>>> YOU ARE WATCHING PIONEER PBS.

>>> "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.

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

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I WILL BE YOUR HOST AND MODERATOR FOR THE HOUR LONG PROGRAM LEADING UP TO A DISCUSSION OF THE IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE AS ALWAYS A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

THE HOUSE IS BUSY THIS EVENING, BUT WE HAVE THREE SENATORS, TWO SENATORS NOW, AND A THIRD WILL BE JOINING US SHORTLY TO TALK ABOUT THOSE IMPORTANT ISSUES OF THE DAY.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU, THE VIEWERS, THAT THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM.

BECAUSE IT'S YOUR PROGRAM, WE NEED TO HAVE YOU CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS SO WE CAN PASS THOSE ALONG TO THE PANEL.

THE PHONE NUMBER AND E-MAIL ADDRESS WILL APPEAR ON YOUR SCREEN.

EITHER MECHANISM WILL WORK.

THIS IS OUR LAST PROGRAM OF THE YEAR.

SO IF YOU ARE SENDING IN QUESTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ASKING THEM UNTIL JANUARY.

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS WE ALWAYS DO, BY GIVING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO INTRODUCE OUR FIRST GUEST AND GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT HER HISTORY AND BACKGROUND.

SENATOR MARY KIFFMEYER WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THE TERM.

I HAVE KNOWN SENATOR KIFFMEYER FOR 35 OR 40 YEARS.

IT GOES BACK TO THE COUNTY CONVENTIONS BACK IN THE EARLY MID-1980s.

SHE'S BEEN AN ELECTED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, SECRETARY OF STATE, MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE AND INVOLVED IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, YOU HAD A GREAT CAREER, AND I THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN OUR PROGRAM THIS EVENING BY GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT NOT ONLY ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW AND THE COMMITTEES YOU ARE SERVING ON, BUT IF YOU COULD REFLECT FOR PERHAPS A COUPLE MINUTES ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND WHAT YOU FOUND PARTICULARLY REWARDING AND MAYBE IF YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR THE SENATORS THAT WILL FOLLOW YOU BEGINNING WITH THE NEW TERM IN 2023.

WE WILL SEE THAT THEY GET THAT ADVICE.

WHETHER THEY WILL FOLLOW IT, WHO KNOWS.

BUT THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, BARRY.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE FOR ALL THE YEARS WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY, MANY, MANY SCENARIOS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND THINGS THAT HAPPENED OR DON'T HAPPEN.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN GREAT.

YOU ARE CONSISTENT, CHEERFUL AND VERY WELL KNOWN AND WELL REGARDED ATTORNEY AND ESPECIALLY NOW AS A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

BY THE WAY, MY UNCLE WAS A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE IN NORTH DAKOTA.

MY UNCLE HAD A BIG IMPACT ON MY LIFE BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY CARED ABOUT MY FUTURE AND WOULD SAY TO ME WHAT ABOUT YOUR FUTURE.

A LOT OF THOSE THINGS INFLUENCE YOU WHEN YOU ARE A YOUNG KID AND DO THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT THE YEARS THAT I HAVE SERVED, I THINK MORE AND MORE EACH YEAR THAT'S GONE BY, MY APPRECIATION FOR THE PROCESS AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS, THE KNOWLEDGE THEY BRING, THE DIFFERENT CAREERS THEY HAVE FROM FORENSICS, I.T., TO FARMING TO SALESMEN FOR INSURANCE.

THE WHOLE GAMUT AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE BACKGROUNDS ARE TREMENDOUSLY VALUABLE AND WHAT THEY BRING TO EACH COMMITTEE, THE SUBJECT MATTER AND OF COURSE WHEN YOU SERVE ON THESE YOU GAIN THAT INCREDIBLE EDUCATION AND PRIVILEGE AND HONOR AND EVERY TIME WE ARE IN THAT CHAMBER AND WE SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MANY TIMES OPEN WITH PRAYER, YOU JUST ARE AMAZED THAT YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO BE THERE.

BUT WE ARE ALSO A STEWARD.

WE DON'T OWN IT.

WE ARE THERE FOR A TIME TO TAKE WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE, CONTINUING ON FROM THERE, AND TRYING TO DO YOUR MARK OF DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU CAN HAND IT OVER TO THEM AND THEY CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE.

BUT IT'S JUST BEEN A TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE AND HONOR.

I WOULD SAY MY BIGGEST BIT OF ADVICE, AND I TOLD THIS TO MANY, DO YOUR HOMEWORK, READ YOUR BILLS, COME PREPARED TO THE COMMITTEE.

BE IN THE COMMITTEE FULL-TIME.

LISTEN, PAY ATTENTION, ASK QUESTIONS, BE THOUGHTFUL.

THAT SORT OF THING.

IT'S LIKE LET'S SEE, I THINK WE WERE TOLD TO DO OUR HOMEWORK QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, AND HERE WE ARE STILL DOING HOMEWORK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY THE SUCCESS AND SOME OF THE THINGS ARE GETTING DONE, AND I SAY I DO MY HOMEWORK, COME PREPARED, WORK REALLY HARD AND SAY A LITTLE PRAYER ALONG THE WAY, TOO.

SOMETIMES IT LOOKS PRETTY TIGHT AND PRETTY NOT SO GOOD, BUT GREAT PRIVILEGE JUST TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE AND DO THE WORK.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, MAYBE YOU COULD TELL US THE COMMITTEES YOU ARE SERVING ON IN THIS TERM AND WE WILL MOVE ON TO SENATOR OSMEK AND INTRODUCE HIM TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> I LIVE IN BIG LAKE, MINNESOTA AND DISTRICT NUMBER IS SENATE DISTRICT 30.

BIG LAKE AND ELK RIVER, AND HANOVER, AND 16 HOMES IN DAYTON.

IT'S A DISTRICT THAT HAS A LOT OF TRANSPORTATION IN IT, REALLY ACTIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

GRADUATION RATE IN A FOUR-YEAR RATE IN THE HIGH 90s.

VERY PROUD OF MY DISTRICT.

I THINK ALL OF US ARE.

EVERY SINGLE SENATOR, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS, WE HAVE THAT.

I CHERISH STATE GOVERNMENT POLICY, FINANCE ELECTIONS AND SERVE ON THE MAJOR FINANCE COMMITTEE, TRANSPORTATION, FINANCE AND POLICY, JUDICIARY, FINANCE AND POLICY.

ALSO ON THE ETHICS COMMITTEE AND OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION, WHICH I HAVE CHAIRED, BEEN ON THE ENTIRE 12 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, JUST A NUMBER OF WORK GROUPS, CHILD CARE WORK GROUP, YOU NAME IT.

