OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE SURPRISING DFL TRIFECTA TUESDAY NIGHT, WE'LL HEAR LIVE FROM HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN AND NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZEIDZIC.

REPUBLICANS WILL TALK ABOUT NEXT STEPS TO REGAIN POWER.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER WILL RECAP THE ELECTION THAT SET ALL THESE FORCES IN MOTION.

>> Mary: WE'LL TAKE YOU TO DFL AND GOP HEADQUARTERS ON ELECTION NIGHT AND ANALYZE ALL THE FALLOUT AFTERWARDS.

>> MINNESOTA HAS NEVER HAD A SENATE PRESIDENT OF COLOR.

>> I HAVE NEVER LED ON THE FACT THAT I'M A BLACK WOMAN.

>> 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 28 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: LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL REMEMBER IRON RANGE LAWMAKER DOUG JOHNSON AND TALK ABOUT TODAY'S STORMY WEATHER UP NORTH.

BUT WE START THE HOUR WITH - WHAT ELSE - THE FALLOUT FROM TUESDAY'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> ERIC: MOST MINNESOTANS WERE SURPRISED TO WAKE UP WEDNESDAY MORNING TO NEWS THAT DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE STATE SENATE, AND THE STATE HOUSE.

YESTERDAY, THE DFL MAJORITIES IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE BODIES CHOSE LEADERS.

MELISSA HORTMAN REMAINS THE SPEAKER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

KARI DZIEDZIC WAS ELECTED YESTERDAY BY FELLOW DFL SENATORS TO BE THE LEADER OF THE SENATE MAJORITY.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

MADAM SPEAKER, CAN YOU CALL THIS A MANDATE, THE MARGINS ARE THIN, THE RACES WERE CLOSE, IF YOU DO THINK IT'S A MANDATE, IT'S TO DO WHAT, THE VOTERS WANT YOU TO DO WHAT?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN REALLY CLEAR OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN THE DFL HOUSE MAJORITY THAT WE WANT TO SEE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, WE'D LIKE TO SEE HEALTHCARE MADE MORE AFFORDABLE, AND AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

AND THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF THAT ECONOMIC PLAN IS THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PIECE.

AND WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR THE LAST TWO BIENNIA AND WE WERE RE-ELECTED TO A THIRD, SO WE FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THAT'S WHAT THE VOTERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> Eric: DOES THAT DOVETAIL WITH WHAT THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE IN MIND?

>> WE JUST MET FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS, AND, SO, WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION YESTERDAY, BUT WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO WHAT THAT AGENDA WILL E YET.

>> Cathy: LOTS OF UNSPENT MONEY THAT WAS ON THE TABLE LAST SESSION.

SO WHERE DO YOU START, DO YOU THINK?

CURIOUS.

>> AGAIN, WE HAVEN'T HAD THE DISCUSSION FOR OUR CAUCUS AGENDA.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

BUT -- >> Eric: YOU AS A SENATOR, THERE'S THE $400 MILLION FOR SPENDING, THERE'S A $4 MINUTE FOLLOW TAX -- MILLION FOR TAX CUTS AND THE 400 ILLION FOR THE RESERVE, WHICH AS THE DEAL AT THE END OF LAST SESSION.

IS THAT SOMETHING TO BUILD ON?

SPEAKING AS ONE MEMBER, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT MINNESOTANS ARE CLEARLY STRUGGLING.

PRICES HAVE GONE UP.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN'T PUT FOOT ON THE TABLE, THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME PAYING RENT, HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING CHILD CARE.

HOW DO WE HELP MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE?

THERE WERE THINGS IN THOSE BILLS THAT WERE BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT THAT WE CAN USE AS A STARTING BLOCK.

BUT MY CAUCUS HASN'T HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS YET SO WANT TO INVOLVE ALL OF THEM.

>> Eric: ARE YOU LOOKING AT CODIFYING ROE V. WADE IN STATE LAW OR PUTTING IT TO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

I HEAR SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT D. VS. GOMEZ IS A LITTLE SHAKY, IF PEOPLE ARE PRO CHOICE, MIGHT WANT TO SHORE THAT UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE HAD LEGISLATION TO CODIFY ROE IN MINNESOTA STATE LAW, I THINK WE CAN MOVE THAT RELATIVELY QUICKLY.

IT'S A HARDER QUESTION, WHETHER WE SHOULD DO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, WHAT THAT PHRASING LOOKS LIKE, HOW DO YOU SET UP A VOTE SO THAT THE ELECTORATE HAS TIME TO BE EDUCATED ABOUT WHAT THE QUESTION MEANS AND THE LEGAL IMPORT.

SO I THINK WE FEEL THAT -- WE TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR THIS MORNING, WE FEEL THAT WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY ON SOMETHING TO PROTECT THAT RIGHT IN STATE STATUTE.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU HELP ME OUT HERE, MADAM LEADER?

YOU'RE DEALING WITH TIGHT WORKING MARGINS IN THE SENATE.

I KNOW YOU JUST WERE ELECTED, HOW DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WIND YOUR WAY THROUGH THAT?

>> VERY CAREFULLY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I MET WITH THE CAUCUS YESTERDAY, AND I SAID, WE HAVE THIS VERY SLIM MAJORITY, SO WE'RE ALL GOING TO NEED TO REALLY WORK TOGETHER.

I'VE ALREADY REACHED OUT, HAD A CONVERSATION WITH NEW MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON, AND, SO, YOU KNOW, LOOK FORWARD TO, AGAIN, WORKING THAT OUT.

I THINK THERE'S, IN MY CAUCUS ALONE BE, THERE'S SO MANY THING THAT I THINK WE AGREE ON.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN, YOU KNOW, WORK ON SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AS WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND THEN THERE'S THE BUDGET COMING UP.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Eric: COULD YOU CRANK UP THE PANDEMIC RULES, AND HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE SICK WITH COVID VOTING REMOTELY FROM HOME?

I SUPPOSE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE PART OF THE SENATE -- THE JOINT RULES?

>> WE IN OUR CHAMBER, I WOULD IMAGINE WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

WE KNOW THAT MINNESOTANS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE FOUND IT EASIER TO TESTIFY IN COMMITTEE WHEN THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY.

BUT THERE WAS SOME LOSS OF COLLEGIALITY OF HAVING ALL THE MEMBERS OUT OF THE BUILDING.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE MEMBERS IN THE BUILDING TO HAVE US WORKING TOGETHER IN PERSON.

IT'S KIND OF A DIFFERENT THING WHEN YOU'RE IN PERSON WITH PEOPLE RATHER THAN OVER ZOOM.

SO I'M HOPING WE'LL STAY IN PERSON.

>> Cathy: I NOTICED, THREE OF THE FOUR LEADERS ARE WOMEN.

AND I'M CURIOUS, HOW MIGHT THAT CHANGE THE USUAL DYNAMICS AT THE CAPITOL?

>> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU, IT'S NICE TO HAVE ANOTHER FEW LEADERS IN THIS SPACE.

IT WAS A PRETTY ROUGH BEING THE ONLY WOMAN LEADER BACK IN '17-'18.

AND REALLY ENJOYED ORKING WITH SENATOR KENT AND HAVING HER AS PART OF THE TEAM AND THEN SENATOR LÓPEZ FRANZEN.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE WORKED HARD ON OUR RELATIONSHIP OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, SO I WOULD EXPECT THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD COLLABORATIVE WORK TOGETHER BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS AND THEN DURING THE SESSION.

REGARDLESS OF GENDER.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AS CHAMBERS.

WITH NO REPUBLICANS TO PICK ON, PARTICULARLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE RICTION BETWEEN WHAT THE HOUSE WANTS AND WHAT THE SENATE WANTS.

AND I WONDER IF THAT ELEVATES THE GOVERNOR'S ROLE TO BE A VERY NEEDED MEDIATOR HERE BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS.

>> I THINK THAT'S AN OLD-SCHOOL WAY OF LOOKING AT IT.

SENATOR DZIEDZIC AND I HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT COLLABORATING WITH ONE ANOTHER, LOOKING AT OUR COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, SEEING IF WE CAN FIND SOME WAYS TO ALIGN, LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, EARLY BILL INTRODUCTIONS AND HAVING SOME ALIGNMENT THERE.

SO I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF AN OLD-SCHOOL WAY OF LOOKING AT THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND WE KNOW WE SINK OR SWIM TOGETHER.

AND, SO, HOW MUCH WE'RE ABLE TO DO WITH THIS TRIFECTA WILL DEPEND UPON HOW WELL WE'RE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> Eric: BUT HOW THAT WORKS IS, THE HOUSE IS UP EVERY TWO YEARS, YOU'VE 0 -- YOU'VE GOT A FOUR-YEAR TERM NOW.

