>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS 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.

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

>> Barry: MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I WILL BE YOUR HOST IS MODERATOR THIS EVENING.

THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE WILL BE DELIVERED TO OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND WE WILL BE INTRODUCING THOSE GUESTS TO YOU VERY SOON.

PHONE NUMBER IS 87263178 OR SEND THEM TO US VIA E-MAIL AT PIONEER.ORG.

LAST WEEK WE WASN'T WITH YOU.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PIONEER PUBLIC TELEVISION DRIVE.

WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE PUBLIC POLICIES TODAY.

WE WILL BEGIN OUR PROGRAM AS WE UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

LET'S BEGIN WITH JENNIFER SCHULTZ.

FROM DULUTH DISTRICT 7A.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, BARRY.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 7A WHICH IS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE CITY OF DULUTH.

I'M IN MY EIGHTH YEAR AS THE STATE LEGISLATOR AND I CHAIR THE POLICY COMMITTEE, WAYS AND MEANS AND FINANCE AND POLICY.

I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN HEALTH ECONOMICS.

I'M A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AT DULUTH.

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING THERE SINCE 2004 AND I STARTED IN THE LEGISLATURE IN 2015.

I HAVE BEEN VERY IMMERSED IN HEALTHCARE REFORM WHILE I HAVE BEEN A STATE LEGISLATOR.

>> Barry: WE WERE HAVING A DISCUSSION BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTED THAT YOU ARE NOT ONLY BALANCING THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS TO THE CITY OF DULUTH, YOU ARE ALSO TEACHING A COUPLE OF ONLINE CLASSES FOR STUDENTS AT THE U.

ON HEALTH ECONOMICS, AS A MATTER OF FACT, AS I RECALL.

>> THAT'S CORRECT, BARRY.

>> Barry: MAYBE WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT THE HEALTH ECONOMICS EXPERTISE TO WORK BEFORE WE ARE DONE TODAY.

LET'S GO TO SENATOR JEFF HOWE FROM DISTRICT 13, ROCKVILLE.

SENATOR HOWE, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON AND SO FORTH.

WE WON'T TALK ABOUT YOUR BROTHER, I GUESS.

HE'S BEEN WITH US MANY TIMES AS WELL.

SENATOR HOWE.

>> THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU, BARRY.

I TELL YOU WHAT, I REPRESENT DISTRICT 13 WHICH BASICALLY IS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND WRAPS AROUND ST.

CLOUD.

I SERVE ON TRANSPORTATION, STATE GOVERNMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

LET'S SEE, COMMERCE, VETERANS, AND PENSIONS.

I THINK I NAMED THEM ALL.

I'M A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER, RETIRED MILITARY GUY, PENT 38 YEARS IN THE MILITARY, 26 YEARS IN THE FIRE SERVICE.

I OWN AND OPERATE A CODE CONSULTING BUSINESS WHERE I DO FIRE CODE BUILDING CODE AND HOUSING CODE ENFORCEMENT AND CONSULTING WITH LOCAL CITIES.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

FREQUENT GUEST SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN FROM DISTRICT 36 CHAMPLIN.

MANY TIMES WE HAVE SENATOR HOFFMAN AND ABELER ON.

WHEN WE HAVE THOSE ON, WE CAN SEND EVERYBODY ELSE HOME.

WE DO WANT YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL THE VIEWERS ABOUT WHAT COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON, BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

I WAS REMINISCING WHEN WE STARTED GOING BACK AND FORTH.

YOU THREW YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR AND SHOOK YOUR HEAD AND SMILED.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT, INTERACTIV ENGAGEMENT.

JOHN HALF MAN, LIVE IN CHAMPLIN, DISTRICT 36 WHICHEN COM PUSS GRAND RAPIDS, BROOKLYN PARK.

I WAS ELECTED IN 2012, REELECTED IN 2016 AND 2020.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HERE, BARRY ON YOUR SHOW, AND I REMEMBER WHEN YOU HAD YOUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF SHOWS, IT WAS GREAT TO BE ON THAT ONE TO BRING IN THE CAKE, SO TO SPEAK.

I SERVE ON TECHNOLOGY AND REFORM COMMITTEE, HUMAN SERVICES REFORM, BOTH POLICY AND THE FINANCE SIDE OF IT, AS WELL AS AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE.

SERVE ON THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND VICE CHAIR OF THE TRUST LANDS, WHICH IS ALL ABOUT TAKING THE MONEY THAT BELONGS TO OUR STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE IT GETS TO THEM FROM THE SCHOOL TRUST LANDS THAT WERE SET ASIDE IN 1858.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, AND IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

THANK YOU.

>> Barry: LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 8, FERGUS FALLS, REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN RASMUSSON.

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH EVERYONE THIS EVENING.

MY NAME IS JORDAN RASMUSSON AND I LIVE WITH MY WIFE EMMA IN FERGUS FALLS.

I'M PRIVILEGED TO SERVE ON THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ IN ADDITION TO THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE, CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE AND THE PENSION COMMISSION.

BEFORE RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE, MY BACKGROUND IS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD AS A PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTOR.

I LIKE SPREADSHEETS AND I LIKE LOOKING THROUGH THE BUDGET BILLS AS THEY ARE COMING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Barry: I KNOW VIEWERS ARE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT SOME OF THE ACTION THAT OCCURRED IN THE HOUSE TODAY, I BELIEVE, ON THE ISSUE OF THE REFUNDING THE MONEY OR I SHOULD SAY REFUR BENEFICIARYING, FILLING UP AGAIN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACCOUNTS.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MINUTE.

I WANT TO COME TO A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT CAME IN BEFORE OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROGRAM LAST WEEK.

WE HAD A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER, BUT IT'S A LONG STANDING ISSUE.

THE VIEWER FROM ST. PAUL WANTS TO KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY WE HAVE OVER HALF OF OUR SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS THAT ARE INADEQUATE, AND THIS IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY IN URBAN AREAS BUT ALSO RURAL AREAS BECAUSE OF THE WATERSHED ISSUES.

THE QUESTION IS IS THIS AN ISSUE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS YEAR?

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR HOFFMAN.

WHAT ABOUT THIS QUESTION OF SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS?

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE BARRY ANDERSON.

I FORGOT AT THE VERY BEGINNING I GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MY WIFE.

I HOPE MY DAUGHTER IS, TOO.

BUT THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALWAYS COMING AT THE END OF SESSION WHEN WE DIDN'T PUT IN, IS IT BONDING MONEY.

AS A MATTER OF FACT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION THAT THE LCCMRN PUT MONEY INTO THAT BECAUSE CLEAN WATER WAS THE CONVERSATION THAT CAME OUT OF IT.

