>> ERIC: IT'S A BUSY POLITICAL WEEK HERE IN MINNESOTA, AND WE'LL SPEND A GOOD CHUNK OF THE NEXT HOUR TALKING POLITICS.

MIKE OSTERHOLM IS HERE WITH AN UPDATE ON BIRD FLU AND COVID.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

AND MARY LAHAMMER MEETS THE DESIGNER OF THE NEW STATE FLAG.

>> Cathy: THAT'S A LOT.

WE START TONIGHT WITH ONE OF "ALMANAC'S" TIME-HONORED TRADITIONS DATING BACK DECADES.

IT'S THE FINAL FRIDAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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

THEY ONLY HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT SUNDAY TO PASS BILLS SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN IS THE DFL HOUSE SPEAKER.

SENATOR ERIN MURPHY IS THE DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

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

MADAM SPEAKER, OUR GOP COLLEAGUES WANTED TO TRADE BONDING BILL VOTES FOR AN AGREEMENT TO NOT BRING UP THE STATE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

YOU'VE DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH DEBATE TODAY.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT STRATEGY.

>> WELL, ITCHING THE BONDING BILL -- I THINK THE BONDING BILL HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SELF-CONTAINED DEAL.

WHEN THE FOUR LEADERS NEGOTIATE THE BONDING BILL, IT IS TYPICALLY, YOU KNOW, I NEED PROJECTS IN MY AREA OR FOR MY MEMBERS, YOU NEED SOME FOR YOURS, WE HAVE TO HAVE STATEWIDE BALANCE AND PARTISAN BALANCE.

AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE BONDING BILL IS LIKE THAT.

THERE'S SOMETHING, WHEN YOU GET TO THE EDGE OF TRADING YOUR VOTES FOR OTHER THINGS, TO ME, THAT BORDERS ON NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DEALS.

>> Cathy: BUT THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.

WE SHOULD SAY THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOMGD BILL, THOUGH.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE COPIES OF THE LAST FEW AGREEMENTS, AND HAVE BEEN PART OF THE LAST FEW AGREEMENTS AND THEY'VE ALL BEEN SELF-CONTAINED BONDING DEALS.

>> Cathy: LEADER DEMUTH, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT WITH YOUR REQUEST?

>> SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BONDING BILL, IT'S IMPORTANT WORK THAT IS DONE ACROSS THE STATE.

AND WE KNOW THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE ALSO PASSED A RECORD BONDING BILL LAST YEAR.

AND, SO, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

THERE'S ALWAYS A LIST.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, THE THINGS SUCH AS THE E.R.A.

NOT BEING BROUGHT UP IN ITS CURRENT FORM WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

WAS THAT THE ONLY CONDITION?

NO, IT WASN'T THE ONLY CONDITION.

BUT IT NEEDED TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: WHERE IS THE SENATE ON THE E.R.A., MADAM LEADER, DO YOU KNOW YET IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES?

>> SO, I AM REALLY GLAD THAT THE HOUSE IS TAKING IT UP.

I THINK IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT MEASURE FOR US TO CONSIDER.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S BASIC FREEDOMS.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THE HOUSE DOES.

I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS.

AND WHEN WE GET IT, AND I EXPECT THAT WE'LL GET IT SOON, WE'LL CAUCUS IT AND WE WILL DETERMINE IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH IT.

WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NEW LANGUAGE THAT IS COMING OUR WAY.

I CONSIDER IT A MODERN VERSION OF AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT AS WELL.

EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN MINNESOTA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED EQUAL AND FREE.

>> Eric: DO YOU SEE ANY MISSION CREEP IN THE NEW VERSION OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT?

>> YEAH, AND WHAT YOU'RE CEILING IS REALLY A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING THERE WITH THE NEW E.R.A.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

IT PUTS IN JEOPARDY A LOT OF OUR RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THERE AS WELL.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR, REGARDING LIFE ISSUES, IT TAKES THAT ANOTHER STEP FURTHER AND PUTS IT INTO OUR CONSTITUTION IN A WAY THAT'S GOING TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE.

AS SOCIETY AND THE NORMS OF SOCIETY CHANGE.

>> THERE IS PROTECTION IN THE CONSTITUTION FOR RELIGIOUS EXERCISE, IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE ONE OF THE STRONGEST SECTIONS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY OF ANY STATE CONSTITUTION, PROTECTING PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION.

SO IT'S ALREADY IN, ARTICLE I, SECTION 16, IT'S PRETTY LONG.

IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE REPEATED LATER IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING EQUAL RIGHTS.

>> Cathy: I'M WON CARRYING -- WONDERING, I NOTICE THAT AGE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS.

SO IS IT OKAY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST OLDER PEOPLE UNDER THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHY THAT PARTICULAR LANGUAGE WAS TAKEN OUT.

I KNOW UNDER THE STATE AND FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS ACTS, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS FOR AGE WHEN IT'S RELATED TO A BONA FIDE OCCUPATIONAL QUALIFICATION.

CERTAINLY WE HAVE, WITH PILOTS, AND WE HAVE WITH JUDGES, WE HAVE AGE LIMITS, SO, IT COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

>> NO, THAT'S FINE.

THAT WAS ONE OF OUR CONCERNS, WHEN RELIGION WAS LEFT OUT, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE HEARD IT WAS ALREADY INCLUDED, THEN OUR QUESTION, WHAT WE BROUGHT UP WAS, JUST MAKE SURE IT'S INCLUDED.

IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM TO PUT THAT IN, WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED.

AGE WAS ANOTHER THING THAT WAS LEFT OUT.

WHEN WE KNEW BEFORE WE CAME BACK INTO SESSION, THE PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP IN A HEARING HEARING, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT BOTH ENDS OF LIFE, THE EARLY PART OF OUR LIFE, THE END OF LIFE, WHEN THE NURSING HOMES ARE STRUGGLING WITH FUNDING, THERE WAS A PUSH TO TRITE GET A LITTLE BIT OF -- TRY TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF FUNDING LAST SESSION.

WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN MINNESOTA IS BEING DISRESPECTED.

>> Eric: I'M REALLY CURIOUS HOW THE SENATE DYNAMICS CHANGED AFTER SENATOR MITCHELL WAS ARRESTED AND HAD ALLEGEDLY BUR BLERRED HER STEPMOTHER'S HOUSE IN DETROIT LAKES.

HOW DID YOU FEEL THE SENATE CHANGED OR DID IT?

>> IN THE SENATE, STARTED WITH THE STEPPING DOWN OF LEADER DZIEDZIC.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING THE MATTER WITH SENATOR MITCHELL.

IT'S A SERIOUS MATTER.

WE'RE TAKING IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

51% OF THOSE POLLED BELIEVE HAD SHE SHOULD HAVE DUE PROCESS AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR.

AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> WE COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, TOO.

I MEAN, THE DUE PROCESS, IT'S A DIFFERENT STANDARD THAN THE LEGAL JUDICIAL PROCESS AS WELL, RIGHT?

THERE'S THAT CASE GOING ON.

BUT WE HAVE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR INSTITUTION TO WORRY ABOUT AS WELL.

AND, SO, WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THE ETHICS HEARING, WITHIN OUR INSTITUTION, YOU'VE ALSO SEEN US BRING UP SEVERAL IMES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMOCRATS TO REALLY HOLD HER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS THAT SHE TOOK.

FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT'S BEEN N ISSUE WITHIN THE SENATE CHAMBER.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE MINNESOTANS FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHO'S VOTING FOR THEM ON THAT SENATE FLOOR.

>> Eric: WERE RELATIONS ALREADY SOUR OR DID THIS MORE SOUR -- SOUR THEM MORE?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK RELATIONS ARE OUR.

BUT WE'VE SPENT AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME, SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES ARE TRYING TO BE JUDGE AND JURY.

THE SENATE AS AN INSTITUTION HAS NEVER, NOT ONCE EVER, WHEN THERE'S BEEN A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT GONE AHEAD OF THE ADJUDICATION OF THAT CRIMINAL COMPLAINT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST A MEMBER AND WE SHOULDN'T START THAT NOW.

WE SHOULDN'T BREAK THAT PRECEDENT.

AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

WHEN SENATOR MITCHELL -- WHILE SENATOR MITCHELL REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE AND GETS HER DUE PROCESS.

>> Eric: JUST ONE MORE FOR SENATOR JOHNSON.

I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT APPARENTLY ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS THREW THE RULE BOOKLET AT THE DFL SENATE PRESIDENT.

I MOON -- I MEAN, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE SENATE?

>> I WOULD SAY HE PRESENTED IT -- >> Eric: FORCEFULLY.

>> IN WAY THAT MADE SURE HE GOT THE ATTENTION OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT.

WHERE YOU SEE, OU KNOW, THESE RULINGS FOR THE SENATE PRESIDENT, DEPENDING ON WHICH PARTY IT IS, YOU SEE THE RULINGS GO EITHER WAY.