THE POLITICAL HORIZON CHANGES, DEPENDING ON WHAT CHAMBER YOU'RE IN, RIGHT?

>> I THINK THAT WE'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

WE CAN'T GET INTO GRIDLOCK.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET STUFF DONE.

I THINK VOTERS WANTED STABILITY AND THEY WANTED CIVILITY.

THEY DIDN'T WANT GRIDLOCK, THEY WANT TO US GET STUFF DONE.

SO THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK HARD WITH THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR TO PASS THINGS.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK, LIKE SHE SAID, IT WAS KIND OF OLD SCHOOL.

I THINK THERE IS SOME TENSION.

BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, THE DFL'S NOT A MONOLITH, WE KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: I WONDER WHERE MIGHT THE CAUCUSES DISAGREE A LITTLE BIT WITH THE GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

I THINK WE'RE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THAT.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHO OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS ARE AND THEN HAVE OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS START WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSIONERS TO PROVIDE SOME INPUT BEFORE THAT BUDGET GETS PUT TOGETHER SO THAT MAYBE WE CAN IRON OUT SOME DIFFERENCES OR FIGURE OUT WHERE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BEFORE THE SESSION STARTS, START WORKING ON THOSE THINGS.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR'S POSITIONS ON ISSUES AND OURS.

I THINK WE'RE PRO CHOICE, WE'RE PRO INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS, SPORTS BETTING, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> Eric: YOU WEREN'T REALLY JUMPING UP DO AND -- JUMPING UP AND DOWN OVER THE WALZ CHECKS, FOR INSTANCE.

>> THAT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

THE SENATE DFL JUST WON THE MAJORITY, SO THEY HAVE FOLKS WHO HAVE TOILED IN THE MINORITY FOR SIX YEARS.

AND RE READY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU TALKED ABOUT WHETHER THAT AGREEMENT THAT SENATOR MILLER DECIDED NOT TO LIVE UP TO COULD BE A STARTING POINT.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

>> I THINK THAT SENATOR DZIEDZIC'S TEAM NEEDS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THINGS THAT THEY WANTED TO DO FOR QUITE A WHILE.

>> Eric: NOW THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND GOVERNOR VENTURA HAVE TEAMED UP ON LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, DOES THAT HAVE SMOOTH SAILING, AT LEAST IN YOUR CHAMBER?

34-33, WONDER.

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF MINNESOTANS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

WE HAVE HEARD THAT.

WE HEARD THAT ON THE DOORS.

SO I THINK THAT THAT WILL BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

WE DID SOME TWEAKS WITH CANNABIS AND EDIBLES, SO I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOME CHANGES THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO FIX, YOU KNOW, WORK ON THOSE.

SO I THINK THAT WILL BE ALL PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: DOES IT MATTER THAT THE TWO MARIJUANA PARTIES ARE NO LONGER MAJOR EXPERTS THAT >> IT'S AN INTERESTING THING THAT AROSE ON TUESDAY.

I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DIGEST THAT YET.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE VOTES -- I THINK THE PRO MARIJUANA FOLKS HAVE SAID THERE ARE 62 HOUSE VOTES, YOU NEED 68, AND THERE'S EIGHT THAT ARE UNDECIDED OR HAVEN'T -- >> WE PASSED CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN THE -- LAST YEAR.

AND WE HAVE A MORE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AFTER THE ELECTION THAN BEFORE.

SO I EXPECT WE WILL PASS IT AGAIN.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING WITH THAT NOVEMBER FORECAST?

IT SHOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE BIG, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FED WILL DO WITH INTEREST RATES.

AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THE FEAR OF RECESSION ON THE HORIZON WILL COME TO PASS.

THE ECONOMY'S CYCLICAL AND WE'VE BEEN ON AN UPCYCLE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SO I THINK WE'RE VERY MINDFUL OF THE OUT SIZED EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TRIFECTA.

>> Eric: COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RURAL MINNESOTA OUTREACH?

YOU HAD THE KENT EKEN IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE, WHICH KUPAC, IS THAT THE FELLA'S NAME, THE WEATHER MAN, FOXCHILD, THE BOX SEAT IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

THOSE ARE WHAT BROUGHT YOU OVER THE LINE, DIDN'T THEY?

>> I SAID ALL ALONG THE LINE, WE HAD A SLIM PATH TO THE MAJORITY.

ALL THOSE RACES WERE GOING TO BE CLOSE.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, WE WORKED HARD.

WE HAD GOOD TEAMS UP THERE, WE PUT GOOD TEAMS IN PLACE.

WE HIRED PEOPLE EARLY.

WE GOT PEOPLE ON THE GROUND EARLY.

WE REALLY WORKED ON THE VOLUNTEERS AND GETTING THEM, YOU KNOW, GETTING THEM IN PLACE TO GIVE THEM THAT VICTORY.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE HOUSE IN GREATER MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, WE'RE SO DISAPPOINTED THAT WE'RE IN A RECOUNT SITUATION IN 3A AND 3B WITH REPRESENTATIVE ROB ECKLUND AND REPRESENTATIVE MARY MURPHY.

WE SAW ON THE REPUBLICANS' EARLY SPENDING THAT MARY MURPHY WAS THEIR TOP TARGET.

AND THEY REALLY THREW EVERYTHING, INCLUDING HE KITCHEN SINK AT HER.

SO WE'LL BE TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THOSE RECOUNTS.

St. LOUIS COUNTY IS A VERY BIG COUNTY WITH A LOT OF TOWNSHIPS.

AND THERE'S SOME OTHER NORTHERN COUNTIES THERE, COVERING A LOT OF REAL ESTATE.

SO WE'LL BE WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH FOR THOSE RECOUNTS.

>> Cathy: OKAY, NEXT STEPS, THEN, IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

YOU MENTIONED COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

WILL THAT BE THE NEXT STEP FOR YOU?

>> YES.

WE ARE REQUIRED UNDER HOUSE RULES TO PROVIDE THE REPUBLICANS WITH A LIST OF OUR COMMITTEES AND OUR CHAIRS BY I THINK IT'S DECEMBER 3rd, THEREABOUTS.

SO I NEED TO GET MOVING ON THAT PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> OUR TEAM IS MEETING, THEY MET TODAY, THEY'RE MEETING OVER THE WEEKEND, TO FIGURE OUT THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND THEN FROM THERE WE'LL GO ON TO THE CHAIRS AND GET THE COMMITTEES ROLLING.

WE HAVE A LITTLE DIFFERENT TIME FRAME THAN THEY DO BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HIRE STAFF.

>> Eric: SOMEBODY ASKED ME TODAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO WINE IN GROCERY STORES?

>> THAT'S NOT EVEN ON THE HORIZON.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE GOVERNOR TODAY, BUT THAT IS NOT ON THE HORIZON.

>> Eric: SPORTS BETTING?

TRIBES WILL HAVE TO BE INVOLVED.

>> YOU KNOW, WE GOT VERY FAR WITH SPORTS BETTING IN THE DFL-CONTROLLED HOUSE.

THE REPUBLICANS HAD ONE HEARING THREE DAYS BEFORE THE SESSION ADJOURNED.

THEY NEVER TOOK THE SSUE SERIOUSLY.

DIDN'T PUT IN THE WORK AND THE EFFORT.

IT'S A COMPLICATED BILL.

IT DESERVES AN INVESTMENT OF TIME AND RESOURCES AND IT'S NICE, WE'LL HAVE A PARTNER IN THE SENATE WHO WILL DO THAT.

>> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU.

HOPE YOU'LL COME AND VISIT US DURING THE SESSION.

>> WE WILL.

>> Eric: ALL THE BEST.

GOOD LUCK.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> Mary: THE DFLer FROM TOWER HAS LONG BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR GREATER MINNESOTA.

>> MINNESOTA FARMERS ARE BEING PLOWED UNDER BY LOW COMMODITY PRICES AND EVEN LOWER INCOME LEVELS.

>> Mary: IN 1998, HE SET HIS SIGHTS ON STATEWIDE OFFICE, RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

>> I'M GOING TO BE MINNESOTA'S NUMBER ONE BUSINESS RECRUITER.

>> Mary: HIS CAMPAIGN ADS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MEMORABLE BUT JOHNSON'S QUEST FOR HIGHER OFFICE FAILED.

>> THERE IS ONE DEMOCRAT WHO LIVES ON A BUDGET LIKE YOURS.

>> Mary: ULTIMATELY, SENATOR DOUG JOHNSON WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR BEING ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE LAWMAKERS EVEN IF HE THINKS THAT REPUTATION FOR BRINGING HOME THE BACON IS MOSTLY MYTH.

