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

>> ERIC: HERE'S THE LINEUP.

MORE DETAILS ON THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROBLEMS.

PLANS FOR A MEDICAL SCHOOL IN ST CLOUD.

AND A PROFILE OF INDIGENOUS CHEF SEAN SHERMAN.

THEN WE BRING YOU MEMORABLE TESTIMONY AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

>> Mary: WE'LL HEAR FROM A 99-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR WHO'S ADD VOO CRATING FOR HE HADDING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT WHAT SHE WENT THROUGH AND OTHERS.

>> IF IT COULD HAPPEN THERE, IT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

>> 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.

ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

>> ERIC: IN A FEW MINUTES WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE RANSOMWARE ATTACK ON MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND HEAR MORE FROM HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR DORA ZAIDENWEBER.

BUT FIRST, ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT.

>> CATHY: ON THURSDAY, THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE RELEASED THE SECOND OF FOUR AUDITS OF THE 14-MILE EXTENSION OF THE GREEN LINE TO THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBS.

THE AUDIT RAISED MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT COST OVERRUNS, AND MET COUNCIL OVERSIGHT.

BACK WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THE TROUBLED PROJECT, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR JUDY RANDALL.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NATION TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: YOU ALWAYS HAVE BAD NEWS WHEN YOU COME HERE.

>> SORRY.

>> Cathy: THAT'S OKAY, NOT YOUR FAULT.

MET COUNCIL SPENT MONEY IT DIDN'T HAVE.

>> CORRECT.

>> Cathy: DIDN'T HOLD CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THERE WERE COST OVERRUNS AND EVIDENTLY WASN'T TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE COST AND DELAYS.

WHAT LED TO THIS MESS?

>> WELL, THERE IS A LOT OF TOOKTORS THAT LED TO IT.

I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE THINK IS THAT MET COUNCIL IS THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY, SO THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING THIS RAIL LINE, THIS LIGHT RAIL LINE, BUT THEY ARE NOT THE ONES FUNDING IT.

SO THERE'S KIND OF THIS MISMATCH IS WHAT WE SAY IN THE REPORT BETWEEN WHO'S RESPONSIBLE AND WHO'S FUNDING IT.

THE MONEY IS REALLY COME FROM THE FEDS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, A LITTLE BIT FROM THE CITIES BUT THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS THE ONE MAKING ALL THE DECISIONS SO, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE MAKING DESIGNIFICANCES WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY.

IT MAKES IT HARD TO HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Cathy: SHOULD THEY HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME GOING FORWARD?

>> THAT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE LEGISLATURE, TO CREATE A FRAMEWORK WHERE THE PERSON OR THE ENTITY RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING ALSO HAS SKIN IN THE GAME.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THAT A LOT OF THIS MONEY COMES FROM THE FEDS?

WAS THIS JUST A INDICATION OF NOT WANTING TO TURN DOWN A BIG FEDERAL GRANT FOR THIS?

>> I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT LED TO THE COST OVERRUINS.

ONE OF THE ONES WE CITE IS THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL BIG ITEMS NOT INCLUDES IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WHEN THEY LET IT OUT TO BID SO THIS CORRIDOR PROTECTION WALL, WHICH IS A CON TREAT BARRIER BETWEEN WHERE THE LIGHT RAIL LINE RUNS AND THE FREIGHT RAIL LINE RUNS, THAT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE ITEM.

NECESSITY KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO BE COMING BUT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE IT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS, SO THERE WERE KEY EXPENSIVE THINGS THAT WEREN'T INCLUDED SO IT WAS KIND OF INEVITABLE, FRANKLY, THAT THE PRICE WOULD INCREASE.

>> Eric: AND NOW YOU'RE IN A POSITION, IF YOU'RE THE LEGISLATURE WHERE IT'S TOO BIG TO FAIL, RIGHT?

>> WELL, ATTENTION WE SAY IS IN THE REPORT, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COMPLETE THE LINE AND THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO STOP THE LINE.

BECAUSE STOPPING THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS MONEY, ALSO.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO SECURE THE THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN BUILT, YOU HAVE TO -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO COMPLETELY NOT DO THIS LINE, YOU HAVE TO REBUILD SOME THINGS THAT WERE UNDONE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION.

SO THEY ARE -- THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT IN A PICKLE RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: IS THIS SETTING A RECORD FOR THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR HAS REVIEWED A PROJECT?

I GUESS YOU GOT SOME MORE IN THE PIPELINE, HUH?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'LL BE DOING A TOTAL OF FOUR DIFFERENT REVIEWS, SPECIAL REVIEW, TWO PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND A FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THIS PROJECT, ALL WITHIN THE SPAN OF ABOUT A YEAR.

>> Cathy: WOW.

SO DO YOU THINK THINGS WILL JUST GETS WORSE, THE MORE YOU DIG?

>> I HOPE NOT.

BUT EACH REPORT THAT WE ARE DOING KIND OF GOES A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, SO WE STARTED KIND OF BROAD, LIKE OVERALL PROJECT TIMELINE, BUDGET, AND THEN EACH TIME WE'RE GOING DEEPER INTO THE DETAILS, SO THE NEXT PROJECT IS GOING TO BE LOOKING AT CHANGES -- CHANGE ORDERS THAT HAPPENED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS AND HOW MUCH METROPOLITAN COUNCIL KIND OF OVERSAW THOSE CHANGES AND NEGOTIATED THEM WITH THE CONTRACTOR.

AND THE LAST ONE, A FINANCIAL AUDIT WILL LOOK AT SPECIFIC TRANSACTION THAT IS WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT.

>> Cathy: WHAT WAS THE ROLE, BY THE WAY, OF THE TUNNEL, THE UCH-MALIGNED AND CONTROVERSIAL TUNNEL IN ALL OF THIS?

>> SO IT IS TUNNEL IS IN THE KENILWORTH CORRIDOR AND IT IS A BIG CAUSE OF THE DELAYS AND BUDGET INCREASES.

THERE WERE SOME UNKNOWN FACTORS IN THERE.

THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DID HAVE PRE-CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING ANALYSIS DONE IN THAT AREA.

IT DID NOT IDENTIFY MANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE RUN INTO.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THIS SPEAK TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT SOME KIND OF DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT FOR THESE BIG TRANSIT PROJECTS OR SOME REORGANIZATION OR -- >> YEAH, SO WE RECOMMEND THAT THEY CREATE A FRAMEWORK SO THAT YOU'VE GOT THE FOLKS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING, THE ONE PAYING FOR IT, AT EAST PAYING FOR SOME OF IT AND THERE'S KIND OF THREE ENTITIES THAT MAKE SENSE.

MnDOT, THE COUNTIES OR METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

EACH ONE OF THOSE HAS PROS AND CONS SO IT'S GOING TO BE A TRICKY FIX BUT WE DO THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

IF THEY DECIDE TO KEEP IT WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, THOUGH, WE DO THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE ORE ACCOUNTABLE WITHIN THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

>> Cathy: SO THIS -- I'M SORRY.

SO THIS PROJECT COULD BE MOVED OUT OF THE REALM OF HE MET COUNCIL.

>> I'M SORRY, NOT THIS PROJECT, I THINK THIS PROJECT IS TOO FAR GONE BUT FUTURE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECTS.

>> Cathy: UNDERSTOOD.

>> Eric: HAS THE CREDIBILITY, I GUESS 'M ASKING FOR SPECULATION ON YOUR PART, BUT AS AUDITORS OF THIS, IS THE MET COUNCIL JUST A FLAWED BASIC LEVEL FRAUD -- JUST NOT UP TO IT?

>> I THINK THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN TROUBLED, WHETHER THAT'S AN INDICTMENT OF THE WHOLE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, I CAN'T GO THERE.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON TONIGHT AND WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK WITH, WHAT, THE THIRD OF THE SUPPORT REPORTS.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: THANKS, MADAM AUDITOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU GUYS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH A DATA BREACH.

TODAY WAS THE DEADLINE THAT HACKERS SET FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PAY A RANSOM OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS, OR ELSE THE CYBER THIEVES WOULD RELEASE PRIVATE DATA ON STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO THE PUBLIC.

THIS MORNING, THE DEADLINE PASSED.

NO RANSOM WAS PAID AND THE DATA WAS RELEASED TO THE DARK WEB.

WITH US TO TALK ABOUT TODAY'S NEWS, IAN COLDWATER IS A CYBER SECURITY EXPERT WHO IS A PARENT OF A STUDENT IN THE MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOLS.