IN AN INCONSISTENT MANNER.

>> I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, IT SOUNDS PERHAPS A LITTLE JUVENILE.

BUT WE HAVE HIGH STANDARDS OF DECORUM FOR A REASON IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

IT IS SO THAT WE CAN CONDUCT OUR WORK EVEN WHEN THINGS ARE HEATED.

AND THAT'S AN EXAMPLE, I THINK, WHEN WE HAVE EXCEEDED THE DECORUM OF THE SENATE.

>> SO NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE INSTITUTION.

WITH THE RULE BOOK, BUT WHEN WE HAVE SOMEBODY SITTING ON THE FLOOR THAT HAS A FIRST-DEGREE FELONY, IT'S FUNNY HOW THE STANDARDS BEGIN TO CHANGE BACK AND FORTH AGAIN.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT UP THE RULE BOOK THROWING, YOU KNOW, THINGS STARTED OUT SO WELL AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

THE S.R.O.

BILL WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

THINGS SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GOING PRETTY WELL.

IT'S KIND OF DEINVOLVED A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK OF THAT?

DEVOLVED.

>> WHEN ONE OF THE THINGS I'LL ADD, SPEAKING AS A HOUSE MEMBER, SO THE SENATE IS ITS OWN BODY, BUT KNOWING THAT THERE'S SUCH A SLIM MAJORITY, TO HAVE ONE PERSON BE THAT DECIDING VOTE, I THINK PUTS A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC ON THE ACTIONS OF SENATOR MITCHELL.

IF THERE HAD BEEN A LARGER MAJORITY, AND THESE THINGS WERE COMING UP, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN, TO THE POINT OF THE INTENSITY OF IT.

ANYBODY THAT IS PASSING LAWS NEED TO FOLLOW THEM, THAT'S THE CONCERN.

>> Eric: I'VE HEARD FROM BOTH OF YOU THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

AND YET THE OTHER NIGHT, PARENTAL FAMILY LEAVE, I WON'T SAY YOU ACTED UNILATERAL BUT KIND OF TO END EIGHT HOURS OF DEBATE AND SEND EVERYBODY HOME.

>> WELL, WE HAD EIGHT HOURS OF DEBATE ON MONDAY ON ONE MOTION.

WE HAD EIGHT HOURS OF DEBATE ON WEDNESDAY ON A DIFFERENT MOTION.

BOTH TO BLOCK TAKING UP THE E.R.A.

SO IN THE RULES, PAGE 1 OF THE RULE BOOK THAT WE ALL USE, MASON'S, THE MINORITY HAS RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE EXCESSES OF THE MAJORITY, BUT THE MAJORITY ALSO HAS RIGHTS TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE EXCESSES, AND, YOU KNOW, JUST OBSTACLES OF THE MINORITY WHEN THEY PUT UP UNREASONABLE OBSTACLES.

SO IT IS WITHIN THE REALM OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER TO KEEP THE CHAMBER FOCUSED ON DOING THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE.

AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE CAN DEBATE THINGS FOR A LONG TIME, BUT IT IS AGAINST THE RULES TO PURPOSEFULLY DELAY THE WORK OF THE HOUSE.

AND, SO, WE GAVE A LONG TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT BILL AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO VOTE.

AND EVERY OTHER PERSON WHO WAS STANDING UP WAS OUT OF ORDER AND UNABLE TO BE RECOGNIZED.

>> Cathy: WILL YOU DO MORE FILIBUSTERING IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS?

>> YOU KNOW, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT OF DEBATE ON THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD.

RIGHT NOW, AS I LEFT THE HOUSE FLOOR, IT'S THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR HE ENVIRONMENT BILL.

THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NEVER HAD A MEETING AT ALL.

SO IT WAS NOT DONE IN A TRANSPARENT FASHION.

ALL THEY DID IS DO A QUICK WALKTHROUGH OF SOMETHING THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN DEBATED BEHIND SCENES, PROVISIONS WERE PUT IN THERE, THERE'S CONCERNS IN THERE.

SO WE'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE IS TO USE OUR VOICE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, WHERE THERE WAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND WE WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, WE PASSED ONE OF THEM IN JUST A FEW MINUTES YESTERDAY.

OR TWO DAYS AGO IT WAS.

WE PASSED THEM IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

SO I THINK IT'S A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, ALREADY 20 MONTHS AWAY FROM IT STARTING, NO I.T.

