POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMER BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSING IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY ANDERSON.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US, AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AN HOUR LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

THIS PROGRAM BELONGS TO YOU, AND SO THEREFORE WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS THROUGH THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO TRIED TO JOIN US LAST WEEK, WE WEREN'T HERE BECAUSE IT WAS A PLEDGE DRIVE FOR PUBLIC TELEVISION, AND THAT PLEDGE DRIVE CONTINUES THIS WEEK WE GIVE OUR GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN A REGULAR ON OUR PROGRAM, SENATOR MARY KIFFMEYER IN BIG LAKE.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BARRY.

IT'S AN EXPERIENCE TO DO THIS BY ZOOM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE IN-PERSON.

MY DISTRICTS THAT ARE DISTRICT 30 INCLUDES BIG LAKE, ELK RIVER, AND ST. MICHAEL, HANOVER AND 14 HOMES IN DAYTON, AND THE SOUTH PART OF MY DISTRICT AT ST OUTLET MALL IF IT HELPS ORIENT YOU.

ALSO I SERVE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE AND ON TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND THE JU DISHARY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS NEW FOR ME THIS YEAR, AND MY PARTICULAR AREAS OF INTEREST ARE ELECTIONS OF COURSE, BUT GOVERNMENT OVER ALL, AND IN ST.

LOOKING AT TO PEOPLE'S CHECK BACK OUT THERE, YOU HAVE ME TO KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET.

IT ISN'T ALWAYS SOMETHING GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE HAVING.

SO I RESPECT YOUR CHECKBOOK AS WELL.

THAT'S PRETTY MUCH JUST A QUICK SUMMARY.

BARRY?

>> Barry: DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US AND WE GO TO REPRESENTATIVE PATTY ACOMB IN DISTRICT 44B IN MINNETONKA.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I REPRESENT HOUSE DISTRICT 44B, AND PARTS OF MINNETONKA, PLYMOUTH AND THE CITY OF WOODLAND.

I'M JUST STARTING MY -- OUR SESSION IS MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

THIS IS THE SECOND TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

I SERVE ON THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE, LEGACY COMMITTEE AND ALSO A NEW COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE THIS YEAR, PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND ALSO CHAIR OF THE HOUSE CLIMATE ACTION CAUCUS, AND AS YOU CAN TELL BY SOME OF THE COMMITTEES THAT I'M ON AND MY INTERESTS ARE IN ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ISSUES, AND I THINK THEY ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE, AND I'M JUST GLAD TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

>> Barry: DELIGHTED YOU ARE GOING TO BE JOINING US THIS EVENING, AND ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 40, SENATOR CHRISEE TON, ORIGINALLY CHRIS EATON.

SENATOR EATON TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU.

YES, I LIVE IN BROOKLYN CENTER, AND I REPRESENT BROOKLYN CENTER AND THE SOUTHERN HALF OF BROOKLYN PARK.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE SENATE SINCE 2011.

I SERVE ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE, AND I ALSO SERVE ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FINANCE, AND I AM THE MINORITY LEAD ON THE HUMAN SERVICES LICENSING COMMITTEE.

MOST OF MY -- I'M A -- IN MY OTHER LIFE, I WAS A REGISTERED NURSE, SO THAT'S WHY I HAVE ALL THE SERVICES COMMITTEE, AND MY OTHER INTEREST IS IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

I SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE WATER COMMISSION, AND OFTEN ATTEND CLEAN WATER COUNCIL.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD, THANKS, SENATOR EATON, AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, ALSO JOINING US REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY BENNETT FROM DISTRICT 27A.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY FOR HAVING ME ON HERE.

I AM FOURTH TERM REPRESENTATIVE.

I'M A FORMER SCHOOLTEACHER.

I TAUGHT MOSTLY FIRST GRADE FOR 33 YEARS IN ALBERT LEA, AND ALSO I REPRESENT 27A WHICH THE LARGEST CITY IS ALBERT LEA BUT WE GO WEST ALL THE WAY TO WELLS AND NORTHEAST UP TO HAYFIELD AND BLOOMING PRAIRIE AS WELL.

SO IN MY YEARS OF TEACHING, YOU KNOW, I LOVE KIDS, AND I GREW TO LOVE THEM MORE WHEN I WAS TEACHING, AND THEY ARE MY KIDS.

I HAVE OVER 750 KIDS.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY COULD BEAT THAT.

THEY ARE MY FAMILY, AND THEY ARE REALLY WHY I'M DOING WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW.

I SERVE ON EDUCATION COMMITTEES, AND I'M ON K THROUGH 12 FINANCE, PREK THROUGH 12 POLICY AND EARLY CHILDHOOD.

I'M REALLY ABLE TO FOCUS IN AND ZERO IN ON ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT.

KIDS ARE OUR FUTURE.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES, FREEDOMS AND BLESSINGS THAT I HAVE HAD GROWING UP, AND THAT'S ONE OF MY GOALS, AND I ALSO IS HAVE FUR KIDS, CATS AND A DOG.

I AM AT MY HOME OFFICE.

>> Barry: THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL OF US.

WE HAD A FUN EPISODE, IT WAS, A FEW WEEKS AGO WHERE A YOUNGMAN, FIVE OR SIX YEARS OLD, EMULATING "STAR WARS" SHOWED UP IN THE LIVING ROOM.

YOU TALK ABOUT TEACHERS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS.

ONE VERY QUICK STORY.

I HAD A PLEASURE OF VISITING PLUMBER, MINNESOTA WHERE THE CHIEF JUSTICE GREW UP AND ONE OF HER ELEMENTARY TEACHERS BROUGHT THE -- SHE KEPT PICTURES OF ALL THE STUDENTS SHE HAD, AND SHE WAS 100 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME.

THERE WAS THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND SHE WOULDN'T LET US PUT IT ON THE TELEVISION.

THAT'S THE KIND OF RELATIONSHIP.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR FIRST ISSUE OF THE DAY, AND IT ACTUALLY COMES FROM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND WE WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR EATON, BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY COMES FROM YOUR TERRITORY DOWN THERE, WHERE YOU ARE ORIGINALLY FROM, THE MANKATO AREA.

THE -- THIS VIEWER HAS A PLACE ON LAKE WASHINGTON AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE LAKE THAT IS PARTICULARLY IN THE HOT MONTHS OF THE SUMMER AND TURNS GREEN.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT SAVING LAKES IN MINNESOTA, AND THIS WAS VERY MUCH AN ISSUE THAT THIS PROGRAM SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME IN THE SECOND TERM OF GOVERNOR DAYTON, AND WE HAVEN'T HAD AS MUCH CONVERSATION ABOUT IT, BUT LET'S HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT IT TONIGHT.