OVER THE PERIOD OF TIME, AS I'M SURE SENATORS WILL KNOW, YOU GENERALLY GET CALLED INTO DUTY FOR A VARIETY OF THOSE.

BUT THOSE ARE THE MAJOR COMMITTEES AND THE WORK THAT I DO.

RIGHT NOW THIS YEAR WE HAVE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THAT I CHAIR, AND SO WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD, DOING WELL, GOT MANY POLICY PROVISIONS AND GOING TO WORK WITH THE REALLY HARD STUFF, THE MONEY, AND IT SHOULD BE COMING BY TOMORROW.

>> Barry: ALSO JOINING US THIS EVENING IS SENATOR DAVID OSMEK FROM DISTRICT 55 IN MOUND?

>> 33.

>> Barry: 33.

ALL RIGHT.

I'M CLOSE.

I'M WITHIN 20.

SENATOR OSMEK IS ACTUALLY -- SENATOR OSMEK IS COMING TO US LIVE FROM THE SENATE ITSELF.

SENATOR OSMEK SERVES AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND FINISHED UP WITH WORK BUT NOT IN TIME TO GET TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

WE ARE LIVE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE.

SENATOR OSMEK, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHY YOU WOULD BE IN THE SENATE.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

IT'S ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ON THIS SHOW, AND WHAT VIEWERS DON'T KNOW IS THAT WE DO DO A LOT OF WORK HERE, AND I WAS PUT FORTH AND ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

BARRY AND I HAVE A SPECIAL CONNECTION.

I RESPECT HIM SO MUCH I HAD HIM SWEAR ME IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE TO START MY TERM.

THERE'S A SPECIAL CONNECTION THAT WE HAVE THERE, AMONG OTHERS THAT WE HAVE TALKED OFF LINE ABOUT.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 33.

>> Barry: THIS IS YOUR AUDIO VISUAL AID FOR THE EVENING.

>> VERY SPECIAL.

>> Barry: SORRY.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT.

>> SO GLAD YOU COULD DO IT.

PROBABLY THE ONLY TIME YOUR SHOW WILL COME LIVE FROM THE MINNESOTA SENATE FLOOR.

BUT THIS IS WHERE I HELP PROCESS BILLS AND ADJUDICATE THE FLOOR ACTION HERE IN THE STATE SENATE.

I REPRESENT DISTRICT 33, WHICH IS THE WESTERN SIDE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

I DIRECTLY ABUT SENATOR KIFFMEYER'S DISTRICT SOUTH AND ALSO GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CITY.

I SERVE ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT COMMITTEES IN ADDITION TO BEING PRESIDENT, SERVE ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE WITH SENATOR KIFFMEYER.

I'M ON SENATOR KIFFMEYER'S BILL AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

ALSO I SERVE ON THE LEGISLATIVE ENERGY COMMISSION WHERE WE ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY BE TAKING A VISIT TO IDAHO NATIONAL FALLS TO LOOK AT THEIR MICRONUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY, WHICH IS VERY EXCITING FOR THE ENERGY FUTURE.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE -- THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS GOING TO SEE WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGY IS ON THE HORIZON FOR GOING INTO THE FUTURE.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE ON THE SHOW AND I ALWAYS THAN JOY THE QUESTIONS AS WELL AS THE DISCUSSION.

>> Barry: WHILE WE ARE WAITING FOR QUESTIONS TO COME IN, SENATOR KIFFMEYER, LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE NEWSPAPERS REPORT, MEDIA REPORTS, NPR AND SO FORTH, IF THERE WAS SORT OF A BROAD AGREEMENT REACHED, THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING, AND DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT.

MAYBE YOU COULD EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING PROCEDURAL IN TERMS OF WHAT DOES THAT AGREEMENT MEAN AND OBVIOUSLY THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF WORK LEFT TO BE DONE BEFORE I THINK IT'S 12:59 P.M. MONDAY WHEN EVERYTHING HAS TO BE DONE.

BRING OUR VIEWERS WHERE WE ARE AT ON ALL OF THAT.

>> THAT AGREEMENT INCLUDED THERE WAS A VARIETY OF THINGS.

THERE WAS $4 BILLION IN SPENDING, $4 BILLION IN TAX CUTS AND 4.172 BILLION, I BELIEVE IT IS, LEFT FOR NEXT YEAR UNSPENT.

SO THE 4 BILLION OF SPENDING, BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU SPEND MONEY ON A TAX CUT, THAT IS ALSO CALLED SPENDING.

AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE NEAT KINDS OF THINGS.

ON THE SPENDING SIDE, $1 BILLION FOR EDUCATION, $1 BILLION FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THEN THE LARGEST AMOUNT, 600 MILLION FOR PROPERTY TAX, IMPROVEMENT OR RELIEF THERE, SOME DEGREE AND ALSO A TAX CUT.

ACTUALLY A TAX BILL IS THE ONE THAT IS CLOSEST TO AGREEMENT.

IN THAT PARTICULAR BILL, THERE WOULD BE PERMANENT ONGOING TAX RELIEF AND IT WOULD INCLUDE SEVERAL THINGS, ONE OF THEM, WHICH HAS BEEN WORKED ON AND WANTED FOR A VERY LONG TIME IS FULL ELIMINATION OF A TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME.

THAT'S A REALLY BIG DEAL ALL OVER THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S ONE REALLY, REALLY BIG PART OF THAT.

THEN THERE WOULD ALSO BE A TAX CUT OF THE FIRST TIER, AND I'M SAYING THEY ARE CLOSE, AND IT'S THE OLD ADAGE CLOSE STILL ISN'T DONE, BUT I'M REPORTING WHERE IT'S AT AT THIS TIME.

SO WE HAVE THAT.

THERE'S SOME PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, AND I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER SMALLER PIECES OF IT AS WELL.

SO THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

THE EDUCATION ONE, PROPOSAL FROM THE SENATE, BY THE WAY IS LITERACY, MINIMUM OF $50 MILLION FOR LITERACY, AND 40% OF OUR KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CANNOT READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

IF YOU CAN'T READ AT GRADE LEVEL, YOU ARE GREATLY HAMPERED IN BEING SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE, NOT JUST IN SCHOOL.

SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN, THE CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, BIG THING, AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE LITERACY MONEY WHERE WE HELP TEACHERS TEACH BETTER, LEARN MORE TOOLS, MORE FOCUS, MORE STAFF TIME, AND MORE HELP FOR THEM IN REGARDS TO LITERACY, AND THE OTHER THING IT'S CALLED THE CROSS SUBSIDY, AND THAT'S WHERE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS THAT NEED EXTRA HELP, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED BY FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT BUT THEY ARE TAKING FROM THE OTHER GENERAL FUND, AND THAT'S CALLED CROSS SUBSIDY.

VERY, VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF THAT BILLION DOLLARS WOULD BE FOR THAT.

THAT'S THE SENATE PROPOSAL.

THERE'S NO AGREEMENT ON THAT YET.

I DON'T KNOW HOW CLOSE THEY ARE, BECAUSE AT THIS STAGE OF THE THING, EACH AN HOUR OR TWO HOURS.

I WOULD SAY THAT'S MAINLY IT ON KIND OF THAT SPENDING SIDE.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS THE BIG ISSUE FOR US IS THE POLICE.

YOU CAN'T BE SAFE IN YOUR HOME OR IN YOUR CAR OR ON THE STREETS.

IT'S HARD TO HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY, AND YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE OUR POLICE, SHERIFF'S, AND THEY HAVE GOT TO BE ON THE STREET, GOT TO BE ACTIVE, GOT TO BE WORKING AND THEY HAVE GOT TO BE EMPOWERED.

THAT'S A BIG PART OF THAT, AND RIGHT NOW IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, THE DEMOCRATS SAID LAW ENFORCEMENT, ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT IS OFF THE TABLE.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE HOPING TO BRING THEM ALONG, THOUGH, BECAUSE IT'S A VERY, VERY TOTALLY KEY COMPONENT.

THE OTHER PIECE OF THAT SPENDING IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAS TO DO WITH NURSING HOMES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THEY ARE VERY EXTREMELY TIGHT BUDGET AND THEIR WAGES ARE SET, AND IT'S PUTTING AT RISK NURSING HOMES, AND 40 OF THEM MIGHT BE CLOSING IN RURAL MINNESOTA UNLESS THEY GET MONEY OUT OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET.

THAT'S REALLY, REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT, ALSO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THAT'S KIND OF A BIG PICTURE.

WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE IS $8 BILLION OF MONEY AND AS I WENT SHOPPING ONE TIME IN WAL-MART AFTER ALL OF THIS BUDGET WORK AND SAW THE 1.69, AND I REALIZED THAT'S $1.69.

MILLIONS AND BILLIONS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE.

THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY THIS IS ABOUT.

>> Barry: SENATOR OSMEK, YOU ARE WATCHING THIS UNFOLD.

MAYBE YOU COULD GIVE US YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER OBSERVATIONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO SHARE WITH US.

>> WELL, I SERVE ON THE JUDICIARY CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO A LOT OF THE ADVOCATES FOR ANY NUMBER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY ISSUES.

ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES ON THE JUDICIARY CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS MAKING SURE THAT JUDGES AND OUR JUDICIAL BRANCH IS PROPERLY FUNDED.

NOT TO SAY THAT THEY AREN'T, BUT IT'S MAKING SURE THAT THEY AT LEAST KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.

ONE OF THE ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, TOO, IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING PUBLIC FUNDS INTO PROGRAMS THAT WORK, NOT INTO PROGRAMS THAT ARE NICE TO HAVE, AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THINGS THAT ARE REFERRED TO AS CRIMINAL OR VIOLENT DISRUPTERS.

THESE ARE NOT CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS.

THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THAT'S NOT A WISE INVESTMENT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT INVESTING IT IN PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND HOW TO WORK THE PUBLIC SAFETY REALM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ACTUALLY SPEND MONEY IN THE PROPER WAY.

YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW THE SENATE ON MONDAY PROVIDED A GLOBAL AGREEMENT THAT MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LEADERSHIP, THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP DETERMINED HOW MUCH EXTRA MONEY WE COULD SPEND BEYOND THE CURRENT BIENNIUM.

ALL BRANCHES AND ALL FUNCTIONS FUNDED, AND THIS WOULD BE NEW MONEY OR ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR A SINGLE TIME OPPORTUNITIES, SUCH AS CYBER SECURITY, SUCH AS, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS THAT MAY HAVE SOME WORTHINESS.

THE SENATE PROVIDED A GLOBAL OFFER IN THE AFTERNOON ON MONDAY, AND UNFORTUNATELY OUR FRIENDS IN THE HOUSE ARE UNABLE TO BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE, AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE MAY GET OUT OF THE SESSION WITHOUT HAVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OF MINNESOTA BECAUSE THE HOUSE IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THEIR FUNCTION AND BE ABLE TO LIVE WITHIN THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS THAT WE HAVE UNDER THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP.

I'M HOPING WE CAN GET OUT OF THIS.

I ALSO AM WORKING ON TRANSPORTATION.

I'M HOPING WE CAN GET THE AUTO SALES TAX FULLY FUNDED INTO TRANSPORTATION AS TO ONLY A PORTION OF IT.

THERE'S A LOT OF ROADS AND BRIDGES THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT HAMMERED OUT.

BUT WE ARE UNDER A CONSTRAINT.

IT MUST BE DONE BY 11:59 ON SUNDAY.

DO I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT IF WE NEED TO, WE NEED TO.

UNFORTUNATELY SPECIAL SESSIONS HAVE TURNED INTO UNSPECIAL SESSIONS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY YEAR WE ARE DOING THEM.

BUT I AGREE WITH A GLOBAL AGREEMENT CHAIRS CAN GET THE WORK DONE, AND I THINK WE CAN.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WE HAVE.

WE CAN GET THE TAX CUTS AND DO INVESTMENTS, WISE INVESTMENTS IN HELPING MINNESOTANS.

I THINK WE CAN GET IT DONE.

UNTIL WE KNOW, STAY TUNED UNTIL SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY EVENING.

>> Barry: I THINK I MISLED OUR VIEWERS.

I SAID 12:59 ON MONDAY, BUT IT'S THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

THE WORK HAS TO BE COMPLETED BY 11:59 ON SUNDAY.

YOU HAVE ONE FEWER DAY TO GET YOUR WORK DONE.

LET'S GO TO QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS.

THEY HAVE SPECIFIC THINGS THAT ARE OF INTEREST, AND WE CAN SEE WHERE THE PANEL THINKS THEY MIGHT BE GOING THIS YEAR.

THE VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THERE'S ANY CHANCE FOR ANY VERSION OF THE CANNABIS/MARIJUANA LEGISLATION THIS YEAR.

SENATOR OSMEK, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY NO.

THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IN THE SESSION.

THE SENATE, I DON'T BELIEVE HAS HAD HEARINGS ON THAT.

TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST WE ARE WATCHING OTHER STATES FOR WHAT CHALLENGES THEY ARE SEEING.

WHAT WE ARE FINDING OUT IN OTHER STATES IS THAT IT ISN'T THE PANACEA THAT PEOPLE THINK IT IS.

IT'S ALSO FEDERALLY ILLEGAL.

I WOULD PREFACE THIS BY SAYING I HAVE BEEN A BIG SUPPORT HE FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES, AND WHEN MEDICALLY PROVEN TO BE ACCEPTABLE.

AT THIS TIME A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THAT, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO DO, AND THAT'S NOT ONE OF THEM.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, CANNABIS LEGISLATION.

>> I TOTALLY AGREE WITH DAVE.

AS A NURSE MYSELF, I HAVE SEEN THE HARM OF THESE KINDS OF DRUGS, AND BY THE WAY CANNABIS OF TODAY IS WAY MORE POWERFUL THAN THE FORMS YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD IN THE '60s.

QUITE POWERFUL, AND THEY HAVE ADDICTING PROPERTIES TO IT, OFTEN CALLED THE GATEWAY DRUG.

SOMEBODY STARTS WITH CANNABIS AND THEY WANT SOMETHING A LITTLE STRONGER.

NO.

LIFE IS LIFE.

I KNOW IT'S PARTICULARLY HARD.

BUT THE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA, I WAS PART OF THAT.

I FELT JUST LIKE HEROIN, USED RIGHT, IT IS A MEDICINAL DRUG.

USED WRONG, IT IS EXTREMELY HARMFUL.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE WITH MARIJUANA.

>> Barry: VIEWER FROM BELTRAMI COUNTY WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE ANY ACTION IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS INSOFAR AS DROUGHT RELIEF IS CONCERNED.

THIS VIEWER SEES THIS AS A PROBLEM AND WONDERING IF THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO ADDRESS IT.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> IN REGARDS TO DROUGHT RELIEF, I THINK IF I RECALL RIGHT, SENATOR WESTRUM HAS BROUGHT FORWARD DROUGHT RELIEF.

SOMETIMES THE EFFECTS OF THE DROUGHT, EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT BE REALLY WET RIGHT NOW, WHAT HAPPENS IS EARLIER WHEN IT WAS A DROUGHT AND LASTS FOR QUITE A WHILE, THERE ARE LOSSES AND ARMS THAT CAME FROM THAT.

HELPING THEM WEATHER THE STORM SO THE FARMERS STAY IN BUSINESS, IT'S KIND OF IMPORTANT TO HAVE THEM FEED US, AND WE WOULD LIKE TO KIND OF KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY OUR SMALLER FARMERS THAT DON'T HAVE SOME OF THE BIG INDUSTRIALIZED AREAS THAT THEY CAN WEATHER THE STORM OR HAVE MORE THINGS.

SO DROUGHT RELIEF IS ON THE AGENDA AND I EXPECT AT SOME POINT WE WILL DO THAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR OSMEK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DROUGHT RELIEF ISSUE.

>> I KNOW THAT IT IS PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.

AS EVERYTHING IS AROUND THIS CHAMBER, IT'S ALL PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUR FRIENDS IN THE OTHER BODY AND WITH THE GOVERNORS, AND I KNOW SENATOR WESTRUM IS WORKING VERY HARD ON THAT.

I KNOW OUR HEAD COMMITTEE, IT IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM.

THE LAST TIME I CHECKED, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THAT IN OUR MOST RECENT SENATE PROPOSAL, BUT I THINK WE CAN GET THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

THE DROUGHT RELIEF IS HELPING THOSE FORMERS.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER TOUCHED ON THIS, BUT I WANT TO GIVE THE VIEWERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A FULL HEARING.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THE CARE CRISIS TAKING PLACE IN INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES AND GROUP HOMES.

THIS GROUP NOTES IT'S HAVING SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH FINANCES AND FINDING STAFF.

SENATOR OSMEK, LET'S START WITH YOU ON THIS QUESTION.

>> THAT IS IN MY AREA.

THAT IS PART OF THE PACKAGES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON HELPING WITH OUR NURSING HOMES.

THESE ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE ADULTS THAT WE HAVE.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T DO THINGS TO HELP FOR THEMSELVES, AND HERE COMES SENATOR CARLSON.

THAT IS PART OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PACKAGE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON, AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ADDITIONAL FINANCES THAT WE HAVE AND CARE FACILITIES ARE OBVIOUSLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH STAFFING.

IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME, WE DID ALREADY DO THAT, WAS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FINANCING FOR AN INCREASING ALL THE MONEY AVAILABLE FOR NURSING FACILITIES AND SUPPORT CARE.

BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THE TO DO LIST.

I DON'T SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE, SO I'M A LITTLE LESS CONNECTED WITH IT.

BUT IT'S CERTAINLY MY AREA FOR WORKING ON IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT IT ALREADY, BUT GIVE US A BRIEF ONE OR TWO ON THE STAFFING FACILITIES AND GROUP HOMES.

>> RIGHT.

WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SETS THE PAYMENT RATES.

SO WHEN THEY WANT TO RAISE THE SALARIES TO BE COMPETITIVE, SO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SALARIES EVEN AT MCDONALD'S OR FAST FOOD SERVICE, EVERYWHERE YOU PRETTY MUCH, WAGES ARE GOING UP.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

THAT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DO RIGHT NOW.

IT IS OUT PACING, AND INFLATION IS OUT PACING THE WAGE INCREASES, WHICH IS REALLY TOO BAD.

IN THE NURSING HOMES, INTERMEDIARY CARE FACILITIES, THEY HAVE A CAP OF WHAT WE CAN DO.

WHEN WE RAISE IT, IT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO RAISE SALARIES AND BE COMPETITIVE.

IT'S HARD WORK.

I WORKED MY WAY THROUGH NURSING COOL AND ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

I WORKED IN THE KITCHEN AS A TIE DEAR AID, CLEANING AND NURSING ASSISTANT WORK, AND LATER ON WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL AND PAID MY WAY TO NURSING SCHOOL BY WORKING AT A NURSING HOME.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE, VERY SATISFIED WORK, BUT IT IS HARD WORK.

SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THOSE WHO DO SERVE IN THAT AREA, BUT WHEN THESE PAYMENT RATES ARE CAP TATED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT MAKES IT HARD FOR THEM TO GET THE WAGES THEY DESERVE.

