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 COMMUNITIES.

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

GOOD EVENING, AND WELCO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I AM BE YOUR HOST THIS WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW.

THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, AND WE INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS TO "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO US AT YOUR TV AT PIONEER.ORG.

WE BEGIN THIS PROGRAM EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS WHO HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR REPRESENTATIVE GENE PELOWSKI.

I PROMOTE YOUD YOU TO THE SENATE THERE.

BUT REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE ANDERSON.

I THINK I WILL GO OVER WHAT I'M DOING ON THE SESSION.

I'M ON THE RULES COMMITTEE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE.

PROPERTY TAX SUBCOMMITTEE.

I CHAIRED THE INDUSTRIAL REGULATION POLICY COMMITTEE AND CHAIRED THE LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE OF RULES.

WITH ALL OF THOSE COMMITTEES AND TWO CHAIRMAN SHIPS I HAVE MORE ENOUGH TO DO.

>> Barry: WE MAY BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INTEREST LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

WITH US, SENATOR BOBBY JOE CHAMPION FROM DISTRICT 59 IN MINNEAPOLIS.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF, I REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 59, WHICH IS NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, THE NORTH LOOP, DOWNTOWN AND I'M ACCOST TOMBED TO SAY I'M ALSO REPRESENTING ST. ANTHONY AREA.

THE COMMITTEES I'M ON RIGHT NOW, FINANCE, THE BIG FINANCE COMMITTEE.

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, ALSO KNOWN AS BONDING.

WE KNOW THIS IS ALSO A BONDING YEAR, AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, I'M THE DFL RANKING MEMBER ON JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THOSE ARE THE COMMITTEES I'M ON, AND I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

I'M AN ATTORNEY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PRACTICING IN AREAS OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE, FAMILY LAW, BUSINESS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THANK YOU.

>> Barry: CHAMPION AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BE ON THE TEEN CHALLENGE.

I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE LAST TIME WE SAW EACH OTHER.

IT WAS AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING, TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU THEN, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU NOW.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

ALSO MOVING ON TO SENATOR JIM ABELER FROM DISTRICT 5 AND ANOKA.

ABELER AND HOFFMAN HAVE BEEN FREQUENT GUESTS ON THE PROGRAM.

WE HAD HIM ON LAST WEEK, AND YOU ON, AND WE WILL GET YOU TOGETHER MAYBE BEFORE THE SESSION IS OVER.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SERVE IN BEING ELECTED 23 YEARS WHICH DOESN'T SEEM POSSIBLE.

MY DAY JOB I'M A CHIROPRACTOR, AND IT'S AMAZING THEY ADD UP TO REAL NUMBERS.

I'M DEEPLY INVOLVED IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NICHE AND THREE COMMITTEES THAT RELATE TO THAT.

THE CHAIR THAT INVOLVES HUMAN SERVICES.

VERY CHALLENGING TIMES WITH WORKFORCE AND HOMELESSNESS AND NURSING HOMES AND GROUP HOMES CLOSING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND STAFF, AND WE ARE UP TO OUR NECK WITH THAT.

IT'S BEEN VERY CHALLENGING, WORKING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND IF YOU EVER WATCH OUR HEARINGS, THEY ARE JUST OFTEN VERY COMPELLING WITH REAL LIFE STORIES ABOUT PARENTS THAT HAVE LOST A SON OR CHALLENGES WITH PEOPLE HAVING TO LEAVE A FAMILIAR GROUP HOME.

SEEMS LIKE A VERY DIFFERENT YEAR WITH THE COVID AND CRISIS AND EVERYTHING COMING OUT OF THAT.

GLAD TO BE HERE AND HAPPY TO BE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

>> FINALLY LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST JOINING US, I THINK, FOR THE FIRST TIME IF I'M CORRECT IS REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN AKLAND FROM DISTRICT 19A AND ST. PETER.

INTRODUCE YOURSELVES TO OUR VIEWERS, GIVE A SENSE OF BACKGROUND, DAY JOB IN ST. PETER AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

IT IS MY FIRST TIME.

I'M REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN AKLAND.

I REPRESENT 19A, WHICH IS ALL OF NICOLLET COUNTY, A LITTLE BIT OF THE SUR COUNTY AND BLUE EARTH COUNTY.

THE MAIN TOWNS IN MY DISTRICT ST. PETER AND A LITTLE BIT OF MANKATO.

PRIOR TO BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE, I WAS -- I WORKED AS AN RN.

I'M A REGISTERED NURSE.

I HAD A CAREER IN NURSING FOR 46 YEARS.

IN MY 46th YEAR I ACTUALLY RESIGNED MY JOB.

I WAS WORKING FOR THE HEALTH SYSTEM AT THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER WHO WAS LIVING WITH US IN OUR HOME ON HOSPICE.

IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO DO BOTH.

SO I RESIGNED MY JOB.

SHE ONLY LIVED SIX WEEKS AFTER I RESIGNED.

I TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF TIME OFF, ABOUT A YEAR AND FELT LIKE I WASN'T QUITE READY FOR RETIREMENT BUT I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT I WAS REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

IT'S FUNNY, I THINK IT WAS RONALD REAGAN WHO SAID, YOU KNOW, DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE.

BECAUSE ONE EVENING I HAD A GROUP OF FRIENDS OVER AND WE WERE TALKING POLITICS.

I WAS EXPRESSING SOME VIEWS AND DISCOURAGED ABOUT SOME THINGS AND FRUSTRATED WITH MANY THINGS.

EXPRESSING MY VIEWS.

ONE OF MY FRIENDS SAID SUSIE, I THINK YOU SHOULD RUN FOR OFFICE.

I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I NEED TO DO.

FROM THAT POINT ON, I SET MY CAP TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND HERE I AM, MY FIRST YEAR.

WITH MY NURSING BACKGROUND, IT'S A PRETTY EASY FIT.

I'M ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE, HEALTH FINANCE AND POLICY AND ALSO ON THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

I WANTED TO BE ON THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE BECAUSE MY COUNTY HAS A LOT OF AG IN IT.

BUT A COUPLE OF THE OTHER FRESHMAN LEGISLATORS WERE FARMERS, SO THEY GOT ON THAT COMMITTEE.

I GOT PUT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

THOSE ARE THE THREE COMMITTEES THAT I'M SERVING RIGHT NOW.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ALL OF THOSE AREAS BEFORE THE EVENING IS OVER.

LET'S TURN FIRST TO A TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM THE VIEWER ABOUT IT, ASKING ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS OF IT IS AND THAT'S THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND AND WHERE THE CONVERSATIONS ARE WITH RESPECT TO THAT ISSUE.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

MAYBE YOU CAN BRING THE FIELD OF PLAY FOR THE VIEWERS AND GO AROUND THE TABLE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THAT, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

>> SURE.

