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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," A NEW JOBS REPORT OUT SHOWS MORE MINNESOTANS ARE WORKING.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS AN ESSAY FOR US ALL THE WAY FROM HOUSTON.

OUR PANEL TALKS SUPER TUESDAY, STATE OF THE UNION, AND MORE.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING A BIG ISSUE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: CUSHING GUN VIOLENCE IS AGAIN AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AT THE CAPITOL NEW BILLS AND ACTION WE'LL SHORE.

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE LIVE WITH THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE WE HAVE.

>> WE PUT GUN VIOLENCE INTO ONE BIG BUCKET.

WHEN IT'S REALLY THREE VERY UNIQUE, SEPARATE ISSUES.

>> Mary: THAT'S COME UP ON "ALMANAC."

>> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT THE IMPACT OF STRIKING WORKERS AROUND THE REGION, SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE SENDS US A MESSAGE FROM HOUSTON, AND MARY LAHAMMER DIVES INTO GUN REGULATION PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH ECONOMIC NEWS.

NUMBERS OUT THURSDAY SHOW MORE MINNESOTANS WORKING IN JANUARY THAN DECEMBER.

FOR THE SECOND MONTH IN A ROW, WAGE INCREASES OUTPACED INFLATION.

AND THE JOBLESS RATE STAYED STEADY AT 2.7%.

NO ONE IS HAPPIER TO DIVE INTO THESE NUMBERS THAN OUR NEXT GUEST.

LOUIS JOHNSTON TEACHES ECONOMICS AT THE COLLEGE OF ST. BEN AND ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME BACK, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK.

>> Cathy: OKAY, WE ADDED 3,000 JOBS AND STEADY OB GROWTH.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE MINNESOTA ECONOMY?

>> STEELD' AS WE GO.

IT'S REALLY GOOD, AND THE NATIONAL NUMBERS CAME OUT TODAY FOR FEBRUARY AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING, WHICH BASICALLY IS THAT UNEMPLOYMENT IS AT HISTORICALLY LOW LEVELS, BOTH IN THE NATION, AND ABOUT A PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER FOR THE STATE.

THE THING THAT REALLY SURPRISED ME LOOKING AT THE STATE NUMBERS WAS THAT PRETTY MUCH EVERY SECTOR HAS OB GROWTH.

IT ISN'T LIKE SOME RE OING REALLY WELL AND SOME ARE NOT EEL.

IN JANUARY, THERE WAS SOME SHRINKAGE IN MINING AND MANUFACTURING BUT ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS, THEY'RE ALL KIND OF EXPANDING NICELY, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD NEWS.

>> Eric: IT'S KIND OF FLOPPED ON ITS HEADS FROM LAST COUPLE YEARS, HOURLY WAGES UP 5%, INFLATION JUST 3%.

>> EXACTLY.

AND SO FINALLY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL A LITTLE BIT OF GAIN IN THEIR PAYCHECK RATHER THAN SAYING, OH, MY GOSH, STUFF'S TOO EXPENSIVE, I'M NOT KEEPING UP.

WE'RE GOING SOME THAT NOW AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU'VE GOT LABOR ISSUES GOING ON IN SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WITH THE UBER DRIVERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE WORKERS NOW HAVE SOME LEVERAGE.

>> Eric: BUT CRASHED DEBT, GROCERY PRICES, INSURANCE, PROPERTY TAXES, CHILD CARE, THAT STUFF STILL HITS PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> ABSOLUTELY AND THAT'S SKILL 3 AFTERSHOCK OF WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.

WE WENT THROUGH THIS, YOU KNOW, UNNATURAL DISASTER OVER THE LAST TWO, THREE YEARS, AND ESSENTIALLY THE INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND GROCERY PRICES, THOSE ARE STILL KIND OF LIKE THE AFTER-SHOCKS OF ALL THAT.

>> Cathy: SO LET'S LOOK AT AN AGING WORKFORCE AND PEOPLE WHO ARE RETIRING, WHO'S COMING UP BEHIND THEM?

>> THAT'S THE QUESTION.

I'M ONE OF THOSE WHO'S AGING, RIGHT NOW, SO I'M 63 BUT WE'VE GOT A OT OF US WHO ARE IN THAT AREA WHERE WE COULD QUIT NOW BUT A LOT OF US ARE PROBABLY GOING TO GO TO 70.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO WORK LONGER THAN OUR PREDECESSORS DID.

WHO'S COMING UP BEHIND US?

WELL, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING FROM ABROAD, WE HAVE IMMIGRATION, THAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN A BIG HELP IN TERMS OF KEEPING OUR WORKFORCE UP.

I THINK THE OTHER THING, THOUGH, IS NOT EVEN WORKERS BUT RIGHT NOW THERE IS A EAL QUESTION THAT EMPLOYERS ARE ASKING IS, DO WE NEED TO HIRE WORKERS OR SHOULD WE MAYBE AUTOMATE SOME OF THIS STUFF?

SHOULD WE TAKE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, SHOULD WE TAKE MECHANIC NAGS.

YOU GO TO McDONALD'S, THERE'S NOBODY THERE TO TAKE YOUR ORDER, IT'S JUST TOUCH BAD.

EVERY BUSINESS IS ASKING THAT QUESTION.

HOW CAN WE SUBSTITUTE AWAY FROM WORKERS AND TOWARDS CAPITAL.

>> Eric: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN MEASURE THIS, BUILT DOES CEO PAY INCREASES, DOES THAT SKEW THE WAGE DATA?

>> IT DOES SOMEWHAT BUT DEPENDS ON HOW THEY GET PAID.

A LOT OF THEM GET PAID THROUGH STOCK OPTIONS SO THAT DOESN'T END UP SKEWING IT.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO BACK TO AUTOMATION AND A.I., THEN, AS THIS TAKES HOLD HIM WHAT DOES THAT DO TO THE FUTURE FOR WORKERS?

DOESN'T SEEM THAT GREAT.

>> I THINK IT'S A REALLY BIG ISSUE THAT WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT ENOUGH BECAUSE, ON THE ONE HAND, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AUTOMATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT, CAN BE COMPLIMENTARY FOR WORKERS IN THE SENSE THAT WORKERS WHO HAVE CERTAIN SKILLS CAN USE THOSE TOOLS AN DO EVEN BETTER THAN THEY'RE DOING NOW.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IT CAN BE A SUBSTITUTE.

IT CAN TAKE JOBS AWAY FROM CERTAIN PEOPLE AND SO WE'VE GOT BOTH OF THOSE THINGS POTENTIALLY HAPPENING IN THE NEXT, NOW, TO THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

>> Eric: AND OUR INSTITUTIONS REALLY AREN'T GRAPPLING WITH THAT YET.

>> NO, THEY'RE NOT THINKING ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: AND I DON'T THINK GOVERNMENT CAN KEEP PACE WITH IT.

>> >> NO, WE'RE ALWAYS HYPED.

WE WERE BEHIND A HUNDRED YEARS AGO WHEN ELECTRICITY WAS RIP HIM THROUGH AND CHANGING THE FACTORY.

WE WERE BEHIND IN COMPUTERIZATION -- WE'RE ALWAYS SLIGHTLY BEHIND ON THIS STUFF.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT WILL YOU BE WATCHING FOR HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO?

>> I'M GOING TO E LOOKING AT THE INFLATION NUMBERS.

I WANT TO SEE WHETHER THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO GO DOWN BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M KIND OF AGAINST THE TIDE, I DON'T THINK THE FED IS GOING TO BE LOWERING INTEREST RATES THE WAY A LOT OF PEOPLE SEEM TO THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET INFLATION DOWN TO% AND UNLESS IT GETS DOWN THERE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LOWER INTEREST RATES.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS A LESS SURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SHOW LEFT FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH OUT GUESTS AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ERIC: HOUSING HAS BEEN GETTING BIPARTISAN ATTENTION AT THE CAPITOL IN THE LAST MONTH.

LEGISLATORS FROM BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, A BILL AIMED AT PRESERVING OWNER-OCCUPIED SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES BEGAN MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ESTHER AGBAJE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

SO, PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS, BUYING UP SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, FLING THEM INTO RENTALS, IS THAT THE FAIR CHARACTERRATION OF THE ISSUE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT HOMES STAY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE RATHER THAN MANY OF THESE CORPORATE ENTITIES THAT ARE COMING, MANY FROM OUTSIDE MINNESOTA AND BUYING UP WHOLE SWATHS OF NEIGHBORHOODS, PRINTING PEOPLE TO ENTER THE MARKET.

>> Cathy: I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THIS?

IS IT MOSTLY METRO, IS IT IN GREATER MINNESOTA?

>> IT'S ALL OVER, ACTUALLY.