MARK KEIERLEBER JOINS US BY ZOOM.

HE'S BEEN COVERING THIS STORY FOR THE NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWSITE, "74."

FIRST OF ALL, MARK, WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS DATA ON THE DARK WEB?

IS IT GOING TO BE READILY AVAILABLE FOR OTHER -- THAT WILL CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS FOR PEOPLE OR... >> THAT'S A REALLY GREAT QUESTION AND THAT'S ACTUALLY PART OF THE MYSTERY, SO THESE RANSOM WARE GANGS, THEY LEVERAGE WHAT'S CALLED A DOUBLE EXTORTION ATTACK, THEY ENCRYPT THE DATA, THREATEN TO, YOU KNOW, RELEASE THAT DATA IF YOU DON'T PAY THE RANSOM AND BECAUSE IT'S ENCRYPTED, YOU CAN'T GENERALLY HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

WITH THIS PARTICULAR ATTACK, IT'S A LITTLE BIT INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, THE TICKER WENT DOWN TO ZERO EARLY THIS MORNING AND THE RANSOMWARE GANG'S DARK WEB LOG SAYS, HEY, THAT DATA LAST NOW BEEN PUBLISHED, CLICK THIS BUTTON HERE TO ACTUALLY ACCESS THE INFORMATION BUT IF YOU CLICK THAT BUTTON, IT DIRECTS YOU TO REACH OUT AND CONTACT THE GROUP RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW, DIRECTING YOU TO A FILE DOWNLOAD.

SO IT DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THE DATA IS ACTUALLY IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE ON THE DARK WEB.

THOUGH THE GANG HAS BEEN KNOWN TO USE OTHER PLATFORMS, INCLUDING WHAT RESEMBLES A [INDISCERNIBLE] BLOG AND THE ENCRYPTED MESSAGING TELEGRAM TO GIVE THE RECORDS AND IT APPEARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE RECORDS IN THAT SPOT BUT PERHAPS ON A DELAY.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: IAN, WHO'S AFFECTED BY THIS?

WE'VE HEARD THAT FAMILIES AND STAFFERS AND STUDENTS, BUILT IS THIS -- IS THIS GROUP BEEN ALLEGED?

>> SO, WE CAN GET A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF DATA THEY HAVE FROM THE EXAMPLE DATA SET THAT HE MEDUSA GROUP HAD PUBLISHED.

THEY PUBLISHED SOME SCREEN SHOTS INITIALLY BEFORE TODAY AS WELL AS A PURPORTEDLY COMPLETE FILE TREE INVOLVING THE NAMES OF THE FILES HAT THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD.

YOU CAN GET A LOT OF INFORMATION JUST FROM WHAT THEY PUT OUT THERE BECAUSE THOSE FILES ARE VERY SCRIPTIVELY NAMED WITH PEOPLE'S NAMES IN THEM, FOR EXAMPLE, SO YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF WHO MIGHT E AFFECTED AND WHAT KIND OF DATA MIGHT BE IN THERE.

SOME PEOPLE OR CLASSES OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT E AFFECTED BY THIS THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE EXAMPLE DATA SET ARE CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENTS, BECAUSE THIS DATA GOES BACK QUITE SOME TIME.

CURRENT AND FORMER STAFF MEMBERS.

PARENTS HO HAVE CONTACT INFORMATION CONNECTED TO THEIR STUDENTS.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE QUITE A BIT OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THERE, AND VENDORS WHO HAVE DONE CONTRACT BUSINESS WITH MPS.

>> Eric: I'M WONDERING, MARK, IF THIS IS SOMETHING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS NOT DONE PROPERLY OR IS THIS JUST THE WAY OF THE MODERN ORLD?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE, AS WELL, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW, CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS CERTAINLY REMINDS ME WHENEVER I TALK TO THEM, HEY, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ALSO, YOU KNOW, VICTIMS OF ATTACKS AND THERE IS NO REAL SENSE THAT -- THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT THIS 100% BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY OOD QUESTIONS NOW THAT THIS RAISES ABOUT WHAT KIND OF PROCEDURES DOES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE IN PLACE IN TERMS OF PREVENTING IT AND WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO NOW, MOVING FORWARD?

>> Cathy: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, IAN.

AS AN EXPERT, MPS HAS NOT BEEN TERRIBLY TRANSPARENT ABOUT THIS.

ARE THEY WORRIED ABOUT LAWSUITS OR DO THEY JUST NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING INITIALLY?

WHY THE -- WHY THE TIGHT-LIP EDNESS ABOUT THIS?

>> IT'S NOT 100% CLEAR AND THE DISTRICT CERTAINLY ISN'T TELLING US.

I SUSPECT THAT THERE'S PROBABLY SOME COMBINATION OF THEM BE CONCERNED ABOUT LIABILITY AND THE COMMUNICATION THAT THE DISTRICT PUT OUT TODAY ENCOURAGED PEOPLE NOT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT MIGHT STOKE FEAR AND PANIC.

I PERSONALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT HAVING KNOWLEDGE IS POWER ND PEOPLE ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BE SCARED AND PANIC IF THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

BUT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THEY MIGHT JUST BE AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT THINK OR SAY.

>> Cathy: WHY ARE SCHOOLS BEING TARGETED?

WHY WOULD A SCHOOL DISTRICT BE A TARGET-RICH -- >> SO, THESE GROUPS RELATIVELY COMMONLY TARGET, FOR EXAMPLE, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ND OSPITALS FOR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

ONE IS SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HOSPITALS TEND TO HAVE A LOT OF SENSITIVE DATA THAT THEY'RE SITTING ON THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT WANT RELEASED, SUCH AS PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION AND RECORDS ABOUT MINORS.

ANOTHER IS THAT OFTEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HOSPITALS MIGHT HAVE MORE LAX SECURITY PRACTICES THAN, LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, LARGE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES.

>> Eric: MARK, I WONDER IF THIS SPEAKS TO WHETHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN GENERAL SHOULD KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION?

DO THEY GATHER TOO MUCH STUFF?

>> WELL, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT SCHOOLS ARE INSTRUCTED BY VARIOUS LAWS TO GATHER ALL KIND OF INFORMATION.

CERTAINLY SCHOOLS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE INCREASED THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT THEY'VE BEEN GATHERING ON STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, RELATED TO THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

THERE ARE ALSO MANDATES THAT COLLECT A LOT OF DATA AND INFORMATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TO TRY TO TRACK AND MONITOR, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE.

AND THERE ARE LAWS, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE STATE TO, YOU KNOW, REPAYING THAT DATA SO, REALLY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE IN A TOUGH PLACE WHERE THEY ARE REALLY REQUIRED TO KEEP A LOT OF THIS DATA BUT PART OF THE QUESTION HERE IS WHY THAT DATA WAS ON A SERVER THAT WAS TIED TO THE INTERNET.

YOU KNOW, SCHOOLS MIGHT RETAIN DECADES AND DECADES OF STUDENT TRANSCRIPTS BUT THOSE AREN'T FILES THAT ARE REGULARLY ACCESSED, AND SO, YOU KNOW, REASONABLY, YOU KNOW, THEY COULD MAYBE TAKE THOSE OFF-LINE AND STORE THEM IN A SERVER THAT'S NOT READILY AVAILABLE TO THE INTERNET.

>> Cathy: IAN, YOU HAVE A CHILD IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE RAMIFICATIONS GOING FORWARDS AND WHAT ARE PARENTS SUPPOSED TO DO ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, FOR MYSELF PERSONALLY AS SOMEBODY WHO WORKS IN THIS INDUSTRY AND KIND OF UNDERSTANDS HOW THIS WORKS, I'M A LITTLE LESS CONCERNED FOR MY OWN WELL-BEING HERE AND MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT BE THAT CONNECTED, EITHER TO THIS KIND OF INFORMATION, MIGHT NOT BE AS TECHNOLOGICALLY SAVVY, PERHAPS MIGHT HAVE LESS STABLE HOUSING SITUATIONS OR LESS ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY AT ALL SO I THINK ONE OF THE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER HERE IS GETTING THIS INFORMATION OUT TO OTHER PARENTS, TO FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION, MAYBE THEY MIGHT HAVE LANGUAGE BARRIERS OR THING LIKE THAT.

I WISH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD DO IT BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE, KNOW THAT THEY MIGHT BE ASUSPECTED BIT AND KNOW WHAT KIND OF MEASURES AND STEPS THEY CAN TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR KIDS.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU.

VERY GOOD STUFF.

LEARNED A LOT HERE.

