>>> STATEWIDE BROADCASTS OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ARE 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.

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

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

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

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

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

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS HOUR LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ARE COMING TO THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH CAUSES ME TO RECALL THAT MINNESOTA BECAME A STATE IN 1858 ADOPTED THE CONSTITUTION AND IN THAT CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 4, SECTION 12, IT SETS OUT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO MEET AND POINT OF FACT THE LEGISLATURE CAN MEET UNTIL APPROXIMATELY A WEEK FROM TUESDAY, AND WE HAVE REACHED CRUNCH TIME IN TERMS OF THE ISSUE BEING DECIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AND THE RESULTS THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE VOTED ON AT THE FLOOR OF THE RESPECTIVE HOUSE AND SENATE AND SENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE.

WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE PANEL ABOUT THE POINTS OF CONTACT WHERE THERE'S STILL SOME FRICTION AND THINGS NEED TO BE DECIDED AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT REMAIN TO BE DISCUSSED.

BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO YOU.

WE INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS USING THE VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT APPEAR AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND EVEN FAX, AND WE WILL SEE THE QUESTIONS GET TO THE PANEL.

WE BEGIN OUR PROGRAM, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, LISTENING TO ALL BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND LET ME BEGIN BY GIVING EACH MEMBER AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE BACKGROUND WITH YOU.

LET'S BEGIN WITH REPRESENTATIVE AMY WAZLAWIK.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

MY SECOND TERM AT THE LEGISLATURE, AND I SIT ON COMMITTEES.

AND I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL OF THOSE COMMITTEES FOR BOTH TERMS, AND IN MY OFF TIME, IN MY OTHER DAY JOB, I WORK IN A CHILD CARE PROGRAM IN A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WORKING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND ONE OF THE REASONS I DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED WAS BECAUSE OF THAT EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS MY WORK WORKING IN DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE ADVOCACY, AND THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT BROUGHT ME HERE, AND I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

>> Barry: HAPPY TO HAVE YOU.

ALSO JOINING US, IN DISTRICT 10A NISSWA, REPRESENTATIVE JOSH HEINTZEMAN.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I'M IN MY FOURTH TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE, AND MY BACKGROUND IS BUSINESS.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN THE GREATER LAKES AREA.

MY WIFE CARRIE AND I HAVE 6 KIDS, MARRIED 21 YEARS, KIDS RANGING IN AGE FROM 19 ALL THE WAY TO 5 AND WE HAVE QUITE A RANGE.

OUR BUSINESS BACKGROUND IS WHAT BROUGHT US TO THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M A CARPENTER BY TRADE AND THAT WORLD, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IMPACTED DRAMATICALLY BY LAW AND MY GOVERNMENT: YOU START ASKING QUESTIONS, AND THAT LED ME TO THE GOVERNMENT, THE STATE, STATE REPRESENTATIVE POSITION.

I SERVE ON A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES.

I'M THE LEAD REPUBLICAN ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE, AND I'M ALSO ON HIGHER ED AND PREVENTATIVE HEALTH.

THAT'S MY WHEELHOUSE AT THE MOMENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONVERSATION TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 14, ST.

CLOUD, SENATOR ARIC PUTNAM.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHAT TONIGHT.

I'M ARIC PUTNAM AND I REPRESENT DISTRIBUTE 14, IT'S ST.

CLOUD, ST. AUGUSTA, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE, AND I DEEPLY BELIEVE IT, ST.

CLOUD IS ONE OF THE MOST AMERICAN PLACES I HAVE BEEN.

SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF LIFE IN THE SAME SPACE.

REALLY COOL PLACE.

I'M SERVING ON THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE.

THE JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH COMMITTEE AND LONG-TERM CARE AND AGING.

AND I TEACH DEBATE, ORATORY, AND MY PARTICULAR AREA OF EXPERTISE IS IN SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTS, AND THAT'S ACTUALLY A BIG PART OF WHY I GOT INTO POLITICS, TEACHING ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF CITIZENSHIP AND THAT I SHOULD ACTUALLY TRY TO DO IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

MY WIFE IS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS OUT HERE, AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TAKING CARE OF OUR KIDS, TOO, 15-YEAR-OLD AND 17-YEAR-OLD WHEN THEY LET ME TAKE CARE OF THEM.

>> ARE THEY BOTH DRIVING YET OR IS THAT A PROBLEM?

>> YOU ARE SAFE AND NEITHER OF THEM SHOW MUCH INTEREST IN DRIVING YET.

WHEN THEY DO, I WILL LET YOU KNOW.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

IT'S A GOOD THING WE HAVE OTHER GUESTS BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU AND I WOULD SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE HISTORY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND ALSO YOUR BACKGROUND IN THE COLLEGIATE DEBATE AND SPEECH.

WE HAD A LITTLE CONVERSATION BEFORE WE BEGAN THIS EVENING, AND IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO GET ME TO TALK ABOUT THAT TOPIC.

WE WON'T REFLECT THAT ON OUR GUESTS OR AUDIENCE.

ALSO JOINING US, SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST ON OUR PROGRAM OVER THE YEARS, SENATOR MARK JOHNSON.

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

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, BARRY.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A DEBATE AND TALK ABOUT SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, I'M KIND OF INTERESTED.

WE COULD FILL UP THE TIME THAT WAY.

I'M IN SENATE DISTRICT 1, AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE THAT HONOR BUT I BORDER ON CANADA AND NORTH DAKOTA UP THERE, AND I REPRESENT 6 DISTRICTS, SOME OF THE CITIES YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH ARE DEEP RIVER FALLS AND CROOKSTON, THAT NECK OF THE WOODS.

MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH ATTORNEYS WHEN WE ARE NOT DOING THIS, AND SO SHE ACTUALLY COMES DOWN, AND SHE DOES A LOT ONLINE, AND COVID HASN'T REALLY IMPACTED OUR PRACTICE TOO MUCH BECAUSE WE TRY TO DIRECT A LOT OF IT ONLINE ANYWAY.

SO THAT HAS BEEN KIND OF A UNIQUE YEAR FOR US.

REALLY THE REASON THAT WE -- THAT I -- I SAY WE BECAUSE MY WIFE AND I ARE SUCH PARTNERS IN THIS TOGETHER.

THE REASON THAT I GOT INTO THIS IS YOU LOOK IN THE PAPERS AND SAY WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON IN ST. PAUL.

THOSE GUYS MUST BE CRAZY.