WE'RE SEEING IT MAINLY IN THE METRO BUT THERE ARE STORIES COMING OUT OF DULUTH WHERE BILLIONAIRE COMPANIES HAVE BOUGHT UP ABOUT 20 HOMES AT ONE ISSUE AND IT'S REALLY PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM BEING ABLE TO LIVE WHERE THEY WANT TO LIV AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE READY FOR HOMEOWNERSLIP, QUALIFY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP, CAN'T AFFORD HOMEOWNERSHIP BUT THEY'RE OT SHUT OF THE MARKET BECAUSE OF THESE CORPORATIONS.

>> Eric: IS THERE SOMETHING THAT -- PUT IT THIS WAY, WHAT IS IT YOUR BILL DOES TO ADRESS THIS?

>> WE'RE TAKING THE APPROACH TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES THAT CORPORATIONS CAN OWN IN MINNESOTA.

SO RIGHT NOW, OUR BILL PROPOSES THE NUMBER 10, BUT WE'RE STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT THAT BUT THE IDEA IS, IF YOU'RE ORPORATION AND YOU OWN MORE THAN 10, WE WOULD BE ASKING YOU TO DIVEST IN ORDER TO ALLOW MORE HOMES TO COME ON TO THE MARKET FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT WANT TO CALL IT A HOME.

>> Eric: WHO WOULD ENFORCE?

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO ENFORCE IT, ALSO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO END FORCE BUT WE REALLY WANT TO ENSURE THAT TY IN MINNESOTA, IF YOU'RE FAMILY, IF YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL, YOU CAN STILL BUY A HOME.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE NOT OPENING PROPERTY REALLY CRIMPS THE ABILITY TO GAIN AND FOSTER GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT ACCESS TO BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR IN THE HOUSE AND REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE, WE PASSED A BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET FOR HOUSING, TO BUILD MORE HOUSING, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, PRESERVE HOUSING, BUT PEOPLE CANNOT EEL ENTER IT IF WE HAVE THESE CORPORATE PLAYERS WHO COME IN AND BASICALLY BUY UP WHOLE NEIGHBORHOODS, OR THEY OUT I BID PEOPLE.

I'VE HEARD FROM SO MANY PEOPLE IN MY EMAIL ELLING ME, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A HOUSE IF IT WASN'T FOR ME BEING OUTBID BY A CORPORATION.

>> Cathy: I CAN SOME LISTENERS OR VIEWERS SAYING IT'S A FREE COUNTRY, WHEN YOU HAVE THE MONEY, WHAT THE HECK, THEY GOT THERE FIRST.

>> AND I HEAR -- THAT'S THE PUSHBACK WE HEAR A LOT BUT THE OTHER THING THAT I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE IS, WE'RE ALSO IN THIS TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT SHOWS WHO WANTS TO HAVE A PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TRY TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD A LITTLE BIT MORE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO WANT TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOME, BUILD THAT GENERATIONAL WEALTH, HAVE SOMETHING TO PASS ON TO THEIR KIDS, CAN DO SO WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT CORPORATIONS COMING IN AND FLOODING THE MARKET.

>> Eric: HAD THEY FLIP THESE HOUSES TO RENTALS, ARE THEY GOOD LANDLORDS OR IS IT HARD TO GENERALIZE R -- >> IT'S EASIER TO GENERALIZE THE MORE YOU OWN, KIND OF THE LESS OF A GOOD LANDLORD YOU ARE.

SO WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THAT IF YOU'RE A LANDLORD THAT OWNS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN TEN OR LESS HOMES, YOU TENDS TO BE ORE INVOLVED, YOU TENDS TO BE AROUND.

BUT ONCE YOU GET INTO THE SPACE OF OWNING 40, 50-PLUS HOMES, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY A FACELESS ENTITY AND ALL THAT HAPPENS IS PEOPLE HEAR FROM YOU ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH FOR THEIR CHECK BUT NOT NOR ANYTHING ELSE.

>> Cathy: SO I'M WONDERING, HAS THIS BEEN DONE ELSEWHERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

THERE A MODEL THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT?

>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCING DIFFERENT BILLS AND DIFFERENT IDEAS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF BILLS ON THIS ISSUE, NO ONE HAS IMPLEMENTED ANYTHING, SO IF WE WOULD BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENTS ONE THIS YEAR WHICH I HOPE WE CAN, READY BE ONE OF THE FIRST.

>> Eric: HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE SITUATION IS CURRENTLY?

>> SO, UNLIKE THE SUNBELT STATES, LIKE ARIZONA AND ALL THOSE PLACES, AND NEVADA, THEY'RE WAY BEHIND.

WE'RE STILL IN A PLACE NOW IN MINNESOTA WHERE WE'RE NOTICING THE PROBLEM, WE'RE SEEING THAT WE'RE HAVING ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN SOME SUBURBS, SO IF WE DO SOMETHING NOW, WE CAN HELP MITIGATE IT AND MAKE MINNESOTA MORE OPEN FOR PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THIS IS BIPARTISAN WHICH IS KIND OF RARE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PARTICULAR PIECE IS BIPARTISAN BUT HOUSING IS GETTING MORE BIPARTISAN.

>> Eric: YOU'VE CLEARED ONE HOUSE COMMITTEE, MET A DEAD LIVEN AND THE SENATE YOU HAVE SOMETHING GOING OUR THERE?

>> WE'RE ALSO EXPECTING A HEARING IN THE SENATE, YEAH.

>> Eric: WE'LL KEEP TRACK OF IT.

APPRECIATES YOU COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT THE KIND OF WORLD THAT I WANTED MY SON TO GROW UP IN AND THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED TO BETTER SUPPORT YOUNG FAMILIES, I FELT LIKE I HAD TO USE EVERY MECHANISM THAT I HAD TO MAKE CHANGE FOR HIM WHEN I THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND THE WORLD THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GROW UP IN.

BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY HARD, YOU KNOW, BEING A YOUNG PARENT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I TALK ABOUT IT A LOT, RIGHT?

I DON'T THINK THESE POSITIONS WERE NECESSARILY CREATED FOR PARENTS TO BE THERE, RIGHT, THEY WERE NOT CREATED FOR MOMS TO BE THERE AND I FEEL REALLY LUCKY TO COME IN AT THE TIME THAT I DID WHERE THERE'S MORE MOMS, THERE'S MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WE ARE WORKING TO CHANGE SOME OF THE SYSTEMS, RIGHT?

I WAS LUCKY TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE, WHICH AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN DRINK WATER ON THE FLOOR.

>> CATHY: THIS PAST YEAR HAS SEEN A NATIONWIDE SURGE OF UNION ORGANIZING AND LABOR STRIKES, AND MINNESOTA HAS BEEN NO EXCEPTION.

THAT TREND CONTINUED THIS WEEK AS THOUSANDS OF JANITORS IN MINNEAPOLIS AND HUNDREDS OF NURSING HOME WORKERS ACROSS THE METRO WALKED OUT ON THE JOB.

BUT PLANNED STRIKES BY SECURITY GUARDS AROUND THE TWIN CITIES AND THE ST. PAUL TEACHERS UNION WERE AVERTED.

ALFONZO GALVAN HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS LABOR STORY FOR THE "SAHAN JOURNAL."

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

SO, LOOKS LIKE TWO STRIKES HAPPENED, RIGHT?

THEY WERE SHORT.

I MENTIONED THE TWO THAT DID NOT APPEN WITH THE St. PAUL TEACHERS AND THE SECURITY GUARDS AND SOME OF THE JANITORS.

BUT ARE THESE ACTIONS, ARE THERE COMMON THEMES AROUND THESE ACTIONS?

>> YEAH, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME, I THINK YOU GUYS TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, JUST INFLATION IS REALLY HITTING WORKERS HARD.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY, PAY FOR THEIR GROCERIES.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE BEEN TELLING ME THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN'T AFFORD GROCERIES THAT THEY COULD AFFORD SIX MONTHS AGO, RIGHT, SO A LOT OF THEM, THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT THEY WANT WAGES.

A LOT OF THEM ARE GETTING OLDER, THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT, SO THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT PENSIONS, BENEFITS, WHAT CAN THEY GET.

>> Eric: THESE AREN'T, YOU KNOW, DAYS AND DAYS ON THE PICKET LINE, THESE ARE JOB ACTIONS THAT MIGHT TAKE JUST A COUPLE, THREE DAYS.

HAVE THEY BEEN EFFECTIVE?

>> HAVE THEY BEEN EFFECTIVE?

NOW, WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS YEAR IS A LOT OF THE UNIONS KIND OF ORGANIZED BACK IN OCTOBER, THEY SAID, HEY, LET'S ALL SET THE SAME DEADLINE, INDIVIDUALLY, AND BEGINNING OF MARCH, AND LET'S TRY TO GET THESE CONTRACTS.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, TWO STRIKES WERE AVERTED.

