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

>> Cathy: ON TONIGHT'S SHOW WE'LL COVER TWO OF THE STATE'S LARGEST STORIES.

WE HAVE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN HERE TO TALK US THROUGH THE BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR, ALSO SHEAR FROM A LOT OF FOLKS FROM THE SANFORD-FAIRVIEW HEALTH MERGER AND OF COURSE MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN COVERING THE CAPITOL.

>> THE GOVERNOR CONCLUDE DOLLARS HIS BONDING AND BUDGET ANALYSIS.

WE'LL PUT IT ALL INTO CONTEXT.

>> THE TIME FOR GETTING THINGS DONE IS NOW.

[ APPLAUSE ] WARE GOING TO MOVE THIS.

>> 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.

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.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION.

WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: WE'LL GOT A FULL SHOW FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

ONE OF THE BIG STORIES WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS MONTH IS THE PROPOSED SANFORD-FAIRVIEW HEALTH CARE MERGER.

WE'LL ALK WITH CEOS FROM BOTH ORGANIZATIONS AND MEET MINNESOTA'S NEW HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

>> Eric: BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH BUDGET NEWS.

GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN UNVEILED THEIR AMBITIOUS BUDGET THIS WEEK.

HERE WITH MORE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN.

MAYBE START WITH THE NEWS, THE SENATE IS LIKE HOUR TEN OF THE ABORTION BILL, CODIFYING ROE V. WADE BILL AND IT'S A 33-34 MARGIN FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING IT'S AN EXTREME BILL, IT HAS NO GUARDRAILS, WHAT'S THE RESPONSE TO THAT >> I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE TOLD MINNESOTANS WE WOULD DO.

WE TRAVELED ACROSS THE STATE, WE HEARD FROM FOLKS, FROM WOMEN, YOUNG WOMEN, FROM SENIORS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO CODIFY ACCESS TO ABORTION, WE'RE GOING TO DELIVER ON THAT PROMISE.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BEING EXTREME I THINK HE SAME FOLKS WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS BEING EXTREME ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE SAID THAT THEY WOULD OUTLAW ABORTION IN THE CASE OF RAPE OR INCEST.

SO, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE TALKING POINTS BUT I THINK FOR US WE HEARD THE MESSAGE FROM MINNESOTANS LOUD AND CLEAR AND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IS WHAT IS BEING DEBATED AND FRANKLY WHAT WILL BE PASSED AND THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN INTO LAW.

>> Cathy: IT IS A BUDGET SESSION, THOUGH, SO WHY OUT OF THE GATES WITH HOUSE FILE 1 AND SENATE FILE 1 BEING ABORTION?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE ARE AN ISLAND OF DECENCY HERE IN THE MIDWEST.

WE'RE GOOD NEIGHBORS, AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE COMING FROM ACROSS THE REGION TO ACCESS ABORTION CARE HERE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CODIFIED IN LAW.

YOU KNOW, I AM A MOM OF A 10-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL.

THIS MATTERS TO ME.

HER GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT PROTECTION, SHE FOUGHT, RIGHT, FOR ACCESS TO ABORTION.

HER MOM'S GOING TO DO THE SAME THING TO MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT HOW AND WHEN AND IF TO HAVE A FAMILY, AND I THINK WE SEE SOME PRETTY POWERFUL WOMEN WHO ARE LEADING THE CHARGE.

BOTH IN SPEAKER HORTMAN AND LEADER DZIEDZIC, AND ALL OF THE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE LEADING ON THIS ISSUE WHEN WOMEN SET THEIR MIND TO SOMETHING THEY GET IT DONE.

>> Eric: TURNING TO THE BUDGET.

SOMEWHERE ABOVE 20% SPENDING INCREASE, GRANTED THERE WAS NOT MUCH DONE IN SPENDING LAST YEAR.

SO I GET THERE'S A PENT UP DEPANNED.

BUT IS THERE GUARANTEES THAT THIS STUFF IS GOING TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE MINNESOTA'S LIFE?

I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF SPENDING.

>> I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BUDGET.

THIS IS THE BUDGET I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE.

ESPECIALLY AS A CHILD ADVOCATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS OUR CHILD TAX CREDIT, SO IT'S A THOUSAND DOLLARS PER CHILD UP TO $3,000 FOR FAMILIES.

THIS POLICY ALONE WILL REDUCE CHILD POVERTY IN MINNESOTA BY 25%.

WHICH I THINK IS INCREDIBLE.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT WHICH WILL MAKE CHILDCARE FOR AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES, 1.5 BILLION IN HOUSING STABILITY FROM THE FULL SPECTRUM OF HOUSING, FROM OUR NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ALL THE WAY TO FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS.

INDEXING EDUCATION TO THE FUNDING FORMULA TO INFLATION WHICH IS A LONG TIME OVERDUE.

AND SOME OF THESE INVESTMENTS I THINK ARE SHORT-TERM, SOME SHORT-TERM RELIEF FOR FOLKS BUT ALSO LONG-TERM IN THE KIND OF LASTING EFFECTS THEY'LL HAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: O YOU'RE ASKING -- THIS IS THE OPENING IN NEGOTIATION, LIKE 20% INCREASE IN SPENDING, BUT WHAT ARE THE MUST-HAVES?

>> YES.

I THINK THE MUST-HAVES FOR US ARE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, PAID FAMILY AND EL MEDICAL LEAVE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, MY DAUGHTER SHAVON WHO JUST TURNED 10, I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ISSUE WHEN I WAS STILL PREGNANT WITH HER SO I THINK THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING STUFF AGAIN AROUND HOUSING.

I THINK THIS BONDING BILL IS REALLY POWERFUL.

WAY TO PROTECT OUR ASSETS AND BUILD TOWARDS THE FUTURE.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS I THINK THAT YOU CAN EXPECT US TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR.

>> Cathy: THOSE ARE MUST-HAVES.

>> Eric: I'M INTERESTED IN THE PHILOSOPHY ON THE TAX CUTS.

THEY'RE TARGETED TO SPECIFIC THINGS.

>> MM-HMM.

>> Eric: I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THINKING, WELL, THERE'S A $17 BILLION SURPLUS, WHY NOT LOWER THE SALES TAX, CUT INCOME TAX RATE, BROADER PARTICIPATION TO WHO GETS THE TAX REFUND.

WHAT'S YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON THE TARGETING OF THIS STUFF?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE TARGETING TO THOSE WHO NEED TO MOST.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT IS FAMILIES NEED THE SUPPORT WHEN THEIR CHILDREN ARE ZERO TO FIVE.

AND FRANKLY THAT'S WHEN THEY GET THE LEAST SUPPORT.

HERE IN THE FIRST 1,000 DAYS OF A CHILD'S LIFE, WE CAN FOCUS HERE.

WE GOT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT, THE DIRECT CHECKS TO FAMILIES BETWEEN 1,000 UP INTO $2,600.

>> Eric: BUT YOU HAVE TO MEET AN INCOME REQUIREMENT FOR THAT.

>> RIGHT, IT'S 75,000 PER INDIVIDUAL OR 150,000 FOR FAMILIES .

and here's what I would say about that.

I THINK THERE'S SOME FOLKS WHO ARE LIKE, AH, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THAT MAKE.

AND THAT TELLS ME THAT YOU HAVEN'T EVER STRUGGLED TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE $25 LAST FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

FOR FAMILIES, THIS IS FIRST AND LAST MONTH'S RENT TO GET OUT OF SHELTER AND INTO HOUSING.

IT'S PAYING OFF CREDIT CARD DEBT, IT'S A CAR REPAIR.

THE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HERE WITH THESE DIRECT CHECKS COMBINED WITH THE TAX CREDITS I THINK WILL MAKE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT, THERE'S A LOT OF FEE INCREASES IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND INCREASE N THE METRO SALES TAX.

AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT AND THAT GO, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU'VE GOT SCANS OF MONEY MONEY, THERE'S THIS HUGE SUCH APPLICATION WHY RAISE ANY TAXES OR ANY FEES?

>> I THINK SOME OF THESE FEES, I LOOK AT THE FISHING LICENSE, FOR EXAMPLE, I AM AN ANGLER MYSELF, WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST ROBUST FISHERIES HERE IN MINNESOTA WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THAT AS WE ARE INVESTING.