WHAT ABOUT WATER QUALITY ISSUES.

WHAT'S GOING ON IF ANYTHING?

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF THE THINGS WE ARE TRYING TO DO DO RELATE TO THAT, BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO KEEP THE WATER ON THE LAND, AND WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DIVERT IT, BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE WE ARE HAVING HEAVIER RAINS AND WHEN THEY DO RAIN -- WHEN IT DOES RAIN, WE GET A LOT AND IT TENDS TO WASH A LOT OF THE TOP SOIL AND SO ON.

THE OTHER ISSUES WE ARE WORKING ON, WORKING THE FARMERS TO ADD OTHER CROPS IN WITH THEIR -- SO THAT THE HOLES OF THE TOPSOIL, AND CUTTING IT BETWEEN THE ROWS OF THE CROPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THE ISSUE OF DRAINAGE FROM THE HIGHWAYS AND THE ROADS THAT WERE UPGRADING THE PONDS, HOLDING PONDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S PART OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, LET'S GO TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE IN PART BECAUSE WE HAD THE CONVERSATION BEFORE WHEN YOU WERE WITH US.

THERE WAS ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT DO WE DO IN TERMS OF TAKING FARMLAND OUT, PAYING FARMERS, AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT ISSUE, AND RECENTLY WE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF DOING RESEARCH IN THE AREA WHERE IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CITY OF NEW YORK GETS ITS WATER FROM THE CAT SCALES, AND THEY HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM THAT BASICALLY BANKS, LAND AND OTHERWISE PAYS FARMERS AND OTHERS TO TRY TO AVOID CONTAMINATING WATER IN NEW YORK CITY.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT IF YOU WOULD.

>> GLAD TO DO THAT, BARRY.

I THINK IT WAS ABOUT THE BUFFER STRIPS, AND IT WAS CONSIDERED TAKING OF LAND, PRODUCTIVE LAND FOR THE FARMERS, AND WHEN YOU DO THAT, TAKE IT OUT OF PRODUCTION, AND ESPECIALLY THE BORDERING OF THE DITCHES, WATERWAYS AND OTHER THINGS, THAT LOSS OF PRODUCTION WHICH FOR FARMERS THEY DON'T EXACTLY HAVE A LARGE MARGIN ANYWAY TO SURVIVE ON, AND FOR THEM, THAT WAS A BIG LOSS, AND IT WAS M MAINLY THE BIGGEST ISS.

THE BIG THING IS THAT FARMERS ARE STEWARDS OF THE LAND.

THEY DO CARE ABOUT THE LAND ALREADY.

THEY ALSO RAISED THE FOOD THAT WE ALL NEED.

SO THEY HAVE TO BALANCE OUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND THEY THEMSELVES HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS CHANGES OVER THE YEARS, AND THEIR CONSERVATION PRACTICES, AND THEY USED TO PLOW THE GROUND NICE AND CLEAN AND NEAT AND IT LEAD TO EROSION, AND THEY ARE PLANTING GREEN COVER CROPS IN THE FALL TO HOLD DOWN THE LAND.

THEY HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS THINGS ALREADY IN REGARDS TO THAT, AND THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY, BUT THE BIG THING IS TO GUARD AGAINST TAKING VALUABLE LAND FROM PEOPLE WITHOUT SOME COMPENSATION, AND THAT'S BEEN WORKED ON, BUT IN REGARDS TO CLIMATE CHANGE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE SEVEN REASONS FOR IT, AND ONE OF THEM ARE SOME SPOTS WHICH THEY CAN HARDLY CONTROL.

THE SUN DOES NOT BURN EVENLY, AND I HAVE SUN SPOTS THAT AFFECTS THE WEATHER, THE JET STREAM, AND THE OCEAN CURRENTS, AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS, AND THERE'S THE ANSWER OF PROGENIC, AND THAT MEANS IT'S CAUSED BY HUMAN BEINGS.

BUT SOME OF OUR ERUPTING VOLCANOS WILL SPEW MORE INTO THE AIR IN JUST A FEW DAYS THAN SOME OF US.

BUT I THINK THEY ARE ALL WORKING TOWARDS HAVING THINGS CLEANER ALL THE TIME, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE STEADY PROGRESS AND BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SOME OF THE MANDATES THAT MAYBE DON'T AFFECT US, BUT THEY EFFECT SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> Barry: IS THERE IN THE HOPPER, ?T SENATE THAT DEALS WITH BILLS SPECIFICALLY DEALING WITH WATER QUALITY OR EMINENT DOMAIN ISSUE THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT?

IS THAT TOPIC NOT LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED THIS INVESTIGATION?

>> IT WAS A HOT ISSUE BACK THEN, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW I THINK COVID HAS TAKEN OVER ANYTHING AT ALL.

IT'S BECOME COVID ALL THE TIME.

BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN BILLS, AND ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THESE SORTS OF THINGS HAVEN'T COME THROUGH YET.

>> SENATOR ACOMB, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS QUESTION.

>> AS FAR AS THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS WATER QUALITY, I THINK THERE'S AN ENVIRONMENTAL -- THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL REFUND TRUST FUND BILL LAST YEAR THAT NEVER GOT TAKEN UP IN THE SENATE, AND I THINK THERE ARE DOZENS OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WOULD ADDRESS WATER QUALITY, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE SENATE HASN'T TAKEN IT UP YET.

WE PASSED IT IN THE HOUSE LAST SESSION AND PASSED IT IN THE HOUSE THIS SESSION.

IF THEY WOULD TAKE IT UP, I THINK IN MINNESOTA WE ARE THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES, AND WATER QUALITY IS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US, AND I THINK WE ALL NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MAINTAINING THE QUALITY.

I WAS ON THE BOARD BEFORE COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND I WAS MINNETONKA CITY COUNCIL, AND I WAS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD WHEN THEY WERE IMPLEMENTED.

IT WAS IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE WE ARE PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS, AND RIGHT NOW, I THINK AT 97% 9% COMPLIANCE IN THE BUFFERS, WHICH IS A WAIT THING, AND I THINK -- IS THERE MORE TO DO?

ABSOLUTELY THERE'S MORE TO DO.

WE LOOK AT THE WATER QUALITY OF MANY OF OUR WATERWAYS, AND WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT WHY THEY ARE IMPAIRED AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THEM.

THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET IMPAIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND I THINK THAT IT'S A BIG ISSUE, AND I'M ALSO FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN NAMED TO THE LEGISLATIVE WATER COMMISSION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH SENATOR EATON ON THAT ROLE.

>> Barry: MOVING BACK TO SENATOR KIFFMEYER TO SIMPLY TOUCH ON THE QUESTION OF THE BILL THAT SENATOR ACOMB MENTIONED, ASKING THE SENATE TO TAKE IT UP.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION OR NEWS FOR US TO REPORT TO OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THAT DISCUSSION?

