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

>> Mary: A TRIO OF WOMEN GROUND-BREAKING, MAKING HISTORY.

FIND OUT WHO, THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ ♪♪ "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

DAV OF MINNESOTA: KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO MINNESOTA'S VETERANS.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL.

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COPING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

TONIGHT, NATIVE WOMEN MAKING HISTORY.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE HIGHEST-RANKING NATIVE OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY, JOINS US TO TALK THROUGH SESSION HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR.

THEN, THE FIRST NATIVE WOMAN IN THE STATE SENATE WILL DISCUSS GROUND-BREAKING LEGISLATION SHE'S AUTHORING.

BUT FIRST, ANOTHER BUSY WEEK HERE AT THE CAPITOL AS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS PUSH BUDGET PRIORITIES.

[CHANTING] >> Mary: AS THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL CONSIDER BIG BUDGET TIMS, DISABILITY SERVICES ADVOCATED FOR FUNDING.

>> IT IS WELL PAST TIME FOR MINNESOTA TO INVEST IN ALL OF OUR PEOPLE, TO INVEST IN THE SERVICES THAT PROVIDE HE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE AND TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, THE CARE-GIVERS, THE PCAs, THE FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE WORK.

>> AND I THINK THAT THE VIBE THAT YOU'RE PICKING UP IS THAT THE ANSWER IS YES, THAT THIS IS THE YEAR WERE GOING TO GET IT DONE, THAT WE'RE GOING TO CATCH UP.

[Cheering] >> Mary: AND YWCAs ACROSS MINNESOTA RALLIED FOR THE FISHES TIME IN THE ROTUNDA FOR ELIMINATING RACISM, EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS, PROMOTING PEACE, JUSTICE AND DIGNITY FOR A.

>> THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS ON FIRE.

THIS HAS BEEN KIND OFT MOST AMAZING SESSION OF MY CAREER AND I'VE HAD A VERY LONG CAREER HERE.

WE ARE JUST PASSING SO MANY WONDERFUL BILLS.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS PROPOSED AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS THAT WE TAKE THAT $2.3 BILLION THAT SENATE DEMOCRATS AND THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE RESERVED FOR AN ALL-CASH BONDING BILL, FREE UP CASH THAT WOULD GIVE CONTINUING TAX RELIEF BUT WHAT WE WOULD ALSO DO IS FREE UP MONEY FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT BONDING BILL, BEEN DILIGENTLY LISTENING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS MR. IS THAT NEED.

THAT'S WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THIS WIN-WIN PROPOSAL, IT'S MORE MONEY FOR OUR ROADS AND BRINGS.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS AREN'T HERE TO JUST SIT IN OUR CHAIRS AND VOTE NO.

WE RELEVANT DEWANT TO WORK AND TRY TO PULL THIS THING TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN COME TO A BIPARTISANSHIP AGREEMENT.

>> REMOVE STATE INCOME TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

THE REALITY OF IT IS, MANY OF OUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES ALSO CAMPAIGNED ON THAT ISSUE.

THEY WENT ACROSS THEIR DISTRICT AND SAID, IF YOU ELECT US, WE WILL PROVIDE YOU TAX-FLEE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION, THAT POINT STARTED TO BE WALKED BACK.

>> Mary: AND IN A BIG RETAIL STATE, AWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO DEFINE AND PENALIZE ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME.

>> RETAILERS HAVE DEALT WITH SHOPLIFTING FOREVER BUT THERE IS A NEW THING HAPPENING IN STORES ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA, ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, WHERE WE HAVE A MUCH HIGHER DEGREE OF SOPHISTICATION EADING TO MUCH MORE LOSS FOR RETAILERS AND HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS.

>> PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IT'S CLEARLY BECOME WELL ORGANIZED, SMALLER GROUPS, LARGER GROUPS.

THE STUFF THAT GETS TAKEN GETS MOVED VERY QUICKLY.

♪♪ >> THAT'S TRUE.