I THOUGHT I COULD GO DOWN AND USE A LITTLE BIT OF MY BACKGROUND, EXPERIENCE, TO HELP SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, AND I DO REALIZE IT IS CRAZY, AND THAT YES, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON HERE.

IT'S REALLY BEEN A BLESSING AND QUITE AN HONOR TO REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 1.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY.

THANKS, BARRY.

>> Barry: IF I'M RECALLING CORRECTLY, AND I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT A SAFETY NET.

SENATE DISTRICT 1, DIDN'T IT USED TO BE ROGER'S DISTRICT YEARS AGO.

>> AND LEROY STUMPF WERE OVER THERE QUITE A WHILE IN THE NORTH COUNTRY.

>> Barry: LET'S BEGIN THIS EVENING'S PROGRAM WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR QUESTIONS TO COME IN, AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OUR PANEL AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT WHAT EACH MEMBER IS CONCERNED ABOUT AND WHERE THIS IS AT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND HOW YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO TURN OUT.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR JOHNSON.

WE WILL GO WITH REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK NEXT.

SENATOR JOHNSON, THE FLOOR IS YOURS A COUPLE MINUTES.

>> COULD YOU RESTATE THAT.

MY SPEAKER BROKE UP FOR A LITTLE BIT.

>> Barry: IDENTIFY AN ISSUE OR TWO YOU ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT.

TELL US WHERE IT'S AT.

AN ISSUE THAT'S LIKELY TO SEE ACTION IN THE NEXT WEEK OR 10 DAYS, AND ACTUALLY IT'S THE WEEK, I GUESS.

LESS THAN A WEEK.

I GUESS IT'S A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AND IN TERMS OF SEEING ACTION IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE ARE REALLY GETTING TO THAT TIME WHERE WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT ON THAT ASPECT.

I WON'T TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME.

BUT WE ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER THE PACKAGES FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE, OMNIBUS BILLS PASSED OFF THE FLOOR, AND BUDGET BILLS PASSED OFF THE FLOOR, AND WE ARE SITTING IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH THE OTHER SIDE AND TALK ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES, THINGS LIKE TAX POLICY OR 1.$6 BILLION SURPLUS, 2.$6 BILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN, AND YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW DOESN'T SEEM LIKE TAXES SHOULD BE AN ISSUE THAT'S EVEN ON THE TABLE.

WHAT WE STILL ARE HEARING AND SEEING SOME DIRECTION, SOME PRESSURE THAT WAY, TOO, AND THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THE TABLE FOR EVEN LIKE PPP.

THAT'S ONE BIG THING THAT'S BEEN OUT THERE, AND THE OTHER ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, OF COURSE, IS I SIT ON JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE CENTERPIECES, I THINK, NOT JUST HERE IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, BUT ACROSS THE NATION.

WHAT'S MINNESOTA GOING TO BE DOING?

WE ARE REALLY SITTING IN A PLACE WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE HOUSE AND A LOT OF THOSE MEMBERS ON CREATING THE IDEAS AND FIGURING OUT WHAT COULD WORK WITH THE STATE.

JUST TODAY WE GOT DONE WITH CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHERE WE HEARD FROM ATTORNEYS AND SOME OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS FROM GEORGE FLOYD AND DAUNTE WRIGHT AND THOSE FOLKS AS WELL.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE PRESSURE POINTS AS WELL.

HOW WE MATCH UP THE BUDGET WITH POLICY CONCERNS.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR ON LEADERSHIP HERE IN THE SENATE WHICH HAS BEEN FASCINATING TO SEE FROM THE VIEW OF PARTS OF WHETHER IT'S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND BUDGET OR WE ARE TALKING STATE GOVERNMENT, FUNDING AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT'S FUN TO SEE HOW THEY ALL MATCH UP AND WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BE COMING, WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE GOING.

IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING IN 10 DAYS, BECAUSE WE ARE IN TWO DIFFERENT UNIVERSES, IT FEELS LIKE NOW.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK, WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU IDENTIFY FOR OUR VIEWERS.

>> A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT HAVE BEEN SORT OF ONGOING ISSUES, BUT TWO IN PARTICULAR I CAN THINK OF, ONE IS RELATED TO CHILD CARE.

I WAS CO-CHAIR OF THE FAMILY TASK FORCE WITH SENATOR KIFFMEYER.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS WITH PARENTS AND OTHER FOLKS TO REALLY COME UP WITH A GOOD PACKAGE OF PROVISIONS TO HELP FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS GET IN THE FIELD AND STAY IN THE FIELD.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PROVIDERS LEAVING IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE CHILD CARE SLOTS FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT NEED CHILD CARE IN THE STATE WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF FAMILIES.

PARTICULARLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THAT ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND HAVE A WHOLE PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT'HAT'S IN BOTH E HOUSE AND SENATE, AND MOST OF THE PROVISIONS ARE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

OMNIBUS HHS BILL, AND NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT AT THIS POINT BUT HOPEFULLY PROGRESS.

THE OTHER ISSUE, I THINK, THAT'S SORT OF GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT MORE ATTENTION RECENTLY IS PLASTIC CHEMICALS.

THESE ARE FOREVER CHEMICALS, AND THEY DON'T GO AWAY AND WE ARE FINDING THAT ALL THE STATES, AND IT WAS A CHEMICAL AND THEY HAD MULTI -- 700 SOME MILLION DOLLARS SETTLEMENT.

THOSE CHEMICALS ARE EVERYWHERE, AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY PROVISIONS, AND THERE'S AT LEAST ONE PROVISION INVOLVED IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES OMNIBUS BILL THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT WHERE IT'S COMING FROM AND WHERE THOSE PRODUCTS ARE GOING, AND HOW THEY ARE GETTING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE STOP THIS FROM GETTING THERE.

THOSE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE PRETTY WIDELY SUPPORTED IN TERMS OF THE IDEA, AND I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS AS WE CONTINUE.

>> Barry: DID I SEE THAT THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THE HHS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS IN FACT MEETING RIGHT NOW, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I'M NOT ON THAT.

I'M NOT SURE.

BUT IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME.

THEY HAVE A VERY LARGE BILL TO GET THROUGH.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, IDENTIFY AN ISSUE OR TWO FOR YOUR VIEWERS.

>> SURE, THERE'S ONE THAT'S DEFINITELY HEATING UP IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

IT'S SHOWN UP ON A COUPLE OF HEADLINES HERE AND THERE.