>> NO, I DON'T.

WE ARE REACHING OUR FIRST DEADLINE, WHICH IS ALL THE POLICY BILLS, AND IT'S IN THE WINGS WAITING FOR ACTION, BUT I DON'T HAVE AN UPDATE SPECIFICALLY.

I WILL MENTION IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BONDING BILL, EVERY SINGLE TIME WE DO HAVE A BONDING BILL, THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY PUT IN THERE FOR WATER ISSUES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE SMALL CITIES OR TOWNSHIPS OR COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO REDO THEIR WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU OUT OF THE CONVERSATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WATER QUALITY.

YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT'S IMPORTANT TO, AND OF COURSE YOU ALSO LIKE SENATOR KIFFMEYER HAVE REPRESENTED A NUMBER AS WELL.

TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> WATER QUALITY IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I KNOW TO ALL OF MY CONSTITUENTS.

AS SENATOR KIFFMEYER SAID, WHEN WE GO TO SEE THE FARMER, THEY ARE SOME OF THE BEST STEWARDS IN THE LAND, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS THEY LEARN MORE OF THESE DIFFERENT PROCEDURES, THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO PREPARE OUR LAND AND TAKE CARE OF IT.

ONE ISSUE IN THE AREA OF ALBERT LEA, AND I KNOW IT'S ALSO AFFECTING OTHER SMALL CITIES IS THE UPDATES, THE MPCA IS MAKING TO PROCESS REGULATIONS FOR SEWER AND WATER CONDITIONS.

THE REGULATIONS THE PCA IS PUTTING ON THE CITY IS GOING TO TRIPLE OR QUADRUPLE OUR WATER BILL IN IN MANY, MANY COMMUNITIES.

HOW CAN WE DO THIS?

PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AS WE GO FORWARD THAT WE ALWAYS LOOK AT A COST BENEFIT.

WHAT BENEFIT ARE WE GETTING FOR THE COST?

AND THERE IS SOME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MODELS, BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF REAL PROOF ON WHAT THIS WILL ACTUALLY DO FOR THE CITY OF ALBERT LEA TO MAKE THE HUGE UPGRADES THAT WILL COST PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES TREMENDOUSLY, PROBABLY FORCE BUSINESSES OUT OF OUR AREA AND INTO IOWA.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AS WE GO FORWARD, ALWAYS LOOKING AT YES, WE WANT CLEANER WATER BUT LET'S DO IT IN A COMMON SENSE WAY, AND AS FOR THE BUFFERS, I KNOW WE HAVE A BILL IN THE HOUSE.

I KNOW IT WILL GET A HEARING, A BILL THAT WILL PAY FARMERS FOR LOST LAND.

ANY TIME GOVERNMENT COMES IN AND TAKES HAPPENED, THEY SHOULD PAY FOR IT.

IF ANYBODY COMES IN AND TAKES OVER MY GARAGE, I WOULD EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THAT.

THAT'S A BILL THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE, AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN GET A COMMITTEE HEARING THERE AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM BLAINE THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE ISSUE.

IT'S BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

MINNESOTA OF COURSE HAD DISCUSSION AND SOME LEGISLATION ABOUT THE MINIMUM WAGE SOME YEARS AGO, BUT THIS VIEWER IS WONDERING WHY WE DON'T HAVE A DIFFERENT MINIMUM WAGE FOR TIPPED AND UNTIPPED EMPLOYEES.

SOME STATES HAVE IT, SOME DON'T.

IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL QUESTION, AND WHETHER OR NOT THERE MIGHT BE SOME CHANGE IN THAT IN THIS SESSION, AND LET'S -- WE JUST FINISHED, REPRESENTATIVE BEEN BENNETT, LET'S GO TO YOU AGAIN.

>> I KNOW IT WAS A HOT TOPIC TWO YEARS AGO, MUCH DEBATE ABOUT WHAT TO DO, AND I THINK WHATEVER GOVERNMENT DOES, WE HAVE TO BE SO CAREFUL IN PLACING NEW RULES AND REGULATIONS, TAX LIENS, AND WHATEVER, BECAUSE USUALLY ONE THING HAS AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE AND CAUSES SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T LIKE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES CAN MAINTAIN THEIR JOBS.

THEY ARE GETTING -- YES, THEIR MINIMUM WAGE IS LOWER, BUT THE AMOUNT OF TIPS THEY GET, THEY ACTUALLY MAKE REALLY GOOD MONEY.

WHEN WE START MESSING WITH THOSE THINGS AS A GOVERNMENT, OFTENTIMES WE COMPLETELY MESS UP AND RUIN IT FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AS WE MOVE FORWARD WHATEVER WE DO WITH THAT, THAT WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY HURTING THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO HELP.

>> Barry: SENATOR EATON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TIPPING AND NONTIPPED EMPLOYEES AND THE MINIMUM WAGE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF IS A LOT OF THE TIPPED EMPLOYEES ONLY GET SO MANY HOURS A WEEK.

VERY FEW OF THEM GET FULL-TIME HOURS, SO THEY HAVE TO WORK A LOT OF THEM, TWO TO THREE DIFFERENT TIP JOBS TO TRY AND MAKE ENDS MEET.

SO IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY COULD GET BOTH WAGES AND KEEP THE TIPS AND BE ABLE TO CUT DOWN TO ONE OR TWO JOBS.

IT'S NOT A JOB THAT ANYBODY GETS RIPPED AT.

>> Barry: THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY LEGISLATION IN THE SENATE, I BELIEVE.

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT?

>> YES.

>> Barry: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> AS A FORMER TIPPED EMPLOYEE FROM MY YOUNGER DAYS, I CERTAINLY KNOW THE LIFESTYLE OF A RESTAURANT WORKER AND KNOW HOW HARD THEY WORK.

I WILL SAY THAT I THINK JUST TO START THE WHOLE CONVERSATION OFF, I THINK THAT THE NOTION OF A LIVING WAGE IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND INCREASING A WAGE SO THAT A PERSON CAN BE ABLE TO AFFORD A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD AND FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILY AND SOME MONEY TO PUT AWAY IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO EVERYBODY WHEN THEY WORK FULL-TIME SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPORT THOSE THINGS.

AS FAR AS TIPS VERSUS NONTIPS AND THAT THAT SHOULD BE DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I JUST -- I DON'T THINK SO.

ULTIMATELY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, ARE PEOPLE GOING TO TIP DIFFERENTLY?

MAYBE THEY WILL.

