"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 TO 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, OUR LAST PROGRAM OF THE YEAR.

WE HAVE, AS ALWAYS, A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS TO HELP UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY OF ST. PAUL AND DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THE FINAL PROGRAM OF THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM AND INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SEND IT VIA ELECTRONICALLY.

I CAN'T INVITE YOU TO SEND IT IN FOR NEXT WEEK'S PANEL BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO NEXT WEEK'S PANEL.

WE WILL RETURN TO YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN.

LET'S INTRODUCE OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS AND STARTING WITH, I THINK, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE PANEL THIS EVENING, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART.

I THINK YOU ARE SENIOR.

IF NOT, SOMEBODY WILL CORRECT ME.

REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> THANK YOU MUCH, YOUR HONOR, AND REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON, I THINK YOU WERE IN A LITTLE BIT BEFORE I WAS, SO I'M PROBABLY NOT THE SENIOR MEMBER TONIGHT.

>> Barry: I'M IN TROUBLE ALREADY.

>> I REPRESENT DISTRICT 4B WHICH INCLUDES ALL OR PARTS OF CLAY, BECKER AND NORMAN COUNTY AND I'M A TEACHER WHEN I'M NOT IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND TALK GOVERNMENT, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND IN EXACTLY ONE MONTH, MY WIFE AND I WILL CELEBRATE OUR 40th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE BOTH TEACHERS, ASHLEY, LIND, LINDSEY, BOTH MARRIED, AND WE HAVE THREE WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN, ADDISON, LINCOLN AND HAVELYNN, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER.

>> Barry: DID THE KIDS WIND UP AS SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS AS WELL?

>> NO, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTEACHERS.

I MUST HAVE MADE IT EASY.

>> Barry: I WILL INTRODUCE REPRESENTATIVE SONDRA ERICKSON WHO REALLY IS OUR SENIOR MEMBER OF THE PANEL.

REPRESENTATIVE 15A OF PRINCETON.

EXCHANGING PRINCETON STORIES, THE LAW FIRM I USED TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH, HAD AN OFFICE IN PRINCETON AND ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY AS WELL, SO I GOT TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY A LITTLE BIT.

REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S GREAT TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM TONIGHT.

SONDRA ERICKSON.

I LIVE IN PRINCETON TOWNSHIP, AND HAVE LIVED THERE QUITE A FEW DECADES.

I CAME TO PRINCETON AS A TEACHER WHEN I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.

I BEGAN MY CAREER IN JANUARY OF 1964, AND THEN I ENDED UP MARRYING A PRINCETON RESIDENT.

SO I HAVE LIVED EVER SINCE THAT BEGINNING OF MY TEACHING CAREER IN THE PRINCETON AREA, NOT ALWAYS IN PRINCETON TOWNSHIP BUT CERTAINLY IN THAT AREA.

MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN DECEASED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE HAD ONE SON.

HE'S A LAWYER.

HE'S MARRIED AND I HAVE A GRANDSON, AND AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE CONVERSATION EARLIER, I TOOK HIM TO BASEBALL PRACTICE TONIGHT I'M AT MY SON'S THEY LIVE IN RURAL PARK RAPIDS.

YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE FIRST GRADERS TO BASEBALL.

GRANDMA WAS ON THE MOUND PITCHING TO THE BATTER, AND THEN HE WAS PITCHING TO ME, BECAUSE HE WANTS TO BE A PITCHER.

IT WAS GREAT FUN.

ANYWAY, I AM THE SENIOR MEMBER.

I AM THE OLDEST IN MY CAUCUS.

I WILL BE 80 NEXT MARCH, AND I HAVE SERVED SINCE A SPECIAL ELECTION OF 1998 WHEN I REPLACED DWYER.

BUT I LOST IN 2008 AND RETIRED.

BUT MY CONSTITUENTS THOUGHT DIFFERENTLY AND ASKED ME TO RUN IN 2010, SO I HAVE HAD TWO STINTS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

ACTUALLY I'M PROBABLY STARTING MY -- FINISHING MY 21st YEAR OR STARTING MY 22nd.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION, AND YOU ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BIENNIUM, YOU HAVE NEVER QUITE SURE WHERE YOU ARE, BUT I HAVE SERVED OVER 20 YEARS, AND ALL OF THOSE ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I HAVE ALSO SERVED ON TAXES WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AND PROPERTY TAXES, AND I THINK, EXCEPT FOR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMERCE, I PROBABLY HAVE BEEN ON EVERY COMMITTEE AT SOME POINT IN MY PUBLIC SERVICE.

BUT IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I'M HOPING WE CAN TALK A LITTLE EDUCATION.

>> Barry: WE WILL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT.

BUT WE HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT MATTER THAT WE HAVE TO SETTLE.

DID THE FIRST GRADERS RUN THE BASES IN THE CORRECT ORDER, OR WAS THAT A PROBLEM?

>> THESE ARE FOURTH GRADERS.

>> Barry: OKAY.

SO THEY HAVE GOT THE BASES INCORRECT ORDER.

>> THEY HAVE THE BASES INCORRECT ORDER.

THEY HAD THEIR FIRST GAME LAST NIGHT.

THEY HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE FIELDING THE BALL.

SO I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE COACH WORKING ON THE FIELDING TONIGHT.

THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD HITTER, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD AN ACTUAL PLAYER THEIR AGE GROUP PITCHING.

MY GRANDSON HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE LAST NIGHT.

HE DID THROW A FEW OUTSIDERS AND WALKED A FEW.

HE'S REALLY PROMISING.

>> Barry: THE TEAM THAT PLAYS IN THE BIG FIELD IN MINNEAPOLIS THEY HAVE TROUBLE WITH WALKING PLAYERS, TOO.

WE WILL LEAVE THAT FOR ANOTHER DAY.

FINALLY LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, SENATOR BOBBY JOE CHAMPION FROM DISTRICT 59 IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE WERE DISCUSSING BEFORE WE STARTED YOU ACTUALLY STARTED IN THE HOUSE.

SO WE COULD HAVE INTRODUCED YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE, I GUESS, AND GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT.

YOU ARE A SENATOR FROM MINNEAPOLIS.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF, COMMITTEES YOU HAVE SERVED ON.

>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT AND HOW EXCITED I AM TO BE ON WITH REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON AND REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

JUDGE, I WILL SAY WHEN YOU MADE THE ERROR OF FIGURING OUT WHO WAS THE MOST SENIOR MEMBER.

I BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT EVEN JUSTICES ARE WRONG FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> Barry: I HAVE A LONG LIST OF PEOPLE THAT POINT OUT MY DEFICIENCIES.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

I'M USED TO IT.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL HUMAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I AM BOBBY JOE CHAMPION, AS YOU MENTIONED.

I SERVE SENATE DISTRICT 59.

SENATE DISTRICT 59, WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THOSE NUMBERS, PEOPLE ARE LIKE WHERE ARE THOSE NUMBERS?

I SERVE ALL OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, THE NORTH LOOP, DOWNTOWN, ELLIOTT PARK.

IF YOU GO TO DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS OR THE BASEBALL PARKS OR FOOTBALL STADIUMS, YOU ARE IN MY DISTRICT AS WELL AS IF YOU DECIDE TO GO TO GUTHRIE, AND I'M HAPPY ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOON WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THEM BACK UP AND RUNNING.

THAT'S THE SENATE DISTRICT THAT I SERVE.

I GOT FIRST ELECTED IN 2008.

THAT SAME YEAR I WOULD LIKE TO ALWAYS SAY THAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WAS ON THE BALLOT, AND I WAS ALWAYS FORTUNATE TO DO THAT, AND THEN WHEN HE DECIDED TO RUN FOR REELECTION, HE BEING PRESIDENT OBAMA, THAT'S WHEN I RAN AND WAS ELECTED INTO THE SENATE.

I'M EXCITED.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, FIFTH OUT OF 6 KIDS, AND PARENTS MIGRATED FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH BUT I WAS BORN IN MINNESOTA.

MY MOM IS FROM HOOKS, TEXAS AND MY DAD IS FROM HOPE, ARKANSAS.

PEOPLE ASK ME DOES YOUR DAD KNOW BILL CLINTON?

I'M SURE THEY PROBABLY CROSSED PATHS SOMEWHERE.

BUT HOPE, THAT IS WHERE MY DAD IS FROM.

PROFESSION, I AM A LAWYER, AND JUSTICE ANDERSON KNOWS THAT AS WELL AS OTHERS, THAT I PRACTICE LAW.

I HAVE AN INTERESTING LEGAL, YOU KNOW, CASE LOAD, BECAUSE I DO CRIMINAL DEFENSE FOR STATE AND FEDERAL CASES AS WELL AS BUSINESS LAW, SOME FAMILY LAW, BUT ENTERTAINMENT LAW IS MY MAIN THINGS I LOVE SO MUCH.

I AM MARRIED.

AS I MENTIONED, I'M AN ATTORNEY.

MY WIFE IS A PHARMACIST.

SO SHE GOT HER DOCTORATE IN PHARMACY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE TWO KIDS, JAELIN WHO JUST FINISHED HIS SECOND YEAR AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, SO HE WILL BE COMING HOME NEXT WEEK, SO HE'S RUNNING TRACK AND DOING OTHER THINGS OUT THERE.

THEN WE HAVE MILES WHO IS FINISHING HIS SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, AND HE'S GETTING READY TO GO OFF TO COLLEGE AS WELL.

ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR ME, YOU KNOW, EXPAND FROM CIVIL RIGHTS TO JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

I REALLY SORT OF LOOK AT IT THROUGH THAT LENS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, AND I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

>> Barry: LET'S START WITH QUESTIONS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLICE REFORM BILL.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT PROCESS IS.

AS I'M INTERPRETING THE VIEWER'S QUESTION, HE VIEWS THE HOUSE BILL PARTICULARLY FAVORABLY.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE POLICE REFORM BILL AND THE PROCESS OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE VIRTUAL TABLE.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THE TRAGIC DEATHS OF GEORGE FLOYD, DAUNTE WRIGHT HAVE KIND OF SHOWED SOME FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT I THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES A WONDERFUL JOB.

MY SON-IN-LAW IS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HE'S OUT THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE, AND IT'S TOUGH HARD WORK.

OUT IN RURAL MINNESOTA, PEOPLE SEE THIS AS A BIG CITY PROBLEM.

THEY SAY WHY DO WE NEED POLICE REFORM BECAUSE IT'S A FEW BAD APPLES HERE AND THERE AND SO FORTH.

I SAY THIS.

THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THE PUBLIC HAVING CONFIDENCE IN THE JOB THEY ARE DOING, BECAUSE WITHOUT PEOPLE HAVING CONFIDENCE IN WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DOING, THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN.

WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS, WHEREVER IT IS, IT IMPACTS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN RURAL MINNESOTA AND I DO THINK SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT WE DID LAST YEAR WERE GOOD.

I THINK WE CAN DO MORE REFORMS IN TRAINING AND DOING THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

WE KNOW SOME OFFICERS HAD MANY VIOLATIONS, AND THEY ARE STILL ON-THE-JOB.

IS THAT RIGHT?

ONE THING THAT GETS BROUGHT UP IS CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARDS.

ONE THING I HEARD FROM PEOPLE BACK IN RURAL MINNESOTA, AND I TALK A LOT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IN RURAL MINNESOTA IS WE DON'T WANT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

IN THE HOUSE BILL WE HAVE A CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT CAN LOOK AT INCIDENTS THAT HAPPEN INVOLVING POLICE AND SO FORTH, AND I KNOW THERE'S LOTS OF OPPOSITION TO THAT.

BUT HERE IS WHAT I WOULD SAY.

IN THE HOUSE BILL, IT'S NOT MANDATORY.

IT'S UP TO THE CITIES AND THE COUNTIES IF THEY WANT TO ESTABLISH THAT.

SO IT'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

SO IN THE CITIES THAT THEY WANT TO SET THIS UP, THEY HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT.

IN CLAY COUNTY OR MY CITY OF DILWORTH IF THEY DON'T WANT TO SET IT UP, THEY DON'T HAVE TO, AND THAT'S A GOOD APPROACH.

BUT TO JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONLY A TWIN CITY PROBLEM OR WHATEVER, THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HURT LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER ALL, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK, BECAUSE THE CONFIDENCE PEOPLE HAVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUST IN GENERAL IS KEY.

AGAIN.

I THINK -- I KNOW LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONALLY, AND THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE IN OTHER AREAS.

IT'S KIND OF A DIFFERENT SITUATION, AND I THINK THE DOLLARS WE CAN GET FOR TRAINING FOR OFFICERS IS GOING TO MAKE THEM STRONGER.