THAT WAS GOOD.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU BETTER.

>> CATHY: THIS WEEK, MINNESOTANS MOURNED THE DEATH OF FORMER VIKINGS COACH AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GRADUATE BUD GRANT.

FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE PASSING THIS WEEK OF ANOTHER U OF M GRADUATE, A DEATH THAT GARNERED MUCH LESS COVERAGE.

FORMER COLORADO CONGRESSWOMAN PAT SCHROEDER WAS A GOPHER GRAD, CLASS OF 1961.

SHE WENT ON TO A PIONEERING CAREER IN CONGRESS AND CONSIDERED A RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN THE LATE '80S.

PAT SCHROEDER LEFT CONGRESS IN 1996 AND DIED MONDAY AT AGE 82.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT SCHROEDER'S LEGACY, KATHRYN PEARSON.

THE U OF M POLITICAL SCIENTIST IS AN EXPERT ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS.

KATHRYN WAS ALSO A CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER WHEN SCHROEDER WAS THERE.

YOU DID NOT KNOW THAT.

SHE WAS ONE OF US?

>> YES, SHE MOVED ALL OVER AS A CHILD AND THEN SHE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AND IOWA AND SHE CAME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AS SHE GRADUATED AS A HISTORY MAJOR.

INTERESTINGLY, WHILE SHE WAS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, SHE WROTE ABOUT THIS IN HER BOOK, 4 YEARS OF HOUSEWORK AND THE PLACE IS STILL A MESS.

IT'S A GREAT BOOK, VERY FUNNY, SHE WAS VERY FUNNY.

SHE WRITES ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, SHE LOVED BEING A HISTORY MAJOR, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN STUDENTS GOVERNMENT, AND SHE HAD A PILOT'S LICENSE AND SO SHE EARNED MONEY BY FLYING TO CRASH SITES AND SSESSING AVIATION LOSSES.

SO SHE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WENT TO HARVARD LAW SCHOOL, MET HER HUSBAND AND MOVED TO DENVER AND IN 1972, RAN FOR THE U.S. CONGRESS.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN THE U.S. HOUSE IN 1973 AS A WOMAN, I'M GUESSING IT WASN'T THE MOST WELCOMING PLACE.

>> IT WAS REALLY HOSTILE.

SO SHE WAS ONE OF 14 WOMEN DID THE.

TODAY THERE ARE 125, SO A TOTALLY DIFFERENT INSTITUTION AND, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT AND DEMOCRATS GAVE HER A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

SO SHE WANTED TO BE ON THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE BECAUSE THAT COMMITTEE HAS SO MUCH JURISDICTION OVER DISCRETIONARY SPENDING AND SHE KNEW THAT'S WHERE HE ACTION WAS SO SHE GOT HERSELF ON THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN, EBER, AND HE WAS ERY HOSTILE TO HER AND THIS IS QUITE A WELL-KNOWN STORY, FOR AN ENTIRE CONGRESS, HE HAD CONGRESSWOMAN SCHROEDER AND CONGRESSMAN RON DELMS, A SECOND-YEAR MEMBER OF CONGRESS, A BLACK MEMBER OF CONGRESS REPRESENTING BERKELEY SHARE A CHAIR BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANTS EITHER OF THEM ON HIS COMMITTEE, TO SHOW THEM HIS DISDAIN.

THERE WAS NO WOMEN'S BATHROOM NEAR THE FLOOR AND PLANE OF HER COLLEAGUES DID NOT TAKE HER SERIOUSLY, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE 14 WOMEN, MANY OF THE OTHER WOMEN, NOT ALL, HAD BEEN ELECTED AFTER THE DEALT OF THEIR SPOUSE AND NO OTHERS HAD YOUNG CHILDREN AT THE TIME, WHICH SHE DID.

>> Cathy: WHAT KIND OF A LAWMAKER WAS SHE?

>> AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS ND SUCCESSFUL LAWMAKER.

SHE REALLY PRIORITIZED BOTH HER ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE WORK, EVERYTHING FROM WOMEN ENTERING MILITARY ACADEMIES TO ACTUALLY GETTING BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BILL.

VERY CONFIDENTIALLY.

AND SHE ALSO WAS ONE OF THE WOMEN WHO FOUNDED THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS IN 1975 AND THEN WENT ON TO CHAIR IT FROM 1980 TO 1994.

AND IN THAT CAPACITY, SHE WAS EXTREMELY ACTIVE ON WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES, HELPING TO GET WOMEN IN CLINICAL TRIALS, THE OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH AT INI.H., FIGHTING AGAINST PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION, PASSING LAWS AGAINST THAT, WORKING ON THE PAID MEDICAL LEAVE ACT.

SHE WAS VERY ACTIVE.

>> Eric: IN THE 1988 CAMPAIGN CYCLE, SHE CONSIDERS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, DECIDES NOT TO DO IT AND CRIES SOME VERY FAMOUS TEARS.

>> YES.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS NOT A CRYER, SHE WAS EXTRAORDINARILY SHARP, EXTRAORDINARILY FUNNY.

SHE HAD AN ACERBIC WITNESS AND THIS WAS A MOMENT OF VULNERABILITY SHE DIDN'T OFTEN SHOW AND IT WAS A LONG SPEECH BUT THAT WAS WHAT WAS COVERED.

I THINK BACK IN 1987, WHEN SHE ENDED HER VERY SHORT BID, THERE WAS JUST NO WAY THAT IT IS COUNTRY WAS READY FOR A WOMAN TO BE A MAJOR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

>> Cathy: SO THAT WAS THAT MUCH OF A BACKLASH THAT SHE CRIED?

>> YES.

U.S. AND OTHER WOMEN, WERE THEY SUPPORTIVE?

>> IT WAS MIXED, ACTUALLY, SHE RECOUNTS THAT MANY WOMEN IN AMERICA WERE ALSO NOT READY AT THE TIME FOR A WOMAN PRESIDENT.

>> Eric: SO THE ATMOSPHERE IS, YOU SAID DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT.

DO YOU GIVE HER SKOE MARKS FOR BEING A PIONEER IN THIS AREA -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

SHE SETS AN EXAMPLE, SHE LED BY EXAMPLE, AS THE CHAIR OF THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS, SHE WAS VERY LEVEL TO OTHER WOMEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND SHE WAS ALSO VERY GOOD TO HER STAFF AND REALLY HELPED DEVELOP AN EXCELLENT STAFF THAT MENTORED OTHER STAFF.

SO SHE WAS VERY SMARTS, VERY LEGISLATIVELY ACTIVE, VERY FUNNY, A FIERCE PARTISAN, FROM ATTACKING PRESIDENT REAGAN, NIXON, FORMER SPEECH SNOUT GINGRICH SHE HAD A LOT OF ONE-LINERS BUT SHE PAVED THE WAY FOR WOMEN CANDIDATES, A WOMAN REPLACED HER FROM COLORADO AND PAVED THE WAY.

>> Cathy: DID YOU EVER MEET HER?

>> I DID ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

I OBSERVED HER AS A STAFF MEMBER FOR TWO OTHER WOMEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SO I WAS IN A LOT OF THE WOMEN'S CAUCUS MEETINGS AND GOT TO OBSERVE HER UPSCHLOSS AND PERSONAL SO THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER AND SHARING THIS.

THAT WAS GREAT.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: MINNEAPOLIS' INDIGENOUS RESTAURANT OWAMNI HAS BEEN MAKING WAVES IN THE NATIONAL CULINARY SCENE BY USING ONLY NATIVE INGREDIENTS AVAILABLE IN PRE-COLONIAL TIMES.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE MET CHEF SEAN SHERMAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS VISION.

>> DO I KNOWERS FEATS ON APPEALING REFINED PLATES AS THEY OVERLUKE THE FALLING WATERS OF St. ANTHONY'S DAM.

THIS IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST SEATS IN TOWN AND ALSO GROUND-BREAKING.

>> IN OUR LANGUAGE, MEANS THE PLACE OF THE FALLING SWIRLING WATER AND FOR THE DAKOTA PEOPLE, THERE WAS A VILLAGE ON THIS SIDES OF THE RIVER FOR A LONG, LONG TIME, THIS WAS A PLACE FOR PORTAGING, MEETING, GATHERING, ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

IT WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT SPOT.

>> LAKOTAS CHEF SEAN SHERMAN AND HIS PARTNER OPENED THE RESTAURANT ON DAKOTAS LANDS WITH COOPERATION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD.

LAST YEAR IT WON BEST NEW RESTAURANT IN AMERICA BY THE PRESTIGIOUS JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION.