I DON'T THINK IT'S EASY TO DO THAT AS IT SOUNDS.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU DRAW THAT LINE, AND SO I HAVE SOME AMBIGUITY THERE.

I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE CONFLICT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A CLEACLEAR ANSWER.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT QUESTION?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO WHO ARE WAITRESSES AND WAITERS AND THE WORK THEY DO IS INCREDIBLE.

I'M ALWAYS AMAZED, MULTITASKING AND RUNNING AROUND ON THEIR FEET, KEEPING TRACK OF EVERYTHING.

BUT THE TIPS ARE ALWAYS STARTED.

YOU HAVE THE BASE SALARY AND YOU GET A TIP FOR SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WAS THE AVERAGE.

THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF TIPS, AND IF THEY DO WELL, IT'S BECAUSE THEY WORKED HARD AND THEY SHOULD ENJOY THOSE TIPS.

IN REGARDS TO THE MINIMUM WAGE, THOUGH, HAVING LOTS OF KIDS AND GRANDKIDS OVER THE YEARS WHO ARE ENTERING THE LABOR FORCE, THE EMPLOYERS PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO YOUTH EMPLOYEES, AND TRAINING THEM AND HELPING THEM LEARN AND GOING THROUGH THINGS.

THEY DON'T QUITE GET THE FULL MEASURE THAT THEY WILL OF SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN HAVING A LITTLE MORE YEARS EXPERIENCE.

THE MINIMUM WAGE IS MEANT TO BE THAT AND GENERALLY CONSIDERED MORE OF AN ENTRY WAGE, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP, OFTENTIMES THERE'S A DOMINO EFFECT THAT THE EMPLOYEES ABOVE THEM, WHO ARE ALREADY EARNING MORE THAN THAT ALSO GET A BUMP IN PAY.

SO IT IS KIND OF A REBOUND EFFECT AS YOU GO UP, AND SOMETIMES THE MOST HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEES COULD BEEN BENEFIT MOE FROM THE INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE THAN THE PERSON WHO IS RIGHT THERE.

I WILL SAY RIGHT NOW $15 AN HOUR IS FAIRLY COMMON RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF LABOR.

WAGES THEMSELVES WITHOUT CHANGING THE MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IS WAY BEHIND ON ALL OF THIS, THE WAGES THEMSELVES RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF LABOR ARE GOING UP RAPIDLY, AND SO THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEING INCREASED BY VIRTUE OF THE SHORTAGE AND MARKET FORCE THAT GO WITH THEM.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO AN ISSUE THAT TOUCHES ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD.

IT'S A DISCUSSION THAT CAME UP A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

IT'S BEEN VERY MUCH IN THE NEWS BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCE IN TEXAS, AND THAT IS THE QUESTION OF POWER GENERATION, ELECTRICAL GENERATION AND, YOU KNOW, THE ISSUE OF TEXAS, OF COURSE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO DIVE DEEPLY WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

WE NEED TEXAS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS.

BUT IT DOES RAISE A QUESTION ABOUT WIND POWER AND THE STAR TRIBUNE HAD A PIECE IN THE NEWSPAPER WITHIN THE LAST WEEK ABOUT SOME OF THE X EXCEL ENERGY PLANS, AND I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT THE PANEL THINKS ABOUT THIS, AND THE BALANCE BETWEEN WIND AND SOLAR WHICH ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND AND THE GENERATION, WHICH OF COURSE, HOWEVER IT HAPPENED AND WHY EVER IS HAPPENED IN TEXAS CERTAINLY WASN'T AN ISSUE THERE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE ACOMB.

YOU INTRODUCED THIS TOPIC WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE PROGRAM THIS EVENING.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS QUESTION.

>> I THINK OUR ENERGY GENERATION IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, AND I THINK WE ARE IN A TIME OF TRANSITION, AND I THINK WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN IN TEXAS HAPPENED FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, AND WE ARE NOT TEXAS, SO WE REALLY SHOULD FOCUS ON HERE IN MINNESOTA.

WE ARE PREPARED FOR COLD WEATHER HERE IN MINNESOTA, AND WE PREPARE OUR ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEMS FOR THAT.

WHEN IT GOT COLD IN TEXAS, IT WAS A LOT COLDER HERE, AND OUR WINDMILL CONTINUED TO PUMP.

WE HAVE LEARNED HOW TO KEEP OUR WIND GOING.

WIND IS RIGHT NOW THE CHEAPEST FORM OF NEW ENERGY GENERATION TO PRODUCE, AND SO YOU ARE RIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THOSE AREAS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO, BECAUSE GREENHOUSE GAS OFFICIATES ARE HARMING OUR PLANET, AND IF WE ARE GOING TO BE PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, YOU NEED TO REDUCE THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND CONTINUE TO REDUCE THEM IN THE ENERGY SECTOR, AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF INNOVATION GOING ON, ESPECIALLY AROUND STORAGE, BATTERY STORAGE, AND THERE'S SOME OF THE -- WORKING ON LONG RANGE BATTERY STORAGE CAPABILITY WITH 150 HOURS AND CURRENTLY WHERE, I THINK, THEY ARE JUST FOUR HOURS, AND I THINK THAT WILL REALLY HELP US WITH PROVIDING SOME OF THAT BASE ENERGY WITH THE WEATHER DISTURBANCE AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE MORE SEVERE STORMS THAT WILL COME THROUGH OUR AREA, AND I THINK THAT MINNESOTA IS DOING REALLY WELL, AND I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO BETTER, AND I'M EXCITED SO MANY OF OUR UTILITIES HAVE DECIDED THAT THEY WILL BE NET CARBON ZERO BY 2050, EXCEL AND MINNESOTA POWER, AND I THINK THAT'S GREAT.

THEY RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGE, AND THEY KNOW WHERE WE NEED TO GO, AND WE ALL NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL, AND WE FOUND THAT TRUE IN CALIFORNIA, HEATWAVE, TEXAS AND A COLD SNAP HERE IN MINNESOTA, AND PRINCETON NORTH OF ME, THEY HAVE SHORTAGE AND A VERY BAD COLD SNAP.

IT WAS A CRISIS FOR THE PEOPLE HERE, SO WE CANNOT UNDERESTIMATE OR TAKE IT LIGHTLY THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ABLE TO FLIP ON A SWITCH, TURN ON THE HEAT TO MAKE CARE OF SUCH A BASIC CRITICAL HUMAN NEED, WHETHER IT'S COOLER OR WHETHER IT'S WARMER.

TO DO THAT, HAVING A VARIETY.

BATTERIES ARE COMING ALONG.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

THE DISPOSAL OF THE WINDMILL BLADES WHICH ARE NOT RECYCLABLE, AND SOLAR PANELS AS WELL.

RARE MINERALS THAT ARE BEING USED.

