>> WELCOME TO “MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT," OUR REGION'S LONGEST-RUNNING PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM.

LAWMAKERS ARE JOINING US TODAY FOR WE CAP -- FOR A RECAP OF ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK.

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YOU CAN CALL OR EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS AND HAVE THEM ANSWERED LIVE ON THE AIR.

“MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT" STARTS NOW.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO “MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT."

I AM YOUR HOST, ATTORNEY SEARCH.

-- TONY SERTICH.

LAWMAKERS ARE GETTING A BREATHER THIS WEEKEND FOR MOTHER'S DAY.

BUT THEY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ON MONDAY FOR THE FINAL SPRINT.

THE SHOW TODAY IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR VIEWERS TO ASK CUSHIONS TO THE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE PERCENT YOU.

PHIL -- WHO REPRESENT YOU.

FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMO QUESTIONS TO ASK@WDSE.ORG.

WE HAVE GREAT GUESTS THIS EVENING.

FIRST UP WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE JULIE SENSED THAT REPRESENT A HOUSE DISTRICT 6A.

WELCOME.

ALSO HERE AGAIN FOR A SECOND TIME IS REPRESENTATIVE SPENCER, A REPUBLICAN FROM GRAND RAPIDS REPRESENT A HOUSE DISTRICT 5B.

WELCOME.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

NOW WE HAVE SEVEN DAYS LEFT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE GET A QUESTION EVERY WEEK ABOUT THE PPP PROGRAM AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TASK'S -- TAX.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAID THEY WERE HOPING TO GET THE TARGETS DONE BY FRIDAY AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE THEM.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU WILL GET THEM DONE IN ONE WEEK?

>> BEING A FIRST-TERM MEMBER I'M LOOKING TO THOSE WITH MORE SENIORITY.

IT IS A MIXED BAG.

I HAVE SENIOR LEADERS WHO ARE SAYING WE ARE GOING TO COME DOWN TO THIS LAST WEEK.

GET THE WORK DONE.

THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE WORD WE MIGHT HAVE TO GET -- GO IF YOU HAVE TODAY'S.

I WOULD RATHER BE HALF-FULL.

I'M HOPING WE GET BACK MONDAY AND GET OUR WORK DONE ON TIME.

TONY: YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND A FEW OF THESE SESSIONS.

YOUR DEADLINE IS MAY 17.

THE BUDGET HAS TO BE PASSED BY JUNE 30.

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING DONE THIS WEEK?

>> WE ARE HEADED TO A SPECIAL SESSION WITHOUT A DOUBT.

WITH ONE WEEK REMAINING.

13 BILLS SITTING IN COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW NOT HAVING THOSE REPORTS ON THE FLOOR, NO TARGETS YET.

SOME OF THE COMMITTEES INSTALLED.

IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT WE WILL FINISH BY THE 17TH.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET TO A SPECIAL SESSION.

TONY: I WANT TO DO A DEEP DIVE.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF FOLKS SERVE ON EDUCATION COMMITTEES YET.

YOU ARE A TEACHER AS WELL.

TWO BILLS ARE LOOKING FOR COMPROMISE.

I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO GET INTO THE MAJOR TENANTS OF THOSE BILLS.

ON THE HOUSE SIDE, A 2% INCREASE.

AND EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE BILL SITTING RIGHT NOW?

REP. SANDSTEDE: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THEY ARE BIG PRIORITIES FOR BOTH OF THE BODIES AND THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE.

TWO INTO ON THE FORMULA IS MINIMALLY WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED.

IN THE HOUSE WE HAVE TIED IT TO INFLATION AND ARE WORKING TOWARDS THAT.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF IT PASSED THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT IS WHAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED.

ON THE SENATE SIDE THEY ARE LOOKING AT A FORM OF VOUCHERS BASICALLY.

THAT IS A PRIORITY BECAUSE AS THEY SEE IT, NOT EVERY CHILD NEEDS TO BE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

IT IS NOT THE BEST FIT FOR THEM.