ON FEBRUARY 7th.

SENATOR PRATT INVITED ME TO CARRY THE HOUSE BILL FOR THE FULL PAYMENT OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

HE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE CAPITAL AND I ATTENDED IT.

I WAS THE ONLY DFLER AT THE CONFERENCE.

WE BOTH SPOKE ON THE NEED TO FULLY FUND THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ACCOUNT, NOT PARTIALLY PUNNED IT, CERTAINLY NOT IGNORE IT.

THE ULTIMATE DOWNSIDE HERE IS A TAX THAT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S A PRETTY HEFTY TAX ON SOME OF THE BUSINESSES.

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD FROM SOME OF MY DFL COLLEAGUES, BUSINESSES REALLY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE TAX.

I HAD SOME ISSUES ON FRIDAY WITH SENATOR JEREMY MILLER IN MY DISTRICT AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVE STEVE.

WHEN WE HAVE A 9.2 BILLION DOLLAR PURR WILL YOUS, PUTTING ANY TYPE OF A TAX INTO EFFECT IS ALSO CRAZY BUT ALSO POLITICAL SUICIDE.

THE TAX SHOULD BE PAID BACK FULLY.

WE NEED THAT FUND OPERATIONAL.

THE GOVERNOR AGREES AND COMMISSIONER AGREES, AND WE NEED TO HAVE THE TAX PAID BACK IN FULL.

THE BILL THAT SEEMS TO BE THE BILL THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE HOUSE IS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE NORRIS, AND THIS IS A PARTIAL PAYMENT.

I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN ACHIEVE SOMETHING.

THE IDES OF MARCH CAME THIS WEEK AND THEY LEFT AND WE DID NOT PAY BACK THE TAX WHICH WAS THE COMMISSIONER'S DEADLINE TO START IN MOTION OR STOP IN MOTION WHAT WOULD BE A TAX THAT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 30th.

I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF PAYING IT BACK.

I'M HOPEFUL WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT BY THE END OF SESSION.

ONCE WE GET THAT DONE, I HOPE WE CAN DO A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THAT THE PANDEMIC AS YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW IS SOMETHING THAT SEVERELY AFFECTED ALL OF US AS MINNESOTANS.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO SOLUTIONS, WE SHOULD DEAL WITH MINNESOTANS AS A WHOLE.

I AM PRO BUSINESS AS WELL, BUT I'M ALSO PRO PEOPLE.

I UNDERSTAND BUSINESS IS ALSO RUN BY PEOPLE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WE HAVE ALL BEEN IN THE SAME STORM BUT WE HAVE BEEN IN DIFFERENT BOATS.

IT MEANS WE HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE HOW THE AN DEMOCRATIC AFFECTED US.

I DO THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THOSE BUSINESSES AND THE UI TRUST FUND ISSUE.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS GREAT SACRIFICE AND A LOT OF HARDSHIP THAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY FRONTLINE WORKERS AS WELL.

WHEN WE HEAR SOMEONE SAY THAT WE SHOULD JUST TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESSES AND NOT LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE PROMISED TO DO FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS, THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT, EVEN BEFORE THE LAST SESSION, THAT $250 MILLION WOULD BE WHAT WOULD BE UTILIZED FOR THE FRONTLINE WORKERS.

AS WE SIT HERE TODAY CARING ABOUT THOSE BUSINESSES AND THOSE FRONTLINE WORKERS AND THE GREAT SACK FIGHT THAT BUSINESS AND FRONTLINE WORKERS HAVE MADE FOR US, WE HAVE NOT KEPT OUR PROMISE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE AT ALL.

SO I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT WE WOULD NOT THINK ABOUT BOTH.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO CARE ABOUT BUSINESS AND CARE ABOUT FRONTLINE WORKERS AT THE SAME TIME.

AS WE KNOW, TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HONOR OUR COMMITTEE TO FRONTLINE WORKERS.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN DEMONSTRATE OUR LOVE AND CARE FOR BOTH AND THAT WE CAN DO IT BEFORE THIS SESSION ENDS, AND I TRUST THAT ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNINSURANCE TRUST FUND ISSUE, AS AM I, WE WILL ALSO EXPRESS THE SAME CONCERN ABOUT THOSE FRONTLINE WORKERS WHO HAVE SACRIFICED GREATLY, AND WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THEM.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE NUMBER IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 2.73 BILLION, AND I THINK WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF FRONTLINE WORKERS TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AS WELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR ABELER, YOUR THOUGHTS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

>> ACTUALLY SENATOR PELOWSKI AND I SEE CLOSE EYE TO EYE, BUT I HAVE A DIFFERENT THING TO BRING OUT.

PEOPLE USE THE WORD BUSINESS.

WE ARE PAYING BACK BUSINESSES.

WELL, FIRST UNDERSTAND WHO THESE BUSINESSES ARE.

CARGIL IS IN THERE.

BUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE BUSINESSES PAYING THESE ARE MOM AND POP SHOPS ON MAIN STREET THAT WEATHERED THE MOST INCREDIBLE STORM OF ANY CHALLENGES EVER SEEN IN THE STATE.

THOSE BUSINESSES ON MAIN STREET ARE LITTLE.

THEY WERE SHUT DOWN.

EMPLOYED A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.

WHEN THE TIME CAME AND PEOPLE WERE AFRAID TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE OF HEALTH CONCERNS, THESE COMPANIES DIDN'T SAY OH, NO, WE ARE NOT DOING THAT.

THEY PONIED UP OUT OF THE FUND THEY PAID IN TO HELP THEIR EMPLOYEES, IN SOME CASES 600 BUCKS A WEEK, MORE THAN THEY PAID THEIR EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THEY COULD AFFORD.

SO THE FENCE, WE WENT INTO DEBT WITH THE FENCE FOR OVER A BILLION DOLLARS, AND NOW IT'S TIME TO PAY UP.

NO ONE IS GETTING RICH ON THIS.

THEY ARE GETTING PAID BACK WHAT THEY FRONTED.

IT'S LIKE ADVANCING A PAYCHECK.

ALL MONEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID TO FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

SO IT'S JUST TIME TO GET THIS DONE.

IT DOESN'T DESERVE TO BE LINKED WITH OTHER CONCERNS.

I'M SURE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE PAY IN A LITTLE WHILE, BUT LINKING THINGS TOGETHER SOMETIMES MAKES STUFF MUCH WORSE.

WE SHOULD GET IT DONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND.

