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

>> ERIC: WE HAVE GOT A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IT'S THE FINAL FRIDAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS ARE IN THE STUDIO.

PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE TO QUIZ CATHY AND I ON OUR SEVERE WEATHER KNOWLEDGE.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING THE PROGRESS UP AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: HISTORY IS MADE AT THE CAPITOL WITH GUN CONTROL, MARIJUANA, PAID LEAVE AND MUCH MORE.

WE'LL HAVE THE CONTEXT.

>> TODAY WE ARE MOVING INTO A WORLD THAT IS SAFER FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> HIS STOPS ONE TRAGEDY, THEN WE'VE DONE OUR JOB.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING 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.

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

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: LAWMAKERS ARE IN THE FINAL STRETCH UP AT THE CAPITOL AND WE'LL FILL MOST OF TONIGHT'S SHOW TALKING ABOUT WHAT WORK THEY HAVE COMPLETED AND WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT TO FINISH BEFORE MONDAY.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE IN THE - HOUSE.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS WILL FILL THE COUCH.

IN BETWEEN, WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE FUN WITH PAUL DOUGLAS.

>> ERIC: WE START WITH A LOOK AT VERY BUSY DAYS AND LOTS OF LATE NIGHTS UP AT THE CAPITOL.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE ACTION ALL WEEK AND SHE HAS THE DETAILS FOR US.

>> Mary: AN EARLY ADJOURNMENT PROBABLY PROVED TOO OPTIMISTIC BUT ALL DFL CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL DELIVERED HISTORIC LEGISLATION.

>> THERE IS A REASON THE ROOM IS SO FULL BECAUSE THE CAST MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN WAITING TOO DAMN LONG FOR THIS DAY.

ALL ATTENTION IT WILL TAKE IS THE STROKE OF A PEN TO CHANGE MINNESOTA.

THAT PEN IS HERE.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR GOT TO CONCLUDE THE LAST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH A BIG BILL SIGNING NOR UBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING GUN CONTROL.

>> MINNESOTA'S A BETTER STATE.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT, THIS IS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TODAY.

>> TODAY WE ARE MOVING INTO A WORLD THAT IS SAFER FOR OUR CHILDREN.

BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU.

BECAUSE OF PARENTS, BECAUSE OF MOMS.

[Applause] OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT PEOPLE.

AND IF THIS STOPS ONE TRAGEDY, OR IF IT STOPS TEN TRAGEDIES... [Applause] THEN WE HAVE DEAN OUR JOB.

>> WE MUST NEVER STOP FIGHTING.

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!

[Applause] BE BOLD.

BE COURAGEOUS.

>> WE ARE SLEEP-DEPRIVED AND HUNGRY.

>> Mary: DFL LEADERS PLAN TO CONTINUE TO MUSH THE UNPRECEDENTED PACE UNTIL THE END.

>> WE HEARD VOTERS TELL US THEY WERE TIRED OF GRIDLOCK, AND WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SHOW THROUGHOUT THIS SESSION THAT WE CAME HERE READY TO WORK ON DAY ONE.

>> BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE HAVING A LITTLE DIFFICULTY WITH REPUBLICANS DROPPING THE PLOW.

>> MAYBE THE MOST MEMORABLE ASPECT OF SESSION IS MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

>> THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED.

TODAY IS THE DAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO VOTE HERE IN THE HOUSE FOR THE LAST TIME TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS AND BRING THE CHANGE THAT MANY MINNESOTANS HAVE WANTED FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT THE PERFECT BILL, IT IS MUCH BETTER THAN WHEN IT LEFT THE HOUSE.

PARTICULARLY ON LOCAL CONTROL.

>> I JUST WEREN'T IMAGINE PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES CAN HAVE TWO POUNDS OF MARIJUANA.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S 2 THUD 724 JOINTS.

THIS IS SCARY STUFF.

THIS IS REALLY SCARY.

>> ANOTHER HISTORIC CHANGE IS PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE STAND OUT AMONGST DEVELOPED NATIONS IN HOW HORRIBLY OUR MOMS AND BABIES ARE DOING.

>> Mary: AND RECORD FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

>> THERE ARE RESOURCES IN THERE THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS PUBLIC CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CREATED THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN HISTORY BUT ALSO A HOST OF NEW TAXES.

>> THE AGREEMENT IS PRETTY WELL -- IS PRETTY WELL SET.

>> THERE ARE JUST REALLY INCREDIBLES TRANSFORMATIONAL THINGS IN THIS BILL THAT WILL BENEFIT PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS SOUNDED HE ALARM ON THE FINAL PRODUCT.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS MASSIVE TAX INCREASES.

REMEMBER EARLIER THIS SESSION WHEN WE HAD A $19 BILLION SURPLUS?

MINNESOTANS WERE EXPECTING THAT TO GO BACK INTO THEIR POCKETS.

MINNESOTANS WERE EXPECTING THAT TO GO INTO THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE.

MINNESOTANS WERE XPECTING THAT TO SUPPORT THE NURSING HOMES THAT ARE STRUGGLING ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT.

>> HOLD ON TO YOUR BILLFOLDS BECAUSE THERE IS A 2.2 BILLION TAX INCREASE COMING TO MINNESOTA.

>> NURSING HOMES, MANY ARE CLOSING, 10% ARE CONSIDERING CLOSURE, DEFILES OF ADMISSION ARE UP 44%.

IF YOU WANT YOUR GRANDMA TO GO TO A NURSING HOME OR YOUR MOM, GOOD LUCK.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH THE DEMOCRATS ALL SESSION LONG TO GET A BONDING BILL.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR MINNESOTANS BUT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE REFUSED TO WORK WITH US.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO UND THOSE PROJECTS BUT YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE DAMN BILL.

[CHANTING] >> Mary: AND UBER AND LIFT DRIVERS CAME TO THE CAPITOL TO TRY TO GET A BILL GOING.

>> THESE PEOPLE MADE IT, THEY MADE IT HERE.

THEY'RE MINNESOTANS JUST LIKE ALL OF US.

ALL THEY'RE TRYING DO IS TO WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT'S SAFE, THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES.

>> THE VERY SAME TIME A DFL MAJORITY IS TALKING ABOUT PUTTING MONEY INTO THE POCKETS OF THESE DRIVERS, THE DFL IS ADVANCING BILLS TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKETS.

JUST TODAY WE SAW THE DFL IS ADVOCATING FOR RAISING THE GAS TAX IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

NOW DOES UBER PAY THAT GAS TAX?

NO.

THESE DRIVERS ARE AYING IT.

>> ONE YOU UBER DRIVER BRUTALLY ATTACKED WHILE DRIVING A PASSENGER IN TESTIMONY, HE EVEN WORE THE BLOODED SHIRT HE HAD ON WHEN HE WAS ATTACKED.

THIS DOES LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION.

>> CATHY: IT'S AN "ALMANAC" TRADITION DATING BACK DECADES.

FINAL FRIDAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS TAKE A QUICK DINNER BREAK AND LEADERS OF ALL FOUR CAUCUSES JOIN US HERE ON THE COUCH WITH AN UPDATE ON WHERE THINGS STAND.

WITH COVID NUMBERS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF SESSIONS, WE'RE HAPPY TO WELCOME LEADERS IN PERSON.

REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN IS THE DFL SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

SENATOR KARI DZIEDZIC IS THE DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

MINORITY LEADERS WITH US TONIGHT, REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARK JOHNSON AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH.

MADAM SPEAKER, IF I RECALL, THE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS BILL WENT THROUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMMITTEES.

A LOT OF COMMITTEES, RIGHT?

THE GAS -- THE BILL THAT WOULD RAISE THE GAS TAX, I'M NOT SURE, WHERE WAS THE RIGOROUS COMMITTEE VETTING ON THAT BILL?

THEY JUST KIND OF SEEMED TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE AT THE ENDS.

>> WELL, THE TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE I THINK WILL COME OUT WITH THEIR REPORT VERY SOON BUT THEY DID TALK ABOUT REVENUE RAISINGS THROUGHOUT THE SESSION BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IS GET SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE VERY FOR A WHILE NOW.

WHEN THERE IT WAS THE LAST TRIFECTA, THE SENATE PASSED A GAS TAX INCREASE AND HE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR SAID NO.