>> FOLKS THAT SAY I USED TO BRING ALL THE MONEY NORTH, IF I ROUGHT ALL THE MONEY NORTH, WE'D HAVE GOLDEN-PAVED STREETS.

♪♪ >> Cathy: HE WAS QUITE A CHARACTER.

WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT DOUGGIE JOHNSON A BIT LATER ON.

THE TWO TIGHTEST STATEWIDE RACES TUESDAY NIGHT WERE THE CONTESTS FOR STATE AUDITOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

KEITH ELLISON SQUEEZED OUT A WIN BY A MARGIN OF ONLY 20,000 VOTES.

YESTERDAY MARY LAHAMMER TALKED WITH ELLISON ABOUT PLANS FOR A SECOND FOUR-YEAR TERM.

>> Mary: WOW WAS THIS CLOSE, LESS THAN A PERCENT.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THOSE NUMBERS?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THEY CAME AT US WITH OVER $3 MILLION WORTH OF WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS WILLIE HORTON ADS, NASTY ADS, UNTRUE ADS.

>> DO YOU TRUST KEITH ELLISON TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE?

>> Mary: YOUR OPPONENT CAMPAIGNED ON CRIME.

HE DID WELL.

HE CAME CLOSE.

DOES IT MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT BEEFING UP THE APPROACH TO CRIME?

>> WELL, FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE BEEN INCREASING OUR NUMBERS OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTORS.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO Mr. SCHULTZ, I HAVE TO COMMEND HIM ON A RACE WELL RUN, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN ONE WHERE WE HAD A LIMITED BUT IMPORTANT ROLE ON CRIME.

LOOK, WE HAVE 87 COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

THOSE COUNTY ATTORNEYS DO A GOOD JOB.

OUR JOB IS NOT TO USURP THEIR ROLE.

AND WE PROSECUTED EVERY CASE THEY ASKED US TO PROSECUTE AND WE'VE WON THEM ALL.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT MINNESOTA VOTERS, BECAUSE, CLEARLY, PEOPLE TICKET SPLIT.

THEY JOGGED AROUND THAT BALLOT.

WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO THOSE FOLKS WHO WERE WILLING TO TICKET SPLIT AND MAYBE JUMPED AWAY FROM YOU AS THEY WERE COMING DOWN THE BALLOT?

>> WELL, MY MESSAGE TO THEM IS THAT I'M HERE FOR YOUR SAFETY.

WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT YOUR POCKETBOOK AND YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO ORK HARD FOR YOU.

>> I'M SO PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE DFL, THE DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY!

THAT'S WHO WE ARE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS STAYED UNITED, YOU WERE ON THAT BUS TRIP.

HOW MUCH DID THE WHOLE DFL, MONEY, GET OUT TO VOTE, UNITED OPERATION TO VOTE HELP IN THIS FINAL SURGE?

>> I THINK IT'S WHAT BROUGHT HOME THE WINS FOR ALL OF US.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS ASSET, YOU KNOW, THAT TIM WALZ AND PEGGY FLANAGAN AND STEVE SIMON AND JULIE BLAHA ARE SO PERSONALLABLE, PEOPLE LIKE THEM.

THE FACT THAT I'M ASSOCIATED WITH THEM I THINK HELPED US.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, OUR ON-THE-GROUND NETWORKING AND WE WERE KNOCKING DOORS UNTIL 7:50 ON ELECTION DAY.

>> Mary: YOU NEED THE LEGISLATURE FOR FUNDING, FOR BILLS.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> Mary: HAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF THIS NEW GOVERNMENT?

>> I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP THE LIMITED, BUT IMPORTANT ROLE IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

WE DO NEED MORE PEOPLE.

SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THAT NOW.

>> Mary: YOU'LL ASK THE LEGISLATURE FOR MORE FOLKS, MORE CRIMINAL FOLKS?

>> YES, I WILL.

BUT I'LL ALSO ASK THEM TO PASS THE BILL ON PRICE GOUGING.

I'LL ALSO ASK THEM FOR MORE SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO ANTITRUST SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT MARKETS AND PROTECT SMALL FARMERS.

AND SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE.

WE ALSO -- WE HAVE MORE -- THEY PASSED A GREAT WAGE THEFT BILL, BUT WE HAVE MORE WAGE THEFT CASES THAN WE HAVE LAWYERS TO THROW AT THEM.

>> Mary: BOTH YOUR RACE AND THE AUDITOR RACE HAD TO TALK ABOUT THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE SCANDAL.

>> YES.

>> Mary: AND VOTERS SEEMED VERY ENGAGED ON THAT, VERY CONCERNED.

IS THERE ANY MESSAGE FOR BOTH YOU AND BLAHA ON THAT OVERSIGHT ROLE, MAKING SURE YOU'RE AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH AND COMMUNICATING ENOUGH THAT YOU'RE ROOTING OUT SCANDAL WITHIN GOVERNMENT?

>> WELL, I WANT TO COMMEND MY OPPONENTS FOR MAKING THIS ISSUE INTO ONE WHERE WE DID WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> Mary: DID YOU COMMUNICATE IT ENOUGH, THOUGH?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL DIGGING THAT OUT.

BUT THE TRUTH IS, YOU KNOW, EVEN AFTER THIS WIN, I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT WE DID THE JOB WE WERE HIRED TO DO.

LOOK, THE FRAUDSTERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE THE CRIMINALS.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE THE ONES WHO REPORTED THIS SCANDAL TO THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

>> Mary: ONE OTHER OBSERVATION, EVERY TIME I COME IN THIS ROOM I LOOK AT THIS WALL.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: IT'S A LOT OF OLD WHITE GUYS.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: ON THE WALL.

>> IT'S TRUE.

>> Mary: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN HE BREAKDOWN IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT THIS ENTIRE BUILDING, YOU INCLUDED ARE BRINGING AND RETURNING A RECORD AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY INTO THE LEGISLATURE, PEOPLE OF COLOR, LGBTQ, HOW IMPORTANT ARE THOSE VOICES -- >> WOMEN.

>> Mary: WOMEN -- IN THIS BUILDING?

>> WELL, CRITICAL.

THE LEADERSHIP OF THE STATE SHOULD LOOK LIKE THE STATE.

YOU KNOW?

AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS OF ALL COLORS AND BACKGROUNDS WHO DO GREAT THINGS FOR OUR STATE.

BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO EXCLUDE PEOPLE JUST BASED ON WHO THEY ARE.

RIGHT?

AND THE TALENT COMES IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND COLORS AND GENDERS AND EVERYTHING.

SO THAT'S A POSITIVE THING.

IT SAYS SOMETHING GREAT ABOUT US.

♪♪ >> ERIC: HENNEPIN COUNTY VOTERS ELECTED A NEW TOP PROSECUTOR TUESDAY.

MARY MORIARTY MADE A NAME FOR HERSELF AS THE COUNTY'S CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER.

MANY ALSO KNEW HER FROM HER LEGAL COMMENTARY ROLE DURING THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL.

TPT WAS ONE OF THE MEDIA OUTLETS THAT TAPPED INTO HER EXPERTISE.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM IN A DIFFERENT ROLE, HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

DFL ENDORSEMENT, YOU WON BY 16 POINTS.

I MEAN, BIG MARGIN.

ONE QUESTION I HAVE HEARD THIS WEEK IS, CAN SHE WORK AND PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY JUDICIAL SYSTEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN FACT, I HAVE SPENT -- IT STARTED ELECTION NIGHT.

I'VE ALKED TO MAYOR FREY, I WENT TO POLICE CHIEF O'HARA'S SWEARING-IN LAST NIGHT, TALKED TO CEDRIC ALEXANDER, CHIEF O'HARA, I'VE TALKED TO DAVID HOUGH FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY, I'VE TALKED TO SENATOR KLOBUCHAR, WHO WAS GRACIOUS WITH HER TIME AND GAVE ME SOME ADVICE ON TRANSITIONING BECAUSE AS YOU'LL RECALL HE TRANSITIONED FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY FREEMAN BACK YEARS AGO.

SO I'VE ALREADY REACHED OUT AND PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME BECAUSE THIS IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS, AND THAT HAS TO START NOW.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON YESTERDAY ON MPR, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT YOU, HOW HE PLANS TO WORK WITH YOU.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WORK WITH HIM?

>> YES.

MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, WE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL TOGETHER.

WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR QUITE A WHILE.

ACTUALLY THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE COULD WORK TOGETHER.

AND THAT COULD BE ON WAGE THEFT, THAT COULD BE ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, IT COULD BE ABOUT POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHATEVER WAY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER THAT WILL HELP THE PEOPLE IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, I AM WILLING TO DO.