I WANT THIS TO BE A DESTINATION FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS WE DO IT BUT ALSO PROVIDING SHORT-TERM RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, LONG-TERM RELIEF WITH INVESTMENTS BUT ADDITIONALLY THE PLACES WHERE WE'RE ALSO RAISING TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS, SO IF YOU'RE SOMEBODY WHO MADE $1,000 -- EXCUSE ME, A MILLION DOLLARS, WE'RE GOING TO TAX THAT, THAT'S NOT THE AVERAGE FAMILY, IT'S 4 AND A HALF%, WE THINK FOLKS AT THE TOP ARE DOING FAIRLY WELL AND THEY'VE BEEN OKAY.

IT'S THE FAMILIES WHO, WORKING FAMILIES WHO REALLY NEED THE SUPPORT AND THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE DECIDED TO APPROACH THIS BUDGET.

>> Eric: SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ON THE PAID LEAVE.

>> MM-HMM.

>> Eric: THEY WERE SAYING THAT, WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE FRIDAY AND MONDAY ARE GOING TO BE PAID LEAVE DAYS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT A LONG WEEKEND.

IS THERE SOME SUPERVISION OF THAT OR RULES R REGULATIONS?

>> OF COURSE THERE IS.

YEAH, THERE'S SUPERVISION OF THAT.

THIS IS IF YOU HAVE AN INCIDENT.

SO THAT IS THE BIRTH OF A CHILD, THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD, CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS >> Cathy: CAREGIVING FOR A SENIOR PARENT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

CAREGIVING FOR A SENIOR PARENT.

ALL OF THESE PIECES ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

SO THAT HAS TO OCCUR.

IT'S NOT A LONG WEEKEND POLICY, IT'S 12 WEEKS OF LEAVE FOR FOLKS WHO REALLY NEED IT SO THAT FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA DON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR PAYCHECK, CARING FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM ARE SMALL BUSINESS WHO'S WANT THIS TO BE COMPETITIVE.

THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS ACROSS MINNESOTA, FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES WHO ALREADY OFFER THIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT MAKES THEM COMPETITIVE.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WANT IT TOO.

>> Eric: WE'LL LOOK FOR THE NEW FORECAST AND THEN THE REVISED BUDGET AND THEN OFF WE GO.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Cathy: SANFORD HEALTH AND FAIR VIEW HEALTH SERVICES ARE FOCUSED ON FINALIZING A MERGER OF THEIR HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS BY THE END OF ARCH.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON HAS BEEN HOLDING COMMUNITY FORUMS AROUND THE STATE ON THE MATTER BUT THE DEAL FACES NOTABLE OBJECTIONS.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE ATTENDED ONE OF THE FORUMS IN BEMIDJI EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>> ABOUT 100 GATHERED IN BEMIDJI ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN SANFORD HEALTH AND FAIR VIEW.

HE SAYS HE'S KEEPING AN OPEN MIND.

>> WE WANT TO HEAR HOW IT WOULD AFFECT EMPLOYEES, HOW IT WOULD AFFECT SERVICE IN REGIONAL COMMUNITIES, HOW THE MERGER WOULD AFFECT INSURANCE RATES AND PREMIUMS PAID BY MINNESOTANS.

HOW IT WOULD AFFECT OUR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO GET THE HEALTH CARE THAT WE AS MINNESOTANS EXPECT.

>> WE MUST SEEK NEW, BETTER WAYS TO SERVE OUR PATIENTS WHILE ENSURING WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND PATIENTS FOR DECADES TO COME.

I'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES WE FACE.

>> FAIRVIEW'S EXPERTISE COMBINED WITH SANFORD'S VIRTUAL CARE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL PROVIDE PATIENTS IN RURAL AREAS LIKE BEMIDJI AND ALL THE OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING FROM HERE WITH SEAMLESS ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS.

>> BUSINESS PEOPLE -- NOT ME -- WANT TO ADDRESS THINGS PIECEMEAL AND APPROVE THE MERGER THEY WANT FOR FINANCIAL REASONS AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

>> SANFORD IS THE LARGEST RURAL HEALTH CARE IN THE U.S. WITH A MILLION AND A HALF PATIENTS ACROSS ALL STATES.

IT HAS REGIONAL HOSPITALS IN PLACES LIKE BEMIDJI, FARGO, AND SIOUX FALLS.

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM HAS TRIED TO MERGE WITH FAIRVIEW AND ABOUT THE FIFTH MERGER IT'S TRIED IN RECENT YEARS.

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH ABOUT GETTING LARGER, IT'S HOW DO WE GROW IN A WAY THAT ALLOWS US TO DO A BETTER JOB OF MEETING ALL THE NEEDS OF OUR PATIENTS WE SERVE TODAY.

TODAY THERE ARE STILL THINGS WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE TO OUR PATIENT JUST BECAUSE WE'RE NOT MAYBE IN A COMMUNITY LARGE ENOUGH.

>> SUCH AS THE TWIN CITIES, MERGING WITH FAIRVIEW AND 11 HOSPITALS IN THE METRO IS ATTRACTIVE.

SANFORD SAYS A MERGER WON'T MEAN LESS CARE.

HE POINTS TO A 2011 MERGER WITH NORTH CARE SERVICES IN BEMIDJI.

SANFORD SAYS IT'S INVESTED $100 MILLION IN THE AREA AND BUILT A CANCER CENTER AND A NEW 12,000 SQUARE FOOT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

>> SANFORD IS A 5013C NOT FOR PROFIT HEALTH SYSTEM.

>> ACCORDING TO SANFORD'S 990 TAX FILINGS IT MADE OVER $5 BILLION IN 2021 WITH A PROFIT OF 394 MILLION.

GASSEN'S TOTAL COMPENSATION WAS MORE THAN 3 MILLION.

CRITICS SAY THE NON-PROFIT STATUS IN HEALTH CARE IS MISLEADING.

THEY SAY BIG HEALTH CARE HAS INCREASINGLY BEEN CUTTING CORNERS AND OPERATING WITH UNSAFE STAFFING LEVELS.

AND THAT'S LED MANY NURSES TO LEAVE THE INDUSTRY ALTOGETHER.

THE STATE'S NURSES UNION OPPOSES THE MERGER.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY'LL SAY WE'RE NONFOR PROFIT, THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED RESERVES, THEY ARE ACTING MORE AND MORE LIKE FOR-PROFIT ENTITY.

>> ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT NOT FOR PROFIT FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES WAS IN THE TOP 25 HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS THAT SPENT LESS ON CHARITY CARE THAN THE VALUE OF ITS TAX EXEMPTION BY $253 MILLION.

AND AFTER FAIRVIEW MERGED WITH HEALTHEAST IN 2017, ROACH SAYS THE COMMUNITY LATER LOST CRITICAL BEDS.

>> WE SAW THEM ACTUALLY CLOSE THE PROMINENT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY RIGHT HERE DOWN THE STREET IN ST. PAUL AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO REOPEN A STANDALONE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY WITH A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

THAT IS NOT THE WAY WE SHOULD BE DOING HEALTH CARE.

>> ABOUT 300 NURSES IN BEMIDJI ARE CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING A CONTRACT WITH SANFORD.

JESSICA MYSTIC IS A CHAIR OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT.

SHE SAYS SANFORD HAS BEEN PROPOSING CHANGES THAT WOULD PREVENT THE NURSES FROM VOICING OPPOSITION TO MANAGEMENT OR GOING ON STRIKE.

>> SANFORD IS BASED OUT OF SOUTH DAKOTA WHICH IS RIGHT TO WORK STATE.

I BELIEVE THAT SANFORD HAS SHOWN THAT THEY WANT TO LIMIT OUR RIGHTS IN MINNESOTA TO FORM A UNION, COLLECTIVELY BARGAIN, LIMIT OUR LANGUAGE IN OUR CONTRACT THAT PROTECTS OUR CONTRACT IN THE CASE OF A MERGER.

>> IN A STATEMENT SANFORD SAID SANFORD HEALTH HAS LONG HAD UNIONIZED WORKFORCES IN MINNESOTA AND WILL CONTINUE TO HONOR AND RESPECT OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.

ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS PROVIDE MNA WITH SUFFICIENT ASSURANCES WE WILL HONOR THOSE AGREEMENTS POSTMERGER.