>> WE USE SIMPLE INGREDIENTS, TRYING TO USE INDIGENOUS, THERE'S NO DAIRY, WHEAT, BEEF, PORK, CHICKEN, THINGS THAT DIDN'T EXIST HERE, WE TOOK AWAY.

>> THE PLATES ARE ARTFUL, STEEPED IN REGIONAL INGREDIENTS YET INFUSED WITH MEANING, LIKE THE BISON TACOS AND SMOKED WHITE FISH.

THE MESSAGE IS NOT ONLY ABOUT SURVIVAL AND SUSTENANCE BUT OF RECLAMATION.

>> WE AREN'T TRYING TO COOK LIKE THE PAST, NOT TRYING TO BE A MUSEUM AND SAY THIS IS A MEAL FROM THE 1800s, WE'RE TRYING TO SAY THIS IS THE FOOD OF THE FUTURE.

>> SHERMAN GREW UNON THE PINE RIDGE REGULARS VACATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

HE GREW UP EATING CANNED FOOD AND FRY BREAD.

BY 14, HE FOUND HIS WAY INTO KITSCHENS AND NEVER LEFT.

>> FEW YEARS INTO MY CHEF CAREER, I RECOGNIZED THE ABSENCE OF INDIGENOUS IN ORDER, INCLUDING IN MY OWN KNOWLEDGE.

>> THAT SETS HIM ABOUT THE PATH OF LEARNING OF THE FOOD OF HIS LAKOTA ANCESTORS BEFORE HE AND COLONIZATION.

THEY LAUNCHED THE SIOUX CHEF BUSINESS IN 2014, A FOOD TRUCK, A FOOD LAB AND A NATIONALLY LAUDED RESTAURANTS LATER.

THE MESSAGE IS RESONATING.

>> I WON'T SAY HE WAS THE FIRST BECAUSE WE'VE HAD OTHER INDIGENOUS CHEFS BUT I THINK SEAN HAS DONE A LOT TO HELP ELEVATE THE MOVEMENT IN TERMS OF BRINGING VISIBILITY, TELLING A STORY.

>> CORNELIUS IS AN ONEIDA NATION FARMER AND INVOLVED WITH THE INDIGENOUS MOVEMENT.

HE SAYS THE RESTAURANTS AKES A POINT TO SOURCE FOOD FROM OTHERS.

>> SEAN IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF REALLY HELPING TO NOT ONLY DIRECT SALES TO PRODUCERS WITH THE RESTAURANT, WITH NATIVES, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S BUILDING A LEVEL OF DEMAND THAT ULTIMATELY IS GOOD FOR OUR PRODUCERS.

THE CHALLENGE WAS WE JUST NEED MORE PRODUCT.

>> CHEF SHERMAN HAS BEEN TAKING HIS MESSAGE ON THE ROAD FROM US TRAIL YA, HAWAII ND EVEN HERE AT MOORHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE IN NORTH AMERICA, WE ARE STANDING ON INDIGENOUS LAND AND NORTH AMERICA HISTORY -- NORTH AMERICA'S HISTORY BEGINS WITH INDIGENOUS HISTORY FIRST.

>> INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS FOLKS CROWDED INTO A ROOM ON CAMPUS TO GET A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM ONE OF THE CULINARY WORLD'S LATEST STARS.

WHAT THEY GOT WAS A HISTORY LESSON.

>> THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE BASICALLY BUILDS THE RAMEWORK AND JUSTIFIES THIS VERY YOUNG COUNTRY, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO BASICALLY MURDER AND REMOVE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND STEAL THEIR ANDS SPACES.

THEY WOULD GATHER THEM ESPECIALLY IN THE WESTERN STATES WHERE THEY WERE MOSTLY STILL TERRITORIES AND THEY WOULD PROMISE THAT IF YOU JOIN UP, WE'LL TAKE OUT THIS COMMUNITY AND YOU CAN TAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT HOME WITH YOU.

IT WAS JUST SO MUCH VIOLENCE IS ALL I'M TRYING TO GET TO AND YOU CAN READ MANY, MANY MORE INSTANCES OF THAT.

>> AND IN 2023, THIS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AUDIENCE WAS OPEN.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I CAME EXPECTING MOSTLY A SPEECH ON RECIPES AND FOOD BUT I LEARNED HOW THE HISTORY OF INDIGENOUS FOOD WAS ESSENTIALLY TAKEN AWAY AND IT'S HOW INTERESTING HOW SEAN IS BRINGING IT BACK.

>> SHERMAN SAYS TALKING TO STUDENTS IS IMPORTANT.

FOR SOME, IT MAY BE THE FIRST NON-EURO-CENTERED HISTORY LESSON THEY HEAR.

>> I KNOW I GO THROUGH SOME DARK HISTORY BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AND I KNOW THERE ARE EMOTIONS THAT COME UP WITH THE STORIES THAT I TELL BUT, AGAIN, IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'RE HUMANS AND WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS HUMANITY BOTH GOOD AND BAD AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER SOME OF THE TRAUMA THAT SOME OF US HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH AND TO TRY TO THINK ABOUT SOLUTIONS TO HOPEFULLY OT LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> AFTERWARDS, SHERMAN AND HIS CREW SERVED UP FRESH LOCAL INDIGENOUS FOOD FOR $11.

>> WE HAVE SOME GRAIN MIX ON THE BOTTOM, SO CORN, WE HAVE SOME BEANS FROM THE SOUTHWEST, SOME WILD RICE FROM RED LAKE, ROOSTED VEGIES, SOME DUCK, SOME BERRY SAUCE AND FRESH GREENS, REALLY SIMPLE.

>> MARIA DID NOT KNOW WHO SHERMAN WAS.

SHE CAME AT THE URGING OF HER SON.

SHERMAN'S MESSAGE REMINDED HER OF HER INDIGENOUS MEXICAN GRANDMOTHER.

>> I APPRECIATED IT IS HISTORY LESSONS, THE BRAVERY ON SPEAKING THE TRUTHS OF THE HISTORY LESSONS AND I AM INSPIRED BY WHAT HE CAN ACCOMPLISH FOR THE FUTURE.

♪♪ >> IT'S St. PATRICK'S DAY.

A STORY OF A FIFTH CENTURY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY THAT DROVE ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND INTO THE SATISFY.

BUT THAT ACTUAL HISTORY OF THIS HOLIDAY IS ALMOST ENTIRELY OVERSHADOWED.

I WANTED TO USE MY TIME TONIGHT TO HELP RECTIFY THAT.

I WANTED TO CHALLENGE THE ACCEPTED STORY OF St. PATRICK'S DAY.

I WANTED TO LIFT UP A VOICE THAT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THIS NARRATIVE FOR FAR TOO LONG, BECAUSE, REALLY, THIS ISN'T OUR STORY.

IT'S THEIRS.

SO PLEASE HELP ME IN WELCOMING A SPECIAL GUEST TONIGHT, CARL, A BOA CONSTRICTOR FROM THE MAPLEWOOD SNAKE DISCOVERY CENTER.

CARL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

NOW, IN THE HUMAN-CENTRIC VERSION OF THIS STORY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, EVEN THERE, SNAKES WERE IN IRELAND BEFORE St. PATRICK, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?

[SILENCE] >> YEAH, I KNOW.

AND, YET, THAT'S NOT THE STORY THAT WE TELL NOW.

AND THEN St. PATRICK DROVE YOU AND YOUR KIND INTO THE OCEAN.

HOW DO SNAKES FEEL ABOUT THE OCEAN?

[SILENCE] I'M SO SORRY.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS HARD BUT THE CHURCH MADE PATRICK A SAINT FOR WHAT HE DID TO YOU.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

[SILENCE] >> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN USE WORDS LIKE THAT ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

WELL, CARL, I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR OINING US TONIGHT.

I KNOW HAT THIS IS A HARD DAY FOR YOU AND SNAKES EVERYWHERE SO I'M GOING TO LEAVE WITH YOU THIS TRADITIONAL SNAKE BLESSING.

MAY THE SUN ALWAYS WARM YOUR BLOOD, MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE BEHIND YOUR TAIL, MAY THE ROAD MEET YOUR ELLY, AND MAY MICE FILL YOUR FIELDS.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, CARL, HAPPY ALL SNAKES' DAY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA, IF YOU ARE TRAINING TO BE A PHYSICIAN, YOU CAN DO THAT IN THE TWIN CITIES, ROCHESTER OR DULUTH.