CLEAR >> MARY: THIS HAS BEEN A UNIQUE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN MANY WAYS.

MORE THAN A DOGS BIG BILLS ALREADY SIGNED INTO LAW.

RECORD-SETTING PACE, AND A BUDGET AGREEMENT MUCH EARLIER THAN USUAL.

HERE FOR A CHECK-IN, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

ALSO HISTORY MAKING HIGHEST RANKING ELECTED NATIVE OFFICIAL IN THE COUNTRY.

>> HIGHEST RANKING WOMAN.

>> Mary: OKAY, WE QUALIFY.

BUDGETS IS THE BIG NEWS HERE.

THERE'S AGREED TO BUDGET TARGETS.

TALK ABOUT THE -- IT'S CALLED THE WALZ-FLANAGAN BUDGET AND PRIORITY TO MAKE THIS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE KIDS.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE ALREADY SEEN A BIT OF WHAT THAT MEANS, PASSING UNIVERSAL MEALS WAS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS I HAVE BINE A PART OF, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> Mary: IT WENT VIRAL FORTY GOVERNOR, THE IMAGE OF CHILDREN HUGGING HIM TURNED INTO A THING.

>> YEAH, AND THAT IS THE VIBE OF THIS SESSION.

I THINK IS REALLY DELIVERING FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN HOUSING AND EDUCATION AND A CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT COULD LOWER CHILD POVERTY BY 25%, JUST THAT PIECE ALONE IS TREMENDOUS, INVESTMENTS IN CHILD CARE AND REALLY, WE'RE JUST DOING WHAT WE TOLD MINNESOTANS WE WERE GOING TO DO AND WE'RE FOLLOWING UP ON THOSE PROMISES MADE ND PROMISES KEPT.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE CRITICISMS WE HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS EARLIER WAS NURSING HOMES, ESPECIALLY SENATE REPUBLICANS FOUGHT FOR THAT, THEY HAD A COMMITTEE DEDICATED TO THAT.

THEY ARE SAYING THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT FULLY FUNDING NURSING HOMES ND THERE IS A CRISIS GOING ON THERE.

CAN THERE BE MORE MONEY, CAN THERE BE AN ANSWER?

>> I THINK WE ALL VALUE MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN OUR NURSING HOMES ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE.

WE'RE GOT OUR TARGETS NOW WHICH TO BE HONEST I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE BUDGET TARGETS THE THIRD WEEK OF MARCH.

>> Mary: UNPRECEDENTED, AGAIN, ANOTHER THING THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED HERE BEFORE.

>> RIGHT.

AS A RECOVERING LEGISLATOR, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT SO I THINK WE HAVE OUR TARGETS NOW AND NOW WE GET DOWN TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND NEGOTIATIONS AND I THINK PEOPLE CAN EXPECT THAT OUR SENIORS AND PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM CARE WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> Mary: THE OTHER ISSUE FOR SENIORS YOU JUST HEARD THERE AGAIN FROM SENATE REPUBLICANS SAYING DEMOCRATS ALL CAMPAIGNED ON SOCIAL SECURITY TAX REPEAL, AND THEIR SENSE IS IT'S BEING WALKED BACK OR QUALIFIED BECAUSE THE DEAL LAST YEAR WAS COMPLETE REPEAL.

NOW IT'S MAYBE NOT A COMPLETE REPEAL.

WHERE IS THE ADMINISTRATION?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING IS WITH SENATE REPUBLICANS THROWING A FIT NOW WHEN WE HAD A DEAL.

THEY DECIDED TO WALK AWAY, I THINK IT'S THE SAME THING WITH THE BONDING BILL, THEY VOTED NO.

PEOPLE ARE READY, HERE IN THE HOUSE, AND THE HOUSE CHAMBER, RIGHT, THERE IS A BIPARTISAN BONDING BILL THAT WAS PASSED.

THEY VOTED ON IT, THE SENATE SAID NO.

MINNESOTANS ARE READY FOR A BONDING BILL.

WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF DELAYS, IT'S TIME TO JUST GET IT DONE.