THE WISHES OF MEDICAL STAFF IS SOMETHING THE A.G. IS CONSIDERING.

AS A LONG TIME FAMILY PHYSICIAN DR. DAVID WILCOX HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL HEALTH CARE MERGERS N BEMIDJI, NOW HE'S SANFORD'S MEDICAL OFFICER FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> FOR RURAL AMERICA IS REALLY IS A BENEFIT OF STABILITY.

YOU'VE SEEN MANY SMALL HOSPITALS CLOSE, YOU'VE SEEN MANY SMALL GROUPS CLOSE, YOU'VE SEEN A LACK OF PHYSICIANS WANTING TO GO TO RURAL COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THERE IS NOT STABILITY.

>> NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED THE TWO SYSTEMS NEED TO MERGE IN ORDER TO EXPAND SERVICES.

HEALTH CARE ANALYST ALAN BALM GARTEN SAYS A PARTNERSHIP COULD ALSO BE EFFECTIVE.

HE SAYS A MERGER IS ABOUT INCREASING MARKETSHARE AND THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON RISING PRICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND PATIENTS.

>> IT COULD AFFECT COMPETITION BECAUSE THEY CAN TIE, IN A SENSE, THE DIFFERENT HOSPITALS IN THEIR NETWORK TOGETHER AND SAY WE ARE AN INTEGRATED UNIFIED SYSTEM, YOU DO BUSINESS WITH ALL OF US OR YOU DO BUSINESS WITH NONE OF US.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THEY COULD SAY THAT FROM NOW ON IF YOU USE OUR BEMIDJI HOSPITALS, WE WANT TO BE PAID TWIN CITY HOSPITAL PRICES.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON WILL HOLD THE FOURTH AND LAST PUBLIC FORUM ON TUESDAY IN GRAND RAPIDS.

♪♪ >> Eric: HERE TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION, FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES CEO JAMES HEREFORD AND BILL GASSEN, CEO OF SANFORD HEALTH.

Mr. GASSEN, WHAT ABOUT RIGHT AT THE END OF THE STORY THERE A MONOPOLY AFFECTS PRICES, ACCESS, WHAT'S THE DEFENSE THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAVE THOSE MONOPOLISTIC FEATURES?

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU FOR FIRST FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.

AS IT RELATES TO THAT, NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS SITUATION.

IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT ANFORD HEALTH AND FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDE CARE IN DISTINCT SEPARATE GEOGRAPHIES, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OVERLAP.

SO THERE'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE YOU'D RUN NTO AN ANTITRUST TYPE OF SITUATION.

AND SO THE MARKET CONSOLIDATION THEORY THAT YOU JUST HEARD IS ONE THAT'S JUST NOT APPLICABLE IN THIS SITUATION.

>> >> Cathy: YOU'RE USED TO PARTNERSHIPS, YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WITH FAIRVIEW.

HOW ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP INSTEAD OF A MERGER WITH SANFORD?

>> I THINK THE OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE KIND OF LEVEL OF PATIENT CARE TO CONTINUE, THE ONTINUUM OF CARE IS REALLY RITICAL.

TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE HAND-OFF SEAMLESSLY, TO BE ABLE TO USE THE LEVERAGE IN TERMS OF THE CONTINUUM OF PRIMARY CARE, PREVENTIVE CARE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF QUATERNARY CARE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO DO IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE SAME FAMILY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK EVEN WITH THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY YOU'VE DESCRIBED, WE'VE GOTTEN CLOSER AND CLOSER IN TERMS OF OUR ABILITY TO REALLY INTEGRATE BETWEEN THE TWO BUT THERE'S STILL BARRIERS INVOLVED TOO AND SOME OF THOSE HAVE BEEN APPARENT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE HURRY?

>> WELL, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: WHY?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, WHAT WE DO IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

WE PROVIDE CARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES BUT FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, MOST OF THOSE NOBODY ELSE WOULD BE THERE TO DO THAT.

AND SO WE TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY THE ISSION OF OUR RGANIZATION WHICH IS TO AT ITS CORE CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS AND CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST PERILOUS TIMES WE'VE SEEN IN HEALTH CARE.

THE DATA IS VERY, VERY CLEAR IT'S ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES NOT ONLY HAVING COME THROUGH THE PANDEMIC BUT OW YOU LOOK AT OURSELVES IN A SITUATION HERE MORE THAN HALF THE HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE LOSING MONEY, THEY LOST MONEY LAST YEAR, AND SO AS WE'RE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO MARSHAL OUR RESOURCES TOGETHER TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE CARE, LIFESAVING CARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, TO DELAY IS TO DELAY THOSE BENEFITS.

>> Cathy: BACK IN NOVEMBER I THINK YOU SAID, Mr. HEREFORD, THAT THIS MERGER WASN'T REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ISSUES.

MOODY'S HAS DOWNGRADED YOUR CREDIT RATING, YOU'RE LOOKING LIKE YOU DO HAVE SOME FISCAL HEADWINDS, I GUESS FOR WANT OF A BETTER WORD.

IS SANFORD FAIRVIEW'S FINANCIAL LIFELINE?

>> WELL, I THINK NO MATTER WHAT IF WE'RE A STANDALONE ORGANIZATION OR WHEN WE MERGE WITH SANFORD WE STILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM AT A LEVEL THAT ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MARGINS, TO BE ABLE TO REINVEST.

REMEMBER, WE'RE A 501(C)(3).

WE DON'T HAVE SHAREHOLDERS, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS REINVEST IN CAPITAL ASSETS WE HAVE, HOSPITALS AND PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT.

SO WE HAVE A FAIRLY CLEAR PATHWAY TO BE ABLE TO -- >> Cathy: WITHOUT SANFORD.

>> WITHOUT SANFORD.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS ON OUR OWN WITHOUT A BREAK EVEN.

WHAT'S HARD TO SEE IS HOW WE SUSTAIN THAT WITHOUT SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES WE CAN CREATE WITH SANFORD IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO BRING TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION TO BEAR.

THINK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC IT'S BEEN STAFFING.

WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE LEAVE, WE'VE SEEN MORE INTENSITY OF THE ACUITY OF PATIENTS, AND I LOVE THE ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD, BUT IT IS A BURDEN.

PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN INNOVATE AND SUPPORT OUR CAREGIVERS IN A WAY THAT THEY CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT, WHICH IS PROVIDING CARE, AND NOT HAVE THE, ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS, ALL THE OTHER BURDENS THAT GET PLACED ON THEM BY THE WAY THAT WE WORK.

THAT'S THE REAL KEY TO THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE.

>> Eric: WHAT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING REASON FOR, TO BE AGAINST THIS IS THAT SOUTH DAKOTA BASED COMPANY DOESN'T MEET SO CALLED MINNESOTA STANDARDS.

AND I WONDER, DO YOU HAVE TOO MUCH OF A RURAL EMPHASIS OR TOO CONSERVATIVE ON ABORTION POLICY?

WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> JUST TO CORRECT WE'RE ACTUALLY A NORTH DAKOTA BASED COMPANY, SANFORD HEALTH IS.

>> Eric: OH, SORRY.

>> THAT ALL BEING STATED, WE ARE VERY PROUD, WE'VE OT 25-YEAR RECORD OF PROVIDING INCREDIBLE HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

MINNESOTA IS EVERY BIT A PART OF WHO SANFORD HEALTH IS AS IS SOUTH DAKOTA, AS IS NORTH DAKOTA AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE CARE WE'VE PROVIDED.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE TONIGHT BEMIDJI, THE INCREDIBLE INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE THERE AND AS WE COME INTO THIS OPPORTUNITY TOGETHER WITH SANFORD HEALTH AND FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES I'VE SAID PUBLICLY, I'LL SAY IT AGAIN HERE, THIS IS HOW WE DO MORE TOGETHER, NOT ESS.