SYSTEM, THE DEPARTMENT ISN'T SET UP, ALREADY THERE ARE OVERRUNS OF THREE-QUARTERS OF A BILLION DOLLARS.

I THINK MINNESOTANS WERE LOOKING FOR US TO HAVE THAT FULL DEBATE, NO MATTER WHAT IT TOOK, BECAUSE WE'RE BEING SHUT OUT OF COMMITTEES, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, AND HAVING VOICES HEARD.

>> Cathy: IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> NO.

YOU KNOW, THESE ARE ALL BILLS THAT HAVE PASSED OFF THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND THEY GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND SOMETIMES SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE SENATE ARE BROUGHT INTO THE HOUSE BILL, AND SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE HOUSE BROUGHT IN THE SENATE BILL.

THIS IS HOW THINGS ARE DONE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

THE ONLY TIME WE STARTED TO GET THESE EXCESSIVELY LONG DEBATES WAS AFTER THE TENSION RESULTED IN THE SENATE AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE RIED TO NEGOTIATE THEIR WAY INTO CO-GOVERNANCE BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE DIVIDE.

AND THAT JUST ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN.

THAT NEVER HAS HAPPENED AS A NEGOTIATED COMPROMISE TO THE END OF SESSION.

IT'S NO FUN TO BE IN THE MINORITY.

I'VE BEEN IN THE MINORITY.

I'VE BEEN IN THE MAJORITY.

IT'S NOT AS MUCH FUN.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN INCLUSIVE, WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERATE, I PUT REPUBLICANS ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEES WHEN THEY NEVER VOTED FOR THE BILLS.

BUT COURTESY IS A TWO-WAY STREET.

SO I WILL GIVE COURTESY TO THE REPUBLICANS, BUT IT MUST BE RETURNED.

AND AFTER THREE WEEKS OF REALLY A LOT OF DELAYS, IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON AND GET THE BUSINESS DONE.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE A PRICE FOR PROVIDING REPUBLICAN VOTES FOR THE BONDING BILL, WHICH WILL BE NEEDED TO PASS ONE?

>> YEAH.

WE'VE ASKED SEVERAL TIMES, I MEAN, WE'VE MADE IT PUBLIC WHAT WE'VE ASKED FOR, TOO, AS WELL.

I MEAN, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ISSUES ACROSS THE STATE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THAT BONDING BILL DONE.

THAT'S A PRIORITY FOR OUR CAUCUS.

AND IF DEMOCRAT LEADERS ARE WILLING TO COME ALONG WITH US ON A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT WE REALLY HAVE SOME BIG CONCERNS ON, I THINK WE CAN GET THAT DONE REALLY NICELY.

IF THE END OF SESSION ENDS IN A VERY ORGANIZED MANNER, THAT MEANS WE WORKED IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL WE'RE LOOKING FOR RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: SO THE ISSUES OF CONCERN ARE THE E.R.A., WOULD THAT ONE OF THEM?

>> THAT'S A CONCERN FOR US, YES.

>> Cathy: I ALSO KNOW YOU ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE FUNDING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: IS THAT ANOTHER ONE?

>> YEAH.

WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT SOME OF THAT.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE GONE BACK AND FORTH, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT NUMBERS, AND WE TALK ABOUT SPENDING, WE HAVE A $40 MILLION POT OF MONEY WE CAN SPEND ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT R WE CAN SPEND ON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE.

AND I THINK WE'VE ALL KIND OF SHAKEN OUT AT ABOUT $30 MILLION FOR EMS.

SO, REALLY, THE DOLLARS AND CENTS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET THERE.

IT'S JUST AT THIS POINT WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, IN PARTICULAR, ASKING US TO COMPROMISE ON OUR VALUES AND NOT DO E.R.A.

FOR A BONDING BILL, WHICH IS REALLY IN THE WAY OF GETTING A DEAL DONE.

>> BUT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THE BONDING BILL AS PART OF THAT MIX.

AND, O, FOR FOLKS TO SAY THAT THAT IS NOT PART OF THE DISCUSSION, I THINK IS KIND OF DISENJUST IN THE -- DISINGENUOUS IN THE WHOLE POLITICAL PROCESS THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE WE IN SPORTS BETTING?

>> WE COULD SEE A DEAL, I KNOW THERE ARE MEMBERS IN BOTH BODIES WORKING ON THAT.

>> Eric: THAT IS BIPARTISAN, RIGHT?

>> BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION.

>> YES.

