TONY: WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT, OR REGIONS LONGEST-RUNNING PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM.

LAWMAKERS ARE JOINING US FOR A RECAP OF THE WEEK'S ACTIVITIES AT THE STATE CAPITAL.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO CALL OR EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS AND HAVE THEM ANSWERED LIVE ON THE AIR.

MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT STARTS NOW.

♪ TONY: HELLO, AND WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

I AM YOUR HOST, TONY SERTICH.

WITH JUST OVER TWO WEEKS LEFT IN THE SESSION COME AL -- IN THE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING.

WHILE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON THE OMNIBUS BILLS, THERE IS MUCH TO GET DONE.

TODAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE LAWMAKERS WHO REPRESENT YOU.

PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN OR EMAIL QUESTIONS TO ASK@WDSE.ORG.

WE HAVE A GREAT LINEUP TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS TONIGHT.

JOINING ME IN THE STUDIO IS A REPUBLICAN FROM BREEZY POINT REPRESENTING SENATE DISTRICT -- SENATE DISTRICT 10.

AND ALSO HERE TODAY IS SENATOR JEN MCEWAN, REPRESENTING SENATE DISTRICT SEVEN.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THIS IS YOUR VERY FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN MANY THINGS.

IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL, AND SUCH A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, CONSTANTLY LEARNING SO MUCH.

ONE THING THAT SURPRISED ME IS I HEARD TELL OF HOW DIVIDED AND PARTISAN IT IS AND I HAVE FOUND THAT TO BE TRUE.

I THINK IT HAS ALSO BEEN DOUBLY HARD WITH COVID JUST BECAUSE OF THE PROTOCOLS WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD AS MUCH INTERACTION AS WOULD BE NORMAL AND AS I WOULD HAVE LIKED.

THAT HAS BEEN REALLY CHALLENGING, AND THE PARTISANSHIP IS VERY CHALLENGING.

IT IS A HARD TIME RIGHT NOW POLITICALLY.

TONY: YOU SERVE ON THE LEGACY COMMITTEE THAT SENATOR RUUD CHAIRS.

PART OF BALANCING THE BUDGET IS A LEGACY AMENDMENT, WHICH PASSED IN 2008 AND TAKES A PORTION OF THE SALES TAX AND PUTS IT TO GOOD USE.

YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THAT COMMITTEE.

THE HOUSE HAS PASSED THEIR BILL.

>> THAT WILL BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OUR COMMITTEES HAVE DECIDED WE ARE GOING TO DO IT I ZOOM.

THE HOUSE IS NOT COMFORTABLE MEETING IN PERSON.

I RESPECT THAT, SO THAT IS PROBABLY HOW WE WILL DO THAT.

THERE COMMITTEE WILL HAVE ITS FIRST COMMITTEE HEARING ON WEDNESDAY TO GO THROUGH THE SIDE-BY-SIDE.

THERE IS SIDE-BY-SIDE ON MONEY AND POLICY.

I DON'T BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE POLICY IN THE LEGACY BILL.

THE LEGACY BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY OFF THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, AND I KNOW THAT SENATOR MCEWEN TALKED ABOUT THE PARTISANSHIP, BUT FOR ME IT IS REALLY WORKING WITH THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

WE HAD SOME COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT A LANGUAGE ISSUE, AND WE WORKED THROUGH IT.

I THINK WE CAME TO A GOOD CONCLUSION.

WE THINK WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG BILL.

THERE IS FOUR PIECES OF THE BILL.

THERE IS THE OUTDOOR HERITAGE, WHAT WE CALL THE HOOK AND BULLETS, HUNTING AND FISHING.

THEN THERE IS THE PARKS.

THEN WE HAVE THE ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE, THEN THE CLEAN WATER FUND.

I THINK THE MOST DISCUSSION WE WILL HAVE IS ON THE CLEAN WATER FUND AND HOW WE GET THROUGH THAT.

WE ALL LOOK AT CLEAN WATER AS A REALLY BIG RESOURCE IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE MOST DISCUSSION WILL COME FROM, WHERE THE MOST DIFFERENCES ARE, WHETHER WE FUND THE GOVERNOR'S INITIATIVES OR WE FUND THE SENATE AND HOUSE'S INITIATIVES.