WHEN WE COME INTO COMMUNITIES IT'S NOT ABOUT DOING LESS, IT'S ABOUT INCREASING ACCESS, IT'S ABOUT IMPROVING QUALITY, IT'S ABOUT BRINGING MORE SERVICES, IT'S ABOUT BRINGING MORE PROVIDERS AND ALL OF THOSE ALSO HAVE A NET BENEFIT OF IMPROVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THESE COUNTIES AND THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

AND SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT GOING FORWARD.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF HAVING DONE THAT AT SANFORD HEALTH AND WE WILL INTEND TO DO THAT WITH FAIRVIEW AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Cathy: I KNOW THAT YOU OFTEN HEAR ABOUT IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE, YOU JUST SAID THAT, BUT MOST DATA I'M SURE YOU KNOW SAYS THAT MERGERS DON'T IMPROVE QUALITY, MERGERS OR DECLINES.

>> I THINK I SHARED, BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER IT, HAS TO BE THE RIGHT SPEED AND RIGHT TYPE OF GROWTH.

AT SANFORD HEALTH WE'VE EXPERIENCED THAT POSITIVE GROWTH, YOU TAKE TWO ORGANIZATIONS WITH LIKE MINDS, TWO NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SANFORD AND FAIRVIEW SERVICES, AS I'VE SHARED BEFORE WE DON'T HAVE OVERLAPPING GEOGRAPHY BUT WE PROVIDE CARE TODAY IN PART OF THE COUNTRY THAT'S VERY SIMILAR.

WE BELIEVE OUR ABILITY TO BRING WORLD CLASS CARE TO THE UPPER MIDWEST IS SOMETHING THAT SETS US APART.

AS WE DO THAT IT'S NOT ABOUT JUST BEING BIGGER BUT ABOUT BEING STRATEGIC.

AS YOU KNOW SANFORD HEALTH TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN THE RURAL HEALTH CARE WE PROVIDE.

FAIRVIEW HEALTH SERVICES DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF ROVIDING GREAT CARE IN MORE DENSELY POPULATED URBAN COMMUNITIES.

>> Cathy: EXCUSE ME.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WANTS YOU TO DELAY THIS.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> SO WE'VE WORKED VERY HAND IN GLOVE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE TALKED TO HIM VERY EARLY ON.

WE HAVE A DATE THAT'S BEEN PROPAGATED OUT HERE BUT THAT'S A PLANNING DATE.

WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THAT DATE.

NOW, WE WANT TO BE READY SO WHEN THE MERGER DOES OCCUR THAT WE'RE READY TO BE ABLE TO ADD VALUE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BUT WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HIS OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS ANSWERS, HIS QUESTIONS GET ANSWERED.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU PREPARED IN CASE HE FILES A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER?

>> WELL, WE ALSO KNOW, I THINK ACTUALLY HERE ON YOUR SHOW, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON SAID THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING HE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO.

WE'RE VERY CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS A LAWFUL TRANSACTION, BUT AS Mr. HEREFORD SAID WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH HIS OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HELP ANSWER QUESTIONS AS HE SHARED, HIS TWO AREAS OF INTEREST ARE HARITIES AND ANTITRUST AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE RESPONSIVE TO THOSE AREAS.

>> Eric: WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

THANKS, FELLAS.

ALL THE BEST.

THANKS FOR COMING.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> I HOPE YOU WILL STOP TO ADMIRE THE CROP OF ICE DAMS IN 2023.

THEY HAVE GRACE, THEY HAVE STRENGTH, THEY HAVE ENORMOUS LENGTH.

TRULY A WONDER TO SEE.

FROM POOR INSULATION AND REPEAT CRYSTALLIZATION COMES AN ARTFORM UNIQUE AND BIZARRE.

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS HAD NO DESCRIPTIONS FOR THIS PHENOMENON THAT CAME FROM AFAR.

SOFFITS AND GABLES, OLD PICNIC TABLES GET WRAPPED IN THIS GLASS FROM ABOVE.

IT'S BEAUTY, IT'S PLAY, IT'S JUST NATURE'S CLAY.

WHY DON'T WE SHOW ICE DAMS MORE LOVE?

I KNOW WE'RE UPSET WHEN THE CEILING GETS ET.

THAT DRIP BEING WILL BE FIXED AT GREAT COST.

BUT HAMMERS AND RAKES, SMASHES AND SCRAPES THE ICING OF WINTER IS LOST.

I FIND IT A SHAME WE PLAY SUCH A GAME WITH SOMETHING SO SHINY AND CLEAR.

LET ICE DAMS HANG FREE.

WHAT WILL BE, LET IT BE.

LIKE WINTER, THEY TOO DISAPPEAR.

♪♪ >> Cathy: EARLIER THIS MONTH GOVERNOR WALZ APPOINTED A NEW HEALTH COMMISSIONER, DR. BROOKE CUNNINGHAM LED THE DEPARTMENT'S HEALTH EQUITY BUREAU BEFORE TAKING THE HELM.

HER RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA COVERED RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTH CARE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW, DR. CUNNINGHAM AND COMMISSIONER CUNNINGHAM.

>> ACTUALLY THAT IS A LITTLE UNUSUAL, WE WERE JUST TALKING, WE THINK DR. ED ELINGER WAS THE LAST PHYSICIAN WHO HEADED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IS THAT AN ODD ROLE TO HOLD?

>> WELL, I WILL TELL YOU, I BECAME -- I WENT INTO MED SCHOOL, ONCE I DECIDED THAT I COULD ECOME A SOCIOLOGIST.

SO I DID AN M.D.

PH.D., WAS IN MED SCHOOL WITH A PH.D.

IN SOCIOLOGY.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH WHEN I WAS MAKING THOSE CHOICES, BUT I WAS PURSUING SOCIOLOGY BECAUSE LIKE MY PUBLIC HEALTH COLLEAGUES TODAY, I WAS VERY INTERESTED IN THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AS A MAJOR SHAPER OF OUR HEALTH OUTCOMES.

>> Eric: I THINK HEALTH EQUITY IS GOING TO BE ONE OF YOUR GOALS.

>> YES.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AT STREET LEVEL?

WHAT CAN YOUR DEPARTMENT DO TO EFFECT, IMPROVE THE SITUATION?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA HAVE BEEN GRAPPLING, AS HAVE PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION WITH HEALTH DISPARITIES.

HOW DO WE WRAP OUR HANDS AROUND IT, HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARDS SOLUTIONS FROM TALK.

I KNOW AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WE HAVE SOME PARTICULAR STRENGTHS IN THE SAME THAT WE SAW COME OUT WITH THE COVID RESPONSE IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT DATA, PARTNERING WITH HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS FOR THAT DATA, BUT ALSO WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES TO REACH THOSE MOST IMPACTED.

>> Eric: WHAT WOULD THAT INCLUDE?

PROGRAMS, MONEY, GRANTS?

WHAT WOULD IT INCLUDE?

>> RIGHT, A LOT THAT YOU SEE IN OUR BUDGET ARE MONEYS TO REALLY DEEPEN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT INCLUDES WORKING WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH, THAT INCLUDES WORKING WITH TRIBAL HEALTH, BOTH OF THOSE GROUPS ARE CLOSER O COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO WORKING WITH COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS WITH GRANT MONEYS GOING OUT TO THEM AS WELL.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT DOES A POST-COVID OR POSTPANDEMIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOOK LIKE NOW?

>> YES.

YES.

WELL, WE ARE A LITTLE DELEAGUERED AFTER THE PANDEMIC BUT WE ARE EXCITED AND ENCOURAGED I THINK WITH THE NEW PHASE.

THE NEW PHASE IS THAT PEOPLE NOW THINK ABOUT, -- LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH WAS INITIALLY, RIGHT?

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC REALLY WHEN YOU SAY PUBLIC HEALTH, WHAT DOES PUBLIC HEALTH DO, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

AND NOW PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IN A DIFFERENT WAY HOW PUBLIC HEALTH WORKS.

AND SO AT THE DEPARTMENT POST-COVID EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT QUITE POST, RIGHT, BUT POST-COVID IS REALLY ASKING US WHAT WERE THE LESSONS THAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC, HOW DO WE BUILD OFF OF HOSE THINGS IN TERMS OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IN TERMS OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, AND FOR ME IT'S ALSO TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE WITHIN THE AGENCY.

AGAIN, WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENTED PEOPLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HUNG IN THERE, WORKED LONG HOURS AND ARE STILL WITH US, AND SO I DEFINITELY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND HEAR THEIR IDEAS FOR AGAIN WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, THANK FOURS BRINGING UP THOSE WHO WORKED DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THEY WORKED AWFULLY LONG AND AWFULLY HARD.