THOSE STUDENTS DESERVE A QUALITY EDUCATION AS WELL.

THERE IS WRESTLING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THERE IS A LOT IN THE BILL THAT CAN BE BARGAINED FOR.

I HOPE THEY CAN WORK IT OUT.

TONY: THERE ARE SOME LOGGERHEADS.

READING THE PAPER AND WATCHING LINES BEING DRAWN AROUND CLEAN CAR EMISSIONS.

THE SENATE SAYING IF THAT IS IN THE BUILDING WILL NOT ASK THE BUDGETS FOR THE DNR AND OTHERS AND THAT WILL IMPACT CAMPSITES, STATE PARKS AND THE LIKE.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS A WAY TO GET THERE TO BE OPTIMIZE FOR THAT ISSUE?

-- BE COMPROMISE FOR THAT ISSUE?

REP. IGO: I HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT WHERE MINNESOTA IS HEADED AND HOW WE APPROACH ENERGY AND OUR CLIMATE AND OUR POLICY AROUND THAT.

THE CALIFORNIA CARS MANDATE, WHERE EVERYTHING IS GUMMED UP RIGHT NOW, IT'S A STICKING POINT BECAUSE IT IS BEING A MANDATE MOVED BY OUR GOVERNOR, BY A STATE AGENCY, BY THE COURTS.

THE PEOPLE I AM HEARING FROM IN MY STRICTER -- IN MY DISTRICT, THEY WANT THE PROCESS TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

TO HAVE AN HONEST DEBATE ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO ACCEPT OUR MANDATES FROM.

THIS IS A POINT WHERE I AM HOPING WE CAN SAY WE ARE COMING THROUGH COVID RIGHT NOW LET'S GET MINNESOTA BACK ON TRACK AND HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR POLICY MOVING FORWARD FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND CLEANER VEHICLES IN THE FUTURE.

LET'S HAVE THAT NEXT SESSION WHEN WE DIVE DEEPER INTO POLICY.

LET'S GET THE BUDGET DONE RIGHT NOW.

I'M HOPING WE CAN MOVE ONTO IT NEXT YEAR AND HAVE HONEST DEBATE INSTEAD OF JAMMING IT THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

TONY: SPEAKING OF THE BUDGET HERE, LOOKING AT ROUGHLY $52 BILLION FOR TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

WE TALKED A LITTLE ABOUT SPENDING INITIATIVES.

TAX BILL IS ALWAYS THE BIG BILL AT THE END, HOW YOU PAY FOR THINGS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN DIFFERENCES THERE.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HOUSE PROPOSAL A BIT?

WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT IT, WHAT CONCERNS YOU MIGHT HAVE, OR WHERE YOU SEE THE TAX BILL SHAPING UP?

REP. SANDSTEDE: IT HAS BEEN A VERY INTERESTING YEAR.

WHEN WE STARTED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE ANTICIPATED A $4.1 BILLION DEFICIT AND THAT WAS MARCH OF 2020 WE HAD THAT ESTIMATE.

IN MARCH OF 2021 WE ARE AT A $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

I DO NOT THINK IT IS TIME TO RAISE TAXES WITH THE SURPLUS.

THAT BEING SAID, I DID LIKE SOME PORTIONS OF THE HOUSE PROPOSAL.

BECAUSE AS THEY DID RAISE TAXES, THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO BE USED TO REALLY HELP SOME WONDERFUL PROGRAMS.

SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES THAT WE HAD IN THE TWO BILLS AROUND UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE PPP, THE SENATE HAS SOME PROPOSALS BUT THE HOUSE WENT EVEN FURTHER AND COVERED IT TO A MUCH GREATER EXTENT.

I THINK THE SENATE HAD 18% COVERAGE AND THE HOUSE WAS ALL THE WAY AT 94%, WHICH WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO WITH THE HOUSE BILL.