MILLION DOLLARS WHY NOT GIVE THEM SOCIAL SECURITY TAX SO YOU GET A BONDING BILL BECAUSE THOSE THINGS ARE NOW LINKED?

>> I THINK WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL THAT LOOKS AT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT, INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AND EDUCATION AND TRANSPORTATION, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE CAN LOWER THE TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY BUT FOR A LOT OF THE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY ALREADY DON'T PAY ANY TAXES ON IT AND WE WANT TO JUST LOWER THE COST FOR MINNESOTANS AND MAKE SURE THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR LIVES AND OUR COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET PLAN I THINK HELPS GET US THERE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE LATEST SCHOOL SHOOTING, ONCE AGAIN, IT'S NOT NEWS, IT HAPPENS SO MUCH BUT IT IS HORRIFIC NEWS.

WHAT IS A RESPONSIBLE, FAIR POLICY RESPONSE THAT CAN GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND GET SIGNED?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE SEE THAT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE MOVING, RED FLAG LEGISLATION IS MOVING, THESE ARE COMMON SENSE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS SUPPORT, AMERICANS SUPPORT.

IT'S TIME TO GET IT DONE.

GABBY GIVE FORDS IS IN TOWN AND' OH GIFFORDS IS IN TOWN, HER VISIT IS TIMELY AS A MOM OF A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND I WAS THINKING OF PRE-SCHOOL TO 6th GRADE, THIS IS SO REAL.

OUR CHILDREN KNOW HOW TO DO THESE DRILLS, IT'S TIME TO GET IT DONE.

>> IN THIS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN SOME OF THE CRITICISM ON SOCIAL MEDIA, FOLKS ARE STILL SHOWING THIS T-SHIRT THAT YOU WERE WEARING.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE T-SHIRT THAT HAS A KNIFE ON IT BECAUSE FOLKS ARE SAYING YOU CONDONE VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF THIS?

CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

THAT I THINK SHIRT SAYS PROTECT TRANS KIDS.

WE NEED TO PROTECT TRANS KIDS, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED DOES JUST THAT.

IT IS FROM MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS THE DECISION TO SEEK GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, IT IS LIFE-SAVING CARE, IT IS BASED IN HEALTH CARE AND THOSE DECISIONS SHOULD BE BETWEEN A CHILD AND THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR DOCTOR, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, AND IF I -- IF I HAVE CRITIQUES - BECAUSE I WANT TO PROTECT OUR LGBTQ-PLUS YOUTHS, BRING IT ON.

I'M A MOM, I CAN HANDLE IT.

AND THE BULLYING I'VE RECEIVED PEALS IN COMPARISON TO THE REALITY THAT OUR TRANS MINNESOTANS FACE EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA IS GOING TO E A SAFE PLACE FOR THEM AND A SAFE PLACE FOR THEIR FAMILY AND WE WILL BE UNWAVERING IN THAT SUPPORTS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE DIVERSITY THAT IS REFLECTED NOT JUST IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE BUT IN THIS NEW LEGISLATURE.

WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

HOW MUCH DO YOU SEE IT INFLUENCING LEGISLATION LIKE THAT?

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

I MEAN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I WAS HERE AS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS AND EVERY ELECTORAL CYCLE, THE CAUCUS ITSELF GETS BIGGER AND BIGGER.

WE ALSO NOW HAVE LEIGHFICK REQUESTIN' AND ALICIA KOSLOWSKI, AND NONBINARY MEMBERS AND THAT MEANS OUR POPULATION IS DIVERSIFYING.

WE GET BETTER RESULTS.

THREE BLACK WOMEN IN THE SENATE, WE GOT JUNETEENTH AS A STATEWIDE HOLIDAY AND FINALLY PASSED THE CROSSTOWN ACT INTO LAW.

THAT'S NOT AN -- THE CROWN ACT INTO LAW.

THAT'S NOT AN ACCIDENTS.