SO I KNOW YOU'RE SHUTTING UP SOME OF THE TESTING SITES AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO GET A TEST?

I MEAN, WHERE DO THEY GO NOW?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, WE'RE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE TODAY THAN WE WERE TWO YEARS AGO, RIGHT?

TWO YEARS AGO WE DIDN'T HAVE TESTS, WE DIDN'T HAVE VACCINES BACK IN 2020.

AND SO WE'RE AT A DIFFERENT PLACE AND WITH THAT OUR STRATEGY WITH COVID HAS EVOLVED OVER TIME.

THERE ARE OVER THE COUNTER TESTS READILY AVAILABLE, INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR IT.

VACCINES ARE STILL READILY AVAILABLE AND SO WE'RE EVOLVING.

WE HAVE A TELEHEALTH PLATFORM FOR ACCESSING THERAPEUTICS AND SO AND WE KNOW HOW MUCH TELEHEALTH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED TO THAT AND HOW GOOD THAT IS FOR ACCESSIBILITY.

AND SO OUR STRATEGIES ARE JUST EVOLVED.

>> Eric: TALKING TO OTHER DEPARTMENT FOLKS THEY SAY THAT THEIR I.T., THEIR TECHNOLOGY IS WOEFULLY INADAT AND OLD.

YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AT YOUR DEPARTMENT?

WOULD THAT BE A GOOD THING TO SPEND ON FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, I THINK OVER TIME, OF COURSE TECHNOLOGY DOES HAVE ITS LIFESPAN, I THINK WE HAVE VERY GOOD TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUT OF COURSE WE HAVE OUR EYES ON DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MAY BE ON THE HORIZON TO IMPROVE THAT.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF OUR JOB, WE WANT TO STAY CURRENT, KEEP UP SO THAT WE AN BE MOST RESPONSIVE FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY AND ALL THE BEST IN YOUR NEW POSITION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

♪♪ >> YEAH, I WANT TO DIVE INTO YOUR MYRIAD OF SKILL SETS.

NOW, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, LAWYER, YOU'RE JOINING US FROM YOUR LAW OFFICE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> TEACHER, FIRST RESPONDER.

>> YES.

>> MOM, WIFE, MILITARY WIFE.

I THINK ANY ONE OF THOSE WOULD MAKE YOU QUALIFIED.

>> I STARTED MY CAREER AS A TRIAL LAWYER, IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN DOING FOR 26 YEARS.

BUT I ENT BACK TO SCHOOL IN MY 40S AND GOT MY MASTERS IN TEACHING.

I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW, IT'S MY FAVORITE JOB OF ALL THE JOBS THAT I'VE EVER HAD.

AND I ALSO FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO JOIN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SO I DID.

AND I'M STILL A MEMBER OF MY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I'M A PARAMEDIC.

>> SO DO YOU SLEEP?

>> I DO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I DO.

>> HOW DO YOU FIT ALL THAT IN?

>> I'M HAPPIEST WHEN I'M BUSY, OBVIOUSLY.

♪♪ >> Eric: IT HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL WEEK FOR THE HISTORIC JUSTUS RAMSEY HOUSE ON WEST SEVENTH IN ST. PAUL.

LATE IN THE DAY MONDAY MAYOR MELVIN CARTER ORDERED ITS DEMOLITION.

SPECULATION LAST YEAR LED TO SPECULATION THAT IT COULD COLLAPSE.

PRESERVATIONISTS AND NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO SAVE THE HOUSE AND WEDNESDAY THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED FINANCING TO ASSIST WITH RELOCATION.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HOUSE, WHAT COMES NEXT, FRED MELO COVERS THIS STORY AND OTHERS FOR THE ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS.

FRED, WHY IS THIS HOME IMPORTANT?

>> WELL, WHY INDEED?

ST. PAUL IS A CITY FULL OF HISTORY, OLD STRUCTURES, PEOPLE WHO LOVE HISTORY, HISTORIC PRESERVATIONISTS, BACK IN 1852 MINNESOTA WAS A TERRITORY, THE FIRST TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR WAS NAMED ALEXANDER RAMSEY, HE HAD A BROTHER NAMED JUSTUS RAMSEY, THIS WAS HIS HOUSE.

IT'S BELIEVED TO BE THE OLDEST HOUSE IN ST. PAUL STILL STANDING IN ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION.

BASICALLY A COTTAGE TWO,-FOOT-THICK LIMESTONE WALLS, IT HASN'T BEEN MOVED AND IT'S ON THE PATIO OF A BURGO RESTAURANT ON WEST SEVENTH.

IF YOU'RE HEAD TODAY A MINNESOTA WILD GAME YOU'LL SEE IT THERE.

>> Cathy: NOW, THIS CUTE LITTLE PACE PLACE IS THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES WHICH MEANS THE OWNER HAS TO MAINTAIN IT.

THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION WAS BEHIND PRESERVING THIS.

WHY DID MAYOR CARTER SIGN ITS DEATH WARRANT?

>> MO SHARIF SAID THIS THING IS COLLAPSING, THERE'S RUBBLE, IT'S GOING TO FALL ON MY CUSTOMERS, LET ME TEAR IT DOWN, IT'S JUST A SHED.

HISTORIC PRESERVATIONISTS SAID IT'S NOT JUST A SHED, IT'S ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER, YOU SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE, PRESERVING, RELOCATING IT, FIGURE SOMETHING LSE OUT.

THAT WAS IN DECEMBER.

WEEKS PASS, HE BASICALLY APPEALS TO THE MAYOR, MAYOR SAYS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO OVERRULE YOU.

THIS THING'S GOING TO FALL DOWN.

ON MONDAY AFTER HOURS, 6:00 P.M.

HE SIGNED DEMOLITION ORDER AND THINGS GOT REALLY INTERESTING.

>> Cathy: IS THE COMMISSION TOOTHLESS?

WHAT'S THE HEALTH OF THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION?

>> THEY - I WOULDN'T CALL THEM TOOTHLESS, THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, DENY DEMOLITION ORDERS OBVIOUSLY.

BUT THAT CAN BE APPEALED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND OF COURSE THE BUCK STOPS WITH THE MAYOR.

WE HAVE A STRONG MAYOR SYSTEM IN ST. PAUL WHERE REALLY IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE THAT'S FALLING DOWN SOMEBODY LIKE A MAYOR MIGHT STEP IN AND SAY THIS COULD HURT SOMEONE.

>> Eric: THIS DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED, WAS THERE SOME SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE CAUSE OF IT OR WHO ASKS CAUSED IT >> THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH FINGER POINTING, I USED TO COVER HOMICIDE.

THIS STORY HAS DRAWN AS MUCH VENOM AS SOME OF THE WORST CRIMES I'VE EVER COVERED.

LOT OF ACQUISITIONS AND SPECULATION, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATIONISTS, NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS LIKE THE FOR THE ROAD FEDERATION, A FEW YEARS AGO, THIS WAS FINE, WHAT'S GOING ON?

MOE WHO DOESN'T REALLY RETURN CALLS BUT HE SAID THROUGH PEOPLE, TALK TO TOM REID'S NEXT DOOR, THEIR WATER IS SEEPING UNDER OUR LAND DIVISION AND THAT CAUSED SOME SHIFTING PROBABLY.

OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING, LOOK, MAYBE THIS WAS INTENTIONAL, MAYBE THIS WAS A RESULT OF SOME ALTERATIONS THAT HAPPENED DECADES AGO BEFORE MOE WAS ON THE SCENE.

DUALING ENGINEERING REPORTS SAYING IT CAN BE SAVED, CAN'T BE SAVED, WHICH ALL NEEDS TO THE BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY THAT SHOWED UP WEDNESDAY.

YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT?

>> Eric: YEAH, WE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE.

>> BANKRUPTCY LAWYER SHOWED UP TO CITY COUNCIL, CAN I HAVE $15,000, I'LL MOVE THE HOUSE DOWN WEST SEVENTH STREET, I'LL LIVE IT IN IT, MAKE IT A HOME OFFICE.

THE COUNCIL SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUBSIDIZE THE HOUSE OF A AN ATTORNEY.

THAT'S WHERE THINGS STAND AND MAYBE.

>> Cathy: IS IT SALVAGEABLE?