THIS IS WAY MORE COMPLEX THAN TALKING ABOUT THE WIND AND THE SUNSHINE.

THE OTHER THING IS NUCLEAR POWER DOWN IN TEXAS, IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO HAVE THE NUCLEAR POWER.

THAT'S THE ONE CARBON FREE ENERGY THAT WE HAVE, FAITH AND RELIABLE AND INEXPENSIVE AS COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHERS, AND REMEMBERING WIND AND SOLAR ARE SUBSIDIZED, HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED IF YOU ADD BACK IN THE COST THAT WOULD BE IF THEY WERE SUBSIDIZED, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY.

HAVING IT ALL, LET'S GIVE WIND AND SOLAR THE TIME, AND SOME OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO GET THEIR ENERGY FROM COAL FIRED PLANTS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION LINE ISN'T EXACTLY 100% ONE OR THE OTHER.

BUT LET'S NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED WHAT WE HAVE HERE, BECAUSE BASE POWER ENERGY IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO US IN OUR LIVES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THANK YOU.

ENERGY NEEDS TO BE CLEAN, RELIABLE AND IT NEEDS TO BE AFFORDABLE.

THAT'S A BALANCE THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO MAINTAIN.

I AM ALL FOR CONTINUING OUR PROGRESS TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY.

WE JUST MET WITH A GROUP TODAY THAT'S GOING TO BRING IN A HUGE SOLAR FARM, YOU MIGHT CALL IT, TO MY AREA, AND I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO HAVE A BALANCE PORTFOLIO AS SENATOR KIFFMEYER SAID.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THING IS TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY.

SO I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THE CO-OP PEOPLE AND OTHER ENERGY PEOPLE LEARNING ABOUT THIS, AND THEY REALLY FEEL THAT A BALANCED PORTFOLIO OF WIND, SOLAR, NATURAL GAS, COAL.

COAL IS GETTING QUITE CLEAN, BY THE WAY, THE WAY WE USED IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT BALANCE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE BLACK OUTS AND THE BROWN OUTS THAT WE FOUND CALIFORNIA HAS.

JUST THIS WINTER AND NOT TOO LONG AGO, THE DAKOTAS HAD BLACK OUTS AND BROWN OU OUTS.

WE HAD SUPER COLD WEATHER, AND WIND TURBINE HAD TO BE SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF THE COLD.

WE CAME VERY, VERY CLOSE TO HAVING BROWN OUTS IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER.

IT'S A SERIOUS THING, AND IT'S A BALANCE, AND I THINK WE ARE MOVING WELL WITH THAT BALANCE.

WE SHOULDN'T FORCE IT TO PUT OUR GRID AT RISK AND THEN PUT PEOPLE AT RISK.

>> Barry: SENATOR EATON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON ENERGY BASED ON POWER.

>> I BELIEVE WE CAN BE 100% ON RENEWABLES IN THE NEXT FEW DECADES.

THERE'S NO REASON NOT TO.

COAL IS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE NOW, AND IT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR PROBLEMS WITH CARBON AND THE ATMOSPHERE.

I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THE AREAS IS THAT WE ARE HAVING TO ADJUST OUR ENERGY, PRODUCTS TO CLIMATE CHANGE, TEXAS HAD, I THINK IT WAS 2012 OR 2014, BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH ALL THEIR POWER AND POWER PLANTS WERE COLLAPSING FROM THE COLD.

THEN TWO OR THREE TIMES MORE IT HAPPENED BEFORE THIS TIME.

THEY NEVER UPGRADED FOR EXTREME WEATHER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIFFERENT SYSTEM WHERE WE HAVE IT REGULATE THESE THINGS AND MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE, WE ARE A LOT LESS RISK FOR THAT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THE CONTINUED AND EXPANDED USE OF SOLAR WIND.

>> Barry: TALK ABOUT THE CONTINUED FUNCTION OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THIS REAR OF THE BIENNIUM WHICH IS OF COURSE THE BUDGET.

THERE ARE SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THAT THAT ARE WORTH DISCUSSING, BUT LET'S START WITH K-12 OR PREK-12, EDUCATION, WHAT THAT BUDGET IS LIKELY TO LOOK LIKE, AND ANY OTHER WAYS IN WHICH THE PROCESS IS GOING TO IMPACT THE BUDGET.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT AND YOU TELL US WHAT YOU THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THIS YEAR RELATIVE TO WHAT I CALL THE K-12, BUT IT'S A PRE-K12 BUDGET.

>> IT'S A TOUGH ONE TO PUT OUT NUMBERS NOW, AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES ARE GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO SPEND.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE HEARD MANY, MANY FINANCE BILLS WAY MORE THAN WE COULD EVER AFFORD, SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF WIDDLING DOWN ON WHAT WE DO.

I LIKE TO PUT THE MOST AMOUNT OF OUR MONEY ON KIND OF THE BASIC FORMULA, AS WE CALL IT, FOR EDUCATION, WHICH GIVES SCHOOLS THE MOST -- THE LOCAL CONTROL HOW THEY SPEND THAT MONEY RATHER THAN TRYING TO DIVIDE UP THE MONEY AND SAY YOU USE THIS MUCH FOR THIS AND THIS MUCH FOR THAT.

I WOULD MUCH RATHER ALLOW OUR SCHOOL BOARDS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THE KIDS.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FUNDING WISE.

WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A SURPLUS NOW, VERY THANKFUL FOR, BUT THAT SURPLUS IS REALLY DEPENDENT ON TWO THINGS, AND ONE IS A FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY, AND TWO, LOWER STATE SPENDING THAT'S TAKING PLACE, AND THAT'S DUE TO A LOT LOWER EDUCATION SPENDING WITH MANY STUDENTS BEING HOMESCHOOLED AND PRIVATE SCHOOLED OR KINDERGARTENERS HELD BACK A YEAR, AND IT'S GOING TO COME BACK AND A LOT OF IT IS.

WE NEED TO BE REALLY CAREFUL AND THAT WE DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN WE CAN CHOOSE.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY NEW AND EXPENSIVE PROGRAMS STARTED OFF.

I WANT OUR BASIC FORMULA WELL, AND PROVIDE THE MOST LOCAL OPTIONS THAT WE CAN.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE ACOMB, EDUCATION PREK12.

>> I THINK EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICES WE PROVIDE AS A STATE.

PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT VALUE OUR K-12 EDUCATION VERY STRONGLY, AND SO I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING FROM MY FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT IS THAT THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW ARE STRUGGLING, AND I THINK COVID HAS BEEN HARD ON STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND FAMILIES FRANKLY, AND IT'S GREAT THAT KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LITTLE ONES, THE FIRST GRADERS, AND I THINK THAT THOSE YOUNG KIDS NEED TO -- THAT BEING WITH THEIR TEACHERS -- I CAN ONLY IMAGINE FOR MY COLLEGE AGE KIDS IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, AND EVEN HARD ON THEM AS WELL.