>> Mary: ONE MORE DECISION THE -- IS THE RESIDENCE, THE GOVERNOR IS FACING THIS.

>> THERE'S NOT EVEN A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TREE HOUSE OR ANYTHING.

>> Mary: YOU DON'T HAVE A RESIDENCE BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN LIVING THERE AND IS MOVING OUTS, $6 MILLION RENT OH VACATIONS, VERY EXPENSIVE ON THE NEW PROPERTY AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS?

>> WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE IS A STATE ASSET.

IT'S OUR HOME, IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE, AND MAINTAINING THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S AVAILABLE, YOU KNOW, IN PERPETUITY NOR FUTURE GOVERNORS, THAT REALLY MATTERS, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON, THEY HAVE TO LIVE SOMEPLACE.

I LEAVE IT UP TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO FIGURE OUT HOW O, YOU KNOW, MAKE THAT -- >> Mary: KITE BE A POLITICAL PROBLEM, AN ISSUE?

I'M HEARING REPUBLICANS SAYING THERE ARE GOING TO MAKE CAMPAIGN ADS OUT OF THIS.

>> THAT'S THEIR CHOICE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE MINNESOTA IS THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A CHILD AND THAT'S WHERE WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED AND THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE PICKING UP RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> MARY: EARLIER THIS SESSION, BOTH CHAMBERS VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF CHANGES TO THE MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT, ENSHRINING PROTECTIONS FOR INDIAN CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES INTO STATE LAW.

SENATOR MARY KUNESH IS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THAT BILL IN THE SENATE, AND SHE'S HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THOSE CHANGES MEAN FOR NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILIES.

A LOT OF HISTORY ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ACT AND WHY IT WAS NECESSARY.

>> SURE.

WELL, THE ACT IS CALLED THE MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT AND IT'S THE MINNESOTA VERSION OF IKWA, INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT AND THAT IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT PROTECTS OUR KIDS FROM BEING REMOVED FROM FAMILIES, THEIR FAMILIES AT SUCH HIGH RATES HISTORICALLY, AND WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT A COURT CASE COMING THROUGH THE SUPREME COURT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE KNEW THAT WE HAD TO SHORE UP OUR MINNESOTA INDIAN FAMILY, PRESERVATION ACT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

SO IT'S LIKE A MINI MINNESOTA ICWA, IT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE THE '80s BUT WE KNEW THAT WE NEEDED TO GO THROUGH, REFRESH IT AND ENSURE THAT WE HAD THOSE PROTECTIONS.

>> Mary: WATCHING THIS BILL COME THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS, IT WAS DIFFICULT.

IT WAS PAINFUL.

>> EAH.

>> Mary: THERE WAS A LOT OF TOUGH TESTIMONY.

TELL S ABOUT SOME OF THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH HAD HISTORY.

>> WELL, WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THAT OUR NATIVE KIDS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES FROM ALMOST THE VERY BEGINNING IN AN INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO CIVILIZE THEM, TO DESTROY -- IT'S A BASIC GENOCIDE IN THE EARLY 1900s, OVER 20,000 KIDS WERE REMOVED AND BY 1924, THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT OF KIDS WERE REMOVED, AND SO WE HEARD THOSE STORIES FROM FAMILIES, FROM FAMILY MEMBERS WHO -- IT WASN'T JUST THEIR GREAT AUNT OR GREAT UNCLE OR THEIR GRANDPA, IT WAS THEIR MOTHERS AND UNCLES AND SISTERS.

>> Mary: IT'S NOT OLD HISTORY, THIS IS NOT FAR REMOVED FROM CURRENT PEOPLE.

>> CORRECT.

IN 1958 AND THE '60s, THEY WERE STILL REMOVING OUR NATIVE KIDS AT THESE INCREDIBLY HIGH NUMBERS AND MUTING THEM INTO THE FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ERA.