>> IN AGREEMENT WITH MOST OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID, THE BUSINESSES SUFFER THROUGH THE EMPLOYERS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THAT WERE FORCED TO BE CLOSED.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND WAS COMPLETELY DEPLETED, AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT WE HAD TO BORROW FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE OWE A DEBT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND EACH DAY THE DEBT THAT IS NOT PAID, IT ACCRUES INTEREST, AN EXTRA $50,000 A DAY I HAVE HEARD.

WE ARE LOSING MONEY THE LONGER WE WAIT TO DO THIS.

AS ONE MENTIONED EARLIER, THE GOVERNOR IS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE BILL AS IT WAS PASSED IN THE SENATE.

THE SENATE DID PASS THE BILL ON A BIPARTISAN VOTE, 55-11.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE IN 100% AGREEMENT TO PASS THIS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

IT TRULY AT THIS POINT IS THE DESIRE OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO COMBINE IT WITH FRONTLINE PAY THAT KEEPS THE BILL FROM PASSING.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO DO THIS.

IT'S COSTING US MONEY.

WHEN THESE SMALL BUSINESSES, SMALL EMPLOYERS, GET THIS BILL, WHICH I UNDERSTAND PROBABLY WENT OUT YESTERDAY, WHAT THAT MEANS IS EITHER THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT OR THEY WILL HAVE TO INCREASE THEIR COSTS.

SO THE COSTS ARE PASSED DOWN TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BUYING THEIR GOODS OR POSSIBLY COULD MEAN REDUCTION IN THE WORKFORCE FOR A BUSINESS IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE EXTRA TAX BECAUSE WHAT I HAD HEARD WAS THAT THE TAX WAS 14 1/2%.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

SO I WISH WE COULD SEPARATE FRONTLINE WORKER PAY, FROM THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, GET THAT OFF OF OUR TO DO LIST, GET IT DONE AND MOVE ON WITH THE TRYING TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THE FRONTLINE WORKER PAY.

>> MAY I RESPOND TO ONE ADDITIONAL THING.

>> Barry: SURE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER WHEN FOLKS SAY WE SHOULD JUST GET IT DONE AND KEEP THEM SEPARATED, REMEMBER THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE CREATED AS A PROBLEM THEMSELVES.

IF WE WOULD HAVE DONE WHAT WE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO DOING, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE FRONTLINE WORKERS IN SEPTEMBER.

I'M NOT TRYING TO COMPARE PAIN, BECAUSE THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO AVOID DOING.

REMEMBER THAT THIS PANDEMIC WASN'T SOMETHING THAT ANY OF US EXPECTED OR ASKED FOR.

BUT WHAT I THINK WE MISS, EVEN AS WE THINK ABOUT THE PAIN OF OUR BUSINESSES, AND THERE IS PAIN, AND I THINK THAT PAIN SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AND ALLEVIATED, WE ARE MISSING THE HEALTH CONCERNS OF EVEN THE FRONTLINE WORKER, THAT THEY LOOK DEATH IN THE EYE, ALSO JEOPARDIZE THEIR OWN HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DIED, NURSES WHO DIED AND OTHERS FORCED TO WORK IN ORDER FOR OUR ECONOMY TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.

WHEN WE THINK OF TERMS OF LONG-TERM CARE WORKERS, PCA'S OR PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS AND CASHIER'S, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, THEY WERE ALSO THERE.

LET'S REMEMBER THAT THE LEGISLATURE CREATED THIS PROBLEM, AND WE SHOULD RESOLVE IT BY TREATING BOTH BUSINESS AND FRONTLINE WORKERS TOGETHER BECAUSE IF WE WOULD HAVE HONORED OUR AGREEMENT FROM THE LAST SESSION, THIS WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE, AND IT WOULD NOT BE ON THE TABLE.

I ALSO AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND.

LET'S TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE.

WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT OFF THE TABLE WHEN WE TOLD MINNESOTANS AND WHEN WE TOLD OTHERS WE WERE GOING TO DEAL WITH IT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THESE THINGS SHOULD BE SEPARATE.

WHEN WE DEALT WITH THIS SEPARATELY INSTEAD OF TURNING OUR BACK ON THE FRONTLINE WORKERS.

WE SHOULD NOT TURN OUR BACK ON FRONTLINE WORKERS OR BUSINESS.

THEY ALL DESERVE TO BE TREATED FAIRLY.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A CALLER WHO JUST CALLED IN AND WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE FRONTLINE WORKER NOTING THIS CALLER HAS RELATIVES SERVING IN THE NURSING PROFESSION, NOTES THAT OTHER STATES ARE DIVIDING UP COVID FUNDS AND TRYING TO GET THIS DONE KIND OF THING, WONDERING WHAT THE STATUS IS.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE TWO THINGS SHOULD BE LINKED.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS IS OF THE PAY FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

SENATOR ABELER, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT'S MY GRANDSON, AND HE'S A BOUNCING FIVE-YEAR-OLD, AND IT ACTUALLY KEEPS YOU GROUNDED.

SO I ENJOY MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR CHAMPION REAL WELL.

HE SAW THERE WAS HOPE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT NEGOTIATION LAST SUMMER.

IT WAS ACTUALLY A HANDWRITTEN DEAL, MEMORANDUM BETWEEN THE LEADERS THAT THEY WOULD GET THIS DONE IN THE SUMMERTIME AND TO THE NURSE, GOOD NEWS.

THE SENATE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO GIVEN THEM $1,500 TO 100,000 PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REMINDED THAT.

THE SIZE OF THE POOL KEPT GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER AND AT SOME POINT THE WHEELS CAME OFF.

NONE OF US ON THIS CALL WERE PART OF THAT DISCUSSION, AND PERHAPS THE FOUR OF US COULD HAVE DONE BETTER GETTING IT PUT TOGETHER.

BUT IT DRAGGED OUT AS EVERY IMPOSSIBLE DECISION HAPPENS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LONGER IT GOES, THE WORSE IT GETS.

THEN YOU TIED OTHER LEGISLATION TO IT.

I KNOW THAT IN EARNEST, JEREMY MILLER AND THE GOVERNOR ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO SORT THIS OUT.

I HOPE THEY CAN.

YOU WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK ALL THE RISKS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEPELOWSKE FRONTLINE WORKER PAY.

>> AS SENATOR ABELER SAID, PRIOR TO THE SESSION THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT ON THE AMOUNT 250, AND THE DISAGREEMENT WAS OVER WHO WAS GOING TO GET THE 250.

THE NEW SURPLUS CAME OUT AND SUDDENLY IT WAS UP TO A BILLION.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED A BILL.

IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE FRAZIER'S BILL.

SO THE STATUS OF IT IS THE HOUSE HAS PASSED ONE VERSION, THE BILLION DOLLAR VERSION, BUT THERE'S NO AGREEMENT AMONG LEADERSHIP AS TO EITHER THE AMOUNT OR WHO IS GOING TO GET IT.

SO IT'S A STALEMATE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND?

>> JUST ONE SMALL CORRECTION.

THE HOUSE DID HEAR THE BILL.

IT WAS NOT A TRULY PARTISAN VOTE, BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE REPUBLICAN WHO VOTED FOR IT.

THAT WAS ME.

I VOTED FOR THAT BILL EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THAT BILL.

THEY SORT OF OUTLINED THAT IT WENT UP FROM 250 FROM 250 MILLION TO A BILLION.

BUT THE PIECES OF THE BILL THAT WERE -- LET ME EXPLAIN THE PIECES THAT WERE DISTURBING TO ME AND YET WHY I VOTED YES ON IT.

THE PIECES THAT WERE DISTURBING TO ME IS THAT IT INCREASED THE DEFINITION OF WHAT A FRONTLINE WORKER WAS FROM PROBABLY 6 OR 7 ORIGINAL WORKERS, WHICH WOULD HAVE INCLUDED NURSES, DOCTORS, MEDICAL ASSISTANTS, PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN THE NURSING HOMES, PEOPLE WHO WORKED IN GROUP HOMES, EIT'S FIRST RESPONDERS, THINGS LIKE THAT, PEOPLE WHO HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO VERY LIKELY HAD COVID.

THAT LIST WAS EXPANDED TO ABOUT 15.

I COULD BE OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT.

IT INCLUDED A LOT MORE PEOPLE.

MANUFACTURING, TEACHERS, RETAIL.

I CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE THEM ALL.

SO IT INCREASED THE LIST.

OKAY, I WILL THINK ABOUT THAT.

THE OTHER THING IT DID THAT I THOUGHT WAS PARTICULARLY NOT FAIR IS THAT IT REQUIRED THAT A PERSON ONLY HAD TO WORK FOR A TOTAL OF 3 WEEKS DURING THE WHOLE TIME THAT IT WAS Z WITHIN A 17-MONTH PERIOD.

CORRECT ME IF I'M OFF ON THAT A LITTLE BIT.

ONLY THREE WEEKS IN THE WHOLE 17 MONTHS THAT WE WERE IN THAT PANDEMIC, THEY WOULD RECEIVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF PAY, THE SAME BENEFIT, THAT SAME BONUS THAT A NURSE WHO HAD WORKED IN THE HOSPITAL EXPOSING HERSELF DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO COVID.

THAT PIECE WAS NOT THERE TO ME EITHER.

THOSE WERE THE TWO MAIN THINGS THAT WERE CONCERNING TO ME.

BUT I COME FROM A DISTRICT THAT IS VERY PURPLE.

I LOOKED AT WHAT MY CONSTITUENTS WERE.

I THOUGHT I THINK MY CONSTITUENTS WOULD FIT IN BETTER WITH SOME OF THE PARAMETERS THAT WERE IN THE BILL AND JUST HOPING THAT THE BILL, WHEN WE SEE IT IN ITS FINAL FORM, WILL MODIFY SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT I WAS REALLY THOUGHT WERE PRETTY EGREGIOUS AND THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND GET A BILL PASSED.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION, I WANT TO GIVE YOU -- SINCE WE CAME BACK IN BETTER DETAIL, I WANT TO GIVE YOU A SECOND ON YOUR THOUGHTS ON SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING, AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN JUDGE ANDERSON.

AS IT PERTAINS TO THE HEROES PAY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS CONCERN TO ME, THERE WAS A COMMITMENT FOR THE $250 MILLION, AND SINCE THAT TIME, IT APPEARS AS IF THE SENATE HAS WALKED AWAY.

THERE'S BEEN NO NEGOTIATION.

EACH IF YOU DISAGREE WITH SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE PUT FORWARD, IT'S WORTH A CONVERSATION.

IT DESERVES THE SAME LEVEL OF URGENCY AS WE THINK ABOUT THESE OTHER THINGS.

SO WHEN INDIVIDUALS WALK AWAY, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT HAS HAPPENED, WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM THE FRONTLINE WORKERS WHETHER THEY AGREE WITH SOMETHING LIKE WHETHER WE SHOULD EVEN SCHOOLTEACHERS, TEACHERS, FOR EXAMPLE WERE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC, TRYING TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN DURING THE PANDEMIC AND EXPERIENCING THEIR OWN CHALLENGES THAT WERE WELL DOCUMENTED.

NURSES, CASHIERS, BUS DRIVERS, EVEN RESIDENTS WHO WORK A LONG, LONG HOURS.

I THINK THEY DESERVE AT LEAST OUR ATTENTION TO HAVE A REAL TIME DISCUSSION.

IN THE SENATE UNFORTUNATELY, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE AND I HOPE IT'S DIFFERENT THAT SENATOR MILLER AND THE OTHERS WOULD GET BACK TO THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT IT.

I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI REALLY APPRECIATES, AS I DO, JEREMY MILLER.

I KNOW HE WAS ALSO A STUDENT OF SENATOR PELOWSKI AT ONE TIME AS WELL.

I'M SURE WE ALL UNDERSTAND IN THE LEGISLATURE WE SOMETIMES MAKING SAUSAGE, AND WE PULL THINGS TOGETHER.

WE TALK ABOUT IT.

WE GET TO THE TABLE.

WE GIVE IT THE ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVES.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE, EVEN IF WE DISAGREE WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED OR NOT, WE SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE NEGOTIATING AND NOT WALKING AWAY.

IT FEELS LIKE MY SENATE COLLEAGUES WHO I ADORE AND APPRECIATE HAVE WALKED AWAY, AND I THINK THEY HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM MINNESOTANS, AND MINNESOTANS ARE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF PEOPLE WHO JUST WALK AWAY AND SAID BECAUSE WE CANNOT AGREE OVER THE SUMMER WHEN WE SHOULD HAVE COME IN IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO HAMMER OUT A DEAL, AND RIGHT NOW THAT DEAL COULD STILL BE HAMMERED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE HAMMERED OUT, AND IF SOMEONE THINKS 250 BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE AGREED TO AND 250 AND A BILLION DOLLARS, LET'S TALK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE $9 BILLION WE ARE OKAY WITH SPENDING 2.73 BILLION ON THE UI, ALSO OKAY WITH SPENDING OVER A BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE REINSURANCE.