I DON'T SERVE, BARRY, ON THAT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE ANYMORE.

I USED TO, ALTHOUGH REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON MENTIONED BRICK SON AT THE BEGINNING.

I BELIEVE HE HAS THE GAVEL, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING COMING UP.

BUT I DO HEAR PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

I THINK NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT OUR INVESTMENT BACK IN THERE.

LOOKING AT MONEY THAT SHOULD BE PUT BACK INTO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ESPECIALLY THAT WE ARE SITTING ON IT, MAKING SURE THIS IS THE BONDING YEAR AS WELL.

SO WHY NOT?

WE ARE AAA BOND RATING STILL PRETTY GOOD, REALLY GOOD ACTUALLY.

SO I THINK NOW IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN MINNESOTA AND INVESTMENT IN THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS QUESTION.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I SERVE ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE AND WE HAD FIVE WEEKS OF TOURS WHERE WE STOPPED AT WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND GOT TO SEE THE NEED THAT IS IN COMMUNITIES BIG AND SMALL ACROSS THE STATE.

OFTENTIMES THESE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE.

THESE INDIVIDUALS COMMITTEES AND TAX BASED TO TAKE ON.

AS A BONDING BILL IS PEACED TOGETHER, THIS HAS TO BE A KEY PART AND HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE BONDING BILL.

IT'S NOT THAT INTERESTING, NOT THAT FLASHY TO PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STAR TRIBUNE BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE THEY NEED TO RUN A CITY AND A COMMUNITY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE GREAT LAKES COMMISSION.

WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT WATER QUALITY IN OUR WATERSHEDS, ESPECIALLY AROUND LAKE SUPERIOR, AND SERVING ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEES, WE DO CARE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF WATER.

WE DO WANT TO INVEST IN THOSE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

WE HAVE FOUND IN LAKE SUPERIOR LOTS OF EMERGING CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN AND MICROPLASTICS.

SOME OF OUR WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS AREN'T SUFFICIENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE FOUND A LOT OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

SO WE REALLY DO NEED TO CARE MORE ABOUT OUR WATER AND THE QUALITY OF THE WATER REALLY AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOFFMAN.

>> THANK YOU.

I DO BELIEVE YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF BONDING IN THE PFA ACCOUNT AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND I THINK IT'S A HUGE DEAL.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE PUT MONEY INTO -- HAVE BONDED FOR 20 YEARS TO UPGRADE THE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND THE WASTEWATER.

AND BEFORE THEY ARE HALF OR THREE QUARTERS PAID FOR, THEY ARE COMING BACK AND TELLING THEM THEY NEED TO REDO IT AGAIN.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND ACTUALLY GIVE THE CITIES A CHANCE TO PAY OFF TO SAY HEY, YOU ARE FAILING AGAIN.

TOUGH FOR THE CITIES TO ACTUALLY MEET THE STANDARDS WHEN THE STANDARDS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING ON THEM.

IT'S TOUGH TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS THEY UPGRADE THE SYSTEMS, AND SOME OF THESE BONDS ARE FOR 20 YEARS.

YOU CAN'T REALLY COME BACK AND FORCE THEM TO REDO IT AGAIN WHEN THEY ARE STILL PAYING OFF THE OTHER BONDS.

IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE.

BUT I'M SURE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE A MAIN EMPHASIS FOR OUR BONDING THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO A QUESTION THAT RECEIVED SOME ATTENTION TODAY ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

THAT IS THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND DRAWN DOWN, UNDERSTANDABLY SO, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE DEADLINE OR AT LEAST PRACTICAL DEADLINE THAT ADMINISTRATOR REPRESENTATIVES POINTED TO FOR GETTING THE TASK COMPLETED IS PROBABLY MARCH 15th.

WE HAD A VOTE ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON EXACTLY HOW TO HANDLE THIS.

LET'S START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ISSUE AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON IT.

>> SURE.

SO WE DID HAVE A SHORT DISCUSSION ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE TODAY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE CLOSE TO 9.$3 BILLION SURPLUS.

SO THE DFL TEAM WE WANT TO HELP BUSINESSES BUT WE ALSO WANT TO HELP FAMILIES WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

WITH THIS AMOUNT OF SURPLUS, I THINK WE CAN DO BOTH THINGS.

SO WE CAN BOTH HELP SMALL BUSINESSES WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND, AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP FAMILIES WITH THE AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING AND FOOD AND PAID TIME OFF.

ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WORKING MINNESOTANS ARE ASKING FOR.

I DON'T THINK MARCH 15th IS THE TRUE DEADLINE.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE UNTIL APRIL 30th IS WHEN THOSE TAXES WILL COME DUE.

THE SENATE PROPOSAL FOR REPAYING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND REALLY BENEFITS LARGE CORPORATIONS MORE THAN SMALLER CORPORATIONS.

I THINK WE NEED TO DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO ALLOCATE STATE FUNDS AND WHO WE WANT THOSE FUNDS TO GO TO.

FOR EXAMPLE, AMAZON UNDER THE SENATE PROPOSAL WILL GET CLOSE TO 2.6 MILLION DOLLARS.

TARGET WOULD GET OVER $11 MILLION.

SMALL BUSINESSES, IF THEY ONLY HAVE A FEW EMPLOYEES IT'S $267 PER EMPLOYEE.

DO WE WANT TO ALLOCATE MORE MONEY TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES?

LARGE CORPORATIONS MAY NOT NEED AS MUCH ASSISTANCE.

WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE TYPES OF DISCUSSIONS.

I THINK WE ARE READY TO NEGOTIATE AND SEND THE BILL TO THE GOVERNOR AS LONG AS WE ARE ALSO HELPING WORKING FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE REIMBURSEMENT TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND AND THE DISCUSSION THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE FLOOR TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD TODAY IN THE HOUSE WITH REPLENISHING THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

THIS IS ONE OF THESE RARE ISSUES WHERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

THIS PASSED THE SENATE WITH A VETO PROOF MAJORITY WITH SUPPORT FROM SENATE DEMOCRATS, SENATE REPUBLICANS.

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS COME OUT AND SAID HE SUPPORTS THE PROPOSAL THAT WE WERE PUSHING FOR TODAY.

IT'S REALLY, YOU KNOW, JUST HOUSE LEADERSHIP, HOUSE DEMOCRATS THAT'S HOLDING THIS UP AS WE LOOK AT THE MARCH 15th DEADLINE.

FOR THE FOLKS IN OTTERTAIL COUNTY, THEY ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION, THE COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES GOING UP.

Z THIS TAX INCREASE ON MINNESOTA EMPLOYERS IS GOING TO GET PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS.