>> Eric: COULD YOU GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU'VE CALLED A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH?

TO YOUR OFFICE.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN, EXACTLY?

>> YES.

FOR INSTANCE, A LOT OF THE DECISIONS THAT PROSECUTORS MAKE ARE SUBJECTIVE.

AND THERE WAS A STUDY OUT OF WISCONSIN THAT SAID THAT PROSECUTORS OFFER PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED WHO ARE WHITE BETTER OFFERS OR NEGOTIATIONS THAN THEY DO BLACK PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS IMPLICIT BIAS OR UNCONSCIOUS BIAS, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY AN INTENTIONAL THING, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS.

BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE DECISIONS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MAKES ARE SUBJECTIVE, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE KEEPING DATA SO THAT WE KNOW WHEN THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN AND WE CAN PUT IN PLACE POLICIES THAT WILL CORRECT THAT.

AND ALSO, I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE REALLY HIGH RATES OF PEOPLE COMING BACK TO PRISON OR GOING BACK TO PRISON WHO ARE NOT DOING WELL ON PROBATION.

AND, SO, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS AND IF IT'S NOT WORKING, WE NEED TO CHANGE IT.

SO IT REALLY IS KEEPING TRACK OF THE DATA TO KNOW IF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WORKING OR NOT.

AND IF IT'S NOT WORKING, WE NEED TO CHANGE IT.

>> Cathy: SAY, I WAS TALKING TO ANOTHER EXPERT WHO IS INVOLVED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.

INTERESTING CONCEPT.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

DO YOU SEE YOUR OFFICE GETTING MORE INVOLVED WITH THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IN FACT, THERE'S A WOMAN NAMED DANIELLE SERED WHO RUNS A PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CALLED COMMON JUSTICE, IT IS A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM, AND IT HAS TO BE OPT-IN.

AND SHE USES THE LANGUAGE "HARMED PARTY AND RESPONSIBLE PARTY."

SO BOTH HAVE TO OPT IN.

AND HER PROGRAM IS FOR AGES 16 TO 26.

IT'S ON VIOLENT CRIME, NOT SEXUAL ASSAULTS OR MURDERS.

BUT ASSAULTS, ROBBERIES, THAT KIND OF THING.

AND IF BOTH PARTIES OPT IN, IT'S A VERY LONG PROGRAM.

IT'S OVER A YEAR.

IT WORKS ON THE TRAUMA OF THE PERSON HO -- OR ACTUALLY BOTH PARTIES.

IT'S TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL.

THE RATE T WHICH PEOPLE COME BACK IS SO MUCH LOWER THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

AND IT GIVES PEOPLE HO ARE HARMED SOMETHING THAT THEY NEVER GET IN THE SYSTEM.

IT'S ANSWERS.

IT'S A FEELING OF RECOVERY FROM THAT TRAUMA.

AND THEY GET ALL THEIR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS PROGRAM.

DANIELLE SERED HAS REACHED OUT TO ME.

WE'RE GOING TO PARTNER ON TRYING TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM LIKE THAT HERE.

>> Eric: YOU KNOW, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, I THINK LITERALLY YOU WERE CALLED PRO CRIMINAL, BASICALLY, FROM YOUR YEARS AS A DEFENSE -- PROSECUTOR OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

BUT I'M WONDERING, HOW THAT MIGHT INFORM, YOU WERE GOING TO BE TOUGHER THAN YOU WERE, HOW'S THAT GOING TO INFORM YOUR APPROACH?

>> IT INFORMS MY APPROACH BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE I REPRESENTED, WHEN I DID SOCIAL HISTORIES, I COULD SEE THE TRAUMA AND THE VICTIMIZATION THEY HAD WHEN THEY WERE 3, WHEN THEY WERE 5.

AND SO OFTEN I COULD SEE, HAD WE INTERVENED EARLY ON, THIS PERSON PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE SITTING NEXT TO ME.

AND I SAW THE TRAUMA OF VICTIMS TOO AND I SAT THROUGH MANY VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS KNOWING THAT THAT PERSON WOULD NEVER GET WHAT THEY WANTED OR NEEDED FROM THE SYSTEM.

SO HAVING WATCHED ALL OF THIS AND UNDERSTANDING THAT SOMEBODY WHO'S VICTIMIZED TODAY MAY BE TOMORROW'S PERSON WHO HARMS SOMEBODY ELSE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

AS COUNTY ATTORNEY, I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROSECUTE VIOLENT CRIME TO BE EFFECTIVE.

I HAVE TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, WHETHER THAT'S SOMEBODY IN THE COMMUNITY OR A POLICE OFFICER.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M PLANNING ON DOING.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF MEETINGS AND YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE THOSE TRANSITIONS.

WHAT DO YOU HINK MIGHT BE SOME OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU DO IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS?

>> WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER A TRANSITION TEAM.

MONDAY WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING THE TWO CO-CHAIRS, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE APPEARED ON YOUR SHOW.

YES.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU LIKE TO MENTION THEM NOW?

>> NO.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> NO.

BUT WE'RE MEETING THIS WEEKEND.

AND TRANSITION IS SO IMPORTANT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE IN THAT OFFICE.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHEN I GET SWORN IN IN JANUARY THAT I BE ABLE TO STEP RIGHT IN AND, SO, THE PROCESS TO GET THERE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

AND THAT'S WHY THE WORK IS ALREADY STARTED THIS WEEK.

>> Eric: WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE SET HERE DOWN THE TRAIL.

>> YES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO IT AS WELL.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TWIN CITIANS WOKE UP THURSDAY MORNING TO TEMPS IN THE 60'S.

IT WAS KIND OF MUGGY.

ALL THAT CHANGED HOURS LATER WHEN THE MERCURY DIPPED INTO THE 30'S.

THERE WAS HEAVY SNOW TO THE NORTH, AND COLD RAIN FOR MUCH OF THE REST OF US.

THINK OF IT AS A QUICK COSTUME CHANGE BY MOTHER NATURE.

HERE TO EXPLAIN IT ALL, PAUL DOUGLAS.

HIS WEATHER MEDIA EMPIRE INCLUDES THE "STAR TRIBUNE," WCCO RADIO, AND HIS OWN WEATHER COMPANY, PREDICT-IX.

>> PREDICT-IX.

WELL DONE.

>> Cathy: I THOUGHT I WAS TRYING HARD THERE.

>> OKAY, WE'LL CHANGE THE NAME FOR YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THAT'S A TOUGH NAME.

>> Eric: THIS WHIPLASH -- >> Cathy: WHAT'S THIS WEATHER WHIPLASH BUSINESS?

>> WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, THOUGHT I WAS HERE FOR POLITICAL COMMENTARY.

>> Eric: NOT EVEN CLOSE.

>> Cathy: THAT WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> MAY I MAKE ONE OBSERVATION?

JUST ONE.

AND THEN I'LL PIVOT TO WEATHER.

IN THE END, THERE WAS NO RED WAVE.

THERE WAS NO BLUE WAVE.

THERE WAS ONLY A COLD WAVE.

I THINK WALT WITTMAN SAID THAT.

I'M BORROWING THAT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

YEAH.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> SO THAT SAID, IT WAS A NICE AUTUMN, YEAH?

>> Cathy: IT WAS.

>> ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL LUKEWARM AUTUMN.

WE DO HAVE SOME VISUALS BECAUSE, ERIC, I KNOW YOU RESPOND TO PRETTY MAPS.

>> Eric: I RESPOND BETTER TO -- I LEARN BETTER FROM VISUALS.

>> WE CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT AUTUMNS.

IT WAS DRY, I KNOW.

NOVEMBER, AS OF YESTERDAY, ALMOST 8 DEGREES WARMER THAN AVERAGE.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT A LONGER STRETCH, METEOROLOGICAL SUMMER, JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, 17th WARMEST.

AND THIS RECENT STRETCH SINCE JUNE, THE FIFTH WARMEST ON RECORD.

LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME WAS WARMEST ON RECORD.

SO, AT SOME POINT, IT'S LIKE GRAVITY, RIGHT?

I MEAN, SNOWSTORMS, COLD FRONTS, INEVITABLE.

WE WERE DUE FOR A CORRECTION.

AND, YEAH, THE DEFINITION OF WEATHER WHIPLASH.

STILL NAGGING CONCERN ABOUT DROUGHT.

THAT RED STRIPE IS EXTREME DROUGHT.

WHICH CONTINUES TO EXPAND.

WE DID GET AN INCH OF RAIN, GIVE OR TAKE, IN THE METRO, TWO TO THREE INCHES NORTH OF THE METRO.