AND SO OVER THE LAST TEN YEARNINGS, WE'VE ALL BEEN STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE GET SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

>> Eric: YOU'RE INDICATE A ROAD MAINTENANCE FEE, MADAM LEADER?

>> YES.

>> Eric: A YOU EVER MISSISM NOR TAX INCREASE OR -- >> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL PACKAGE IN THE TRANSPORTATION BILL WHEN IT COMES OUT, I THINK THE INCREASES THAT WILL BE IN THAT BILL ARE CHEAPER THAN IF YOU DRIVE OVER A BAD POTHOLE AND HAVE TO GET YOUR CAR FIXED OR YOUR AXEL FIXED, THAT HAPPENED TO MY NEPHEW AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PART SO HE HAD TO BE TWO WEEKS WITHOUT HIS CAR.

SO I THINK THIS BILL WILL HELP MINNESOTANS AND WILL HELP REPAIR THEIR ROADS, IF THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY ON.

>> Eric: I THINK THE PROPOSAL, SENATOR, IS TO HAVE IT LINKED TO INFLATION AND GO UP AS AN INFLATER EVERY YEAR AS INFLATION GOES UP.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS PROPOSAL?

>> SO IT IS A TAX, I MEAN, LET'S JUST CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

IT'S A TAX THAT'S GOING TO FALL IN THE POCKETS OF MINNESOTANS.

IF YOU ADD THAT TO THE TAB FEE INCREASES, REGISTRATION INCREASE, THE TAXES AROUND THE DELIVERY FEES ARE ALSO BEING PROPOSED, AS WELL, I MEAN, THIS COULD BE A $4 BILLION BILL TAX INCREASE ON MINNESOTANS.

>> AND I THINK MINNESOTANS AREN'T LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL TAX INCREASES.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOME OF THAT TAX TO COME BACK.

WE'VE OVERPAID AND THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FROM FOR THEIR WALTZ.

>> Cathy: WHAT AMOUNT WITH THE DELIVERY FEE, I THINK IT WAS LIKE 75 CENTS PER DELIVERY, HAS HA BEEN SCALED BACK OR IS THAT WHY YOU'RE ADDING THE GAS TAX ON THIS?

>> THE DELIVERY FEE PASSED THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AT 75 CENTS WERE DELIVERY AND I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WERE MUCH IN THE WAY OF EXEMPTIONS EXCEPT FOR FOOD.

GROCERIES WERE ALWAYS EXEMPT AND THEN I THINK THAT THE TRANSPORTATION CHAIRS HAVE ACHIEVED A FINAL PACKAGE THAT HAS SOME EXEMPTIONS AND HAS SOME LEVEL OF FEE.

>> Cathy: AND SO TRYING TO BACKFILL WHAT YOU NEED FOR ROADS, THAT'S WHERE THE GAS TAX COMES N THE INCREASE IN THE GROWS TAX?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT UNMET NEEDS.

WE HAVE ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN UNMET ROAD NEEDS AND AND WE HAVE NEEDS ON TOP OF THAT IN UNMET TRANSIT IN BOTH THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND REALLY, MORE EXTENSIVELY IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

SO I THINK THE CHAIRS WERE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SIGNIFICANTLY FILL THOSE GAPS.

>> Eric: YOU'RE LEAD ON THE HOUSE TAX COMMITTEE, GREG DAVIDS, FORMER CHAIR SAID THAT THIS IS BOTH THE LARGEST TAX CUT AND LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN STATE HISTORY.

IS THAT RIGHT?

I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME TAX INCREASE, THERE ARE SOME CUTS?

DO YOU KNOW THE BALANCE THERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE BALANCE EXACTLY BUT WHAT I CAN TELL SUE WHEN WE ARE REDUCING TAXES GUT THEN INCREASING THEM, MINNESOTANS LOSE ON THAT SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETE TAX REDUCTION AS OPPOSED TO ANY INCREASES.

>> Eric: SENATOR, O YOU KNOW THE MIX, HOW MANY TAXES -- >> I DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL IX BUT I THINK THE IMPACT, THE INCREASES I BELIEVE ARE FOCUSED ON CORPORATIONS, HE IMPACT WILL BE MINIMAL IF ANYTHING ON FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS, AND I THINK, AGAIN, IN YOU LOOK AT THAT PACKAGE, THERE'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF N THERE, THERE ARE RELIEF TO REDUCE CHILD POVERTY IN THIS STATE.

SOCIAL SECURITY.

WE'RE -- 76% OF THE STATE WILL NOT BE PAYING TAXES ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY SO I THINK, AGAIN, THAT OVERALL PACKAGE WILL BENEFIT MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: I REMEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH, YOU KIND OF SAID THE REBATE CHECKS ARE A BIG WHOOP DEDO, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> I WAS QUOTE QUOTING A CONSTITUENT BUT WE HEARD ORIGINALLY GOVERNOR WALZ TALKED ABOUT $2,000 AND THEN $1,000 AND NOW THEY'RE SITTING AT JUST $200 IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED, WITH INCOME CAPS.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT THAT DOESN'T COVER EVERYBODY THAT'S ACTUALLY PAID IN.

>> SO -- I DO WANT TO GET BACK TO THE POINT THAT YOU MADE IN THAT TAX BILL, THERE WAS SOME TRANSFERS AND WHATNOT AND CREDITS, BUT REALITY IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF THE PACKAGES COMING THROUGH, THE NUMBER OF TAX AND FEE INCREASES ACROSS THIS ADDS UP TO SOMEWHERE ABOUT 9 TO $10 BILLION.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LARGER GLOBAL NUMBERS.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE.

WHEN WE WERE CAMPAIGNING, IT WAS ABOUT GETTING THE SURPLUS BACK, CUTTING TAXES, PUBLIC SAFETY, MAKING SURE THAT OUR KIDS IN SCHOOLS WERE IN A SAFE CONDITION, WITH GREAT FUNDING IN IT.

AND JUST SEEMED LIKE THOSE PRIORITIES HAVE EEN LOST TO MANY, MANY OTHER THINGS ACROSS THIS SESSION.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO THE REBATE CHECKS, MADAM SPEAKER, $250 -- I MEAN, THAT ISN'T A WHOLE LOT.

>> WELL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT AN AVERAGE FAMILY OF FOUR, MOM, DAD, TWO KIDS, THAT'S $1,000, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE SO WHAT WE LOOKED AT WAS MAKING SURE THE TAX CODE IS MORE PROGRESSIVE WHEN WE LEAVE THIS SESSION THAN IT WAS WHEN WE STARTED.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE PEOPLE WERE, ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID, THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE STATE WERE REALLY HARD HIT BY COVID AND THEY WERE STRUGGLING BEFORE AND THERE WERE SOME FOLKS IN THE CONOMY DURING COVID WHO ACTUALLY DID MUCH, MUCH BETTER AND GAINED A LOT OF WEALTH OVER THE TIME OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO THIS TAX BILL IS REALLY BALANCED IN TERMS OF PUTTING MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

>> Eric: SENATOR, I'M INTERESTED IN THE DFL TAX PHILOSOPHY, WHICH IS TAR GETSED TAX CUTS TO SPECIFIC GROUPS, WINNERS AND LOSERS, NOT ACROSS THE BOARD STUFF.

I'VE HEARD SOME COMMENTS FROM REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A WAR ON PROSPERITY AND THAT IT'S GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IF YOU CAN AFFORDS THE TAXES.

WHY NOT THE MONEY TAX BACK FOR FOLKS THAT HAVE PAID MOST OF THE TAXES?

>> I WILL ECHO WHAT THE SPEAKER JUST SAID.

IN COVID YOU REALLY HAD CERTAIN PEOPLE HURT AND THE ECONOMY, HE RECOVERY OUT OF COVID WAS KIND OF A K-SHAPED ECONOMY.

SOME PEOPLE DID REALLY, REALLY GOOD AND SOME PEOPLE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE SO WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD A BETTER ECONOMY FOR ALL MINNESOTANS AND THAT MEANS LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD AND LIFTING UP THOSE THAT NEED THAT LITTLE BOAST.

IT HELPS EVERYBODY BECAUSE YOU WANT MORE WORKERS AND IN MORE WORKERS OU NEED MORE CHILD CARE SO I THINK OUR BUDGETS OVERALL IS LITERALLY LOOKING AT HOW DO WE, YOU KNOW, HELP STABILIZE CHILD CARE, HOW DO WE HELP STABILIZE HOUSING, HOW DO WE PROVIDE AND I THINK THE BIG BUDGET PROVIDES SAFE COMMUNITIES, STRONG SCHOOLS, A HEALTHY CLIMATE.