RETAIL JANITORS, THE St. PAUL TEACHERS WERE BOTH ABLE TO GET NEW CONTRACTS.

BUT TWO OTHERS, LIKE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THE COMMERCIAL JANITORS IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WEREN'T ABLE TO GET NEW CONTRACTS.

THEY WENT ON A THREE-DAY STRIKE.

UNSURE IF IT WAS EFFECTIVE OR NOT BECAUSE, TODAY, THEY'RE BARGAINING RIGHT NOW, SO WE MIGHT HEAR NEWS BY THE END OF THE NIGHT IF THEY GOT A NEW CONTRACT, IT MIGHT BE THIS WEEKEND OR WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN WITH THEM.

>> Cathy: HOW UNUSUAL IS IT TO HAVE THESE UNIONS IN A SENSE, YOU KNOW, COORDINATE AND ORCHESTRATE THESE ACTIONS?

>> IT'S BEEN A COUPLE YEARS IN THE PLANNING.

A LOT OF THE UNIONS KIND OF NOTICED THAT, HEY, OUR CONTRACTS ARE UP AROUND THE SAME TIME.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE ORGANIZED, IF WE SET A DEADLINE TOGETHER?

COULD WE ACTUALLY GET WHAT WE WANT.

SOME OF THEM HAVE GOT WHAT THEY WANTED IN TERMS OF PAY RAISES AND BENEFITS, FLOATING HOLIDAYS, TIME OFF, BUT OTHERS ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

>> Eric: IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY THIS IS REVITALIZING THE LABOR MA.

IN MINNESOTA, OR HOW WOULD YOU SAY FROM 30,000 FEET HOW THE LABOR PICTURE LOOKS.

>> NOW, IT'S INTERESTING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE UNION HAS DONE IN RECENT YEARS IS THEY'VE REALLY BRANCHED OUT, THEY'VE REALLY TRIED TO BRING IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, RIGHT, TRADITIONALLY NON-SPEAKING PEOPLE, AND IT'S BEEN EFFECTIVE, RIGHT.

WE TALK ABOUT THE 4,000 JANITORS IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WALKING OUT.

THE MAJORITY OF THEM DON'T REALLY SPEAK ENGLISH, THEY SPEAK SOMALI, THEY SPEAK SPANISH, THEY SPEAK A MULTITUDE OF LANGUAGES AND THAT'S ALL THANKS TO THE UNION BEING ABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE THERE TO REALLY TRANSLATE AND INTERPRETER THE INFORMATION AND BRING THEM OUT, RIGHT.

A LOT OF THEM I SPOKE TO WERE STILL KIND OF NERVOUS EVEN IF THEY WERE OUT THERE.

MAYBE THEY DIDN'T WANTS O JOIN THE PICKET LINE, HOLD A SIGN BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF I GET CAUGHT HERE.

>> Cathy: SAME SITUATION WITH THE NURSING HOME WORKERS, TOO?

BECAUSE THOSE FOLKS WHO WORK IN THE NURSING HOMES ARE ALSO PEEK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

SAME SITUATION OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

>> NOW, NURSING HOMES ARE INTERESTING.

UNLIKE JANITORS, JANITORS THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE FILLING THOSE OBS BUT IN THE NURSING HOME, NURSING HOME ASSISTANTS, THEY'VE STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN STAFFING ISSUES, RIGHT?

THEY'VE HAD THAT ISSUE WHERE JUST THIS WEEK, I TALKED TO SOME OF THE THEM WHO SAID, NOT ONLY AM AM I A NURSING ASSISTANT I ALSO HELP WITH THE LAUNDRY, I HELP WITH HOUSE CLEANING, I DO MULTIPLE JOBS.

>> Eric: UBER AND LIFT, SEEMS TO ME THEY'RE NOT ORGANIZED AS A UNION BUT THEY HAVE ORGANIZED AMONG THE DRIVERS.

DO YOU SEE THAT AS A TEST CASE OR WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> UBERG AND DRIVER ARE SAME THINGS, THEY WANT MORE PAY.

A LOT OF DRIVERS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING NOW, ITS BEEN TWO YEARS.

THEY FINALLY WERE ABLE TO GET A IN YESTERDAY AT MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNSEL SILT.

THEY GOT NINE VOTES, THEY GOT AN ORDINANCE FOR A PAY INCREASE, RIGHT, MINIMUM WAGE STANDARDS.

GOT VETOED TODAY BY THE MAYOR BUT UNSURE IF THE VETO WILL BE OVERRIDDEN.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR YOUR STUFF AT THE SAHAN JOURNAL -- >> Cathy: QUICK QUESTION BEFORE WE SAY GOOD BUY.

I WANT TO ASK THIS.

IN TERMS OF A MINNEAPOLIS SITUATION.

THAT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE UBER AND LYFT WERE SAYING THEY WERE GOING TO PULL OUT, IS THAT CORRECT, IF THIS OCCURRED?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: IT'S ALSO KIND OF A STATEWIDE THING, TOO, NOT JUST THE TWIN CITIES?

>> YEAH, SO IT'S MOSTLY BEEN FOCUSED IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA, THE METRO AREA IS WHERE YOU SEE THE MOST OF YOUR UBER AND LYFT RIDES, SO A LOT OF THE DRIVERS ARE CONCENTRATED HERE.

THERE HAVE BEEN THREATS OF UBER, LYFT PULLING OUT.

SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE KIND OF SEEN THAT AS A BLUFF AND SAY IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN, THE MAYOR KIND OF FEELINGS IT WILL HAPPEN SO THAT'S WHY HE DID THE VETO.

>> Cathy: YES, READ ALL PHONE TO'S EXCELLENT REPORTING, -- ALL PHONES SO'S EXCELLENT REPORTING IN THE SAHAN JOURNAL.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

.

>> TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.

SO WHY AM I AT SPACE CENTER AT HOUSTON?

TRUTHS BE TOLD, I BROUGHT MY KIDS HERE FOR SPRING BREAK SO THEY COULD MAKE MISCHIEF WITH THE GRANDPARENTS BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FIGURE OUT WHY I WANTED TO BE AT NASA ON THE DAY THAT CELEBRATES WOMEN.

THE -- ON THAT SIDE, PRESIDENT JOHNSON, WHO PUSHED THE AMERICAN SPACE PROGRAM.

IT WAS HERE EQUATIONS AND CALCULATIONS THAT GUIDED MULTIPLE MISSIONS INTO SPACE FROM LIFT-OFF TO SPLASH DOWN.

KATHRYN JOHNSON'S WORK WENT UNRECOGNIZED BY THE PUBLIC, ALTHOUGH THE ASTRONAUTS AND THE FOLKS HERE AT MISSION CONTROL SURELY NEW ABOUT IT.

SADLY, IT WAS 47 YEARS AFTER SHE SAVED THE APOLLO 13 MISSION WHEN SHE WAS 98 YEARS OLD THAT IT WAS FINALLY AWARDED THE MEDAL OF FREEDOM.

BAD MYTH.

NO WOMAN SHOULD HAVE TO WAIT THAT LONG TO HAVE HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS CELEBRATED.

LADIES, IT IS TIME WE ET THE CREDIT ND TAKE THE BOWS WE DESERVE.

I FOR ONE HAVE PERFECTED THE ART OF CELEBRATING ME.

I CLAP FOR MYSELF.

WHEN I DO A GOOD JOB, I'M LETTING EVERYBODY KNOW ABOUT IT.

HONEY, I TAKE OUR CLEAR CHANNEL BILLBOARDS AND PUT MY FACE ON T-SHIRTS AND I'M MAKING MY FRIENDS WEAR THEM, TOO.

I TOUT MY OWN HORN BECAUSE IF I WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT, IT MAY NEVER GET DONE.

Mrs. JOHNSON'S GENIUS GOT MAN ON THE MOON BUT SHE NEVER DEMANDED THE MOON FOR SHEERSEVERAL.

LET'S DO IT, LADIES, LET'S BE BOLD, FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY.

GO TO YOUR JOB, TACK TO YOUR BOSS AND GO HOME AND TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE AND TELL THEM HOW AWESOME YOU ARE.

THROW IN THE SUN, GET SOME MILKY WAYS, BECAUSE YOU'RE A STAR, SHINING BRIGHT.

NOW, I WANT YOU TO GET OUTS THERE AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW BIT.

>> ERIC: ON SATURDAY, THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS HOSTING A HISTORY EDUCATION AND RACE TALK.

IT'S A TIMELY TOPIC HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE ARE REQUIRED TO OFFER ETHNIC STUDIES CLASSES BY 2026.