IT'S GOING TO GET PASSED ON TO EMPLOYEES.

I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE A SENSE OF YOU ARE GENERALSY.

I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET THIS DONE BEFORE THE DEADLINE THIS TUESDAY.

BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND COMMISSIONER AND HIS TEAM IF WE DON'T DO IT BY THE 15th, IT WILL BE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT FOR THEIR AGENCY TO ACTUALLY AVOID THESE NOTICES FROM GOING OUT AND THIS TAX INCREASE FROM AFFECTING ALL TYPES OF EMPLOYERS HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> SENATOR HOFFMAN.

>> DID YOU GUYS GET A CHANCE -- I MEAN, IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR THAT.

I WASN'T WATCHING THE HOUSE OR THE OTHER BODY BECAUSE WE CAN'T USE THE NAME OF THE HOUSE WHEN WE ARE ON THE SENATE FLOOR, RIGHT?

AND SEE, HOWIE, HE'S HOUSE TRAINED.

THAT'S THE OTHER ONE THAT'S PRETTY FUNNY.

>> IT'S A TRUE STATEMENT, YOU KNOW.

BUT I'M NOT HOUSE BROKE.

I'M HOUSE TRAINED.

>> THAT'S IT, THAT'S IT.

I REMEMBER THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CONTENTIONS AND I DON'T KNOW IF JENNIFER AND JORDAN YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THIS.

$250 MILLION IN BONUSES THAT WAS EMBEDDED IN THE SENATE AND WE TRIED TO GET IT UP TO A BILLION.

SOME FOLKS WANTED TO DO A BILLION.

I REMEMBER ERIC PRATT ON THE FLOOR SAID THE DEFICIT WASN'T CAUSED BY THE EMPLOYERS, RIGHT.

EVERY DOLLAR THAT WAS PAID OUT IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM WENT TO THE MINNESOTA WORKERS.

SO THERE'S THIS, YOU KNOW, PIECE OF WHO HAS WHAT IN THE GAME SO TO SPEAK, RIGHT?

SO DID YOU AT ALL TALK ABOUT MAYBE UPPING THAT BONUS TO A BILLION SO WE COULD TAKE CARE OF THE FRONTLINE WORKERS AND TAKE CARE OF THE FOLKS WHO WERE IN THE FRENCHES WORKING AT THE TIME?

JENNIFER, YOU WERE SHAKING YOUR HEAD YES.

>> YES.

WE HAVE A BILL.

HOUSE BILL 2900 THAT WOULD GIVE 1,500-DOLLAR BONUS PAY TO THE FRONTLINE WORKERS, AND THAT BILL WOULD BE SPENDING -- WE ARE PROPOSING $1 BILLION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO FUND THAT.

WE WANT THAT TO BE PART OF THIS DEAL TO GET BONUSES TO THOSE WHO WORK AS TO HARD DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WE ALSO WANT TO FIX AN INJUSTICE IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

CURRENTLY THOSE WORKING AS BUS DRIVERS, CAFETERIA, STAFF AND OTHERS AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.

SO HOUSE FILE 1035 WOULD FIX THAT ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN THESE PROFESSIONS WHERE WE NEED TO ATTRACT MORE WORKERS.

THAT WOULD BE A 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR SPEND.

>> AND YOU INCLUDED PARAPROFESSIONALS IN THAT CONVERSATION?

>> I BELIEVE THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THE CATEGORY.

>> THERE'S A DISCONNECT, BARRY, IT'S 55-11 AND 250 MILLION IN BONUSES AND.

JEFF, 2.7 BILLION, I THINK.

>> YES.

>> SO TOTALLY SEPARATE ISSUES IN MY BOOK.

>> POINT OF CONTENTION IS THERE'S TWO SEPARATE ISSUES THERE.

IS IT WORTH SEPARATING?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON, LET ME GET YOUR REACTION TO THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO HOUSE BILLS, AND I WILL GO TO SENATOR HOWE, AND HE CAN EXPLAIN IN GREATER DETAIL ABOUT IT BEING TWO SEPARATE BILLS AND SO FORTH.

WHY DON'T WE GIVE YOU ANOTHER MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES, BECAUSE WITH THE FRONTLINE WORKERS AND SO FORTH AND HOW THAT RELATES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND ISSUES.

>> THE MOTION THAT WE MADE ON THE FLOOR TODAY WAS TO BRING FORWARD THE BILL THAT HAD ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE WITH THAT WIDE BIPARTISAN MARGIN THAT SENATOR HOFFMAN TALKED ABOUT.

IT HAS SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR WALZ.

FOR US, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TAKE MINNESOTA EMPLOYERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES HOSTAGE TO OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN STILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE ARE FACING A REAL DEADLINE ON THE TUESDAY TO GET THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND REPLENISHED.

OTHERWISE ESSENTIALLY EVERY EMPLOYER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS GOING TO BE GETTING A TAX INCREASE AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE A 9.3 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL MAKE SENSE WITHOUT REPLENISHING UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

>> Barry: ONE BILL IN THE HOUSE HAS BOTH OF THESE THINGS DEALING WITH FRONTLINE WORKERS OR REIMBURSING THE HOUSE OR THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND, AND THE SENATE BILL DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING IN IT.

>> MAYBE THE HOUSE BILL THEY TALKED ABOUT TODAY HAD IT ALL IN.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE.

BUT THE HOUSE PROPOSAL THAT WE HAVE HEARD DID NOT FULLY REPLENISH THE UI BILL.

I THINK IT ONLY HAD A BILLION DOLLARS IN IT.

THEY HAD A BILLION DOLLARS FOR UI AND A BILLION DOLLARS FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

YOU KNOW, THE THING IS IS WE PASSED THAT UI BILL ALMOST A MONTH AGO.

WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND, A LOT OF THAT UNEMPLOYMENT MONEY THAT WAS PAID OUT WAS BORROWED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

RIGHT NOW TODAY WE CONTINUE TO PAY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND $70,000 A DAY IN INTERESTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO OWE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THIS THING DONE.

IT'S ALMOST BEEN A MONTH OF $50,000 A DAY INTEREST ON THAT MONEY THAT WE ARE WASTING.

WE COULD HAVE PAID THIS OFF A MONTH AGO AND SAVED THAT INTEREST THAT WE OWED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.PRESENTATIVES EXACTLY RIGHT.

EVERY EMPLOYER IS GOING TO GET THIS INCREASE.

IF YOU THINK THIS INCREASE IS GOING TO HURT THEM, IT IS GOING TO HURT BUSINESSES, BUT THESE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE PRICES.