HOW CAN WE AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS ENHANCE THE PROFESSION AND ENHANCE THE JOB THAT THEY CAN DO SO THEY CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE POLICE REFORM PROCESS AND THE POTENTIAL LEGISLATION?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW IN THE SENATE WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY HEARINGS ON POLICE REFORM, AND THAT'S THE UNFORTUNATE ASPECT OF THINGS.

SENATOR LEMMER CHAIRS OUR JUDICIARY, AND I WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD A HEARING.

I REALLY WISH WHAT SENATOR GAZELKA SAID WAS TRUE.

I THINK ROBUST CONVERSATION HELPS TO GET AWAY FROM SOME OF THE, YOU KNOW, NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS THAT'S OUT THERE.

WHENEVER YOU ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE PEOPLE AND REALLY GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER, I THINK IT'S HELPFUL.

WHAT REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART REALLY TALKED ABOUT, AT LEAST THE SPIRIT OF WHAT HE TALKED ABOUT, IS FINDING PATHWAYS TO WHAT I CALL REASONABLE POLICY, THE SEAT TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE.

I AGREE WITH HIM THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A ONE SIZE FIT ALL BECAUSE EVERY COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT, BUT WE SHOULD BE OPEN ENOUGH TO SAY HEY, THIS IS NOT ABOUT BEING ANTIPOLICE.

THAT IS A NARRATIVE THAT I THINK HURTS US.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT BEING ANTIPOLICE.

IN FACT IT'S PROTRUST AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.

IT ALSO HELPS THOSE GOOD OFFICERS.

I HEARD REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART TALK ABOUT THOSE GOOD COPS, BECAUSE NOT ALL COPS ARE BAD.

HE TALKS ABOUT A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY.

I CAN TALK ABOUT A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY WHO IS ON THE POLICE FORCE.

I BELIEVE SHE HAS REALLY GOOD INTENTIONS ALWAYS.

BUT I WANT HER TO BE SAFE, TOO, AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT AS THOUGHTFUL, WHO PUTS THE REST OF THE FORCE IN A BAD LIGHT, I THINK IT HURTS THOSE GOOD POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL, NOT TO MENTION, AND I FELT REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART WAS GOING TO MENTION THIS, BUT EVERY TIME THERE IS SOME LAWSUIT BECAUSE OF UNREASONABLE FORCE, AND BECAUSE WE REFUSED TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING USED TO PAY THOSE LAWSUITS.

WE CAN ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY IF WE WERE TO TAKE A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO IT.

I HAVE THIS THEORY THAT THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I BELIEVE WE SHOULD ALWAYS TWEAK LAW ENFORCEMENT, TWEAK OUR PROFESSION.

WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME AS LAWYERS.

WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THAT RELATIONSHIP.

SO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD HOPE IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SINCE THE SENATE DIDN'T HAVE ANY REFORM HEARING IS REALLY LOOKING AT USE OF FORCE, LOOKING AT THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.

I THINK FOLKS SHOULD HAVE THAT OPTION IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO BECAUSE IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT.

BANNING CHOKEHOLDS THAT WE KNOW DOESN'T REALLY HELP AT ALL.

I THINK WE SHOULD WRESTLE WITH THE ISSUE AROUND QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

DOES IT HURT?

DOES IT HELP?

SHOULD WE LOOK AT ARBITRATION REFORM?

I HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF POLICE CHIEFS THAT WHEN THEY DISCIPLINE THEIR OFFICER AND NO LONGER WANT THE BAD APPLE ON THE POLICE FORCE AND GO THROUGH A FLAWED ARBITRATION SYSTEM, THAT BAD APPLE GETS PUT BACK ON THE POLICE FORCE AND THAT UNDERMINES THE VISION OF THAT POLICE CHIEF, AND I THINK WE NEED TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS.

OF COURSE TRAINING, AND MAYBE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS TO WORK ALONGSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE FOLKS WHO SHOULD DRAW IF A PERSON IS HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE.

THINK OF THE NUMBER OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN AND WE ARE ASKING POLICE OFFICERS TO DO THINGS SOMETIMES THAT THEY ARE NOT TRAINED FOR.

SO IF THEY NEED TO HAVE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH SO THAT SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN, YOU KNOW, MENTAL HEALTH CAN GO ALONG WITH THEM, THEREFORE THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE IF A PERSON WHO MAY BE HAVING AN EPISODE IS NOT ASKED TO BE OR REQUIRED TO DO COMMANDS THAT THEY CAN'T AND THEREFORE LEADS TO A TRAGIC OUTCOME.

I THINK THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO WORK TOGETHER.

MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, WE SHOULD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY AND REALLY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR STATE.

THAT'S MY THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

HOPING IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THEY GO BACK WITH SOMETHING THAT MOVES US FORWARD.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE POLICE REFORM DISCUSSIONS.

>> I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT RELEGISLATED LAST YEAR THAT BECAME LAW TAKE ROOT AND FIND OUT IF THAT'S PAYING OFF.

I THINK POLICE REFORM HAS BECOME A VERY EMOTIONAL ISSUE, AND WHEN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH EMOTION, THEN WE JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS AND WE PASS LEGISLATION, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO ACTUALLY BE THE BEST.

I HEAR FROM MY LAW ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY ABOUT THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

THEY WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT REFORMS COME FORWARD IF THERE'S GOING TO BE MAJOR REFORM THIS BIENNIUM.

I'M LISTENING TO THEM.

I'M LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY.

BUT AS REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART SAID IN RURAL MINNESOTA, THERE'S A GREAT RESPECT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE THEY DO PROTECT US, AND THEY DO COME WHEN WE NEED THEM.

I MEAN, I HAVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SHERIFF OR HIS STAFF DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I LIVE IN A TOWNSHIP IN RURAL WOODED AREA, AND NOW I'M SO DELIGHTED THAT ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS IS THE JAIL ADMINISTRATOR FROM MILLE LACS COUNTY.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE SOMEONE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD BUT THAT THERE ARE MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE, AND PERHAPS IT WOULD BE BEST TO START AT OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGH THE VERY FEW THAT WE HAVE TO SEE IF THOSE REFORMS ALSO ARE INITIATED THERE.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT FROM BECOMING A TEACHER, AS I SEE IT.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD SOLID FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM TO PREPARE.

BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE GOING TO FACE SO MANY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS.

TO MAKE THE LONG ANSWER SHORT, I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT PROCEEDING WITH ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERED MORE EMOTIONAL THAN WHAT IS ACTUALLY NEEDED TO MAKE OUR CITIZENS TRUST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KNOW WHAT THEIR ROLE IS AS THEY SEEK TO PROTECT US.