WHAT I'M HEARING RIGHT NOW IS THAT OUR SCHOOLS NEED SUPPORT FOR SUMMER SCHOOL FOR TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT HAS BEEN LOST.

WE NEED TO WORK TO PARTNER WITH THEM.

I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT DISTRICTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO KIND OF HELP SET THAT UP ON THEIR OWN.

I AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT WITH THE LOCAL CONTROL ASPECT, AND I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR FROM OUR SCHOOLS WHAT THEY NEED AND HOW WE CAN BEST DO THAT, AND I THINK THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

BUT THE TOP ONE IS THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT KIND OF A PARTNER THEY CAN GET FROM THE STATE AS PART OF SUMMER SCHOOL NEEDS.

>> Barry: SENATOR EATON, EDUCATION K12.

>> HONESTLY I AGREE WITH WHAT SENATOR ACOMB SAID.

I WILL TRY NOT TO BE COMPETITIVE, BUT WE NEED TO GET THE FUNDING GOING FOR THE SUMMER SCHOOL.

A LOT OF KIDS HAVE LOST GROUND, AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO CATCH UP AND I THINK THE FUNDS COMING FROM THE LAST COVID PACKAGE IS GOING TO BE VERY HELPFUL TO THE SCHOOLS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR EDUCATORS ARE UNVACCINATED.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE REGULAR TESTING GOING ON, AND I THINK KIDS MOSTLY SURVIVED THE PANDEMIC MORE THAN TESTING HOW THEY LEARN, BECAUSE THEY LEARN DIFFERENT.

SO I'M NOT SURE HOW VALUABLE TESTING WILL BE.

I THINK THEY START THIS WEEK.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, EDUCATION, K-12.

>> WE REALIZE ABSOLUTELY IT'S A PROTECTED AREA OF OUR BUDGET.

WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO ALL THEY HAVE ASKED FOR, BUT THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN CUT.

ON A RARE OCCASION, THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT, BUT SHIFTED FROM ONE BIENNIUM TO THE NEXT, THAT WE CAN GET THEM AS FULL MEASURE AS WE CAN.

I DO THINK THE FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING IN, I THINK THERE'S IM 4.1 BABOUT4.1 BILLION.

IN ADDITION TO THE 1.9 TRILLION.

THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT'S GOING TO UNDERGURD THE ACTIONS THEY DO.

WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IT'S AN ALL FUNDS BUDGET, IT'S FEDERAL MONEY WITH GENERAL MONEY.

THERE WAS TALK WE WOULD NOT TEST, WHICH WE USUALLY DO.

BUT WE NEED A BASELINE.

WE NEED TO KNOW, AND ALSO FOR TEACHERS WHEN THEY GO INTO SUMMER SCHOOL TO SAY HERE ARE THE GAPS, AND THEY KNOW TO TEACH, TOO, AND KNOW THE ISSUES THAT ARE THE PROBLEM AND SET THE STAGE FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IT'S A VERY HELPFUL THING, AND IF YOU NEED STANDARDS WHICH WE HOPE FOR THIS YEAR, BUT WE HAVE TO AT LEAST KNOW WHERE WE ARE AT, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW IN REGARDS TO COVID, I'M A FORMER REGISTERED NURSE SERVING ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR 12, 14 YEARS, AND STUDIES HAVE COME OUT SHOWING THAT CHILDREN DO NOT TRANSMIT LIKE THEY ONCE THOUGHT AS FAR AS SHEDDING THE COVID VIRUS, AND THE TEACHERS ARE NOT VULNERABLE TO THEM AT ALL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT TO HAVE THE KIDS AND ALL OF THOSE, THERE ARE WAYS THEY CAN HAVE CLASSROOM IN PERSON BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE HUGE MIXING THAT GOES ON IN THE LUNCH HALLS, AND THERE ARE WAYS TO DO THIS THAT THEY CAN DO IT SAFELY AND GET BACK IN PERSON.

>> BARRY, CAN I MAKE ONE QUICK ADDITIONAL COMMENT?

SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS SPARKED SOMETHING IN ME.

ONE IS I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO FOR OUR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE WORKING ON IS TO GET THEM BACK IN SCHOOL, IN PERSON FULL-TIME RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY THAT THEY ARE OUT WITH DISTANCE LEARNING IS A DAY OF MOST STUDENTS GREAT LEARNING LOSS, AND WE NEED TO GET THOSE KIDS BACK.

IT'S PROVEN THAT THEY CAN COME BACK SAFELY, BUT THAT'S IMPORTANT, AND THE OTHER THING I SEE REALLY IMPORTANT OUTSIDE OF FUNDING, BUT IT'S HUGELY IMPACTFUL IN OUR COMMITTEES RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS A LOT OF CONTROVERSIAL THINGS FLOATING AROUND, TRYING TO BE PUSHED DOWN ON THE DISTRICTS FROM SOCIAL STUDY STANDARDS TO K-12 COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I THINK MORE THAN EVER THAT PARENTAL AUTHORITY AND PARENTAL CONTROL FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR OUR CHILDREN IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PARENT IS THE NO.

1 DRIVER OF EDUCATION WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THEIR CHILD FOR EDUCATION, AND THAT'S WHY I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT THAT I MENTIONED BECAUSE PARENTS DESERVE TO BE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IN EDUCATION AND NOT GOVERNMENT SO MUCH.

JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT.

>> Barry: ANYBODY ELSE ON EDUCATION?

IF NOT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO TRANSPORTATION.

WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE [NO AUDIO] >> Barry: NATIONAL PERCENTAGE IS ABOUT ONE PERCENTAGE OR LESS THAN THAT, BUT AS IT WAS EXPANDED, THAT UNDERCUTS THE REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

BUT IT'S A LONG-RANGE PROBLEM THAT I THINK VIEWERS ARE AWARE OF AND ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR KIFFMEYER.

WHERE DO YOU SEE TRANSPORTATION GOING THIS YEAR?

ANY POINTS THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE MAYBE POINTS OF FRICTION OR POINTS OF DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU MIGHT BE DOING IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

>> THANK YOU, BARRY, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FRICTION, THE WHOLE REASON FOR HAVING GOVERNMENT IS A WAY TO RESOLVE OUR DIFFERENCES.

THERE'S GOING TO BE FRICTION BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENCES, AND THIS IS A PROCESS, AND IN LEGISLATURE AS WELL.

