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 OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

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

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS EVENING OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING MINNESOTA WITH A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS WHO'LL HELP UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY OF ST. PAUL.

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I WILL BE YOUR HOST AND MODERATOR FOR THIS EVENING.

THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND WE INVITE YOU TO CALL IN REQUEST QUESTIONS 1-HUNDRED, 326-718.

OR SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS THROUGH THE E-MAIL AND THE STAFF WILL MAKE SURE THE QUESTIONS GET TO OUR PANEL.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU WE WILL BE WITH YOU NOT ONLY THIS WEEK BUT FOR ALL THE REST OF THE WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

WE REACHED THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE ACTION ON INTERESTING BILLS, AND WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS SOME OF THAT THIS EVENING.

IN FACT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN SO BUSY THAT AT THE MOMENT WE HAVE TWO GUESTS THIS EVENING.

WE MAY HAVE THREE.

WE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE IF OUR THIRD GUEST IS ABLE TO JOIN US GIVEN THE PRESSURES AND TIME COMMITMENTS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

SO LET'S BEGIN THIS EVENING AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND GIVING EACH OF THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR DAY JOB, HOW LONG THEY HAVE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, COMMITTEES AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

BOTH OF OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING HAVE BEEN WITH US ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, AND WE ARE DELIGHTED THEY ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING AS WELL.

LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR PATRICIA TORRES RAY.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TONIGHT, AND I HOPE -- YOU KNOW, MY TERM IS ENDING.

I ANNOUNCED I WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR SENATE.

IT'S BEEN MY PLEASURE TO REPRESENT 62 FOR 16 YEARS.

MY DISTRICT INCLUDES PARTS OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS AND RICH HILL.

SO I AM THE ONLY DISTRICT THAT HAS PREDOMINANTLY URBAN AREA AND SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES.

>> Barry: CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF YOUR PRIORITIES THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, COMMITTEES THAT ARE PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT FOR OUR VIEWERS.

>> WELL MY DISTRICT AND THE ENTIRE STATE OF MINNESOTA REALLY HURTING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE MANY SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN DEFICITS, SO EDUCATION REALLY IS A TOP PRIORITY IN MY DISTRICT AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

THE TOP PRIORITY FOR MY CONSTITUENTS RIGHT NOW IS TO ENSURE THAT WE INVEST THE $9 MILLION THAT WE HAVE, THE SURPLUS, IN EDUCATION, AND DEALING WITH HOUSING ISSUES, AND AS YOU KNOW LIVING IN MINNEAPOLIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE TODAY, AND SO WE HAVE SOME REALLY BIG CHALLENGES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO STAY IN THE CITY, YOUNG FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO GET BIGGER HOMES.

IF I AM TO PICK A COUPLE OF ISSUES, I BELIEVE THAT THOSE ARE REALLY THE MOST CONCERNING TO MY DISTRICT.

, YOU KNOW, THE TEACHERS SALARIES, PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEFICITS THAT MANY SCHOOLS HAVE IN THE DISTRICT RIGHT NOW, AND WE WERE ABLE TO COME OUT OF THE STRIKE, AND THE UNION WAS ABLE TO NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT, BUT IT'S NOT A VERY GOOD CONTRACT.

IT'S A SMALL SOLUTION FOR NOW.

THE STATE REALLY NEEDS TO STEP IN AND PUT MORE FUNDING INTO THE FORMULA IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE.

>> Barry: WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT AT GREATER LENGTH ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES.

THANKS FOR THE INTRODUCTION.

ALSO JOINING US THIS EVENING IS REPRESENTATIVE TONY JURGENS FROM DISTRICT 54B, COTTAGE GROVE.

REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON, AND THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME BACK.

I MENTIONED BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR I RAN INTO SENATOR HOFFMAN WHEN WE FINISHED THE SESSION.

I SAID I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT HIM.

NORMALLY THE ONLY TIMES I HAVE BEEN ON, SENATOR HOFFMAN HAS BEEN ON IT AS WELL.

I'M HAPPY TO BE BACK.

I AM FROM DISTRICT 54B WHICH IS COTTAGE GROVE, HASTINGS, AFTON.

THIS IS MY THIRD TERM IN THE HOUSE, AND THE PRIORITIES THAT I HAVE COMING INTO THE SESSION, MY PARTY IS IN THE MINORITY, SO MY PRIORITIES MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS WHAT WE ARE SEEING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE GET DONE IS CHAPTER 12 IN STATUTE, WHICH IS THE CHAPTER THAT -- THE STATUTE THAT GIVES THE GOVERNOR HIS EMERGENCY POWERS.

I THINK WE SAW THROUGH THE COVID YEARS FROM 2020 AND 2021 HOW THAT STATUTE REALLY WASN'T WRITTEN FOR A PANDEMIC.

IN FACT, IT WAS WRITTEN OVER 20 YEARS AGO, AND IT'S MORE FOR NATURAL DISASTERS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE AS A LEGISLATURE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND ADJUST, SPECIFICALLY AS WE KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO RENEW HIS EMERGENCY POWERS EVERY 30 DAYS AND THE LEGISLATURE ONLY HAS THE POWER TO TAKE THAT AWAY.

I THINK THAT SHOULD BE BACKWARDS.

I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO CONTINUE EMERGENCY POWERS, IT SHOULD BE THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO AUTHORIZE IT, AND OTHERWISE IT ENDS.

ANOTHER PRIORITY, OF COURSE, IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING IN MY DISTRICT IN THE SUBURBAN AREA.

IT'S NOT JUST MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL THAT ARE SEEING BIG CRIME INCREASES.

THAT'S SPILLING OUT INTO THE SUBURBS AS WELL.

I JUST SAW ON SOCIAL MEDIA YESTERDAY THERE WAS ON A PURSUIT THAT STARTED IN MY DISTRICT IN COTTAGE GROVE AND ENDED IN, I BELIEVE, ST. PAUL.

SO THE CRIME THAT WE ARE SEEING IS SPILLING OUT INTO THE SUBURBS.

YOU ARE SEEING CARJACKINGS AND CAR THEFTS AND PEOPLE ARE STEALING CAR IN ONE AREA AND COMMITTING CRIMES AND STEALING ANOTHER CAR TO GO HOME.

PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO FEEL SAFE NOT JUST IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS BUT FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY GO IN FOR A CONCERT.