>> IF I COULD SAY ONE THING.

>> Barry: GO AHEAD.

>> ONE THING I WANT US ALL TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT, THAT'S WHY I WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SENATE'S POSITION.

BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CONVERSATION.

THE WHOLE REASON FOR HAVING JUDICIARY, EVEN IF IT WAS INFORMAL, WHICH I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE FORMAL.

EVEN IF IT WAS INFORMAL, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS, TALK ABOUT WHAT DOES REFORM LOOK LIKE, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMES TO THE TABLE.

COMMUNITY COMES TO THE TABLE.

OTHER FOLKS WHO MIGHT HAVE OPINIONS COMES TO THE TABLE SO WE CAN HEAR AND ALSO LAND UPON OUR "COMMON GROUND".

HERE IS WHAT I THINK YOU WILL THINK ABOUT WHAT REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON, THAT WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR POLICE, TO, AND IN MY COMMUNITY, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE CHARLIE ADAMS, AND WE HAD A STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICER NAMED LEO JOHNSON WHO DIED TRAGICALLY IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE THERE WAS A DRUM COORDINATOR NAMED AFTER HIM.

WE HAVE STRONG ROOTS WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE.

OFFICER ROBERTS, I COULD GO DOWN THE LIST.

THE MISCONCEPTION IS THAT WE DON'T RESPECT POLICE OR THAT WE DON'T WANT POLICE INVOLVED IN OUR LIVES.

NO.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RELATIONSHIP IS A TRUSTED ONE, VALUED ONE AND THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I WAS DEEPLY MOVED BY THE OFFICER IN WASECA WHO HAS BEEN RECOVERING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT WARRANTS, NO-KNOCK WARRANTS, AND HOW SHOULD POLICE APPROACH DOMESTIC ISSUE TO MAKE SURE THEIR LIVES ARE NOT IN DANGER.

I WANT A POLICE OFFICER TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME AS WELL.

I WAS GOING BACK TO THE NOTION OF REFORM, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT AND THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS WE ARE CONSTANTLY MOVING FORWARD AND NOT CREATING PARALYSIS BECAUSE WE ARE FEARFUL WHAT THE OTHER SIDE MIGHT THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Barry: LET'S MOVE ON.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM GRANT FALLS THAT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE OMNIBUS RESOURCES APPROPRIATIONS BILL.

START WITH YOU, SENATOR ERICKSON, ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT TOPIC?

>> WELL, I COME FROM AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO BE LEFT ALONE, AND UNLESS THERE'S REALLY SCIENCE BEHIND SOME KIND OF CHANGE IN LAW OR RULES THAT PROMULGATE AND COME OUT INTO OUR AREA, I THINK THAT WHEN I LOOK AND STUDIED THE ENVIRONMENTAL BILL THAT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE, I WAS IN SHOCK, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST TOO MUCH.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN THROUGH A PANDEMIC, AND WE ARE GOING TO CREATE ALL OF THESE CHANGES.

SOME OF THEM MAY BE SIGNIFICANT AND NEEDED.

TREAD LIGHTLY SO THAT WE HONOR EVERYONE WHO HAS RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THAT WE TEACH PEOPLE TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT LAKE MILLE LACS.

I REPRESENTED THAT LAKE EVER SINCE I WAS ELECTED.

EVERYONE KNOWS WE HAVE A SUPREME COURT DECISION OF 1999 THAT, YOU KNOW, HAS PROBABLY RESULTED IN WHAT WE WOULD CALL COMANAGEMENT.

BUT WHAT I SAY TO THE DNR, BECAUSE IT'S A STATE RESOURCE, WHEN MAN STEPS IN, HUMANITY AND STARTS TO REGULATE A NATURAL RESOURCE, IT'S GOING TO GET MESSED UP.

WHY DON'T WE LET MOTHER NATURE WORK A LITTLE BIT AND NOT BE SO HEAVY ON THE REGULATIONS.

MY CONCERN IS THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BILL IS FULL OF REGULATIONS AGAIN AND IS PROBABLY IN THE STATE OF OVERREACH, AND I HOPE THAT A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OR WORKING GROUP OR WHOEVER IS MAKING DECISION WILL BE USING COMMON SENSE TO HONOR THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO TAKE OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCE INTO OUR HANDS AS CITIZENS AND NOT RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT ALWAYS TO MAKE DECISIONS TO CONTROL.

THAT'S WHERE I AM.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART THE OMNIBUS RESOURCES BILL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE JUST HAD THE FISHING OPENER LAST WEEKEND.

MINNESOTA VALUES ITS NATURAL RESOURCES, THE LAKE, STREAMS, RIVERS, OUR GROUNDWATER, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO SAY IF WE JUST LET EVERYONE KIND OF DO IT ON THEIR OWN, WE WOULD BE OKAY, BUT THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK.

THERE'S SOME BAD ACTORS OUT THERE, AND I MEAN, JUST THINK ABOUT WHEN WE STARTED MAKING LAWS ABOUT LITTER ALONG THE HIGHWAYS, AND I REMEMBER GOING TO THE LAKES BACK IN THE '60s AND LOOKING AND THERE WAS TRASH ALL OVER.

YOU DON'T SEE THAT REALLY ANYMORE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MAKING LAWS AND PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO LEARN ABOUT RECYCLING AND ALL THESE OTHER THINGS.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE BILLS THAT COME OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TEND TO BE A LITTLE WAYS LIKE THIS SO YOU HAVE ROOM TO NEGOTIATE.

YOU LOOK AT THE EDUCATION BILL.

THE SENATE HAD NOTHING ON THE FLOOR.

WE KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE OUT THAT WINDS UP.

I THINK IT'S REASONABLE.

I THINK YOU NEED TO HAVE -- IT HAS TO BE A BALANCE.

BUT YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE SOME REGULATIONS IN THERE TO BALANCE THE THINGS THAT WE VALUE THE MOST.

WE LOOK AT SOME OF OUR RIVERS IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA THAT THEY ARE JUST NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

THEY ARE POLLUTED, AND THAT'S HUMAN ACTION THAT'S DOING THAT, AND WE HAVE GOT TO PROTECT THAT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS A BALANCE, AND I THINK SOME OF THE BILLS THAT LEAVE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE MAYBE GO A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR IN EACH DIRECTION.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR NATURAL RESOURCES.

>> I DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO SAY OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I DO THINK WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF MOTHER EARTH, RIGHT?