>> YEAH, IT'S STONE, IT'S BEEN THERE 170 YEARS, 170 MORE.

>> Cathy: IT'S A HECK OF A STORY.

I APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> EACH YEAR I HAVE THE HONOR OF HOSTING THE MINNESOTA COLORECTAL CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL GALA.

MCCRF FUNDS CANCER RESEARCH AND AWARENESS IS A KEY PART OF THEIR CAUSE.

BUT IT'S HARD BECAUSE ONE, NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT CANCER, AND TWO, PEOPLE REALLY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT COLONS AND RECTUMS AND CANCER.

ALREADY THIS IS THE MOST TIMES ANYONE HAS SAID THE WORD "RECTUM" ON UBLIC TELEVISION.

TO THAT END, I'VE GOT SOME COLORECTAL INFORMATION TO SHARE!

BUT TO HELP IT GO DOWN MORE EASILY I'VE GOT JOKES TOO!

TOLD BY SOMEONE WHO WORKS WITH MCCRF!

SUE HAMILL, ARE YOU READY TO TELL SOME BAD PUNS AND LIFESAVING FACTS?

>> DO YOU PROMISE NOT TO MAKE ME THE BUTT OF YOUR JOKES [ BA DUM, TISS ] >> ONE IN 20 AMERICANS IS DIAGNOSED WITH COLON OR ECTAL CANCER IN THEIR LIFETIME.

APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THOSE WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE.

BUT THERE'S GOOD NEWS, DUE TO INCREASED SCREENING LIKE REGULAR COLONOSCOPIES, THE RATES IN PEOPLE OVER 50 HAS BEEN DECLINING.

THE AVERAGE AGE PEOPLE START REGULAR SCREENING IS AGE 5.

BUT IF YOU'VE GOT A FAMILY HISTORY OF CANCER OR OTHER RISK FACTORS, EARLIER SCREENING IS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA.

>> PEOPLE ASK WHAT HAPPENS DURING A COLONOSCOPY AND I SAY GETTING THE CAMERA UP THERE ISN'T BAD, IT'S THE CAMERA CREW THAT'S HARD.

>> THERE IS RESEARCH BEING DONE RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA AND FUNDED BY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MCCRF THAT IS FINDING NEW THERAPIES AND HOPEFULLY EVENTUALLY A CURE.

YOU, THOUGH, SHOULD TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT COLORECTAL SCREENING.

IT'S NOT AS SCARY OR AS AWKWARD AS YOU MIGHT THINK AND IT REALLY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

>> JUST REMEMBER, YOU HAVE A LOT OF INNER BEAUTY, SO GO GET YOUR COLONOSCOPY AND PROVE IT!

♪♪ >> THAT WAS GREAT!

>> Eric: THE FRENZIED PACE CONTINUES AT THE CAPITOL WITH DEMOCRATS MOVING MANY BILLS, SOME CONTROVERSIAL, THROUGH LONG DAYS AND LATE NIGHTS ON THE FLOOR.

GOVERNOR WALZ SPENT THE WEEK OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL ROLLING OUT LARGE BUDGET AND BONDING BILLS WITH A RECORD SURPLUS TO SPEND.

MARY LAHAMMER PUTS THE PROPOSALS IN CONTEXT FOR US.

>> ART DECO DESIGN HERE IS REALLY HISTORICALLY BEAUTIFUL.

MARY, THEY WERE JUST SAYING HE NEW STUFF THEY WERE TRYING TO MODEL ... >> THIS IS SO COOL.

I LOVE IT.

>> A CENTURY OLD WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN ST. PAUL PROVIDED THE BACKDROP FOR THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF A LARGE $3.3 BILLION BONDING BILL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THE TIME OF GRIDLOCK IS OVER AND THE TIME FOR GETTING THINGS DONE IS NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THIS.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF HOW MUCH WORK IT TAKES TO PRODUCE WATER THAT IS TASTELESS, COLORLESS, AND ODORLESS?

>> WE ARE EXCITED BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT BUILD THESE PROJECTS.

>> BONDING IS THE ONE THING DEMOCRATS NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES TO BUILD A SUPERMAJORITY TO BORROW UNLESS THEY USE CASH WITH SO MUCH ON HAND.

>> MINNESOTA IS SERVED BEST WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AND ALTHOUGH THERE COULD JUST BE A BONDING THAT WOULD BE DONE WITH PURE CASH, I JUST THINK THAT WE ARE SERVED BETTER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW BIG OF A CASH BILL THEY'RE TALKING BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE REALLY SPENDING THEMSELVES INTO A VERY SMALL BONDING BILL.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BIG BONDING BILL ROLLOUT HERE CONCLUDED A WHOLE WEEK OF REVEALING PLANS FOR HIS BUDGET THAT HAS ABOUT A 25% INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> PUBLIC SAFETY PROVED A TOP ISSUE IN THE LAST ELECTION AND WITH BILLIONS OF SURPLUS DOLLARS TO SPEND, GOVERNOR WALZ HAS A BUDGET WITH BIG INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH AND SAFETY.

>> TO BE ABLE TO LET LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE THOSE DECISIONS IF THAT MEAN FIREFIGHTERS IT MEANS FIREFIGHTERS, IF THAT MEANS POLICE, IT MEANS POLICE, IF IT MEANS 911 DISPATCHERS.

>> THE DMINISTRATION AND A SECOND TERM IS GOING BIG.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND I ALONG WITH LEADERS IN HOUSING BELIEVE THAT WE MUST GO BIG SO OUR NEIGHBORS CAN GO HOME.

>> THIS IS THE THE ACCUMULATION OF YEARS OF WORK OF HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS' ADVOCACY, OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, OF SETTING DOWN AND AYING THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO THRIVE AND BE SAFE, SAFE FROM HOUSING INSTABILITY, SAFE FROM HUNGER, SAFE FROM CRIME, SAFE FROM FIRE, SAFE FROM EMERGENCIES, NATURAL ISASTERS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO ADDRESSES CRIME AND GUN VIOLENCE THROUGH A SERIES OF LIMITS ON WEAPONS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FINALLY TACKLE THIS ISSUE AROUND SOME COMMON SENSE GUN THINGS.

>> LINKING SAFETY AND HEALTH TOGETHER THOSE EGO HAND IN HAND LOOKING AT A HOLISTIC APPROACH ON HOW WE REDUCE CRIME AND SAFETY ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

ONE DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT THE OTHER.

>> THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER SAYS 300 MILLION FOR LOCAL AGENCIES WILL HELP OFFICER RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.

HOUSING GETS MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS AS PART OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PACKAGE.

>> FAMILIES ARE HURTING, RENT PRICES ARE RISING FASTER THAN WAGES, BUT THERE'S LOTS OF TOOLS THAT WE HAVE.

HONESTLY, IT'S EASIER FOR THE AGENCY TO PUT MONEY OUT FAST WHEN WE USE AN EXISTING PROGRAM THAT'S ALREADY UP AND RUNNING.

>> TAX CUTS INCLUDING REBATE CHECKS FOR FAMILIES AKING LESS THAN $150,000 CONCLUDED THE SPENDING ANNOUNCEMENTS.

>> THE LARGEST TAX UT IN STATE'S HISTORY TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

>> WE'VE BEEN TARGETED IN HOW WE DO THINGS.

>> THE LAST LARGEST TAX CUT COUPLED WITH REBATE JESSE CHECKS LATER RESULTED IN THE LARGEST SHORTFALL IN STATE HISTORY WHICH AN EXUBERANT CABINET SAYS WON'T REPEAT.

>> IT IMPACTS PEOPLE, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND WHEN YOU LEVERAGE CHILDREN, THAT IMPACTS SO MANY OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE FACTORS, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, STRONGER WORKFORCE, BETTER ECONOMY, ALL OF THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.

>> AN INTERESTING CHANGE IS THE SECOND LARGEST SPENDING AREA IS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE IS THE BIGGEST AMONGST THOSE BUT MAJOR PACKAGE AROUND WORKFORCE IN PARTICULAR THAT WE'RE HONED IN ON WE HAVE THE TIGHTEST LABOR MARKET IN MINNESOTA OF ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY AND WE KNOW YOU GOT TO DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS TO TACKLE THAT.

>> REPUBLICANS SAY THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT IS ARE YOU GLARING.