THAT'S CALIFORNIA CARS, CLEAN CARS, ENERGY, ALL TIED INTO ONE TOPIC, AND IT'S BEEN SORT OF OFF A LOT OF PEOPLE'S RADAR, BECAUSE THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES FROM THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION THROUGH MPCA.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS HAVE SORT OF COME TO THE SURFACE AS HE TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES HE FEELS WE NEED TO MEET HEAD ON AS THE LEGISLATURE AND ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE IN THAT CONTEXT AS OPPOSED TO THROUGH A RULE MAKING PROCESS THROUGH MPCA.

THE IMPACT, BARRY, IS REALLY FELT WIDELY ACROSS THE STATE IF THESE RULES WERE TO BE MOVING FORWARD.

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM AS OPPOSED TO A BIG STICK OF MPCA IMPOSING CALIFORNIA STANDARDS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

I HOPE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THAT ISSUE, PAYING ATTENTION, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD INCREASE THE COST OF A VEHICLE IN MINNESOTA BY $1,000 OR MORE AS DEALERSHIPS MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO INVENTORY VEHICLES THAT THEY LIKELY CAN'T SELL.

CALIFORNIA'S STANDARDS AND RULES EVER BASED ON A DIFFERENT CRY CRITERIA AS IT RELATES TO CLIMATE, AND FREE MARKET REALLY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE THIS ISSUE.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE APPRECIATING THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

>> Barry: LET ME PURSUE THIS A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER THAT'S CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE PRESS COVERAGE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY BE SOME EFFECT ON MINNESOTA PARKS OR DNR FILING AND OTHER THINGS IF THIS BILL ISN'T HANDLED IN A CERTAIN WAY.

MAYBE YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT WHERE THAT ISSUE IS AT AND I'M SURE OUR TWO SENATORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES HAVE A VIEW ON IT AS WELL.

TAKE A MINUTE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION FROM THE VIEWER, WHETHER OR NOT PARKS FUNDING IS THREATENED BY THIS DISCUSSION.

>> I THINK THE WAY TO SORT OF APPROACH THAT IS, YOU KNOW, ANY LEGISLATION THAT'S VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR COULD POTENTIALLY, OF COURSE, IMPACT IN VARIOUS WAYS, AND IF WE DO REACH A SCENARIO WHERE THE GOVERNOR WILL VETO LEGISLATION, IT COULD LEAD TO PARKS BEING CLOSED.

I THINK OUR POSITION IS PRETTY SIMPLE, I THINK WHAT WE ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR IS THIS ISSUE BE HANDLED IN A WAY THAT'S TRANSPARENT AND THAT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATORS AROUND THE STATE, YOU KNOW, ELECTED INDIVIDUALS, AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS AND DEBATE THIS ISSUE AS OPPOSED TO AN AGENCY JUST MAKING THAT DECISION QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES.

BUT THAT'S REALLY THE CONCERN THAT'S ON MY MIND, AND I HOPE THAT THE SENATE RAISING THIS ISSUE TO A HIGHER LEVEL WILL ALLOW FOR THAT MORE TRANSPARENT PROCESS TO PLAY OUT.

>> Barry: SENATOR MUTT NAM, THE PUTNAM: ; THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> I WOULD START WITH MY GENERAL FOCUS ORASKAVICH YEN TAITION TO OR IN GENERAL IS WE NEEDTO MAKE, TOMORROWS BETTER THAN YESTERDAY.

THAT'S OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M INCREDIBLY INTERESTED IN EDUCATION.

THE EDUCATION BILL THAT CAME OUT OF THE SENATE IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND DANGEROUS.

A ZERO PERCENT INCREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND FORMULA WILL RESULT IN A $3 MILLION DEFICIT IN ST.

CLOUD PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IF YOU THINK THEY HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY.

THEY WILL HAVE TO CUT BACK A LITTLE BIT.

MY DAUGHTER'S FRESHMAN ENGLISH CLASS HAD 4 MILLION IN IT.

$3 MILLION LESS IS NOT GOING TO HELP WITH THAT SITUATION.

THAT'S A VERY DEEP CONCERN I HAVE, SUPPORTING OUR KIDS AND TEACHERS, AND THE CURRENT BILL IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

IT'S DANGEROUS.

ANOTHER ISSUE IMPORTANT TO ME AGAIN IS I'M REALLY HOPING, AND PRETTY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS ONE, I'M HOPING WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAX UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT SUFFERED THIS YEAR.

WE DID DO WORK TO TAKE CARE OF THE PPP LOANS, WHICH IS GREAT BUT I'M ALSO HOPEFUL WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT FOR THE INDIVIDUALS.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE CONSTITUENT LAST WEEK WHO SAID IT'S GOING TO COST AN ENTIRE MONTH RENT TO PAY HIS TAXES ON UNEMPLOYMENT, AND HE DOESN'T HAVE IT.

I'M HOPING THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN TAKE CARE OF, TOO.

WANT TO TALK ABOUT CARS, TOO.

>> Barry: DO THAT, AND WE WILL GO TO SENATOR JOHNSON AND REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK ON THAT QUESTION.

>> THERE'S TWO DIMENSIONS ON THIS.

I DON'T RECALL THESE CALIFORNIA STANDARDS.

THEY ARE 15 STATES WHO HAVE THE CLEAN CAR EMISSION STANDARDS.

ONE IS VERMONT, AND VERMONT GETS COLD, TOO.

IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL ISSUES OF THE STANDARD IS ONE ISSUE.

REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PROCEDURE GENERATING THE POLICY.

I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN.

IT'S TO MAKE SURE IT'S AS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.

THE MPCA CAN DO THAT.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT THESE CAR EMISSION STANDARDS AREN'T SOME WHACKY, CRAZY CALIFORNIA IDEA.

THEY HAVE A FAIR AMOUNT OF SUPPORT.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON TALK ABOUT THE CLEAN CAR RULE AND THE ISSUE THAT THE VIEWER RAISED TO IMPACT ON DNR PARKS FUNDING AND SO FORTH.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHY REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN AND MYSELF HAVE REALLY OPPOSED THE PROCESS OF THESE RULES BEING ENACTED.

THIS IS CLEARLY A LEGISLATIVE PREROGATIVE.

THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER TO THE AGENCY TO BE TAKEN AND MADE INTO RULES ABOUT ANY INPUT FROM LEGISLATORS.