AND EVERY ASPECT OF THE WORD.

I KNOW THAT WE SAY WE ARE THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES WHEN I THINK WE HAVE 10,600 AND SOME OTHER ODD NUMBER, RIGHT?

BUT I GUESS THAT NUMBER JUST REPRESENTS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A LOT TO BE THANKFUL FOR WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF OUR LAKES AND OUR WATERS AND ALL OUR WONDERFUL NATURAL RESOURCES AND WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT THEM.

I DO THINK THERE WILL BE SOME AGREEMENTS WHERE BALANCED APPROACHES ARE ALWAYS IMPORTANT, AND I THINK SENATOR FRENS AND OTHERS WHO WORK ON ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB OF TALKING THROUGH AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS A GREAT BALANCE OF PROTECTING OUR ASSETS AND REGULATING WHERE WE NEED TO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEAL WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT AFFECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR AIR AND OUR WATER AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS.

MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT THAT AND MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT BALANCE.

I BELIEVE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE EVERY MINNESOTAN OR THOSE WHO VISIT JUST TO THEIR OWN VICES AND LET THEM DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO BECAUSE TIME SOLVES NOTHING.

IT'S WHAT WE DO IN THAT SPAN OF TIME WILL IMPACT WHETHER WE WILL HAND THINGS DOWN TO OUR KIDS AND GRANDCHILDREN.

REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON WAS TALKING ABOUT HER GRANDCHILD THAT WANTS TO BE OUR PITCHER.

WE WANT HIM TO BE A PITCHER THAT GOES TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS OR SOME OTHER PLACE AND THE RESOURCE WILL BE THERE AND NOT BE POLLUTED OR CHALLENGED IN ANY SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION.

THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS.

I BELIEVE THEY WILL COME OUT WITH A BALANCED APPROACH, AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK.

>> Barry: LET'S GO TO YOU, REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON.

YOU MADE A PITCH FOR AN EDUCATION QUESTION, AND LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE THE PREK -- I WOULD SAY PREK TO 12 EDUCATION BILL IS AT.

WE HAVE ANOTHER TERM FOR IT NOW.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THAT, AND WE WILL GO TO REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART AND FINALLY SENATOR CHAMPION.

>> E12 EDUCATION BILL FROM THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IS FAR APART.

THE SENATE HAD AN INITIAL LOWER AMOUNT THAT THEY WANTED TO SPEND BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOKING, I THINK, AT FEDERAL FUNDS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLIONS OF, AND EVEN IN THE BILLIONS.

SO THE HOUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME GOOD THINGS IN THE HOUSE BILL.

I DID NOT VOTE FOR IT, BUT THE DELETE ALL AMENDMENT THAT WE BROUGHT FORTH ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO COUNTER THE POLICY THAT I THINK HAS GONE WAY BEYOND WHERE IT SHOULD TO PROCEED TO THE SENATE FOR A VOTE, THAT BILL SHOULD HAVE FOCUSED, AS OUR DELETE ALL DID ON WHAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW AFTER OUR CHILDREN, AND THAT'S A MAJORITY OF THEM FOR 14 PLUS MONTHS DID NOT HAVE DIRECT INSTRUCTION OR WERE IN A CLASSROOM.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON LOST LEARNING.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR THE CHILDREN TO CATCH UP AND PARENTS TO BE ENGAGED IN THAT CATCH-UP.

WHY ARE WE ADDING ALL NEW SORTS OF POLICY AT A TIME WHEN THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE MISSED FOR 14 SO 16 MONTHS.

SO THAT'S WHERE MY PRIORITY IS.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS DO WANT MONEY ON THE FORMULA, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WHETHER IT'S 2 AND 2 EACH YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM OR MORE THAN THAT OR LESS THAN THAT, THAT HELPS ALL STUDENTS.

WE ALSO WANT TO HELP THE CROSS SUBSIDY THAT'S CAUSING A LOT OF FINANCIAL DISMAY IN DISTRICTS.

WE WANT TO HELP OUT IN THAT AREA.

IN OUR DELETE ALL AMENDMENT WE BROUGHT FORTH THE DOLLARS THERE, BUT WE KEPT OUR SPENDING AT WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS A REASONABLE LEVEL AT 500 MILLION, AND THE TARGET CAME OUT AT 525 FOR THIS BIENNIUM, AND WE DIDN'T TOUCH THE OUT YEARS.

WE DIDN'T TOUCH THE NEXT BIENNIUM.

WE LEFT THE MONEY THAT THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS WERE PLANNING TO USE.

WHAT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT IS NOT INUNDATING OUR DISTRICTS WITH MANDATES, AND THE HOUSE BILL HAD 75 NEW MANDATES IN IT FOR OUR SCHOOLS, DISTRICTS AND CHARTERS TO FACE IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

THAT'S WAY OVER BOARD.

WE HAVE TO JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE AND KEEP IT DIRECT AND MAKE IT FOCUSED ON LEARNING AND OF COURSE TEACHING, BECAUSE GOOD TEACHING RESULTS IN GREAT LEARNING, AND THAT'S WHERE THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE.

LET'S LEAVE THIS OTHER STUFF ASIDE UNTIL WE THINK THAT THERE'S A TIME WHEN WE NEED SOME OF THAT POLICY.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OR WON'T BE ON A WORKING GROUP, I THINK, IF THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

I WILL BE TALKING TO BOTH MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ATTACHED TO EDUCATION AS WELL AS SENATE COLLEAGUES.

HOPEFULLY WE COME OUT WITH WHAT'S THE BEST FOR OUR STUDENTS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THEM AND LOST LEARNING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> WE SPEND ABOUT 41% OF OUR BUDGET ON E THROUGH 12.

IT'S ABOUT $10 BILLION A YEAR.

WE SHOULD.

IT'S THE MAIN PRIORITY THAT WE HAVE.

ONE THING MINNESOTANS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR, AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A COLD WEATHER STATE, WE HAVE DONE WELL ECONOMICALLY AS WE HAVE A WELL EDUCATED WELL TRAINED WORKFORCE, AND BECAUSE OF THE STRONG EDUCATION SYSTEM WE HAVE BEEN BEST AT IT, AS WE SHOULD.

AS REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON MENTIONED, THE TARGET IS $525 MILLION THAT WAS AGREED UPON, WHICH I THINK ALLOWS FOR 2% INCREASE EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TWO BIG SITUATIONS WE HAVE TO FACE HERE.