>> WE'VE GOT A SURPLUS OF $17.6 BILLION CURRENTLY.

THIS BUDGET SPENDS ALL OF THAT.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT IT GROWS GOVERNMENT BY 25%.

>> IN A TIME THAT THERE IS A RECORD SURPLUS, $17.6 BILLION, MINNESOTANS ARE EXPECTING TO HAVE THAT BACK.

UNFORTUNATELY WHAT WE HEARD TODAY S THERE'S GOING TO BE SPENDING AND IT'S GOING TO COST MINNESOTANS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO BE HERE.

♪♪ >> Cathy: IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK FOR POLITICS HERE IN MINNESOTA WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO ALL OF IT WITH OUR PANEL OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

LONGTIME ACTIVIST AND FORMER COMMITTEEMAN JAVIER MORILLO IS HERE AND JEFF HAYDEN WHO SERVED IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

FRITZ KNAAK IS HERE AND NNETTE MEEKS IS HERE AS WELL, PARTY ACTIVIST AND HEAD OF THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

SENATOR HAYDEN.

>> YES.

>> AS WE SPEAK THE MINNESOTA SENATE IS STILL DEBATING SENATE FILE 1.

>> STILL DEBATING.

>> AND OF COURSE HOUSE FILE 1 PASSED EARLIER.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICS OF BRINGING ABORTION UP IN HOUSE FILE 1 AND SENATE FILE 1?

>> I THINK THEY KNOW WHEN THEY WENT OUT TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THIS IS WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT, THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THEY CAMPAIGNED ON AND WHAT PEOPLE WERE ALKING ABOUT SO THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY TOLD THE PUBLIC EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE GETTING DO AND THEY WERE GOING TO CODIFY MAKING SURE THAT WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONTROL THEIR OWN BODY.

>> IT'S A BUDGET SESSION THOUGH, DO WE REALLY NEED TO BE BRINGING UP ABORTION IGHT OUT OF THE GATE?

>> WELL, YOU ALMOST WANT TO BRING UP AN ISSUE LIKE THIS BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE HARD BUDGETARY KIND OF STUFF BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THINGS CAN GET DRAGGED OUT AND MORE DIFFICULT.

IT'S AN INTERESTING STRATEGY TO BRING AN ISSUE LIKE ABORTION UP RIGHT AWAY.

I THINK THE ELECTION'S FRESH ENOUGH AND SO AND THE STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE OFTEN ENOUGH THAT THIS IS WHY WE'RE HERE THAT THEY'RE REALLY GOING TO TRY TO KEEP EVERYBODY'S FEET NOT FIRE ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE AND PREVENT AN EFFORT, YOU KNOW, MORE OF A ONE ON ONE EFFORT ON THE PART OF PRO-LIFE REPUBLICANS N PARTICULAR TO TRY TO WEAR THAT OR ERODE THAT DOWN.

IT'S NOT A VERY BIG MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING AT THEM WITH A LOT -- I SPENT MY CAREER IN THE MINORITY, I KNOW THE TRICKS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING AT THEM WITH A LOT OF AMENDMENTS.

>> Eric: I'D BE INTERESTED TO HEAR WHAT JAVIER AND ANNETTE THINK ABOUT THIS.

IS THIS HEARTBURN FOR THE FEW RURAL DEMOCRATIC SENATORS THAT ARE LEFT?

IS THIS A TOUGH VOTE FOR THEM?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY TOUGH, WE SAW THAT IN THE HOUSE BILL, HOUSE FILE 1 WHERE THREE DEMOCRATS MOSTLY IN RURAL AREAS COULDN'T BRING THEMSELVES TO VOTE FOR SOME OF THE EXTREME MEASURES IN THE BILL.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT IN THE SENATE AS WELL.

I THINK THEY'RE BRINGING IT TO GET IT OVER AND WITH AND THEY HOPE VOTERS WON'T HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOME OF THE EXTREME MEASURES IN THE BILL.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'RE LIVING IN A POST-ROE WORLD RIGHT NOW, AND FOR YEARS WE WERE TOLD PRECEDENT WOULD BE PROTECTED, WE HAD SUPREME OURT JUSTICES GO BEFORE THE SENATE AND SAY THEY RESPECTED PRECEDENT AND WHEN THEY HAD A CHANCE THEY UNDID IT AND WHAT WE SAW IN THE LAST ELECTION WERE REBELLIONS CROSS THE COUNTRY IN BLUE STATES AND RED STATES WITH PEOPLE SAYING THEY SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO ABORTION.

WE LIKE ALL OF THE CONTROVERSY AXED THIS HAD OBSCURED I THINK WHAT THE POST-ROE WORLD HAS SHOWN WHICH IS THAT AMERICANS SUPPORT WOMEN'S RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH HER OWN BODY.

>> Eric: TALKING ABOUT THE PACE OF THE SESSION, I THINK THE BILL INTRODUCTIONS, THE COMMITTEE REPORTS, THEY ARE WAY AHEAD OF ANY NORM.

WHY?

>> WELL, THERE WAS SIX YEARS OF INACTION IN THE SENATE.

I WAS THERE, THEY DIDN'T DO MUCH THERE.

THERE WAS A TON OF PENT-UP DEMAND, WE DIDN'T GET A BONDING BILL LAST YEAR.

REPUBLICANS MADE A DEAL, KIND OF WALKED AWAY AT THE LAST MINUTE SO WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT SHOULD HAVE GOT DONE LAST YEAR AND FRANKLY THE LAST FOUR YEARS THAT DIDN'T GET DONE.

THAT'S KIND F WHAT YOU'RE SEEING PLUS A THIRD OF THE MEMBERS THAT ARE NEW AND A SURPLUS AND A BUDGET YEAR.

SO YOU PUT ALL THOSE THINGS TOGETHER AND YOU SEE A PACE THAT'S PRETTY HECTIC.

>> YEAH, NEW MEMBERS, LOT OF NEW PECKS, NEW MAJORITIES, EVERYBODY'S FULL OF IDEAS AND WE'RE AT THE POINT OF THE SESSION NOW WHERE T DOESN'T MATTER THAT MUCH, EVERYBODY'S STILL TRYING TO FIND WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE.

>> THEY FOUND THE REVISOR BEFORE THE BATHROOM.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> SOMEBODY POINTED THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, RIGHT?

>> Eric: WELL, I'M FROM THE PROCESS IS FOR LOSERS CAMP, BUT ARE THEY VOTING ON STUFF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THE BILLS?

>> I THINK THEY'RE BEING TOLD BY LEADERSHIP HOW TO VOTE AND THEY BETTER TOE THE LINE.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THEY'RE RAMMING SERIOUS STUFF THROUGH REALLY QUICKLY WITH VERY LITTLE PUBLIC COMMENT AND VERY LITTLE DELIBERATION.

>> CAN I JUST POINT OUT EVERY TIME I'VE BEEN ON THIS PANEL AT THE END OF SESSION WE'RE COMPLAINING THAT THEY LEAVE THE WORK 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE AND NOW THEY'RE COMPLAINING THEY'RE DOING STUFF TOO FAST.

AS SENATOR HAYDEN SAID THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE.

THE REPUBLICAN SENATE WALKED AWAY FROM A DEAL THAT WAS A GOOD DEAL FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE CERTAIN THEY WERE GOING TO COME BACK IN THE MAJORITY AND SO HERE WE ARE.

>> Cathy: SAY, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR HAS A LOT OF FEE INCREASES IN THAT BUDGET AND THERE'S THAT METRO SALES TAX INCREASE AND SOME OTHER STUFF THROWN IN THERE.

WITH THIS HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS WHY IS HE RAISING TAXES?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS FIGURED OUT IS HE'S WORKING ON THE LONG-TERM SO A LOT OF THE MONEY THERE IS ONE-TIME MONEY AND HE'S TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE THINGS THAT HE NEEDS TO HAVE DONE.

BUT HE'S LOOKING, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE GOVERNOR FEELS LIKE HE HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT THIS BIENNIUM AND NEXT BIENNIUM AND MAKE SURE THE STATE IS REALLY KIND OF SET UP SO SOME OF THE THOSE FEES, I TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR OFFICE A LITTLE BIT TODAY, EVEN THE VEHICLE TAX FEE, THAT'S CHANGING TO MAKE SURE IT FITS THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE CAR DEPRECIATES.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE.