WE ARE ALSO OKAY WITH SPENDING ANOTHER $8 BILLION FOR PERMANENT TAX CUTS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE NOT EVEN HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT OTHERS WHO ALSO HELP OUR LOVED ONES, OUR SENIORS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AS EXAMPLES WHO WERE LOOKING AFTER OUR LOVED ONES ON A DAILY BASIS.

I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE.

I HOPE WE WOULD GET BACK TO THE TABLE BECAUSE MINNESOTANS DESERVE IT, BOTH OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS.

>> Barry: SENATOR ABELER, LET'S GO TO A TOPIC YOU TOUCHED ON IN THE OPENING REMARKS.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER, AND THIS IS THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME WE HAVE ABOUT THE QUESTION WHICH IS THE CLOSING OF GROUP HOMES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED AMONG OTHERS BECAUSE OF REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND ISSUES SURROUNDING COSTS.

I KNOW YOU HAVE FOLLOWED THIS ISSUE CLOSELY.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S A TWO HEADED QUESTION.

I WANT TO SAY ONE THING.

I COULD SENSE THE DISAPPOINTMENT IN SENATOR CHAMPION'S VOICE THINKING PEOPLE WALKED AWAY.

ACTUALLY THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ALL WEEK.

EVEN ON THE NEWS COMING OUT OF MEETINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.

NO ONE IS IT WALKING AWAY.

WE CAN HAVE OUR OPINIONS.

BUT THE GROUP HOME THING IS A TRUE CRISIS.

WORKERS THAT DON'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY, WE HAVE THEM UNDER $15 IN THE LAST SESSION AND WE WERE SO PLEASED AND COVID CAME, AND SOME COULDN'T WORK THAT CHOSE NOT TO WORK BECAUSE THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH.

BUILDINGS WERE VACATED IN SOME CASES TO ALLOW FOR RECOVERIES.

IT'S JUST BEEN NO END TO THE CRISIS.

NOW BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET WORKERS, MANY GROUP HOMES ARE CLOSING AND WE HAVE LOST 60 BEDS, AND IT'S THE USUAL AVERAGE OVER THE REGULAR YEAR.

WHEN THEY CLOSE A BED, THERE'S NO PLACE TO SEND THEM.

WE HAD A HEARING TODAY AND TUESDAY, AND TALKING A LOT ABOUT IT.

WE HAD SIX INTERIM HEARINGS, AND WE ARE JUST IN A WORLD OF HURT.

SO BOTH THE SENATE ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE BROUGHT UP PLANS ABOUT HOW TO DO STOPGAP.

BUT THE PROBLEM GOES VERY, VERY DEEP.

IT IS ACTUALLY TERRIFYING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH SOME OF THE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT NEED THEIR TRACHE CLEANED EVERY HALF HOUR OR THEY WILL DIE.

OR PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES WHERE NURSING HOMES ARE CLOSING ALL ACROSS THE STATE, PARTICULARLY IN MINNESOTA WHERE THERE'S NOWHERE TO PUT THEM.

IT'S REALLY A PROBLEM.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEPELOWSK.

>> I HAD TWO MEETINGS LAST WEEK EITHER WITH CLIENTS AND WITH STAFF OR WITH DIRECTORS OF COMMUNITY OPTIONS IN WINONA, AND ONE OF THE 10 HOMES THAT CLOSED IN ROCHESTER, THERE'S A CRISIS WITH THAT, AND YESTERDAY I HAD ANOTHER MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OPTIONS IN WINONA AND THEY ARE POISED TO CLOSE HOMES.

THIS PERHAPS IS AS BIG A CRISIS AS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN HEALTHCARE.

THERE'S NO SAFETY NET FOR THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, JUDGE ANDERSON, I GUESS, WOULD BE THEIR SAFETY NET.

THAT'S NOT MUCH OF A SAFETY NET.

WE DESPERATELY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE CAN KEEP THE PROGRAMS GOING AND THAT WE CAN OFFER ENOUGH PAID THAT WE CAN HAVE A STABLE WORKFORCE.

THIS IS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY TASKING WORK, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY WE ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE COLLEGES AND COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO WILL DO IT.

IT'S A ROAD CHANGING SYSTEM OF WORKERS.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR ABELER.

WE NEED TO DO THIS.

THIS MAY BE THE SECOND HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR ME, AT LEAST, IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION IS ADDRESSING THE CRISIS THAT HAS BECOME OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THAWJ.

BEFORE I MOVE TO THIS, I WANT TO MAKE A CORRECTION ON MY STATEMENT.

IF A PERSON WORKED THREE WEEKS OUT OF 15, THREE WEEKS OUT OF 15 MONTHS NOT 17 MONTHS.

I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CORRECTION.

I USED POOR ENGLISH WHO SAID IT WAS ME WHO VOTED FOR THE BILL.

I SHOULD HAVE SAID IT WAS I.

>> Barry: YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORK IN THE GRAMMAR OF THE COURT AT ANY TIME BECAUSE YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS.

>> THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE IN HEALTHCARE IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

I TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE IN MY OWN DISTRICT ABOUT THE ISSUES.

WHETHER IT'S IN THE CLINIC THAT MY HUSBAND WORKS IN AND THEY ONLY HAVE X-RAY TWO DAYS A WEEK BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND AN EXRA TECH OR WHETHER IT'S IN THE HOSPITAL OR THE CLINICS, ACROSS THE BOARD I HEAR ABOUT THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

THE ONE PLACE I HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT WAS TRULY IN THE GROUP HOMES THAT ARE IN MY COMMUNITY.

ONE OF MY GROUP HOMES DID HAVE TO CLOSE DOWN BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF TO STAFF IT.

BUT I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT ONE THING THAT WE ARE DOING, A POSITIVE THING, IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO BUILD IT UP TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, BUT ONE THING WE HAVE DONE IS WE HAVE PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAMS.

ANYONE GOING INTO THE HEALTHCARE FIELD, WHETHER IT'S A PHYSICIAN, NURSE, A MEDICAL ASSISTANT, X-RAY TECH, WHATEVER THE FIELD IS, EVEN THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS, WHEN THOSE STUDENTS COME OUT OF SCHOOL, IF THEY WILL WORK IN AN UNDERSERVED AREA, THEY CAN WORK IN THAT AREA TO GET LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR LOANS THEY ACCUMULATED IN THE DAYS OF EDUCATION.

WE KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM I HEAR IS WE HAVE, LIKE THE GROUP HOME, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH THEY RAISE THE SALARY, CORPORATIONS LIKE AMAZON OFFER MORE.

PERHAPS EVEN BETTER BENEFITS.