THAT MONEY AND THAT COST IS GOING TO GO RIGHT DOWN EVERY MINNESOTA AN THAT'S BUYING ANYTHING.

THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT WE ARE FACED WITH IS WE ARE FACED IS A LOT OF INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS JUST GOING TO COMPOUND THAT PROBLEM.

WHAT WE SAID ON THE SENATE FLOOR TODAY IS THAT WE ARE OPEN TO LOOKING AT HOW DO WE GET THIS BIG SURPLUS WE GOT TO DO THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR MOST MINNESOTANS AND LAY IT OUT ON THE TABLE AND GET IT DONE.

BUT THIS UI HAS GOT TO BE A SEPARATE CONVERSATION COMPARED TO WHAT WE DO WITH THE REST OF THIS MONEY AND GET THE MOST BENEFIT WE CAN FROM ALL MINNESOTANS TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE TROUBLED TIMES WHEN WE HAVE GOT THE LARGE SURPLUS THAT NEEDS TO GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE.

>> WE ALSO HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

WE WILL PROBABLY COME BACK TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND THING BEFORE WE ARE DONE.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE FRONTLINE WORKER COMPENSATION ISSUE.

THE ISSUE THAT WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ COMMENTS EARLIER.

LET'S START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON.

THERE APPEAR TO BE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION OF WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT AND HOW MUCH.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FINAL RESULT SETTING ASIDE THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER IT'S LINKED TO THE UI BILL OR NOT.

WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING ABOUT THE FRONTLINE WORKER COMPENSATION ISSUE.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS TO START WITH, ANYWAY.

>> LAST SESSION THERE WAS BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON $250 MILLION TO BE SET ASIDE FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

FOR ME, THOSE DOLLARS OUGHT TO BE FOCUSED ON INDIVIDUALS WHO REALLY HAD TO SHOULDER THE WORST PARTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE COMMUNITY I REPRESENT LONG-TERM CARE HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE AND REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ HAS REALLY HIGHLIGHTED THAT IN HER HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

FOR ME, YOU KNOW, THAT SHOULD REALLY BE THE PRIORITY, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING IN LONG-TERM CARE ON NURSES, FIRST RESPONDERS, PEOPLE WHO WERE TRULY ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS PANDEMIC IS WHERE WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING THE DOLLARS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK LEGISLATORS WOULD LOVE TO INCLUDE EVERYONE, BUT THE ISSUE WITH THAT IS THEN YOU DILUTE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE TO EACH OF THE WORKERS, AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE WORKFORCE CRISIS THAT LONG-TERM CARE AND HEALTHCARE IS CURRENTLY FACING, AND I THINK HAVING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL FOR THOSE WORKERS COULD HELP KEEP PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY WHEN WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF HAVING THOSE FRONTLINE WORKERS BE IN THOSE KEY INDUSTRIES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ, HEALTHCARE ECONOMICS, I GUESS.

THAT'S A PIECE OF THIS, TOO.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS OF REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON?

WHAT SHOULD THAT FRONTLINE BILL LOOK LIKE?

>> I THINK IT SHOULD BE AS COMPREHENSIVE AS POSSIBLE.

IT NEEDS TO INCLUDE FOLKS NOT WORKING IN LONG-TERM CARE BUT FOLKS WORKING IN OUR HOSPITALS THAT WERE ALSO AT THE FRONTLINE OF THE PANDEMIC TRYING TO SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHY AND PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING IN RETAIL TO KEEP OUR FOOD SHELVES STOCKED, PEOPLE WHO WERE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FRONTLINE WORKERS THAT DESERVE THIS BONUS PAY, AND WE SHOULD GET IT OUT THERE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

WE DID TRY TO HELP LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES BY PUSHING OUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALREADY FOR THEM TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT WORKERS.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOFFMAN -- LET'S GO TO SENATOR HOWE.

SENATOR HOWE, WHY DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT THE FRONTLINE WORKER BILL.

WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR SOUND ON THERE.

>> WE SHOULD GIVE SENATOR HOFFMAN A CHANCE TO HIT A HOMERUN HERE INSTEAD OF ALWAYS LEAVING ME TO HAVE THE SWING AT BAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I FULLY AGREE WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY UP FRONT AND PERSONAL WITH THE COVID, WITH THE PEOPLE WORKING IN THE HOSPITALS, PEOPLE WORKING IN THE NURSING HOMES, BUT WE ARE FORGETTING THOSE FOLKS THAT WORK IN GROUP HOMES AND THOSE SETTINGS.

THOSE FOLKS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS PIECE AND I BELIEVE 250 MILLION.

I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 1300 A PIECE TOOK CARE OF THOSE FOLKS IN GROUP HOMES, TOOK CARE OF THE FOLKS IN NURSING HOMES, TOOK CARE OF THE NURSES, TOOK CARE OF FIREFIGHTERS, EMT'S, AND THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WORKED EVERY DAY, DEALT WITH PEOPLE WITH COVID AND WERE REALLY INVOLVED WITH IT.

I TRULY BELIEVE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE INTENDED WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TALKING ABOUT FRONTLINE WORKERS.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

IF WE WANT TO DO MORE, LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND PUT ALL THE MONEY ON THE TABLE AND FIGURE IT OUT AND HAVE ALL THE PROPOSALS OUT THERE AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AND HOW WE DO THE MOST HELP AND PROVIDE THE MOST BENEFIT FOR THE MOST PEOPLE.

I'M ALL FOR THAT, AND I THINK THE SENATE WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOFFMAN.

GO AHEAD.

>> I'M GOING TO BAT CLEANUP ON JEFFREY.

THE THING IS BACK IN AUGUST AND THEN IN NOVEMBER, IN NOVEMBER IS WHEN THEY HAD THE PROPOSALS, AND SENATOR HOWE IS RIGHT ON.

THERE'S DISAGREEMENTS ON THE WHOLE THING ON ELIGIBILITY AND DISAGREEMENTS ON WHERE IT GOES.

BUT HE'S HIGHLIGHTING SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO ALSO BE TALKED ABOUT.

THOSE FRONTLINE WORKERS THAT ARE WORKING IN OUR GROUP HOMES, THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, I AGREE WITH SENATOR HOWE.

THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED WITH IT.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT HAD TO HAVE A PAY INCREASE.

MCDONALD'S STARTING PAY IS 21 BUCKS AN HOUR AND OUR RATE METHODOLOGY REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR FOLKS WORKING IN THE TRENCHES IS $14.70.

IT'S IT'S RIDICULOUS.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING, BARRY, THAT YOU HAD A WHOLE GROUP OF FOLKS BIPARTISAN ACROSS THE LINE.

