER GOING UP.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TACKLE THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PARTNER.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BILL DONE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I RAN ON THAT ISSUE, AND IT SERVES MY AREA IN THE WESTERN SUBURBS, AND I THINK WE SHOULD INVEST IN ROADS AND BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS, AND A LOT OF THOSE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THOSE AMENITIES IN MINNESOTA WHEN WE WERE STUCK AT HOME.

I THINK WE NEED TO ALWAYS INVEST IN TRANSPORTATION, ALWAYS INVEST IN NEW MODES AND ALWAYS UPKEEP AND KEEP UP WITH OUR POTHOLES AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE SAFE ROADS AND MAKE INVESTMENTS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE MINNESOTANS ARE SAFE IN THE ROAD.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH?

>> I THINK THE AREAS WE NEED TO FOCUS IN TRANSPORTATION ARE ON THE ROADS AND BRIDGES, SPECIFICALLY IN THE TOWNSHIPS WHERE EQUIPMENT HAS GOTTEN HEAVIER, YET OUR ROADS ARE NEEDING REPAIR AND NEEDING IMPROVEMENT AT A RATE THAT OUR COUNTIES CANNOT HANDLE ON THEIR OWN.

THAT'S A SPECIFIC AREA WE NEED TO FOCUS.

AS FAR AS THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL, I HAVE DEFINITE CONCERNS THAT IT'S WELL OVER BUDGET, WELL BEHIND AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS THE BEST TAX DOLLARS TO BE SPENDING IN THAT AREA.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, VERY QUICKLY.

>> CAPITALIZE ON THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TOO, AND WE HAVE MONEY TO LEVERAGE THERE, AND FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND PROJECTS IN DULUTH THAT ARE SHOVEL READY THAT NEED TO SUPPORT.

THE THING I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT IS SAID.

BUT WE NEED TO HAVE DEDICATED ONGOING REVENUE TO THE POINT OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH.

IT'S GREAT IF WE MAKE THE INVESTMENT ONCE, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE DEDICATED ONGOING REVENUE TO MAKE SURE ROADS CONTINUE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND OF AGRICULTURE OR WHATEVER FOR THE LONG HAUL AND NOT JUST THINK ABOUT IT AS ONE AND DONE, BUT WE MAKE SURE WE ARE THINKING ABOUT OUR FUNDING FOR THE LONG-TERM.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON, YOU GET THE LAST WORD.

TRANSPORTATION.

>> I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO ADD, REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH AND OLSON HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN OUR STATE.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND THANK YOU FOR JUMPING IN.

WE RAN INTO AUDIO PROBLEMS THERE.

WELCOME TO TECHNOLOGY IN THE 21st CENTURY.

THANK OUR VIEWERS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS OUR FIRST PROGRAM OF THE 2022 SEASON.

I INVITE YOU TO RETURN TO US NEXT WEEK WHEN WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER PROGRAM AND WE WILL BE WITH YOU EVERY WEEK UNTIL THE SESSION ENDS.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT 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.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS, ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY, LLCTESM