WE ARE IN A CYCLE HERE OF RAISING SALARIES, AND THEY CAN GO SOMEWHERE AND WORKOUTS OF THE HEALTHCARE FIELD AND MAKE MORE MONEY.

SO WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING THIS.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN.

THE TOPIC THAT YOU HAVE JUST HIGHLIGHTED REALLY CASTS LIGHT ON A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, WHICH IS PEOPLE WHO ARE WHAT I CONSIDER HEROES AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE TRENCHES DOING THIS WORK AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WORK IN THE DISABILITIES COMMUNITY IN GROUP HOMES AND DOING THE WORK IN LONG-TERM FAIR FACILITIES, CHILD CARE WORKERS, YOU NAME IT.

THE REIMBURSABLE RATES ARE LOW.

THEY ARE NOT MAKING LIVEABLE WAGES FOR WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL FAMILY SUSTAINED WAGES.

IF WE CONTINUE TO IGNORE THAT, REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND IS CORRECT.

THEY THEN CAN GO DOWN THE STREET TO, LET'S SAY MCDONALD'S OR GO SOMEPLACE ELSE TO WORK, AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

WE ARE LOSING AND WE HAVE BEEN HEMORRHAGING WHEN WE THINK OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY WANT THIS AS A CAREER BECAUSE THEY CARRY INDIVIDUALS AND WANT TO CARE FOR THE LOVED ONES, AND WE ARE LOSING THEM.

THIS IS FAR TOO LONG.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND WE ARE CREATING A DOMINO EFFECT.

SO SOMEONE IS NOT MAKING A LIVEABLE OR FAMILY SUSTAINED WAGE AND WE KEEP FOCUSING ON MINIMUM WAGE.

THAT'S STILL POVERTY.

THEY THEN CAN GET HOUSING BECAUSE WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE HEALTHCARE AND THE OTHER BENEFITS THAT THEIR FAMILY NEEDS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY NOT ONLY HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS BUT THEY NEED TO OWN THEIR HOME.

IF YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO GO TO COLLEGE OR VO-TECH, YOU WANT TO HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME IN ORDER TO SAVE UP TO DO THOSE THINGS.

WE ARE IGNORING THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND WE HAVE REFUSED TO THINK ABOUT LIFTING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO HAUNT US BECAUSE WE NEED LABORERS.

WE HAVE A GRAY TSUNAMI.

IF WE WANT OUR BUSINESSES TO REMAIN GLOBALLY AND NATIONALLY COMPETITIVE, WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ARE WE CREATING HERE IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA A GREAT PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO WORK, LIVE AND PLAY.

THESE ARE ALSO THE FRONTLINE WORKERS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, RIGHT?

THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE HERO PAY.

THESE ARE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT BOTH THROUGH ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AND SHOWING THAT WE VALUE THOSE INDIVIDUALS AT A TIME WHEN WE NEED THEM BECAUSE THOSE ARE ALSO ON THE BORDER, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE GOING ACROSS TO WISCONSIN, GOING ACROSS THE DAKOTAS AND OTHER PLACES.

WE AS MINNESOTANS HAVE TO STEP UP BECAUSE I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THESE RATES ARE SO LOW AND HAVE BEEN QUITE LOW FOR SOME TIME.

IT HIGHLIGHTED THE PROBLEMS, AND SO I THINK WE HAVE TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT.

IF WE SAY THIS IS IMPORTANT, WHY HAVEN'T WE DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE BILL COME THROUGH THAT WAS CHANGING OR INCREASING THE REIMBURSABLE RATES FOR GROUP HOMES OR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES OR WORKERS.

WE HAVEN'T.

SO OUR VALUES SHOULD REFLECT OUR BUDGET OR OUR BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT OUR VALUES.

I'M AFRAID WE ARE SAYING THE RIGHT THING BUT WE ARE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING.

LOVE IS AN ACTION WORD.

WE SHOULD DEMONSTRATE OUR COMMITMENT TO MINNESOTANS.

I HOPE WE WOULD DO THAT IN REAL TIME.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC.

WE WILL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BONDING.

THIS IS A BONDING YEAR, AND BONDING ISSUES ARE ALSO PRESENT THAT VIEWERS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT, AND I SOMETIMES GET OFF LINE QUESTIONS, ONE OF WHICH I RECEIVED WITHIN RECENT WEEKS THAT HAD TO DO WITH POSSIBLY REPLACING SMITH HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT BUILDING, PART OF MINNESOTA'S BONDING REQUEST, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FROM AROUND MINNESOTA.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

I'M PICKING ON YOU BECAUSE I KNOW YOU FOLLOW EDUCATION BONDING BILLS VERY CLOSELY BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF YOUR STATUS AS A VETERAN AT THE LEGISLATURE.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE THE BONDING PROCESS IS AT AND SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT YOU THINK ARE OF CONCERN.

>> THE BONDING BILL IS ONE OF THE TWO VIABLE BILLS, I THINK, THIS SESSION THAT WOULD BE CLASSIC OMNIBUS BILLS.

WHEN YOU GET OUTSIDE THE TAX BILL AND BONDING BILL, YOU ARE IN A NEW TYPE OF BILL AND THESE WOULD HAVE MUCH MAULER BILLS, WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME AGO AND TARGETED AMOUNT OF MONEY AROUND THE BILL.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THERE ARE THREE VERSIONS OF THE BONDING BILL THAT ARE IN PLACE IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

ONE OF THEM IS A CASH BONDING BILL WHICH DOESN'T MEAN YOU NEED 81 VOTES.

YOU NEED 68.

THE SECOND ONE WOULD BE PARTIAL CAST, PARTIAL BONDING.

YOU WOULD NEED 81 TO PASS IT.

THE TRADITIONAL BONDING BILL WHICH WILL TAKE 81 VOTES.

IN TWO OF THE THREE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT IT.

YOU ASKED ABOUT WHAT'S IN THE BILL.

THERE WOULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THE BILL, PARTICULARLY HIGHWAYS, ROADS, BRIDGES AND ALL OF THE CLASSIC TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

IF YOU HAVE HIGHER ED FACILITIES, THE MOST CRITICAL PART IS CALLED ASSET PRESERVATION, HEATING AND VENTILATING SYSTEMS.

IF YOU HAVE AN ASBESTOS PROBLEM, ALL OF THAT WOULD BE PART OF THIS BILL.

THERE WOULD BE NEW PROJECTS IN THE BILL, AND THE NEW PROJECTS, WELL, FOR ME, WE WOULD HAVE ONE NEW BUILDING AT WINONA STATE AND ADDRESSING THE PORT AUTHORITY.