IF YOU ARE DRIVING TOWARD A WIN-WIN OR DRIVING TO CONSENSUS OR GET TO WHAT'S TRITE FOR PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THAT MEANS YOU HAVE GOT TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS.

I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE.

YOU HAVE GOT TO LEAVE YOUR EGO OUT IN THE HALLWAY AND HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT'S THE TASK AT HAND.

IN THIS CASE WHO ARE THE FOLKS THAT SHOULD BE BENEFITING FROM THE FACT THEY SUFFERED DURING THIS PROCESS, AND WE OWE THEM A LITTLE BIT TO SAY THANK YOU.

THERE IT IS.

I'M PUBLICLY GOING TO AGREE WITH SENATOR JEFF HOWE.

THERE IT IS, PUT THAT ONE IN THE BOOKS.

>> THERE'S THE BONUS PAY THAT WE WANT TO GET OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND WHOLE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE CRISIS IN GROUP HOMES HEALTHCARE AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

THERE'S A LOT WE NEED TO DO, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE THAN ONE YEAR TO SOLVE THE WORKFORCE CRISIS AND TAKE MORE THAN JUST RAISING WAGES.

BUT WE HAVE HEARD LOTS OF GREAT PROPOSALS IN MY COMMITTEE AND OTHERS TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES SO WAGES CAN BE INCREASED IN THOSE CRITICAL CARING PROFESSIONS.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO THE PRINCIPLE TOPIC IN THE ODD NUMBER YEAR GOING TO BE AN ISSUE AND THAT IS THE QUESTION OF BONDING BILL.

IS THE BONDING BILL AFFECTED BY THE $9 BILLION SURPLUS AND THERE'S LIKELY TO BE PRETTY GOOD OR MAYBE COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON?

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF BONDING RELATED ISSUES ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE SESSION.

SENATOR HOFFMAN, LET'S START WITH YOU, BONDING BILLS IN THIS NUMBER YEAR.

>> I LEARNED FROM SENATOR DAVID THAT WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO LIST YOUR PRIORITIES YOU RANG THEM 1 THROUGH 13.

I HAVE 13 PRIORITIES BUT I THINK BECAUSE WE ARE FISCALLY VIGILANT AND SOLID, WE ARE A GREAT STATE RIGHT NOW.

BY ALL MEANS WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD BOND RATING.

JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE GOT A BUDGET SURPLUS, WHICH BY THE WAY I DON'T THINK ANY OF US IN THIS ROOM ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE CORNER OFFICE WONDERING HOW THE MONEY GETS DISTRIBUTED.

UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS MORE INTEL THAN I HAVE BUT NOW IS THE TIME.

YOU CAN BORROW MONEY FOR 1.1%.

AND WE HAVE FIRE DEPARTMENTS, FIREHOUSES FALLING APART.

COON RAPIDS NEEDS TO REPLACE ONE THAT'S 40 YEARS OLD, JEFF.

BROOKLYN PARK, THE SAME THING THERE.

GET THEM IN, IT'S THE TIME TO DO IT.

YET THERE'S GOOD REGIONAL PROJECTS THAT ARE GETTING INTO OUR HIGHER EDUCATION.

THERE'S THE CENTER FOR INNOVATION IN THE ARTS THAT WANTS TO BECOME A REGIONAL HUB.

PEOPLE ARE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX AND STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF US WE HAVE A LOT OF UNMET NEEDS, AND THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE ARGUE TRANSPORTATION SHOULDN'T BE IN BONDING OR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS TO BE IN TRANSPORTATION.

BUT I THINK WE HAD A GREAT BONDING -- THE LAST BONDING PROPOSAL WAS THE BEST.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN MINNESOTA AND LOOKING AT GOING NORTH OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN THE BONDING PIZZAS WELL.

WE ARE GOOD FOR IT AND NEED TO GET SOME THINGS DONE.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BONDING BILL.

>> AS I SAID EARLIER, I SERVE ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE LAST YEAR AND THERE IS A LOT OF NEED OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE VISITED.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, WHETHER IT'S OUR STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, STATE PARKS AND MAKING SURE WE ARE KEEPING UP WITH THE ASSETS THAT THE STATE CURRENTLY OWNS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN EXTEND THE LIFE OF THOSE ASSETS AND USEFULNESS.

I THINK BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WHETHER YOU LOOK AT ROADS, BRIDGES.

WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT WASTEWATER.

THE OTHER QUESTION THAT WE ARE WRES LINK WITH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL IS HOW IT FITS WITH THE BONDING BILL AS WELL AS WELL AS WHAT SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS CAN BE FOR THE STATE GOING FORWARD, AND I THINK THAT WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION AS THE BONDING BILL GETS PUT TOGETHER IN THIS SESSION.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD DO A VERY LARGE BONDING BILL BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION COSTS KEEP RISING.

I THINK NOW IS THE TIME -- IF WE CAN GET IT DONE BEFORE THE END OF SESSION, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

BUT WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, INVEST IN OUR ASSETS.

IT'S A JOBS BILL.

IT WILL PUT MORE PEOPLE TO WORK AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> AS A TRANSPORTATION GUY, I WILL LOOK AT MONEY IN INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, ALL THOSE THINGS.

OF COURSE I'M GOING TO GO THERE.

AND ALONG WITH THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WETLAND REPLACEMENT ALSO, BECAUSE THAT REALLY MESSES UP A LOT OF OUR ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY IN THE WETLAND REPLACEMENT BANK, YOU CAN'T BUY THE CREDITS OR DEVELOP THE WETLANDS, AND IT HOLDS UP ALL OF THAT STUFF.

WE HAVE GOT TO PUT SOME MONEY THERE.

I DO BELIEVE INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE KEY, MAINTAINING OUR BUILDINGS.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LARGE BONDING DEAL.

I THINK THEY ARE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO BE IN BONDING.

I DON'T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MUCH CASH THIS YEAR IN THE BONDING PROPOSAL THAT YOU USUALLY DO.

THERE'S USUALLY CASH PROJECTS IN THERE THAT YOU CAN'T SPEND THAT AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO CASH, YOU ARE GOING TO FUND IT THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL END UP IN THE BONDING BILL THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC.

THIS IS A QUESTION THAT COMES UP AS A RESULT OF THE DRY SUMMER THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR, CONCERNS ON ARE THE FARMERS FOR SOME ADDITIONAL RELIEF THERE, BEEN SOME REPORTING ON THIS IN THE STAR TRIBUNE.

THERE'S A BILL THAT I KNOW THAT'S BEEN FLOATING AROUND.

SENATOR HOWE, LET'S START WITH YOU.

IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE TOPIC, MAYBE YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FARM RELIEF ISSUES.

>> THERE'S A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD DROUGHT OUT THERE, AND WE NEED DROUGHT RELIEF.

I THINK THERE'S MONEY IN OUR AG TO GO OUT THERE AND SPEND -- I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THAT AMOUNT IS, IF IT'S 5 OR $10 MILLION.

BUT THERE'S SOME MONEY OUT THERE TO PROVIDE SOME DEBT RELIEF FOR THOSE FARMERS THAT HAD THE STRUGGLES WITH THE DROUGHT PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, IF OUR -- ESPECIALLY OUT HERE IN RURAL MINNESOTA, OUR ECONOMY GOES THE WAY OUR FARMERS GO.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WHEN THEY STRUGGLE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THEIR LIVELIHOOD GOING, BECAUSE IN RURAL MINNESOTA, AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WE FEED THE WORLD.

THESE FARMERS DO GREAT JOBS.

THEY PRODUCE A LOT.

BUT IF THEY HAVE CONDITIONS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WE HAVE TO STEP IN AND GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE SAME THING AS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO PRODUCE A WIDGET AT X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AND MAKE A PROFIT.

THIS IS A LOT DIFFERENT BECAUSE MOTHER NATURE COMES AND DEALS YOU A BLOW ONCE IN A WHILE.

WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE GOT TO KEEP OUR FARMERS FISCALLY AND FINANCIALLY VIABLE OUT THERE OR OUR ENTIRE STATE IS GOING TO SUFFER FOR IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON, YOUR THOUGHTS, DROUGHT RELIEF, FARMERS, THE GENERAL SUBJECT OF THE AG, I GUESS.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE KEY INDUSTRIES IN OTTERTAIL COUNTY, AND I THINK FARMERS, PRODUCERS IN MY AREA WERE REALLY AFFECTED BY THE DROUGHT THIS LAST YEAR, AND THEY WERE AFFECTED DIFFERENTLY.

WE REALLY SAW DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, EVEN IN FAIRLY SMALL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS.

WE HAD A VERSION OF A DROUGHT RELIEF BILL COME TO THE HOUSE TODAY.

I KNOW THERE'S A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL IN THE SENATE.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE GET SOME OF THE ISSUES IRONED OUT IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND HAVE SOMETHING THAT CAN HAVE BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND COME OUT AND GET PASSED THIS SESSION.

FOR ME, YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE FARMERS WITH SOME CERTAINTY.

THEY ARE FACING UNCERTAIN TIMES.

I WAS TALKING WITH FARMERS LAST WEEK, AND AS THEY ARE LOOKING AT INPUT PRICES GOING UP, ESPECIALLY WHAT'S GOING ON IN UKRAINE AND THE PRICE OF OIL BEING A KEY INPUT, COST INPUT FOR THEM, THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY GOING INTO THIS.

I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOMETHING DONE THIS SESSION.

THAT'S A TARGETED RELIEF TO THOSE WHO ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE DROUGHT.

THAT COULD HELP THEM AS THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE DECISIONS WHAT TO DO THIS GROWING YEAR.

>> SENATOR HOFFMAN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> LOTS OF THOUGHTS.

I MEAN, A FRIEND OF MINE WAS TRYING TO FIND 20,000 SEEDLINGS TO PLANT IN THE LAND THEY HAD, LIKE UP IN THE MOORE AREA.

THAT SEEDLING DROUGHT WAS HARD TO FIND.

YOU TALK ABOUT TRYING TO FIND WIDGETS IN THE SNOW BANK, BUT HE FOUND THEM, AND I THINK THE BILL THAT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE TODAY IS REALLY -- SETS US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BECAUSE IT SETS ASIDE SOME OF THE MONEY FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AND I THINK SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS.

I THINK HE HAD MARKET VENDOR -- FARMERS MARKET VENDORS IN THERE, TOO, AND JENNIFER, PLEASE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

IT IS SENT OVER TO THE SENATE.

LIKE JORDAN WAS SAYING, I THINK THEY WILL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD CONVERSATION.

WONDERFUL MIKE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT.

IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BARRY, AFFECTED EVERYTHING YOU ARE TRYING TO GROW.

>> THOSE WITH LIVESTOCK ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND FOOD FOR THE LIVESTOCK.

THEY NEED HELP.

WE PASSED A BILL 101-33, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, TO SEND $10 MILLION IN GRANTS AND LOANS TO OUR FARMERS, AND WE PUT IN, I THINK, AROUND $13 MILLION FOR THE DNR TO PLANT MORE TREE SEEDLINGS TO ADDRESS OUR CLIMATE CRISIS.

IT'S GOT A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN.

IT WILL BE UP TO THE SENATE TO SEE IF THEY WILL TAKE IT UP AND PASS IT.

IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH OUR LANGUAGE, IT WILL GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO HELP OUR FARMERS.

ALL OF OUR SMALL FARMERS ARE STRUGGLING.

>> ONE REGULAR REPEAT VISIT TO YOUR LEGISLATORS EVERY YEAR ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT FISHING AND HUNTING REGULATIONS.

WE HAVE ONE THIS WEEK AS WELL.

THIS HAPPENS TO BE FROM A VIEWER IN BLOOMINGTON AREA AND WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES SUPPORT PHASING OUT LEAD FROM HUNTING AND FISHING.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

UP IN MY AREA I THINK WE HAVE OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES.

I WOULD SAY OUR HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT STEWARDS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF THEM CARE ABOUT AND ARE SWITCHING AWAY FROM LEAD.

I ALSO KNOW THERE ARE CONCERNS AROUND AVAILABILITY COSTS, HOW IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ENFORCED.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR US TO DISCUSS AND LOOK AT.

BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE WHO ENJOY FISHING IN MINNESOTA ARE HUNTERS, ALREADY LOOKING AT THESE ALTERNATIVES ON THEIR OWN BECAUSE THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

>> Barry: IN FAIRNESS TO THE VIEWER'S QUESTION, DO YOU THINK THIS IS A BILL LIKELY TO SEE SOME ACTION IN THIS SESSION OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S MORE LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE FULL LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH OF COURSE IS ALWAYS IN THE EVEN NUMBERED YEAR?

>> I GUESS I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THIS ISSUE TRAVELED ON ITS OWN.

I THINK IT WOULD PROBABLY BE MORE LIKELY TO BE PART OF A BROADER DISCUSSION ON POLICY AND BUDGET ISSUES, MORE LIKELY NEXT YEAR.