SENATOR TORRES MENTIONED THE SURPLUS, THE 29 P BILLION DOLLARS PLUS FEDERAL MONEY.

WE HAVE 10, 11, $12 BILLION TOTAL.

THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF CASH AVAILABLE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS BIENNIUM, AND AS WE KNOW, THAT'S A FORECAST.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE $9 BILLION IN THE BANK RIGHT NOW.

THE GOOD NEWS IS LAST YEAR AT THE VERY END OF THE SPECIAL SESSION, WE DID PASS A FULL BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM, AND NOTHING HAS TO BE DONE WITH THAT, WITH THAT SURPLUS, BUT THERE ARE, AS SENATOR TORRES KNOWS, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE REQUESTING SOMETHING TO BE DONE.

THEY HAVE IDEAS ON WHAT WE COULD DO WITH THAT MONEY, WHERE WE COULD SPEND IT.

>> Barry: SOMETIMES OUR GUESTS HAVE OBSERVED THE CHALLENGE OF SURPLUSES CAN BE AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE CHALLENGE OF DEFICITS.

IT'S A COMPLICATED SITUATION.

SENATOR TORRES RAY, LET'S START WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT -- LET'S START WITH THE FLOOR ACTION TODAY AT THE LEGISLATURE, THE REINSURANCE ISSUE.

MAYBE YOU COULD BRING OUR VIEWERS UP-TO-DATE ABOUT WHAT THAT'S ABOUT, AND WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RESOLUTION OF THAT ISSUE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT VOTE.

WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THIS DEAL BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR TODAY.

IT WAS ACTUALLY OUR DEADLINE.

IT WAS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MADE A DECISION, AND WE DID.

FOR THE AUDIENCE THAT MAY NOT REMEMBER WHAT THIS IS, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE HAD TO AGREE THAT THE STATE SHOULD CONTINUE -- WHAT WE CALL THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM.

THIS IS FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE IN THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTHCARE MARKET.

WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IS MINNESOTA, WHAT WE CALL THE MINNESOTA PREMIUM SECURITY PLAN, AND IT'S A SIGN TO PROVIDE SOME STABILITY TO PREMIUMS THAT ARE PAID BY INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU, AND IT OFFERS -- THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PAYS FOR PART OF THOSE PREMIUMS.

SO WE OFFER THE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET WHEN THE PREMIUMS ARE SO HIGH, WE PLAY PART OF IT.

THEY ARE IN A DEFICIT, AND WE HAVE TO DEGREE TO PROVIDE ACTUALLY 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS IN ORDER TO JUST PUT THE MONEY THAT IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET.

I DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE BILL.

I KNOW THAT IMPORTANCE FOR MANY PEOPLE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE.

WE HAVE BEEN REPLENISHING THIS ACCOUNT IN THOSE NUMBERS, BILLIONS, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND WE HAVE TO STOP.

WE REALLY NEED TO OFFER UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND WE NEED TO PAY FOR THAT.

IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT OVER TIME I THINK THAT MINNESOTA NEEDS TO OFFER HEALTHCARE TO EVERYONE.

RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ARE DOING IS SUBSIDIZING COMPANIES, SUBSIDIZING THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND THEY ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS COMPANY.

THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY.

WE HAVE CEO'S, HEALTH PARTNERS AND OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING SALARIES, SOMETHING THAT I CANNOT IMAGINE.

SO THEY MANAGE THESE COMPANIES, MAKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PROFIT, TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND WE JUST GAVE 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS FOR TAXPAYERS FOR THE COMPANIES.

WE NEED TO STOP THAT AND OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE.

IN THE SENATE WE HAD 46-20 VOTE.

THE BILL DID PASS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS YOUR THOUGHT ON THE REINSURANCE BILL AND THE RESULTS IN THE HOUSE.

>> SO A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT REINSURANCE DOES.

REALLY IT'S INSURANCE FOR INSURANCE.

IT'S A POOL OF MONEY WHERE THE HIGHEST CLAIMS, THE LARGEST CLAIMS GET PAID FROM.

IF WE DON'T DO THAT AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES PAY OUT THOSE LARGE CLAIMS, THEN WHAT THEY DO IS THEY RAISE THE PREMIUMS ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

THIS ISN'T A BAIL-OUT.

I DISAGREE WITH THE SENATOR IN THAT RESPECT.

IT'S NOT MONEY GOING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

THE BENEFICIARIES OF IT ARE THE POLICYHOLDER.

WITHOUT THIS REINSURANCE, PREMIUMS WILL GET -- CLAIMS WILL BE PAID OUT OF THE POOL OF FUNDS WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO, THEY RAISE PREMIUMS, AND WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2016, THAT WAS A TOP ISSUE I HEARD GOING DOOR TO DOOR WAS THE COST OF HEALTHCARE OR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

IN 2017, REPRESENTATIVE DAVIDS WAS THE CHIEF AUTHOR IN THE HOUSE THAT CREATED THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM.

THE THING IS IT WORKED.

RATHER THAN HAVING DOUBLE DIGIT PREMIUM INCREASES, WE ACTUALLY SAW THAT STABILIZED AND THE INCREASES WERE MUCH SMALLER.

IN SOME CASES THEY WERE DECREASES.

WITHOUT THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM, IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT THAT SECTOR, THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET WOULD HAVE COLLAPSED.

IT'S LESS THAN 10% OF MINNESOTANS, BUT IF A MAJOR PORTION OF THE PROGRAM OF HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS WOULD HAVE COLLAPSED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPIRAL AND WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY TAKEN DOWN OTHER SMALL BUSINESS CLAIMS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

IT HAS WORKED.

AND I'M GLAD WE HAVE GOT THIS PASSED TODAY.

WE HAD TO HAVE IT REAUTHORIZED BY APRIL 1st IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM.

IT WAS FUNDED FOR THREE YEARS, AND THE REAUTHORIZATION WAS FOR FIVE YEARS.

THAT MEANS WE WENT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REAUTHORIZE THE PROGRAM AND SO WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE IN PLACE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

IT STABILIZES THE MARKET.

EVEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL LAST YEAR WHEN WE WERE DEBATING THIS TOPIC, WE KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG AND SENATOR KLOBUCHAR HAD BOTH SPOKEN OUT IN FAVOR OF SIMILAR PROGRAMS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

OTHER STATES LOOKED AT WHAT MINNESOTA DID AND TRIED TO REPLICATE IT, BECAUSE BOTTOM LINE IS IT WORKED.