THERE ARE ONLY FIVE CITIES IN MINNESOTA THAT ARE CLASSIFIED AS PORTS.

BUT THIS HAS BEEN CRITICAL, THE AMOUNT OF GOODS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING IN DURING THE TIMES WHEN THE RIVER IS OPEN HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE PANDEMIC.

SO THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT I WATCH VERY CLOSELY.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A DISCUSSION YET ON THE BONDING BILL.

I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT TIME IS TICKING.

I THINK WE HAVE SEVEN WEEKS LEFT IN THIS SESSION.

WE BETTER HAVE SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR, I WOULD SAY, WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, SO WE CAN GET THAT TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND WORKING UP.

BUT THE BONDING BILL WOULD HAVE TO START IN THE HOUSE.

>> SENATOR CHAMPION.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN.

I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL QUESTION, BECAUSE USUALLY THIS YEAR IS KNOWN AS THE BONDING YEAR.

EVEN THOUGH WE SAY THE WORD BONDING, IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR ASSETS ACROSS THE STATE.

I LIKE TO REFER TO THE BONDING BILL AS A JOBS BILL.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT MINNESOTANS BACK TO WORK WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE WE HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE AROUND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT THAT I HAVE HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT AND I HAVE EMBRACED THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME IS FOR IT TO BE AN EQUITY PROVISION AS PART OF THE BONDING BILL.

THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE LIFTING UP IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS INJECTION OF THIS INVESTMENT AS A WAY TO BE A CATALYST FOR OTHER ECONOMIC GROWTH.

TO ME, THAT'S IMPORTANT ALONG WITH HIGHER ED.

WE NEED TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

I ALSO THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INCREASED FOCUS ON LOCAL PROJECTS.

THERE ARE THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT MAY NOT BE ROADS AND BRIDGES OR MAY NOT BE UNIVERSITY LIKE SOME OF US HAVE IN OUR DISTRICT BUT MAY BE IMPORTANT FOR THAT COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S AT THE PARK BOARD OR WHETHER IT'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAS A PUBLIC GOOD AND A REGIONAL VALUE TO IT THAT WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO.

IT'S A JOB BILL.

WE SHOULD REALLY DO IT IN REAL TIME 6789.

I HOPE THE HOUSE PUSHES THE ENVELOP.

RIGHT NOW WITH INTEREST RATES THAT WOULD BE LOW, BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT REFINANCING LIKE SOME OF THE STADIUM RESERVES AND OTHER THINGS IN ORDER TO SAVE MINNESOTANS MONEY IN COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES.

I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO THINK FORWARD WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF THE JOB BILL, BECAUSE I THINK THAT WILL BENEFIT MINNESOTANS AS A WHOLE.

>> Barry: SENATOR ABELER.

>> WELL, THANKS.

NOT TO REPEAT IT.

JUST SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE, NONE OF THE MONEY THAT COMES FROM ANY OF THE STUFF IS FREE.

IT ACTUALLY COMES FROM YOUR VIEWERS, AND WE SEND MONEY TO WASHINGTON AND THEY KEEP 10 OR 20% OF IT AND SEND US BACK SOME FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND ALL OF THESE COVID FUNDS.

WE SHOULD DO A BONDING BILL, ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IT NEEDS TO BE, IN MY OPINION FOCUSED AND PRUDENT, BECAUSE WE ARE BORROWING MONEY.

WHAT WOULD I WANT TO HAVE HIM PAY FOR?

WHAT WOULD BE GOOD ENOUGH?

SOMETIMES THE PROJECTS IN THERE ARE FRANKLY PETTY AND TOO LOCAL YOU SHOULD EXPECT SOMEBODY TO PAY FOR SOMETHING IN DULUTH THAT BENEFITS THEIR TOWN.

AS WITH THE HERO PAY, THERE'S A GREAT DEBATE WHAT IS A PROJECT THAT'S WORTHY.

THIS IS A REGIONAL PROJECT STATEWIDE.

SO THE DEBATE CONTINUES.

I WANTED TO MENTION ONE THING ELSE.

SENATOR PELOWSKI WILL NOD HIS HEAD.

THIS PROCESS HAS BECOME ONE OF THE WORST PROCESSES IN THE LAST SEVERAL BONDING, THE LAST SEVERAL HALF A DECADE OR MORE WHERE THERE'S ALMOST NO PUBLIC DEBATE.

SO HAD A FEW LEADERS AND OUTCOMES THE BILL, AND TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, AND NO CHANCE TO AMEND IT OR NO CHANCE TO GET A COALITION TO GET RID OF A PROJECT THAT IS GOOD AND PUT A BETTER ONE IN WHERE IT IS TRULY A VOTE.

I THINK IF ANYONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING, IT WOULD BE TRANSPARENCY AND FRANKLY MINNESOTA ANSWER DESERVE BETTER.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND.

>> I REALLY APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION AND TO HEAR THE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS ON THIS.

I WILL ADMIT BONDING IS NOT ONE OF MY STRENGTHS.

I'M LEARNING.

I'M LEARNING HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS.

TO HEAR THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T THINK IT'S WORKING EXACTLY LIKE IT OUGHT TO, THAT'S ENCOURAGING TO ME, BECAUSE MAYBE THAT'S PART OF MY LEARNING PROCESS, BEING HERE, BEING ON ZOOM HAS NOT BEEN NORMAL.

I HAVE WAY MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THE WONING PROCESS.

I DO KNOW THAT FOR ME IT'S TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE, TRYING TO FOCUS ON THE ROADS AND BRIDGES, MAKE SURE THEY STAY IN GOOD REPAIR.

ALSO MAINTAINING OUR ASSETS.

WHAT I KNOW IS IN MY COMMUNITY OR JUST CLOSE TO IT, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MANKATO, WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR A BONDING PROJECT TO REPLACE ARMSTRONG HALL.

WE HAVE ANOTHER REQUEST -- I HAVE ANOTHER REQUEST IN THE BONDING PROJECT FOR THE CITY OF NORTH MANKATO, THE PARK PROJECT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT THE REGION.

SO WE ARE HOPING FOR THAT, AND THEN OUR OWN -- ALSO MY DISTRICT IS SOUTH CENTRAL COLLEGE.

SO THEY ARE ASKING FOR SOME KEEPER FUNDS TO REPLACE THEIR HVAC SYSTEM AND DO OTHER REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN MY DISTRICT.

ALSO THE SKYLINE WANT A NEW WATER TOWER.

THERE'S A REGIONAL WATER RESOURCE FACILITY THAT NEEDS MONEY, ALSO.