NOW WE ARE KIND OF ON PAUSE WITH THAT.

WE WILL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

BUT I'M GLAD THERE IS AN APPETITE IN BOTH BODIES TO GET SOMETHING DONE AROUND THOSE ISSUES.

TONY: WE TALKED ABOUT THE TAX BILL WHEN YOU WERE HERE A MONTH OR SO AGO.

NOW YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND ANOTHER FULL MONTH, FURTHER FAULTS -- THOUGHTS ON THE STATE OF THE TAX BILL?

REP. IGO: LIKE I SAID LAST TIME, WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

THERE IS NO REASON TO BE RAISING TAXES RIGHT NOW COULD IT IS IMPORTANT HIS TAX BILL COMES OUT WITHOUT THE ADDED FEES AND INCREASES.

WE NEED TO GIVE THE TOOLS NEEDED TO MINNESOTANS TO GET BACK UP AND GET THEIR BUSINESS IS GOING AND GET THEIR FAMILY LIVES GOING AGAIN.

THAT IS NOT GROWING GOVERNMENT.

IT IS TIGHTEN THE BELT AND LET'S GET THROUGH THIS.

WE ARE THANKFUL WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

LET'S FUND THE PROGRAMS NEEDED TO GET MINNESOTANS BACK ON TRACK.

REP. SANDSTEDE: THERE IS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY AROUND EXACTLY HOW THE FEDERAL DOLLARS CAN BE USED AND HOW MUCH IS COMING IN WE KNOW IT WILL BE QUITE A BIT.

SO I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO PRIORITIZE.

UNDERSTAND THE DOLLARS, PRIORITIZE HOW WE'RE GOING TO USE THEM BEFORE WE RAISE TAXES.

REP. IGO: IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE LEGISLATURE BE INVOLVED WITH HOW THE MONEY IS APPROPRIATED.

IF IT IS GOING TO BE ALMOST $2.4 BILLION, THAT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SO IT IS HANDLED PROPERLY.

TONY: JUST A REMINDER, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, PLEASE EMAIL US OR CALL THE NUMBER AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

WE DO HAVE A CALL.

DIANE IS A NURSE.

SHE WANTS TO KNOW, WHAT ARE THE LEGISLATORS GOING TO DO ABOUT THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS EMERGENCY LEAVE ACT?

IS THAT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION EITHER OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH?

REP. SANDSTEDE: I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ON THAT ONE.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS PART OF ALL THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE RIGHT NOW KIND OF GUMMED UP AND ON HOLD.

ALL I CAN SAY IS PROBABLY TO BE CONTINUED.

I KNOW IT IS A PRIORITY IN THE HOUSE.

I DO NOT KNOW WE HAVE THE SAME RECEPTION ON THE OTHERS BUT THESE OTHER PIECES THAT ARE BEING IRONED OUT.

REP. IGO: WITH MY COMMITTEES COME I AM NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE BILL BUT WITHOUT REPORTS I AM NOT SURE WHERE IT IS ALL GOING.

SO I SECOND WHAT JULIE SAID.

TONY: IT IS THE LAST WEEK OF SESSION.

YOUR FIRST TERM.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET TARGETS AND COMPROMISE AND THESE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, IT IS REALLY A LOT OF HURRY UP AND WAIT FROM WHAT I RECALL AS LEGISLATORS, THE LEADERS MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR TO TRY AND HAMMER OUT A PICTURE DETAILS.

FROM WHERE YOU ARE SITTING RIGHT NOW, WHAT IS YOUR JOB AND GOAL IN THIS LAST WEEK AS LEADERS ARE COMPROMISING AND NEGOTIATING ON THE BIG PICTURE?

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO WHILE THEY ARE DOING THAT?

REP. IGO: RIGHT NOW I'M WATCHING A LOT OF THE POLICY THAT WILL AFFECT NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

IT IS MAKING SURE THE BILLS I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AND WORKING ON WITH OTHER COLLEAGUES ARE GETTING THE RIGHT VOICE.