A LOT OF STUDENTS FELL BEHIND DURING COVID-19, AND SO THERE'S $75 MILLION THAT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS THAT THE GOVERNOR DIRECTED THAT WILL GO OUT TO SCHOOLS TO HELP KIDS CATCH UP.

WE ALSO HAVE A NAGGING ACHIEVEMENT OR OPPORTUNITY GAP BETWEEN OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND MINORITY AND WHITE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE HAD THAT FOR YEARS AND WE HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN ABLE TO DIG INTO THAT PROPERLY.

SO EVEN THOUGH WE DO HAVE THE FORMULA, WE ALSO HAVE TO DIRECT DOLLARS TO THOSE SCHOOLS AND AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST CONCERNS AND THAT'S WHAT'S STRONG ABOUT OUR SYSTEM.

EDUCATION FORMULA, BUT WE HAVE OTHER SES TYPES OF FORMULAS THAT TRIES TO PINPOINT AREAS, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THOSE ARE IN THE BILL.

THE EMPHASIS RIGHT NOW ON EARLY CHILDHOOD PREK.

THAT'S A KEY, AND WE ARE KEEPING FUNDING FOR SOME OF THOSE CLODS AND ONE MORE THING I WANT TO ADD WE DO TALK A LOT ABOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDING AND OUR BUDGET RESERVE.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT THE 2.8 BILLION COME FROM THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

I WILL NOTE ONLY 260 MILLION OF IT, 260 MILLION, AND THAT IS ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT IS ONGOING.

SO WHEN YOU DO THINGS ON THE FORMULA FOR EDUCATION, 2%, 2%, AND IT HAS TO BE FUNDED WITH ONGOING FUNDING.

THAT MONEY AND IF WE ARE NOT PREPARING FOR OURSELVES WE HAVE TORE CAREFUL.

IN THE TAX BILL, WE CREATED A FAIR TAX SYSTEM BUT RAISING REVENUES, AND FOR THESE TWO YEARS, WE ARE PROBABLY FINE, BUT ONGOING, IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO FUND EDUCATION, AND FUND HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC SERVICE, AND A SAFETY INTO THE LONG-TERM, WE ARE GOING TO NEED MORE ONGOING FUNDING.

AND ONLY ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT IS ONGOING FOR A FORMULA INCREASE.

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE GOT THE TERMINOLOGY STRAIGHT OR MODERATOR STRAIGHT ON THE TERMINOLOGY, E-12 FUNDING, SENATOR CHAMPION.

>> E-12, LET ME SAY EDUCATION IS THE THRESHOLD OF IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

YOU CAN LOOK AT EVERY STUDY.

THERE'S A CORRELATION OF EDUCATION, JOBS INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

WHETHER THEY ARE MAKING AND GAINING A LIVEABLE WAGE OR IF THEY ARE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

WE KNOW WHEN YOU THINK IN TERMS OF EVERY DISPARITY, PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE WELL REPRESENTED.

UNFORTUNATELY AND EDUCATION IS NO EXCEPTION AND THE COMMON DEMONSTRATOR IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT EDUCATION, IT'S POVERTY.

SO YOU HAVE GOT TO DEAL WITH THAT, AND THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

TOO OFTEN WE LOOK AT THE EDUCATIONAL AREA BUT WE DO NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY GAINS ABOUT CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP.

THIS IS WHERE THE ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT AWRL, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE VERY STRATEGIC, AND YOU HAVE TO APPROACH IT WITH A SCALPEL AS OPPOSED TO IT MANNER.

AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING WE HAVE GOT TO CATCH UP.

BUT PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN BEHIND FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

IMAGINE THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT IT HAS HAD ON PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUMMER LOSS, I APPLAUD THAT, BECAUSE EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO AID AND ABET OR TAKE AWAY THAT SUMMER BRAIN DRAIN SOME PEOPLE CALL IT I'M THERE, AND WE HAVE TO BE STRATEGIC HOW WE ARE GOING TOTINO A PATHWAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLOSING THE GAP AND CONTINUE TO EMPOWER OR CHILDREN, AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS?

WHEN I THINK IN TERMS OF THE TEACHING OR EDUCATIONAL PROFESSION, IT REQUIRES VARIOUS COMPONENTS IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK, IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE OPERATIONAL.

TEACHERS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT AND HERE IS ANOTHER THING PANDEMIC EXPOSED.

BROADBAND ACCESS, AND YOU CAN BE IN MINNEAPOLIS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT OR FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS, AND IT'S EQUIVALENT TO NOT HAVING IT AT ALL.

IT'S SOMETHING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES SUFFERED FROM AS WELL.

BROADBAND, INTERNET ACCESS, BUT HOW ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY, AND IN MINNEAPOLIS THEY DID NOT HAVE A COMPUTER FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO IS GOING TO THEIR SCHOOL.

IT WAS A LONG PERIOD AND WHEN THEY GOT A COMPUTER THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOT SPOTS, AND AND WE HAVE TO HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WITH AN EYE TOWARDS IMPROVING IT TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND I THINK WE NEED RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE RECOGNIZING WITH COVID IS A NUMBER OF OUR STUDENTS WERE EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION, AND LOSS OF ATTACHMENTS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, COUNSELING SERVICES.

EVEN WHEN OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO COLLEGE OR VO-TECH OR SOMETHING SOMETHING THEY CAN DO TO, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS OF COLOR.

STUDIES SAY IF THERE'S A TEACHER IN FRONT OF A STUDENT THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM THAT THEY WILL HAVE SOME CONNECTION TO THAT WILL LEAD TO BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, AND AND I AM ALSO ONE THAT BELIEVES THAT MUSIC AND TEACHING MUSIC, AND THERE'S A HARVARD STUDY AND THERE'S A NEXUS BETWEEN ACADEMICS AND ART.

WHY NOT MAKE SURE THE PROGRAMS ARE EQUALLY PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM AND REALLY MAKING SURE WE ARE CREATING EVERY OPPORTUNITY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH 12th GRADE WHERE THEY ARE HAVING THE EDUCATIONAL AND ARTISTRY EXPERIENCE.

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EDUCATION EQUITY.

I THINK EQUITY MEANS US MAKING SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

THIS FUNDING CLIP THAT REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART TALKED ABOUT, THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED, FUNDING CLIP.

I GOT IT FROM YOU TAX FOLKS.

YOU PUT THE MONEY IN NOW, AND IF IT'S UNSUSTAINABLE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A CLIFF BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KEEP IT.