THERE IS A PHENOMENA CALLED THE '60s SCOOP HERE DOING THE '60s, THEY LILT LITERALLY WOULD GO INTO THE HOMES AND REMOVE ALL THOSE CHILDREN FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF REASON AND THEN PUT THEM INTO THE FOSTER CARE, ULTIMATELY ADOPTION IN AN EFFORT TO REMOVE THEIR CULTURE.

>> Mary: AND WHAT DOES THAT DO GENERATIONALLY WHEN CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS ARE REMOVED?

>> WELL, IT DESTROYS THE FAMILY, IT DESTROYS THE COMMUNITY.

YOU LOSE YOUR CULTURAL IDENTITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, MY GRANDFATHER WAS BORN ON THE STANDING ROCK RESERVATION AND CAME TO St. PAUL AS A YOUNG MAN, AND BECAUSE OF BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION, HE WAS NOT OUTWARDLY, YOU KNOW, A NATIVE MAN, AND SO WE DIDN'T PICK UP ON A LOT OF OUR CULTURE UNTIL, AS WE GOT TO BE OLDER AND UNDERSTOOD THAT THAT'S STILL THERE, IT'S STILL ALIVE, AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE LANGUAGE GOES AWAY.

IT WAS ILLEGAL TO PRACTICE OUR RELIGION, SO THE RELIGION AND THE PRACTICES GO AWAY.

PARENTING.

PARENTS DON'T KNOW HOW TO PARENT ANYMORE BECAUSE THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN REMOVED SO THEY BUILD UP THAT MENTAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EMOTIONAL WALL AND IT JUST -- IT'S HANDED DOWN GENERATION TO GENERATION AND T'S ALMOST LIKE YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND RELEARN HOW TO BECOME A PARENT AND HOW TO LOVE YOUR KID BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT AFRAID THAT YOUR CHILD'S GOING TO BE REMOVED ANYMORE.

>> Mary: I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BILL AND YOU SPOKE ABOUT BEING THE FIRST NATIVE WOMAN TO SERVE IN THE SENATE AND I ASKED YOU EARLIER IF YOU KNEW THE FIRST NATIVE PERSON, SKIP FINN WHO HAS A CONNECT TO YOU IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATURE.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> SO REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE BECKER-FINN AND I WERE ELECTED IN HE VERY SAME YEAR AND IT WAS JUST THROUGH THE ELECTION PROCESS THAT I GOT O KNOW HER MOTHER AND HER FATHER BECAUSE THEY ARE HER MOTHER LIVED IN MY DISTRICT AND I CALLED HER UP TO SAY, HEY, YOU WANT TO SUPPORT ME AND SHE'S LIKE, OH, MY DAUGHTER IS RUNNING FOR OFFICE, TOO.

AND SO IT WAS THROUGH THE ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE BECKER-FINN THAT IRV A HAD -- I HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FORMER SENATOR.

>> Mary: WHAT WOULD HE THINK, HOW PROUD WOULD HE BE TO SEE THE TWO OF YOU WITH GAVELS, CHAIRING, LEADING THIS PLACE?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF HE WOULD EVEN BELIEVE THAT WE'RE DOING IT RIGHT NOW AND IN THIS TIME, AND EVENTUALLY IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT FOR HIS DAUGHTER, LIKE YOU SAID, TO BE HOLDING A REALLY IMPORTANT GAVEL, MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR OUR COUNTRY -- FOR OUR STATE, I THINK HE WOULD JUST BE BUS BUSTING WITH JOY.

>> Mary: QUICKLY, YOU HAVE A GAVEL, EDUCATION IS HUGE, HOW IS YOUR BUDGET LOOKING?

>> WE RECEIVED A PRETTY GOOD BUDGET, THE LARGEST BUDGETS IN THE SENATE.

OF COURSE, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH BUT WE ARE ABLE TO, I THINK, PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GOOD BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO FUND OUR CHOOLS IN A WAY IT HAS NEVER BEEN FUNDED, EVER, HISTORICALLY, AND AS A FORMER TEACHER, IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

>> Mary: A LOT OF HISTORY BEING MADE.