PUT A DENT IN THE DROUGHT.

THAT SOLID LINE IS WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WITH PRECIPITATION SINCE 2020.

THE GREEN IS THE ACTUAL PRECIPITATION.

AND THE TWIN CITIES NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SUMMED IT UP VERY WELL.

23 OF THE LAST 28 MONTHS IN THE METRO HAVE BEEN DRIER THAN AVERAGE.

IF YOU LOOK BACK TO JULY OF 2020, WE'RE RUNNING ALMOST A 20-INCH PRECIPITATION EFICIT.

>> Eric: WOW AM.

>> A COUPLE OF BIG SLOPPY STORMS WILL NOT RASE THAT DEFICIT.

>> Eric: CAN'T CATCH UP?

>> WE WILL.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TAKE TIME.

IT TOOK US TWO YEARS O GET INTO IT, IT MAY TAKE A YEAR OR TWO TO GET OUT OF IT.

HAVE YOU HEARD IT'S GOING TO SNOW NEXT WEEK?

>> >> Cathy: THANKS A LOT.

>> SNOWY RUMORS.

LOOKS LIKE A CLIPPER MAY STALL AND TAP SOME MOISTURE FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO.

TOO EARLY TO BE THROWING INCH AMOUNTS AROUND.

BUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A FEW INCHES, A POTENTIAL THIS COULD BE PLOWABLE, MEANING TWO, THREE INCHES OR MORE.

THE FIRST REAL SNOWFALL OF THE WINTER.

MONDAY INTO WEDNESDAY.

I THINK TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF THAT.

AND WE SHOULDN'T BE SHOCKED.

THE FIRST INCH OF SNOW, ON AVERAGE, COMES RIGHT AROUND NOVEMBER 21st.

WE NORMALLY GET OUR FIRST FOUR-INCH SNOWFALL DECEMBER 16th.

THIS IS THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THAT INCLUDES THE WARMING SIGNAL, THE WINTERS ARE SHRINKING.

AUTUMN WARMTH SPILLS DEEPER INTO NOVEMBER.

BUT T'S GOING TO BE A COLD COUPLE OF WEEKS HERE.

AND IT'S GOING TO EXTEND INTO THANKSGIVING.

COLDER THAN AVERAGE FOR THE UPPER MIDWEST, THE GREAT LAKES, THE NORTHERN PLAINS STATES LOOKING OUT THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

AND BIG SHOCK, DRIER THAN AVERAGE, PROBABLY RIGHT THROUGH THANKSGIVING OR LONGER.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE USING THE "D" WORD WELL INTO 2023.

>> Eric: THAT'S NOT GOOD.

>> Cathy: I THINK THAT ACCUMULATES, RIGHT, OBVIOUSLY?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: AS YOU SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO PULL OUT OF THIS FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE IN DROUGHT, CERTAINLY THE FIRST HALF OF NEXT YEAR.

OUR SPRINGS ARE RENDING WETTER.

HOPEFULLY WE HAVE A VERY WET SPRING NEXT YEAR.

BUT EVEN IF WE GET PLOWED WITH SNOW THIS WINTER, THAT WILL HELP THE LAKES AND THE RIVERS.

IT WILL HELP TO RECHARGE WHEN IT DOES ELT.

BUT I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT SOIL MOISTURE FOR ARMERS IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

VERY VERY DRY OUT THERE.

SO, PRAYING FOR A WET SPRING.

>> Cathy: I DO NOT EMEMBER SEEING -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LONG-RANGE FORECAST FOR THE WINTER.

WAS IT GOING TO BE COLDER THAN NORMAL AND LESS SNOW?

>> LAANYONE YA.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> LA NIÑA.

THIRD WINTER IN A ROW, WHICH HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE 1950s.

LA NIÑAS TENT TO CORRELATE WITH COLDER AND A LITTLE BIT WETTER THAN AVERAGE, TOO.

TEND TO.

THE LONG-RANGE FORECAST, IT'S LIKE PREDICTING THE STOCK MARKET.

WILL THE VIKINGS GO TO THE PLAYOFFS?

YOU KNOW, SO MANY VARIABLES IN PLAY.

I HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLE WITH THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>> Eric: YOU EVER GET SICK OF TALKING ABOUT THE HALLOWEEN BLIZZARD OF '91?

>> NO, I'LL TAKE THAT TO MY GRAVE.

>> Cathy: EXACTLY.

>> IT WAS A HUMBLING HUMBLING STORM.

NO BLIZZARDS IN SIGHT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE DRIVEWAY STAKES, SNOW TIRES, GET THE PATIO FURNITURE OFF THE DECK BECAUSE NEXT WEEK WILL LOOK AND FEEL MORE LIKE LATE DECEMBER, EARLY JANUARY.

WINTER COMING A LITTLE BIT EARLY THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

ALWAYS GOOD STUFF.

PAUL DOUGLAS, THANKS, MAN.

>> Cathy: ENJOY YOUR CRUISE, BY THE WAY.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> DOMINIC: HERE WE GO AGAIN.

POST-ELECTION DAY AND WE'RE STILL NOT REALLY SURE WHO'S GONNA BE IN CHARGE.

I HARDLY NEED CHRONICLE THE DREARY TRACK RECORD: THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

THE 2008 SENATE RACE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND, OF COURSE, THE ONE THAT STARTED IT - THE BATTLE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2000 THAT HAD TO BE SETTLED BY THE SUPREME COURT.

NOW, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF EXPLANATIONS FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE OF TIME-DELAYED DEMOCRACY.

SOME BLAME THE WONKY BALLOT RULES THAT HAVE THIS COUNTRY ESSENTIALLY RUNNING 50 DIFFERENT ELECTIONS EVERY OTHER NOVEMBER.

OTHERS BEMOAN AN ELECTORATE SPLIT ALMOST EXACTLY - AND INTRACTABLY - DOWN THE MIDDLE.

BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON.

IT'S THE Y2K BUG.

FOR THOSE OF YOU TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER, LET ME EXPLAIN.

SIMPLY PUT, BACK IN 1999, COMPUTERS WERE TOO STUPID TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADJUST TO THE NEW MILLENNIUM.

THERE WAS THIS WIDESPREAD FEAR THAT ON JANUARY 1, 2000, UTTER CHAOS WOULD DESCEND ON BANKS, AIR TRAFFIC, THE POWER GRID, YOU NAME IT.

IT TURNED OUT TO BE MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

AT THE TIME.

THEN CAME THAT NOVEMBER, AND BUSH VS. GORE.

AND THEN 2008 - FRANKEN VERSUS COLEMAN.

AND THEN 2020 - TRUMP VERSUS MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA AND SO ON.

SEE WHAT I'M SAYING?

MAYBE 22 YEARS AGO, WE WERE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE FOR THE WRONG PROBLEM.

MAYBE IT WASN'T THE COMPUTERS WHO LOST THEIR SCHPADOINKLE BACK THEN.

MAYBE IT WAS US HUMANS - AMERICANS, SPECIFICALLY - WHO COULDN'T NAVIGATE THE BRAVE NEW WORLD.

I'M NOT SURE HOW WE FIX THAT BUG.

EDUCATION?

COMPASSION?

MANDATED TRAINING IN CONSIDERATION AND THE ART OF CIVILITY?

OR WE JUST WAIT ANOTHER 978 YEARS.

MAYBE Y3K WILL SOLVE THINGS.

IF WE LAST THAT LONG.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> ERIC: AS WE KNOW BY NOW, THE RED WAVE DEFINITELY DIDN'T HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS RETAINED ALL THE STATEWIDE OFFICES AND HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

"ALMANAC" POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE DFL AND HIGHLIGHTS THE INCREASINGLY DIVERSE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> FOUR MORE YEARS!

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS' DEEP POCKETS AND SOPHISTICATED GET OUT THE VOTE OPERATION DELIVERED.

>> VOTE!

>> Mary: EMBATTLED ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON NARROWLY ON.

>> IT'S NOT THE TIME TO GET A WALL STREET HEDGE FUND LAWYER IN CHARGE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS DID NOT DIVIDE UP LIKE REPUBLICANS IN THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTION.

>> WE HAVE HAD TO STICK TOGETHER.

>> Mary: THE FORMER FOOTBALL COACH LED HIS DFL TEAM TO ANOTHER SWEEP OF STATEWIDE OFFICES.

>> THAT OLD SAYING, IT PROVES TRUE, WE'RE LEAVING IT ALL ON THE FIELD.

>> Mary: AND DEMOCRATS TOOK THE STATE SENATE FOR THE SURPRISE TRIFECTA AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I AM SO HAPPY!

I AM SO TIRED!