TONY: SO YOU TAKE THE TWO BILLS, THEY SIT SIDE-BY-SIDE, THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ARE IN THERE, AND YOU COME TO SOME AGREEMENT TOWARD THE END.

SEN. RUUD: AND I THINK WE WILL DO THAT EARLY ON.

THERE IS GREAT SYNERGY WITH THE LEGACY BECAUSE IT IS MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND, IT IS CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED SO YOU CANNOT COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES.

I THINK THAT WILL COME TOGETHER PRETTY REASONABLY EASILY AND EARLY.

TONY: YOU TALKED A BIT ABOUT THE PARTISANSHIP COME UP WITH THIS LEGACY BILL IS UNANIMOUS.

CAN YOU TALK A BIT ABOUT SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WAS IN THAT BILL?

SEN. MCEWEN: THE NICE THING ABOUT THE LEGACY BILL IS WHAT SENATOR RUUD TALKED ABOUT, DEDICATED FUNDING THAT WE ALL CAN GET BEHIND.

I THINK SOME OF THE DISAGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OUR WHERE WE DO NOT -- ARE WHERE WE DO NOT WANT TO USE THE FUNDING FOR ESSENTIAL THINGS THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALREADY BE PAYING FOR, THAT SOULD BE ABOVE AND BEYOND TYPE OF FUNDING THAT WE HAVE.

THERE IS SOME DISAGREEMENTS, BUT IN GENERAL, PEOPLE ARE HAPPY WITH IT.

WE WANT TO SEE THAT MONEY DISBURSED AND IT TO SEE THE RESOURCES MADE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

TONY: AS A REMINDER TO FOLKS AT HOME, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE TODAY.

WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE ON THE AIR.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ONE QUESTION WE HAVE GOTTEN EVERY WEEK THUS FAR, ABOUT TAXES AND TAXES IN RELATION TO THE PPP LOANS THAT BUSINESSES HAVE TAKEN OUT AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THAT FOLKS HAVE GOTTEN.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS WAIVED TAXES ON THAT.

WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE STATE TO DO THAT.

IT IS IN BOTH BILLS' BODIES.

THE LEGISLATURE ENDS ON THE 17TH AND TAX DAY IS ON THE 17TH.

THE QUESTION WE HAVE GOTTEN IS, IS THERE ANY LIKELIHOOD FOR THAT TO GET FAST TRACKED AND DONE BY THE 17TH?

SEN. RUUD: I THINK THE SENATE PASSED IT EARLY ON WITH PRETTY BROAD SUPPORT, TRYING TO GET IT DONE BEFORE THE APRIL 15 DEADLINE, WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT GETS FAST TRACKED, BUT IT SHOULD BE, AND IT IS SOMETHING WE REALLY THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY PEACE IS -- THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY PIECE, IT IS HARD TO FILE TAXES.

IF WE ALL FILE TAXES ON THE 17TH WITHOUT A BILL AND THEN WE PASS IT, THAT IS ALL THE PAPERWORK AND THE COSTS THAT YOU INCUR WITH REDOING IT.

I AM HOPING THE LEADERSHIP CAN GET TOGETHER AND PASS IT EARLY.

TONY: ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?

SEN. MCEWEN: I DO HAVE SOME THOUGHTS.

THE SENATE DID PASS IT EARLY ON AND I THINK THERE IS BROAD SUPPORT IN GENERAL FOR THE PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS, IN PARTICULAR FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES, FOR THOSE SMALLER BUSINESSES THAT ACCEPTED THAT FINANCIAL HELP.

WE WANT TO HAVE THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY FOR THOSE BUSINESSES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THERE WERE MANY LARGE BUSINESSES THAT ALSO RECEIVED THOSE LOANS WHO DID VERY WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT PAIRED WITH NOT HAVING ADEQUATE FORGIVENESS FOR THOSE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THAT YOU MENTIONED HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR MANY OF US.

IF WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GIVE A LARGE ESSENTIALLY TAX BREAK TO THESE LARGE BUSINESSES, BECAUSE THEY CAN WRITE OFF THOSE COSTS IF THEY USE THEM FOR BUSINESS COSTS.

IN ESSENCE, IT IS A DOUBLE TAX BREAK.

WE WANTED TO HELP THE SMALLER BUSINESSES FROM RECEIVING THAT BENEFIT.