SO WE INVITED THE SPEAKER FOR TOMORROW’S EVENT TO JOIN US TONIGHT, DONALD YACOVONE, AUTHOR AND ASSOCIATE AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY'S HUTCHINS CENTER FOR AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN RESEARCH.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

YOU DID -- YOU LOOK AT EVERY TEXT BOOK FROM, LIKE, THE 1800s ON.

>> >> FROM 1832 DO THE 190ED AND THEN SOME.

>> Eric: YOU FOUND AN OVERWHELMING PRESENCE OF WHITE SUPREMACY, IS THAT -- >> SHOCKINGLY STRONG LEVEL.

INDEED, I DIDN'T INTEND TO WRITE THIS BOOK.

I WAS WRITING A DIFFERENT BOOK AND ON THE PUBLIC MEMORY OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT AND, YOU KNOW, ITS IMPACT ON THE CREATION OF THE MODERN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

I THOUGHT, I'LL GO TAKE A LOOK AT A FEW TEXTBOOKS OVER AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION, AND SEE WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT HISTORY OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT.

OF COURSE, THEY DIDN'T.

BUT I WAS CONFRONTED WITH THIS COLLECTION OF 3,000 HISTORY TEXT BOOKS, WHICH OVERWHELMED ME.

I WASN'T EXPECTING THAT.

I WAS -- AND IT WAS AS IF SOME VITAL FORCE CAME OVER ME AND SAID, DONALD, YOU HAVE TO READ THESE BOOKS.

TO WHAT END, I HAVE NO IDEA.

I... >> Cathy: AND YOU -- >> THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT, TRUMP WAS NOT PRESIDENT WHEN I STARTED THIS, THERE WAS NO PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS OR DISCUSSION OF WHITE SUPREMACY, OUTSIDE OF ACADEMICS.

BUT I WAS SO ASTONISHED AT THE OVERT AND RELENTLESS EMPHASIS ON WHITENESS IN THESE TEXTBOOKS.

>> Eric: BUT THESE ADDITUDES CAME OVER ON THE MAYFLOWER, DIDN'T THEY?

>> THEY MOST CERTAINLY DID BUT TO SEE THEM IN TEXTBOOKS, A DESIGN TO INCULCATE GENERATION UPON GENERATION OF STUDENTS AND OLDER ADULTS, RIGHT?

WHAT AMERICANS VALUED HE MOST, I MEAN, WHY ELSE WOULD YOU HAVE A TEXT BOOK?

IT'S WHAT YOU'VE DONE, WHAT YOU ARE PROUD OF, WHAT YOU STAND FOR, ND IN THE FUTURE YOU HOPE TO CREATE.

AND WHAT I WAS READING FROM 1832 UNTIL WELL INTO THE 1980s WAS THIS EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PEOPLE OF EUROPEAN DESCENTS AND NO OTHERS.

>> Cathy: I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED TO NOTE THAT NORTHERN PUBLISHERS AND UNIVERSITIES AND ACTIVISTS WERE ACTUALLY MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN THEIR SOUTHERN COUNTERPARTS IN THIS.

>> ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES, ONE OF THE MAJOR DISCOVERIES THAT I CAME TO REALIZE DOING THIS BOOK WAS IN POPULAR THOUGHT, WE ALWAYS ASSIGNED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PREJUDICE ON THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY, AND JIM CROW FOLLOWING THE CIVIL WAR.

IN FACT, IN FACT, IT IS NORTHERN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, IT IS NORTHERN EDUCATORS, IT IS NORTHERN LAWYERS, DOCTORS.

PICK -- WRITERS.

THE FATHER OF AMERICAN WHITE SUPREMACY WAS FROM CANADA.

YOU DON'T GET MORE NORTHERN THAN THAT.

AND HE BECAME THE NATION'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL RACIST, MADE UP -- MADE HIS OFFICE IN THE MIDDLE OF MANHATTAN, BECAME A PUBLISHING POWERHOUSE, NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES, NOT JUST IN THE NORTH, NOT JUST IN THE SOUTH BUT IN EUROPE, AS WELL.

>> Eric: IS IT AS SIMPLE AS THE OLD SAYING THAT VICTORS WRITE THE HISTORY?

>> WELL -- VICTORS WERE GOING TO GUARANTEE THE VICTORY.

FOREVER.

>> Eric: YEAH.

HOW ABOUT THE MODERN TEXTBOOKS, HAVE YOU DONE ANY SAMPLING?

>> YES.

FORTUNATELY FOR US, BY THE 1990s, BECAUSE OF THE DRAMATIC CHANGES IN IN THE HISTORY THAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL HISTORIANS, THEY LEARNED, FINALLY, HOW TO DO MODERN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND, OF COURSE, WE'VE HAD JUST A TIDAL WAVE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS COME INTO THE DISCIPLINE, MADE A BIG PROFOUND CHANGE.

AND SO MODERN TEXTBOOKS HAVE LOST THIS EMPHASIS ON WHITENESS THAT WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

NOW, THEY'RE NOT PERFECT AND, IN FACT, WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER HERE, IT IS NOT JUST WHAT IS IN THE TEXT BOOK THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT IT IS ALSO WHAT ISN'T.

>> Eric: I WANT TO GET ONE MORE QUESTION IN BEFORE YOU GO.

YOU GAVE THIS PRESENTATION THAT I SAW ON YOUTube TODAY, YOU CRITICIZED TEACHER TRAINING, YOU SAID SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS WERE OFTEN GYM TEACHERS AND THAT IN THE EN, TEACHERS ARE GOING TO TEACH WHAT THEY WANT TO TEACH WITH AN EYE ON WHAT THE LOCAL SITUATION IS.

DIDN'T SOUND VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> IT'S NOT -- THERE ARE PROFOUND PROBLEMS, ALL THE MORE REASON FOR US TO FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE SO MANY TEACHERS ARE UNDER ATTACK NOW AND IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, YOU CAN'T DO SOME OF THIS.

>> athy: RIGHT.

>> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

AND IF YOU DO YOU GET FIRED.

>> Eric: TELL US WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE AT THE HISTORY CENTER TOMORROW?

>> TOMORROW, YES, STARTS AT 11:00.

>> Eric: TEACHING WHITE SUPREMACY, A VERY INTERESTING READ.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR DOING THE RESEARCH.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> EXCUSE ME, STATE OF MINNESOTA, BUT YOU ELECTED CONGRESSMAN AND NOW SENATOR ROD GRAHAMS AND YOU CENTER HIM TO THE U.S. ONGRESS AND HE HAD NO EXPERIENCE WHATSOEVER EXCEPT FOR BEING A TELEVISION ANNOUNCER, THAT I KNOW OF.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALKISHES.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO -- >> RONALD REAGAN, EXCUSE ME, WAS AN ACTOR, WASN'T HE.

JESSE VENTURA IS AN ACTOR AND ROLLED REAGAN WAS PRESIDENT FOR TWO TERMS.

>> CATHY: I REMEMBER THAT INTERVIEW.

IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT LONG AGO.

IT’S MARCH.

IT'S HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT TIME.

SOON THE SWALLOWS WILL RETURN TO CAPESTRANO.

AND YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION HAS JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT IN THE MARCH PLEDGE DRIVE.

WE'RE GOING TO SEND IT OVER TO OUR FRIENDS AND THEY'LL MAKE THEIR BEST PITCH AS TO WHY YOU SHOULD BECOME A NEW OR RENEWING MEMBER OF THIS STATION.

♪♪ >> I'M DAVID PRESTON, VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP HERE AT TPT.

AND I HAVE A BONUS NDEX QUESTION FOR YOU TONIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WHAT TIME-HONORED PUBLIC TELEVISION TRADITION, A TRADITION HAS NOT APPEARED ON "ALMANAC" SINCE 2017?

AND WHILE YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, I'LL TAKE THIS MOMENT TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE'VE HAD A LITTLE PLEDGE BREAK IN "ALMANAC," I THINK IT'S BEEN 2017-ISH SINCE WE'VE DONE IT AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO CHECK BACK WITH THIS AUDIENCE TO REALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYALTY OF BEING A GOOD CITIZEN AND SOMEONE WHO TAKES THE TIME TO WATCH "ALMANAC AND ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT THE SOCIETY.

SO WE WANT YOU TO CARE A LITTLE BIT MORE AND BECOME A MEMBER AT THIS TIME AND TO HELP YOU DO IT, WE HAVE A MEMBER CHALLENGE GOING ON THIS EVENING.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE PUT UP DOLLARS TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER OF TPT AND IT'S REALLY EASY.

CALL 651-229-1500.

AND IF WE GET 25 PEOPLE TO CALL IN DURING "ALMANAC" TONIGHT, WE'LL GET $2,000 -- WE'LL GET $2,000 FROM THE MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE FUNDS, AND IF WE GET 50, THAT'S $4,000 FROM THE CHALLENGE FUNDS.

