MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Mary: SESSION'S OVER, BUT THE WORK IS NOT.

WE'LL TALK WITH A REPORTER AND AN ANALYST DUO IF THIS COULD ALL FALL APART.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

LIUNA: MINNESOTA'S INFRASTRUCTURE UNION, REPRESENTING 12,000 SKILLED CONSTRUCTION LABORERS.

LIUNAMINNESOTA.ORG.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," OUR FINAL EDITION FOR 2021.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOTH ADJOURNED ON MONDAY AFTERNOON WITHOUT PASSING MOST MAJOR BILLS, INCLUDING A BUDGET.

WE'LL HAVE A LOT MORE ON THE QUIET END TO SESSION AND GUARANTEED JUNE SPECIAL SESSION THROUGHOUT TONIGHT'S SHOW.

CAPITOL REPORTER DANA FERGUSON WILL JOIN ME LIVE IN THE STUDIO IN JUST A FEW MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S LEFT TO DO.

WE'LL MEET A FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER WHOSE RUN FOR OFFICE WAS BORN OUT OF PERSONAL TRAGEDY.

OUR ANALYST DUO IS BACK FOR ONE FINAL VISIT.

>>> BUT, FIRST, WHILE THE REGULAR SESSION ENDED WITH A WHIMPER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR DID ANNOUNCE A GLOBAL AGREEMENT THAT COULD STAVE OFF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT THE END OF JUNE.

THIS IS THE MOMENT EVERYONE WAS WAITING FOR.

THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TOGETHER ANNOUNCING A BUDGET DEAL ON THE LAST DAY OF THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THESE ARE HARD.

HARD.

AND I WOULD -- I'M NOT TELLING ANYONE HERE, WE'RE ONE OF THE TWO STATES WITH DIVIDED LEGISLATURE, AND IF WASHINGTON IS ANY MODEL FOR THAT, THIS STUFF SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE.

>> NOT EASY.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE VERY DIFFERENT ON MANY MANY ISSUES, IT REALLY IS A TRIBUTE TO MINNESOTA THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT IN MINNESOTA, BUT THE WORK IS -- I WOULD SAY IT'S NOT DONE, IT JUST BEGAN, AND NOW WE HAVE CLEAR GUIDANCE ABOUT WHERE TO GO.

>> YOU'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE BEFORE.

AND YOU KNOW HOW IT ENDED.

THE SEQUEL IS PRETTY SIMILAR TO THE ORIGINAL.

HERE WE ARE AT THE END OF SESSION, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING INTO A LITTLE BIT OF OVERTIME, BUT YOU HAVE THREE PEOPLE WHO BASICALLY RESPECT EACH OTHER AND ARE ABLE TO WORK WELL TOGETHER, DESPITE HUGE IDEALOGICAL RIFFS BETWEEN THEM.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS SAY THEY'RE MOST PROUD OF A HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION TO HELP CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, BUT THE FIRST BILL THROUGH, AS USUAL, WAS AGRICULTURE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> AGRICULTURE MAYBE IS APPROPRIATELY GOING FIRST BECAUSE WE FOUND SOME AGREEMENT ON AREAS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND MAYBE THE UNDERLYING REASON IS WE FIND AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE AS WE ALL LIKE TO EAT.

>> Mary: THE HEALTH BILL HAS LEGALIZATION OF SMOKEABLE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

>> I HAVE TO HAND IT TO THE PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.

YOU'VE DONE IT.

AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, I SUPPOSE.

>> REALLY, IT'S NOT A JOKE.

IT'S NOT A PATHWAY TO LEGALIZATION.

>> Mary: THE GLOBAL DEAL DOES NOT INCLUDE SPECIFIC POLICE REFORM.

SOURCES SAY LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS WOULD HAVE HAD TO SIGN OFF ON ANY LANGUAGE.

>> E ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING THAT WE PERCEIVE AS ANTIPOLICE, BUT WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT ARE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE THAT EVERYBODY COULD COME TO THE TABLE AND SAY, THAT COULD MAKE IT BETTER.

>> Mary: THE DEAL DOES HAVE STATE TAX RELIEF FOR FEDERAL BENEFITS OF PAYCHECK PROTECTION FOR BUSINESSES AND UNEMPLOYMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS CONTINUE, BUT HE WON'T BE RAISING TAXES.