IT BROUGHT PREMIUMS DOWN, BROUGHT THE INCREASES DOWN WHEN WE NEEDED IT BACK IN 2017.

>> Barry: AS I UNDERSTAND IT PROCEDURALLY, THE SAME BILL PASSED BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND GOES TO THE GOVERNOR, IS THAT WHERE WE ARE AT?

AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS AS WELL.

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THIS?

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION IN BOTH HOUSES SO NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONDUCTED YESTERDAY, AND THE GOVERNOR PARTICIPATED ON THAT SO THE AGREEMENT CAME OUT YESTERDAY, AND WE VOTED BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SO IT WOULD BE GOING TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> Barry: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE -- I STARTED OUT TO MENTION THE UNEMPLOYMENT PIECE AND PROBABLY CONFUSED OUR VIEWERS.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT, THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND ISSUES.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S BEEN A CONCERN AS WELL.

IT'S BEEN DELAYED IN PART BECAUSE OF THE REINSURANCE PROGRAM AS THE GOVERNOR SO INDICATED TODAY.

CAN YOU BRING US UP-TO-DATE WHERE THAT ISSUE STANDS.

>> STILL WAITING ON THAT TO BE RESOLVED UNFORTUNATELY.

BACK IN 2020 AND 2021, THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND, AND THAT'S THE ACCOUNT THAT UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE PAID FROM, MANY, MANY MORE MINNESOTANS FOUND THEMSELVES UNEMPLOYED AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT FUND WAS DEPLETED.

IT WAS IN THE NEGATIVE, OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BAILS US OUT BASICALLY.

WE HAVE BEEN PAYING THAT -- PAYING INTEREST OF $50,000 A DAY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BRING THAT BACK UP TO FLUSH.

THE SENATE PASSED A BILL, MAYBE SENATOR TORRES REMEMBER HOW LONG AGO.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL OVER A MONTH AGO.

UNFORTUNATELY IN THE HOUSE, WE HAVEN'T SEEN A SIMILAR BILL.

THERE WAS A DEADLINE OF MARCH 15th WHEREAS A RESULT OF NOT PASSING A BILL THAT WOULD REPLENISH THAT, BRING IT UP TO ZERO AND FULLY FUND IT FOR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS GOING FORWARD, IF THAT WASN'T DONE BY MARCH 15th, AUTOMATICALLY PAYROLL TAX INCREASES KICK IN.

EVERY EMPLOYER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA STARTING ON MARCH 15th OF A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IS NOW PAYING HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT OR PAYROLL TAXES TO PAY BACK THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.

THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THIS DONE TWO WEEKS AGO.

UNFORTUNATELY NOW BY INCREASING THE PAYROLL TAXES, IF WE DO FINISH THIS OR GET IT DONE, THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO CREDIT BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN PAYING HIGHER PAYROLL TAXES, I'M ON THE WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS COMMITTEE, AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER TO THE DEPARTMENT -- EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SAID BEFORE THAT DEADLINE THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL THAT WE RESOLVE THIS BY MARCH 15th BECAUSE NOT DOING SO WOULD BE UNPRECEDENTED.

IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO MANAGE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO CREDIT THOSE INCREASES FROM THE PAYROLL TAXES.

HERE WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER WHERE BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO PAY THAT IN, AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A RESOLUTION ON IT.

WHAT I THINK THE HOUSE SHOULD HAVE DONE WHICH IS WHAT THE SENATE DID, WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, PASS THAT BILL, PAY BACK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

FEDERAL MONEY WE GOT FOR COVID, IT'S INELIGIBLE USE FOR THOSE FUNDS, PAY BACK THE DEBT AND FULLY FUND IT SO THAT WHEN MINNESOTANS FIND THEMSELVES UNEMPLOYED AND FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE THERE FOR THEM.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND ISSUES.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IS ABOUT HOW WE PAY FOR THAT.

THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION THAT WE HAVE IS HOW DO WE REPLENISH THE FUNDING OF THE FUND, RIGHT?

I THINK THAT BOTH BODIES, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WANT TO DO IT.

WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING, WHAT THE MINORITY IN THE SENATE AND MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE ARE PROPOSING IS THAT THE -- WE HAVE TO PAY IN SO THAT THE FUND WILL HAVE ONGOING FUNDING, AND THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY IN THE HOUSE WANT TO DO IS PAY THAT WITH COVID DOLLARS.

WE DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

THAT'S THE MAJOR CHALLENGE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

SO WITH THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THIS FOR A WHILE BUT WE DON'T HAVE A SOLUTION.

WE HAVE TO PAY IN.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE RIGHT NOW WITH SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE BY THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE WE SOLVE THE SITUATION FOR A YEAR OR TWO, AND WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO IT, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT REALLY STRUCTURALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM BY PROVIDING THE REVENUE THAT THESE PROGRAMS NEED TO STAY IN PLACE, AND THAT'S THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE I THINK THAT WE BOTH AGREE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I THINK THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS HOW IT GETS DONE AND WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WE HAVE.

>> IF I COULD ADD TO THAT THE PROPOSAL IN THE HOUSE WAS NOT TO FULLY FUND IT, BUT BRING IT BACK TO ZERO AND INCREASE THE PAYROLL TAXES IN ORDER TO REPLENISH THE FUND GOING FORWARD IN NORMAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS, THAT FUND DOES WORK AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

THE REASON WHY IT WAS DEPLETED WAS BECAUSE OF COVID.

USING COVID DOLLARS TO REPLENISH IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO UNDERSTAND.

ON ONE HAND YOU WOULD THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY GOING THROUGH A PANDEMIC FOR TWO YEARS WOULD COST ANY STATE A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT WE HAVE A DEFICIT, AND REPAYMENT MAY TAKE US TO A CERTAIN POINT OF STABILITY, BUT I THINK THE CALCULATION IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, THAT WE DO HAVE TO INCREASE -- WE HAVE TO REPLENISH AND THEN WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE PAYMENT IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN IT.