ONE OF THE BILLS I'M REALLY HAPPY I'M MOVING ON WAS IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL.

IT IS A 911 DISPATCHER WORKING GROUP.

TO GET ALL OF OUR DISPATCHERS AROUND THE STATE GETTING STANDARDIZED WORKFLOWS AND TRAININGS EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE.

LUCKILY IT IS IN BOTH OMNIBUS BILLS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

IT IS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THOSE ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE SO IT DOES NOT GET LOST AND FORGOTTEN IN THIS PROCESS.

THAT IS A LOT OF THE WORK RIGHT NOW.

IT IS MAKING SURE THOSE POLICIES THAT MAY BE ARE SMALLER BUT HAVE A IMPACT ARE REMEMBERED.

LOTS OF PHONE CALLS.

REP. SANDSTEDE: PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.

REALLY WATCHING SOME OF THE LEGISLATION I HAVE GOING IN DIFFERENT OMNIBUS BILLS.

WORKING WITH THE CHAIRS ON BOTH SIDES TO SAY WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT ALIVE AND RELEVANT.

AND THEN REALLY BECOMING A LOT MORE INFORMED.

THE OTHER ON THE MS. BILLS I AM NOT A CAN MEMBER OF, TRYING TO FIND THE NUANCES OF WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THERE AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN SUPPORT, IF THERE IS SOMETHING WITHIN A BILL I CANNOT SUPPORT AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THAT.

TONY: ONE BIG TOPIC WHICH COULD TAKE SOME TIME IN THE HOUSE IS THE MARIJUANA LEGISLATION, TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS IN MINNESOTA.

IT HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT OF PROCESS IN THE HOUSE.

NOT MOVING IN THE SENATE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MAY BE DEBATING IT AND VOTING ON THIS WEEK.

YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT BILL?

REP. SANDSTEDE: I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT THIS BILL.

THAT'S IT IS SUCH A PRIORITY FOR SO MANY MINNESOTANS WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ISSUES WE ARE LOOKING AT.

PERSONALLY, I REALLY AM NOT FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS YET.

I CAN SEE BOTH SIDES OF IT.

I'M FULLY IN SUPPORT OF THEM EXTENSION -- OF AN EXPANSION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

BUT TO FULLY LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, WE HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES WE ARE LOOKING AT.

WE STILL ARE LOOKING AT FEDERAL CONFORMITY ISSUES.

I THINK THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO.

BUT I DO UNDERSTAND, PEOPLE ARE USING RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS HAPPENING.

IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR US IF WE COULD DO IT IN A CONTROLLED MANNER, SAFER, WHAT IS KNOWING -- WE SEE A LOT OF ISSUES ON THE RANGE AND OTHER PLACES WITH DRUGS.

IT CAN BE A GATEWAY DRUG.

SO WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULATING, BUT I THINK WE HAVE OTHER PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW TO FOCUS ON.

REP. IGO: KIND OF ALONG THAT LINE, THE CONVERSATION FOR MARIJUANA IS HERE.

WE ARE SEEING IT AT THE STATES WE BORDER.

BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME.

IT IS NOT MOVING AT ALL IN THE SENATE.

SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS BILL IN THE HOUSE FLOOR PRE-IS GOING TO EAT UP A TON OF TIME.

TIME WE BOTH AGREE ON TO BE USED TO GET BILLS DONE AND GIVE MINNESOTANS A BALANCED BUDGET.

THIS BILL HAS MOVED THROUGH SOME OF MY COMMITTEES.

IT FEELS RUSHED, I'LL BE HONEST.

IT WAS THROWN TOGETHER.

WE NEED TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE REGULATE AND GET OPINIONS FROM MINNESOTANS.

WHEN THE CAPITAL HAS FENCES AROUND IT AND PEOPLE CANNOT GO TO YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS, HOW CAN WE REALLY HEAR WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT IF THEY ACTUALLY WANT LEGALIZATION?