SO MANY BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN REALLY STRUGGLING.

WITHOUT TAKING CARE OF INDIVIDUAL WORKERS, WITH THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVED UNEMPLOYMENT, WE CANNOT HAVE INDIVIDUALS SLAPPED WITH AN UNEXPECTED TAX BILL AFTER COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

THAT WOULD BE HORRIBLE.

I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR A LOT OF US TO SEE THOSE GO HAND IN HAND.

TONY: GREAT, THANKS.

I'M GOING TO CHANGE GEARS AND TALK ABOUT COVID.

IT CERTAINLY HANGS OVER ALL WE DO AND WORK YOU DO AT THE CAPITAL.

IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, WE ARE CELEBRATING GOOD NEWS THAT IN MOST COUNTIES WE ARE OVER 50% VACCINATED AT LEAST WITH ONE SHOT.

FOR FOLKS OVER 65, THOSE NUMBERS ARE 80% AND 90% IN SOME OF OUR COUNTIES.

IS THERE MORE YOU CAN DO AT THE LEGISLATURE AND WITH SOME OF THE BILLS PASSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SO WE CAN GET TO HERD IMMUNITY AS FOLKS HAVE WANTED US TO DO SO WE CAN GET TO THAT NEXT STEP OF THE VACCINE?

SEN. MCEWEN: I THINK IN TERMS OF THE VACCINE AND ENCOURAGING THE VACCINES, I KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW THEY ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE, EVEN DOWN IN THE TWIN CITIES, WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT TO SEE.

I RECEIVED MY FIRST THOSE UP HERE WHEN I WAS IN DULUTH, AND I RECEIVED MY SECOND DOSE DOWN IN THE TWIN CITIES.

THEY REALLY ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

THERE HAD BEEN SOME BUMPS HERE AND THERE IN GETTING THE VACCINES OUT THERE, BUT NOW THEY ARE OUT THERE.

AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GOES THROUGH THE TESTING, WE WILL SEE THE AGE LIMIT ALSO GO DOWN.

IT IS WONDERFUL NEWS TO SEE THAT MOST OF OUR SENIORS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND THAT THERE IS ONLY A SMALL GROUP STILL LEFT, AND NOW THOSE YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE JUMPING IN.

JUST KEEPING, ENCOURAGING AND MODELING GOOD BEHAVIOR OF OURSELVES GETTING VACCINATED AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THAT IS REALLY HELPFUL.

TONY: SENATOR RUUD, ANYTHING LEGISLATURE CAN DO?

SEN. RUUD: WE WORKED REALLY HARD IN THE LONG TERM CARE AND AGING COMMITTEE.

WE PUSHED AND PUSHED.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSIONS WAS SENIOR CITIZENS, SO WE PUSHED FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE THE FIRST IN LINE FOR THE VACCINES.

AND OF COURSE YOUR CRITICAL CARE WORKERS NEED TO BE IN THAT LIST, TOO.

NOW WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE MOST EVERYONE IN THE SENIOR CARE SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

I THINK THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

AS FAR AS OTHER FOLKS BEING VACCINATED, I REALLY THINK THAT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

I WOULD HATE TO SEE VACCINATION PASSPORTS WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VACCINE TO DO A CERTAIN ACTIVITY.

WE HAVE ALWAYS ALLOWED, EVEN IN SCHOOLS, FOR FOLKS WHO DO NOT WANT TO BE VACCINATED TO NOT.

I THINK MIXING THE VACCINES -- I THINK MAKING THE VACCINES SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DO TO DO OTHER ACTIVITIES IS THE WRONG DIRECTION.

IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO HAVE THE VACCINE, I THINK THAT IS GREAT.

IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

IF IT MAKES THEM FEEL SAFE, IF IT IS WHAT THEY WANT TO DO FOR THEM SELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

THE SENIOR CITIZENS WAS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, BUT AFTER THAT I THINK IT IS THE PERSONAL CHOICE.

SEN. RUUD: BUT IT IS -- SEN. MCEWEN: BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I AM NOT HEARING ANY PROPOSALS AT THE LEGISLATURE TO FORCE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES OR FOR THERE TO BE A VACCINE PASSPORT.

I DO THINK THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AROUND THAT.

I HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF EMAILS, NOT MOSTLY FROM MY CONSTITUENTS INTO SENATE DISTRICT SEVEN, BUT FROM AROUND THE STATE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS IDEA ABOUT A VACCINE PASSPORT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES.

OF COURSE, PRIVATE COLLEGES COMEAU MCALLISTER -- PRIVATE COLLEGES, MCALLISTER AND OTHERS ARE MAKING THE CHOICE TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS.

I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THEY HAVE DECIDED AS A PRIVATE INSTITUTION WHAT THOSE EXCEPTIONS ARE.

BUT I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY EFFORT PUBLICLY TO ENFORCE ANY KIND OF VACCINE MANDATE.

TONY: PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THESE LEGISLATORS, AND I WILL KEEP GOING WITH MINE.

A LOT OF TALK HAPPENED PRIOR AND DURING SESSION ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND EMERGENCY POWERS.

WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A POINT OF CONSTERNATION IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND BETWEEN THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES.

WE ARE HOPEFULLY SEEING LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WITH COVID, SO I AM SURE THIS WILL BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

I WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR RUUD.

SOME WOULD ARGUE THAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES NOT MOVE THAT QUICKLY, SO THE POWERS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS AN EMERGENCY TIMES ARE IMPORTANT SO HE OR SHE CAN BE NIMBLE IN MAKING THESE SORTS OF HEALTH CARE DECISIONS AND PANDEMIC DECISIONS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS MOVING FORWARD IN HOW TO ADDRESS THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS, NOW AS YOU ARE ENDING THE SESSION, AND MAYBE LOOKING FORWARD?

SEN. RUUD: I THINK THE EMERGENCY ENDED A LONG TIME AGO.

THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE GIVEN UP POWERS A LONG TIME AGO.

I THINK BUSINESSES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REOPEN, KIDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GO TO SCHOOL.

I DON'T THINK THAT HE HAS THE ABILITY AND THE WHEREWITHAL TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

TO CONTINUALLY MAKE THEM WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE IS REALLY WRONG.

WE HAVE $2 MILLION COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE NO SAY IN WHERE IT WILL BE SPENT AND WHO WILL SPEND IT, AND THAT IS PLAIN WRONG.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE GOVERNOR TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

WE ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE OF MAKING DECISIONS, HELPING BUSINESSES WITH THE INPUT.

I DON'T THINK HE AND HIS COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE THE OVERALL POWER IN THE EMERGENCY -- AND THE EMERGENCY POWER SHOULD END AND BE DONE.

HE HAS NOT WORKED WITH US FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

HE JUST RENEWED HIS POWERS AGAIN.

MY GUESS IS HE WILL RENEW THEM RIGHT UNTIL 2022, AND I WOULD IMAGINE THAT EVEN IF WE END ON MAY 17, HE WILL CALL US BACK EVERY 30 DAYS SO HE CAN RENEW THOSE POWERS, AND I THINK THAT IS PLAIN WRONG.

IT IS TIME TO BE DONE.

TONY: SENATOR RUUD BRINGS UP THE CHECK AND BALANCE, AND CERTAINLY THE $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL DOLLARS THROUGH THE LAST RICE SKI PACKAGE -- THE LAST RESCUE PACKAGE.

A CHECK AND BALANCE FOR $2 BILLION IS A LOT OF SPENDING TO HAVE ONE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

SEN. MCEWEN: MY THOUGHTS ARE HAVING COME IN IN JANUARY, I WAS NOT PART OF ALL THOSE SPECIAL SESSIONS THAT WE SAW GOING IN.

BUT I CAN SAY THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY COULD HAVE ACTED AT ANY TIME.

THERE WAS NOTHING STOPPING THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY FROM STEPPING IN TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS, TO PROTECT WORKERS, TO PROTECT ALL THE PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT THEY DID NOT DO THAT.

THEY DID NOT RISE TO THE OCCASION TO LEAD.

SO THERE IS A LEADERSHIP VACUUM.

IF THERE IS A LEADERSHIP VACUUM, AND IN FACT WE SAW MANY OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS LEADERSHIP REALLY NOT TAKING FOR A WHILE THE PANDEMIC EVEN SERIOUSLY.