I THINK MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM STRUCTURALLY FOR THE FUTURE, NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO REPLENISH WITH COVID DOLLARS BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOME OF THAT OF COURSE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT ALSO STRUCTURALLY FOR THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE PAYMENTS.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE ON TO QUESTIONS WE HAVE FROM VIEWERS ON OTHER TOPICS, AND I WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS SOMETIMES WE WILL GET QUESTIONS THAT PARTICULAR LEGISLATORS HAVE SOME BACKGROUND IN AND OCCASIONALLY WE WILL RUN INTO QUESTIONS WHERE THEY HAVEN'T -- THESE ISSUES AREN'T APPEARING IN COMMUNITIES THAT OUR GUESTS THIS EVENING ARE CURRENTLY SERVING ON.

SOMETIMES WE CAN HELP WITH THE QUESTIONS AND SOMETIMES WE CAN'T.

ANYWAY, WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS REMARKING ON A CONVERSATION WE HAD WITH LEGISLATORS EARLY IN THE SESSION ABOUT THE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE ISSUE AS IT RELATES TO DEER.

THIS VIEWER NOTES THAT ANOTHER DEER WITH CWD HAD BEEN FOUND IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA, I BELIEVE, AND WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY TRACKS ON MOVING FORWARD ON THAT ISSUE.

I'M GOING TO PICK ON YOU, REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU ARE OUR EXPERT ON CWD TONIGHT.

AT LEAST START WITH WE ARE MAKING YOU OUR EXPERT.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US, IF ANYTHING, ABOUT THIS.

>> I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON THAT.

NONE OF THE COMMITTEES HAVE HAD ANY CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE BILLS.

THE ONLY DISCUSSION I HAVE HEARD ON THE TOPIC IS VERY HIGH LEVEL, I GUESS.

JUST THE FACT THAT FARMS WHERE FOLKS ARE RAISING DEER AND THE FEAR THAT DEER AND THE WILD ARE GOING TO IN EFFECT THEIR STOCK.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS A QUESTION THAT COMES UP ON YOUR PROGRAM FREQUENTLY.

I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE IN THAT AREA.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES RAY, ANY THOUGHTS ON CWD AND RELATED ISSUES?

>> WELL, I AM IN THE SAME PLACE.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF NL RESOURCES MADE A REQUEST ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNOR FOR ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, AND IT'S PART OF THE PROPOSAL THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE WE ARE VERY, VERY CONCERNED.

WE ARE SURROUNDED.

ALL OF THE STATES AROUND US HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTAIN IT.

SO IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE IN THE SENATE WE PROVIDED ZERO DOLLARS TO THE SOLUTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

UNFORTUNATELY IN MY BILL DNR CAME TO TESTIFY AND PRESENT IT.

YOU KNOW THE PROBLEM THAT WE FACE RIGHT NOW.

THERE WAS NO DECISION.

WE DIDN'T INCLUDE THAT.

ACTUALLY NONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS WERE INCLUDED AND THIS HAD A REQUEST FOR FUNDING TO ADDRESS IT.

IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE SUPPORT IN THE SENATE TO DO WORK RELATED TO CWD.

>> Barry: ANOTHER QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES.

IT'S INTERESTING.

THE YEARS I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS THE HOST AND MODERATOR OF THE PROGRAM, THIS COMES UP WITH A FAIR AMOUNT OF REGULARITY, AND THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED PARTICULARLY ABOUT ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS AND THE POSSIBILITY THEY MIGHT BE FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES AS A RESULT OF INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES, AND THIS VIEWER WONDERS IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO BE DEALING WITH IN THESE TERMS.

START WITH YOU, SENATOR TORRES RAY.

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

TERMS OF ACTION AT THE LEGISLATURE?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A TAX BILL COMING FROM THE MAJORITY THAT IS A LOT OF TAX CUTS.

IT MAY INCLUDE PROPERTY TAXES.

I DO NOT KNOW, BUT I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE PRIORITIES IS TO CUT TAXES FOR BUSINESSES AND THE ECONOMY, AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

THEY HAVE SOME AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR AGREES WITH THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITH SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED IN THE SENATE IS THAT THEY REALLY DON'T OFFER A SOLUTION TO TAKE CARE OF OUR BUDGET AFTER WE DEAL WITH THIS.

TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE COMING TO US WITH A DEFICIT.

THEY NEED AN INCREASE IN THE FORMULA FOR STUDENTS, AND WE ARE NOT OFFERING RIGHT NOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE DEFICIT THAT WE ARE FACING THAT IS IMMEDIATE.

IF WE ADOPT THE TAX CUTS THAT THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE ARE PROPOSING, THE FUTURE FOR SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS VERY PROBLEMATIC.

BECAUSE WE CREATE A HOLE IN THE BUDGET THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX.

I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THAT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE SURPLUS WE ARE PRESENTING IT AS A SOLUTION TO DEAL WITH TAXES.

IT IS NOT A SOLUTION TO DEAL WITH ONGOING FISCAL ISSUES.

WE PAY FOR HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION.

87% OF OUR BUDGET PAYS FOR HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION THAT COMES FROM THE TAX DOLLARS.

WE CANNOT PAY WITH ONE-TIME MONEY, WHICH IS THE SURPLUS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW FOR THESE ONGOING EXPENSES OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I THINK IT'S A PROPOSAL THAT IS NOT VERY WISE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTION IS FOR ONGOING.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD COME BACK IN A YEAR AND SAY WE HAVE TO INCREASE TAXES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY, YOU KNOW, FOR THE EDUCATION.

EDUCATION IS A VERY, VERY SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

WE HAVE BEEN IN DEFICITS.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WHEN WE HAD THE DEEP CUTS TO EDUCATION, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECOVER EVER SINCE.

I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE NOTION THAT WE CAN WORK INTO TAX CUTS FOR ANYBODY REALLY AT THIS POINT.

THE GOVERNOR, I THINK, IT'S ENTERTAINING TAX CUTS FOR PERHAPS A POPULATION THAT YOU MENTIONED.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO GET SOME OF US ON BOARD WITH THAT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVEENS, THF QUESTION MORE SPECIFICALLY AND THEN MORE GENERALLY WHERE DO YOU SEE THE TAX ISSUE GOING?

PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE EXCHANGE WITH SENATOR TORRES ON THIS AS WELL.

WE SPENT A LITTLE MORE TIME ON THIS QUESTION BECAUSE THE QUESTION OF TAX RELIEF, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, BUT TAXES GENERALLY AND HOW WE HANDLE THE SURPLUS IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY MUCH FRONT AND CENTER THIS SESSION.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

>> PROPERTY TAXES DIRECTLY COME FROM TO FUND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CITY TAXES AND COUNTY TAXES.