BUT SOON THERE MAY BE AN OPTION IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

THERE'S A MOVEMENT TO CREATE A NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL IN ST.

CLOUD.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT, DR. JAKUB TOLAR, HEAD OF THE U OF M MEDICAL SCHOOL.

ALSO JOINING US, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CENTRACARE, DR. KEN HOLMEN.

Dr., WHAT PROBLEM WOULD THIS SOLVE FOR MEDICAL WORKFORCE THIS CENTRAL MINNESOTA?

>> I THINK PEOPLE HAVE READ IN MANY SOURCES A CHALLENGE WITH HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE, RIGHT, PHYSICIANS, NURSES?

AND WE HAVE LEARNED SOMETHING VERY SIMPLE.

IF WE TRAIN FOLKS, THEY'LL STAY WITH US.

PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND SO WHILE THIS IS ABOUT A MEDICAL SCHOOL, IT'S ABOUT ALL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS THAT WE NEED.

WE NEED PHYSICIANS, NURSES.

ONE-THIRD OF THE RURAL PHYSICIANS IN MINNESOTA WILL RETIRE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS SO REMARKABLE SHORTAGE OF PHYSICIANS AND I GIVE YOU A REALLY INTERESTING FACT.

I'M A PROUD GRADUATE OF THE U OF M MEDICAL SCHOOL.

KATHY KNOWS THAT.

I WENT THERE FROM '74 TO '78.

IN 1974, THE POPULATION OF MINNESOTA WAS 3 MILLION.

AND THERE WERE 300 MEDICAL STUDENTS AT DULUTH, ROCHESTER, THE TWIN CITIES.

SO 3 MILLION, 300 STUDENTS.

TODAY, THERE'S 5.1 MILLION MINNESOTANS, SAME NUMBER OF MEDICAL STUDENTS.

SO THIS IS A FIRST NEW MEDICAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY IN OVER 52 YEARS IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE "U"?

>> OH, THIS IS A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY, SO THE MEDICAL SCHOOL, THIS PUBLIC MEDICAL SCHOOL THAT IS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS NUMBER 8 IN THE PUBLIC MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL PHENOMENAL.

AND IT WOULD BE TRAINED, 70%, 803% OF THE PHYSICIANS THAT TRAIN HERE.

SO WE WANT TO GROW.

WE HAVE 220 STUDENTS EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE TWO MEDICAL CAMPUSES AND ONE MEDICAL SCHOOL, ONE IN TWIN CITIES, ONE IN DULUTH AND THE THIRD MEDICAL CAMPUS WOULD BE IN St.

CLOUD NOW, SO WHAT IS KNIT FOR US?

WE SERVE THE STATE.

WE ARE HERE TO SOLVE PROBLEMS FOR MINNESOTANS.

AND IN THE PROBLEM IS, AS KEN SAYS, THAT OF ONE-THIRD OF THE PHYSICIANS IN THE RURAL GREATER MINNESOTA WILL RETIRE BY 2027, WE ARE THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS BECAUSE WE TRAIN THEM.

AND IF, YOU KNOW, YOU REMEMBER ONE THING, YOU KNOW, FROM ALL OF THIS, IF YOU WANT RURAL PHYSICIANS, YOU HAVE TO TRAIN THEM IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IDEAS YOU KNOW, THERE IS A MOVE AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD TO CUT TUITION COSTS AND TO PRODUCE PHYSICIANS FASTER, SOME SCHOOLS ARE GOING A THREE-YEAR ACCELERATED PROGRAM.

WOULD THIS SCHOOL LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR BE MORE TRADITIONAL?

>> I WOULD TAKE UP -- >> OH, NO, IT WILL NOT BE THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM.

MEDICAL SCHOOL IS AN IMPORTANT TRAINING CAMP, IT CHANGES PEOPLE, CHANGED ME, CHANGED KEN AND WHAT WE DO IS, THE FIRST TWO YEARS, WE EARN BORING THINGS.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, CATHY?

BECAUSE BORING THINGS SAVE LIVES.

CHEMISTRY, MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND THEN WE PUTS THEM IN THE INTERNSHIP AND YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE TIME WITH THE PATIENTS, WITH THE CLINICAL TEAMS, YOU HAVE TO LEARN THE TRADE FROM SOMEBODY WHO MASTERED IT AND THAT'S WHAT THE CLERKSHIPS THAT WE HAVE WITH CENTRA CARE AND ELSEWHERE, WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, IN THE -- ARE SO IMPORTANT.

SO I WOULD NOT CUT DOWN THE TIME THAT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL RUNS.

>> Eric: HAVE OU LEARNED ANYTHING FROM THE FAIRVIEW-U OF M-SANFORD MERGER THAT MIGHT AFFECT YOUR DEALINGS HERE?

>> THAT -- YEAH, CERTAINLY AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR FOLKS BUT FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP IN TRAINING, IT IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> IT'S TOTALLY INDEPENDENT.

HE AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS YEARS AGO, IT WAS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO DO IT.

IT JUST TOOK THE WILLINGNESS OF CENTRA CARE TO PUT THE TRAINING IN THE POSITION THAT I CAN RESPOND.

>> Eric: IF I'M THE DEAN OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL-OIL.

>> ARE YOU?

>> Eric: I'M NOT.

BUILT IF I WAS -- >> Cathy: HE SHOULD NOT BE.

[ Laughter ] MY WIFE WOULD LIKE THAT.

>> OH, OKAY.

>> Eric: IN ROCHESTER AND DULUTH, ARE YOU GOING TO BE PIRATING STUDENTS FROM THOSE TWO MEDICAL SCHOOLS TO COME TO THE St.

CLOUD -- >> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THIS IS ADDITIONAL, YOU KNOW, THERE THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT THAT WE ARE NOT DISTRIBUTING THE STUDENTS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE, WE ARE ADDING ABOUT 20 TO 24 STUDENTS A YEAR STARTING IN THE FALL OF 25.

>> Eric: AGING PATIENTS, GREATER MINNESOTA IS AN OLDER DEMOGRAPHIC.

I WONDER GERIATRIC CARE, SPECIALISTS ACROSS THE BOARD, WHAT WOULD YOU FOCUS ON?

>> SO, THIS CERTAINLY IS ABOUT A MEDICAL SCHOOL WHICH IS THE FIRST FOUR YEARS AFTER COLLEGE, FOUR YEARS OF MEDICAL SCHOOL.

ALSO ADDING RESIDENCY PROGRAMS AND THOSE KEY PRIMARY CARE AREAS, FAMILY PRACTICE, GENERAL SURGERY, O.B., PEDIATRICS.

BUT I THINK YOU'RE GETTING AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT JAKUB AND I AGREE 100% ON.

THE PRIMARY WHY IS OF COURSE CREATING OFFICIALS FOR THE 21st CENTURY.

THE SECOND WHY IS ABOUT THE PATIENTS WE SERVE.

IT IS WELL-KNOWN THAT RURAL MINNESOTANS DO NOT HAVE THE HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES THEY SHOULD.

SO THE SECOND WHY IS RELATED TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

HOW DO WE IMPROVE HEALTH CARE OUTCOMES IN RURAL MINNESOTA?

THAT IS PART OF OUR RESEARCH COLLABORATION, AS WELL.

IT'S NOT ABOUT TEACHINGS ONLY, IT'S ABOUT RESEARCH AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS.

AND THE THIRD REASON WHY IS AGAIN ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE IN A BROAD SENSE, HEALTH CARE, AS YOU KNOW, IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER.

IT IS A SOURCE OF COMMUNITY PRIDE.

YOUR SCHOOLS AND YOUR HOSPITAL, IN SMALL RURAL AMERICA, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> Cathy: SAY, THERE'S PROBABILITY A STEREOTYPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE MORE MONEY GOING TO THE BIG CITIES, RIGHT?

AS A PHYSICIAN?

IF YOU'RE A YOUNG PERSON WHO'S THINKING, I THINK MEDICINE MIGHT BE PRETTY COOL, WHAT'S THE PITCH?

>> SO, YOU ARE CORRECT, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT JAKUB DEALS WITH EVERY DAY AND WE DO WHEN WE TRY TO HIRE FOLKS IS THE AMOUNT OF DEBTS THAT FOLKS HAVE WHEN THEY COME OUT OF SCHOOL, FOUR YEARS OF COLLEGE, MEDICAL SCHOOL, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SIGNIFICANT DEBT.

SO MANY TIMES, YOUNG ADULTS AND RIGHTLY SO ARE TRYING TO SAY, HOW DO I CARRY THAT FINANCIAL BURDEN?