SENATOR ABELER, SHARING THAT FROM THE SENATE, NEVER SEEN ANYBODY WITH MORE COMPASSION AND MORE HEART, AND AS HE CALLS IT, THIS IS CRITICALLY NEEDY, AND THEY ARE THE ONES, AND EVEN SOMETIMES NEEDS, BUT THESE ARE CRITICALLY NEEDY SITUATION, AND HE'S FIGHTING FOR THEM VERY, VERY HARD.

WE ARE HOPING HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Barry: I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME SENATOR JIM CARLSON FROM DISTRICT 51 IN EAGAN FOR JOINING US.

WE HAVE HAD OUR SHARE OF TECHNOLOGY PROBLEMS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

SENATOR CARLSON, YOU ARE NOT UNIQUE IN YOUR STRUGGLE BUT WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE PREVAILED.

SENATOR CARLSON IS A FREQUENT GUEST ON THE PROGRAM, FRIEND OF THE PROGRAM.

SENATOR CARLSON AND I -- I INDICATED SENATOR KIFFMEYER AND I GO BACK SEVERAL SEC DECADES AND SENATOR CARLSON AND I ALSO GO BACK QUITE A BIT OF TIME.

AT THE RISK OF REVEALING A FAMILY SECRET HIS DAUGHTER CLERKED MANY YEARS AGO AND HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW SENATOR CARLSON IN THAT CONTEXT AS WELL.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US.

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS, AND THEN I WILL SHOOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AT YOU, GIVING YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET CAUGHT UP AND FILL IN ANY GAPS THAT SENATOR OSMEK AND KIFFMEYER MIGHT HAVE LEFT.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF AND COMMITTEES YOU SERVED ON AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.

>> I'M THE ONLY ONE HERE THAT IS ON THE PHONE BECAUSE MY COMPUTER COULD NOT GET THROUGH THE FIREWALL FOR SOME REASON.

I'M GLAD TO FINALLY GET TO YOU AND BE ON THE PROGRAM.

I'M JIM CARLSON, AND I REPRESENT FOR THE TIME BEING SENATE DISTRICT 51 WHICH INCLUDES BURNSVILLE AND EAGAN, AND SOON I WILL BE REPRESENTING SENATE DISTRICT 52 THAT HAS ADDITIONAL TOWNS IN IT.

MENDOTA HEIGHTS AND TINY BIT OF LILYDALE.

GOT AN ADDITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AT LEAST THREE ADDITIONAL CITY COUNCILS.

I'M ON SENATOR KIFFMEYER'S FINANCE AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE.

DFL RANKING MEMBER THERE.

I'M ALSO ON TRANSPORTATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE AND THE DATA PRACTICES COMMITTEE.

I HAVE GOT A COUPLE OTHER MINOR ASSIGNMENTS, TOO, THAT ARE NOT OFFICIAL COMMITTEES, LIKE THE COMMITTEE AT CLAIMS AND ALSO BEEN WORKING ON THE AUTOMATED VEHICLES AS WELL AS WE HAVE BRIEF TIME ON A TASK FORCE THAT WORKED ON THE LABELING OF SALVAGE VEHICLES.

I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING RIGHT AWAY.

I'M REALLY PLEASED TO BE ON HERE WITH THESE TWO FOLKS, BECAUSE I THINK THIS MAY BE THEIR LAST TIME TO APPEAR ON YOUR LEGISLATURE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE LAST ONE OF THE SEASON.

I REALLY THINK THAT -- SENATOR OSMEK IS NOW THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

HE'S DONE A VERY GOOD PATH OF FOLLOWING THE RULES.

HE'S A HARD NOSED GUY.

HE KNOWS WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY HE REALLY USES THAT GAVEL.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REAL IMPORTANT.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, I HAVE BEEN ON HER COMMITTEE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND SHE'S THE ABSOLUTE BEST AS FAR AS ALSO FOLLOWING THE RULES, STARTING ON TIME, AND SHE'S THE PERSON THAT I WILL MISS ABOUT THIS TIME EVERY YEAR, BECAUSE SHE BRINGS IN THE CINNAMON HONEY BUTTER AND HER BREAD.

SHE'S ALSO FED ME APPLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE EYE TO EYE.

BUT IT'S A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

IT IS A GOOD SENATE.

WE DID GET A LOT DONE ALREADY, AND I'M HOPING THEY DID TELL YOU THAT WE ARE GOING TO FINISH ON TIME.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: SENATOR CARLSON, WE DID GO THROUGH SORT OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN COVERED IN THE PAPERS ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED HERE AND SO FORTH AND GAVE YOUR COLLEAGUES AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THEY THOUGHT MIGHT BE STICKING POINTS OR ISSUES THEY WERE CONCERNED WITH.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.

ARE THERE PARTICULAR ISSUES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED IN A PARTICULAR WAY AND THEN WE WILL GET BACK TO QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> OKAY.SENATOR KIFFMEYER PROBAE YOU A FAIRLY GOOD RESPONSE, WHICH I THINK IS DONE PRETTY WELL.

I'M NOT ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BUT I GET A PART OF THAT EVERY DAY.

WE ARE GETTING CLOSE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MINOR POLICIES LEFT.

I'M PRETTY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR COMMITTEE OUTLOOK.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

THAT'S GOING TO GO A LITTLE BIT LONGER, AND LIKE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

THEY TEND TO GET KICKED UPSTAIRS, AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY SEE WHAT DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE OR EVEN WHAT OPTIONS ARE BEING OFFERED.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIG ONE IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE'S SOME MINOR ONES IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT I HEAR ABOUT.

BUT I THINK WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO GETTING THINGS DONE.

I KNOW WE HAD REALLY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ON WHAT YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, THE PERSONAL CARE AND, YOU KNOW THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT WE WORK A LOT ON.

SO I'M OPT MITS STICK, CAN'T BE ANYTHING BUT THAT WITH ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS LEFT, AND LIKE WE ALWAYS KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE DONE BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

MONDAY IS NOT A DAY WHERE WE CAN PASS BILLS.

SO THAT MEANS TOMORROW AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MAYBE.

AS YOU WELL KNOW, WE HAVE A CONVENTION THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

SO MANY OF US ON THE DFL SIDE HAVE HAD TO FORK OVER ON TO OUR CONVENTION.

>> Barry: THIS IS VERY HELPFUL.

I APPRECIATE THAT, SENATOR CARLSON.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER.

WE ARE RUNNING INTO ISSUES THAT WE HAD OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM, AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT HAS COME UP, AND THE QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT THE SPORTS GAMBLING BILL, WILL THAT SEE ANY ACTION?