WHAT THE STATE DOESN'T FUND, LOCAL TAXES NEED TO PICK UP ON THAT.

AS AN EXAMPLE WITH EDUCATION, OUR BUDGET IS, I THINK -- I THINK IT'S 44% OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET GOES TO EDUCATION.

IT'S ABOUT $9 BILLION A YEAR.

OF COURSE FUNDING SCHOOLS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL.

THAT'S HOW THAT SPLITS OUT.

AS FAR AS TAXES IN GENERAL, I'M GOING TO PUT A PLUG IN AS LONG AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

I'M THE CHIEF AUTHOR IN THE HOUSE FOR A BILL THAT WOULD ELIMINATE STATE INCOME TAXES ON ALL SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

I HAVE BEEN A CHIEF AUTHOR FOR NOW -- IT'S THE SECOND TERM I HAD THAT BILL.

I'M HOPING WE CAN GET IT DONE THIS YEAR.

WE ARE ONE OF 12 STATES THAT TAXES SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

I THINK THAT THAT'S A TAX THAT WE SHOULD ELIMINATE LIKE THE OTHER 38 STATES HAVE DONE.

AS FAR AS OTHER TAXES, YOU KNOW, THIS BUDGET SURPLUS AT OVER $9 BILLION IS -- THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT BEING IN MY THIRD TERM, WE HAVE HAD A BUDGET SURPLUS EVERY BIENNIUM THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE.

I THINK PERMANENT TAX CUTS IS SOMEPLACE THAT WE CAN LOOK.

THE BUDGET SURPLUS, A LOT OF THAT IS A RESULT OF ONE-TIME MONEY.

SO MUCH FEDERAL MONEY THAT CAME IN DURING COVID THAT RESULTED IN HIGHER SALES TAX, HIGHER PAYROLL TAXES AND CORPORATE TAXES.

SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE SEEING SUCH A LARGE BUDGET DEFICIT -- OR BUDGET SURPLUS, I SHOULD SAY.

WE WANT TO BE CAREFUL OF NEW PROGRAMS THAT GO ON INTO THE FUTURE, NOT CERTAIN THE INCOME WILL CONTINUE.

WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT IT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO DO -- IT'S NOT THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL $9 BILLION.

THE BUDGET THAT WAS SET LAST YEAR, WE DON'T NEED TO REOPEN THOSE BOOKS NECESSARILY.

ONE THING, AS I SAID THAT I WOULD LIKE TO FINALLY GET DONE THIS YEAR IS THE BILL TO ELIMINATE STATE INCOME TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR OUR SENIORS.

>> Barry: LET ME PURSUE A POINT THAT SENATOR TORRES MADE THAT I THINK DESERVES SOME CONVERSATION.

SHE NOTES THAT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS MONEY IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

IT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR TO ME EXACTLY HOW MUCH OF THE 9 BILLION SURPLUS, PLUS ADDITIONAL FEDERAL MONEY, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY ONE-TIME MONEY, IS IN FACT ONE TIME.

DO WE KNOW AND DOES THAT AFFECT THE CALCULATION HERE.

I HAVE SEEN ESTIMATES OF 40%, AND THEN NORTH OF 40% IS ONE-TIME MONEY, AND IT SEEMS TO ME WE PROBABLY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THAT FIGURE IS BEFORE WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO NEXT, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT IS REALLY A TOP PRIORITY.

I THINK WE ARE NOT CLEAR ON THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE NOT HAVE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT IN COMMITTEE.

BUT SENATORS HAVE TRIED TO FIGURE IT OUT, AND I THINK AS THESE BILLS MOVE TO THE FLOOR, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, A BETTER CHANCE OF ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS AND GO THROUGH THOSE PROPOSALS, BUT WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE PROPORTION OF WHAT IS ONGOING MONEY, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT MOST OF IT ISN'T.

IT'S VERY HARD TO REALLY TALK TO OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT TAX CUTS, WHATEVER DIRECTION.

I THINK THERE'S A CONVERSATION ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE RETIRING.

IT'S VERY POPULAR TO SAY, WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THE STATE PORTION FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME.

I THINK THAT'S VERY ATTRACTIVE.

PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR THAT.

WELL, IF WE HAVE ONE-TIME MONEY, THIS WILL BE THIS YEAR THAT WE GIVE YOU A FEW PENNIES AND NEXT YEAR WE GO BACK.

THAT'S NOT A GOOD PROPOSAL.

WE CANNOT TELL TAXPAYERS THAT THAT'S HOW WE ARE GOING TO HANDLE, YOU KNOW, THE FISCAL FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

WE DO NOT KNOW.

I PERSONALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROPORTION IS IN TERMS OF ONGOING FUNDING AND ONE-TIME.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> THE BENEFIT TO THE SENIORS WILL BE A LITTLE MORE THAN PENNIES.

IT WILL BE ABOUT $1,100 ON AVERAGE FOR THE SENIORS.

BUT YOU BRING UP A GOOD POINT.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE FUTURE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

KEEP IN MIND, I SAID AT THE BEGINNING THE 9.2 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS, THAT'S A FORECAST.

THAT'S WHAT THE FORECASTERS BELIEVE THE STATE WILL HAVE AT THE END OF THE BIENNIUM.

EVEN SINCE THEN, WE ARE SEEING INFLATION GO UP.

THAT COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE PLUS SIDE.

IF INFLATION GOES UP, THE COST OF GOODS GO UP AND YOU WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN SALES TAX AS A RESULT OF THAT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE PERHAPS SPENDING LESS.

YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE IMPACT OF INFLATION IS GOING TO HAVE ON THIS FORECASTED SURPLUS.

SINCE THEN THE WAR IN UKRAINE, WHAT IMPACT IS THAT GOING TO HAVE, IF ANY.

WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR BUDGET TARGETS IN THE NEXT COMING DAYS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO SPEND 9.$2 BILLION WHEN WE ARE NOT CERTAIN THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT AT THE END OF THIS BIENNIUM.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT IS CLEAR, YOU KNOW, IS THAT THE GOVERNOR REALLY PROPOSED A MORE TRANSPARENT PROPOSAL, RIGHT?

BECAUSE HE SAID LET'S GIVE PEOPLE A CHECK.