[ Laughter ] BUT THIS IS A GOOD DAY.

AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I ARE CELEBRATING WITH OUR SENATE DFL CAUCUS FOR A MINNESOTA SENATE MIRACLE.

>> WE HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE CAUCUS IN HISTORY AND WE WILL HAVE THE LEADERSHIP 'TEAM -- TEAM WILL REPRESENT THAT ENTIRE DIVERSITY, THAT'S INTIEFERSITY ACROSS THE STATE, RACIAL DIVERSITY.

MY GOAL IS TO BE VERY INCLUSIVE AND TO UNIFY US.

>> Mary: HISTORY WAS MADE AS SENATOR DZIEDZIC AS MAJORITIES LEADER AND SPEAKER HORTMAN AS THE FIRST TIME THAT WOMEN HOLD THE TOP TWO POSTS AND THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR WILL PRESIDE OVER ANY LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WITH RECORD DIVERSITY.

>> EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS, IT WAS NOT LOST ON ME THAT MINNESOTA HAS NEVER HAD A SENATE PRESIDENT OF COLOR.

AND I'M PROUD BECAUSE THAT ALSO IS A REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES.

>> I AM REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH, NEWLY ELECTED AS A MINORITY LEADER OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> I HAVE NEVER LED ON THE FACT THAT I'M A BLACK WOMAN.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES ALSO ELECTED NEW LEADERS.

>> MARK JOHNSON, NEWLY ELECTED REPUBLICAN SENATE CAUCUS LEADER TODAY.

I'M FLANKED BY SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ALSO -- WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN ELECTED TO SENATE LEADERSHIP.

>> I BELIEVE THERE ARE ONLY THREE WOMEN IN THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS NOW.

AND THAT IS REALLY DISTURBING.

>> I AM ACTUALLY REALLY SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE NOW GOING TO BE REPRESENTING ESPECIALLY OUR CANDIDATES OF COLOR.

BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK ACROSS MINNESOTA AND WE RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE ARE BECOMING A MORE DIVERSE STATE.

>> THE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER EVERY CYCLE.

I AM SO PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A FOUNDER OF THAT CAUCUS AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE OW IT CHANGES THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD HERE.

>> Mary: THE MAY NOT EVENT AT -- THE MAIN EVENT AT DFL HEADQUARTER WAS THE RE-ELECTION OF TIM WALZ.

>> JUST GRATEFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I'M PRETTY EXCITED.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE, REPUBLICAN SCOTT ENSEN AND RUNNING MATE MATT BIRK ULTIMATELY CONCEDED SAYING THERE WAS NO RED WAVE BUT A BLUE WAVE AS THEY SUFFERED A SOUND DEFEAT.

>> I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE STANDING HERE BEFORE YOU BECAUSE THIS STATE VOTED LIKE IT WAS 2022 AND NOT 1952!

>> Mary: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN MADE IT CLEAR WHAT THE WIN WAS ABOUT HERE.

>> MINNESOTA IS AN ISLAND OF DECENCY IN THE MIDWEST.

THAT IS PROTECTING THEIR ACCESS TO ABORTION.

>> Mary: AND DEMOCRACY WAS ON THE BALLOT AS THE ECRETARY OF STATE PROVED THE TOP VOTE GETTER.

>> NOW, AS SECRETARY OF STATE, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ME SAY A TIME OR TWO THAT I AM IN THE DEMOCRACY BUSINESS!

[ Cheers and applause ] AND I AM SO HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO BE ALLOWED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT BUSINESS IS BOOMING FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS!

>> I'D LIKE TO WELCOME MY FRIEND AND OUR GOVERNOR, TIM WALZ.

>> Mary: DFL GOVERNOR WALZ PROVIDED HIS PARTY WITH A CLEAR VICTORY.

>> WELL, MINNESOTA, DEMOCRACY IS LIVE AND WELL IN THIS STATE.

WELL DONE.

>> Mary: AND HE NOW HAS A DFL LEGISLATURE TO WORK WITH TO SPEND ABOUT $10 BILLION IN SURPLUS FUNDS.

>> THERE IS NO RED WAVE AND WE ARE COMING.

WE ARE COMING.

TAX CUTS, INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, PAID PARENTAL LEAVE, LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING COULD ALL BE COMING.

>> THERE'S A CHANGED DYNAMIC COMING NOW.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THINGS BE STALLED.

>> Mary: MINNESOTA DOESN'T HAVE TERM LIMITS, JUST A TRADITION OF TWO-TERM GOVERNORS, WHICH WE WONDER IF THAT COULD BE CHANGING.

>> YOU MENTIONED THIS IS YOUR SECOND TERM.

WE DON'T HAVE TERM LIMITS.

WE HAVE A TRADITION, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN, IS THIS YOUR LAST TERM?

>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

[ Laughter ] >> YEAH.

I'M JUST GOING TO -- ON MY TWO HOURS OF SLEEP THAT I HAVE, I HAVE BEEN SAYING, I WAS WALKING AROUND AYING, WELL, I'M 9-0 NOW, AND THAT SEEMS PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO BE.

SO, YEAH, WE'LL JUST GET THROUGH THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND GET MOVIN'.

♪♪ >> CATHY: ALL YEAR LONG, THE VAST MAJORITY OF AMERICANS HAVE CONSISTENTLY TOLD POLLSTERS THAT THE COUNTRY IS ON THE WRONG TRACK.

BUT ON TUESDAY, MOST AMERICANS VOTED FOR THE STATUS QUO.

WHAT DO WE MAKE OF THAT?

THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE'LL ASK THE FOURSOME JOINING US ON THE COUCH.

WE HAVEN'T HAD FOUR PEOPLE ON THE COUCH FOR A LONG TIME.

REPUBLICANS GO FIRST.

AMY KOCH IS HERE.

FORMER MINNESOTA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

FELLOW REPUBLICAN GREGG PEPPIN JOINS US.

HE'S A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

JAVIER MORILLO IS BACK.

DFLER, FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER.

AND WE WELCOME BACK JEREMY KALIN.

THE DFLER IS A FORMER LAWMAKER AND AN ATTORNEY.

GOOD TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

AMY KOCH, IT APPEARS THAT ABORTION WAS ON THE BALLOT.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S NEVER ONE THING WITH ANY KIND OF ELECTION LIKE THIS.

BUT IT CERTAINLY WAS.

WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING TODAY, I CALL IT THE MURDER THEORY, IN THAT WOMEN ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY THAN MEN TO USE POISON WHEN THEY KILL SOMEONE.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE -- IT'S NOT MAKING A FUSS.

SO THAT'S WHY PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE THIS ON THEIR RADAR, RIGHT?

THE WOMEN JUST -- THEY DIDN'T POST, THEY DIDN'T ROTEST, THEY JUST WENT TO THE POLLS AND GOT THE JOB DONE.

THAT'S WHAT WE SAW.

AND, FORTUNATELY, FOR MY -- AND UNFORTUNATELY, FOR MY PARTY, THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH MY PARTY.

>> Eric: GREGG, IS IT A COMBINATION OF A BAD REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN AND ALSO THIS NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC WAVE OR HOW DO YOU JUDGE WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

BECAUSE IT WAS KIND OF THE SAME WAY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, REALLY.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, TO SOME EXTENT, IT WAS A STATUS QUO ELECTION IF YOU LOOK AT THINGS.

YOU KNOW, THE SENATE IN MINNESOTA SHIFTED BY ONE VOTE.

THE HOUSE WAS LARGELY THE SAME.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS, GOVERNOR WALZ GOT 83,000 FEWER VOTES THIS LECTION THAN HE DID FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE GOT 83,000 MORE VOTES THAN OUR CANDIDATE LAST TIME.

SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WAS REALLY A TURNOUT EFFORT, AND, YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS, YOU KNOW, TO THEIR CREDIT, SUCCEEDED IN THAT AND HAVE BEEN SUPERIOR IN THAT OVER THE YEARS AND IT PAID OFF THIS TIME.

>> I WOULDN'T CALL IT STATUS QUO ELECTION BECAUSE I THINK THAT OUR LAST FEW ELECTIONS, I THINK THE LAST TIME WE WERE ON, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND I SAID OUR LAST ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CHAOTIC.

THERE'S TRUMP -- TRUMP HAS BEEN A VERY CHAOTIC FORCE.

AND THIS LAST YEAR REMINDED VOTERS OF THE EXTREMISM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WITH THE DOBBS DECISION, IT REMINDED VOTERS OF THE EXTREMISM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEN IT CAME TO THE JANUARY 6th AND THE JANUARY 6th HEARINGS, I THINK THOSE CLEARLY PENETRATED VERY DEEPLY AND MANY MANY MORE VOTERS SAID THAT ABORTION AND ISSUES OF DEMOCRACY WERE AT THE TOP OF THEIR AGENDA.