BUT HERE'S THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY, THE LEGISLATURE STILL HAS THE SAY AND PEOPLE LIKE SENATOR REST HAVE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME.

JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR WANTS IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT, THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE NECESSARILY AT ODDS BUT THERE'S A LOT OF VETERANS THERE THAT WILL WORK STUFF OUT.

>> THAT'S VERY TRUE.

THE OPTICS ON IT COULDN'T BE WORSE.

PROPOSING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS WHEN WE'RE SITTING ON THAT THEORETICAL PILE F MONEY, I ALMOST THINK THERE IS ONE SOMEWHERE, IT'S JUST A LOT OF MONEY.

AND YOU DON'T DO THAT SORT OF THING.

YOU DON'T GO OUT AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO SPEND MORE AND TAX YOU MORE AND ALL THE REST OF IT, T FALLS INTO EVERY STEREOTYPE I EVER LEARNED AS A REPUBLICAN, THEY'RE KIND OF GOING RIGHT AT IT.

I THINK IN THE END YOU'RE RIGHT, I THINK A LOT OF THE PUSHBACK'S GOING TO COME FROM THE LEGISLATORS WHO WILL MAKE HEROES OF THEMSELVES AMONG CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF THE ELECTORATE BY VOTING AGAINST THESE THINGS.

>> Eric: ROLE OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS?

>> WELL, I HOPE THEY BE TON IT GET THEIR VOICE AND UNDERSTAND WE'RE SITTING ON TOP OF A $17.6 BILLION SURPLUS AND WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO'S PROPOSING A 26% INCREASE IN SPENDING.

I MEAN, COME ON, THIS IS LIKE WRITTEN FOR US.

THIS IS LIKE POLITICS 101 FOR REPUBLICANS, LET'S GET OUR VOICE AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

HE, YOU KNOW, THE PROBLEM REALLY IS HE VALUES GROWING HE STATE BUDGET MORE THAN HE VOWS PROTECTING THE FAMILY BUDGET.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION AND ALL HE CAN DO IS SPEND MORE MONEY AND NOT JUST SHORT-TERM, IT'S LONG-TERM MONEY THAT WILL JUST CONTINUE TO GROW THE BUDGET.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.

>> BEING IN THE MINORITY IS A FINE ART.

AND YOU KNOW, AND YOU HAVE TO I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU JUST HAVE TO BE RIGHT.

I SPENT A LOT OF IME TELLING PEOPLE WHAT RIGHT IS AND THESE FOLKS STILL HAVEN'T LEARNED WHAT IT IS TO BE IN THE MINORITY YET, THEY'LL LEARN.

>> LOOK, THE GOVERNOR, THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A REPUBLICAN WAVE YEAR IN UTHIS LAST ELECTION AND THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THEY CAMPAIGNED BASED ON PRIORITY PRIORITIES AND ONE OF OUR PRINCIPLES IS TO BE HONEST IN HOW WE GOVERN, RIGHT, AND MOST OF THE SURPLUS IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT LIKE THE SALES TAX, WE HAVE A LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR TRANSIT, SO IT IS, IT'S BEING COMPLETELY -- IT'S BEING UP FRONT WITH THE PEOPLE, LIKE THEY WERE IN CAMPAIGN, AND VOTERS IN MINNESOTA REWARDED DEMOCRATS IN A YEAR WHEN THEY WERE EXPECTED TO BE TROUNCED AND EVERYONE THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE.

>> WE'LL SEE HOW THAT METRO SALES TAX HANGS ON.

I THINK EVEN MOST METRO LEGISLATORS DON'T WANT TO BAIL OUT THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL WHICH IS HAT THIS IS.

>> Cathy: I'M JUST KIND OF CURIOUS HERE.

WE HAD THE TWO CEOS OF SANFORD AND FAIRVIEW ON TONIGHT AND BACK IN, WHAT, 2013, THE LEGISLATURE ACTUALLY KIND OF STEPPED N ALONG WITH THEN-ATTORNEY GENERAL LORI SWANSON TO STOP THAT MERGER.

I'M, WONDERING WILL, THAT HAPPEN AGAIN THIS SESSION?

THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS, ANTITRUST, CHARITABLE RULES, THE UNION CONCERNS.

>> YEAH, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THEY HAVE TO WORK OUT THERE.

SO WHAT I WOULD HOPE IS THAT WE'D REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE FROM A HEALTH CARE PERSPECTIVE AND I WAS TALKING TO THE PANEL BEFORE WE GOT HERE, THIS ISSUE OF THE PER VERSE DISINCENTIVE OF YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALS TO MAKE MONEY AND THEN WE'VE BEEN REALLY WORKING TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND WE HAVE SURGERY CENTERS AND SAME-DAY SURGERY, YOU KNOW, SO THERE'S A HEALTH POLICY ISSUE HERE THAT'S MORE THAN JUST A MERGER.

I HOPE THAT IN THE VOICE OF LINDA BERGLAND AND TONY LAURIE, I HOPE WE DIG IN DEEPLY AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE AND NOT JUST SHIFTING PIECES AROUND THE REGION.

>> Eric: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT 2024.

>> YES, PLEASE.

>> Eric: WHO HAVE YOU GOT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO TAKE ON AMY KLOBUCHAR?

>> WELL, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK WE HAVE TO START WORKING NOW.

ALL WE'LL HAVE ON THE BALLOT IN 2024 IS MINNESOTA HOUSE AND SENATOR KLOBUCHAR.

SO IT'S BEHOLDEN UPON US TO, A, BUILD BACK OUR PARTY, AND B, START RECRUITING AND TRAINING AND MESSAGING REALLY SMART CANDIDATES WHO CAN USE THE DEDEBACLE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO OUR ADVANTAGE.

>> Eric: GIVE US SOME NAMES.

>> ANNETTE MEEKS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> YEAH, RIGHT.

>> Eric: YOU'VE RUN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT WELL.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: YOU DON'T HAVE A NAME.

>> IT JUST -- I DON'T HAVE AN URGE, HOW'S THAT?

>> Eric: NO, BUT DO YOU HAVE A NAME OF SOMEBODY ELSE?

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY NAMES SO FAR INTERESTED IN THE SENATE.

>> Cathy: HOW IS THE REBUILDING OF THE PARTY GOING BY THE WAY?

WELL, WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PART.

THE FIRST STEP IS ACKNOWLEDGING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AND ONLY THEN WE CAN ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT KLOBUCHAR SHOVE SOME VULNERABILITIES THAT SHE HASN'T HAD IN PAST ELECTIONS.

- YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE BID BIDEN ON THE TICKET ND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME REACTION OVERALL THAT REPUBLICANS DIDN'T DO AS WELL AS THEY DID.

I REMEMBER RUDY PERPICH SAYING I DO TERRIBLY IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY THAT'S GENERIC, GAVE ME A NAME.

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING FOR.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S REASONS SOME CANDIDATES MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN RUNNING AGAINST HER.

>> LET'S NOT FORGET THE TOP OF THE TICKET IT'S NOT JUST BIDEN, LIKE THIS WEEK POLLING SHOWS DONALD TRUMP IS VIRTUALLY UNCONTESTED EVEN WITH POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING ARE TALKING ABOUT ANNOUNCING TOGETHER BECAUSE THEY'RE SO SCARED OF HIM THAT THEY CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

>> Eric: I KNEW THE VIEWERS WANTED TO HEAR BOUT 2024 CAMPAIGNING, THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT THAT UP.

>> CAN I ALSO ADD, VERY IMPORTANT THING HAPPENED TODAY, ONE OF OUR CONGRESSWOMEN, APPOINTED TO WAYS AND MEANS, MICHELLE FISCHBACH GOT OUT OF THE OVERSIGHT AND TRADE COMMITTEE, VERY BIG BENEFIT FOR MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: ON THAT NOTE.

>> Cathy: WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME TONIGHT, WE'VE RUN COMPLETELY OUT OF TIME SO WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SHOW CLOSING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK IN 2009 THAT ADAM LEVY PERFORMED FROM THE HONEYDOGS WITH HIS DAUGHTERS IN THE BUNNY CLOGS.

TAKE A LOOK.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> "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.

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