>> LOTS OF HISTORY.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERMER REPRESENTS A DISTRICT IN GREATER MINNESOTA THAT HAS CHANGED A LOT IN RECENT DECADES.

STILL, SHE SAYS, IT REMAINS A CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

REPRESENTATIVE FOGELMAN, FIRST OF ALL, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> I WAS GETTING FROM US STRAIGHTED WITH HOW THINGS WERE BEING DONE, NOT JUST IN MINNESOTA BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I JUST THOUGHT, YOU CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT IT OR TRY TO DO SOMETHING SO I THREW MY HAT IN.

>> REPRESENT A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY, DOWN IN THE CITY OF WORTHINGTON.

>> Mary: YOU'RE FOLLOWING ROD HAMILTON, CORRECT?

>> YES, ROD HAMILTON RETIRED AND THEN WITH REDISTRICTING, THAT CHANGED THE DISTRICT A LITTLE BIT SO HE'S ACTUALLY NOT EVEN IN THE DISTRICT ANYMORE.

HE HAS BEEN A GREAT PERSON TO TALK TO AND HELP ME OUT.

>> Mary: YOU'RE ONE OF THE FRESHMEN WHO ARE IND OF REPLACING A LEGEND, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE HAMILTON WAS VERY WELL-KNOWN, VERY WELL-LIKED, HAD FRIENDSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE, IT WAS AN AGRICULTURE CHAIR WHO GOT BIPARTISAN VOTES, JOINED AND EVEN BROKE WITH HIS CAUCUS ON SOME VOTES.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS EVER BREAKING WITH YOUR CAUCUS AND FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS THAT WAY?

>> WELL, I GUESS IT WOULD ALL DEPEND ON WHAT THE BILL WOULD BE FOR.

I WANT TO DO WHAT THE CONSTITUENTS OF MY DISTRICT COMMUNICATE WITH ME.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO DO NOT WHAT St. PAUL WANTS BUT WHAT THE PEOPLE FROM DISTRICT HOUSE 31 B WANT.

>> Mary: THAT'S WHAT HE SAID SOMETIMES WHEN HE WAS BREAKING OFF ON VOTES.

I THINK IN PARTICULAR HE SAID HOW HE WAS VOTING HIS DISTRICT WHEN IT CAME TO IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND, YOU KNOW, THE UNIQUE AND CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS OF HIS DISTRICT.

IS HAT GOING TO BE TRUE FOR YOUR DISTRICT IN THOSE DEMOGRAPHICS, AS WELL?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DIVERSITY BUT IT IS A CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT CONTINUE THAT WAY.

LIKE I SAID, I WANT TO HAVE AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY AND I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME AND TALK TO ME.

THEY ARE A BIG PART OF THE DISTRICT.

MY KIDS WENT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL IN WORTHINGTON AND THEY WERE IN THE MINORITY THERE O., THEY ARE A BIG PART OF IT BUT THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO ACCLIMATE TO OUR SOCIETY AND THAT'S WHY THEY CAME HERE IS FOR A BETTER LIFE.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THE REST OF THE STATE REALIZES THAT YOUR KID GO TO A HIGH SCHOOL IN RURAL MINNESOTA THAT IS MAJORITY MINORITY, DO WE KNOW THAT WELL ENOUGH?

>> I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.

I THINK EVERYBODY KIND OF IS PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR OWN WORLD AND I THINK IT WAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY SO THEY HAD EXPOSURE TO OTHER CULTURES THAN THEIR OWN.

JACKSON COUNTY IS HUGE IN AGRICULTURE.

THERE IS A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES, I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS AND FARMERS THAT HAVE ONCERNS AND QUESTIONS.

>> Mary: OBVIOUSLY AGRICULTURE AND SMALL BUSINESS, BIG PART OF THE DISTRICT, WHAT WERE THEY SAYING TO YOU ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> MOST OF THE THING I HEARD ABOUT WAS SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEIR GUNS, THEY WANT TO FEEL SAFE.