SO THERE WAS A REJECTION OF REPUBLICANS.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THERE WERE A COUPLE OF THEMES.

I THINK, JAVIER, THERE'S ONE VERY CLEAR, AMY,' I AM NOT GOING TO USE THE SAME ANALOGY, BUT HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE WOMEN SCORNED WHO REALLY STOOD UP AND SAID, AND ALLIES, WHO SAID, I DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT REACHING THAT FAR INTO OUR LIVES.

THIS WAS EXISTENTIAL ON ABORTION RIGHTS AND IT WAS EXISTENTIAL ON DEMOCRACY.

I THINK THERE WAS THIS NOTION OF, I MEAN, I HEARD REPORTS FROM JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, THAT IN EXURBS, OUTERRER SUBURBS THAT REPUBLICAN WOMEN WERE DOING THE SAME THING I HEARD FROM REPUBLICAN MEN IN 2018, THEY'RE SAYING, I'M STILL REPUBLICAN, BUT I'M VOTING D, I'M VOTING BLUE, BECAUSE IT'S TOO UCH, IT'S TOO FAR AND I ALSO THINK THAT THERE IS THIS KIND OF ENDORSEMENT FROM 2020 OF JOE BIDEN IS A CANDIDATE OF DECENCY AND TIM WALZ AND PEGGY FLANAGAN AS PEOPLE OF DECENCY THAT I THINK PEOPLE DID WANT, IN SOME WAYS, I'LL ACCEPT YOUR ARGUMENT, GREGG, STATUS QUO, MEANING WE TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STEERING THE SHIP AND WE'RE DONE WITH THE DRAMA.

>> Eric: I AW KELLY FENTON ON TWITTER TODAY DEETD LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE, FORMER PARTY LEADER, SAYING THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO GET RID OF THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS AND GO RIGHT TO A PRIMARY.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE SOME REAPPRAISAL ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AS TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> THERE ALWAYS IS.

AFTER AN ELECTION.

FRANKLY, THERE ALWAYS IS AFTER AN ELECTION, WHETHER WE WIN OR LOSE, THAT WE SHOULD REVISIT THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, I'M AMBIVALENT ON THAT.

I THINK THERE IS SOME BENEFITS TO KEEPING THE EXISTING SYSTEM.

BUT I CAN ALSO SEE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO GO STRAIGHT TO A PRIMARY.

SO, YES, WE WILL DISCUSS THAT.

WE WILL DEBATE THAT.

AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> I MEAN, IT'S CERTAINLY CLEAR THAT THE PEOPLE INSIDE THOSE SMALL ROOMS ACROSS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAVE BECOME MORE AND MORE AND MORE TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE SORT OF EXTREME, I CAN'T IMAGINE ELECTING A GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE OUT OF A CAUCUS ENDORSEMENT.

>> I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY IF IT'S THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE MECHANISM IS.

BUT CANDIDATES MATTERED IN THIS RACE.

BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE SAYING ABOUT THE BLUE WAVE OR A RED WAVE, ALL THAT, ACTUALLY, THERE WAS A LOT OF TICKET SPLITTING GOING ON.

IN GEORGIA, BRIAN KEMP WON HANDILY AND HERSCHEL WALKER WAS HANDED A RUN-OFF.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, THE GOVERNOR'S CANDIDATE LOST BY SEVEN AND A HALF, ALMOST EIGHT POINTS.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT AND EXPECT EXPECT THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE TO, YOU KNOW, FLIP OVER A MAJORITY OR HOLD ONTO A MAJORITY.

IT'S TOO HEAVY AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

AND, YET, WE HAD AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CANDIDATE AND A STATE AUDITOR'S CANDIDATE THAT CAME WITHIN LESS THAN HALF A PERCENT IN THE CASE OF THE STATE AUDITOR AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE STATE AUDITOR IS OR DOES.

AND, SO, CANDIDATES ACTUALLY MATTER.

AND I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PROCESS IS FOR GETTING CANDIDATES THAT CAN WIN STATEWIDE ON THE TICKET.

BUT REPUBLICANS NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT, FIGURE IT OUT QUICKLY.

>> I THINK IT BEARS MENTIONING THAT VOTERS IN MINNESOTA, AND I THINK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HAVE GROWN WISE TO WHEN THEY'RE BEING BAMBOOZLED.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DISTRACT THEM.

THE MESSAGING ON CRIME WAS SO OVER THE TOP, IT WAS -- THAT IT WAS VERY CLEAR TO VOTERS, WHEN WE NAMED IT TO PEOPLE, LIKE, CLEARLY, JIM SCHULTZ, DISTRACT YOU, HE'S TALKING ABOUT CRIME, THAT'S NOT EVEN WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DOES.

AND PEOPLE REJECTED THOSE POLITICS OF DIVISION.

AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN NOW, ON ISSUES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, POLICE, ALL THESE THINGS, ACTUALLY HAVE A CONVERSATION THAT'S OUTSIDE OF THE HEATED BATTLE OF CAMPAIGNS BECAUSE, LIKE PEOPLE SAW THROUGH IT.

AND THANK GOD THEY DID.

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH YOU THERE, JAVIER, AT LEAST TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

BUT IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN, IF YOU'RE SCOTT JENSEN, AND YOU'VE GOT THE ALLIANCE FOR BETTER MINNESOTA SPENDING $14 MILLION DEFINING WHO YOU ARE AND IF YOU'RE KEITH ELLISON AND YOU HAVE ALLIES COMING IN AND SPENDING $4 MILLION, THAT'S THE CHALLENGE -- >> AND REPUBLICANS NEED TO OVERCOME.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME.

NOW, WHETHER WE OVERCOME THAT WITH OUR OWN DEEP POCKETS OR WHETHER WE JIU JITSU THAT AND LOSE THAT AGAINST DEMOCRATS FOR TRYING TO BUY THE OFFICE, SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE THERE ON THAT PROBLEM.

>> Eric: HOW GOOD IS GOVERNOR WALZ AND SPEAKER HORTMAN AND LEADER DZIEDZIC GOING TO BE AT SAYING NO?

BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE UNMET NEEDS GROUPS AND THE TEACHERS UNION OMING WITH BOTH HANDS OUT.

>> I MEAN, I LISTENED REALLY CAREFULLY TO HOW, FROM THE VERY FIRST HOURS OF THESE MAJORITIES WERE SPEAKING, AND I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT THERE'S THOUGHTFULNESS ALREADY.

AMY'S BEEN IN THIS POSITION OF HAVING TO WRANGLE A CAUCUS, WITH NOT A WHOLE LOT OF ROOM.

AND I'VE BEEN IN THE POSITION OF BEING ONE OF THOSE EDGE, YOU KNOW, SWING SEATS.

AND I DON'T HEAR THIS ZEALOUSNESS TO TAKE EVERY SINGLE ISSUE AND DO IT ALL AT ONCE BUT TO BE METHODICAL AND DELIVER.

AND THE YOUNG VOTE THAT TURNED OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY I THINK DID SO BECAUSE THERE ARE RESULTS, THERE WAS STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, CLIMATE ACTION, ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE TABLE.

THESE REALLY MATTERED.

AND I THINK THESE TWO CAUCUSES GET IT.

AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT'S ONE REASON WHY THE REPUBLICANS LOST IS BECAUSE THEY LEFT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF NEEDED INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY ON THE ABLE AND WALKED AWAY.

>> Eric: BOTH CHAMBERS REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRATS, CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS.

CULTURAL AND RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO CHAMBERS, YOU CAN SPEAK TO THAT AS A SENATOR.

>> THE TRIFECTA GIVETH AND THE TRIFECTA TAKETH AWAY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PITFALLS GOING FORWARD >> IT WILL BE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH ALL THREE LEGS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

EVERYONE'S GOING TO HAVE COMPETING PRIORITIES.

EVERYBODY'S PLAYING NICE RIGHT NOW.

BUT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A LOT HARDER WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE SORT OF THE BOGEYMAN OF THE OTHER PARTY TO SAY, LISTEN, GUYS, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY DO THIS, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THEY'RE NEVER GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN.

GUESS WHAT?

YOU CAN'T SAY THAT ANYMORE BECAUSE IT'S ALL YOU.

AND, SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE THESE TWO LEADERS IN ACTION.

I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TOP POSITIONS NOW ARE WOMEN.

HURRAY!

AND ACTUALLY THINK THAT'S GOING TO SHOW US A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AT THE CAPITOL TOO.