I REMEMBER WE HAD A HEARING IN THE JOINT ENVIRONMENT HEARING, AND I ASKED THE COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, WELL, CAN'T YOU STILL FIND SOME OF THE VEHICLES IN OTHER STATES INSTEAD OF MANDATING THEM BE IN INVENTORY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SHE SAID WELL, WHY CAN'T YOU GO TO ANOTHER STATE TO FIND THE VEHICLES THAT YOU WANT BECAUSE I WANT TO FIND MORE OF THESE VEHICLES CLOSE TO ME.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VEHICLES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, THESE AREN'T CHEAP VEHICLES THAT REGULAR FAMILIES ARE PICKING UP, ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT.

FOR ME, IT'S AN ELITIST ARGUMENT WHY WE NEED TO DO CALIFORNIA CLEAN CAR EMISSIONS IN THE STATE.

I DRIVE A 2014 EXPLORER AND SHE SAID THIS VEHICLE CANNOT BE SOLD IN CALIFORNIA.

THOSE ARE MOM AND POP VEHICLES, AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT REDOING OUR ENTIRE INVENTORY OF VEHICLES, BECAUSE SOME FOLKS DON'T WANT TO GO TRAVELING OR LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHY IS IT HERE IN MINNESOTA, MAYBE THERE'S NOT A MARKET FOR IT.

MAYBE THERE'S OTHER ISSUES THAT'S NOT GOING TO SELL, REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE OF TEMPERATURE AND WHAT NOT.

I HAVE TO DRIVE 651 MILES FROM THE STATE CAPITOL BACK HOME AND HERE AGAIN.

IT'S A 651-MILE TRIP.

THERE'S NOT AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE ON THE MARKET THAT'S GOING TO GET THAT, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER, WHERE RIGHT NOW THE TECHNOLOGY IS ABOUT HALF THE BATTERY IS USED TO HEAT UP THE BATTERY ITSELF, ESPECIALLY IN THE COLD WINTER.

THIS IS NOT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

WE NEED INPUT FROM LEGISLATORS AND WE ARE REALLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I STAND VERY STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THE DIRECTION THIS IS GOING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CLEAN CAR RULE AND USES RELATED TO THAT.

>> SURE.

A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP.

THE POINT ABOUT THE RULE MAKING, WE ACTUALLY WILL HAVE A DECISION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THAT ISSUE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING THAT AND LEARNING HOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.

ANOTHER THING TO NOTE THERE ARE AUTO MAKERS THAT ARE MOVING THE ENTIRE LINEUPS OF CARS TO ELECTRIC.

THIS ISN'T THE THING WHERE AUTO MAKERS ARE DOING IT, THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE THE DEMAND IS THERE FOR THE VEHICLES.

I THINK THAT'S A KEY PIECE TO UNDERSTAND.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT THESE VEHICLES, AND AUTO MAKERS ARE RESPONDING TO THAT DEMAND.

I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE RULE MAKING PROCESS DOES HAVE A LOT OF EXTENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES.

IT'S NOT AS IF THE PUBLIC HASN'T WEIGHED IN ON THIS AT ALL.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY COMMENTS.

I'M THINKING HOUSE OF COMMENTS.

MPCA SAID H THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSATION AND PUBLIC INPUT AND FOR THAT BACK AND FORTH FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE CONCERNED AND THOSE THAT SUPPORT THE CLEAN CAR RULING.

THAT'S PRIMARILY WHAT I'M HEARING FROM MY CONSTITUENTS.

I WILL SAY I DON'T -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS OVER THE OMNIBUS BILL.

WE ARE STILL PRETTY EARLY.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S LATE IN SESSION, WE ARE EARLY IN THAT PROCESS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN BUT I HOPE WE CAN COME TO CONSECONSENSUS ON SOME THINGS.

>> Barry: IT'S A QUESTION VIEWERS HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN ON THE AIR.

A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT, AND IT GOES ACTUALLY TO A QUESTION THAT SENATOR PUTNAM WRITES.

THIS VIEWER IS WERND ABOUT TAX CONFORMITY WITH THE FEDERAL TAX CODE AND WONDERING WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT IS.

WE WILL PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, SENATOR PUTNAM, AND YOU CAN MAYBE TAKE A RUN AT THAT.

>> SHOOR.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE DEEPLY BIPARTISAN.

IT ISN'T JUST EASIER FOR CONSUMERS AND NOT JUST BETTER FOR US BUT FOR PEOPLE TO PREPARE THE TAXES.

I GOT A TON OF E-MAILS AND PHONE CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE REALLY ALMOST BEGGING FOR TAX COM FORMALITY AS POSSIBLE.

I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH MOMENTUM AROUND THE ISSUES THAT THE PPP LOAN IS TOTALLY GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE WOULD HAVE CONSISTENCY AND NOT TAX EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

THE SHORT ANSWER WOULD BE I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THOSE TWO PARTICULAR ELEMENTS OF TAX CONFORMITY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAX CODE TEACHERS CAN DEDUCT $250 WORTH OF THEIR EXPENSES FOR COVID RELATED REMEDIATION.

AND WE MADE THAT CONSISTENCY WITH THE CONFORMITY WITH THE FEDERAL LAW IN THE SENATE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

I THINK THAT THIS IS A PRETTY SAFE BET IS WHAT I WOULD SAY.

I'M OPTIMISTIC.

>> Barry: TAX CONFORMITY, REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE BROUGHT UP VERY EARLY IN SESSION AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS THIS PRIOR TO BUSINESSES HAVING TO FILE EXTENSIONS TO TRY AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WOULD DO.

I AGREE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, BUT WHEN WE SEE OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE VOTING TO NOT TAKE UP THE CONVERSATION IT MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT IS THE ISSUE AND WHY IS IT THAT WE CAN'T MOVE FORWARD ON AN ISSUE THAT IS SO BROADLY SUPPORTED AND I HOPE PEOPLE WATCHING TODAY ARE AS WELL, WHAT IS THE HOLDUP.

IT APPEARS IT COULD BE A PART OF THE FINAL ASSOCIATIONS AS WE COME TO THE END OF SESSION.

BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS.

IT SHOULDN'T THE UNFORTUNATE EXAMPLE THAT IT IS OF POLITICS PLAYING A PART IN THE PROCESS AS OPPOSED TO DOING THE RIGHT THING.

I THINK IT WILL PROBABLY GET ACROSS THE LINE BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT CREATED A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS THEY ACCEPTED THESE DOLLARS AND BECAUSE IT'S BEEN HELD UP, HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS IN THE BEGINNING TO GET THIS STRAIGHTENED OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAXED ON THE REVENUES, THOSE DOLLARS, AS THEY TRY TO KEEP THE EMPLOYEES PAID AND KEEP MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY WORKING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID.