SO THEY MAKE CAREER DECISIONS BASED ON THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN.

WE HAVE AGREED TO COLLABORATE TO SEE HOW WE AN MAKE THIS MORE COST EFFECTIVE, BY CREATING DIFFERENT KIND OF PROGRAMS, WE'RE MARRYING THIS WITH A PHILANTHROPIC CAMPAIGN IN MINNESOTA SO WE WANT TO MAKE THIS BE FOCUSED ON RURAL AMERICA BUT ALSO HAVE THOSE BARRIERS TO FOLKS STAYING IN RURAL MINNESOTA BE LESS.

>> Eric: DO YOU NEED STATE OR FEDERAL FINANCIAL HELP TO DO THIS?

>> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND, YOU KNOW, KEN WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION BECAUSE HE CARRIES IT.

>> NE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MAYBE MENTION IS THE UNIQUENESS OF THIS AND I'M GOING TO USE A KIND OF A DIFFERENT ANALOGY IN THAT THE PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-TWIN CITIES ARE ASSETS.

THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND DULUTH, THEY OWN THE BUILDINGS, RIGHT?

THEY HAVE THE STAFF ND THE -- ALL THAT.

THERE IS NOT A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ENTERPRISE IN St.

CLOUD.

SO IF WE'RE GOING ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, WE NEED TO PARTNER.

HE NEEDS A WILLING PARTNER, I NEED A WILLING PARTNER.

WE ALL EED A WILLING PARTNER TO SAY, HOW CAN WE CREATE THIS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN St.

CLOUD, IN RURAL AMERICA?

>> Eric: BUT YOU'LL THEY WOULD SOME STATE DOLLARS, SOUNDS LIKE?

>> WE WILL, SO WE'LL BE GOING TO THE STATE FOR SOME LEGISLATIVE DOLLARS TO SUPPORTS THE WORK WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> Cathy: TIME TABLE?

>> TIME TABLE, FALL OF '25, FIRST 24 STUDENTS AND TO YOUR POINT, CATHY, YES, PEOPLE NEED TO NEGOTIATE FINANCIAL, FAMILY THINGS, BUT MOST PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT ARE REALLY GOOD PHYSICIANS DON'T DO THIS FOR MONEY.

IF YOU DO THIS FOR MONEY, YOU MISSED THE BOAT, IN MY OPINION.

YOU -- MOST PEOPLE DO IT FOR THE SEARCH OF MEANING AND YOU KNOW, FROM BRUCE KRAMER RAPIDS FROM THERS, YOU KNOW THAT IS THE KIND OF PHYSICIAN THAT YOU WANT AND EVERYBODY WANTS, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY WHO IS HONORED BY HAVING THE POSITION OF PRIVILEGE BEING IN SOMEBODY'S LIFE WHEN THEY'RE SUFFERING PAIN AND SO FORTH.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING THE HOOK.

THANKS, THOUGH.

THEY'RE TELLING ME TO WRAP IT UP UT THANKS.

>> OKAY.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> ERIC: BILLS CONTINUE TO MOVE AT A BREAKNECK PACE WITH ONE PARTY CONTROL AT THE STATE CAPITOL, BUT EVERYONE SLOWED DOWN TO HEAR FROM A NEARLY 100-YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.

MARY LAHAMMER SPOKE WITH HER ON HER BIG DAY TESTIFYING IN FRONT OF LAWMAKERS.

>> I WAS BORN IN POLAND, IN 1924.

>> Mary: DORA ZAIDENWEBBER IS A 94 I YEAR-OLD HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR.

>> >> I SPENT FIVE YEARS, MORE THAN FIVE YEARS IN THE HOLOCAUST WHEN IT ALL STARTED.

I WAS 15 YEARS OLD WHEN IT STARTED.

AUSCHWITZ, THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST BEST-KNOWN PLACES.

I ENDED UP -- I WAS VERY SICK, I WAS IN DEATH MARCHS.

THE REASON I SURVIVED WAS BECAUSE I WAS WITH MY MOTHER.

>> Mary: SHE TESTIFIED AT THE MINNESOTA HOUSE EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE AND SHARED HER STORY WITH US.

>> I AM A SURVIVOR OF THE HOLOCAUST, WHO HAS LIVED IN MINNESOTA SINCE 1950.

I CAME WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF LOSS OF AN ENTIRE FAMILY AND AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

SIX MILLION OF MY PEOPLE WERE MURDERED.

23 IT COULD HAPPEN THERE -- IF IT COULD HAPPEN THERE, IT COULD HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

WE DO HAVE A VERY DIVERSE POPULATION AND WE ARE NOT SURE THAT WE KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT DIVERSE POPULATION.

LET'S BE IN THE FORD OF DOING IT RIGHT.

>> Mary: THE BILL HAT MANDATES EDUCATING STUDENTS ON THE HOLOCAUST AND OTHER GENOCIDES IS SPONSORED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE FRANK HORNSTEIN AND THE ISSUE IS PERSONAL FOR HIM.

>> I'M A CHILD OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, AND IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT WE PRESERVE THE SURVIVORS' STORIES.

WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I WENT AROUND TO MY PARENTS AND MY SURVIVING RELATIVES AND I GOT ALL OF THEIR STORIES IN THIS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT THAT I DID OF MY OWN FAMILY.

>> Mary: AUTHORS OF THE BIPARTISAN BILL SAY IT WILL PREPARE STUDENTS TO COUNTER HATE AND PREJUDICE WHILE EQUIPPING EDUCATORS TO SUCCESSFULLY TEACH MINNESOTA'S NEW SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

WHY DOES ITS MATTER NOW PERHAPS MORE THAN EVER?

>> IT MATTERS NOW BECAUSE THE SURVIVORS, THROWS WHO ARE STILL ALIVE ARE QUITE OLD AND WHEN WE LOSE THE LAST WITNESSES, WE HAVE TO RE-DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR STORIES ARE TOLD AND THAT WE HONOR THEIR MEMORIES.

>> Mary: IF SIGNED INTO LAW, THIS WOULD MARK THE FIRST TIME THE GENOCIDES OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES WOULD BE ADDRESSED IN MINNESOTA STATUTE.

IT WOULD ALSO MAKE US THE 23rd STATE TO REQUIRE SOME FORM OF HOLOCAUST OR GENOCIDE EDUCATION.

WHAT ABOUT THE RISE OF HATE AND ANTI-SEMITISM?

IT IS DOCUMENTED, PROVEN, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT IN THAT CONTEXT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO STUDYING THE HOLOCAUST AND OTHER GENOCIDES, WE KNOW THAT THESE STUDENTS ARE MUCH MORE ATUNED TO PROTECTING DEMOCRACY AND BEING ACTIVE GOOD CITIZENS.

>> Mary: DOES THE WORD MANDATE SCARE ANYBODY ACROSS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE?

>> I THINK THERE ARE SOME PERSON THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

WE HAD AN INIS YOUR RECOLLECTION, AND ANTI-DEMOCRATIC INSURRECTION WITH PEOPLE WALKING AROUND THE CAPITOL WITH NAZI EMBLEMS AND SIGNIA, THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD DO THIS BILL.

>> Mary: IT ALREADY UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THROUGH A SENATE COMMITTEE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT WAS ANOTHER BUSY WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL BUT THE NEWS THERE WAS OVERSHADOWED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC IS RECOVERING FROM CANCER SURGERY.

THE NEWS IS MADE MORE SIGNIFICANT DUE TO THE ONE-VOTE MARGIN IN THE SENATE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE WEEK'S EVENTS, TONIGHT'S POLITICAL PANEL.

MELISA LÓPEZ FRANZEN JOINS US.

SHE WAS, UNTIL EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE DFL SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

JAVIER MORILLO IS HERE, TOO.

HE'S A DEMOCRAT AND PARTY ACTIVIST.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH THIS WEEK, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER GREGG PEPPIN, AND ANDY BREHM.

FORMER POLITICAL STAFFER AND PARTY ACTIVIST.

SENATOR LOPEZ FRANZEN, WHAT REALLY CONCERNING NEWS ABOUT SENATOR DZIEDZIC AND WE ALL OF COURSE HOPE SHE'LL BE OKAY.

WHAT DOES IT EAN FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SENATE?

>> WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I LEFT HER A VOICE MESSAGE TODAY, I'VE GIVEN HER SOME SPACE.

, A A DEER FRIEND SO WE ALL WISH HER VERY WELL BUT A CRITICAL TIME IN THE JUNCTURE OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO IT'S GOING TO BE TRICKY BUT CERTAINLY I KNOW THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ASSISTANT LEADERS ARE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND I WOULDN'T EXPECT ANY LESS.