WHAT DO THEY WANT REGULATIONS TO LOOK LIKE IF WE MOVE DOWN THAT LINE?

I THINK THIS IS THE WRONG TIME TO BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

AGAIN, WE SHOULD PUSH THIS OUT AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WHEN EVERYONE CAN BE IN PERSON AGAIN, WHEN WE CAN REALLY TALK ABOUT WHERE THE SHORTFALLS HAVE BEEN ANOTHER STATES.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?

THEY ARE NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

I'M A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE THIS THROUGH.

REP. SANDSTEDE: I WOULD SAY ON THIS ISSUE, I DO NOT THINK IT HAS BEEN RUSHED.

THIS IS AN ISSUE MINNESOTA HAS BEEN FACING FOR MANY YEARS.

THIS TRAIN HAS LEFT THE STATION A WHILE AGO.

IT'S AN EVOLVING CONVERSATION AND I THINK THERE IS STILL MORE TO LEARN ABOUT IT.

BUT EMERGING FROM A PANDEMIC AND THE WORK WE NEED TO DO, I WOULD AGREE THAT I DO NOT THINK THIS IS OUR PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.

TONY: WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU ALL INTO THE CONVERSATION.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A TURN OF THE DIAL THAT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY IN SOME INSTANCES, AND THEN A LOT OF THE RESTRICTIONS AND REGULATIONS ENDING BY THE END OF THIS MONTH BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WITH ULTIMATELY JULY 1 BEING THE END OF THE MASK MANDATE.

MAYBE SOONER IF WE HIT 70% OF VACCINATED MINNESOTANS.

ALONG WITH THAT THERE WAS ABOUT TWO DOZEN EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND EMERGENCY POWERS THE GOVERNOR HAS.

HE IS PRODUCED -- PROPOSING TO REDUCE THAT IN HALF.

THIS ISSUE AROUND EMERGENCY POWERS AND A POWER THE GOVERNOR HAS VERSUS THE LEGISLATIVE HAS BEEN A BIG, CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

NOW WE ARE ON THIS PATH AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE TOWARDS THE END OF THESE REGULATIONS AND EMERGENCY POWERS, WHAT MORE IF ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THAT YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE DOING AROUND COVID EMERGENCY POWERS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS?

REP. IGO: I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT TURNING THE DIALS BACK IS THE STATEMENT WE ARE IN REMISSION ON THIS PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE BEATEN IT.

AS A STATE WE HAVE COME TOGETHER.

FROM OUR FAMILIES TO OUR BUSINESSES, WE HAVE OVERCOME THIS.

THE PHRASE I HAVE BEEN USING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS I TALKED TO IS THIS INSTANCE, THEY LOOKED IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY AND MINNESOTANS HAVE SMILED AND WE HAVE BEATEN THIS THING.

THE BEST THING THE GOVERNOR CAN DO IS AS WE APPROACH THESE STEPS IS RELINQUISHES EMERGENCY POWERS ON HIS OWN.

THAT MEANS NOT CALLING US BACK IN JUNE TO EXTEND THAT.

IF WE ARE GOING TO BE AT A POINT -- AT CURRENT VACCINATION RATES THE MASKS COULD BE GONE AS SOON AS MAY 31.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, I DON'T SEE A NEED FOR EMERGENCY POWERS AND I DON'T THINK A LOT OF OTHER MINNESOTANS DO.

MY ASK NOW IS IF THE GOVERNOR SEES SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS RELINQUISH THESE POWERS ON YOUR OWN.

GIVE MINNESOTANS OPEN GOVERNMENT WE HAVE COEQUAL BRANCHES, WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

IN THESE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES WHERE TRYING TO GET BILLS THAT WILL LIFT MINNESOTANS UP, GIVE PEOPLE HOPE AGAIN, AND LIKE I SAY, BRING OUR REST DAYS TO REALITY.