SENATOR KIFFMEYER, ANYTHING HAPPENING ON THAT?

>> OH, MY, WHAT AN INTERESTING SUBJECT.

I AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF EXPANDING GAMBLING, AND ESPECIALLY NOT SPORTS GAMBLING.

I SHARED IN FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY WHERE I VOTED AGAINST IT, THOUGH.

IT DID PASS, AND THAT THE BILL BRADLEY BASKETBALL HALL OF FAMER ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO IT, AND THE HARM IT DOES, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE KIDS, AND IT CREATES A CULTURE OF A FOCUS THAT IS MORE AND THINGS THAT COME THERE INSTEAD OF THE SKILLS AND THE QUALITY AND THE TEAM MEMBERS AND SO ON.

TOTALLY CHANGES THE WHOLE FOCUS OF THE GAME.

THE ADVERTISING OF IT AND THEN ALSO LAW PROFESSOR AS WELL WAS SPEAKING AGAINST IT AS WELL.

CULTURALLY EXTREMELY NEGATIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE KIDS.

SO FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I CANNOT SUPPORT SOMETHING THAT COMES WITH THAT KIND OF IMPACT TO OUR CHILDREN.

I JUST DO NOT SEE IT.

I KNOW THE ADULTS ENJOY IT, AND IT'S ONE THING WITH GAMBLING.

WHEN YOU GO INTO A BAR OR GO INTO LEGION AND GO INTO SOME OF THOSE PLACES AND DO SOME OF THOSE.

YOU GO INTO THIS PLACE, AND YOU DO THIS, AND EVEN THE CASINOS ARE OUT THERE.

BUT THE BIG THINGS THAT AFFECTS THE KIDS SO MUCH, IT BRINGS IT RIGHT INTO THE HOME ON THE SMART PHONES.

KIDS TODAY ARE SO MUCH ON THE PHONES TODAY ANYWAY AND THE THOUGHT THAT THE AGE IS 21, AND YOU ARE GOING TO SOMEWHAT KEEP THIS AWAY FROM THEM.

THE OTHER PROBLEM GAMBLING, AND PUT SOME MONEY IN PROBLEM GAMBLING.

WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING THAT ALREADY HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM.

IT'S REALLY AN ISSUE FOR ME, AND PASSED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE, IT PASSED IN THE HOUSE ALREADY.

IN THE HOUSE IT IS 100% TRIBES, AND I THINK THAT TO ME IS A REAL PROBLEM.

WE HAVE AN PERPETUITY LANGUAGE ALREADY THAT WAS NEGOTIATED BY CARLSON IN THE PAST.

THERE'S A WHOLE VARIETY OF CONCERNS THAT HAVE COME UP IN REGARDS, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, AND BY THE WAY, AUSTRALIA DID THIS, BRITAIN DID IT.

THEY HAVE A LONGER TERM RUN AT IT OF VERY NOT GOOD THINGS.

IT STARTS OUT NOT SO BAD, AND ALL SPORTS BECOMES TAINTED IN THE GAMBLING PERSPECTIVE.

>> Barry: SENATOR OSMEK, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SPORTS GAMBLING BILL.

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

THIS IS ONE WHERE REPUBLICANS CAN DISAGREE.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT CANNABIS, SPORTS GAMBLING, AND THIS IS ONE WHERE I THINK THE CAT HAS ALREADY LEFT THE BAG.

HOWEVER, I DO THINK THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUSIVE TO JUST THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY.

IF IT'S GOING TO BE ALLOWED, IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR MORE THAN JUST THAT PARTICULAR SEGMENT.

AND HOPING TO GET THE GROWLER LIFTED ON GROWLERS AND WE HAVE ALL THE SINS COMING.

>> Barry: DO YOU THINK THEMBLINR BILL, DO YOU THINK THEY BOTH PASS?

>> I THINK SENATOR GAINES HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE HOUSE.

I THINK WE HAVE COME TO A INCLUSION ON GROWLERS AND SMALL CAN SIZES.

REALLY THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT MEET TWO DIFFERENT NEEDS, THAT WE HAVE LARGE PRODUCERS.

THE GROWLER, WHAT THAT IS IS IT STOPS GROWLERS FROM BEING SOLD AFTER YOU HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BEER THAT YOU BREW AND SELL.

GROWLERS FOR A NOVELTY TIGHT.

BUT FOR THE SMALL BREWERIES, SMALL MOM AND POPS THAT MIGHT BE IN HUTCHISON OR BRAINERD THAT I GO TO, THEY NEED THE SMALL CAN SIZES BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A BETTER PRODUCT THAT'S MORE STABLE, AND IT'S EASIER FOR THEM.

I GUESS I WILL GO ALONG IT.

MOST OF THE SINS, I'M NOT A CANNABIS FAN.

I WILL GO WITH THE REST TODAY.

>> Barry: SENATOR KIFFMEYER, SHOULD GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I'M JUST GOING TO ADD TO WHAT SENATOR OSMEK SAID IN REGARDS TO -- I THINK THEY ALSO HAVE LIFTED THE BARRELS, THE NUMBER OF BARRELS THAT YOU CAN DO FROM 40,000 TO 150,000.

SO I HAVE A BREWERY IN MY AREA, AND I WILL ADVERTISE.

FOR THEM, THEY ARE GOES TO THAT CAP.

THIS IS A REALLY BIG THING FOR THEM.

SENATOR HOUSLEY HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF WORKING WITH THIS AS WELL.

BIG STAKEHOLDERS, AND THERE'S SOMETHING IN IT FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY THIS TIME.

>> Barry: SENATOR CARLSON, AS SENATOR OSMEK SAID, THE THREE SINS, THE CANNABIS, GROWLERS AND LIQUOR REFORM AND SPORTS GAMBLING BILL AND WHAT THE PROSPECTS ARE FOR ALL OF THOSE ACTIVITIES IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> Barry: GREAT.

>> OKAY, GOOD.

I'M REALLY NOT IN FAVOR OF THE EXPANSION OF GAMBLING.

ONE OF THE THINGS IN OUR INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE ON OUR SIDES OF THE AISLE, THEY ARE SAYING THAT THIS IS A MASSIVE EXPANSION OF GAMBLING, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE -- I HAVE GOT SENSITIVE TO ALL THE ISSUES THAT CITIES AND YOUR STATE AUDITOR REBECCA OTTO TAUGHT ME ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF THE AUDITS SHE WAS DOING OF CITIES IS EMBEZZLEMENT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO GAMBLING SO MUCH, AND THEY NEEDED TREATMENT FOR GAMBLING.

THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT I CONSENTED TO, BECAUSE I HAD A BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT I HAD THE SAME THING.

HE PASSED AWAY, AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE FOR HIS WIFE TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS GAMBLING DEBTS, WHICH YOU KNOW, THIS LEGALIZED GAMBLING IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME AS THAT, EXCEPT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES.

IT'S A VERY HABIT FORMING ISSUE.

THE EXPANSION OF IT, THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT I JUST HEARD ABOUT TODAY, AND THAT IS WHERE THE BENEFITS COME FROM THAT GAMBLING AND IT'S TURNED OVER TO THE CHARITABLE GAMBLING FUNDS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TEARS IN THAT WHOLE ISSUE.

I GUESS I WOULD WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

I DON'T THINK WE HAD IT REALLY HEARD VERY CAREFULLY, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK SENATOR KIFFMEYER WAS LOOKING AT IT AS WELL, AND IT COME THROUGH HER COMMITTEE, AND IT SHOULD COME THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE AS WELL.

I THINK THAT -- I DON'T THINK I AM CONVINCED OF IT YET.

ON GROWLERS, I HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TURN AROUND THERE.

WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT SUNDAY ALCOHOL, I WAS OPPOSED TO IT.

THE REASON I WAS OPPOSED TO IT WAS EVERYONE OF THE LIQUOR STORES IN MY DISTRICT SAID THEY DID NOT LIKE IT.

THEY WANTED ME TO VOTE AGAINST IT.

SO I DID SEVERAL TIMES.

BUT I TOLD THEM, IT'S COMING.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO LIVE WITH IT.

EITHER THAT OR SOME OF IT WENT OUT OF BUSINESS.

BUT OWNER THERE SAID YEAH, GO AHEAD, AND WE WILL MAKE GOOD ON IT.

WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT.

THAT'S WHAT CHANGED ME.

BUT NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THE OTHER ALCOHOL AVENUES, AND I'M LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THE FREEDOM FOR US TO DO BUSINESS ANY WAY WE WANT.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO LET PROHIBITION RULE OR DICTATE WHAT WE DO WITH ALCOHOL THESE DAYS.

SO AS FAR AS THE LIMITATIONS, I THINK WE CAN SCRATCH A LOT OF THOSE, AND WE CAN LET PEOPLE COMPETE.

MY MGM OWNER HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THAT.

HE SHOWED ME ALL THE BEERS THAT HE IS NOW STOCKING AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE BEERS THAT HE CAN'T STOCK.

I THINK HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO STOCK ANYTHING THAT HAS OR CAN BE ON SALE.

WE HAD ANOTHER BLOW THAT CAME THROUGH THAT WAS RESTRICTING THE ABILITY FOR THE DISTRIBUTORS TO -- IT WAS SOMETHING THAT MANDATED DISTRIBUTORS SELLING ANY SPIRIT PRODUCTS TO ALL CUP BOARDS THE SAME WAY.

I HAD A LOT OF RESTAURANTS IN MY AREA THAT WERE STRONGLY OPPOSED TO HAVING THE GRIP ON PRIVATE LABELS OR NOT BEING ABLE TO BUY THE PRODUCTS THAT OTHERS COULD BUY.

I'M OPEN ON LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAYING FIELD IS LEVEL AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND ALLOW ALCOHOL TO BE SOLD THE WAY IT IS IN WISCONSIN, THE WAY IT IS IN MANY OTHER STATES.

THEY DON'T HAVE THESE KINDS OF RESTRICTIONS.

IN FACT, I THINK THE NEXT THING THAT WE WILL PROBABLY WORK ON IS SOME OF THE FEES THAT WE CHARGE, THE DISTILLERIES AND THE BREWERIES.

I KNOW THAT BREWERIES THEY CAN BREW IN MINNESOTA AND SHIP IT TO WISCONSIN AND HAVE IT CANNED OVER THERE AND BRING IT BACK.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FORCE THESE CRAFT BREWERIES TO HAVE TO DO.

>> Barry: THE LAST QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PROSPECTS ARE FOR ANY CANNABIS LEGISLATION IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> NOTHING HAPPEN.

I HAVE SUPPORTED A DECRIMINALIZATION FOR A LONG TIME.

HE SUPPORTED MEDICINAL USE FOR A LONG TIME.

I STOOD WITH SENATOR STEVE MURPHY FROM RED WING, AND HIS FATHER WAS VERY ILL, AND HIS FATHER WAS GETTING SOME, LET'S SAY, MAYBE A SUPPLY FROM SOMEWHERE AND WAS KEEPING HIS CANCER PAIN AT BAY.

I HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND WHO TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T BE ALIVE UNLESS HE HAD CANNABIS SO IT WOULD SUPPRESS HIS GAG REFLEX SO HE COULD EAT.

HE HAD THROAT CANCER.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A LOT OF THE MEDICINAL BENEFITS, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S ANY DIFFERENT THAN, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF OPIATES.

>> Barry: LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS IS GOING TO PASS IN THIS SESSION?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO, NO.

WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO ASK THE OTHER SIDE ON THE PROGRAM HERE, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD MAJORITY OF THE DEMOCRATS THAT WOULD VOTE FOR IT.

BUT WE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH HAVING A PASSING NUMBER.

SO, NO, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO PASS.

BY THE WAY, I WANT TO SAY THERE'S THREE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, AND THAT IS THE ABILITY TO SHOW WHAT THE LIMITS ARE FOR DRIVING, THE ABILITY FOR EMPLOYERS TO PROHIBIT IT, AND TRUCKING COMPANIES, PROHIBIT IT COMPLETELY FROM BEING USED OR BEING IN YOUR SYSTEM WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING THE TRUCK, AND THEN FIGURE OUT A WAY OF MARKETING IT SO IT'S NOT AVAILABLE TO KIDS.

THOSE THREE THINGS ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THIS IS ACTUALLY A QUESTION, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SEVERAL PROGRAMS AND IN FACT GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE START OF OUR PROGRAM IN JANUARY.

LET'S START WITH SENATOR KIFFMEYER.

WHAT ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE?

WHAT HAVE WE SEEN IN THIS SESSION DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN?

>> THAT CAN BE A PART OF BOTH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OR IT COULD BE A PART OF THE K-12 BILL AS WELL.

I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT SHOW UP BECAUSE IT'S ON THE MINDS OF LEGISLATORS, SO IT TENDS TO COME UP IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

BUT THE BIG THING THERE IS STRONG FAMILIES ARE THE BIGGEST ANTIDOTE BUT THE CHALLENGE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF GOING THROUGH COVID, ISOLATION AND WEARING MASKS.