IT STARTS WITH YOUR PHONE CALL, SAYING THIS IS IMPORTANT TELEVISION, I COME IN HERE EVERY WEEK AND I WANT TO HELP SUPPORT IT, I WANT TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND WHEN YOU DO, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL REALLY GOOD.

WE'VE GOT SOME VERY SPECIAL THANK-YOU GIFTS TO HELP ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUPPORTS TONIGHT.

>> THANKS, DAVID, WE SURE DO.

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

IF YOU CAN CALL IN AND DONATE AT THE $100 A MONTH QUALIFYING CONTRIBUTION, YOU'RE GOING TO JOIN SOMETHING CALLED THE STUDIO SOCIETY.

THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET ACCESS TO A WONDERFUL ANNUAL EVENT AND INSIDER INFO, BUT, IT ALSO MEANS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET TWO TICKETS TO COME AND WATCH "ALMANAC" LIVE FROM STUDIO B.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THAT.

YOU CAN ATCH IT FROM STEWARD I DON'T OR IF YOU'RE SO INCLINED, CHECK IT OUT FROM THE CONTROL ROOM.

IT IS AN EXPERIENCE YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS.

PLUS, YOU GET TO MEET ERIC AND CATHY SO I WANT YOU TO CALL RIGHT NOW AND CONSIDER BEING A $100 A MONTH MONTHLY SUSTAINER.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON THESE TWO TICKETS.

OUR FRIENDLY OPERATORS ARE STANDING BY AND YOU CAN WORK OUT THE DATE WITH THEM.

WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE DATES AVAILABLE.

OR, FOR THE $10 A MONTH LEVEL, YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO OUR "NEW YORK TIMES" DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.

NOW, THIS IS ONE NIGHT ONLY.

IT IS TWO NIGHTS WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS PLEDGE DRIVE FOR TWO WEEKS AND THIS IS THE NIGHT TO GET IT.

IT'S ONE WHOLE YEAR OF THE "NEW YORK TIMES" DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.

THIS IS ALL THE HEADLINES, THE NEWS, THE VIDEOS, AT YOUR FINGERTIPS AND THE WONDERFUL PART, YOU CAN ACCESS IT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE ON ANY COMPATIBLE DEVICE.

SUCH A GREAT COMPLIMENT TO "ALMANAC" AND WE WANT YOU TO CALL NOW, 651-229-1500.

>> THAT'S REALLY A GREAT VALUE, THE DIGITAL "NEW YORK TIMES" SUBSCRIPTION.

NORMALLY DURING THIS DRIVE, IT'S BEEN AT $1250 A MONTH BUT TO HELP CELEBRATE "ALMANAC," WE ARE OFFERING AS A LITTLE BONUS TO GET YOU TO ENCOURAGE TO SUPPORT IT STOWED WHILE WE HAVE THIS FANTASTIC CHALLENGE.

FOR EVERY 25 PEOPLE, WHERE HE GET TONIGHT, WE'LL RELEASE $2,000 FROM THE CHALLENGE FUND SO DON'T ISS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

NOW, IF YOU'RE ALREADY A MEMBER AND THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE YOU ARE BECAUSE YOU'RE AMONG OUR MOST LOYAL MEMBERS AND VIEWERS, YOU MAY BE A SUSTAINING MEMBER AND IF YOU'RE A SUSTAIN MEMBER, TONIGHT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO DO SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE.

INCREASE YOUR SUSTAINING CONTRIBUTION BY JUST $3.

THAT'S RIGHT, $3.

WE'LL BEING SO MUCH FURTHER THROUGH THE COURSE OF A YEAR, THAT'S JUST PENNIES A DAY, YOUR IMPACT WILL BE MEASURED MANY TIMES OVER -- WON'T EVEN BRING BACK ALL OF OUR OTHER MEMBERS TOGETHER TO PULL BACK THESE NUMBERS O PRINT QUALITY PROGRAMMING THAT YOU DON'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE.

WHEN YOU TUNE TO TPT, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TRUSTED JOURNALISM AND THAT'S WHY YOU'RE TUNING IN TO "ALMANAC" TO FIND PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TOY, NO SHOUTING LADIES, THIS IS MULTIPLE SIDES OF ALL THE ISSUES BEING PRESENTED AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT, BECAUSE OF MEMBERS LIKE YOU WHO HAVE CALLED IN BEFORE AND HAVE MADE THAT CONTRIBUTION, SO CALL IN RIGHT NOW, 651-229-1500.

GO ONLINE AT TPT.ORG/GIVE.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE YOU LOVE WATCHING "ALMANAC."

IMAGINE WATCHES IT LIVE FROM THE STUDIO, IMAGINE GETTING O MEET CATHY AND ERIC.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO CALL.

IF YOU CAN CALL IN WITH A $100 MONTHLY GIFT, THEN WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU CCESS TO OUR STUDIO SOCIETY AND THAT INCLUDES TWO TICKETS TO COME AND SEE "ALMANAC" LIVE.

WE'VE GOT MULTIPLE DATES AND YOU CAN WORK THAT OUT WITH OUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE IN STUDIO A STANDING BY.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO FEEL THE ATMOSPHERE, TO LIVE THE EXCITEMENT, TO EE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS LIVE FROM IN STUDIO, OR YOU COULD CHECK T OUT FROM THE CONTROL ROOM.

LET ME TELL YOU, THAT IS AN EXPERIENCE LIKE NONE OTHER AND THIS IS YOUR CHANCE.

SO I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER CALLING IN RIGHT NOW WHERE THAT $100 MONTHLY GIFT.

OR, IF A $10 MONTHLY GIFT FITS YOUR UDGET BETTER, THAT'S A FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL WAY TO HELP TPT AND PUBLIC MEDIA, AS WELL.

FOR THAT, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A ONE-YEAR "NEW YORK TIMES" DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.

THIS IS EWS COMING STRAIGHT TO YOU FROM NIDHI ADVICE, ANYWHERE, AT ANY TIME, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL COMPLEMENT TO "ALMANAC."

YOU LOVE COPING TO "ALMANAC FOR YOUR NEWS, HERE'S THE GREAT WAY TO GET THE NATIONAL HEAD LININGS.

THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW TO CALL 651-229-1500.

WE'VE GOT TWO WONDERFUL GIFTS, TICKETS TO COME AND SEE THE SHOW LIVE OR A "NEW YORK TIMES" DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION.

WE WANT YOU TO GET IN NOW AND CALL.

THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL WAY TO HELP THIS STATION, SO GO AHEAD AND GIVE OUR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS A BUZZ.

>> THIS IS THE ONLY DAY OF THE ENTIRE TWO-WEEK PLEDGE DRIVE THAT WE ARE OFFERING THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AT THAT LEVEL SO DON'T MISS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

IT IS SUCH A GREAT VALUE, IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD PAY FOR IT IF NOT ESS THAN WHAT YOU WOULD PAY OR IT AS A REGULAR SUBSCRIBER.

SO DO CALL IN, SAY $10 IS THE RIGHT LEVEL, $100 A MONTH IS THE RIGHT LEVEL OR MAYBE $5 IS THE RIGHT LEVEL.

OUR BASIC MEMBERSHIP.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU COME IN AT A LEVEL COMFORTABLE FOR YOU.

AND IF YOU'RE A MEMBER AT $5 A MONTH OR MORE, YOU GET THE TPT PASSPORT.

THAT IS OUR MEMBERS' ONLY STREAMING SERVICE.

THIS IS GREAT, YOU CAN SEE THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF PROGRAMMING THAT NONMEMBERS CAN'T ACTUALLY SEE BECAUSE THEY ARE YOURS AS A MEMBER.

YOU CAN WATCH SERIES AHEAD OF TIMES, YOU CAN SEE THEM AFTER THEY'VE GONE OUT OF BROADCAST, YOU'RE ABLE TO REALLY MULTIPLY THE VALUE OF YOUR VIEWING TO WATCH IT WHEN YOU WANT.

YOU BECOME YOUR OWN PROGRAMMER, EFFECTIVELY.

YOU'RE SEEING A PLEDGE DRIVE AND DIDN'T WANT TO WATCH, THAT TURN ON PASSPORT.

THERE'S 0 YEARS OF NOVA PRACTICALLY AND "NATURE" IN THERE.

IT'S AN AMAZING WAY TO SAY THANK YOU BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, IS THAT YOU'RE STANDING UP RIGHT NOW AND SAYING THAT PUBLIC TELEVISION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, THAT HAVING TRUSTED NEWS AND INFORMATION IS SOMETHING IN THIS TIME IS IS SO INVALUABLE AND WE'RE ONE OF THE OF THE FEW MEDIA OUTLETS THAT CAN GIVE THIS TO YOU.