WE HAD A REPUBLICAN PARTY NATIONALLY LED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WHO DID NOT TAKE THE PANDEMIC SERIOUSLY AT ALL.

AND SPREAD A LOT OF DISINFORMATION TO PEOPLE, A LOT OF FEAR.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU ARE FACING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, THAT IS A SCOPE OF EMERGENCY WHERE YOU NEED LEADERSHIP.

AND THE REPUBLICANS JUST DID NOT LEAD.

THEY DID NOT TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS FROM THE PANDEMIC.

SO EVEN IN A SPITE OF THE ORDERS BEING IN PLACE, THEY COULD HAVE STEPPED UP AND SAID, NO, WE GOT THIS PIECE.

WE WILL PASS SOME LEGISLATION TO PROTECT WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE, CHANGING WORKER'S COMPENSATION LAWS, EMERGENCY LEAVE PROVISIONS, ALL THOSE TYPE OF THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE.

OR MANDATES AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY PROTECTIONS AT THE HEIGHT AND AND THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THEY DIDN'T DO THOSE THINGS.

SO WE HAD TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE WITH THE EMERGENCY POWERS.

THEY JUST HAVEN'T STEPPED UP.

SEN. RUUD: I WOULD SAY WE HAVE STEPPED UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN, BUT WE ARE ONE STOOL OF A THREE LEGGED STOOL.

EVERYTHING WE COULD PASS, WHICH WE DID, WOULD NOT GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE HOUSE WOULD NEVER DO IT AND THE GOVERNOR WOULD NEVER AGREE.

TO SAY OUR LEADERSHIP HAS NOT STEPPED UP, I AM REALLY OFFENDED BY THAT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

THE ONLY REASON WE HAVE A VACCINE NOW IS BECAUSE PRESIDENT TRUMP GOT THE VACCINE TO THE CITIZENS.

THAT IS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE VACCINE.

PEOPLE WERE GETTING VACCINATED BEFORE HE LEFT OFFICE, AND THAT IS WHAT BROUGHT US HERE TODAY.

TO SAY THAT THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE HAS NOT STEPPED UP, THE GOVERNOR HAS ALL THE POWER SO WE COULD PASS 1000 BILLS TOMORROW BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS THE POWER.

HE HAS THE POWER, WE DO NOT, AND THE HOUSE HAS THE POWER.

AND YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE PASSED BILL AFTER BILL AFTER BILL, AND IT JUST BECAUSE IT IS NOT YOUR AGENDA DOES NOT MEAN IT IS THE WRONG AGENDA.

TO SAY THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY LEADERSHIP IS REALLY OFFENSIVE.

TONY: WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A TURN AND TALK ABOUT MORE LOCALIZED.

BOTH OF YOU RAN FOR OFFICE FOR THE REASONS YOU DID AND ARE OFFERING LEGISLATION.

CAN YOU PICK ONE BILL THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT THAT YOU AUTHORED THAT IS EITHER MAKING PROGRESS OR SOMETHING FOLKS HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT YET?

WE WILL START WITH YOU, SENATOR MCEWEN.

SEN. MCEWEN: I WOULD LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE BILL I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT, AND THAT IS PROVE IT FIRST LEGISLATION.

I AM THE LEAD AUTHOR ON A BILL CALLED PROVE IT FIRST, AND WHAT THAT DOES IS IT WOULD REQUIRE ANY PROPOSERS OF COPPER SULFIDE OR COPPER NICKEL MINING PROPOSALS IN MINNESOTA TO PROVE IT FIRST, THAT BEFORE THEY WOULD BE CONSIDERED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A PERMIT TO MINE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO SHOW AN EXAMPLE OF A SIMILAR MINE, A COPPER SULFIDE MINE, THAT HAS OPERATED IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 10 YEARS SOMEWHERE IN A LIKE ENVIRONMENT AND HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 10 YEARS WITHOUT POLLUTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

AS WE KNOW, THE SCIENCE AND AT THE TECHNOLOGY IS SIMPLY NOT THERE FOR THIS TYPE OF MINING TO BE DONE IN A WATER RICH ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT DESTROYING THE WATERSHED AND POLLUTING THE NATURAL RESOURCES TO A POINT THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR OUR ECONOMIES, FOR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH.

THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT STEP THAT WE NEED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO PROACTIVELY MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS, ESPECIALLY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA WITH THE PROPOSAL AND 20 METALS AND THE OTHER COPPER SULFIDE PROPOSALS.

WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY THE COURT DECISION CAME DOWN FROM THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT.

POLYMET NO LONGER HAS A PERMIT TO MINE AND THEY HAVE TO GO BACK.

WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER EXAMPLES AS WELL, THE AGENCIES HAVE NOT DONE THE WORK THEY NEED TO DO TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS' PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIES.

THIS LAW IS JUST ONE VERY IMPORTANT SAFEGUARD WE CAN PUT IN PLACE WHILE WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PERMITTING, TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROCESSES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SERVING MINNESOTANS AND LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

TONY: SENATOR RUUD, YOU SERVE ON THE MINING COMMITTEE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

SEN. RUUD: I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THAT BILL, BUT WE HAVE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN TAMARACK AND EMERY AND CROSBY.

IT IS EXCITING TO SEE THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT.

THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THE MINING COMMITTEE, SO SENATOR EICHORN IS THE CHAIR AND HAS DONE A GREAT JOB BRINGING FORTH THE ISSUES OF MINING.

TONY: ANY BILL FOR YOU IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT?

SEN. RUUD: THERE HAS BEEN A LOT IN THE NEWS LATELY AND IN FACT THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE DULUTH PAPER THIS WEEKEND FOR SAVE WOMEN'S SPORTS.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN 36 STATES, AND IT STARTED FROM A YOUNG WOMAN IN MINNESOTA, A POWER LIFTER BETH SALTER.

SHE HAS TESTIFIED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

OUR BILL IS NOT ABOUT BEING ANTI-TRANSGENDER, WE ARE JUST ABOUT PROTECTING WOMEN AND DEFENDING WOMEN AND ALLOWING THEM TO SAFELY COMPETE.

OUR BILL PUTS A SENTENCE IN TITLE IX ABOUT WHO CAN COMPETE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT TRANSGENDER MEN AND WOMEN CANNOT COMPETE, WE JUST WANT TO BE A FAIR COMPETITION FOR WOMEN.

I DID NOT HAVE TITLE IX SO I HAD NO SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE 50 YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS I THINK WE SHOULD KEEP GOING AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE OUR YOUNG WOMEN NOT HAVE THAT.

IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE THE SUCCESS AND THE CONVERSATIONS WE ARE HAVING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TONY: A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ON THAT BILL.

SENATOR MCEWEN, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT BILL?

SEN. MCEWEN: I DO HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS ON THIS BILL, AND I FIND THIS BILL TO BE EXTREMELY, DEEPLY OFFENSIVE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT SENATOR RUUD IS SAYING THIS IS COMING FROM A PLACE WHERE SHE WOULD LIKE TO PROTECT WOMEN.

THERE ARE REAL ISSUES WITHIN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT, OPPORTUNITIES, EQUAL PAY, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

TRANSGENDER ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE ISSUES.

TRANSGENDER KIDS PRACTICE SPORTS AND PLAY IN SPORTS IN HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SAME REASONS THAT OTHER KIDS PLAY SPORTS.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE COLLEGIALITY, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT GOAL ORIENTATION, TO BETTER THEMSELVES.

THEY WANT TO BE WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

SO IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND, AND I THINK IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THEY KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS TRANSGENDER IN THEIR LIFE, THEY MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS FOR SOMEONE TO BE TRANSGENDER.

BUT TO BE CLEAR, TRANSGENDER GIRLS ARE GIRLS.

TRANSGENDER BOYS ARE BOYS.

GIRLS PLAY GIRLS SPORTS.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WITH A BILL LIKE THIS, AND THESE BILLS ARE BEING PROMOTED BY GROUPS THAT ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER AS HATE GROUPS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AS TARGETING TRANS CHILDREN AND PREVENTING THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO PLAY SPORTS.

THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION.

WE HAVE FEDERAL LAW, STATE LAW PREVENTING THINGS LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING.

IT REALLY IS AN ATTACK ON KIDS PLAYING SPORTS.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WOULD BE A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL WHO HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AT BIRTH AS MALE, BUT WHO HAS LIVED HER LIFE AND WHO IS FEMALE.

SHE HAS FEMALE FRIENDS, SHE HAS BEEN A FEMALE, SHE WANTS TO PLAY SPORTS.