IT'S GOING TO BE THERE, AND TRANSPORTATION OF THE ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE USED BY EVERYBODY, AND SO RIGHT NOW ONLY A HALF PERCENT OF THE GENERAL FUND GOES TO TRANSPORTATION AND MOST OF IT IS GAS TAX MONEY.

THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ROAD IS JUST AS MUCH THERE BUT NOT PAYING IN THE GAS TAX, AND TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION FUND, AND SO THAT'S REALLY AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION, SO WE HAVE CHANGED THE LAW WHILE VOTING ON SOME OF THE SALES TAXES RECOVERED AND AGAIN TO THE ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WHETHER IT'S A SMALL CITY, AND EVEN THOSE PEOPLE ON THE INNER-CITY, FOOD COMES TO YOU FROM RURAL MINNESOTA IS PRODUCED AND MANUFACTURED IN RURAL AREAS, AND YOU NEED ROADS THAT MAY NOT GET TO THE INNER CITIES, AND YOU NEED THE ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION TO GET THE GOODS AND SERVICES TO YOU.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO FUND OTHER ROADS AND BRIDGES.

SENATOR NEWMAN HAS TALKED IM REACHING FROM THAT FUND TO THE TUNE OF $450 MILLION EVERY TWO YEARS, IS LEAKING OUT INTO OTHER THINGS THAN ROADS AND BRIDGES.

SO HE HAS A BILL TO ADDRESS THAT, AND HE SAID THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND AT LEAST CALL ATTENTION TO IT, AND MAKE SURE WHEN WE ARE PAYING MONEY INTO TRANSPORTATION IT GOES TO ACTUALLY ROADS AND BRIDGES, NOT FAIRS, NOT PARADES, NOT OTHER KINDS OF EVENTS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE THE DIRECT CONNECTION.

SO WE WILL FUND IT AS MUCH AS WE ARE ABLE TO THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT'S THE GREATEST BENEFIT TO ALL OF MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE ACOMB, TRANSPORTATION.

>> I'M GOING TO FOCUS MAYBE ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE ASPECT OF TRANSPORTATION, AND I THINK THAT THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR IS THE HIGHEST SECTOR OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND I THINK ACTUALLY NATIONWIDE.

WE NEED TO BE WORKING HARD TO REDUCE THOSE EMISSIONS AND TRANSPORTATION.

THERE'S SOME EFFORTS GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THERE'S THE CLEAN FUEL SPILL WORKING TO PROMOTE BIOFUEL, AND I THINK THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF INTEREST, ESPECIALLY WITHIN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE ABOUT DEVELOPING MORE TRANSIT, AND WITH ALL THE ROAD CONGESTION I LIVE IN THE SUBURBAN PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND TRAFFIC, THOUGH IT HASN'T BEEN THAT WAY REALLY IN THE LAST YEAR.

BUT IT WILL BE BACK ONCE THINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL, AND SO WE CAN'T BUILD ENOUGH LANES TO KIND OF BUILD OUR WAY OUT OF CONGESTION, AND SO FINDING WAYS TO BUILD OUT OUR LIGHT RAIL AND BUS RAPID TRANSIT, HAVING OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE, I THINK, WILL BE IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AND CERTAINLY I THINK WE NEED TO BE WORKING HARD ON ELECTRIC.

I THINK THAT WE IN MINNESOTA, WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO ELECTRIC CARS, AND THAT'S WHAT THE RULE MAKING WILL PROVIDE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO TELL ANYONE WE CAN'T PROVIDE THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION CAR.

THEY CAN.

THEY CAN STILL DRIVE THEM.

THEY CAN STILL BUY THEM.

IT'S JUST PROVIDING MORE OPTIONS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE THEM.

I WAS IN THE MARKET FOR AN ELECTRIC CAR LAST YEAR, AND I HAD TROUBLE FINDING THEM IN MINNESOTA, AND THIS WILL HELP TRIGGER OUR AUTO DEALERS TO BE PROVIDING OPTIONS, MORE OPTIONS FOR MINNESOTANS.

I LOOK AT IT AS WE NEED TO BE DOING BETTER TO ELECTRIFY, AND I THINK YOU BROUGHT UP A GREAT ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED AND THAT'S HOW DO WE TRANSFORM OUR FUNDING MECHANISM FOR MAINTAINING BRIDGES AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

IF GAS IS GOING TO BE THE WAY OF THE FUTURE, THEN WE CERTAINLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT MECHANISM WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BEEN BBENNETT.

>> IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE STATE AND OUR ECONOMY AND EVERYTHING.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR KIFFMEYER ON THE GAS TAX AND ACTUALLY WE HAD CREATED A SPECIAL TAX TAKING TAXES ON CAR PARTS AND PURCHASING OF TIRES AND THINGS, PUTTING IT IN A SPECIAL FUNTD TO BE USED FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

I THINK WE NEED TO EXPLORE FUNDING LIKE THAT.

BUT THE GAS TAX IS IS ANT AN AN, AND UTILIZING SOME OF THOSE OTHERS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT.

THE OTHER ISSUE I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON IS WHAT REPRESENTATIVE ACOMB MENTIONED, THE CLEAN CARS RULE THAT THE MPCA IS MAKING RIGHT NOW, AND I ACTUALLY LOOK AT THAT AS NOT A GOOD FEX AT ALL.

THAT CLEAN CARS RULE, CALIFORNIA CAR MANDATE, ACTUALLY, WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND MPCA ARE DOING RULE MAKING OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT'S NOT GOING THROUGH THE NORMAL COMMITTEE PROCESS WHERE IT GETS AIRED AND DEBATED, THEY ARE MAKING A RULE THAT WILL PUT US UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CALIFORNIA REGULATORY BOARD ON OUR CAR EMISSIONS, VEHICLE EMISSIONS AND SO ON.

AND FOR OUR DEALERSHIPS ALONG THE BORDER IN MINNESOTA, ALBERT LEA, AUSTIN AND OTHER AREAS, THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HURT THEM, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP CARS ON THEIR LOTS THAT PEOPLE AREN'T BUYING IN RURAL MINNESOTA BECAUSE THE ELECTRIC CARS FOR OUR AREA DON'T WORK WELL.

THE COSTS OF OUR REGULAR VEHICLES ARE GOING TO GO UP TREMENDOUSLY.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN FOR THOSE CAR DEALERS IS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO ACROSS THE BORDER AND PURCHASE THEIR CARS IN IOWA WHERE THEY CAN GET THEM FOR A THOUSAND OR $2,000 CHEAPER THAN THEY CAN IN MINNESOTA.