PUBLIC MEDIA MAKES A DIFFERENCE AND WE DON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITHOUT YOU.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

IT REALLY IS TRUE WHEN THEY SAY, WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

IF YOU DO LOVE SHOWS LIKE "ALMANAC" AND WANT TO SEE THEM CONTINUE GOING, PICK UP THE PHONE AND GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1500.

>> WE'RE AT 10 DONATIONS, WE'RE LOOKING FOR 25.

DO CALL RIGHT NOW, MAKE THAT SIMPLE PLEDGE, 651-229-1500.

TPT.ORG/GIVE.

>> ERIC: A COUPLE OF BILLS TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON THE EPIDEMIC OF GUN VIOLENCE ARE MAKING THEIR WAY AT THE CAPITOL, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE RECENT SHOOTING DEATHS OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER BRINGS US AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THIS EMOTIONAL ISSUE.

[Cheering] >> Mary: GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES GATHERED WITH THE STATE'S TOP OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS AFTER LAST SESSION THEY GOT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION FUNDING.

>> MAKING THE CASE OF TURNING TRAGEDY INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT WE LIVE WITH THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE WE HAVE.

HOW CAN WE SEE A HEADLINE THAT SAYS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN NOW IS GUN VIOLENCE.

>> THAT REQUIRES A LITTLE BIT OF PARSING OF THE DATA, WHEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT KIDS, THEY'RE INCLUDING 18- AND 19-YEAR-OLD ADULTS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF THOSE NUMBERS, BUT I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS, WE PUT GUN VIOLENCE INTO ONE BIG BUCKET.

WHEN IT'S REALLY THREE VERY UNIQUE, SEPARATE ISSUES.

YOU HAVE THE VAST MAJORITY OF MINNESOTA'S FIREARM DEATHS ARE SUICIDES.

>> Mary: DORN KNOWS STATISTICS AS THE LEADING GUN RIGHTS VOICE AT THE CAPITAL BUT ACTIVISTS HAVE GOTTEN ORGANIZED AND NOTICED.

>> THERE'S SOME PEOPLE INSIDE SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS AROUND HERE ARGUING AND FIGHTING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF US IN THESE COMMUNITIES, AND THE CRAZY PART ABOUT IT IS, MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T FEEL THAT THE GUN VIOLENCE S A PROBLEM ARE THE ONES THAT DON'T GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT LISTENING TO GUN FIRE OUTSIDE OF THEIR WRITTEN DOSE!!

>> Mary: ALL THE NEW GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED IS SHOWING RESULTS, NOT EXACTLY WHAT GUN ADVOCATES THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE DOZEN RED FLAG ORDERS ISSUED.

THERE ARE OVERWHELMINGLY ISSUED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT THE KIND OF THE FAMILY MEMBER SCENARIOS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Mary: ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> I AM, BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT, ITS IT'S A WAY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS TO HELP A LOVED ONE IN CRISIS.

>> Mary: THE ACTIVISTS SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WE HAVE ALL BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES FIGHTING THIS BATTLE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

GUN VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

GUN VIOLENCE OES NOT DISCRIMINATES.

>> Mary: PROTECT MINNESOTA IS THE LARGEST LOCAL GROUP ADVOCATING BEGINS GUN VIOLENCE AND THEY HAVE ALL THE TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS ADVOCATES.

>> THESE AFFECT EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE AND WE HAVE HEARD CALLS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, FROM NAMES, ROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO HAVE CHANGE, AND WHAT IS CHANGE OVER THOSE TIMES?

WELL, YOU ALL, RIGHT?

YOU ORGANIZING THAT YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

>> WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER YOU DO, WHATEVER UNIFORM YOU WEAR TO WORK, YOU DESERVE TO LIVE SAFELY AND FREE OF GUN VIOLENCE, WE'VE EXPERIENCED TOO MUCH IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, SPECIALLY RECENTLY.

>> Mary: THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF BURNSVILLE FIRST RESPONDERS ARE ON THE INDS OF MANY LAWMAKERS.

>> I STRUGGLE WITH THAT JUST BECAUSE THE TWO BILLS THAT ARE BEING ADVANCED RIGHT NOW REALLY WOULD HAVE HAD NO IMPACT AT ALL ON THAT TRAGEDY.

AND WHILE I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO DEBATE THESE ISSUES, I THINK CAPITALIZING AN A TRAGEDY TO PUSH AN AGENDA WHEN IT'S UNRELATED IS A LITTLE BIT UNCOUTH.

>> I DECIDED TO DO THIS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN A FIREARM SAFETY INSTRUCTOR, I'VE OWNED GUNS MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I'M SICK OF READING STORIES ABOUT KIDS DYING BEING SHOT.

>> Mary: THE BILLS GOING THROUGH COMMITTEE WOULD TOUGHEN UP BETTER STORAGE AND SAFE GUNS.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE A SAFE STORAGE, RIGHT, AND WE KNOW THAT GUNS THAT HAVE BEEN LOST OR STOLEN ENDS UP BEING USED IN CRIMES AND SOMETIMES IF THEY'RE NOT LOST OR STOLEN, SOMEBODY ELSE CLAIMS LATER ON THAT IT IS GUN WAS LOST OR STOLEN.

>> THE NEW BILL TAKES A MORE MEASURED APPROACH AT IT BUILT THERE'S STILL UNDERLYING ISSUES, LIKE YOU'RE NOT ABSOLVED IF SOMEBODY BREAKS INTO YOUR GUN SAFE, YOU'RE STILL LIABLE, AND IT STILL TREATS A FARMER IN ROSEAU WHO MAY KEEP A GUN READY TO DEFEND HIS LYFT WITH NOBODY ELSE IN THE HOUSE, TREATS THEM THE SAME AS A DAY CARE ROVIDER IN EDINA.

>> Mary: HE SATISFIES THE BILLS AS EASIER FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO PASS EVEN WITH IT IS NARROW MARGIN IN THE SENATE.

WHAT HE WOULD RATHER SEE IS A TOUGH ON CRIME APPROACH FOR THE ALLEGED BURNSVILLE SHOOTER.

>> Mary: WHAT LEGALLY, POLITICALLY COULD OR SHOULD BE DONE IN THAT SITUATION?

>> O THIS IS WHAT'S INTERESTING.

WE KNOW WE GOT THEM FROM STRAW PURCHASES, FROM A GUN STORE HERE IN MINNESOTA, WHERE HE KNEW HE COULDN'T BUY A FIREARM, HE WAS INHE WOULD I BELIEVE GOOD, HE TRIED TO GET HIS RIGHTS ACK, THE JUDGE DENIED, SO HE HAD SOMEBODY ELSE BEING AND BUY THE FIREARM FOR HIM.

THAT PERSON CREATED THE CRIME BY BUYING A GUN FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> BRUTES INCREASED PENALTIES ARE NOT POPULAR WITH ALL DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AT THE CAPITOL AFTER DEALING WITH DECADES OF INEQUITIES.

>> I REPRESENTS WHEN I PUTS A VOTE ON THE THAT FLOOR FOR THE ENTIRE STATE BECAUSE THE TRUTHS OF THE MATTER IS, OUR COMMUNITIES ELECT US AND I COME FROM A COMMUNITY THAT ELECTED ME BECAUSE WE ARE TIRED OF GUN VIOLENCE.

WE ARE TIRED OF DREAMING THROUGH NIGHTMARES, OF WEEING UP TO ANOTHER LOVED ONE OR FRIEND, FAMILY MEMBER THAT'S BEING TOLD THAT THEY'RE AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME.

WELL, THIS IS HAPPENING IN EVERY PLACE AND ALL THE TIME.

>> CATHY: IT WAS A BUSY POLITICAL WEEK.

MINNESOTA WAS ONE OF 16 STATES CHOOSING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES BY PARTY ON SUPER TUESDAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN DELIVERED HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS ON THURSDAY, AND LEGISLATORS WERE BUSY ALL WEEK LONG AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

SO MANY TOPICS FOR OUR PANEL TO TACKLE TONIGHT.

WE'VE GATHERED A GROUP OF FORMER AND SOON-TO-BE-FORMER LAWMAKERS TO FILL THE COUCH.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR NOW LOBBYIST.

FORMER STATE SENATOR IS ALSO A LABEL YOU CAN ATTACH TO SUSAN KENT.

REPUBLICANS JOINING US TONIGHT, FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AMY KOCH.

AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP TONIGHT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT GAROFALO, WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED HE WILL BE RETIRING AFTER THIS SESSION.

SENATOR HAYDEN, LET'S TALK SUPER TUESDAY FOR A MOMENT HERE.