AND I THINK THE TOTALITY OF ALL THOSE BUDGETS WILL LOWER COSTS FOR FAMILIES CROSS MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: COMMENT?

>> AND IF MINNESOTA IS BECOMING ONE OF THE HIGHER TAXED STATES IN THE NATION, WE'RE GOING TO SEE PEOPLE LEAVING AND WE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, OUR COMPANIES, OUR FAMILIES, THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE AND IF TAXES ARE WHAT ARE DRIVING THEM OUT, THAT DOESN'T SERVE ANY OF US WELL.

ENDING THAT TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT.

THAT IS NOT FULLY HAPPENING, AND WE REALLY NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE -- GO AHEAD, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> OUR HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIR SAID IT REALLY WELL, TUITION IS ANOTHER WAY TO SAY TAX SO WHAT OUR BUDGET DOES IS IT GIVES MONEY BACK TO MINNESOTANS IN THE FORM OF FREE TUITION, IF YOUR FAMILY MAKES $80,000 A YEAR OR LESS, PAYING MUCH LESS FOR CHILD CARE, SO THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THE STATE CAN GIVE MONEY TO PEOPLE OTHER THAN TAX CUTS.

AND WE REALLY JUST DIDN'T THINK THAT MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES NEEDED A TAX CUT WHEN THERE'S MOMS AND DADS WHO ARE STRUG TOLL AFFORDS CHILD CARE.

>> BUT THE PROBLEM WE SEE WITH THAT IS THAT THE STATE ASK NOW DICTATING THE CHOICES OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THIS STATE -- ON THE STATE'S PRIORITIES, ON GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES YOU CAN AND NOT THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES.

WE'RE TAKING THAT ABILITY FOR FAMILIES TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE AT HOME AWAY FROM THEM.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE ISSUES.

>> I IDN'T BLOWN OH INTERRUPT YOU BUT IF YOU CAN'T FIND CHILD CARE, THE MARKET IS MAKING THAT DECISION FOR YOU SO HOPEFULLY BY HE ITEMS IN THAT BILL AND THE ITEMS IN THE VARIETY OF BILLS WILL HELP FAMILIES FIND CHILD CARE SO IF THEY WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK, THEY CAN.

>> GOING BACK TO EVEN FREE MEALS THAT WE DID EARLIER IN SESSION, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS THAT NEEDED TO HAVE FREE MEALS GIVEN TO THEM IN SCHOOL.

BUT TO THE POINT OF WE DON'T WANT TO BE GIVING MILLIONAIRES OR BILLIONAIRES TAX RELIEF IN ANY WAY, WE'RE PAYING FOR MEALS FOR THEIR STUDENTS NOW IN SCHOOL WHEN WE DIDN'T NEED TO BE.

THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR IT, THEY DEFINITELY DON'T NEED IT, WE'RE DOING IT FOR ALL STUDENTS.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHERE ARE WE WITH THE NURSES AT THE BEDSIDE BILL, THIS IS THIS BILL HAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATIONORS SIT DOWN WITH NURSES WHEN IT OMES TO NURSE STAFFING.

MAYO EVIDENTLY DOES EVER A CARVE-OUT IN THAT BILL AND I'M CURIOUS, WHY IS THAT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY TO HAVE ONE ENTITY BE EXEMPT AND NOT EVERYBODY?

CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THAT TO ME?

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 142 HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE THAT WON'T BENEFIT IF ONLY MAYO HAS BEEN GIVEN THE CARVE-OUT AND ANY TIME THERE IS A CARVE-OUT FOR JUST ONE PLACE, THAT MEANS IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.

>> Eric: SHOULD THE NURSE'S ASSOCIATION, A KEY PART OF THE DFL COALITION, SHOULD THEY FEEL A LITTLE SOLD OUT HERE ON THIS ONE?

>> NO, I THINK MAYO IS DIFFERENT.

IN STATE LAW, WE TREAT DIFFERENT ENTITIES DIFFERENTLY.

WE TREAT XCEL ENERGY DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE TWO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND THEY STORY NUKE ROAR WASTE IN OUR STATE.

WE TREAT THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE A STATE ASSET THAT PEOPLE WANT US TO INVEST IN.

MAYO ASK A WORLD-CLASS INSTITUTION.

WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, OPEFULLY THEY THINK OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, THEY THINK OF PRINCE, THEY THINK OF THE VIKINGS, BUT THEY ALSO THINK OF THE MAYO CLINIC AND IT DOES BRING PEOPLE HERE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SO WE DO THINGS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO CREATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES ALL THE TIME.

NOW, THIS NURSES AT THE BEDSIDE ACT HAS BEEN SPUN OFFER INTO ITS OWN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SO THERE IS A FULL PUBLIC DEBATE WITHIN THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THAT HAS TWO REPUBLICANS ON IT TO SEE WHERE WE CAN GET.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE, TOO, IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA, RIVERVIEW HEALTH IS AN INSTITUTION FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE THINK A LOT OF THAT AND NOW TO PUT THIS PRESSURE ON THAT SMALL HOSPITAL THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME NEEDS AS ANY OF THE METRO HOSPITALS, YOU GO TO EACH ONE OF THOSE 142 HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE, THEY EACH HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS, AND THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HAMSTRING A LOT OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE SO CRITICAL TO OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND I WORRY ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS GOING FORWARD.

>> Eric: I TALKED TO OME DEMOCRATS THIS WEEK, LOBBYISTS, A LOT OF PEOPLE UP AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK AND ONE THING, THERE WAS HOW DID DZIEDZIC GET 34 VOTES FOR THOSE GUN BILLS?

YOU WANT TO SHARE -- HOW TOUGH WERE THE CAUCUSES ON THAT ONE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD-WOULD HE HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE CAUCUS EVER.

WE REPRESENT SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES AND LARGE URBAN CORE AND SO WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AND REALLY IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS ON WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES ACROSS OUR DISTRICTS, AND, AGAIN, WE FOUND THAT THERE IS A LOT OF SIMILARITIES.

WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS OF THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE, AND THAT HAS, YOU KNOW, GOT TO US WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THAT -- SENATOR, WHAT ABOUT THE GUN PROVISIONS WITHIN THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL?

MAYBE THE SAFETY -- PUBLIC SAFETY BILL AS A WHOLE?

>> YEAH, SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BEFORE, TOO, IS THE FOCUS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL CAMPAIGNED ON GOING FORWARD.

THERE IS A LOT OF NEEDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR THAT.

THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL I THINK WAS A BIG STEP BACKWARDS IN THAT.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENTENCING, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENTENCING GUIDELINES, YOU KNOW, REDUCTION IN SENTENCES AND JUST THE ABILITY TO PROSECUTE SOME OF THESE CRIMES HAS REALLY BEEN TAKEN OUT.

SO THERE ARE SOME SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN THERE.

NOT TO MENTION THE CONTROVERSIAL PIECES OF THE GUN BILLS, THEY CAME ALONG, TOO.

>> IT WAS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT -- SORRY, KATHY, IN PUBLIC SAFETY IN STATE HISTORY AND IT WAS IMPORTANT.

YOU'LL SEE ANOTHER 300 MILLION BEING SPENT IN THE TAX BILL.

SO 650 MILLION IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL, STIFFER SENTENCES FOR THOSE WHO DEAL FENTANYL.

WE DID THE JOB OF TAKING CARE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: BIPARTISAN IN THE HOUSE ON MARIJUANA.

>> BIPARTISAN ON THE HOUSE IN MARIJUANA.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THAT JOURNEY WITH SOME REPUBLICAN HELP.

>> SOME REPUBLICAN HELP AND WITH THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THAT WAS SETS UP, WE DID HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THERE.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU ITH THE MARIJUANA BILL, THOUGH, THERE ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNS WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, WITH OUR COMMUNITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH.

I THINK THAT IT IS TOO FAST, TOO SOON FOR MINNESOTA AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE READY FOR IT.

IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, WOULD BE MY GUESS, IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A WAY TO TEST FOR IMPAIRMENT, WHEN YOU THINK OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS, OUR NURSES, OUR TEACHERS, PROFESSIONALS, THERE'S NO WAY TO TEST FOR IMPAIRMENT AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE THAT WE'RE MISSING AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I'M WONDERING DID THE REHABILITATION KIND OF MESS UP HERE WHEN IT CAME TOTE BONDING BILL?

NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT A CASH-ONLY INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, THERE WAS SUPPORT FOR THAT BILL THAT WENT OUT IN MARCH AND IT WAS FAIR BILL, THERE WAS HEAVY AMOUNT OF THE REPUBLICAN SUPPORT.

WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT THAT AS FAR AS WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> Eric: YOU HAD 21 VOTES.

>> WE HAVE SOME BREAKING -- NO, JUST IDDING, WE DON'T.

[Laughter] WE'LL CONTINUES THE CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: YOU GUYS VOTED DOWN A VERY GOOD BILL THAT HAD A LOT OF REPUBLICAN PROJECTS, HOPING TO GET NURSING HOME MONEY AND TAX CUTS.

DID THAT STRATEGY WORK?

>> WELL, WE CONTINUES THE CONVERSATION.

I THINK IT REALLY SHOWED WHAT THE PRIORITIES OF OUR CAUCUS WAS AND WE GOT TO STAND UP FOR SOME OF THOSE ISSUES THAT WE REALLY BELIEVE IN.

AND SO WE'VE HAD SOME VERY GOOD DIALOGUES WITH SPEAKER HORTMAN AND MAJORITY LEADER DZIEDZIC ON THAT AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD.

THIS IS A VERY PROMISING THING.

>> Cathy: IS IT POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS ON THIS?

>> NEVER SAY NEVER.

>> Cathy: NEVER SAY NEVER, I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE, THOUGH.

OKAY.

GOOD.

SAY, BEFORE YOU ALL GO, I'M KINDS OF CURIOUS ABOUT THIS.

THE EDUCATION MONEY, THE K-12 EDUCATION MONEY.

I WAS TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR EARLIER THIS WEEK AND I ASKED HIM THIS QUESTION, I'M ASK YOU THIS, TOO, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY GOING FOR K-12 EDUCATION AND FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS, WE'VE ALL HEARD TEACHERS AND DISTRICTS SAYING WE ARE NOT FULLY FUNDED.

DOES THIS BILL FULLY FUND EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA?

>> I THINK IT MOVES IT IS BALL FORWARD A LOT.

THERE'S MUCH MORE FUNDING THAT WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CROSS-SUBSIDY AND HOW THAT IS, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS YOU HAVE TO PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN AND WE SAY WE HAVE TO AND WE HAVEN'T FUNDED THAT TO THE LEVEL IT SHOULD BE AND I THINK PUTTING MONEY IN THERE AND OTHER PIECES THROUGHOUT THAT BILL WILL REALLY HELP STUDENTS IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> Eric: TIME HAS RUN OUT BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY INTERIM, ISN'T IT, WITH ALL THE STUFF THAT HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED NOW?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I'LL FIGURE THAT OUT AFTER I WAKE UP IN A COUPLE DAYS.

>> Eric: STEVE DEPRIVED AND HUNGRY, THAT'S YOUR MOTTO.

REALLY APPRECIATE LL YOU GUYS COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> HERE'S HOW IT GOES.

YOU'LL NEEDS TO IMAGINE THE RHYTHM AND THE MELODY.

HERE IT GOES.

ROLL OUT THE BARREL, WE'VE GOT A DETOUR TONIGHT.

ROLL OUT THE BARREL, AFTERNOON DRIVE IS A FRIGHT.

ROLL OUT THE BARREL, PLAN FOR EXPECTED DELAYS.

NOW'S THE TIME TO ROLL THE BARREL 'CUZ THE ANES ALL CLOSED.

>> ROY?

I JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE A GUITAR AND A SPOTLIGHT ON ME AND HOOKED UP AND A-I'M GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE RHYTHM AND MELODY.

>> TERRIFIC.

♪ ROLL OUT THE BARREL ♪ WE GOT A DETOUR TONIGHT ♪ ROLL OUT THAT BARREL ♪ AFTERNOON DRIVE, SHE'S A FRIGHT ♪ ♪ ROLL OUT THE BARREL, PLAN FOR EXPECTED DELAYS ♪ NOW'S THE TIME TO ROLL THAT BARREL F CUSS THOSE LANES, DAMN, ALL CLOSED ♪ >> ERIC: POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A SUSPECTED ARSON FIRE EARLIER THIS WEEK AT THE OROMO AMERICAN TAWHID ISLAMIC CENTER IN ST. PAUL.

THAT MOSQUE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE BUT NO PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

A 42-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THAT SUSPECTED CRIME.

IS AND CHARGE WITH ARSON >> THIS WAS THE SIXTH ATTACK ON A MUSLIM HOUSE OF WORSHIP SO FAR THIS YEAR.

JOINING ME NOW WITH MORE IS JAYLANI HUSSEIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS.

THE SUSPECT HERE IS A MUSLIM.

>> WELL, WE DON'T KNOW.

UNITED STATES NOT SURE?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS LATEST ONE?

>> I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED.

AT THIS POINT, RIGHT NOW, WE WILL OLD OFF UNTIL WE LEARN MORE INFORMATION.

WE HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, IN 2021, WE HAD AN INCIDENT IN MOORHEAD, A YOUNG MAN WHO ATTACKED ONE OF OUR MOSQUES AND THEN INITIALLY SAID HE DID IT BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GET ATTENTION AND HE LIKES MUSLIMS.

AND THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, WE FOUND OUT HE HAD 14 WEAPONS AT HIS HOME AND BELONGED TO A GROUP OF THREE PEOPLE THAT HAD BEEN SAYING THINGS ABOUT MUSLIMS, AND SO WE'LL WAIT OFF BUT I THINK EARLIER -- JUST BASICALLY WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER, APARTMENT TO BE A COPY-CAT.

OBVIOUSLY THIS INDIVIDUAL HAD MANY ISSUES AND SOME FORM OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SO -- AND THAT'S A CONCERN FOR US THAT WE WEREN'T REALLY THINKING ABOUT AT ALL.

>> Cathy: THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL FIRES.

DO YOU KNOW, ARE THE OTHER ONES CONNECTED AT ALL?

>> NOT REALLY, BUT WE WANT TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS POTENTIALLY INKITING AND WE'VE ASKED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THAT, IF SOMETHING'S ONLINE OR SOMETHING WE'RE NOT GAUGING.

IT'S A HORRIBLE TRENDS.

NINE LAST YEAR, THAT'S THE MOST IN THE COUNTRY.

SIXTH YEAR, AND THEY SPAN FROM THE URBAN COMMUNITIES AS FAR AS GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND THIS IS -- PUTS US IN A REALLY UNEASY SITUATION BUT OUR COMMUNITY IS EXTREMELY -- >> Cathy: I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

ARE THEY WORRIED ABOUT NOT GOING TO WORSHIP BECAUSE OF FEAR AT ALL OR -- >> OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY RESILIENT.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN TARGETED FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK THE STRENGTH OF THESE ATTACKS HAVE REALLY DEFINITELY SHAKEN UR COMMUNITIES AND THAT PUTS US IN A POSITION WE WANT TO DO MORE SECURITY.

>> Eric: St. PAUL MAYOR CARTER HAS PLEDGED SOME MONEY FOR SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.

IS THAT A POSITIVE STEP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN SOME CAMERAS AND THINGS, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS DO BASIC LEVEL AND WE'VE ASKED BOTH HOUSE SPEAKER, MAJORITY LEADER, BOTH OF THEM ABOUT SOME LAST-MINUTE FUNDING TO -- THAT CAN HELP US.

>> Eric: THE 7.5 MILLION.

>> 7.5 MILLION, JUST 150 HOUSE OF WORSHIP, CHURCHES, SYNAGOGUES THAT COULD AT LEAST USE THE BASIC LEVEL, WHICH THIS ZAWHID DIDN'T HAVE THEIR CAMERAS WORKING SO EACH THE BASIC AMOUNT OF SUPPORT THAT WE COULD GET.

>> Eric: ARE YOU FEELING THAT MINNESOTA IS UNFRIENDLY TO FOLKS OF YOUR RELIGION OR WHERE DO YOU PUT IT IN THE WHOLE KIND OF DYNAMICS OF THE STATE?