IF WE HAVE THIS MONEY, WE WANT TO GIVE IT TO TAXPAYERS, LET'S WRITE A CHECK.

BUT I THINK THIS WHOLE NOTION THAT THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY IN THE HOUSE IS PROPOSING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE TAX CUTS.

IT GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEHOW WE ARE GIVEN THIS MONEY, AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

THIS IS NOT A TAX CUT.

THIS IS NOT -- WE ARE JUST GIVING YOU ONE-TIME MONEY.

THE GOVERNOR SAID WELL, IF THAT'S THE CASE, LET'S SEND A CHECK.

LET'S SEND A CHECK FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT MOST RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THAT WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THIS CONVERSATION BECAUSE HOW WE PRESENT THIS ISSUE TO MINNESOTANS REALLY, REALLY MATTER.

TO TELL PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TAX RELIEF, WE HAVE TO SAY THIS IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

THEN YOU WANT TO SPEND ALL OF IT IN ONE-TIME MONEY AND DO SOME ONE-TIME PROJECTS, WE HAVE A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AND HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO INVEST IN THAT.

WE CAN TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE.

BONDING IS A VERY DIFFERENT PROPOSAL, AND WE HAVE THIS MONEY THAT IS OURS THAT WE CAN SPEND IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IN EVERY REGION OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, GENERATE A LOT OF JOBS, AND INCOME FOR THE STATE.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS PROPOSAL ACTUALLY IS.

>> Barry: I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE, REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PIECE OF THIS.

FROM THE START OF THE SESSION, HE'S TALKED ABOUT DIRECT REBATE TO TAXPAYERS AND WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO SENATOR TORRES RAY'S DESCRIPTION OF THAT PROGRAM?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PROGRAM IS AN ELECTION YEAR GIMMICK, ESPECIALLY NAMING THE CHECKS AFTER HIMSELF.

I THINK WHAT MINNESOTANS AND WHAT MINNESOTANS DESERVE IS PERMANENT TAX RELIEF, NOT JUST A ONE-TIME CHECK.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE TO OTHER QUESTIONS THAT VIEWERS HAVE PROVIDED FOR US THIS EVENING.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO'S VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE TO INCREASE HEALTH FOR MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES THAT SERVE CHILDREN IN MINNESOTA.

THIS VIEWER NOTES THAT THERE ARE STAFFING SHORTAGES BUT IN ADDITION TO THE STAFFING SHORTAGES, THERE ARE PROGRAM ATTIC SHORTAGES, AND ONE OF THE PROGRAMS AIMED AT PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR CHILDREN ACTUALLY COMES FROM THE HUTCHISON HOSPITAL SYSTEM WHERE I PRACTICE LAW FOR MANY YEARS, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE VIEW OUT STATE SENATORS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR KIDS.

SO THE QUESTION BECOMES IS THAT ON THE RADAR SCREEN?

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> IT'S SUCH A KEY FACTOR WITH SO MANY AREAS OF OUR SOCIETY, AND BEING ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN, WE DEALT WITH THAT IN MY FAMILY.

AS PARENTS, MY WIFE AND I SOMETIMES DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

WHEN WE FINALLY DID FIGURE THAT OUT, IT MADE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR OUR DAUGHTER.

SHE'S OPEN ABOUT THAT, SO I'M NOT TELLING ANY SECRETS BY TALKING ABOUT THAT HERE.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW IS A CHALLENGE FOR PARENTS.

I WAS A CHIEF AUTHOR FOR A BILL LAST BIENNIUM TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR SCHOOL AND MENTAL HEALTH, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT LINKS THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH THE SCHOOLS.

IT PICKS UP WHERE THE SCHOOLS MAYBE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF OR DON'T HAVE QUITE THE SUPPORT THAT THE CHILDREN NEED AND LINKING THOSE TOGETHER.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO FROM A FUNDING STANDPOINT, AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IT IMPACTS FAMILIES.

IT IMPACTS SCHOOLWORK, CHILDREN'S SCHOOLWORK.

IT IMPACTS THE PARENTS AND THEIR ABILITY TO WORK.

SO WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THAT.

I'M A FULL SUPPORTER OF THAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES RAY, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> I FULLY AGREE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

I THINK PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA ARE REALLY ASKING US TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO HELP US FIND THOSE ISSUES THAT COULD BRING US TOGETHER.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US REPRESENTS RIGHT NOW DISTRICTS THAT ARE REALLY IMPACTING FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID, HAVING KIDS AT HOME, THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO STAY WITH BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK.

THE TRAUMA, THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS HAD ON CHILDREN PARTICULARLY.

I THINK THAT THIS SCENARIO WHERE WE ARE GOING TO COME TOGETHER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN THE SENATE THE MAJORITY IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, AND THEY REALLY WANT TO DO A MAJOR INVESTMENT, AND THAT IS COMING.

SO MY HOPE IS WE WILL FIND SOME CONSENSUS ON THAT, AND YOU KNOW, HOW IT WILL BE SPENT OR DISTRIBUTED, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY, AND MINNESOTANS WILL BE, I THINK, VERY PLEASED TO SEE ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN BOTH HOUSES AND MAY INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ONE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES FOR THE LEGISLATURE IN THIS THE SO-CALLED SHORT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

THE OFF-YEAR SESSION, WHATEVER WE MAY CALL IT, AND THAT OF COURSE IS THE BONDING BILL.

THIS IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION.

LET'S START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE BONDING BILL?

ARE THERE PROJECTS YOU ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT?

TELL US WHAT YOUR VIEW ON THAT IS AND THEN WE WILL GIVE SENATOR TORRES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THIS TERM, I'M NOT ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

IT'S STILL AN AREA THAT IS OF GREAT INTEREST TO ME.

WE DON'T KNOW YET WHAT THE BONDING BILL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT RUMORS OF NUMBERS THAT ARE COMING OUT, AND THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS TARGET NUMBER AND THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE HAVE THEIR TARGET NUMBER.

THE HOUSE THERE'S A DIFFERENT NUMBER, SO IT WILL ALL COME TOGETHER, PROBABLY AT THE VERY END.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DONE IS A COMBINATION OF CASH AND BORROWING WITH THE BUDGET SURPLUS GETTING BACK TO ONE-TIME FUNDING.

THAT WOULD BE A PERFECT USE FOR IT.