TONY: YOU HAVE AUTHORED LEGISLATION ON EMERGENCY POWERS.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

REP. SANDSTEDE: THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF EDUCATION THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AROUND THE EMERGENCY POWERS.

THERE ARE SOME REAL BENEFITS FOR OUR STATE HAVING EMERGENCY POWERS.

FOR INSTANCE, RIGHT NOW UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS THERE IS $30 MILLION A MONTH COMING IN FOR FOOD SUPPLEMENT.

WE HAD TELEHEALTH PRIVATIONS AS A RESULT -- PRIVATIONS AS A RESULT -- WE HAD TELEHEALTH PROVISIONS AS A RESULT.

ALL OF THOSE ARE VERY SIGNIFICANT.

THE MASS VACCINATION CLINICS ARE RESULT OF EMERGENCY POWERS.

I DO NOT THINK WE ARE BEYOND THIS PANDEMIC CLEARLY.

I WOULD SAY WE ARE NOT IN AN EMERGENCY PHASE BUT WHAT ARE LAWS DO NOT HAVE RIGHT NOW IS A MANAGEMENT PHASE.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

I HAVE A BILL RIGHT NOW IN PLAY THAT IS LOOKING AT CHAPTER 12 WHICH GOVERNS THE EMERGENCY POWERS.

WHERE YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF THE EMERGENCY PROPER BUT MORE INTO A MANAGERIAL PHASE.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO MOVING FORWARD.

I DO NOT THINK THIS WILL BE THE LAST PANDEMIC THAT WE WILL SEE.

HOPEFULLY IN OUR LIFETIME, YES, BUT IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST EVENT LIKE THIS.

WE DO NEED TO HAVE AN OFFRAMP, OR A WAY OF HANDLING THIS.

WE SAW THAT THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE WE WERE NOT PREPARED.

IT IS NOT ANYBODY'S FAULT, IT'S JUST THE LAWS THAT WERE ON THE BOOK, AND THEY WERE INSUFFICIENT.

WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THIS AND SO WE NEED TO BUILD IT OUT.

REP. IGO: ADDING ON THAT I THINK AS WE APPROACH THAT OFFRAMP, MINNESOTANS ARE DESIRE AND TRANSPARENCY.

IN THIS MODERN WORLD, YOU CAN GO ON THE INTERNET AND SEE AND HEAR ABOUT ANYTHING.

THE THING I'M HEARING IS MY CONSTITUENTS WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS BEING HANDLED.

WHERE IS THE DECISION-MAKING?

AS WE APPROACH THE SUMMER AND EVERYTHING STARTS TO LIFT, WE AS A LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE OPEN CONVERSATIONS, TALK ABOUT WHY THESE EMERGENCY ORDERS WERE DECLARED, WHY THESE DECLARATIONS HAPPENED, THIS IS WHAT WE DID WRONG ON RIGHT, AND MINNESOTANS DESERVE THAT BECAUSE THAT IS THE NEXT STEP IN REINSTATING THAT FAITH IN GOVERNMENT.

BECAUSE PEOPLE REALLY WORRY.

WHEN YOU HEAR CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING, THAT IS NOT WHAT MINNESOTA STANDS FOR.

IT IS NOT WHAT THE U.S. STANCE FOR.

IT IS EASY TO GET LOST IN CONFUSION.

IT IS OUR JOB TO INFORM THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

YES, WE FAILED HERE.

THIS IS WHERE WE DID WELL.

HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

REP. SANDSTEDE: I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT IS PART OF THE LANGUAGE I HAVE INCLUDED IN HOUSE BILL 1515.

NOT JUST TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT AN UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND THE LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I FELT FRUSTRATED ABOUT WAS DURING THE SEVEN SPECIAL SESSIONS, WE REALLY DID NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMITTING -- COMMITTEE HEARINGS OR DIALOGUE.