WE KNOW EDUCATION IS 41% OF OUR BUDGET AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THE GAINS WE MAKE OVER THE TWO YEARS WITH A FEDERAL INVESTMENT ARE NOT LOST AND WE CONTINUE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS, AND IF THAT MEANS RAISING REVENUE, WE HAVE TO DO THAT, BECAUSE THAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STATE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE FUNDING ISSUE.

BUT WHEN YOU DO THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS I HAVE THERE ARE CONSTANT THEMES YOU GET.

ONE IS WE HEAR FROM RURAL STUDENTS AND RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT POINT OUT THAT FUNDING ON DISPARITIES RUNS 2 TO 1 OR MAYBE MORE BETWEEN SOME RURAL DISTRICTS AND SOME TWIN CITY DISTRICTS.

THE SUGGESTION THERE IS THERE SEEMS FOB PLENTY OF MONEY.

WE HAD A STATE SENATOR ON A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHO SUGGESTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY UNDERFUNDING EDUCATION.

YOU HAVE THESE CROSS STATEMENTS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT SHOULD THE FUNDING LEVELS BE FOR EDUCATION.

ARE WE, IN FACT UNDERRESOURCING URBAN EDUCATION WHEN THERE ARE THOSE THAT ARGUE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY UNDERFUNDING, SAY, EDUCATION IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THOSE KINDS OF CROSS CURRENTS ON THOSE FUNDING QUESTIONS.

PRETTY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE THE FACTS HERE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION FUNDING.

WE DON'T HAVE A LONG TIME TO DO THIS.

BUT TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO AND STRAIGHTEN IT OUT FOR US.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON KNOWS ALL OF THIS, ALSO, BETTER THAN I DO PROBABLY.

BUT I MEAN, I DO THINK WE HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDING EDUCATION.

WE HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

YOU GO BACK, AND EVEN WITH THE GENERAL ED FORMULA KEPT UP WITH INFLATION, BUT IT'S A COSTLY AREA AND A LOT OF TIMES YOU HEAR ABOUT THE PER PUPIL FUNDING, AND MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL MAY BE HIGHER THAN A LOT OF RURAL ONES, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, A LOT OF HIGHEST ONES ARE IN RURAL MINNESOTA, BECAUSE IT'S BASED A LOT ON POVERTY.

YOU HAVE GOT THE GENERAL ED FORMULA BUT THEN YOU HAVE COMPENSATORY THAT COMES OUT THAT GO TO THESE AREAS THAT HAVE HIGHER PERCENTS OF FREE AND REDUCED MEALS AND SO FORTH.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE CORRECT PROXY OR NOT.

BUT THE KEY OF IT IS, AND LIKE SENATOR CHAMPION SAID, THIS IS NOT WHERE YOU HAVE A ONE SIZE FITS ALL BECAUSE YOU WANT TO STRATEGICALLY TARGET THOSE DOLLARS TO THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

NOW, I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE A BETTER STRATEGY OF HOW WE GET THERE.

TOO MANY TIMES WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND ARE WE DOING NEW APPROACHES AND CREATING NEW THINGS WITH THESE DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING IN?

AND I MEAN, I THINK YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS, BUT GENERALLY I DON'T THINK WE KEPT UP WITH EDUCATION, BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT IT'S 41% OF THE BUDGET AND GROWING, AND IT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO FUND IT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE ERICKSON, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CONFUSED QUESTION THAT I HAD ABOUT FUNDING AND THE DISPARITIES AND SO FORTH.

WE WILL GIVE YOU A MINUTE OR TWO TO ANSWER THAT AS WELL.

WE WILL GO TO SENATOR CHAMPION AND ASK SOMEONE ELSE.

>> THEY HAVE CREATED THE PROGRAMS AND THE FORMULAS, AND AT SOME POINT I HAVE TO SAY THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT IT HAS GONE ON AND ON AND ON, AND THERE'S A CONCENTRATION FACTOR.

SO THE MORE STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH, THE MORE MONEY YOU ARE GOING TO GET.

IN RURAL MINNESOTA, IN EAST CENTRAL WHERE I LIVE, WE HAVE DISTRICTS THAT DON'T HAVE -- THEY DON'T HAVE A COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL BASE.

I'M THINKING OF ST. MICHAEL ALBERT.

THEY DON'T HAVE A HIGH POPULATION OF STUDENTS THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH.

THEY ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINERS ABOUT THE DISPARITY IN FUNDING.

BUT I TRY TO EXPLAIN TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN FACTORS THAT WE HAVE CREATED IN THE LEGISLATOR THAT WE NEED TO UNDO THAT ARE CAUSING SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE DONE SPARSE IT AID.

WE HAVE DONE DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

WE FUND GHOST STUDENTS IN SOME INSTANCES.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO SOMETIMES SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A REALLY DISCRETE LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IF FUNDING IS THE ISSUE.

BUT I ALSO COUNTER THAT CAN QUALITY TEACHERS, EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, AND I THINK WE NEED TO PUT AS MUCH EMPHASIS IN THAT AREA.

WE HAVE THE DFL BILL COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE, WANTS TO REINSTATE THAT, WHEREAS REPRESENTATIVE LUNE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO DEFAULT.

WHEN YOU AND SENATOR REPRESENTATIVE CHAMPION INTRODUCED MORE DIVERSE TEACHER, AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THAT IF SOME OF THE TEACHERS COME INTO OUR SYSTEM COME IN AS COLLAR AND THEY ARE LAST IN AND THEREFORE FIRST OUT.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DO OTHER THAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE POLICIES WE CREATED AND STOP DOING THAT, BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST STATES FOR FUNDING EDUCATION.

FOR THE MOST PART MANY OF OUR TEACHERS ARE VERY WELL PAID WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS ACROSS THE NATION.

WE ALSO HAVE A GREAT VARIETY ACROSS THE STATE OF NEEDS.

BUT I WOULD SAY IN RURAL MINNESOTA AND REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART NOTED THIS, SOME OF THOSE DISTRICTS DO EXTREMELY WELL BUT THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED BY SOME OF THESE WHAT I CALL RIDICULOUS POLICIES THAT WE ENACTED THAT HAVE THESE OVERREACHING FORMULAS.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF POLITICAL CAPITAL TO GET BACK TO FUNDING EDUCATION IN A WAY THAT IS GOING TO BE MORE EQUAL.