I ACTUALLY HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD SPEND 1.76 BILLION DOLLARS TO ELIMINATE DEBT.

WHEN YOU BOND FOR PROJECTS, YOU CAN ONLY REFINANCE THOSE BONDS EVERY 10 YEARS.

SO ANY OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THE 10-YEAR WINDOW, I WOULD PAY THOSE OFF WITH THIS BILL.

THEN ANY PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROVED, BUT THE BONDS HAD NOT YET BEEN SOLD, RATHER THAN TAKE ON THE DEBT, IT WOULD PAY FOR THOSE IN CASH AS WELL.

THE TOTAL HAD 1.76 BILLION DOLLARS, WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY BUT IT WOULD SAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT SERVICE ON THAT.

AS FAR AS PROJECTS, IT'S NOT MY PROJECT, BUT I'M A CHIEF IN THE HOUSE, IT'S FOR THE HASTINGS VETERANS HOME.

HASTINGS VETERANS HOME IS ON A BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS ON THE VERMILLION RIVER IN HASTINGS.

BUT THERE'S 6 BILLINGS TOTAL AND MANY OF THEM ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

THE MAIN BUILDING WAS BUILT AS A HOSPITAL FOR THE MENTALLY ILL BACK IN 1903 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEY REALLY ARE BEYOND THEIR USEFUL LIFE.

THEY LOOKED AT WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO BRING THOSE UP NOT NECESSARILY UP TO CODE BUT TO MAKE THEM MORE USEFUL.

IT WOULD BE THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.

SO THE PROPOSAL IS TO BUILD A BRAND-NEW HOUSE OR HASTINGS VETERANS HOME ON THAT CAMPUS.

IT'S ABOUT A $60 MILLION PROJECT FROM THE STATE AND WOULD REQUIRE $135 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.THAT'S A TOP PRIORIT.

ALSO THERE'S THE DAKOTA COUNTY JAIL LOOKING AT AN ADDITION, AND THEY ARE SEEKING A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR THAT.

THAT WOULD ACTUALLY HOUSE INMATES THAT HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, AND SPECIFICALLY FOR FEMALE INMATES AS WELL.

THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'M TRACKING.

I DON'T KNOW.

IF I WERE TO GUESS, AND IT WOULD ONLY BE A GUESS, I WOULD SAY A BONDING BILL, WHEN IT DOES COME THROUGH TOWARDS THE END OF SESSION IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE IN THE BILLION DOLLARS RANGE, MAYBE A LITTLE HEAVIER THAN THAT.

BUT HOW IT BREAKS DOWN BETWEEN BORROWING AND CASH, IT HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES RAY, BONDING ISSUES.

>> YES, WELL, WE HAVE AGREEMENT WITH REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE CASH PROJECTS AVAILABLE.

LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE REALLY ASKING FOR CASH PROGRAMS, CASH FOR SOME OF THE THEIR PROJECTS THAT ARE JUST REALLY CRITICAL TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

I AM A BIG SUPPORTER OF THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY THE SENATE, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SENATOR BAKK IS ANNOUNCING HE WOULD NOT HAVE CASH PROJECTS INCLUDED IN HIS BILL.

THAT WOULD BE REALLY VERY, VERY UNFORTUNATE.

AND I HAVE A DELEGATION, AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS DELEGATION.

THERE'S 15 OF US FIGURING OUT HOW WE SUPPORT PROJECTS IN THE CITY THAT REALLY ARE PROJECTS THAT SERVE PEOPLE STATEWIDE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT A LOT OF OUR BONDING PROJECTS ARE FROM BUILDINGS OR PROJECTS THAT SERVE THE DESIRE STATE AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY.

BY FAR THE CENTRAL CITY STORMWATER SYSTEM, STORMWATER TUNNEL IS A BIG PROBLEM.

THE CITY HAS COME TO US.

WE HAVE AGING TUNNELINGS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED.

IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE CITY, SO KEEP COMING TO US TO ASK US FOR THAT.

WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH PUBLIC BUILDINGS THAT NEED TO TRANSITION FOR IMPLEMENTATION WITH REGULATIONS WITH ADA, AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OLD BUILDINGS IN OUR CITY, AND IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO UPDATE DOORS AND ELEVATORS AND SO WE ARE BEHIND WITH THAT, AND THEY HAVE A PROPOSAL TO DO THAT.

HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT APPARENTLY IS SUPPORTED STATEWIDE, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO DO AN EXPERIMENT THAT WOULD BE REALLY VIEWED NATIONALLY AS THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY WHICH IS TO BUILD A PANORAMIC DIGESTER.

WE DO A GOOD JOB IN HERE COLLECTING GARBAGE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS, YOU KNOW, COLLECTING WASTE AND SEPARATING AND SEPARATING ORGANICS AND RECYCLING.

WE HAVE NOW A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE VOLUME THAT IS COMING FROM HOMES THAT WE NEED TO DISPOSE.

THERE IS A STUDY, A PROJECT TO DO THAT, AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT IT STATEWIDE, BUT WE HAVE THE VOLUME IN HENNEPIN COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

THEY ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT PROPOSING THAT TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO DO THAT IN EVERY COUNTY.

WE ARE ALSO VERY STRONGLY SUPPORTING SOME OF THE HOUSING IDEAS THAT ARE COMING FORWARD.

I HAVE A VETERANS HOME -- I HAVE A VETERANS PROJECT IN RICH HILL THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME FOR BUILDING HOUSING FOR VETERANS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, REALLY WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH VETERANS THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME.

WE HAVE -- OUR DELEGATION FEELS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT FUNDING INTO STATE PARKS.

WE LOVED OUR PARKS INTENSELY DURING THE EPIDEMIC.

EVERYBODY WAS IN THE PARKS EITHER WORKING OR RECREATING.

IT WAS VERY DID YOU HAVE.

DNR GAVE A PRESENTATION HOW PARKS AND TRAILS REALLY SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THE VOLUME OF PEOPLE WHO WERE USING THE PARKS DURING THESE TWO YEARS, AND WE DID NOT INCREASE THEIR FUNDING, AND SO NOW THEY ARE HAVING TO REALLY FIX ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PARKS AND TRAILS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO DO IT.

I THINK THIS TREND IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

I REALLY LOVE THE IDEA THAT MINNESOTANS ARE, YOU KNOW, ENJOYING THE OUTSIDE.

WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKES AND PARKS.

WE ARE FAMOUS FOR THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR THAT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE COMING TO US TO REALLY REQUEST, YOU KNOW -- AND BONDING IS KIND OF A DIFFERENT ISSUE.

THIS IS MOSTLY DNR AND LEGACY MONEY THAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR, BUT WE ALSO HAVE FACILITIES THAT ARE OUTDATED AND, YOU KNOW, METROPOLITAN -- THE MET COUNCIL IS TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS SUFFERING RIGHT NOW AND WHY WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT.

>> Barry: GO AHEADPRESENTATIVE .

>> A COUPLE THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL I AGREE THAT ANY BONDING BILL, IT WILL BE HEAVY ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND THAT.

WE ARE TALKING WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND HIGHER EDUCATION ASSET PRESERVATION, LIKE AT THE U OF M AND THE MNSCU SYSTEM LIKE A CHEMISTRY LAB, FOR EXAMPLE.

SENATOR TORRES MENTIONED THE STORM SYSTEM IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WHEN I WAS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE A FEW YEARS AGO,D BONDING, I WAS ABOVE BELOW THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS TO SEE THE CRACKING THAT WAS TAKING PLACE, AND THOSE ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD.

I SAW FIRSTHAND WHAT THAT NEED LOOKS LIKE.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT YEAR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS PRIORITIZED AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX, AND THEIR NO.

1 PRIORITY, AND THE STORM SEWERS WAS NO.

2 PRIORITY.

SO I REQUESTED THAT AT THE TIME THAT THAT WAS -- STORM SEWER'S BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZED HIGHER THAN AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX.

SENATOR, I SAW THAT WITH MY OWN EYES, AND I SEE THE NEED FOR THE UPGRADES TO THE STORM SEWERS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AS FAR AS THE PARKS, THE METRO REGIONAL PARKS, IT'S KIND OF THE -- THERE AREN'T REALLY STATE PARKS IN THE METRO AREA, AND THE METRO'S VERSION OF THE PARKS IS THE METRO REGIONAL PARKS, AND EVERY YEAR THEY ASK FOR MAYBE $10 MILLION, AND YOU MIGHT GET 5, AND WHAT THEY DO GET FROM THE STATE IS MATCHED ON 3 TO 5 BASES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, FROM THE MET COUNCIL.

I ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED TO THEM THIS YEAR THAT BECAUSE OF THE SURPLUS AND ONE-TIME MONEY THAT THIS WOULD BE A YEAR THAT THEY SHOULD REQUEST EVEN MORE.

I BELIEVE THE REQUEST THIS YEAR, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, $30 MILLION.

THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THE BACKLOG THAT THEY HAVE IN THE PARKS.

IT'S THREE RIVERS PARK.

DAKOTA COUNTY, WASHINGTON COUNTY.

SO I AGREE WITH THE SENATOR IN THAT RESPECT AS WELL, THAT THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD YEAR TO GET CAUGHT UP ON SOME OF THE BACKLOGGING PARKS THROUGHOUT THE METRO AREA.

WHAT WE SAW DURING COVID IS THE USAGE OF THE PARKS HAS INCREASED SO MUCH BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THE FAMILIES CAN DO TO GET OUTSIDE AND SPEND TIME TOGETHER, SPEND TIME IN THE OUTDOORS.

I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER GOOD USE OF ONE-TIME FUNDING.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES RAY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY.

WE MAY HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET TO AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, BUT WE ARE RUNNING HERE TOWARDS THE END OF THE PROGRAM.

THIS WILL BE MOST LIKELY YOUR LAST PROGRAM WITH US.

YOU ARE RETIRING FROM THE LEGISLATURE, AS YOU SAID.

I TRY TO GIVE EVERYONE WHO IS LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE AT THE END OF THIS TERM, AND OBVIOUSLY THE TERM RUNS UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

THIS WILL BE YOUR FINAL TERM.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO TELL OUR VIEWERS WHAT YOU APPRECIATED ABOUT YOUR SERVICE, WAYS IN WHICH YOU THINK THE LEGISLATURE COULD BE IMPROVED AND WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS SORT OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE YOUR SERVICE OVER 16 YEARS TO THE PEOPLE OF YOUR SENATE DISTRICT.

IF YOU COULD DO THAT FOR US, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY CONSTITUENTS AND MY DISTRICT.

I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO REPRESENT A COMMUNITY THAT HAS SUPPORTED ME FOR 16 YEARS, AND SO IT HAS BEEN A PARTNERSHIP OF JOY.

MY DISTRICT IS A VERY ACTIVE DISTRICT.

ACTUALLY THERE WAS A MEASURE THAT WAS PUT IN THE SENATE ABOUT WHO RECEIVES MORE CALLS AND E-MAILS.

I WAS NO.

1.

SO I GET A LOT OF CONTACT FROM MY DISTRICT AND A LOT OF SUPPORT AND IDEAS, HAVE A LOT OF BILLS THAT I HAVE PUT TOGETHER WITH IDEAS FROM MY CONSTITUENTS.

THEY HAVE GUIDED ME AND HELPED ME THROUGH THIS WORK, AND I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

YOU KNOW, SERVING IN THE SENATE HAS BEEN REALLY TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE FOR ME.

A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE IN THE SENATE.

MY COLLEAGUES AND EVERYONE.

DISAPPOINTMENTS FOR ME PERSONALLY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE GREAT DISPARITIES THAT EXIST IN THE STATE.

I RAN FOR OFFICE BECAUSE I BELIEVE VERY DEEPLY THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE DEEP INEQUALITIES THAT EXIST IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO PRIOR TO COMING TO THE SENATE, I WAS WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES, AND I RAN FOR OFFICE HOPING TO COME AND BE A VOICE INSIDE OF THE SENATE, INSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND I FEEL THAT WE ARE NOW NOT MAKING PROGRESS.

>> Barry: 15 SECONDS TO FINISH UP IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE, AND WE WILL BE DONE FOR THE EVENING.

QUICKLY, ANYTHING ELSE?

>> NO, I THINK THAT'S IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR TORRES RAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPEARANCES ON THIS PROGRAM.

REPRESENTATIVE JURGENS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

MY THANKS TO YOU, THE VIEWERS FOR BEING WITH US.

I INVITE YOU TO RETURN WITH US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

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 OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

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

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY, LLCTESM