NOW WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME OF THAT, BUT WE ARE REALLY BEHIND.

SEVEN SESSIONS LATER, IT PUT US IN A BAD PLACE.

JUST TO HAVE THAT CONSTANT INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO US.

I DO BELIEVE IN COEQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT PUTS US ON A MORE LEVEL FOOTING.

AGAIN, THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE IN CHAPTER 12.

TONY: WE HAVE ANOTHER VIEWER QUESTION.

IS THE LEGISLATURE WORKING TO GET FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP PAY FOR THE HIGH UTILITY BILLS CAUSED BY THE POLAR VORTEX THAT IMPACTED THE ENERGY INDUSTRY IN TEXAS?

UTILITY RATES WENT UP PHONG THE BAD WEATHER, AND SHE HAD SEEN OTHER STATES REACH OUT FOR FEDERAL FUNDING.

REP. SANDSTEDE: ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE WORKING AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO GET SOME KIND OF SUPPORT BECAUSE WE WERE JUST PUMMELED, TO BE FRANK.

OUR UTILITY IS A MUNICIPAL UTILITY.

THE STATE DOES NOT REALLY HAVE OVERSIGHT.

IT IS REALLY A SHAME.

IT IS PRICE GOUGING, WHAT HAPPENED.

UNFORTUNATELY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DOES NOT HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOK TO HAVE PREVENTED WHAT HAPPENED.

I NEED TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN JUST IN HIBBING OR MINNESOTA THAT WAS IMPACTED.

THIS HAPPENED NATIONWIDE.

REALLY, THIS HAS TO PROBABLY GET KICKED UP TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION AND THERE SHOULD BE, I AM HOPING, SOME SUPPORT FINANCIALLY.

HOPEFULLY THE STATE IS ABLE TO DO SOMETHING TOO WITH THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS COMING IN.

TONY: WHEN I TALK TO FOLKS ON THE STREET, THEY WATCH THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY SAY YOU GUYS GO DOWN THERE, FIGHT IT OUT, AND EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT THE LAST MINUTE.

WHY DON'T YOU DO YOUR WORK SOONER?

THE EVERYTHING -- EVERYTHING ELSE I HEAR IS ABOUT COMPROMISE AND STRONGLY-HELD POSITIONS.

ONE OF MY LAST QUESTIONS, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE NEED FOR YOUR PARTY TO COMPROMISE MAY BE A KEY POSITION TO GET TO A SOLUTION TO THIS BUDGET STALEMATE?

SO OFTEN WE CAN BEAT EACH OTHER UP ON THE OPPOSITE SIDES AND SAY HERE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE COMPROMISING?

REP. IGO: THAT REALLY IS THE TOUGH QUESTION OF THE NIGHT.

COMPROMISE IS REALLY IMPORTANT THING.

I THINK WE'RE IN A TIME RIGHT NOW WERE PEOPLE THINK COMPROMISE IS A WEAK WORK.

TO THOSE LISTENING, I WANT TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT COMPROMISE REALLY IS.

WE AS A CIVILIZATION AND MINNESOTANS WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SIT DOWN, TALK ABOUT OUR DIFFERENCES AND COME TOGETHER ON ISSUES.

I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE COMPROMISE TO BE HAD.

I AM HOPING THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE ENVIRONMENT BILL, AND THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY BILL, WE CAN FIND SOME THINGS IN THERE, OK, WE AGREE AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AS A RESPONSIBLE PRODUCER OF ENERGY.

I THINK WE CAN FIND A SOLUTION.

ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A LOT.

WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE UTILITY PROBLEM.

I WANT TO ADD ONTO THAT REAL QUICK AND SAY THAT EARLY SHOWED THE REASON TO HAVE IN ALL THE ABOVE ENERGY APPROACH.

THE CURRENT BILL MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE WILL ELIMINATE BOSWELL ENERGY CENTER, WHICH IS IN MY BACKYARD IN GRAND RAPIDS.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT BILL, GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION YOU ASKED, THE POLICY IS EXTREME.