BUT YOU NEVER KNOW UNTIL THE FINAL GAVEL GOES DOWN, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, LEAD AND FISHING AND HUNTING, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS WE STRUGGLE -- IF ANY OF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN A HUNTER AND I HAVE BEEN A HUNTER ALL MY LIFE -- THIS PAST YEAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND ANY AMMUNITION, WHETHER IT WAS LEAD, WHETHER IT WAS STEEL, DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE ALREADY OUTLAWED THE USE OF LEAD SHOT IN WATERFALL.

WHEN YOU USE WATERFALL USUALLY YOU ARE SITTING IN ONE PLACE AND SHOOTING OVER A BODY OF WATER.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH UP LAND HUNTING AND USUALLY YOU ARE WALKING ALONG AND IT'S NOT ONE SPOT, SO THE LEAD DOESN'T GET CONCENTRATED AND USUALLY DOESN'T CAUSE A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE HUNTING PHEASANTS AND UPLAND GAME, IT'S USUALLY NOT AN ISSUE.

I THINK IT'S NOT AS BIG A PROBLEM AS SOME FOLKS THINK IT IS.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DO IT WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH THE RISING COSTS OF AMMUNITION AND THE AVAILABILITY.

I THINK IT MIGHT BE A BETTER IDEA IF WE DO IT LATER.

THEY HAVE GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES THAT WORK AS WELL AS LED.

NOT ALL OF IT WORKS AS WELL AS LED DOES.

STEEL DOESN'T DO QUITE AS WELL.

IT'S EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE AND IT'S GOING TO ACTUALLY PRICE OUT A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WOULD NORMALLY BE ABLE TO GO HUNTING.

THEY JUST CAN'T AFFORD $50 A BOX OF 25 TO GO OUT AND YOU ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO HIT ANYTHING.

THERE'S A LOT OF ERROR AROUND THE BIRDS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO HIT THEM.

YOU KNOW, I WISH I COULD SAY EVERY TIME I PULL A TRIGGER I HARVEST SOMETHING, BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY OR SPEND $2 A SHELL WHEN YOU ARE NOT ALWAYS AS PROLIFIC WHEN YOU ARE HUNTING AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE.

>> Barry: I DON'T PRETEND TO BE AN EXPERT ON THIS.

THE NICE WORLD WAR II VETERAN THAT TAUGHT SHOTGUNS AND SHOOTING TO 13-YEAR-OLD BARRY ANDERSON AFTER WATCHING ME SHOOT FOR A WHILE SUGGEST I FIND A DIFFERENT HOBBY.

I PRETTY MUCH FOLLOWED HIS ADVICE.

SENATOR HOFFMAN, DO YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LEAD SHOT AND LEAD FISHING EQUIPMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT WAS ON THIS SHOW, BARRY, CARRIE RUUD, SENATOR RUUD FROM THE LAKES AREA TALKED ABOUT IT WAS LIKE THE SAME EXACT QUESTION.

SHE TOOK HER HUSBAND OUT.

THEY WENT SHOPPING.

HE SAID TO HER LEAD IS LESS EXPENSIVE.

THOSE NONLEAD BULLETS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE.

HONEST TO GOD SHE TOOK HIM OUT AND HIT ALL THE STORES AND WENT SHOPPING AND FOUND THERE WASN'T THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN IT.

HIGHLIGHTED AND THERE'S A REPORT THAT WAS JUST PUT OUT, THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA RAPTOR SENATOR WAS A PART OF THAT.

THERE'S 38 STATES THAT WERE PART OF THIS REPORT.

48% OF THE BALD EAGLES ALL HAD HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD POISONING IN THERE THEM.

RAPTOR CENTER, 85 TO 90% OF THE EAGLES THAT COME INTO THEIR HOSPITAL, AND THEY GET -- YOU HAVE GOT TO GO THERE.

YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THE RAPTOR CENTER.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING RIGHT HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN THE ST. PAUL CAMPUS.

BUT 85 TO 90% OF THE EAGLES THAT CAME INTO THEIR HOSPITAL HAVE SOME LEVEL OF LEAD IN THEIR BLOOD.

HERE IS THE THING THAT IS SOMETHING TO REALLY THINK ABOUT.

THE X-RAYS THEN SHOW FRAGMENTS OF LEAD BULLETS IN THEIR STOMACHS.

IF THERE'S A CORRELATION BETWEEN THAT AND THIS, THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL START LOOKING AT WHAT THE ALTERNATIVES ARE.

THE GOOD SENATOR FROM THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE WOULD SAY RIGHT NOW THERE'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

BARRY, IF YOU WANT TO GET ON HIGHWAY 10 AND CRUISE OUT TO BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN ANOKA, THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE RIGHT ON THE STREET CALLED HOFFMAN WAY IF YOU WANT TO GO IN THERE, THERE'S NO PAOLA IN THAT, JENNIFER AND JORDAN.

>> Barry: IS THE STREET NAMED AFTER YOU, SENATOR HOFFMAN?

>> NO, NO, NO.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ, AS MUCH AS WE ENJOYED OUR DETOUR IN THE COUNTRY, MAYBE YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LEAD SHOT AND LEAD FISHING ISSUES.

>> YES.

I WAS GOING TO MENTION THE RAPTOR CENTER AND HOW SAD IT IS TO SEE THE BALD EAGLES WITH LEAD POISONING AND THEY ARE DYING.

WE HAVE MANY BILLS TO BAN LEAD AMMUNITION, BAIT AND TACKLE.

WHAT I'M TOLD FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT LEAD THIS INITIATIVE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE BILLS THROUGH THE SENATE.

SO IT IS VERY SAD THAT WE CAN'T ELIMINATE LEAD.

BECAUSE ANY AMOUNT OF LEAD IS DANGEROUS, NOT JUST FOR ANIMALS, VERY DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS AS WELL.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO REPLACE THE LEAD WITH OTHER MATERIALS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE AS SENATOR HOFFMAN AS SAID.

IN FACT THE MATERIAL SIGNS DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AT DULUTH THEY HAVE COME UP WITH A LEAD ALTERNATIVE THAT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

I KNOW THERE ARE PRODUCTS OUT THERE AND SCIENTISTS THAT ARE WORKING ON IT.

>> Barry: WE HAVE ABOUT 10 MINUTES LEFT.

I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE ON TO QUESTIONS ABOUT EDUCATION AND WHAT WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE THIS YEAR WITH RESPECT TO BOTH ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AND ALSO WITH RESPECT TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

I RECOGNIZE IT'S NOT A BUDGET YEAR.

THE BUDGET WAS SET LAST YEAR.

BUT OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME FUNDS AVAILABLE.

SO THAT'S AN ISSUE.

THERE ALSO HAVE BEEN INDICATIONS OF POSSIBLE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR BOTH ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

REPRESENTATIVE SCHULTZ, LET'S START WITH YOU.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE END OF MAY?