>> Barry: SENATOR CHAMPION, WE WILL GIVE YOU A CRACK FOR A MINUTE OR SO ON THE FUNDING FORMULA BUSINESS.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I LIKE TO TAKE THIS APPROACH BY SAYING I THINK WE SHOULD GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE FORMULAS AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND WHETHER IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL OR NOT AND BEING OPEN TO FINDING WAYS BY WHICH TO IMPROVE AND INNOVATE WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE MOVE OUR STUDENTS FORWARD.

I THINK WE HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH WHAT I BELIEVE IS A PROBLEM AROUND THE DIFFERENCE INEQUALITY VERSUS EQUITY.

SOMETIMES WE THINK THAT IF WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN, GO OUT TO BUY SHOES THAT WE SHOULD BUY THEM BOTH SHOES, AND ONE MAY NEED SHOES BUT THE OTHER ONE MAY NOT.

BUT WE WANT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF BOTH OF OUR CHILDREN.

SO WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF THIS FORMULA, I THINK IT HAS BECOME MUCH MORE POLITICAL, AND EVEN EDUCATION HAS BECOME MUCH MORE POLITICAL THAN IT HAS AROUND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO INVEST IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS.

WHEN WE SAY OUR STUDENTS, THAT MEANS ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE.

IF WE HAVE TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE SOMEPLACE BECAUSE IT MAKES SENSE, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE THE COURAGE AND THE POLITICAL WILL BY WHICH TO DO IT.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK IN TERMS OF THE FORMULA, IT'S ABOUT VANTAGE POINT.

THERE WOULD BE THOSE WHO'LL SAY, YOU ARE GIVING THOSE GUYS TOO MUCH BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE IN FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH.

IT HAS TO BE THE ONE MINNESOTA WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IN REAL TIME, AND WE HAVE TO PROMOTE IT.

SO EDUCATION IS THE THRESHOLD TO IMPROVING OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS SO THAT EVEN OUR BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS WHO ARE LAGGING BEHIND WOULD MAKE THE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS TO BRING THEM UP AS WELL AS WE DO SO FOR OTHER AREAS OF OUR GREAT STATE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM OUR VIEWER WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE TRANSPORTATION BILL IS AT.

SENATOR CHAMPION, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE GIVEN YOU A CHANCE TO BAT LEAD OFF.

ANYTHING ON TRANSPORTATION YOU COULD SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS.

>> THE TRANSPORTATION BILL, WE BELIEVE, AT LEAST THE SENATE DFL BELIEVES THAT THE BILL THAT IS CURRENTLY PUT FORWARD DOES NOT REFLECT THE VALUES OF MINNESOTA.

WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A DEDICATED REVENUE STREAM ON DEALING WITH ROADS AND BRIDGES AND WE THINK THE CURRENT BILL AS IT SITS RIGHT NOW DOES A LOT OF MOVING AND SHIFTING, AND IT DOESN'T QUITE DELIVER A SUSTAINABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AND VISION AS TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE, RIGHT?

AND SO TRANSPORTATION AND FOR THE DFL, AND SCOTT DIBBLE IS OUR DFL LEAD AND HAS BEEN SO FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

WE HOPE THAT SENATOR NEWMAN, WHO IS THE CHAIR, WILL SEE THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS AND LOOK TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION IN A ROBUST VISIONARY WAY, BUT RIGHT NOW WE THINK THE SENATE BILL IS LACKING, BUT WE HOPE FLEW THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE PROCESS OR WORK GROUP PROCESS, WHICHEVER WORD YOU CHOOSE TO USE, THAT THEY WILL SEEK TO IMPROVE IT AND NOT JUST TO IDEOLOGICALLY DIG IN.

>> Barry: SENATOR ERICKSON, YOUR FOE VIEW ON TRANSPORTATION.

>> THE BILL THAT LEFT THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE NEEDS WORK.

I'M HOPING THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE TRYING TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

I THINK SENATOR CHAMPION SAID IT WELL.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO FUND THOSE NEEDS, AND I KNOW THAT OUR COUNTIES AND TOWNSHIPS HAVE MADE A SPECIAL REQUEST, BUT THEY ARE LOOKING TO IMPROVE THEIR ROADS.

WE CAN'T BE RAISING TAXES, AND WE CAN'T BE RAISING FEES, NOT AT THIS TIME ANYWAY WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

I'M HERE IN THE PARK RAPIDS AREA, AND THEY HAVE SUFFERED GREATLY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE A TOURIST AREA, AND WITH RESTAURANTS BARS AND BOWLING ALLIES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART.

>> I'M GOING TO SWITCH TOPICS AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TANKS BECAUSE THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I THINK YOUR VIEWERS OR THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO HEAR THAT WAS AGREED TO.

Z ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS TO HELP EVERYONE IMPACTED BY COVID-19, FAMILIES, WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES AND A COUPLE BIG ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN OUT THERE THAT WERE AGREED TO AND NOW WILL COME OUT IS A MATTER OF WHEN WE HAVE THE SPECIAL SESSION IS THAT THOSE BUSINESSES THAT GOT THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM WHICH WAS THOSE LINES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY WERE FORGIVEN BUT THEY USE THOSE DOLLARS TO KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES ON.

WE WILL BE FULLY CONFORMING TO THAT, WHICH MEANS IT'S UP TO THE MAXIMUM $10 MILLION WILL BE TAX EXEMPT.

SO THAT'S ONE.

ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, WHAT WE ALSO AGREED TO IS THE FIRST $10,200 OF YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, FEDERAL AND IT WILL BE SUBTRACTED FROM YOUR INCOME.

THAT'S GOING TO HELP OVER 500,000 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS ON AN AVERAGE OF $500 PER PERSON.

THERE'S ONE OTHER AREA WE NEED TO ADDRESS STILL AND A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WILL NOT BE HELPED IN 2020 BY THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM.

HELP THOSE OUT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE GRANTS AND SO FORTH TO HELP WITH THOSE FOLKS.

BUT WE HAVE GOT TO HELP EVERYONE.

>> Barry: THAT IS GOING TO CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT AND THE LEGISLATIVE SEASON.

REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US UP-TO-DATE.

YOU INTERRUPTED ME AND DID EXACTLY WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE.

I WANT TO THANK MY PANEL AND INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AGAIN IN JANUARY, 2022 FOR THE NEXT SEASON OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT PIONEER.ORG/"YOUR LEGISLATORS".

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A GUEST AND WATCH PAST EPISODES AND DISCUSSIONS BY TOPIC.

TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

"YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF 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.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY, LLCTESM