>> WELL, IT'S THE OPPOSITE.

MINNESOTA IS A VERY WELCOMING PLACE, MANY FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE WELCOMED US, MINNESOTA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, MANY MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A VERY IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND SADLY BUT THE ANTI-MUSLIM COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY CONTINUES TO TARGET MINNESOTA, SO THERE IS A LOT MORE CHATTER ABOUT OUR STATE THAT SOMETIMES WE'RE NOT PRIVY TO.

THAT WOULD BE ACCESSIBLE TO SOME PEOPLE ONLINE AND, THEREFORE, CREATE THESE KIND OF TENSIONS, SO -- AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE KNEW.

ELECTION OF CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR, SHE GETS DEATH THREATS ALL THE TIME.

THE MAN WHO'S BEEN ARRESTED FORTH OTHER TWO MOSQUES, HE WAS TARGETING HER OFFICE MULTIPLE TIMES, SENDING HER EMAILS SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE NOTICING THAT CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR AND THE TASH GETTING OF HER NATIONALLY ALSO BRINGS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE.

>> Cathy: SO I'M WONDERING HERE, YOU MENTIONED MONEY TO KIND OF BOLSTER SECURITY.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS A MOMENTS WHERE WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S MUCH MUCH WORSE NOW THAN THE FOUR YEARS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE RESPONSE AND REACTION HAND BEEN THE SAME.

LAST YEAR NINE MOSQUES AND MOST PEOPLE DIDN'T REALLY REACT.

WE NEED THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO REELS THAT WE ALL NEED TO TAKE CARE OF REALLY WAKE UP AND REALIZE THAT ISLAMOPHOBIA IS HERE AND PEOPLE THEY WOULD TO STEP UP.

UNITED STATES SOLIDARITY EVENT ON SUNDAY.

>> >> WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER, WE CANNOT LET HATE WIN.

WE ALSO NEED TO SLOW SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER AND THERE WILL BE AN OUTDOOR EVENT OUTSIDE THE MOSQUE AND WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND BE SUPPORTIVE.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> PAUL: YOUR EYES AND EARS ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU.

I HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF THE TELEPROMPTER AND RELEGATED CATHY AND ERIC TO QUIZ CONTESTANTS FOR THIS MONTH'S WEATHER SEGMENT, OUR NEARLY ANNUAL WEATHER QUIZ.

THEY ARE FULLY EQUIPPED WITH HI-TECH BUZZER SYSTEMS AND ARE POISED TO BATTLE OVER A SERIES OF SEVERE WEATHER QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO GET US ALL READY FOR SEVERE WEATHER SEASON.

WE START OF JUMPED OVER SEVERE WEATHER SEASON, NOW WE'RE IN SMOKE SEASON, BUT IN JUNE WE'LL SEE A FEW OUTBREAKS.

WAIT FOR IT.

BUT FIRST, A FEW RULES BEFORE WE GET STARTED.

I ASK THE QUESTIONS AND TRY TO STUMP THE CONTESTANTS.

WHICH ISN'T HARD.

[Laughter] QUESTIONS ARE MULTIPLE CHOICE AND MORE THAN ONE ANSWER CAN BE CORRECT.

YOU CAN PLAY ALONG AT HOME AND YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A BUZZER.

FOR THE TWO OF YOU HERE IN THE STUDIO, IF YOU BUZZ IN TOO SOON... [BUZZER SOUND] >> YOU MAY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT ON YOURSELF.

LET'S TRY THOSE BUZZERS OUT WITH A QUICK TEST QUESTION BEFORE WE GET DOWN TO THE REAL COMPETITION.

>> HURRY UP, DOUGLAS, I'M DOUBLE-PARKED.

>> HE DOESN'T EVEN DRIVE.

>> Eric: OH.

TRUE OR FALSE, TODAY IS THE LAST FRIDAY OF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> CATHY?

>> MAYBE.

>> Eric: TIME WILL TELL.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT, SIR, I'LL GIVE THAT TO YA.

ALL RIGHT, ARE YOU READY?

>> Cathy: YES.

>> Eric: I'M O FOR THE 12st SCENTS REIN THIS CONTEST.

>> CATHY AS REALLY SWEPT AT WARDS.

>> SHE'S THE WEATHER SUPER GENIUS.

>> Cathy: I LEARNED FROM MAUL DOUGLAS.

>> MY KIND OF WOMAN.

GONK SOUND] >> BUZZER SOUNDS] >> HERE WE GO.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE, WHAT HAIL SIZE IS CONSIDERED SEVERE BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, PEA SIZED, QUARTER-SIZED, GOLF-BALL SIZED -- >> Cathy: QUARTER.

>> Eric: WHAT THE?

>> ONE ---ONE INCH DIME MERE, ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE STRONG WINDS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGE.

ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.

AND YOU -- IT'S IT IS HONOR SYSTEM, KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY WINS YOU HAVE, ALL RIGHT?

>> Eric: QUESTION TWO.

>> QUESTION TWO.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE ABOUT TORNADOES?

I'M LOOKING FOR ONE SPECIFIC ANSWER, I'M HELPING YOU.

TORNADOES ARE BECOMING MORE NUMEROUS.

TORNADOES ARE BECOMING MORE INTENSE.

TORNADOES ARE -- CATHY.

>> CATHY: ACTUALLY, ALL OF THOSE ABOVE, I BELIEVE.

>> S WRONG.

>> Eric: INTENSE.

>> BOY, NEITHER OF YOU KNOW.

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT OR MORE INTENSE OR HITTING CITIES.

>> Cathy: REALLY.

>> THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE IN THE LAST 0 YEARS THAT TORNADO ALLEY IS SHIFTING SOUTH AND EAST.

>> Eric: QUESTION 3.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO OBODY GOT THAT.

WOW.

ALL RIGHT.

THE DEPTH OF RAPIDLY MOVING WATER CAPABLE OF FLOATING YOUR VEHICLE.

YOUR VEHICLE CAN FLOAT AWAY IF YOU TRY TO FYORD A FLOODED OUT ROAD.

HOW DEEP DOES THE WATER HAVE TO BE FOR YOUR ICK-UP TO BECOME A BOAT?

SIX INCHES, 12 INCHES, 24 INCHES?

CATHY.

>> SIX.

>> NO.

>> Eric: COULD YOU QUICKLY REPEAT THE ANSWERS?

>> SIX INCHES, 12 INCHES, 24 INCHES OR 36 INCHES.

>> Eric: 12.

>> IS WRONG.

24 INCHES.

>> Eric: COME ON.

>> TWO FEET.

>> THEY WOULD BE HYDRO PLAINING BY THEN.

>> TWO FEET OF RAPIDLY MOVING WATER CAN TURN YOUR SUV OR PICK-UP INTO A BOAT.

>> Eric: QUESTION FOUR.

>> GOOD GRIEF.

>> Cathy: HOW ARE WE DOING, NOT WELL?

>> WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> Cathy: IT'S SAD.

>> IT'S POSSIBLE TO DETECT LIGHTNING ON, A, MICROWAVE OVENS, B, AM RADIO, C, SOLAR-POWERED TOASTERS OR, D, NONE OF THE ABOVE.

>> OH, MAN, I DON'T KNOW, THAT WAS KIND OF A TIE.

>> Eric: AM RADIO.

>> I'M GOING TO GIVE THAT TO ERIC.

WAS KIND OF A TIE, YOU BOTH BUZZED IN- >> Eric: NOW MY BUZZER IS ALL MESSED UP.

>> Cathy: I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DONE.

LET'S GO.

>> LIGHTNING PROVIDES RIGHT I DON'T WAVES SPHERICS, STATIC THAT CAN BE HERDS ON THE AM RADIO, ESPECIALLY THE LEFT ENDS.

TORNADOES RESULTED IN THE LAUNCH OF WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES, 3M, CARGILL, BEST BUY, MAYO CLINIC?

>> MAYO CLINIC.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: YES, THAT'S TRUE.

>> THAT INJURE FINAL ANSWER, SIR?

>> Eric: MAYO CLINIC.

>> THERE MAY BE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER, SIR.

>> Eric: NOW YOU TELL ME.

>> THIS ONE IS SO MUCH BETTER IN REHEARSAL.

>> Cathy: IT REALLY DID.