FOR CHILDREN, THEY ARE NOT WITH THEIR FRIENDS, NOT WITH THEIR PEERS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE OUTLETS IN THE ACTIVITIES.

IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

I THINK WE WILL SEE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, WHEN THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HAVE IN-PERSON SCHOOLS.

COULDN'T SEE THE TEACHERS FACES AND LIPS TO LEARN, SPEAKING AND LANGUAGE AND EXPRESSION.

JUST THE OUTLET FOR SOME OF THEIR NEEDS.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT PROGRAMS, THINGS THAT CAN BE HELPFUL.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF PROPOSALS.

SENATOR DRE HEIM IS TAKING IT TO HEART.

THE BIG THING IS LOOKING AT HOMES THAT WORK.

BUT WHAT'S THE RESULTS?

DO THEY WORK?

THAT'S BEEN HIS MISSION.

IT'S BEEN OUR SENATE MISSION, TO FIND THOSE PROGRAMS THAT DO WORK AND THEN FUND THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T JUST THROW MONEY AT IT, THAT WE HAVE EFFECTIVE OUTCOMES FOR THE KIDS.

>> Barry: SENATOR OSMEK, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ALSO WITH RESPECT TO KIDS, ANYTHING HAPPENING IN THIS SESSION IN YOUR OBSERVATIONS?

>> THERE'S SOME WORKING DONE ON THE HHS AREA, AND THAT'S SENATOR ABELER, AND I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT INTERNALLY.

WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE HHS LOOKS LIKE.

REMEMBER, WE DID ALREADY FUND FOR THIS BIENNIUM, AND THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.

THE MONEY WE HAVE IN THE SURPLUS IS FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM GRAVY.

THIS IS OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO INVEST SINGLE TIME MONEY INTO PROGRAMS AND IN SOME CASES MAYBE PILOT PROGRAMS TO SEE HOW THEY WORK.

I KNOW IN THE HHS WORLD SENATOR BENSON AND SENATOR ABELER ARE WORKING ON THAT.

I HAVE NOT AS MUCH KNOWLEDGE AS I DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY, BUT I THINK WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET THE HHS TO GO ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> Barry: SENATOR CARLSON, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, VERY QUICKLY.

>> IT'S BEEN MENTIONED AND I WANT TO ECHO THAT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, SENATOR DRE HEIM'S BILL IS MAGNIFICENT.

IT'S VERY GOOD.

I'M NOT SURE WHEN THAT'S GOING TO COME UP TO BE FOR PASSAGE.

I KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW ON COMMITTEES HAVE HAD EXPOSURE TO IT AND SAY IT'S AN EXCELLENT BILL.

THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

THERE'S MORE TO THAT ENTIRE ISSUE, AND ONE OF THOSE IS THAT WE ARE SO POORLY STAFFED IN SCHOOL FOR COUNSELORS, AND MY WIFE TAUGHT SCHOOL FOR 36 YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE KNOWS IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY KIDS THAT ARE SO STRESSED OUT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

WE NEED TO HAVE TO SUPPLY SOMEONE FOR THOSE KIDS TO TALK TO.

WHAT WE DON'T, I THINK, UNDERSTAND IS WHAT THESE KIDS GO THROUGH IN THEIR HOME LIFE.

SENATOR KIFFMEYER MENTIONED IT THAT THE FAMILY CORE IS AN ISSUE.

WHEN A FAMILY ALL OF A SUDDEN BREAKS UP, THE KIDS REALLY GO INTO A TAIL SPIN.

THEIR GRADES SUFFER, ATTITUDE SUFFERS, AND THEY MIGHT TURN TO SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NEVER EXPECT THAT CHILD TO TAKE ON.

IT'S BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY IS BREAKING UP AND THEY ARE SO DEVASTATED BY IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO TURN TO.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE AND NOT JUST MY WIFE WHO IS A GERMAN TEACHER, FOR KIDS TO COME TO AND BE ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE AND TO MAYBE GET A LITTLE BIT OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND Z BECAUSE THEY DO TRUST TEACHERS.

THEY TRUST TEACHERS.

>> Barry: I HATE TO CUT YOU OFF BECAUSE WE HAVE ABOUT TWO MINUTES LEFT, AND I WANT TO GIVE SENATOR OSMEK AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH US.

WE DID THIS WITH SENATOR KIFFMEYER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROGRAM.

TELL US ABOUT THE RETROSPECTIVE LOOK AND WHAT OBSERVATIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR THE COLLEAGUES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY.

YOU KNOW, I THINK, NOT TO QUOTE RICHARD NIXON BECAUSE I THINK SOMETIMES HE'S TREATED VERY POORLY, ALTHOUGH HE HAD A VERY INTERESTING RECORD BEING VICE-PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT.

BUT RICHARD NIXON ONCE TALKED ABOUT THE WORD [INAUDIBLE] I'M NOT NECESSARILY CERTAIN WHERE MY PATH LEADS ME.

MAYBE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, ALTHOUGH I MAY HAVE JOB OPPORTUNITIES I CAN'T POSSIBLY TURN DOWN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK AROUND WITH A PROFESSIONAL LIFE AND I FOUND BEING A FULL-TIME LEGISLATOR FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS VERY REWARDING, BUT IN THE SAME RESPECT, THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE FAIRLY YOUNG INDIVIDUAL.

WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED THAT IN MY 10 YEARS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE POLARIZATION OF POLITICS HAS REALLY BECOME DISTASTEFUL AND DIFFICULT.

SOME OF THE NEW PEOPLE, EVEN IN THE OWN BODY, HAVE COME TO THE POINT WHERE THEY BELIEVE IT'S THEIR WAY OR THE HIGHWAY.

WHEN I CAME IN, I WAS A LITTLE BRASH.

STILL A LITTLE BRASH.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT OUT OF ME, AND SOMETIMES I DO HAVE TO USE THIS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO START TO BRIDGE THE GAP MORE, AND IT MAY BE STRANGE COMING FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT GET DONE AROUND THE BODY AND AROUND THE BUILDING THAT'S BUILT AROUND RELATIONSHIPS.

I HOPE MY SUCCESSORS THAT COME IN HERE WORK ON BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AS OPPOSED TO DIVIDING INTO CAMPS.

>> Barry: I APPRECIATE THAT.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.

I WANT TO INVITE ALL OF YOU TO JOIN US NEXT JANUARY FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

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