>> THERE'S A LOT WE NEED TO DO.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MINNEAPOLIS WHEN THE TEACHERS ARE STRIKING BECAUSE THEIR PARAPROFESSIONALS ARE NOT GETTING THE SUPPORT, THE SALARIES THAT THEY DESERVE, VERY LOW SALARIES.

WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN OUR CHILDREN AND IN THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.

WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE INVESTMENTS IN EARLY EDUCATION.

THERE'S SUCH A BIG RETURN TO MAKING SURE OUR YOUNGEST CAN DEVELOP TO THEIR POTENTIAL, AND NOT JUST IN EDUCATION.

WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE VERY LARGE INVESTMENTS IN CHILD CARE.

FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO FIND AND AFFORD CHILD CARE AND IT'S REALLY HURTING OUR LABOR MARKETS.

WHEN EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR EMPLOYEES, HAVING CHILD CARE AVAILABLE IS REALLY GOING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM FOR BUSINESSES AS WELL.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE RASMUSSON, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> JUSTICE ANDERSON WHEN I TALK TO THE CONSTITUENTS IN OTTERTAIL COUNTY ABOUT 9.3 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS THE FEEDBACK I GET IS TO FOCUS ON PERMANENT TAX RELIEF.

IF WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET WE JUST PASSED LAST YEAR, IT WAS A MAJOR INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING, DOUBLE DIGITS.

IF YOU LOOK ACROSS ALL THE DIFFERENT BUDGET CATEGORIES, FOR ME, THE FOCUS ON EXEMPTING SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME FROM MINNESOTA STATE INCOME TAX IS A PRIORITY.

GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND REPLENISHED.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A REPEAL FOR THE PROVIDER TAX TO HELP MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE MORE AFFORDABLE.

I THINK EVEN THOUGH WE DO HAVE THIS VERY LARGE SURPLUS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S BECAUSE WE ARE OVER TAXING MINNESOTANS, AND ESPECIALLY AS A TOP 5 TAX STATE IN THE COUNTRY BY MANY MEASURES, I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT THIS HISTORIC SURPLUS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE PERMANENT TAX RELIEF TO MINNESOTANS THAT WILL GROW OUR TAX BASE IN THE FUTURE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT EDUCATION FUNDING.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS I THINK AS A PART OF THE BONDING BILL, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS ALWAYS A BIG PRIORITY.

IT'S A PRIORITY OF MINE TO MAKE SURE OUR STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE PRIORITIZED AS PART OF THE BONDING BILL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ASSET PRESERVATION NEEDS.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOFFMAN, EDUCATION, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THREE BIG THINGS TO LOOK FOR, BARRY.

NO.

1 IS THE K-12 EDUCATION, RIGHT?

THERE'S ALWAYS THE PIECE THAT SAYS THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT LAST YEAR, THE 2%, BUT NOW THEY ARE SEEING A NEED FOR MORE BECAUSE YOU SEE AN INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH.

YOU ARE SEEING IT NOT ONLY FROM THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE BUT THE TEACHER PERSPECTIVE.

WE NOW RANK NO.

1 IN THE NATION IN THE WORST RATIO OF STUDENTS TO A COUNSELOR, SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

HOW DO YOU SAY I REALLY WANT TO PRIORITIZE EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA YET I'M NOT GOING TO INVEST IN THE SUPPORTS THAT ARE NEEDED ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT THE WHOLE CHILD.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE WHOLE CHILD, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES AT THE END.

SECOND THING TO LOOK AT IS YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUE, JUSTICE PAGE IS ASKING PEOPLE TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AND SAY IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ARTICLE 13 AND THE STATE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS FAIR AND UNIFORM, NOT ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVERSATION, AND MILLS VERSUS D.C.

BUT RATHER LEVELING UP THAT EDUCATION.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT'S GOING, BARRY, BECAUSE I'M NOT ON THE EDUCATION ANYMORE, BUT I KNOW THAT THAT QUESTION IS STILL SITTING OUT THERE ON THE TABLE.

THE THIRD THING PEOPLE NEED TO LOOK AT AND JENNIFER SCHULTZ, YOU HIT IT, RIGHT.

CHILD CARE IS 25% OF OUR KIDDOS IN CHILD CARE ARE IN SOME DESERT.

THERE'S NOTHING TO SUPPORT THEM.

IF WE HAVE A WORKFORCE PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA, YET WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, PAY OUR CHILD CARE OR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS OR EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKERS A FAIR WAGE, AND ISAIAH FAIR WAGE.

LIKE THE STARTING IS AT $14 AN HOUR.

YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IF YOU ARE LUCKY YOU ARE AT $17 AN HOUR AS AN ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE OR AIDE IN THAT PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY.

WHERE IS OUR INVESTMENT IN THAT?

I WISH I WAS ON THAT COMMITTEE, BARRY, SO WE COULD STILL HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

BUT I DO KNOW THIS.

IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS IT NOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE TO ADDRESS IT?

IT'S GOING TO BE SETTING THERE IN FRONT OF US.

LOOKING AT THE GRASSROOTS, BECAUSE I'M HEARING FROM THE SUPERINTENDENTS, HEARING FROM THE TEACHERS AND HEARING FROM PARENTS ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

BUT WHAT DO WE DO?

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE.

>> SENATOR HOFFMAN HIT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

WE PASSED A BILL TO HAVE A POSITION OF A FAMILY CHILD CARE PERSON THAT PEOPLE COULD CALL IF THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR LICENSURE OR IF THEY NEEDED HELP GETTING AND STARTING A CHILD CARE CENTER.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE PASSED THAT LAST SESSION, AND STILL NO PROGRESS ON ACTUALLY FILLING THAT POSITION TO HELP THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WANTING TO GET INTO THE BUSINESS OR HAVING PROBLEMS STAYING IN THE BUSINESS PROVIDING CHILD CARE.

THEY HAVEN'T FILLED THE POSITION YET.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE DO GOOD WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION ISN'T RESPONDING AND FILLING THE POSITIONS THAT WOULD DRASTICALLY HELP PROVIDE THOSE NEEDED SERVICES TO GET THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE IN A POSITION AND HELP OUR FOLKS BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND GET A JOB IN THE WORKFORCE.

>> Barry: WELL, WITH THAT THOUGHT, SENATOR HOWE, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS FOR ASSISTING US WITH OUR PROGRAM THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO INVITE YOU, THE VIEWERS TO JOIN US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW FOR YOUR LEGISLATOR AND YOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SAME QUESTIONS TO THOSE THAT REPRESENT YOU.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS 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.

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

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY, LLCTESM