FOR SURE MAYO CLINIC BUT I WOULD ALSO SAY -- >> BEST BUY, CARGILL, 3M.

>> CARGILL.

>> Cathy: I WOULD ACTUALLY SAY, UM -- I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 3M.

>> IS WRONG.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU HALF A POINT BECAUSE THE CORRECT ANSWERS ARE BEST BUY AND MAYO CLINIC.

THEIR CREATION STORY INVOLVES A TORNADO.

>> Cathy: REALLY.

>> CHECK THIS OUT.

AFTER THE 1981 HAR MAR TORNADO, THE SOUND OF MUSIC IN ROSEVILLE, WHICH WAS DAMAGED HAD A TORNADO SALE WHERE SHOPPERS COULD COME IN AND GET A BEST BUY, AND THEY TOUCHED THE MERCHANDISE.

AND DICK SCHULTZ CHANGED THE BUSINESS MODEL BASED ON HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT WAS.

>> Cathy: THAT IS GREAT.

>> AND THAT LED TO BEST BUY.

>> Eric: MOVING ON.

>> MAYO CLINIC, 1883, AN F-5 HALF A MILE WIDE HIT ROCHESTER.

THE MAYO BROTHERS, DOCTORS, SURGEONS, THEY TREATED PATIENTS IN A DANCE HALL AND THEY TEAMED UP WITH THE SIGNIFICANCE TIERS OF St. FRANCIS TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL.

IT COST $40,000 AND THEY GOT IT DONE, AND THE AGREEMENT WAS THAT, HEY, THE MAYO BROTHERS, YOU GUYS PICK HE STAFF AND WE'LL CALL IT THE MAYO CLINIC.

>> Cathy: REALLY.

>> NUMBER 6.

TORNADOES ARE LEASE LIKELY IN THE MINNESOTA ARROW HEAD, RED RIVER VALLEY, BRAINERD LAKES OR TWIN CITIES METRO.

LEAST LIKELY.

CATHY.

>> Cathy: NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

>> IS CORRECT.

THE ANSWER IS A COOL WINDS OFF LAKE SUPERIOR INTERENGINEER WITH SUPER CELL FORMATION.

>> Eric: I DON'T HAVE A BUZZER ANYMORE.

>> Cathy: JUST MAKE THE SOUNDS.

>> IT'S JUST VERY SAD.

AND THE LAST QUESTION, THANK YOU, GOD.

>> Cathy: YES, YES.

>> HEAT LIGHTNING IS TRIGGERED BY, A, STRONG SUMMER WARM FRONTS, B, DISTANT THUNDERSTORMS, C, SUPER CELLS, OR, , INTENSE WILD FIRES.

ERIC BLERG.

E, HEAT, HEAT LIGHTNING.

>> Cathy: WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

COULD YOU PLEASE DO IT ONE MORE IME?

>> HEAT LIGHTNING IS DRUG GEARED BY STRONG WARM FRONTS, DISEASE STAND THUNDERSTORMS, SUPER CELLS OR INTENSE WILD FIRES.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT DID YOU ANSWER?

>> HEAT.

HEAT LIGHTNING.

>> TAKE ME NOW, JUST TAKE ME NOW.

>> Cathy: IT WOULD BE DISTANT THUNDERSTORMS IS WHAT I WOULD SAY.

>> YES.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AT HEAT LITNING.

HEAT DOES NOT TRIGGER LIGHTNING, THUNDERSTORMS DO AND AT NIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE FLICKERING LIGHTING FROM STORMS 2300, 300 MILES AWAY, WAY TOO FAR AWAY TO HEAR THE THUNDER.

IT'S JUST A DISTANT THUNDERSTORM.

>> I WOULD DO BETTER ON AN ESSAY TEST.

[Laughter] THANKS, PAUL DOUGLAS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

ITS BINE GREAT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> SHELETTA: THIS WEEK I BEEN WORRYING ABOUT THE ROBOT THAT IS ABOUT TO TAKE MY JOB.

Y'ALL HEARD ABOUT THIS CHAT GPT, RIGHT?

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THEY SAY IT CAN GO ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND ROUND UP EVERY FACT AND SPIT IT OUT BETTER THAN ANY HUMAN.

AND IT'S CHEAPER TOO.

AND PROBABLY WITH FEWER TEMPER TANTRUMS.

HONEY, CHAT GPT TOOK THE BAR EXAM AND PASSED, SO NOW IT CAN REPLACE YOUR LAWYER.

CHAT GPT TOOK THE MEDICAL BOARDS AND PASSED, SO NOW IT CAN REPLACE YOUR DOCTOR.

HOW DOES A COMMENTATOR SUCH AS MYSELF HOPE TO COMPETE IN THIS BRAVE NEW WORLD?

I JUST WON AN AWARD TODAY.

WELL, I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN REPLACE ME.

I ASKED CHAT GPT TO WRITE ME A ONE-MINUTE FRIDAY NIGHT MONOLOGUE AS THE SESSION WRAPS UP.

I STARTED WITH, TELL ME SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT CATHY WURZER.

ROBOT SAYS, CATHY WURZER HAS A "Z" IN HER NAME.

I SAID, THAT ALL YOU GOT?

OKAY, YOU BIG FAT CHAT GPT, I TYPE IN, I NEED SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC.

ROBOT SAYS, THEY HAVE Z'S IN THEIR NAME AND SHE HAS TWO OF 'EM.

HA-HA.

THIS LITTLE EXERCISE CALMED MY NERVES QUITE A BIT.

LOOKS LIKE "I" STILL HAS JOB SECURITY, AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING.

SO I'LL STILL THROW TANTRUMS AROUND THE TPT STUDIO.

BUT YOU DOCTORS AND LAWYERS "OUT THERE" BETTER, Y'ALL BETTER BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, I BELIEVE IN OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM AND I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE ABILITIES TO ACTUALLY DO WORK FOR PEOPLE FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> HOW ABOUT THE POWERHOUSE FEMALE CAUCUS, THE GENDER DIVERSITY, THE RACIAL DIVERSITY, SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED THE CULTURE THERE JUST INSTANTLY ALMOST.

IS HAT FAIR?

>> I THINK SO.

WE'VE GOT SOME REALLY INCREDIBLE WOMEN LEADERS IN OUR CAUCUS, AND IT HAS CHANGED IT, EVERYTHING FROM THERE VERY FIRST DAY WE HAD SESSION, TALKING ABOUT RULES AND WHETHER OR NOT WE WERE GOING TO DO REMOTE VOTING AND WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD HAVE WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

>> OF ALL THINGS.

>> THAT WAS OUR VERY FIRST BIPARTISAN EFFORT.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR, ESPECIALLY, YOUNG GIRLS COME UP TO SEE THIS ARRAY OF FOLKS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS THAT LOOK LIKE THEM.

♪♪ >> ERIC: AS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING FOR MUCH OF THE HOUR, LAWMAKERS HAVE LESS THAN 77 HOURS BEFORE THEY HAVE TO ADJOURN THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

EARLIER PROCLAMATIONS BY LEADERS THAT THEY WOULD BE ENDING EARLY THIS YEAR HAVE LONG DISAPPEARED AND NOW IT WILL BE THE USUAL RACE TO THE FINISH.

HERE TO HELP US ASSESS THESE FINAL HOURS, A GROUP OF ESTEEMED POLITICAL ANALYSTS, ALL OF WHOM KNOW END OF SESSION ACTIVITIES WELL.

DFLERS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER SENATE LEADER WHO REMEMBERS THOSE LATE NIGHTS AND LONG HOURS WELL.

WINTANA MELEKIN IS BACK, SHE'S A DFL ACTIVIST WHO HAS SPENT MANY HOURS UP AT THE CAPITOL THIS SESSION.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT, FORMER SENATE LEADER MICHELLE BENSON WHO MAY OR MAY NOT MISS THOSE LATE NIGHTS IN MAY.

GREGG PEPPIN IS HERE, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A CONSULTANT.

SENATOR BENSON, IF YOU WERE STRATEGIZING FOR HE 2024 LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN AS A REPUBLICAN, WHERE WOULD YOU SAY HE DEMOCRATS WOULD BE MOST VULNERABLE?

>> I WOULD START TALKING ABOUT THE SIZE ND SCOPE OF GOVERNMENT.