I WAS A COAUTHOR ON THE BILL, AND I THINK IT WILL GET DONE, AND I THINK IT HAS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT.

WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES IN THE DISTRICT THAT GET THROUGH THE PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM IN THE PANDEMIC.

I THINK IT WILL GET DONE.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE GONE OVER THIS WELL.

WE HAVEN'T DESCRIBED WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR THE STATE.

WHEN WE WERE SHUT DOWN, WE WERE SHUT DOWN FOR MONTHS.

THE IMPACT TO OUR BUSINESSES WAS ENORMOUS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT THAT TIME CAME IN WITH THIS PROGRAM AND, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY LAID IT OUT THAT THESE WOULD BE FORGIVABLE LOANS ACTING AS GRANTS, TOTINO, TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT YEAR, AND EVERYTHING FROM CHURCHES TO NONPROFITS TO OUR SMALL MOM AND POPS, AND LAW FIRMS, TO EVERYBODY IN BETWEEN REALLY CLUNG ON TO THIS MONEY IN THE HOPE IT WOULD BE MORE OF A GRANT.

WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID FINALLY DECIDE AND MADE IT OFFICIAL THESE WOULD BE FORGIVEN AND NOT TAXED, MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES ASSUMED THE SAME THING WOULD HAPPEN TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THAT WAS KIND OF A GIVEN.

WHEN YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR FINANCES IN SMALL BUSINESS OREN THAN, WHATEVER YOU ARE, YOU DON'T REALLY USE THAT MONEY AND SET IT ASIDE, YOU USE IT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN HOLD ONTO THE NEXT YEAR, NEXT WEEK, NEXT MONTH, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

WHEN MINNESOTA DELAYS ON CONFORMITY, THE MINNESOTA SENATE WE PASSED IT PRIOR TO MARCH 15th.

EACH DELAY NOW, AND I HAVE GOT PEOPLE TEXTING ME AND CALLING ME EVEN YESTERDAY SAYING AM I GOING TO HAVE TO WRITE THIS CHECK OUT?

AND I SAID WELL, IF YOU HAVEN'T PUT IN FOR, YOU KNOW DELAY YOUR TAX FILING, YEAH, YOU ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO CUT THAT CHECK AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY THAT BILL, AND WE WILL TRY TO PASS THIS THING.

THE FACT THAT THIS HAS BEEN DELAYED AS LONG AS IT HAS IS REALLY HARMING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AND FOLKS AROUND MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: LET'S GO TO REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK AND TALK ABOUT EDUCATION FUNDING.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING, WONDERING WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT IS AND WHAT THE FINAL ARRANGEMENT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES IT'S A PRIORITY LEGISLATURE, AND SOMETHING NORTH OF 40% OF THE STATE BUDGET IS HE HADS INDICATION FUNDING.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS, REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK.

IT'S I GUESS PREK-12 FUNDING.

>> WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE CONFERENCES ARE HAPPENING.

SO WE DON'T HAVE BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS ON WHAT THE FULL DEALS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WE REALLY HAVE BEEN PRIORITIZING IN PARTICULAR IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION AND WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING MIN MACHINES ANSWER OFF TO A GREAT START.

WE KNOW THAT THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR INVESTING IN EARLY EDUCATION IS HIGH, AND IT HAS LONG LASTING IMPACTS ON KIDS AND FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA.

WE TRIED TO EXTORT OF ELEVATE THAT AS AN ISSUE THIS SESSION AND MAKE SURE IT'S NOT JUST K-12 BUT EARLY EDUCATION AND THEY ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT A $3 MILLION CUT.

I'M HOPING WE WILL SEE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND LOOKING TO ADDRESS THE GAP IN OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING AND I DON'T KNOW FOR HOW LONG BUT FOR SOME TIME WE HAD A GAP IN WHAT IT COST TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND WHAT IT IS TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES.

THERE'S A GAP WE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED FULLY, AND IT'S ANOTHER ISSUE AND OTHER DISTRICTS APPROACHED US TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO DO MORE ON THAT ISSUE.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE SORT OF IN PLAY HERE.

JUST GENERAL IT'S A BIG PART OF OUR BUDGET, AND IT DOES COME UP IN CONVERSATION AND ONE OF THOSE THINGS IN THE END WE ARE ABLE TO SETTLE THE DIFFERENCES AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE GOOD QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR ALL THE KIDS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON PREK-12 EDUCATION, AND I WOULD SAY ABOUT THE SPECIAL ED THING THAT ALL YEARS I HAVE BEEN DOING THE PROGRAM NOW, AND IT'S 30 PLUS YEARS, MUCH OF THAT TIME PERIOD WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE FACT THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROMISED FUNDS AND HASN'T DELIVERED.

YOU CAN BLAME EVERYBODY HERE AND THERE FOR THAT.

SENATOR JOHNSON, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT ON THIS SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT OF COURSE IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE GROUPS, AND IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE OTHER THING WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IS A LOT OF THE DISPARITIES WE HAVE IN EDUCATION.

WE ARE, AS A STATE, WHICH IS VERY EMBARRASSING, HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST DISPARITIES BETWEEN NONWHITES AND WHITES AS FAR AS EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, AND IF WE CONTINUE TO DO SOME OF THE SAME THINGS WE HAVE BEEN DOING, SIMPLY POURING MONEY INTO THE SAME PROGRAMS AND DOING THINGS LIKE THAT, I BELIEVE THOSE OUTCOMES WILL CONTINUE IN THE SAME WAY WE HAVE.

WE ARE DOING UNIQUE THINGS IN THE SENATE THIS YEAR.

SOME OF THE NORMAL THINGS OF ADJUSTING AND EQUALIZATION WHICH REALLY HELPS OUT FOR OUR SMALL SCHOOLS AND ACROSS RURAL, MINNESOTA, AND IT'S A BIG, BIG DEAL.

I HAD A SUPERINTENDENT CALL ME THE OTHER DAY SAYING THIS WILL HELP REDUCE OR ELIMINATE ONE OF OUR LEVIES JUST THE WAY THAT YOU ARE FUNDING.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE PUT MONEY ON THE FORMULA BUT THE MOVES YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW ARE REALLY RELIEVES A LOT OF THE PRESSURE ON OUR SCHOOL AND ALLOWING US TO FUNCTION IN A WAY WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO IN QUITE A WHILE.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S UNIQUE IN THE BILLS IS ESA, SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROPOSAL.

SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN PUT THAT IN THERE AND WE HAD A LOT OF PUSH BACK FOR THAT.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO ON AND ACCESS THOSE SCHOOLS THAT THEY MAY HAVE NOT BEEN AUTOMOBILE TO ACCESS PRIOR.

IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS UP THERE.

MOST OF THE SCHOOLS ARE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN AND WE LOVE HAVING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND WHERE YOU SEE THE MASSIVE DISPARITIES ARE IN THOSE AREAS THAT BENEFIT FROM THE ESA ACCOUNTS, AND WE ARE REALLY HOPING TO PUSH THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AS A WAY OF GIVING THE LEG UP FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE ECONOMIC MEANS TO ATTEND THOSE SCHOOLS THAT SOME OF OUR CHILDREN MIGHT BE ABLE TO ATTEND.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE THE PARADIGM.

IT'S A SMALL CHANGE, BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE PUSHING AND HOPING BILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THAT GAP BETWEEN WHITES AND NONWHITES.

>> SENATOR PUTNAM, WE TOUCHED ON THIS VERY EARLY ON.

YOU HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL FROM THE SENATE AND YOU HAVE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> THANKS.

I HAVE GOT A LOT MORE TO SAY ON THAT ACTUALLY.

THANKS FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN.

ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, TIM PAWLENTY PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN EDUCATION SO WE WOULD FULFILL OUR CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO SAY EVERY MINNESOTA SHOULD REACH STANDARDS, EVERY SCHOOL SHOULD BE FUNDED ENOUGH.

HE DISBANDED THAT COMMITTEE ONCE WE STARTED TO REALIZE IT WAS GOING TO COST AN AWFUL LOT.

I DISAGREE WITH SENATOR JOHNSON ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS.

FIRST IS WE HAVEN'T BEEN THROWING MONEY AT EDUCATION FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY UNDERFUNDED EDUCATION WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE CURRENT BILL IS AN ABOMINATION.

0% INCREASE IN THE GENERAL FORMULA IS TOXIC.

THAT'S TEACHERS, AND WE WILL HAVE WIDESPREAD TEACHER LAYOFFS IF THE BILL GOES THROUGH.

THE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM IS EQUALLY DISTURBING.

WE ARE NOT PUTTING MONEY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION BUT PUT $250 MILLION IN SCHOOL VOUCHERS THAT DON'T WORK.

UPWARDS 90% OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE SCHOOL VOUCHERS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CHOICE.

THOSE WHO DO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THIS PROGRAM DON'T ALWAYS DO BETTER.

A LOT OF THEM DO WORSE AND THINK ABOUT THIS.

IT MAKES SENSE.

IF YOU ARE A KID IN ONE COMMUNITY AND YOU GO TO A DIFFERENT ONE WITHOUT YOUR FRIENDS, YOU DON'T HAVE THE SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK.

IT'S A BIT OF A CHALLENGE.

IT'S AN ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE, THE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM COULD BE.

IF WE WERE FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE WAY WE SHOULD, I WOULD BE PERFECTLY FINE WITH SENDING MORE MONEY TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, BUT WE HAVEN'T.

AREN'T.

THE BELIEF THAT THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE AUTOMATICALLY BETTER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY AREN'T.

THEY FUNDAMENTALLY AREN'T.

ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE STATE IS TECH HIGH SCHOOL IN ST. OUR KIDS WHO ARE IN ADVANCED CLASSES DO BETTER THAN THE KIDS IN THE AREA.

THE ARGUMENT IS OPERATING WITH ASSUMPTIONS AND I THINK WE NEED TO STAND UP AND START PORTING OUR KIDS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, K-12 EDUCATION.

>> I MENTIONED EARLIER CARRIE AND I HAVE 6 CHILDREN, AND THEY HAVE PLUGGED IN TO EDUCATION AT VARIOUS LEVELS.

THEY HAVE ENJOYED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HOMESCHOOLED.

THEY HAVE USED PUBLIC SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEY HAVE ALSO USED PSEO TO FINISH OUT THEIR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR.

IT'S THAT CHOICE AND THAT FLEXIBILITY THAT HAS REALLY GIVEN MY CHILDREN A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO FIND WHAT FITS THEM BEST.

SENATOR PUTNAM QUITE HONESTLY IS THE ABOMINATION IS THAT YOU WON'T ALLOW FAMILIES TO CHEWS CE FOR THEMSELVES.

IT'S ASTONISHING DEMOCRATS WOULD STAND IN THE WAY OF CHOICE, LETTING FAMILIES HAVE THAT CHANCE TO DIRECT THE TAX DOLLARS THAT ARE BEHIND THEIR STUDENT INTO THE BEST POSSIBLE PROGRAM THAT MIGHT PROVIDE OUTCOMES THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT THEY FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A PHENOMENAL IDEA, AND I DMEND SENACOMMENDSENATOR JOHNSON FOR G THAT.

IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY THAT ISN'T THERE FOR SO MANY KIDS AROUND THE STATE WITH EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

IT'S PHENOMENAL, THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND LET'S BE HONEST, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE COVID HAS COME.

THE BUILDINGS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE NOW EMPTY, THE OFFICES AROUND THE STATE, BECAUSE WE ARE ALL OFFICING FROM HOME IN MANY CASES, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THAT WILL COME BACK, AND SOME OF IT WON'T.

THAT'S THE REALITY THAT WE FACE IN MINNESOTA.

EDUCATION IS GOING TO CHANGE, TOO.

I HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO SHOW THE STRENGTH TO RECOGNIZE THAT CHANGE, RATHER THAN TRYING TO DO THE SAME THINGS OVER AND OVER AGAIN SAYING IF WE JUST FUNDED IT TO THE RIGHT NUMBER, WHICH I DON'T THINK ANYBODY AGREES ON WHAT THAT IS, THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK ANYMORE.

WE NEED REAL SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILIES AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WHY NOT TRY AN EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WHY WOULD ANYBODY STAND IN THE WAY OF THAT?

TO ME, THAT'S ASTONISHING.

GIVE FAMILIES AROUND THE STATE THE CHOICE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE SOMETHING THAT IN MANY CASES HAS WORKED GREAT.

YOU KNOW, IN THOSE CASES WHERE IT DOESN'T, THAT'S OKAY.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT AND FULLY SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEMS.

IN CASES WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, LET'S GIVE THEM THAT CHOICE.