MANDATES THAT ARE GOING TO TOTALLY STRIP NATURAL GAS AND COAL FROM BEING THE BACK OWNER OF OUR ENERGY GRID, EVEN THOUGH THE -- THE COMPROMISE IS LET'S LEAN FORWARD AND MOVING TOWARDS CLEAN ENERGY, BUT LET'S BUILD IT AND CONSTRUCT IT HERE.

COPPER AND NICKEL IS RIGHT HERE IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

JULIE AND I ARE VERY COMELY HER WITH IT.

PART OF THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO ADD IS LET'S MOVE INTO THAT DIRECTION, MINE AND PRODUCE THE MATERIALS NEEDED HERE.

THAT IS ONE WAY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER.

REPUBLICANS DO NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO LIVE OFF COAL AND NATURAL GAS ALTOGETHER.

WE JUST WANT TO LIVE OFF CLEAN ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE SOURCED RESPONSIBLY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH MEMBERS OF THE ENERGY COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE SO WE CAN COME TOGETHER ON THAT SOLUTION AND REALIZE AMERICA'S FUTURE IN THE WORLD'S FUTURE STARTS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

TONY: WHERE DO DFLERS NEED TO COMPROMISE?

REP. SANDSTEDE: I THINK THE PROBLEM GOES BACK EVEN FURTHER THAN ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER.

I THINK REALLY IN A NUTSHELL, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT WE ARE FOCUSING THAT IT WAS LEAVES US GUMMED UP AT THE END IS WE HAVE A $52 BILLION BUDGET TO SETTLE 80 DAYS THE SESSION, 40 DAYS NEXT BIENNIUM, OVER 2600 BILLS ALREADY INTRODUCED.

SO WE ARE MOVING TOO FAST IN TOO MANY DIRECTIONS.

AND OUR OMNIBUS BILLS ARE PACKED FULL OF THINGS.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO COMPROMISE, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO START.

THERE IS SO MUCH TO WORK THROUGH.

I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO BE NARROWING OUR FOCUS, DOING LESS, DOING LESS WELL.

AND GOING FROM THERE.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER ON EACH SIDE.

AND I THINK IF IT WERE A LITTLE MORE FOCUSED, WE COULD GET TO THAT COMPROMISE A WHOLE LOT FASTER.

TONY: GREAT.

30 SECONDS EACH, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU REAL QUICKLY ABOUT SOMETHING YOU THINK IS GOING TO GET DONE THIS YEAR BELOW THE RADAR THAT NOBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR FOLKS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

WHOEVER WANTS TO GO FIRST.

REP. IGO: YOU CAN GO FIRST IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

REP. SANDSTEDE: WELL, I'M HOPING THAT -- IT'S STILL A HOPE OF MIND THAT WITH THE SR STEEL SITUATION GOING ON, I HAVE A PIECE OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED THAT WILL PROTECT THE PERMITS IF THE LEASES ARE PULLED AND SOMETHING GOES VERY HAYWIRE.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS PROTECTING THOSE LEASES.

OR NOT THE LEASES, EXCUSE ME, THE PERMITS, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO START OVER FROM GROUND ZERO.

TONY: 20 SECONDS.

REP. IGO: MY 911 DISPATCHERS BILL.

BEING INCLUDED IN BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

THAT WILL MEAN OUR DISPATCHERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO KEEP US ALL SAFE.

FINAL NOTE, I WANT TO WISH MY MOM A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU JULIE, AND ALL MOTHERS OUT THERE.

TONY: YOU STOLE MY THUNDER THERE.

BUT THAT IS ALL RIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

AND A NEW GROUND MOTHER -- GRANDMOTHER.

I WISH ALL OF OUR VIEWERS AT HOME A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 16, FOR THIS ESEASON'S FINAL SEASON.

FOR THE TEAM, I'M TONY SERTICH.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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