THAT'S ONE OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF GOVERNMENT ACTIONS THAT I SEE HAPPENING.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF I WANT CLEAN AIR AND LESS CARBON EMISSIONS, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, WHAT THE PROPONENTS OF THIS BILL ARE SAYING IS IT WOULD REDUCE OUR CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2 MILLION TONS A YEAR, BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WORLD EMISSIONS, IN 2019, THERE WERE 36 BILLION TONS OF CARBON PUT OUT.

FOR THE AMOUNT, THE COST AND BENEFIT OF THAT IS NOTHING.

WE NEED TO BE DOING OTHER THINGS TO LOWER OUR EMISSIONS THAN FORCING DEALERS TO CARRY CERTAIN CARS AND FORCING MANDATES THAT ARE GOING TO DREYFUS OUT OF THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BUY AND USE IN RURAL MINNESOTA, AND LEAVE US WITHOUT OPTIONS.

>> Barry: ANYTHING ELSE ON TRANSPORTATION?

YES, SENATOR EATON, GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU.

WHILE I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT.

THERE'S NO MANDATE.

>> Barry: THIS IS ONE OF THE POINTS SENATOR KIFFMEYER WAS TALKING ABOUT.

RIGHT?

>> NO MANDATE ON THE CLEAN CARS THAT ARE RULE MAKING.

NOBODY HAS TO BUY THEM, NO DEALER HAS TO HAVE THEM.

IT JUST MAKES THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE.

THE GAS ISSUE IS MORE TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT ALL OF OUR CARS GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE.

NOBODY IS BUYING AS MUCH GAS.

NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE ELECTRIC CARS YET.

IT'S MOSTLY THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, VERY FEW CARS GET LESS THAN 20 MILES TO THE GALLON RIGHT NOW, AND THAT USED TO BE VERY RARE.

SO WE DO NEED TO FIND ANOTHER FUNDING.

BUT EMISSIONS ARE CRUCIAL, ESPECIALLY MEME WHO LIVE IN POVERTY OR PEOPLE OF COLOR, THEY ARE GETTING A LOT OF EMISSIONS FROM THE HIGHWAYS AND FROM THE CARS.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE START TO CLEAN CLEAN THAT UP.

SOME BIALEK BUSES AND THE SEM EYES OR BIGGER TRUCKS ON THE ROAD, THAT WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

THE CLEANER DIESEL THAT WE CONVERTED SOME OF THEM TO TO THE REVALUED MONIES HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

BUT IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST FUEL EMISSIONS THAT WE HAVE IS TRANSPORTATION, AND WE DON'T SPEND ENOUGH MONEY ON IT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A TRUE TRANSPORTATION BILL SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE SENATE, AND I HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE 2011.

JUST ASK SENATOR SCOTT WHO IS THE MINORITY LEADER OF TRANSPORTATION.

IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING.

>> Barry: ONLY FOUR MINUTES LEFT.

LET'S TALK HIGHER EDUCATION, WHERE THAT MIGHT BE GOING.

REPRESENTATIVE ACOMB, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SIDE.

>> I THINK THAT SPEAKING FOR PARENTS OF TWO BOYS IN COLLEGE, COLLEGE IS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

IT'S ONLY BECOMING MORE UNAFFORDABLE ALL THE TIME.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE THEY ACT SO BURDENED WITH COLLEGE DEBT THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO, YOU KNOW, BUY A HOME OR TRANSITION INTO THAT NEXT STAGE OF LIFE, BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL PAYING BACK STUDENT LOANS, AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS WE COULD GO ABOUT THAT.

IT COULD BE ENCOURAGING, YOU KNOW, LOWER COST OP OPTIONS, ANE HAVE GREAT OPTIONS THAT I THINK AREN'T UTILIZED ENOUGH IN OUR TRADE SCHOOLS, AND WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO LOOK AT LOTS OF DIFFERENT CHOICES, AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS, AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT GRADUATING WITH SO MUCH DEBT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET IN THIS SESSION.

>> I JUST HAD A MEETING TODAY WITH MY LOCAL STATE COLLEGES, MY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND CAMPUS IN AUSTIN, AND THEY ARE DOING AMAZING WORK EDUCATING OUR KIDS AND BRINGING IN THE TRADES AND TRYING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR BUSINESSES THAT ARE CRYING OUT FOR WELDERS AND ELECTRICIANS AND CARPENTERS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

SO I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO OUR STATE COLLEGES AND THE WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING, AND ALSO THE WORK THEY ARE DOING FOCUSING ON K THROUGH 12 IN MY COMIET COMMITTEES, AND YET THERE'S THAT MERGING WHEN YOU GET TO THE SECONDARY LEVEL WHERE THE ESCO WHERE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO GO TO THE STATE COLLEGES WHILE THEY ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND GET A LOT OF THEIR CLASS WORK DONE, AND THAT'S ONE WAY WE CAN ENCOURAGE COST SAVINGS.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT'S DRIVING UP THE COST OF EDUCATION IN OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

IF YOU LOOK AT IN FACETIOUS FLAITION, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INFLATED 20 TIMES HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER THING, THE INFLATION OF THE PRICE OF A CAR, THAT KIND OF THING.

SO WE GET A HANDLE ON WHAT'S DRIVING UP THE COSTS OF COLLEGES AND AT THE SAME TIME MAKE SURE THAT IT IS AFFORDABLE FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MULTIFACETED KIND OF APPROACH TO FIX THAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, ABOUT 30 SECONDS OR SO.

FIX OUR EDUCATION FOR US, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

>> OKAY.

ONE THING THEY WILL FIND IS WE HAVE A GRANDSON WHO GRADUATED WITH A TWO-YEAR DEGREE IN DIESEL MECHANICS AND STARTED OFF WITH A SALARY AT 60,000 A YEAR AND ABLE TO BUY HIS FIRST HOME AND HAS GREAT BENEFITS.

THE IDEA OF THE FOUR YEAR COLLEGES NEED TO CHANGE.

THEY HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON A CERTAIN THING OF DOING THIS STUFF.

THEY ARE LOSING STUDENTS AND TECH SCHOOLS WORKING TOGETHER WITH THEM COULD HAVE A TWO-YEAR FOUR-YEAR PATHWAY AND MUCH CHEAPER.

>> Barry: EATON GIVE YOU 15 SECONDS, EDUCATION YOU ARE, YOUR LAST WORD.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO CUT THE COST OF EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS.

A LOT COME OUT WITH SO MUCH DEBT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO BY BUY A HOME, CAR, START A FAMILY.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT LESS EXPENSIVE.

>> Barry: WITH THAT THOUGHT, I WANT TO THANK THE PANEL, AND THAT YOU THINK OUR VIEWERS FOR PROVIDING SO MANY GREAT QUESTIONS FOR THE PANEL TO CONSIDER.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE WILL BE BACK HERE NEXT WEEK AND EVERY WEEK THAT FOLLOWS UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

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