SO I SEE ALL OF THESE REQUESTS FOR MONEY FOR THESE PROJECTS AND HOW THIS ALL WORKS TOGETHER IN THE FINAL BONDING BILL.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE, BUT I HOPE MY PROJECTS ARE INCLUDED.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI -- GO AHEAD, SENATOR CHAMPION.

>> I'M SORRY.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE ABOUT SOMETHING AROUND THE BONDING QUESTION.

JUDGE ANDERSON, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO SOMETHING SENATOR ABELER SAID.

HE SAID SHOULD SOMEONE FROM ONE AREA PAY FOR SOMETHING IN ANOTHER AREA.

I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND US THAT WE ARE MINNESOTANS AND WE LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE DO.

WE DO IT EVEN ON A TAX BASIS.

MINNEAPOLIS IS THE TAX BASE FOR THE ENTIRE STATE WITH THE ECONOMIC ENGINE.

WE PAY MORE IN TAXES IN ORDER TO HELP SUBSIDIZE THINGS FOR OUR RURAL AND SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES, AND WE DO SO BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS DO, AND SO WE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER, WHETHER IT'S A NATURAL DISASTER AND WHETHER IT'S IN LATE OR IN MANKATO.

I BELIEVE IT'S PART OF MY COMMITMENT AS A MINNESOTAN TO HELP EACH OTHER.

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE IN THE BONDING BILL SHOULD BE MINNESOTA IS LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER SO THAT IF SOMEONE COMES IN YOUR AREA, WHERE IT'S LOCAL, THERE IS ALSO A REGIONAL BENEFIT.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE TOURISM AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE IN OUR GREAT STATE, AND THERE'S APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT AND THAT REFLECTS OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER AND CULTURE AND OPPORTUNITY.

SO I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD THINK ABOUT US BEING LINKED AND CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER IN A WAY THAT BENEFITS ALL OF US SO WE CAN ATTRACT OTHERS THAT WANT TO COME TO OUR STATE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEWSKI, IN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS QUESTION THAT SENATOR ABELER INVITED YOUR COMMENT ON ABOUT THE PROCESS BY WHICH THESE BONDING BILLS ARE HANDLED.

AGREE OR DISAGREE?

>> I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THEM.

BUT I WOULD EXPAND THAT BEYOND THE BONDING BILL.

THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE BECOME ADDICTED TO SPECIAL SESSIONS.

THERE'S NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE PROVED THAT IN 2020 BY HAVING 7 OF THEM.

WE PROVED IT IN 2021 WITH A SESSION THAT LASTED ALL OF JUNE.

TO SENATOR ABELER'S POINT.

ALL OF THOSE SPECIAL SESSIONS ENDED WITH FOUR PEOPLE BASICALLY DOING EVERYTHING.

EVERYBODY ELSE SAT AROUND AND WAITED AND THEN WHATEVER WAS NEEDED TO BE DONE, WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS, BECAUSE THE FOUR PEOPLE HAD DONE IT, USUALLY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, THE LEADER OF THE SENATE, THE GOVERNOR AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A MINORITY LEADER INVOLVED IN IT.

BUT THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN LIGHTLY.

THIS ADDICTION TO SPECIAL SESSIONS AND PARTICULARLY ALLOWING A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE TO COMPLETE THE $54 BILLION BUDGET AND BONDING BILLS ON TOP OF IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HOPE WILL NOT HAPPEN THIS SESSION.

I ALLUDED TO IT EARLIER.

THESE BILLS SHOULD COME TO THE FLOOR INDEPENDENTLY.

THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

WE SHOULD HAVE EITHER 6 OR 10 MEMBERS ON THOSE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES REPORTING BACK TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE WITH BILLS THAT ARE UNDERSTANDABLE, NOT 1300 PAGES THAT WHEN WE PASS IT OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR, A WEEK LATER WE NEED A 200 PAGE CORRECTION BILL.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.TO BE SUPPOR THAT, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER -- WE OFTEN GET QUESTIONS HERE THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T NECESSARILY FOLLOW.

THIS IS A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S BEEN ANY PROGRESS IN FIGURING OUT HOW TO PUT NATURAL GAS LINES INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE AITKIN AREA.

I DON'T PROFESS TO KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS.

BUT LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND.

HAS THERE BEEN ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE.

>> THERE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY MY COMMITTEE.

I SUPPOSE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN ENERGY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEPELOWSK?

>> I HAVE NOT BEEN ON ANY OF THE COMMITTEES, SO I COULDN'T RESPOND TO IT IN ANY DETAIL.

>> Barry: SENATOR ABELER.

>> I KNOW NOTHING BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I COULDN'T COMMENT ON IT.

THANKS.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION?

>> I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Barry: THAT'S ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS THAT WE WILL SAVE THAT FOR A FUTURE PANEL.

WE HAVE A COUPLE VIEWERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S GOING TO BE POSSIBLE TO ELIMINATE TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

A VIEWER IN MILLE LACS COUNTY AND I THINK ORR.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE AKLAND.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON RELIEVING TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL BE ON THE TABLE.

THERE HAS BEEN LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO MOVE THAT FORWARD.

MINNESOTA IS ONLY ONE OF 12 STATES -- 12 OR 13 STATES THAT STILL TAX SOCIAL SECURITY.

I THINK IT WILL BE WELL FOR US TO FOLLOW THAT PATH.

WE WANT TO MAKE MINNESOTA A TAX FRIENDLY STATE.

THAT IS ONE THING THAT WE COULD DO TO POSSIBLY ACCOMPLISH TWO THINGS.

IT MAY NOT KEEP PEOPLE HERE JUST BECAUSE OF THAT, BUT IT WOULD MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE AND HELP PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS.

>> Barry: WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

SENATOR CHAMPION, YOUR VIEW ON THAT REAL QUICKLY, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT HAPPEN?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSED AND DEBATED.

THERE'S INTEREST IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, THAT'S WHAT I WILL SAY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE SPLOW SKI, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> PREVIOUS SESSIONS THE ARGUMENT WAS WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCES.

WE SHOULD DO IT.

WE SHOULD ELIMINATE THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> Barry: SENATOR ABELER.

>> MY DOLLAR IS IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY DOLLAR, IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS THIS EVENING FOR HELPING UP UNREFERABLE THE MYSTERY OF ST. PAUL.

I WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT WE WILL BE COMING TO YOU AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

TAKES US THROUGH THE END OF MAY.

I INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SEND THEM ELECTRONICALLY TO US AT ANY TIME, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED ON A FUTURE EPISODE.

AS ALWAYS, THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU, AND WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT TO YOU ON A WEEKLY BASIS DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

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 TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE WORKING FOR FARMERS.

ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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