MANY ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOGISTICS AND WORK AHEAD.

>> E AREN'T GOING TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY FROM STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERTISE.

BUT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, MINNESOTANS' VOICES.

>> BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE HAVE AGREED THAT MAY 28th IS WHEN WE'RE EXPECTING SPREADSHEETS ON EACH OF THE BUDGET AREAS FROM THE CHAIRS OF EACH OF THOSE COMMITTEES AND THEN BY JUNE 4th, LANGUAGE THAT THEY CAN AGREE ON.

>> Mary.

>> BEFORE WE RECONVENE AGAIN I HOPE WE CAN THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BEST FUNCTION, HOW WE CAN BEST ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER ON THIS FLOOR BECAUSE THE DEBATE IN THIS HALL MATTERS ENORMOUSLY.

♪♪ >> MARY: JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT THAT GLOBAL BUDGET AGREEMENT, THE JUNE 14TH SCHEDULED SPECIAL SESSION, AND MORE, DANA FERGUSON.

DANA COVERS THE CAPITOL FOR THE "FORUM NEWS SERVICE."

YOU CAN CATCH HER BYLINE IN NEWSPAPERS ALL OVER GREATER MINNESOTA.

WELL, DANA, I THINK WE'RE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT THIS IS A TENUOUS DEAL AT BEST.

WE'VE SEEN MANY OF THESE DEALS CRUMBLE AND THEY'RE WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF BEING IN SESSION.

WHAT'S AHEAD?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT THAT NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT AS WE HEARD FROM THE LEADERS AND CALLING IT AN AGREEMENT, I WOULD AGREE, IS GENEROUS TO THEM.

SURE, IT'S A FRAMEWORK, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH THAT NEEDS TO BE HASHED OUT AT THIS POINT.

THERE ARE SO MANY KEY PIECES IN TERMS OF POLICE REFORM, IN TERMS OF THE CLEAN CAR RULES, IN TERMS OF MECHANICALLY -- EMERGENCY POWERS THAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE TOUGHEST POINTS ALL SESSION AND WE JUST DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

>> Mary: THE SPEAKER KEPT CALLING IT A NUMBERS-ONLY DEAL.

AND IN SOME WAYS, WITH ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN, ISN'T THE NUMBERS THE EASIEST PART?

>> WELL, YOU'D THINK SO.

[ Laughter ] BUT IT TOOK THEM HOWEVER MANY MONTHS TO FIGURE THIS MUCH OUT.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> SO, ONCE THEY GOT THE DETAILS OF HOW THEY COULD SPEND SOME OF THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS, THE LEADERS SAID IT BECAME A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO CREATE THIS BULLETED LIST OF TARGETS, BUT THERE'S STILL SO MUCH MORE THAT THEY NEED TO FIGURE OUT, AND I'M A LITTLE PESSIMISTIC THAT THEY'LL DO IT AS QUICKLY AS THEY SAY THEY CAN.

BUT WE'LL SEE.

>> Mary: AS YOU MENTION, THERE'S A LOT OF POLICY YET TO BE WRAPPED UP.

YOU MENTIONED THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

ONE POSSIBILITY THAT'S BEEN RAISED IS IF THIS CLEAN CAR, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DON'T RESOLVE, PARKS COULD CLOSE JULY 4th IN MINNESOTA, THAT WOULD HAVE MAJOR IMPACT.

>> YES.

SO, IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON SOMETHING OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY, HOPING TO GO CAMPING OR OUT ON THE BOAT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT MIGHT ALL BE UP IN THE AIR AT THIS POINT.

WE'VE HEARD SENATOR INGEBRIGTSEN SAY HE'S READY TO JUST BLOW UP THAT BUDGET SECTION IF IT COMES DOWN TO IT.

DEMOCRATS ARE HOLDING PRETTY FIRM IN SAYING WE'RE NOT GOING TO DELAY OR GET RID OF THE CLEAN CARS RULE.

BUT IT'S UNCLEAR IF SENATOR GAZELKA'S WILLING TO PUT SO MUCH POLITICAL CAPITAL INTO THAT SECTION WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER DEALS THAT COULD BLOW UP IF THAT ONE CAN'T BE RESOLVED.