SO EVERYBODY'S STEPPING UP, I EVEN TOLD HER I WOULD BE WITH HER DURING THOSE LONG HOUR DEBATES IF I NEEDED TO HELP HER OUT SO WE'RE ALL HANDS ON DECK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS TRYING TO DO THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND IT TAKES ALL OF US, SO WE'RE JUST PRAYING FOR HER.

>> Eric: IT'S-33 IN THE SENATE.

HAS THIS NEWS SHAKEN UP EXPECTATIONS OUT OF WHAT THE END PRODUCT MIGHT BE OF THE SESSION OR... >> YOU KNOW, I THINK SENATOR DZIEDZIC SO FAR HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF KEEPING DEMOCRATS TOGETHER ON BILLS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CONTROVERSIAL ND SO OBVIOUSLY HER ABSENCE, WHICH WE HOPE IS TEMPORARY, WILL BE FELT BUT I THINK EVERYONE'S FOCUSED ON HER HEALTH.

>> Eric: ANDY, IT'S KIND OFFERED A TIME-HONORED TRADITION IN THE CAPITOL THAT THE PARTY OUT OF POWER DOESN'T GET MUCH SAY ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND E'RE HEARING COMPLAINTS THAT THEY'RE NOT HEARING AMENDMENTS, THEY'RE NOT HEARING THEIR BILLS, WHAT'S THE LACK OF COOPERATION THERE?

>> WELL, ELECTIONS DO HAVE CONSEQUENCES, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, HAD A COUPLE OF STATE SENATE RACES GONE A DIFFERENT WAY BY A FEW HUNDRED VOTES, WE WOULD HAVE A VERY DIFFER OUTCOME AND I THINK WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT IS MODERATE GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT AT ALL, AND I THINK REPUBLICANS COMPROMISED ABOUT HALF THE STATE SO THE IDEA THAT HALF THE STATE HAS NO SAY IN THE PUBLIC POLICY OF THE STATE IS A PROBLEM, AND I THINK IT WILL -- I THINK IT'S GOING TO FARE POORLY FOR MINNESOTA.

I THINK WE HAVE VERY EXTREME POLICIES AND FOR THE DFL DOWN THE ROAD.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF THE REPUBLICAN ROLE HERE AS WE HEAD TOWARD -- >> YEAH, I THINK IN THEIR ZEST TO PASS LEGISLATION, THE DEMOCRATS ARE USING THEIR MAJORITY, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT'S JUST -- IT'S ONE AFTER THE OTHER AFTER THE OTHER, AND WHILE CERTAINLY ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AS ANDY SAID, THEY'RE RUSHING THINGS THROUGH AT A PELL MEDICAL MACE.

YOU SAW JESSE VENTURE WHERE E.RAH WHO WENT ON A FILIBUSTER ABOUT MARIJUANA WHILE SOMEONE WHO HAD A VERY OMPELLING STORY TO TELL ABOUT THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA WAS SHUT OUT, SO THEY'RE IN SUCH A HURRY TO GET THEIR LEGISLATION THROUGH THAT THEY'RE GIVING SHORT SHIFT TO WHAT SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL CONVERSATION ATTENTION BY THEM AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

>> Eric: THERE WAS SOME PENT-UP DEMANDS AFTER THE REPUBLICANS HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE SENATE, IS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR ALL THE ACTIVITY?

>> YES, BUT I HAVE TO SAY THERE ARE MORE REPUBLICANS BILLS BEING HEARD RIGHT NOW IN THIS SESSION LAP THE LACE SIX YEARS WHEN I WAS IN THE MINORITY.

SO THERE ARE CHANGES THERE AND THAT'S GOOD.

THE MODERATE DEMOCRATS THAT CAME IN, WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING FROM BORDER COMMUNITIES LIKE ROB KUPEC, FROM MOORHEAD AREA, WE HAVE GRANT HAUSCHILD FROM THE DULUTH AREA, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING WITH THOSE MODERATE VOICES AND YOU'RE SEEK THAT IN THE LEGISLATION THAT'S BEING MOVED, NOT AS QUICKLY AS PEOPLE THINK BECAUSE BIG LEGISLATION LIKE PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS STILL IN THE WORKS, I THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS, I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE ENTIRE STATE BUT WE ARE TAKING THE TIME TO, YOU KNOW, VETS IT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

>> Cathy: SOME OF THE BIGGER BILLS ARE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

LIKE I'M THINKING MARIJUANA, THE TAX REBATE, OF COURSE THAT COULD BE PART OF A TAX BILL AT THE ENDS THERE BUT SOME OF THE LARGER BILLS SEEM TO BE SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

>> I THINK A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MOVED EARLY ARE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN DEBATED FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME AND OTHERS THAT NEED MORE DEBATE THAT IS HAPPENING.

I THINK WHAT WE SAW THIS WEEK IS THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS TOOK A PLAY BOOK IN NATIONAL REPUBLICANS, BEING OBSTRUCTIST.

CAN'T GET THEIR WAY SO THEY WON'T OTE FOR A BONDING BILL SO YOU HAVE CRITICAL PROJECTS, SENATOR DORNINK AND EICHORN WILL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHY THEY WON'T HAVE THEIR SEWAGE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS FIXED AND SENATOR FARNSWORTH WILL HAVE TO PLAIN WHY THEY'RE DEFUNDING THE POLICE IN HIBBING NOW, THEY WON'T HAVE THE PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER FUNDED.

BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HOLD THE WHOLE THING HOSTAGE TO GETS WHAT THEY CAN'T GET THROUGH LEGISLATION.

>> IT'S CALLED COMPROMISE AND THE REASON THAT A BONDING BILL REQUIRES THE SUPER MAJORITIES IS SO THAT THERE'S COME PROMISE AND ALL REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING IS THAT MINNESOTA THAT HAS THE 6th HIGHEST INCOME TAX RATE IN THE COUNTRY, THAT OUR LOWEST TAX RATES REPRESENT THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN 28 OTHER STATES, THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SOME TAX RELIEF FOR THE $17 BILLION DEFICIT.

EXCUSE ME, SURPLUS.

THAT'S A REASONABLE VIEW.

>> AND THEY ASKED FOR THAT TO GET TO THAT -- FOR THAT BILL -- A BILL TO COME OUT OF COMMITTEE THAT IT WAS VOTED OUT F COMMITTEE BY A DEMOCRAT WHO AGREED WITH THEM AND THEN THEY MOVED THE GOAL POST AND NOW WE'RE HOLDING THE BONDING BILL HOSTAGE.

>> Eric: WERE YOU INTRIGUED BY THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE SUGGESTION THIS WEEK THAT SOME PERMANENCY BE PLACED IN O.IN THE FACT -- IN FACT, IF THERE IS A SURPLUS, A PERCENTAGE OF IT GOES BACK TO MINNESOTANS, KIND OF AGE AUTOMATIC THING?

>> I THINK THAT'S A FAIR DISCUSSION TO HAVE.

I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT BUILT INTO THE SYSTEM RIGHT NOW IS WHENEVER THERE IS A SURPLUS, THAT SOME GOES TO THE RAINY DAY FUND, SOME GOES TO THE SURPLUS AND SO I THINK IT'S LEGITIMATE TO SAY, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, PUT SOME IN THE PIGGY BANK TO SAVE FOR DOWN TIME, LET'S MAKE SURE THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA, THE TAXPAYERS OF MINNESOTA, THE FAMILIES GET A LITTLE SLICE OF THAT, AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S A COMPELLING ARGUMENT.

>> Eric: I KNOW DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO SPENDS BUT WHAT'S YOUR VISION OF WHAT THE TAX RELIEF BILL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE AT THE END?

>> WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE GOALS OF THE GOVERNOR AND THE ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW IS TO HAVE THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY, AND RIGHT NOW, TODAY, WAS THE SIGNING OF THE BILL TO FEED KIDS, FEED CHILDREN.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE SEEN THE PICTURE OF THAT CEREMONY BUT IT WAS ADORABLE, THESE LITTLE KIDS HUGGING THE GOVERNOR.

THAT IS WHAT THE VISION IS FOR OUR STATE.

WHY IS THAT A BAD THING?

WE'RE TRYING TO FEEDS EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN MINNESOTA SO THEY CAN LEARN.

SO WE'LL SEE MORE OF THAT TYPE OF THEME THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

>> Eric: BUT TAX CUTS, IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY?