THIS BILL WOULD PREVENT HER FROM BEING ABLE TO PLAY SPORTS.

IT WOULD OUT HER, EFFECTIVELY.

IT IS INCREDIBLY CRUEL.

WE KNOW THAT TRANSGENDER YOUTH HAVE MUCH HIGHER SUICIDE RATES.

THEY HAVE MUCH LOWER PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AS IT IS.

SO WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.

AND IN FACT, MANY LEADERS AND WOMEN SPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DENOUNCED THIS LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING CARRIED ACROSS THE NATION, SAYING THIS IS NOT EVEN AN ISSUE.

IT IS NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL.

THE MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HAS ALLOWED IT TRANSGENDER GIRLS TO PLAY GIRLS SPORTS FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS WITHOUT ISSUE.

THIS IS THE LAW OF THE LAND UNDER TITLE IX, UNDER THE EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE ONE, SECTION TWO OF THE MINNESOTA STATE CONSTITUTION.

IT IS VERY PROBLEMATIC.

IT WOULD BE AGAINST THE LAW.

WE WOULD BE DIRECTING HIGH SCHOOLS TO VIOLATE STATE AND FEDERAL LAW BY DOING THIS.

TONY: SENATOR RUUD, I WILL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD.

SEN. RUUD: IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT SENATOR MCEWEN KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT MY BILL AND SHE HAS TIED ME TO HATE GROUPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS REALLY PRETTY OUTRAGEOUS.

MY BILL IS VERY SIMPLE.

WE WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION A IN A KIND AND GENTLE MANNER, AND IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO WITHOUT HYSTERIA.

I THINK WE CAN HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION WITHOUT MISREPRESENTING THE FACTS OF THE BILL.

TONY: WE DO HAVE A VIEWER WHO CALLED IN WHO WANTS TO KNOW, WHO REGULATES THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND IT DOES THE LEGISLATURE HAVE A ROLE?

SEN. MCEWEN: THAT IS AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

SEN. RUUD: I DON'T THINK EITHER ONE OF US IS ON THOSE COMMITTEES.

TONY: REGULATING INSURANCE INDUSTRY, IF IT IS HEALTH CARE, IT IS CERTAIN AGENCIES.

IF IT IS OTHER INSURANCE, IT IS OTHERS.

I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WEIGHS IN ON SOME OF THOSE TOPICS.

I WILL GET TO THE LAST QUESTION I HAD FOR YOU TODAY.

THE LEGISLATURE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW, MAY 17.

YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND THE BLOCK A FEW TIMES, SENATOR RUUD.THERE ARE BIG DIFFERENCES AMONGST THE BUDGET AND OTHER ISSUES.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THE LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE A STATE BUDGET PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR BY THE END OF THE SESSION, OR DO YOU FORESEE SPECIAL SESSIONS HAPPENING?

SEN. RUUD: I THINK THERE WILL BE SPECIAL SESSIONS.

WE ARE SO VERY FAR APART.

THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT WORKED WITH US, SO THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I THINK HE WILL KEEP RENEWING HIS SPECIAL POWERS EVERY 30 DAYS.

BUT I HAVE GOTTEN RESPONSE FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AND THEY SAY, DON'T GIVE THE GOVERNOR HIS BUDGET UNTIL HE DOES X, Y, Z.

BUT WHAT THEY DON'T REALIZE IS THIS IS MINNESOTANS' BUDGET.

IT IS NOT THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

IT IS WHAT WE WORK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF.

THE LAST SHUTDOWN I WAS THROUGH, THE FIRST THING THAT SHUTS DOWN IS THE STATE PARKS, THE RECREATION AREAS, THE FISHING LICENSES, AND IT ALL HAPPENS JULY 1.

SO AT THE FOURTH OF JULY, WE CLOSE DOWN THE STATE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, AND I THINK THAT IS THE WRONG WAY TO GO.

TONY: A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN WRAP IT UP.

SPEAKING OF WRAPPING IT UP, WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENATOR KERRY RUUD AND SENATOR JENNIFER MCEWEN FOR JOINING US.

JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT, WHERE WE WILL WELCOME OTHER LEGISLATORS.

FOR WDSE, I AM TONY SERTICH.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.