>> Mary: YOU ALSO MENTIONED POLICE REFORM, THAT, I THINK, IS QUITE THORNY YET AND WE'VE SEEN EARLIER IN SESSION HE POCI CAUCUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR INDIGENOUS CAUCUS, SAYING, WE'RE NOT SUPPORTING ANY BUDGET BILLS UNTIL POLICE REFORM IS PASSED.

THAT COULD STILL BE AN ISSUE GOING FORWARD, COULDN'T IT?

>> I THINK IT COULD.

AND WE'VE HEARD TOP REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE SAY, WE'RE NOT PASSING ANYTHING THAT IS ANTIPOLICE WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN.

THERE'S SOME OPENNESS ON THAT SIDE TO DO SOMETHING, BUT WILL IT BE AS MUCH AS THE POCI CAUCUS OR THE DFL IS LOOKING FOR?

IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY COULD COME TO AGREEMENT ON EVERYTHING WHEN THEY'VE STARTED IN SUCH DIFFERENT POSITIONS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> Mary: AND MORE ON LOGISTICS AS WE GO FORWARD BECAUSE THE LOGISTICS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO BE CHANGING.

THE FENCE IS COMING DOWN, THE PUBLIC MIGHT BE ABLE TO COME IN.

SO HOW DIFFERENT DO YOU THINK, FROM WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR, SPECIAL SESSION COULD LOOK?

>> IT COULD BE INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT.

AND I HINK IT WOULD BE SO MUCH MORE NORMAL THAN WHAT WE ARE USED TO, JUST IN THAT BUILDING AT THIS POINT, IT'S BEEN REPORTERS, SECURITY, LEGISLATORS, AND THAT IS IT.

AND SOME OF THE TOP LEGISLATORS SAID, HIS BUILDING HAS BEEN SO DIFFERENT AND WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF LOBBYISTS OR ACTIVISTS OR JUST CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED, THERE'S NOT BEEN THAT SAME PUSH TO GET THIS STUFF DONE.

AND, SO, WE'RE IN OVERTIME.

NOW IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A PUSH, NOT TO MENTION THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN COME JULY 1st.

SO IT WILL BE DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT OVER THERE.

>> Mary: AND, REALLY, SAY IT OUT LOUD, THE LAST QUESTION, TWO SESSIONS OF THIS, REALLY TWO YEARS OF THIS ODDITY, IT COULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON HOW THE PLACE WORKS, COULDN'T IT?

>> I THINK SO.

I KNOW THAT SOME FOLKS HAVE SAID HAVING ZOOM HEARINGS IS A LOT EASIER, A LOT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR SOME CONSTITUENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THE CAPITOL.

BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN PERSON THAT YOU JUST CANNOT REPLACE ON A REMOTE HEARING.

SO I THINK THEY'LL TRY TO FIND A WAY TO NAVIGATE A COMBINATION OF SOME KIND MOVING FORWARD, BUT AT LEAST THE PAST COUPLE DAYS IT SOUNDED LIKE EVERYBODY'S REALLY EXCITED TO GET CLOSER TO NORMAL AFTER ALL OF THIS.

>> Mary: WE ALL ARE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, DANA.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary: IT'S TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL "ALMANAC" SURVEY.

I'M MARY LAHAMMER AND IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL COVERAGE AND MUCH MORE.

YOU CAN SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK AND OFFER STORY IDEAS BY TAKING THE SURVEY.

IT WILL TAKE JUST ABOUT TEN MINUTES.

YOU CAN FIND IT ALL AT TPT.ORG/SURVEYS.

AND THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> MARY: UP NEXT IS THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF OUR SERIES OF FRESHMAN PROFILES.

THE CLASS OF 2021 HAS BEEN HISTORIC FOR THE DIVERSITY THEY BROUGHT TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM HOUSE MEMBER TRADED IN HIS BULLHORN FOR A VOTING BUTTON AFTER THE POLICE-INVOLVED DEATH OF HIS CLOSE FRIEND.

>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANYONE THAT YOU KNOW KILLED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> Mary: WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

YOU HAVE A REALLY INTERESTING ANSWER ON THIS ONE.

>> I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO SEE HOW THE LAWMAKERS, SO I BECAME ONE.