>> I AM NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE, I DO NOT HOLD THOSE KEYS RIGHT NOW BUT I WILL TELL YOU -- >> Eric: YOU DO HAVE SOME SPECULATION.

>> THERE'S TALK ABOUT THE REBATE COLLECTION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD BEFORE SO THAT'S STILL IN PLAY.

THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS AND LOTS OF WAYS TO GIVE BACK.

BONDING IS A HUGE ONE, TO BRING BACK NOT ONLY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT JOBS IN THOSE DISTRICTS AND WE'VE SAID NO FOR THREE YEARS, THIS WOULD BE THE FOURTH YEAR WITHOUT A BONDING BILL AND THAT IS JUST OBSTRUCTIONIST AND NOT GOOD FOR OUR STATE.

>> WELL, I THINK, I MEAN, AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE THEME OF THAT, WHY ARE REPUBLICANS AGAINST -- OF COURSE REPUBLICANS ARE OT AGAINST PROVIDING MEALS FOR THOSE THAT NEED IT BUT WEALTHY FAMILIES DON'T NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR THEIR LUNCHES.

AND SO GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT BUT WE HEAR GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT.

WELL, THE BONDING BILL CREATES JOBS.

ACTUALLY, WHAT CREATES JOKES IS A VIBRANT PRIVATE SECTOR OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES INVESTING IN THE STATE AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE FLAILING BECAUSE OUR ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT KNOT COMPETITIVE SO WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING WE NEED STRUCTURAL TAX CUTS REDUCING THE BOTTOM AND MIDDLE TAX RATES PERMANENTLY SO THAT THE STATE BECOMES MORE COMPETITIVE.

BUT THAT'S WHAT HELPS A FAMILY.

THAT'S WHAT CREATES JOBS NOT GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT.

>> Cathy: SAY, WE STARTED THE HOUR TALKING ABOUT SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL LINE IN THAT THE SECONDS OF FOUR AUDITS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITS AND IT LOOKS LIKE A MESS SO I'M WONDERING, IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE THE MET COUNCIL SHOULD BE REFORMED?

SHOULD COUNCILORS BE ELECTED?

I MEAN, DO YOU NEED A MET COUNCIL AT THIS POINT?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE, I AMONG THEM, THINK THAT THE MET COUNCIL SHOULD BE REFORMED AND I THINK -- THERE ARE SOME PROPOSALS OUT THERE PRECISELY FOR THE POSITIONS TO BE ELECTED.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S THE PARTICULAR REFORM THAT IS NEEDED BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT WITH THIS PROJECT, IN OTHER WORDS, THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, GREG?

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS JUST A BOONDOGGLE BEYOND ALL BOONDOGGLES AND IT WENT FROM 1.2 BILLION AND TO BE DONE IN 2018, TO 2 BILLION TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR IN 2023, NOW IT'S 2.8 BILLION TO BE COMPLETED IN 2027, WE THINK.

I PUTS THE RESPONSIBILITIES FRANKLY ON THE DOORSTEP OF SENATOR DIBBLE AND REPRESENTATIVE HORNSTEIN.

THEY HAVE 40 YEARS AT THE CAPITOL, CUMULATIVELY, WHERE THEY'VE BEEN THE CHAIRS OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, ON AND OFF, AND THEY HAVE HAD PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO OVERSEE THIS PROJECT.

THEY'VE BEEN THE BIGGEST BACKERS, THE BIGGEST PUSHERS OF SOUTHWEST LIGHT AIL.

WHERE WERE THEY WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS TAKING PLACE?

I THINK THEY'RE THE ONES-AND NOW THEIR REFORM IS, ET'S ELECTS A MET COUNCIL.

IF THEY THINK THAT ELECTING 16 LIBERALISTS TO THE MET COUNCIL IS GOING TO SOLVE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL, THEY'RE SADLY MISTAKEN.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE YOU ON THE RANKED CHOICE VOTING?

>> I WAS THERE AT THE CAPITOL TODAY SUPPORTING THE RALLY AND CONGRESSMAN -- MAYOR -- FROM ALASKA CAME TO SHOWCASE HOW SHE GOT ELECTED IN ALASKA.

I THINK IT'S A DEBATE THAT NEEDS TO BE VETTED AGAIN THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

WE PASSED TWO MORE COMMITTEE STONES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE TODAY.

I THINK THERE'S PROMISE.

WE CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S RIGHT SO WE DON'T GO BACK AND HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, LOSE TRUCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

WE HAVE GREAT ELECTIONS BUT WE WANT TO PLAYING THEM BETTER AND BRINGING EVERYONE'S VOICES TO THE TABLE, LEGS RHETORIC, MORE PROBLEM-SOLVING I THINK IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE PROBLEM IT'S SUPPOSED TO SOLVE?

>> ONE PROBLEM IT SOLVES IS THAT LO TURNOUT PRIMARIES ARE A LOT LIKE -- A LOT LESS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE AS A WHOLE THAN GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE AND SO IT GIVES MORE PEOPLE A VOICE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT AND A MUCH MORE DIVERSE GROUP OF VOTERS.

>> WELL, FOR STARTERS, I MEANING RANKED CHOICE VOTING IS INCREDIBLY UNPOPULAR IN THE STATE OF INNESOTA, ABOUT 33% OF VOTERS FAVOR IT.

IT TENDS TO REWARDS EXTREMIST CANDIDATES, IT HAS -- TAKES AWAY THE MODERATING EFFECTS THAT OUR CURRENTS WAY OF VOTING DOES BUT, YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND WHY DEMOCRATS ARE FOR IT.

IN ALASKA, FOR EXAMPLE, 60% OF THE STATE VOTED FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND YET THEY'RE REPRESENTED IN CONGRESS BY A DEMOCRAT.

SO I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY DEMOCRATS LIKE IT.

>> BECAUSE ALASKAN VOTERS WERE REJECTING THE STREAMISTS.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT POLLS YOU'RE WATCHING BECAUSE THE ONES WE'RE SEEING ARE QUITE THE CARRY ABOUT THE POPULARITY, PEOPLE JUST NEED TO BE MORE EDUCATED ON THE ISSUE AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS TO EDUCATE MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: LAST WORDS WITH GREG.

>> IT'S A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

>> Eric: YOU'RE MIX ITSELF IT UP NOW AND WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

AND IN HONOR OF BUD GRANT, WE HAVE A VINTAGE VIKING QUESTION FOR YOU.

AND IT'S DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE.

BUD GRANT, AS YOU KNOW, WAS FAMOUS FOR OLD-SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

NO HEATERS ON THE SIDELINE.

TOUGH DEFENSES.

STRAIGHT LEG KICKERS.

HERE'S OUR QUESTION.

KEEPING IN MIND BUD GRANT AND HIS TRADITIONAL WAYS, WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE VIKINGS PLAYED A GAME ON ARTIFICIAL TURF IN MINNESOTA?

THINK THIS ONE THROUGH.

WE WANT YOU TO NAME THE YEAR AND THE PLACE.

AND, OF COURSE, WE WELCOME CALLS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU LIVE ALONG BUD CREEK OR BUD LAKE, OR IN GRANT COUNTY OR GRANT TOWNSHIP.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL.

WE LOVE TO HEAR COMMENTS IN ADDITION TO WELL-CRAFTED INDEX FILE ANSWERS.

IF VOICEMAIL ISN'T YOUR THING.

SEND US AN EMAIL AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

LAWMAKERS ARE BUSY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN WATCH LEGISLATIVE ACTION EACH WEEK DAY ON EVERY PBS STATION IN THE REGION.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE FOR WATCHING "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

IT COMES TO YOU FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:00 DURING THE SESSION.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, ST. PATRICK'S DAY GIVES US A GREAT EXCUSE TO PLAY AN IRISH TUNE FROM THE TPT VAULTS.

IN 1997, THE GROUP "THE IRISH ROVERS" PERFORMED ON "ALMANAC" RIGHT HERE IN STUDIO B.

WE CLOSE THE SHOW TONIGHT WITH THE GROUP SINGING A ROUSING IRISH TUNE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪ WE WERE SAILING AWAY WHEN THE CARGO OF BRICKS FALL ON CITY HALL IN NEW YORK ♪ ♪ SHE WAS RIGGED FOREAND AFT, AND, LO, HOW THE TRADE WINDS BLOW.

WE HAD 23 MASSES AND SHE STILL STOOD BLESSED AND WE CALLED HER THE IRISH ROVER ♪♪ ♪♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪♪ ♪♪ ALMANAC IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

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