>> WE ASK YOU TO RESPOND TO THE POINT THAT SENATOR PUTNAM MADE ABOUT THE ZERO PERCENT MONEY.

THAT WAS AN AREA OF SPECIFIC CONCERN.

HE MENTIONED THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> SURE.

WE CAN GO BACK IN HISTORY HERE, NOT TOO FAR BACK, AND FOUR TIMES, AND NOT SURE IF IT WAS IN 2008, 2011, '15, AND THERE WAS ONE OTHER IN THERE, TOO, WHERE WE SAW ZERO INCREASES ON THE BUDGET.

I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE, TOO THAT DOESN'T MEAN EDUCATION SPENDING ISN'T GOING UP.

E-12 EDUCATION IS 42% OF THE GENERALLY FUND SPENDING.

IF YOU WANT TO ADD IN HIGHER EDUCATION THAT'S 50% OF THE STATE AND GENERAL FUND SPENDING.

YOU LOOK AT THAT, AND YOU ADD IN OVER A BILLION DOLLARS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS POUR TD INTO OUR SCHOOLS OVER THIS LAST YEAR AS WELL.

WE ALSO HAVE THE AUTOMATIC -- THERE'S OTHER SPENDING PREROGATIVES IN THERE THAT BEGIN TO GO UP, AND DIFFERENT THINGS IN THERE THAT BEGIN TO GO UP AND I THINK IT'S OVER $300 MILLION THERE AS WELL THAT'S GOING TO BE ADDED TO THE EDUCATION SPENDING.

THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T PUT 1% ON THE FORMULA, WHATEVER, THAT'S ONE OF THE MANY, MANY WAYS THAT SCHOOLS GET FUNDED.

SO I WOULD PUSH BACK ON THAT AND SAY THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING TO OUR SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

NEARLY HALF OF OUR BUDGET, STATE BUDGET IS GOING TO OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE GOT TO BE FIGURING OUT HOW WE ARE USING THAT MONEY IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY, NOT JUST POURING MORE MONEY INTO THE SYSTEM AS IT IS.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST 30 SECONDS OR SO.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF EDUCATION MOTIVATION.

ESPECIALLY REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, THE NARRATIVE YOU TOLD ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATED A GREAT DEAL OF CHOICE.

PARENTS HAVE CHOICE NOW.

THEY CAN GO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SUBSIDY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL AND NOT SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC.

IT HAS BEEN TRIED BEFORE IN A NUMBER OF STATES.

IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S A COMPLETE BRAND-NEW EXPERIMENT.

I WOULD SAY AGAIN, TO SENATOR JOHNSON'S POINT I TOTALLY CONCEDE THAT, THAT THERE IS STILL OTHER MONEY GOING INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT WE HAVEN'T BEEN PUTTING IN ENOUGH FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

INNOVATION COSTS A LOT, TOO.

IF THIS BILL GOES THROUGH THERE WILL BE A $3 MILLION DEFINITE.

THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

>> WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS NEXT WEEK, I THINK, AND IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AS WE GET CLOSE ARE TO THE END OF THE SESSION.

LET'S MOVE TO ANOTHER TOPIC THAT'S OFTEN CONTROVERSIAL AT THE END OF THE SESSION, AND THAT'S TRANSPORTATION BUDGET.

LET'S GO TO YOU, SENATOR PUTNAM.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE -- MAYBE IN THE PROGRAM WE GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BAT LEAD OFF.

WE WILL LET YOU BAD LEAD OFF AGAIN.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET, AND WHAT DO YOU SEE AS CRITICAL ISSUES, AND TAKE THAT BALL AND RUN WITH IT AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE.

>> I WILL NOT RUN WITH IT VERY FAR.

IT'S NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE AND I DON'T MAKE STUFF UP.

THERE ARE LOCAL PROJECT IN MY AREA THAT ARE LOCAL TO MY COMMUNITY.

WE GOT AN AMAZON FULFILLMENT CENTER IN ST.

CLOUD, AND WE NEED HELP WITH THE ROADS OUT HERE TO MAKE SURE IT'S GOING TO WORK OKAY.

GREATER MINNESOTA HAS SPECIAL NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US RESPECT THEM AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO BEPLEXABLE AND REALIZE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND AREAS NEED TO BE FLEXORABLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN PORTIONS OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE ONE-TIME MONEY, FEDERAL MONEY AND BUDGET SURPLUS, AND FOR ME THAT MONEY NEEDS TO GO INTO THINGS THAT WILL LAST.

IT NEEDS TO GO INTO INFRASTRUCTURE, INTO THINGS THAT LAST AND WILL BE AROUND AFTER THE MONEY IS SPENT.

THAT WOULD BE MY PRIORITY.

BUT IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL PROGRESS OF THE OMNIBUS TRANSPORTATION, I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH INSIGHT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANKFULLY LAST BIENNIUM WE PASSED A SIGNIFICANT AND IN FACT THE LARGEST BONDING BILL IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY, AND NOT SURE IF THE SIZE NECESSARILY DICTATES THE VALUE, BUT THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS THAT WERE COVERED IN THAT BIG.

I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE NEXT BIENNIUM, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT ONGOING IN TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND I CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT.

THERE ARE EXAMPLES UNFORTUNATELY WHERE WE HAVE MADE SOME MISTAKES, AND I THINK WE NEED TO REFOCUS OUR ENERGY AS IT RELATES TO TRANSPORTATION IN THE SUCCESS STORIES WHICH IS THE TYPICAL EXAMPLE.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS 2021 AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN HERE AGAIN THE WORLD CHANGE, AND TRAINS UNFORTUNATELY ARE NOT MOVING PEOPLE EFFICIENTLY DOLLAR TO DOLLAR AROUND THE STATE.

I HOPE THAT THAT ENERGY STAYS FOCUSED IN ROADS AND BRIDGES WHERE IT HAS THE MOST DIRECT IMPACT ON MINNESOTANS STATEWIDE.

BECAUSE OF CLIMATE AND SO MANY OTHER FACTORS, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TAKES A HIT THAT IT DOESN'T IN SOME OTHER CLIMATES.

IT DOES REQUIRE CONTINUED ATTENTION.

NOW, THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN AROUND RAISING TAXES.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THAT ISN'T NECESSARY WITH THE CURRENT FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT WE HAVE.

I HOPE THAT DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN DIRECTED FROM AUTO PARTS AND OTHER CATEGORIES RELATIVE TO SALES TAX CONTINUE TO STAY PUT AND SUPPORT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AS OPPOSED TO RAISING TAXES AND FUEL AND OTHER CATEGORIES.

YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE THINGS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON AS THE PROCESS MOVES FORWARD.

I THINK IN THE END WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO WIND UP WITH A VERY ROBUST TRANSPORTATION BILL THIS SESSION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK, TRANSPORTATION BUDGET, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES GENERALLY.

THE FLAR IS YOURS.

>> SURE.

SENATOR TO SENATOR PUTNAM, I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO ADD TO THAT.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE SAFE AND ABLE TO HANDLE OUR CHANGING WEATHER HERE, AND THE FACT IT CAN WREAK HAVOC ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.

AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THE SUBURBS, YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD PUBLIC TRANSIT UP HERE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LONGER TERM PIECE OF THE PUZZLE AND I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL LINES THAT ARE ACTIVELY IN THE WORKS GOING OUT TO THE SUBURBS, AND AS WE SEE FOLKS GOING BACK TO OFFICES THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING THESE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS SO THAT THEY CAN GET TO WORK AND ALSO GET TO OTHER THINGS THAT THEY MAY WANT TO DO THAT AREN'T CLOSE TO HOME.

I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, IN REGARDS TO THE TRAINS, THE GREEN LINE HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IT WAS BREAKING RECORDS, RIDER SHIP RECORDS, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S AN ACCURATE STATEMENT.

THAT LINE HAS SPREAD A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT ALONG IT, INCLUDING A LOT OF HOUSING FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO NEED IT AND NEED THAT ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

AGAIN, EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AT THIS POINT IN THE YEAR IS ABOUT COMPROMISE, AND I THINK WE WILL SEE SOMETHING GOOD COME OUT OF IT, WHETHER IT'S EXACTLY WHAT OTHERS WANT.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON.

>> SENATOR NUT N PUTNAM AND I DT AGREE ON ANYTHING, BUT WE ARE IN LOCK STEP WHERE THE FUNDING SHOULD GO.

WE HAVE 2.6 BILLION COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF WE COULD PARK A BILLION IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS OUR STATE, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT INVESTMENT WITH THAT ONE-TIME MONEY INTO A LONG-TERM STRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE.

A COUPLE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY HAVE HIT MIRAI DAR THIS MY RADAR ARETRANSPORTATION ROUT.

YOU KNOW, REALLY WE ARE SO FAR AWAY FROM THE MARKETS THAT YOU FIND ACROSS EITHER THE STATE OR THE COUNTRY THAT AIR TRAVEL ACTUALLY GETS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF ACCESSING THOSE MARKETS, AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET FUNDING FOR AIRPORT EXPANSION SO THEY CAN DO COMMERCIAL WORK OUT OF THAT AIRPORT.

THE OTHER ONE THAT'S MORE INTERESTING ISN'T IN MY DISTRICT BUT A LITTLE BUMP ON THE TOP OF MINNESOTA, AND THEY HAVE REALLY BEEN HIT HARD WITH THE BORDER SHUTDOWN.

THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN GET OVER TO THAT COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW IS EITHER BY BOAT OR BY ICE ROAD BECAUSE THEY HAVE REALLY SHUT OFF THE BORDER.

DECENT AIRPORT WHERE YOU CAN GET IN AND LAND AND TURN AROUND AND GET OUT AGAIN ISN'T JUST A NICE THING TO HAVE, BUT THESE ARE STILL CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO HELP OUT MINNESOTANS, WHETHER IT'S A SMALL TOWN IN THE FAR NORTH OR IN THE SUBURBS.

THESE IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THOSE PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE PERFECT CANDIDATES FOR THIS FEDERAL MONEY.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM, I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT HERE.

>> AGAIN?

>> Barry: RIGHT.

THE CONTENT THAT SENATOR JOHNSON.

YOU ARE IN HEATED AGREEMENT, WHAT A FRIEND OF MINE USED TO SAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ST.

CLOUD AIRPORT.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, MY IMPRESSION WAS BOTH THE ST.

CLOUD AIRPORT, THE ROCHESTER AIRPORT AND MAYBE EVEN FAR GO FO WERE TURNING INTO HUBS.

AM I CORRECT IN THAT?

IS THAT SOMETHING WE MAY SEE MORE OF AS TRAVEL RETURNS?

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

WE HAVE OTHER KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURAL MOVES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE ST.

CLOUD AIRPORT AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE HAD FLIGHTS TO CHICAGO, AND I DON'T THINK WE ARE FAR OFF.

I'M OPTIMISTIC AS ST.

CLOUD GROWS, THE AIRPORT IS GOING TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT.

>> Barry: WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE AND A HALF LEFT.

LET'S DO A QUICK AROUND THE TABLE.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION?

START WITH YOU SENATOR, PUTNAM, SPECIAL SESSION YEAR, YES OR NO?

>> EVERY SESSION IS SPECIAL.

THAT'S MY WAY OF SAYING I HAVE NO IDEA.

THAT'S MY WAY OF SAYING I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE WAZLAWIK, YOUR THOUGHTS.

SPECIAL SESSION OR NOT.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH SENATOR PUTNAM, NO IDEA AT THIS POINT.

>> Barry: SENATOR JOHNSON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

>> WE ARE AIMING FOR MAY 17th.

I'M GOING TO KEEP THAT AS MY TARGET.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN?

>> REPRESENTATIVE HEINTZEMAN IS PREDICTING A MIXED BAG.

THE JOORT MAJORITY OF OUR WORK E ON TIME BUT THERE MAY BE A FEW OUTLIERS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COME BACK IN WHAT IS NOW, I WOULD CONSIDER A NOT SO SPECIAL SPECIAL SESSION.

IT SEEMS AS THOUGH EVERY TIME YOU TURN AROUND FOR THE LAST YEAR AND SOME MONTHS IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THAT CERTAINLY IS LIKELY AND OF COURSE WATCHING THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS TODAY IT APPEARS THAT WILL BE THE CONTINUED CYCLE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS FOR THE QUESTIONS YOU PROVIDED TO THE PANEL.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU I CAN CONTINUE SEND THE QUESTIONS, AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE LEFT THE HEIR AIR, AND THE PLAN IS WE WILL BE WITH YOU AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE WEEKS, AND WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK MAYBE IN RETROSPECT AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN THE RAVE SESSION WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY END AS SCHEDULED ON MAY 17th.

THANKS TO THE PANEL, AND THANKS TO YOU, THE VIEWERS, AND GOOD NIGHT.

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