NOT IN THOSE TERMS, OBVIOUSLY, BUT GOVERNMENT HAS GOTTEN UNBELIEVABLY BIG IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S TAKING MORE FROM MINNESOTANS, OUR GDP IS GOING TO SLOW DOWN, OUR EMPLOYMENT IS GOING TO SLOW DOWN.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE RESOURCES LEAVING THIS STATE BECAUSE OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON HERE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE CASE FOR TWO MORE YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE STATE HOUSE?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW, I'VE HEARD MICHELLE SAY THAT A LOT AND IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN SO I THINK THAT WHERE THERE WERE UNMET AND PENT-UP NEEDS, THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE LEGISLATURE HAVE ADDRESSED, EVERYTHING FROM POLICY ISSUES ALONG WITH THINGS THAT ACTUALLY MICHELLE APARTMENT I WORKED ON WHICH IS LIKE IN HUMAN SERVICE WORLD, A SYSTEM UPGRADES AND MOD DERNIZATION, THAT COSTS MONEY AND THEY HAVE THE MONEY IN WHICH TO DO THAT.

SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING AND I THINK THAT THE JOB NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE GOOD.

I'M NOT AN ECONOMIST SO I CAN'T TELL YOU ABOUT GDP BUT I THINK THINGS ARE WORKING WELL.

>> MINNESOTA'S GDP HAS BEEN LAGGING FOR OVER A DECADE AND THIS ISN'T GOING TO FIX IT.

>> I WOULD TALK ABOUT THE FRIDAY IF HE CAN TAKE BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS, THE SPEAKER AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE BEEN BRAGGING ABOUT THE TRIFECTA, AND I WOULD TALK ABOUT THE TRIFECTA OF PAIN THAT'S BEEN INFLICTED UPON MINNESOTANS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, INCLUDING HUGE TAX INCREASES IN SPITE OF A HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS.

TURNING THEIR BACK ON SENIORS, HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES, AND FAILURE TO REFORM GOVERNMENT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, AS SENATOR SAID, A HUGE, HUGE GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT.

>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY IT'S THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE POLICIES THAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN BEGGING FOR DURING THIS GRIDLOCK AND DURING REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

WE'RE TALKING, YOU KNOW, YOU HEAR THE RHETORIC OF WE'RE AGAINST NURSING HOMES BUT, YET, WE'RE WORKING ON PACKAGES FOR NURSING.

WE SAY THAT WE'RE AGAINST HOSPITALS BUT WE'RE FUNDING HEALTH CARE AND SO, REALLY, I THINK WHAT FOLKS ARE TRYING TO SAY IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T GIVE A BUNCH OF CARVE-OUTS TO MAJOR CORPORATIONS BUT THEY ACTUALLY STOOD UP FOR THE MINNESOTANS, THE EVERYDAY WORKING FOLKS THAT MAKE THE ECONOMY RUN AND I THINK THESE ISSUES ARE REALLY, REALLY POPULAR.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, YOU'VE HEARD THE WORDS TRANSFORMATIONEABLE AND HISTORIC A LOT DURING THIS SESSION BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT BE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES FROM SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED, THAT WE MIGHT SEE IN THE MONTHS TO COME?

>> I THINK THAT THE AMOUNT -- WITH HE GROWTH OF 40% GROWTH IN THE STATE BUDGET.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST -- NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE SO YOU'VE GOT THIS HUGE BASE OF SPENDING THAT'S GOING TO BE THERE AND THAT IF THE ECONOMY DOES TAKE A DOWNTURN, WHICH MANY ECONOMISTS ARE SUSPECTING IT MIGHT IN THE SECOND HALF OF YEAR, OR THE THIRD QUARTER, HOW ARE WE GOING TO SUSTAIN THIS GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE HUGE TAX INCREASES NOW, IT WILL HAVE TO BE EVEN LARGER GOING FORWARD IF WE WANT TO SUSTAIN THESE HUGELY INCREASED LEVELS OF SPENDING.

>> Eric: SENATOR HAYDEN.

>> Cathy: I ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, NO LEGISLATION IS PERFECT, RIGHT, YOU PASS SOMETHING ND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE ARE SOMETIMES UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> YEAH, I MEAN I THINK THAT SOME WORRY THAT BECAUSE OF THE PENT-UP DEMAND AND A LOT OF THINGS THEY HAVE TO GET THROUGH THAT WE'LL SPENDS NEXT YEAR SPEND SOME TIME MAKING SURE THE THINGS WE DID ARE GOING TO WORK.

I STILL DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WRONG THING TO DO, I JUST THINK IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO WORK THOSE THINGS OUT.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT A POLICY YEAR IS -- THEY'RE GOING TO GET THEIR BUDGET DONE, BY THE WAY, IF WE CAN GET THAT G.O.

BILL DONE THAT THE LEADER SAID WE MIGHT -- >> Eric: THE BONDING BILL WITH BONDS.

>> WITH THE CASH, T FREES UP A LOCALITIES OF MONEY TO DO THE NURSING HOME WORK.

SO I THINK LEADER JOHNSON KNOWS THAT AND I'LL WORK ON THAT.

BUT BACK TO YOUR QUESTION, I THINK, YEAH, THERE ALWAYS ARE A WAY IN WHICH WE COME BACKS NEXT YEAR AND WE FIGURE OUT WHAT DID OR DIDN'T WORK AND WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THAT.

>> NONE OF THE FIXES EVER GET LESS EXPENSIVE SO MNsure, WE WARNED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK.

$400 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING.

AND THEY LEFT THE TAX AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL YOU'RE ALLOWED UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

THE FIXES NEVER GET LESS EXPENSIVE.

WE ARE LIKELY GOING TO HAVE A RECESSION.

WE ARE GOING TO FACE HEADWINDS IN MINNESOTA THAT NO OTHER STATE HAS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING FURTHER LEFT THAN ANYBODY BUT CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK, I WOULD SAY.

WE LOOK AT WHAT ILLINOIS IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, THE DEFICIT THAT THEY'RE FACING BECAUSE OF POLICY DECISIONS THEY MADE LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO, NONE OF THIS IS GOING TO GET LESS EXPENSIVE AND IF THE ECONOMY SLOWS DOWN, WHICH EVERYBODY EXPECTS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH DEFICITS AND SO INSTEAD OF FUNDING NURSING HOMES OUT AFTER A $19 BILLION SURPLUS, THEY'RE HOLDING HEM HOSTAGE FOR A BONDING BILL.

>> I WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO RESPONDS TO THAT.

YOU'RE HEARING THIS RHETORIC THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO FALL APART BUT THIS REVENUE THAT WE'RE GETTING IS FROM A TAX BILL SETS IN THE DAYTON ADMINISTRATION.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS REVENUE UNLESS WE RESTRUCTURED OUR TAX SYSTEM SO THIS COMES FROM TAXES, THIS COMES FROM FOLKS COLLECTIVELY TACK CARE OF EACH OTHER AND THIS IDEA THAT WE'VE DESIGNED A SYSTEM THAT'S SET TO FAIL, WE'RE LITERALLY LOOKING AT IT SUCCEED.

>> ACTUALLY- >> LET ME FINISH.

ONE THING I ALSO WANT TO ADD IS WE'RE ALWAYS SAYING NURSING HOMES, NURSING HOMES, THERE'S $17 BILLION SPENT IN GREAT PROJECTS THAT WILL HAVE MASSIVE BENEFIT.

>> SO I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DIDN'T GET DONE, LUCKILY WE HAVE ANOTHER YEAR TO DO THAT AND WE'LL LIKELY WIN BACK TWO WHO ARE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE AND I WANT TO PUSH BACK ON THE IDEA THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING BECAUSE WE HAD SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE STILL WORKING ON.

>> MOST OF THE SURPLUS MONEY IS ONE-TIME CARRY-FORWARD.

THERE AS A LOT OF COVID MONEY THAT PUSHED INTO OUR ECONOMY.

WE'RE SEEING INFLATION WHICH IS GOING TO UMP UP TAX REF NEWS.

THIS IS NOT PERMANENT.

AND ON TOP OF IT, THEY'RE PUTTING IN TAB FEES, PUTTING IN GAS TAXES, WHICH ARE GOING TO HURT THOSE PEOPLE AT THE MID AND BOTTOM OF OUR ECONOMY, $260 REBATE CHECKS I SAW CAPPED AT $150,000 HOUSEHOLD, THAT'S A COP AND A SOCIAL WORKER, GETS 260 BACK BUT THEY GET GAS TAXES FOR THEIR COMMUTE.