46,000 DEMOCRATS VOTED UNCOMMITTED, THAT'S ABOUT 20%, AND I WAS TALKING TO GOVERNOR WALZ EARLIER IN THE WEEK ON MPR, AND HE KIND OF BRUSHED OFF ANY THOUGHTS THAT IT COULD BE ISSUES, SAID IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF PEOPLE EXERCISING -- IT WAS A MATTER OF DEMOCRACY, EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT BUT I'M WONDERING, ARE THERE ANY STORM CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON BECAUSE OF THAT NUMBER?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE COULD BE AND A LOT OF THOSE UNCOMMITMENTED VOTERS WERE PEOPLE WHO I REPRESENTED.

IF YOU GO LOOK AT THE PRECINCTS N SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS AND OTHER VERY PROGRESSIVE PLACES SO I THINK THAT THERE COULD BE SOME STORM CLOUDS.

I THOUGHT THAT THE PRESIDENT YESTERDAY STARTED TO ALLEVIATE E STORM CLOUDS.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE IN GAZA, BUT WHAT I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS THAT IT STARTS WITH THIS KIND OF ISSUE OF GADA AND IT STARTS TO TURN INTO OTHER THINGS HAT PEOPLE ESPECIALLY PROGRESSIVES ARE UPSET ABOUT, SO I OULD BE WORRIED AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO THE REPUBLICAN FRIENDS THINK ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, SO, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SURPRISE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN, FORMER PRESIDENTS TRUMP WERE THE WINNERS IN THE PRIMARY BUT BOSS OF THEM, INCLUDING 20% UNCOMMITTED VOTING AGAINST HIM, NOT A WORRY FOR THE PRIMARY.

THEY EASILY SAILED THROUGH THE PRIMARY.

THE QUESTION S WILL THOSE UNCOMMITTED THAT DIDN'T VOTES FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN, COME HOME, VOTE FOR HIM IN THE GENERAL, BECAUSE IF THEY DO NOT, HE'S GOT A MASSIVE PROBLEM.

AND THE SAME CAN BE APPLIED TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP BECAUSE ALMOST 30% VOTED FOR IN THIS CASE KEY HALEY AND WHERE WILL THOSE VOTERS GO.

THEY WON THE PRIMARIES BUT REALLY ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTION NOW.

>> Eric: DO YOU SENSE A POLITICAL ATTITUDE AMONG THE VOTER THAT WE DON'T WANT THESE TWO GUYS RUNNING AGAIN, WHAT'S OUTS THERE AS FAR AS THESE TWO FELLOWS ARE CONCERNED?

>> I DO THINK THAT IN OUR SOCIETY NOW, EVERYBODY WANTS THE NEW THING AND WE WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND THIS IS A LITTLE HISTORIC THAT WE'RE IN THIS POSITION.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK LAST NIGHT WITH THE STATE OF THE UNION, I THINK IT REALLY SET AN IMPORTANT TONE.

I THINK NOW THAT IT REALLY DOES COME TO THESE TWO PEOPLE AND YOU CAN COMPARE TRUMPS PRESIDENCY AND BIDEN'S, I THINK PEOPLE WILL -- WHO WOULD BE BIDEN SUPPORTERS, HAVE BEEN BUY DEB SUPPORTERS IN THE PAST LARGELY WILL COME BACK.

I THINK THE REASON THE NUMBERS WERE THE WAY THEY WERE ON TUESDAY IS BECAUSE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WHO WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED BIDEN KNEW HE WAS GOING TO BE SAFE AND PROBABLY DIDN'T I THE TURNOUT WAS LOPSIDED BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND I THINK IT WILL WORK OUT OKAY.

>> Eric: DID SOME DEMOCRATS VOTE FOR NIKKI HALEY?

>> DON'T KNOW, WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT THE DATA COMES OUT BUT I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW IS THESE CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT ARE HISTORIC.

THEY'RE HISTORICALLY OLD, OKAY?

WE HAVE A 77-YEAR-OLD ONE-TERM PRESIDENT RUNNING AGAINST AN 81-YEAR-OLD ONE-TERM PRESIDENT.

AND THE PUBLIC OVERWHELMINGLY ARE TELLING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, THEY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE OTHER CHOICES, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TRUMP VERSUS BIDEN AND THE FACTOR IS GOING TO BE THE YOUNG AND SPRY, 70-YEAR-OLD ROBERT KENNEDY RUNNING THE INDEPENDENCE CAM MAINLY.

SO HOW THAT AS AN INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN, HOW HE OES, WHO DOES HE TAKE FROM, THE TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN VOTERS, DEMOCRAT VOTERS?

THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE FACTORS IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, THE COUNTRY IS HISTORICALLY DIVIDED 50-50, THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLOSE RACE.

>> Cathy: SOME DEMOCRATS STAYED HOME, HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE DOWN-BALLOT RACES.

ALL 134 SEATS ARE UP IN THE HOUSE.

>> THAT GETS -- REPRESENTATIVE GAROFALO CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, THAT'S GOING TO BE DISTRICT BY DISTRICT.

THE SUBURBS, A COUPLE SEATS IN GREATER MINNESOTA SO I DON'T KNOW, LIKE, IN A GENERAL ELECTION, I WOULD LIKE THAT AT -- OR STATEWIDE ELECTION BUT THOSE HOUSE SEATS N PARTICULAR, I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE LOCALIZED IN TERMS OF IF THE GOP CAN FLIP THE HOUSE.

>> RIGHT, THE BIGGER ISSUE, THE TOP OF THE TICKET CERTAINLY MATTERS BUT IN MINNESOTA, THE DFL HAS TOTAL CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT BUT IN THE LEGISLATURE THEY HAVE VERY SLIM MAJORITIES.

AND HISTORICALLY, IT IS DEBATE IN MINNESOTA HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT ARE WHICH A SETTLE LEFT OR A CENTER RIGHT STATE?

THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES.

NOW IN THE LAST EAR, WE'VE SEEN A NEW STRATEGY AND THAT IS THAT MINNESOTA SAY HARD LEFT, FAR LEFT STATE, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, AND THAT'S THE REFERENDUM THAT'S BEFORE MINNESOTANS, SO IN RURAL AREAS, REPUBLICANS WILL PICK UP SEATS BUT HOW WILL WE DO IN THE SECOND-TIER SUBURBS?

THE GOOD NEWS IS, THE SECOND TIER VOTERS DON'T LIKE BIDEN IN THE FAR LEFT AGENERAL DAMP THE BAD NEWS IS THEY DON'T LIKE TRUMP AND THEY DON'T LIKE THE FAR RIGHT AGENDA SO HOW THOSE SECOND TIER SUBURBS PLAY OUT WILL DECIDES.

>> Eric: AS SOMEBODY WHO REPRESENTED THE SUBURBS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY BIG YEAR.

I THINK THAT SUBURBAN WOMEN AND MEN AND YOUNG VOTERS IN PARTICULAR ARE VERY -- THIS WILL BE MINNESOTA'S FIRST SORT OF REAL-TIME POST DOBBS TO WAY IN ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.

IVF IN ALABAMA HAS BEEN A BIG EE ARE NERVOUS ABOUT CONTRACEPTION NOW AND RIGHT LIE SO, NOT TO MENTION EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S GOING ON AND I THINK, GAIN, ONCE WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT THE TWO OPTIONS, AND THE PART -- THE FACT THAT ELECTED REPUBLICANS AT ALL LEVELS HAVE ENABLED THE MAGA ATTITUDES AND EXTREME POSITIONS, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SUBURBAN PEOPLE SAY, NO, WE'RE NOT HAVING ANY PARTS OF THAT AND WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUES THAT CALIFORNIA CARE OF MINNESOTANS.

>> Eric: WANT TO FOCUS WITH THE REPUBLICANS FOR A SECOND BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN VOTES WILL BE NEEDED FOR THIS NEAR BILLION-DOLLAR BONDING BILL THAT'S CONTEMPLATED.

11 VOTES ARE NEEDED IN THE HOUSE, SENATE NEEDS TO PROVIDE, REPUBLICANS HAVE TO PROVIDE, HOW IS THAT GOING TO FIT INTO IT IS INDEPENDENCE OF SESSION STUFF?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT -- I ACTUALLY THINK THEY'LL COME TO A BONDING BILL BECAUSE IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND BOTH SIDES HAVE PROJECTS AND THEY CAME UP WITH LAST YEAR AND THE REPUBLICANS BROUGHT UP SOME VOTES, BUT I THINK THAT THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT, $17 BILLION SURPLUS, REALLY SPENT AN ADDITIONAL $3 BILLION OR -- AROUND 3 BILL EXTRA NOW, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THAT.