>> Mary: YOU PROBABLY HEARD FROM FELLOW REPUBLICANS AND YOUR CAUCUS, THEY WERE KIND OF EXPECTING TO BE IN THE MAJORITY SO IT WAS A SURPRISE FOR REPUBLICANS NOT TO TAKE THE MAJORITY.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE BEING IN THE MINORITY?

>> I THINK THE BEST THING TO DO IS LEARN HOW TO COMMUNICATE THE BEST WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND JUST TRY TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR HE STATE.

>> Mary: AND HOW POLITICALLY ACTIVE HAVE YOU BEEN?

GIVE US A SENSE OF YOUR BACKGROUND IN POLITICS?

>> WELL, I AM NOT A SUPER POLITICAL PERSON, I NEVER HAVE BEEN, JUST WITH ALL THE THINGS GOING ON, IT MADE ME PAY ATTENTION.

I JOINED A WOMEN'S GROUP, WE ARE CHRISTIAN AND WE JUST ENJOY LIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY.

THERE'S JUST A LOT OF REGULATIONS AND MINNESOTA IS NOT VERY SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON SOMETHING FOR THAT.

>> THEREFORE, YOU SHUT DOWN ACCESS TO THE LEGISLATURE BY HAVING LESS PEOPLE SERVING.

>> Mary: I THINK OF TED WINTER AND MAYBE BEING ONE OF THE LAST DEMOCRATS TO - REPRESENT THAT AREA AND SEEMS LIKE MUCH OF RURAL MINNESOTA HAS MOVED REPUBLICAN.

HAVE YOU SEEN THAT IN YOUR TIME?

>> IT'S KIND OF PURPLE, I WOULD SAY, MAYBE, IN WORTHINGTON BUT I WOULD SAY MOST OF IT IS PRETTY REPUBLICAN.

I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY THERE ARE LIBERTARIAN -- I ACTUALLY TALKED TO A FEW ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND THERE ARE DEMOCRATS, TOO, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN'T ALL FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> Mary: WHAT DID YOU LEARN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE BEFORE, SOUNDS LIKE.

THERE HAD TO BE A LOT OF LESSONS LEARNED?

>> RUNNING FOR OFFICE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD JUST TAKE LIGHTLY.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

WE PUT ON A LOT OF MILES ON MY CAR AND WE MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE.

I MET PEOPLE I WOULD NEVER HAVE MET BEFORE.

I SAW LOTS OF THE DISTRICT I WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

>> Mary: SO LOOKS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN TO THE CAPITOL, I SAW YOU POSTED A PHOTO RECENTLY.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE GETTING THERE AND KIND OF DIVING IN TO THAT PLACE?

>> IT'S A LITTLE SURREAL, IT'S SOMEWHERE I LWAYS ENJOYED GOING.

MY DAD USED TO GO UP AND BRING US AND DRIVE US AROUND SUMMIT AVENUE AND CHECK OUT THE COOL HOUSES AND GO TO THE CAPITOL, JUST SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE BUT IT'S A LOT OF WORK AND I'M LEARNING AND I AM EXCITED TO TAKE ON A NEW CHALLENGE.

♪♪ >> MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

NEXT WEEK THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE TAKING THEIR ANNUAL SPRINGTIME BREAK AND WE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" FOR YOU, FEATURING PROFILES OF THIS SESSION'S NEW LAWMAKERS.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK, LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH REPRESENTATIVE SAMANTHA VANG ABOUT HATE CRIME LEGISLATION, THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS WILL BE IN STUDIO, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE $6.3 MILLION GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE RENOVATION AND HOW IT COMPARES TO PREVIOUS UPDATE EFFORTS AT THE SUMMIT AVENUE MANSION BY THE PERPICH AND VENTURA ADMINISTRATIONS.

AND WE'LL HAVE SOME IDEAS OF HOW TO USE THE CAPITOL HERE, MAYBE, INSTEAD OF THE RESIDENCE, SO IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING PIECE.

TUNE IN FOR THAT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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