>> I THINK THAT WE CAN GET THIS DONE THIS SESSION, IF WE DECIDE THAT WE WANT TO GET THE WORK DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

BUT IF WE HAVE O TRADE SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS OUR FREEDOMS AND OUR VALUES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'RE GOING TO GET STUCK.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE -- >> WE SHOULDN'T DO THAT.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS, FIVE SIGNATURES ON A GLOBAL AGREEMENT TO END THE SESSION ON A BEAUTIFUL PATH?

>> WOULDN'T THAT BE GOOD?

DON'T YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT?

>> HOW OFTEN HAS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN PEOPLE HAVE SAT ON THIS COUCH?

MOST OF THE TIME THAT HAPPENS AFTER EOPLE SIT ON THE COUCH.

>> Cathy: THAT IS TRUE, ACTUALLY.

>> Eric: WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF SOLVING THINGS, WE'RE COMING SHORT TONIGHT.

WE'VE GOT TWO MINUTES LEFT.

>> ACTUALLY GOT THE AUTHOR RIGHT HERE.

[ Laughter ] >> WE CAN ALL GO TO DINNER AFTER THIS.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> I'M SURE IT'S -- >> Cathy: ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THE SPORTS BETTING, THOUGH, THERE ARE A LOT OF INTERESTS THERE, YOU'VE GOT THE TRACKS, THE TRIBAL NATIONS, YOU'VE GOT THE TEAMS AND CHARITABLE GAMBLING.

ARE THEY ALL IN AGREEMENT ON A POTENTIAL BILL?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY'VE COME TOGETHER AROUND SOMETHING.

FOR ME, PERSONALLY, IT'S VERY VERY HARD TO SEE THE TRACKS IN THERE.

THERE'S NO OTHER BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA THAT'S GOT A FAILING BUSINESS MODEL THAT COMES TO THE STATE CAPITOL AND SAYS, YOU KNOW, HAND OVER SOME TAX DOLLARS, HELP SUBSIDIZE OUR BUSINESS.

WE CAN'T MAKE IT ON OUR OWN AND FEEL LIKE THEY'RE ENTITLED TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE ON A MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

BUT, BUT THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE EOPLE WHO FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT SUPPORTING THE TRACKS, AND I THINK THAT THEY HAVE BEEN AT THE TABLE, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY MIGHT HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT A LOT OF PARTIES SEE VALUE IN.

>> Eric: IS THE MARIJUANA FIX IT BILL, IS THAT GOING TO ALLOW FOR A GOOD OPENING?

>> IT WILL.

>> Eric: DO WE KNOW?

>> IT WILL.

THAT BILL IS DONE, WE SHOULD TAKE IT UP TOMORROW.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH SURGERY DO YOU HAVE TO DO ON THAT THING?

>> I THINK THEY HAD TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENT BUT I WOULDN'T CALL IT SURGERY.

YEAH, IT'S GOOD, THEY'LL TAKE IT UP TOMORROW.

>> Eric: IF UBER AND LYFT ARE NOT ETTLED, BY SUNDAY MIDNIGHT, WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING GOVERNOR MIGHT CALL A SPECIAL SESSION ON OR LEAVE IT UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE RESOLVED.

BUT I THINK IF IT WASN'T, HE CERTAINLY WOULD.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT PEOPLE WITH ISABILITIES WHO NEED TO GET TO WORK, WHO NEED TO GET TO TIMBERWOLVES GAMES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP UBER AND LYFT IN MINNESOTA.

BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THE LEADERS IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS TO ENFORCE THEIR LIVABLE MINIMUM WAGE IN THEIR CITY AND THEIR BENEFITS THAT THEY LIKE TO SEE EMPLOYEES HAVE IN THEIR CITY.

>> Cathy: I WASN'T SURE IF I HEARD AN ANSWER, WILL THERE BE A BONDING BILL THIS SESSION?

OKAY.

[ Laughter ] DEAFENING.

>> I HOPE SO.

>> THERE IS STILL TIME.

>> THERE IS STILL TIME.

>> I THINK LAST YEAR WE MAYBE REACHED A DEAL AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING ABOUT TWO DAYS BEFORE THE END.

>> YEAH.

>> SO MY PREDICTION IS SATURDAY, GOING INTO SUNDAY, SOMETIME BETWEEN 2:00 AND 3:00 A.M. >> I THINK THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PIECE, WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER, STILL HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THOSE.

IS IT REAL PRODUCTIVE AT THIS POINT?

MAYBE NOT.

BUT WE'RE STILL SITTING HERE AND HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS.

>> Eric: PEACE IN THE VALLEY.