I THINK THE SPENDING ISSUE IS GOING TO BE FRONT AND CENTER FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE CAMPAIGN, RIGHT, THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TOUT ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY INVESTED IN AND THE GOOD THINGS THEY DID AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO SAY, $18 BILLION, MY GOODNESS, WHERE DID IT GO, AND BONDING WILL BE A PART OF THAT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A SMALLER PART OF A BICKER CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: IF I DID MY MATH RIGHT, 11 VOTES WILL BE NEEDED FROM THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS.

WHAT WILL BE THE PRICE FOR THOSE 11?

INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS OR SOME BROADER ISSUE?

>> WHAT DO YOU NEED?

[Laughter] >> NO, I THINK IF I WAS A BETTING MAN, AND I AM A BETTING MAN, I WOULD SAY WE'RE PROBABILITY NOT GOING TO HAVE A BONDING BILL THIS YEAR AND THE REASON WHY IS THAT LAST SESSION, THE BUDGETS WAS INCREASED BY 36.5%.

36.5%.

NO STATE IN THE COUNTRY INCREASED SPENDING AS MUCH AS THE DEMOCRATS IN MINNESOTA DID.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, NOW WE'RE SHOCKED, SHOCKED, TO FIND OUT THAT OUR BUDGET IN THE TAILS IS UPSIDE DOWN.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE ASSUMING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE CUTTING SPENDING, WE STILL HAVE REVENUES COMING IN BELOW SPENDING -- >> Eric: THIS IS A FEW YEARS IN THE FUTURE.

>> THE NEXT BUDGET, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A POTION-ELECTION PROBLEM BUT EOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT THINGS UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN IF THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO GROW, MINNESOTA'S BUDGET IS ALL MESSED UP AND IT'S VERY HARD FOR US AS CONSERVATIVES TO MAKE THE CASE THAT MINNESOTA GOVERNMENT'S TOO BIG, SPENDS TOO MUCH MONEY, IF WE'RE OUT THERE RACKINGUP THE STATE'S CREDIT CARD.

>> Eric: NEW DFL LEADERSHIP TEAM IN THE SENATE.

IS THE SENATE MOVING ALONG WELL OR -- >> YEAH, THINK THE -- SENATOR MURPHY SEEMS TO BE SETTLING IN.

SHE'S A VETERAN OF LEADERSHIP SO SHE UNDERSTANDS ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

SENATOR CHAMPION SEEMS TO BE RUNNING THE SENATE SMOOTHLY AS A ALWAYS HAS DONE.

THEY HAVE SOME NEW AND YOUNGER FACES IN ON THE STAFF BUT I'VE BEEN WALKING AROUND AND TALKING AND THINGS SEEM TO BE WELL.

>> Eric: WHY ALL OF THIS BILL INTRODUCTION, RECORD PACE.

IS IT EARLY DEADLINES OR BONDING PROJECTS?

>> I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF EARLY DEADLINES, THE DEADLINES FOR ALL THE NERDS OUT THERE, USUALLY THE FIRST DEADLINE COMES AND A WEEK LATER IS THE SECONDS, THEY'RE BOTH PILED UP ON MARCH 22 GOALTEND.

SO I THINK YOU'VE HAD SORT OF A RUSH THIS YEAR, FEELS LIKE A VERY SHORTS SESSION.

>> Cathy: THE S.R.O.

BILL CAME UP FOR VOTE, 124 TO 8, WERE THOSE 8 DFLers?

WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM WE'RE SEEING IN BOTH PARTIES, S YOU EVER LARGER AND LARGER NUMBERS OF FRINGE CANDIDATES AND MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES AND SO ON THAT SIDES, THE DEMOCRATS NEEDED REPUBLICANS O VOTE FOR THE BILL, WHICH WE DID, WE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT TO GET OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOMS.

AND, AGAIN, THESE PROBLEMS EXIST ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT BUT ON THE LEFT RIGHT NOW, THERE'S THE DFL AND THEN THERE'S THE DSA, THE DEMOCRATS SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.

THE DSA IN THEIR PLATFORM SAYS THEY WANT NO LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE AT ALL IN CLASSROOMS AND THOSE EIGHT MEMBERS ALIGNED THEMSELVES WITH THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, THE IMPORTANT THING IS WE GOT TOGETHER, WE HELPED FIX THE MATTER, NOW IT'S OVER IN THE SENATE AND IT WILL BE A GOOD THING TO GET THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BACK IN SCHOOLS.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD PROBABLY ASK ABOUT THIS.

GOING BACK HERE TO SUPER TUESDAY, SO, DEAN PHILLIPS DROPPED OUT.

WHAT'S HIS FUTURE?

GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED?

>> WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT.

>> Cathy: I BET YOU WERE.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND I -- YOU KNOW, HE'S TALENTED AND THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE AND I WILL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT HE DOES.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK POLITICAL MEMORIES ARE SHORT AND I ALSO THINK IF DONALD TRUMP WINS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN LOSES, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING SEE DEAN PHILLIPS AND SAY, WELL, THAT'S WHAT HE SAID WOULD HAPPEN.

>> I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO GO HOME AND HAVE AN OLD FASHIONED.

>> AS THE GODFATHER OF BETHING IN MINNESOTA, IS IT GOING TO PASS?

30 SECONDS LEFT.

>> I THINK IT IS AND HERE'S WHY.

I HAVE A SECRET WEAPON, I HAVE A SECRET WEAPON AND I'M GOING TO TALK TO THE CAMERA AND TELL YOU.

EVERYONE KNOWS I'M NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION, DFL MEMBERS IF YOU DON'T PASS SPORTS GAMBLING THIS YEAR, I'M GOING TO RESCINDS MY RETIRING AND COME BACK.

>> DO IT TO KEEP PAT OUT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> YOU CAN MAYBE HEAR IN THE HALLWAY, A BIG GUN DEBATE TONIGHT, GUN, WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> THE HOUSE IS HEARING TWO BILLS, BACKGROUND CHECKS AND A RED FLAG ORDER.

HOUSE-CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS, MOVING IT, SENATE CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS, NOT MOVING IT.

GOVERNOR DEMOCRAT WANTS IT.

>> ERIC: THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.

MANY OF THE LAWS THOSE PROTESTORS WERE CALLING FOR, INCLUDING RED FLAG WARNINGS, BECAME LAW IN MINNESOTA LAST YEAR.

BUT AS NOTED EARLIER IN TONIGHT'S SHOW, GUNS REMAIN AN ISSUE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE INDEX FILE SECTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

WE'VE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH BASEBALL QUESTIONS OF LATE, THE PRODUCERS THOUGHT THEY'D STICK WITH THE SPORTS THEME BUT SWITCH FROM A GREEN FIELD TO AN ICE RINK.

OUR QUESTION CONCERNS THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER, HOME TO THE MINNESOTA WILD SINCE 2000, AND LOCATION FOR MOST OF THE PWHL MINNESOTA TEAM'S HOME GAMES THIS SEASON.

HERE'S THE DETAILS FOR YOU TO PONDER.

A DECADE AFTER OPENING, IN THE FALL OF 2010, A GROUP OF MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE DID SOMETHING AT THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER THAT HAD NEVER BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE, AND NEAR AS WE CAN TELL, IT HASN'T BEEN DONE SINCE.

OUR TASK FOR YOU, TELL US WHAT RECORD WAS SET AT THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN NOVEMBER OF 2010.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM HOCKEY LAKE, FRISBEE LAKE, OR TENNIS LAKE.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU WERE THERE THAT DAY AND CAN PROVIDE US WITH A PHOTO OF THE EVENT.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE TALKING TO OUR VOICEMAIL SYSTEM.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND OUR DIGITAL INBOX.

BEFORE WE GO, A COUPLE OF TUNE-IN REMINDERS FOR YOU.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, TUNE IN TO THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL TO CATCH ALL THE ACTION FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, TOO.

TUNE IN THE SAME STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 7:00 TO CATCH OUR SISTER PROGRAM, "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK, BACK IN 1992, THE JAYHAWKS APPEARED ON TPT'S MUSIC SERIES "SHOWCASE."

TAKE A LISTEN.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪ I WAS WAITING FOR THE SUN.

WHEN I WAS HOME ALONE.

♪ WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW AS HE WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO FALL ♪ ♪ SO I NEVER MADE AMENDS.

FOR THE SAKE OF NO ONE ELSE ♪ ♪ AND SO SIMPLE REASON, THAT HE WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO FALL ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ IT WAS NOT LOST ON ME ♪ ♪ WALKING ON DOWN THE ROAD.

LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY HANDOUT, SOMETHING TO EASE MY SOUL ♪ ♪ SO I KEPT MY SPIRITS HIGH ♪ ♪ ENTERTAINING PASSERBY ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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