I ALWAYS KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO SEE OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: YEAH, YOU HAVE A REAL PERSONAL STORY AND CONNECTION, COULD YOU TALK ABOUT HAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I WORKED FOR ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FOR ALMOST, WHAT, 11 YEARS, UP UNTIL THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF MY FRIEND, PHILANDO CASTILE, WHO WAS MURDERED IN FALCON HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA.

NORMALLY I WOULD SHOW UP, YOU KNOW, MAYBE, 300 PEOPLE WITH A BULL HORN, IRONICALLY, I WAS CALLED THE ANGRY BLACK MAN BECAUSE I WAS ANGRY THAT MY FRIEND WHO GOT MURDERED AND WAY THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT MY FRIEND IN THE MEDIA, ABOUT THE PERSON THEY ASSUMED HE WAS, BUT I KNEW EXACTLY WHO PHILANDO WAS.

I TALKED TO HIM ON JULY 5th OF 2016, AND E TALKED ABOUT THE MURDER OF ALTON STERLING, WHO WAS MURDERED JULY 5th, 2016.

AND OUR CONVERSATION WAS SO BRIEF, AND WE WERE SO NUMB TO THAT POLICE-INVOLVED KILLING THAT I WALKED IN THE STORE, I WAVED MY HAND, I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE VERY NEXT DAY, JULY 6th, MY FRIEND WOULD BE MURDERED IN THE SAME MANNER THAT ALTON STERLING WAS MURDERED.

SO I WOULD SHOW UP.

I JUST WANTED TO CHANGE THE STATUTE ON THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE.

>> Mary: HOW DO YOU GO FROM BULL HORN TO, YOU KNOW, MICROPHONE AND VOTING BUTTON?

>> MY STRATEGY IS SIMPLE.

ORGANIZE, STRATEGIZE, MOBILIZE.

YOU KNOW, AND I'M HOPING HAT I INSPIRE A LOT OF YOUNG AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN WHO LOOK JUST LIKE ME TO DO THE SAME THING.

YOU CAN BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP COMPLAINING OR YELLING AT PEOPLE.

LIKE PEOPLE OBVIOUSLY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE JUST WANT IT TO STOP.

SO 'M JUST, LIKE, -- HIS IS A NEW PROTEST FOR ME, HONESTLY, LIKE I KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING PUSH-UPS FOR THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE BASED OFF OF THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE HERE.

I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT ANYTHING I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE.

BUT WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, POLICE AND BRUTALITY HERE IN THE STATE.

AND IT FALLS ON DEAF EARS.

HERE'S THE OTHER PIECE, MARY.

PEOPLE DON'T GET TO TELL ME HOW TO BE SICK AND TIRED OF RACISM.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

YOU DON'T ET TO TELL ME, THERE'S NOTHING SWEET ABOUT RACISM, SO WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO BE SOFT SPOKEN ABOUT IT?

THERE WAS NOTHING SOFT SPOKEN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO PHILANDO OR DAUNTE WRIGHT OR GEORGE FLOYD.

>> Mary: LET ME SAY, IT WASN'T ASY, YOUR CAMPAIGN WAS CONTROVERSIAL, IT WAS TOUGH.

PEOPLE WERE CALLED ON TO NOT ENDORSE YOU, TO DISAVOW YOU.

CAN OU TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FACING SOME OF THAT CONTROVERSY AND HOW YOUR PROTESTS AND YOUR WORDS WERE SEEN AS INAPPROPRIATE?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> HERE WE HAVE AN OFFICER WITH 56 SERVICE COMPLAINTS, 11 SUCCESSFUL LAWSUITS, AND, ACTUALLY, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS AND HE SAYS THAT IT DIDN'T HARM HIM AT ALL.

ALSO TALK ABOUT A GUY WHO SHOWS UP TO A, YOU KNOW, HE ACTUALLY HANDCUFFS A 13-YEAR-OLD KID, FOOTBALL, KICKS HIM INSPECT THE MOUTH.

SO WE SHOW UP TO HIS HOME.

BY THE WAY, THEY AWARD THIS OFFICER BY MAKING HIM THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE FEDERATION AND HE'S THE SERGEANT, LIKE, HOW DOES THAT WORK, OUT OF 56 COMPLAINTS, AT LEAST -- RIGHT.