>> Eric: I WANT TO GO BACK TO MARK DAYTON.

YOU WANTS TO PARTY WITH ME BECAUSE I READ GOVERNOR DAYTON'S STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS, BACK FROM 2013, WHEN THE TRIUMPH VEER IT WAS ON HIS SIDE.

WERE YOU THERE?

>> I LISTENED, I DIDN'T READS IT BUT I LISTENED.

>> Eric: YOU BOTH WERE THERE AND IF YOU LISTENED TO THAT SPEECH, THERE'S NOT ONE COMMENT ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE, NOTHING ABOUT DIVERSITY, NOTHING ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT GAPS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ALL OF THAT STUFF.

NOT THERE, IT WAS A RUDY PERPICH, JOBS, JOBS, JOBS SPEECH.

AND I THINK THE DEMOCRATS IN 2013 WANTED TO GO SLOW AND BE MODERATE TO KEEP CONTROL.

BUT THIS GROUP IS DOING DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD.

ISN'T THERE A LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN PHILOSOPHY FROM THE LAST TIME TEN YEARS AGO?

>> A DIFFERENT GROUP THERE.

SO THERE ISN'T SOME OF THOSE MORE ROD RATE DEMOCRATS, THERE IS A DIFFERENT GROUP THERE BUT THIS GROUP LEARNED FROM THE LAST GROUP AND I WAS THIS LEADERSHIP AT THE TIME AND THEY LEARNED LET'S GO SLOW, TRY TO MANAGE THE CAMPAIGNS AND THEY LOST, AND THEY LOST THE NEXT ELECTION, AND THEN IT WAS GRIDLOCK.

AND THEN IT TOOK US TEN YEARS TO GET GO BACK.

SO THIS GROUP IS DIFFER, IT'S MORE DIVERSE.

I SHARED WITH YOU GUYS EARLIER TODAY THAT THAT WAS THE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT EQUITY AND DIRECT PPROPRIATION IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WERE LAGGING BEHIND.

WE KIND OF STARTED THAT CYCLE.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE RAN BECAUSE OF THAT AND IT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT GROUP THERE THAT UNDERSTANDS THAT IF OU WAIT, THAT IF YOU WAIT, YOU MAY NOT GET THE CHANCE TO DO IT.

>> Eric: IS THE FAST PACE GOOD POLITICS?

>> IT IS FOR THE DFL AND THEIR CONSTITUENT CITY GROUPS BUT IT'S NOT FOR MINNESOTA.

THERE ARE SO MAJOR TAXES, SALES TAX, GAS TAX, MOTOR VEHICLE, UBEER TAXES, FAMILY LEAVE TAX AND OTHERS.

IN SPEATS OF A $19.5 BILLION SURPLUS.

IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO RAISE TAXES BY SOME ESTIMATES $9 BILLION WHEN YOU HAVE $17.5BILLION -- >> I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING JEFF JUST SAID ABOUT THE RISE IN DIVERSITY.

IT'S NOT JUST A RISE IN DIVERSITY, IT'S A RISE OF A REFLECTIVE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE.

THE STATE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE CHANGING.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING ARE CHANGING.

THEIR WANTS AND NEEDS ARE CHANGING AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEK AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

AND LET'S TALK ABOUT TAXES.

I'M NOT HERE TO SAY TAXES ARE INHERENTLY BAD AND EVIL AND GIVE IT THIS TERRIBLE NAME.

THEY'RE WHAT MAKE OUR STATES RUN AND THEY ARE ESSENTIAL AND DEMOCRATS HAVE PUT TOGETHER GOOD TAXES THAT MAKE SENSE.

AND ONE THING I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND ADD IS THAT NOT ALL OF THESE HAVE PASSED, THEY'RE STILL NEGOTIATING IT, THEY STILL HAVE NEXT YEAR, IF NEEDS BE, AND ALSO ONE LAST THING IS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT FAMILY LEAVE, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GAS TAX TO PAY FOR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WHAT IS THE STRATEGY OF HOW WE'RE GOING O PAY FOR THIS LONG TERM IF WE'RE SAYING, OH, THIS IS ONE-TIME FUNDING, WHAT'S THE STRATEGY FOR FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

>> THERE IS A $19 BILLION SURPLUS.

GOVERNMENT IS GROWING FASTER THAN EVEN THE PROJECTION.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE TALES ON THIS BUDGET.

AND SEE HOW THEY BALANCE IN THE TAILS.

I THINK THAT'S WHY YOUR TAX BILL'S NOT CLOSED UP, IT IS HHH BILLING IS NOT CLOSED UP AND LET'S GO BACK TO 2013 WONG SECONDS.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE PROMISES OF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE COUNTY PROGRAM AID AND LGA, WE'RE GOING DO ALL THESE THINGS TO LOWER TAXES, LOWER PROPERTY TAXES FOR MINNESOTANS?

THAT WAS THE SALE THAT WAS GOING ON IN 2013.

HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE GOT LOWER PROPERTY TAXES?

I JUST I JUST WANT TO ASK AND -- IS THAT DURABLE REDUCTION?

>> BOUGHT HOW MANY PEOPLE'S PROPERTY VALUE GREW?

THAT'S A FALSE NARRATIVE, MICHELLE.

>> THE POINT S YOU CAN'T SAY WE'RE DOING ALL THIS TO LOWER PROPERTY TAX, WE'RE DOING ALL THIS TO REDUCE PROPERTY AND NEVER GO BACK AND HAVE TO DELIVER.

>> BUT IN THE VALUE OF YOUR HOUSE GOES UP, THE PROPERTY TAX GOES UP.

>> AMOUNT LEVIES GO UP.

DID St. PAUL INCREASE THEIR LEVY?

DID MINNEAPOLIS INCREASE THEIR TAXES?

DID HENNEPIN COUNTY -- >> Eric: SEE, THIS IS UNFAIR, BECAUSE YOU TWO HAVE PRACTICED THIS ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

[Laughter] GUNS, DIMINISHING AS A TWICE -- DIVISIVE ISSUE.

>> CERTAINLY THE DEMOCRATS GOT THAT THEIR WAY THIS YEAR, I THINK ITS WILL ALWAYS BE AN ISSUE.

>> Cathy: I'M ASSUMING THEY'LL FINISH ON TIME ON MONDAY.

>> YEAH, THEY'LL INISH ON TIME AND I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE LEADERS, THEY DID FANTASTIC, ESPECIALLY MY GOOD FRIENDS.

IT WAS GOOD TO SEIZE KARI DZIEDZIC.

>> A LITTLE BIT OF WARNING, THE -- I SLEPT IN THE ROOM THE LAST TIME SO HHS IS STILL OPEN.

>> THEY'LL GETS IT OFF.

>> YOU WERE NOT SLEEPING IN ROOM 237.

>> I KNOW WE'RE WRAPPING UP, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE A MOMENT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT GUNS AND WHETHER THEY'RE CONTROVERSIAL.

FOLKS ARE DYING, THE GUN BILLS WE PASS ARE AMAZING AND WILDLY POPULAR.

>> ERIC: WITH ALL THE POLITICS TO COVER THIS WEEK, WE'VE RUN LONG SO WE'LL HAVE OUR INDEX FILE SECTION FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME QUICK HOUSEKEEPING AND A BIT OF SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC.

DON'T FORGET YOU CAN WATCH LEGISLATIVE ACTION ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL AS THEY WRAP UP THEIR WORK BETWEEN NOW AND MONDAY.

THAT'S THE SAME CHANNEL WHERE YOU'LL FIND THIS YEAR'S FINAL EPISODE OF "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

TUNE IN WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS MARY LOOKS BACK AT THIS YEAR'S SESSION WITH A COUPLE OF FORMER LAWMAKERS.

ARE YOU ENJOYING OUR COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR?

HEAD TO TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT OUR ANNUAL "ALMANAC" SURVEY.

OKAY, TIME FOR THAT SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC I PROMISED YOU 45 SECONDS AGO.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 2009 THAT TRUMPETER CHUCK LAZARUS AND FRIENDS PERFORMED HERE IN STUDIO B.

TAKE A LISTEN AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪♪ ♪♪ 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.

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

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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