>> Eric: THERE CAN BE DEMOCRAT ON DEMOCRAT VIOLENCE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT LET'S REMEMBER THAT THIS LAST SESSION, THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS REFUSED TO COME BACK FROM SPECIAL SESSION, THEY HAD A TAX BILL THAT WAS A COMPROMISED BILL, BUT THEY WERE MEASURING THE CURTAINS AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD THE MAJORITY, SO THEY LET IT GO.

THEY DIDN'T COME BACK.

THEY DIDN'T FINISH THEIR WORK.

SO THERE'S NOW A VERY BIG SURPLUS.

THAT DEMOCRATIC TRIFECTA GETS TO GOVERN WITH.

SO IT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER THAN IT OTHERWISE WOULD.

>> Cathy: LOOKING AT THAT, SENATOR, THAT WAS A MISTAKE, WASN'T IT?

, THAT WAS A MISCALCULATION?

>> I THINK IT WAS A MISCALCULATION.

I'VE TOLD THAT TO SOME MEMBERS.

>> YOU SAID IT IN REALTIME.

>> I SAID IT N REALTIME.

HEY, I THINK YOU SHOULD GET SOME THINGS DONE, MAKE SOME MOVES.

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.

SO TO MAKE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE IN POLITICS, DO YOUR GOOD WORK NOW, IT WILL ALWAYS PAY OFF.

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, INSTEAD OF INVESTIGATING THE LARGEST FRAUD IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, JESSE VENTURA'S GOING TO GET TO SMOKE DOPE, OKAY.

INSTEAD OF SIGNIFICANT TAX REFORM, THAT MINNESOTANS DESERVE AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES DESERVE, WE'RE GOING TO GET A PUNY LITTLE WALZ CHECK.

AND INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE EDUCATION CHALLENGES, THE DEMOCRATS WILL TRY TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION AND EVEN $10 BILLION WON'T BE ENOUGH FOR THAT.

SO WRANGLING THE DEMOCRATS IN TO GETTING THINGS DONE THAT REALLY MEAN A LOT I THINK IS GOING TO BE VERY ERY INTERESTING.

AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO SET THE STAGE FOR A 2024 ELECTION THAT MIGHT GO THE OTHER WAY.

>> I THINK WHAT'S GOING TO BE ACTUALLY QUITE INTERESTING, GREGG, IS GOING TO BE THE RESULTS PIECE OF THIS.

I MEAN, I LOOKED AT THE MAP, AS AN EXURB BAN AND RURAL GUY WHO'S ONE LAYER OUT FURTHER OUT FROM WHERE YOU REPRESENTED, AMY, THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHO'S GOING TO DELIVER, t. CLOUD, MOORHEAD, IRON RANGE, ROCHESTER, THIS IS NOT JUST A TWIN CITIES MAJORITY.

EXURBAN.

IT'S REGIONAL CENTERS.

AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT RURAL MINNESOTANS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO WHO DELIVERS ON CLEAN WATER, ON STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE, ON FUNDING FOR FARMERS, ON ROADS AND BRIDGES, ON TOWNSHIP INVESTMENTS.

AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A ONE MINNESOTA AGENDA THAT ACTUALLY COMES OUT.

REGARDLESS OF WHERE THOSE POPULATION CENTERS ARE.

>> I THINK GREATER MINNESOTA FEARS WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> OF COURSE THEY DO.

>> BUT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER.

IT'S THE DBLGHT FARMER LABOR -- DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY AND FARMERS ARE GOING TO BE DOING VERY VERY WELL IN SPITE OF THE RHETORIC THAT I THINK IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH AT THEM, THAT'S GOING O TRY TO DIVIDE.

I DO THINK RESULTS REALLY MATTER AND THEY'RE VERY SAVVY.

>> YOU SOUND MAD.

HERE THE THING.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE SEEN POLITICS OF DIVISION IN THIS STATE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF T. AND PEOPLE REJECTED IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE MAYBE YOU ALL SHOULDN'T HAVE RUN OMEONE WHO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT LITTER BOXES INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THERE WAS THIS CULTURAL WARRIOR LANGUAGE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO SAID WOMEN SHOULDN'T HAVE CAREERS, IKE, YEAH, PEOPLE WILL REJECT THAT, AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Eric: DOES TRUMP ANNOUNCING TUESDAY THAT HE'S RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024, WHAT OES THAT DO TO THE REPUBLICAN SITUATION?

>> YEAH, WE NEED TO TURN THE PAGE.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF EXCITING LEADERS OUT THERE, WHETHER IT'S NIKKI HAILEY, RON DESANTIS, GLENN YOUNGKIN, TIM SCOTT, WE NEED A NEW SET OF LEADERS, WE'RE GETTING THAT AT THE STATE CAPITOL, WE NEED THAT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, I THINK THAT WILL CATAPULT US, QUITE FRANKLY, VERY WELL.

>> AGREE COMPLETELY WITH WHAT GREGG IS SAYING.

BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TRUMP WILL GO QUIETLY.

NEU.

>> Cathy: SAY, BEFORE YOU GO, WE SHOULD PROBABLY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT SENATOR DOUG JOHNSON WHO PASSED AWAY, DFL SENATOR, LONGTIME SENATOR.

IRON RANGER.

JEREMY KALIN, I MEAN, HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST OF THAT BREED, IN A SENSE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD HONOR PEOPLE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES TO PUBLIC SERVICE FOR DECADES AND DECADES AND DOUG -- SENATOR JOHNSON WAS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.

YOU SPEND ANY TIME UP ON THE RANGE, AS I DO, YOU SEE THEIR FOOTPRINTS EVERYWHERE.

LIKE MY FRIEND, REPRESENTATIVE DAVID DILL, THAT I SERVED WITH, I THINK THAT THERE IS A NEW GENERATION, AS GREGG AND AMY WERE SAYING, OF LEADERS THAT HAVE COME AND THE IRV ANDERSONS AND OUG JOHNSONS OF THE WORLD CERTAINLY INVESTED IN THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE, THE GREAT FOUNDATION OF GOOD LIFE WE HAVE.

AND APPRECIATE THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY GAVE AND THE SACRIFICES THAT THEIR FAMILY GAVE.

>> Eric: HE COULD CUT A DEAL.

>> HE COULD CUT A DEAL.

HE COULD REALLY CUT A DEAL.

AND THAT IS SORT OF MISSING, RIGHT?

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE BRING THAT BACK.

BUT WE NEED SOME FOLKS THAT CAN ACTUALLY GET THINGS DONE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: AT THE END OF A LONG WEEK.

THANK YOU, ALL.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH MINNESOTA HISTORY.

THIS QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE.

ON THE FINAL TUESDAY OF AUGUST IN 1983, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DID SOMETHING HISTORIC.

THE TEAM DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY.

NOT ONLY THAT, BY DOING THIS CERTAIN SOMETHING, THE VIKINGS BECAME THE FINAL NFL TEAM TO ACHIEVE THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.

WE WANT YOU TO SAY WHAT THIS WAS.

WHAT DID THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS DO FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN LATE AUGUST OF 1983?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

AND WE AREN'T FUSSY ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE.

PERHAPS YOU CALL GRANT COUNTY HOME.

OR GRANT CITY.

OR GRANT LAKE.

OR GRANT TOWNSHIP.

ANYWHERE YOU ARE DOMICILED WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL.

CALL IN OR HIRE A SURROGATE IF YOU WISH.

EMAIL IS ALSO AN OPTION AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

AND DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO BLURTING OUT INDEX FILE ANSWERS.

WE ALSO WELCOME COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR PROGRAM.

651-229-1430.

>>> FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC WE DIP INTO THE TPT ARCHIVES FOR A CLIP THAT HASN'T BEEN SEEN IN MANY YEARS.

FOLK SINGER GREG BROWN IS CAUSING SOME BUZZ WITH TWO CONCERTS NEXT MONTH AT CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 1991, BROWN APPEARED ON KTCA'S "SHOWCASE" MUSIC SERIES.

GREG BROWN IS THE SON OF A PENTACOSTAL MINISTER, AND THAT NIGHT HE SANG A TUNE CALLED "POOR BACKSLIDER."

BROWN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY PAT DONAHUE.

THE TUNE IS A GEM.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE IT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ HOLDIN' MY HAND.

♪ PLEASE DON'T LET ME SLIDE BACK IN THE DARK AGAIN ♪ ♪ PREACHER TOLD ME ♪ ♪ WHAT WAS NEVER GONE, COMBED MY HAIR WITH WATER ♪ ♪ PUT MY WHITE SHIRT ON ♪ ♪ ONE SUNDAY MORNING ♪ ♪ PUT THE FAMILY IN THE CAR ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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