BUT SHOW UP TO HIS HOUSE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THAT?

WHAT ABOUT YOUR WORDS THERE?

DO YOU REGRET ANY OF IT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT NOW?

>> I DO.

HONESTLY, YOU KNOW WHAT I REGRET ABOUT HUGO, MINNESOTA?

IS BEING THERE.

YOU KNOW, I DO.

>> Mary: I HAVE LONG WONDERED WHAT PHILANDO WOULD THINK.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THAT, IF HE KNEW WHERE YOU ARE NOW AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> PHILANDO IS HERE WITH ME RIGHT NOW.

PHILANDO IS HERE WITH ME.

AND HE'S AROUND ME EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES HIS VOICE COMES OUT OF MY MOUTH.

I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, LIKE AFTER WE LOST PHILANDO, I LOST MY MOTHER.

AFTER I LOST MY MOTHER, MY SON WAS SHOT SIX TIMES AT A FUNERAL.

AND, SO, IT INSPIRES ME TO DEFINITELY BE THE CHANGE I WANT TO SEE IN MY COMMUNITY.

AND I KNOW THAT A LOT OF YOUNG MEN N MY COMMUNITY ALSO, MARY, IF THEY CAN SEE IT, THEY CAN BE IT.

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER RAPPER OR ANOTHER BASKETBALL PLAYER.

WE NEED LEGISLATORS, LAWMAKERS.

YOU KNOW, PRESIDENTS.

>> Mary: HOW IS THE REALITY FOR YOU OF LAWMAKING?

>> REALITY S EVERYTHING THAT I EXPECTED OUT OF LEGISLATION.

THE BELLY OF WHERE RACISM EXISTS AS A LEGISLATOR.

I'M IN THE BELLY OF WHERE RACISM EXISTS.

I'LL SAY THAT AGAIN.

AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HONESTLY, LIKE, THINK THAT I'M SPEWING RHETORIC, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM ALSO.

THIS IS WHERE RACISM EXISTS IN THIS STATE.

♪♪ >> MARY: IT WAS THE QUIETEST FINAL DAY OF A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN MEMORY.

BOTH CHAMBERS ADJOURNED BEFORE DINNERTIME, FORGOING THE USUAL RUSH TO BEAT THE CLOCK AT MIDNIGHT.

OUR ANALYST DUO IS HERE TO HELP US SORT OUT WHY THERE SEEMED TO BE LITTLE URGENCY TO PASS A BUDGET DURING THE REGULAR SESSION.

CARIN MROTZ IS A LOYAL DFLER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

HERE TOO, LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST AND REPUBLICAN BRIAN MCDANIEL.

WELCOME BACK TO THE STUDIO, YOU TWO.

BRIAN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

IN YOUR SCORECARD OF KIND OF WHO WON, WHO LOST, HOW DID REPUBLICANS DO, PARTICULARLY SENATE REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITY?

>> I DON'T THINK THE REPUBLICANS GOT A WHOLE LOT.

I MEAN, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY GOT MUCH.

I GUESS IF I HAD TO SAY WHO WON, PROBABLY THE GOVERNOR, JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR GOT TO KEEP HIS POWERS, YOU KNOW.

BUT THE REPUBLICANS THAT DIDN'T RAISE TAXES, THEY GOT, YOU KNOW, THE PPP REFORM, CONFORMITY, AND THEY GOT THE U.I., BUT EVERYBODY WANTED THAT.

AND NO DEMOCRAT UP THERE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO RAISE TAXES THIS YEAR.

SO, I WOULD SAY THAT MAYBE I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE GOP THAT ARE A LOT DISAPPOINTED.

>> Mary: LET ME FOLLOW UP N YOU REAL QUICK, I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF RANK-AND-FILE REPUBLICANS WHO RE NOT HAPPY.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS AFFECTS GAZELKA'S FUTURE, WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THAT?

>> CERTAINLY THIS DOESN'T HELP.

THE DELEGATES ARE PRETTY RABIDLY CONSERVATIVE, AND I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD LOOK AT THIS DEAL AND SAY THIS IS A RABIDLY CONSERVATIVE DEAL.

YOU KNOW, I WONDER, AS THERE SOME INTENT TO KIND OF GET OUT OF DODGE SO THAT WAY WE CAN -- EVERYONE CAN START CAMPAIGNING?

BECAUSE HE'S CERTAINLY THE NO THE ONLY SENATOR THAT'S -- HE'S NOT THE ONLY SENATOR THAT'S PLANNING ON RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT I WOULD SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO NEED TO BE EXPLAINED AND EXPLAINED WELL.

THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS.

THERE'S SO MUCH WE DON'T KNOW.

>> Mary: YES.

>> THERE MIGHT E GREAT THINGS IN THERE THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT, AND IF SO, SHOW THEM TO US.

>> Mary: OAK, CARIN -- OKAY, CARIN, I SEE LOTS OF SMILES OVER THERE.

BRIAN SAID THE GOVERNOR KIND OF WON.

HE'S BEEN A ROUGH YEAR FOR THE GOVERNOR, QUITE HONESTLY, THIS WAS A WIN FOR HIM, YOU THINK?

>> IT'S A WIN FOR HIM IN THAT SOMETHING IS GETTING DONE, ANYTHING IS GETTING DONE.

I DO WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT BRIAN SAID ABOUT WHAT REPUBLICANS GOT.

YOU KNOW, HEY GOT TO KEEP THEIR PROMISE ABOUT NOT RAISING TAXES BASED ON FEDERAL FUNDS THAT CAME -- >> Mary: THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN ANYWAY, RIGHT?

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> THANK YOU CARD THAT THEY'RE WRITING TO THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOR ALLOWING THEM TO FULLY FUND K-12 WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES.

>> Mary: IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE SPEAKER HORTMAN, WHEN SHE WAS ANNOUNCING THE DEAL, BASICALLY CREDITED THE PRESIDENT.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: SHE SAID, THIS IS WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND A DEMOCRAT WINNING DID.

I DON'T THINK I EVER REMEMBER A LEGISLATOR CREDITING THE PRESIDENT FOR A DEAL AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

VERY UNUSUAL.

>> IT WAS LOT OF MONEY, MARY.

>> Mary: YEAH.

BILLIONS.

OKAY.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT MORE POLITICS, BRIAN.

BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT SENATORS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

AND WE KNOW GAZELKA DEFINITELY WANTS TO.

LET'S ADD CARLA NELSON, MICHELLE BENSON, WE ALREADY HAVE SCOTT JENSEN WHO WAS IN THE SENATE.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE SENATE, IS THAT THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW?

>> NO.

I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED ONLY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING, ALL OF THOSE SENATORS, IF THEY CHOOSE TO RUN, WILL HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR SENATE SEATS.

NORMALLY, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD HAVE ANOTHER TWO YEARS, SO IT WOULD ALMOST BE A FREE RUN.

SO FOR ANY OF THEM WHO ARE GOING TO TRY THIS, THEY REALLY HAVE TO COMMIT THAT THEY ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE THEY, YOU KNOW, WILL DO IS -- DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR SENATE SEAT.

>> Mary: WHAT'S THE ACTIVIST FROM RANK AND FILE, ARE HEY HUNGRY FOR THAN AOUTSIDER?

>> I THINK THEY ALWAYS ARE.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT THAT WAY.

FOR AN OUTSIDER.

IF YOU'RE AN OUTSIDER, STEP ON UP, YOU GOT A SHOT.

BUT I THINK THAT WHAT MINNESOTA VOTERS REALLY WANT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IS SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM IN THE SUBURBS, FIX OUR PROBLEM IN THE INNER CITY, APPEAL TO A MUCH BROADER, YOU KNOW, SWATH OF THE ELECTORATE ND ACTUALLY HAVE US WIN A STATEWIDE ELECTION.

>> Mary: CARIN, THERE'S A LOT THAT DEMOCRATS COULD BE IN TROUBLE IN THE SUBURBS, TIBBLE A LOT OF SUBURBAN PARENTS WHO WERE FRUSTRATED WITH SCHOOL AND SPORTS.

WILL THAT MEMORY STILL STICK AROUND, ARE DEMOCRATS GOING TO CONTINUE TO OVERPERFORM IN THE SUBURBS?

>> I'M NOT REALLY SURE THAT THAT IS GOING TO STICK AROUND AND BE LONG LASTING.

YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY THAT THIS WILL BE A BIG EAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE'RE SEEING ROE V. WADE UP FOR GRABS IN THE SUPREME COURT, AND IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE MAINTAIN NOT JUST OUR DFL HOUSE MAJORITY, WHICH IS NOT INCIDENTALLY A PROCHOICE MAJORITY, WE NEED TO KEEP THE DEMOCRATS IN THE MAJORITY, AND WE NEED TO KEEP A COMPANY IN THE GOVERNORROR'S OFFICE.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WHETHER YOUR KID'S FOOTBALL SEASON WAS DELAYED IS GOING TO BE AS IMPORTANT AS DEFENDING CHOICE.

>> Mary: BRIAN, LET'S TALK DURING THIS SESSION.LOBBYING.- TALK US THROUGH IT.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE VIA ZOOM AND TEXT MESSAGE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN DOING IT LONG ENOUGH, WE HAVE ALL THE PHONE NUMBERS, WE HAVE -- YOU KNOW, WE KNOW HOW TO TEXT THEM, AND THEY'LL TEXTBOOK BACK.

AND THEY'LL TEXT BACK.

IT MADE THINGS HARDER, IT MADE THINGS SLOWER, BUT STILL DIDN'T PREVENT EVERYBODY FROM ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CLIENTS.

I THINK THE REAL LOSERS WERE THE PUBLIC.

BECAUSE THE PUBLIC DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, APPEAL TO THEIR LEGISLATORS IN A REALLY IMPACTFUL WAY.

AND THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T DO THIS EVER AGAIN.

>> Mary: CARIN, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

YOU'RE IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACTIVATE AND COME TO THE CAPITOL.

>> I MEAN, WE -- I PERSONALLY ORGANIZED MULTIPLE MEETINGS OF MY MEMBERS WHO MEET WITH -- TO MEET WITH LEGISLATORS.

THERE WAS STILL PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REPUBLICAN SENATE TO REFUSE TO HEAR OUR BILLS.

IF THEY CHOSE TO.

BUT WE DID GET TO DO MEETINGS ON ZOOM.

WE WERE STILL ABLE TO -- >> Mary: DID IT WORK?

DID YOU FEEL LIKE THAT WAS EFFECTIVE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IF THERE IS A HOUSE OF -- IF THERE'S A CHAMBER THAT IS INTRACTABLE AND DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR BILLS, IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER IF YOU BRING PEOPLE TO THE CAPITOL.

I THINK THAT THERE'S A BREAKDOWN IN REAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC AND REAL ENGAGEMENT WITH VOTERS RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: LAST QUESTION.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, THEY'RE BACK JUNE 14th, GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN JULY 1 IF 42 DON'T GET IT -- IF THEY DON'T GET IT WRAPPED UP.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SHUT DOWN GOVERNMENT.

NCH THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, I THINK A LOT OF LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO EXPRESS THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT.

ULTIMATELY, THEY'RE STILL PUTTING THE BILLS TOGETHER.

THEY HAVE A COUPLE OF -- A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO MAKE THESE THINGS SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN SELL BACK IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

BUT I DON'T THINK A CARDS.MENT SHUTDOWN IS IN THE- >> YEAH, WE'VE GOT 12 OMNIBUS BILLS IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE REASON I CAN'T MORAN, MEMBER OF THE -- RENA MORAN, THE CHAIR OF THE WAYS AND MEANS, I THINK THERE'S A CHANCE TO GET SOME THINGS DONE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THANKS, YOU TWO, APPRECIATE IT.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

AND OUR FINAL ONE OF 2021.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, CHECK OUT ALL OF THE FRESHMAN LAWMAKER PROFILES, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TPT.ORG/AATC.

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>>> MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WILL JOIN ERIC AND CATHY IN THE STUDIO.

ROY FINDEN WILL HAVE A SPECIAL SPRINGTIME ESSAY FOR YOU.

I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE EDUCATION FUNDING FOR SUMMER SCHOOL JUST AROUND THE CORNER AFTER TWO DISRUPTED SCHOOL YEARS IN A PANDEMIC.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

THANKS FOR ALL THE CREW, ALL THE VIEWERS FOR WATCHING.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.