PLEASE STAND BY.

PLEASE STAND BY.

>> WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT, OUR REGION’S LONGEST-RUNNING PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A RECAP OF THE WEEK’S ACTIVITIES AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

IT IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CALL HER EMAIL LEGISLATIVE QUESTIONS AND HAVE THEM ANSWERED LIVE ON THE AIR.

"MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT" STARTS NOW.

♪ TONY: HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE "MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT."

I’M YOUR HOST, TONY SERTICH.

AS THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE HEADS INTO THE HOLIDAY BREAK WE ARE GETTING A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT MIGHT BE ACCOMPLISH THIS SESSION.

WHEN THEY GET BACK ALL EYES ARE ON THE WORK OF PASSING THE STATE BUDGET.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION, EMAILER: WITH QUESTIONS TO LAWMAKERS THAT REPRESENT YOU.

TO ASK A QUESTION DIAL A PHONE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN.

YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL QUESTIONS TO ASK@PBSNORTH.ORG.

JOINING US IS REPUBLICAN ROGER SCRUBBER REPRESENTING DISTRICT 3A, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM DISTRICT 7, AND CAL LEWIS REPRESENTING DISTRICT 7B.

WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO START WITH REPRESENTATIVE SHRABA.

WE ARE MIDWAY THROUGH THE SESSION AND HIT SOME DEADLINES.

YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH A FEW SESSIONS.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN PRIOR SESSIONS THAT ARE HELPING YOU AS YOU NAVIGATE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> I HAVE TO COMMENT, I’M GLAD YOU HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE BECAUSE THERE ARE THOSE OF US, THERE ARE STILL COMMITTEES THAT HAVE NOT FINISHED.

I’M LEARNING HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS, WERE ALL THE COMMITTEES TURN IN TARGETS AND THE SAUSAGE STARTS AND THEN EVERYONE HAS A NUMBER AND MY COMMITTEES I SIT ON, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND THOSE BOTH ARE IN.

I SIT ON LEGACY, CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IS LAST, WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS IN SO IT IS SIT AND WAIT AND TRY TO FIND WHERE WE COULD SUPPORT PEOPLE THAT NEED SUPPORT.

TONY: SENATOR FARNSWORTH, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

STILL YOUR FIRST SESSION, BUT THE FIRST WITH THE STATE BUDGET.

HOW DO YOU SEE IT DIFFERENT THAN YOUR LAST TIME?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A LOT MORE NEUTRAL OF THE BUDGET.

THE FIRST TWO YEARS THERE WAS A DFL TRIFECTA SO THEY PRETTY MUCH GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED AND THERE WERE NO GUARD RAILS AND THIS TIME IT IS DIFFERENT.

IT WILL BE A BUDGET THAT AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON TO MAKE IT HAPPEN SO WE ARE NOT SEEING A LOT OF THOSE EXTREME POLICY POSITIONS AND I THINK WE WILL SEE ROLLBACK ON SOME POLICIES WE ARE DISCOVERING THAT ARE NOT AS SUCCESSFUL AS HOPED.

TONY: WE WILL DIVE INTO THE DETAILS SOON.

THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME DOING THIS.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT SURPRISED YOU THUS FAR WHEN YOU GOT DOWN TO THE CAPITOL THAT YOU DID NOT THINK ABOUT THAT YOU WOULD BE EXPERIENCING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS?

>> A LOT OF IT IS THE COMMITTEE WORK, HOW BUSY YOU HAVE TO BE.

I’M ON TAXES AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THOSE TWO, TAXES ARE EVERY DAY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAS BEEN.

IT IS A VERY ACTIVE BACK TO SCHEDULE AND KNOW WE HAVE SESSIONS COMING UP THAT WILL BE EVERY DAY WHEN WE GET BACK FROM EASTER BREAK OR THE NATURE OF THE BACK TO BACK MEETINGS AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WANT TO SEE AT THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT HAS GOT TO BE THE BEST PART.

THEY COME WITH THEIR UNION GROUPS AND SCHOOL GROUPS AND SCHEDULE WITH YOU AND YOU HAVE TIME TO BE WITH THEM AND HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER THEIR ISSUES ARE.

THE BUSYNESS OF THAT, THE DAYS GO BY QUICKLY.

TONY: PLEASE CALL OR WRITE IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.

ANYBODY CAN JUMP IN ON THIS.

WE ARE HEADING DEADLINE SO THIS IS THE TIME OF SESSION WHERE THINGS GET FUNNELED SO BILLS HAVING COMMITTEES, THEY GENERALLY GO AWAY, SOME ARE GENERALLY DEAD.

LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF IDEAS PRODUCED BY YOU AND OTHERS ARE ON THE WAYSIDE BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET THE STATE BUDGET TOGETHER.

YOU SAID MOST OF THE WORK WOULD HAPPEN ON THE FLOOR NOW.

THERE PASSING OUT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND BOTH HAVE TO VOTE TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

SENATOR FARNSWORTH 40 LOOKING FORWARD TO?

YOU TOUCHED A BIT ON PUTTING TOGETHER THIS TWO-YEAR BUDGET.

WHAT ARE THINGS YOU ARE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH EITHER BIG PICTURE OR SPECIFICS?

SEN. FARNSWORTH: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF US, WE NEED PERMITTING REFORM.

OVERALL PERMITTING REFORM FOR ALL INDUSTRIES BUT ALSO PERMITTING REFORM THAT WILL BE MORE SPECIFIC TO MINING SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING BIPARTISANALLY ON THOSE ISSUES AND IN THE EDUCATION REALM I’M ON THE K-12 FINANCE COMMITTEE ROLLING BACK AS MANY MANDATES AS WE CAN TO HELP SCHOOLS NOT JUST BE BOGGED DOWN BY ALL THE MANDATES WE HAD THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

TONY: THE STATE IS CONSTITUTIONALLY OBLIGATED SINCE YOUR ONLY OBLIGATION IS TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET.

REPRESENTATIVE WARWAS, WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET ACCOMPLISHED?

REP. WARWAS: THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE IS SO MUCH, YOU WANT TO MINIMIZE THE PAIN IS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS EVERYBODY WANTS AND I KNOW MY CONSTITUENTS BROADLY SPEAKING ARE SCARED OF MORE TAX INCREASES AFTER THEBUY IN WE JUST HAD.

TO TRIM THAT BACK IS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE.

TONY: THERE IS A POTENTIAL SURPLUS IN THIS ONE, BUT THE NEXT TWO YEARS THERE IS PROJECTED TO BE A SIX MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT PEERED AS A LEGISLATURE YOU LOOK TO LOOK AT THE OUT YEARS, THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

SAME QUESTION, HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE BUDGET AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE GETS ACCOMPLISHED?

REP. SKRABA: ONE THING I’M LEARNING ABOUT THE BUDGET IS LIKE THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS NEEDS, WANTS, THE SENATE, THE HOUSE AND THEN WE HAVE PARTIES INSIDE BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF STRATEGIES THAT COME UP NOW, WHY ARE THEY BLOCKING THIS, WE NEED THAT AND THEN IT IS LIKE, OH.

IF YOU NEEDED BAD ENOUGH THAT WILL BE ON THE TABLE TO WORK SOMETHING THEY WANT.

I’M LEARNING THAT PART, THE ART OF NEGOTIATING, WHERE YOU GUYS IN THE SENATOR, WHEN YOU WERE IN CHARGE, I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU DID IT.

HOW DID WE COME OUT AHEAD?

WHEN YOU WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM YOU CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND STILL TAKING CARE OF THE WHOLE STATES.

THAT IS HOW I’M WATCHING WHAT IS GOING ON AND THERE ARE SMALLER ISSUES, WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT COMES OUT OF COMMITTEE.

FOR INSTANCE IN OUR TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE WE INCLUDED $10 MILLION FOR THE ERROR PORT TOWER IN DULUTH.

-- THE AIRPORT TOWER IN DULUTH.

IT IS A PROJECT NEEDED IN BONDING DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT WILL GO THERE.

THERE IS JUST NOT A LOT OF MONEY AND BONDING RIGHT NOW.

THE ODD THING IS THE SENATE SAYS THERE IS $1.2 BILLION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> NOT THE WHOLE SENATE.

SEN. FARNSWORTH: OURS IS $770 MILLION.

THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE AND HAS TO BE NEGOTIATED ALONG WITH WHAT IS INSIDE THE BILL.

THIS IS MY THIRD YEAR IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS AND I REALLY LIKE THIS, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DRINKING THE WATER AND HOW IMPORTANT THE WATER PLANT IN DULUTH IS AND YOU HAVE TO INVEST IN THINGS IN MINNESOTA.

THE LONGER YOU KICK THEM DOWN THE ROAD THE LONGER IT TAKES TO GET IT FIXED.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO DO IT AND THAT IS ONE OF MY PRIORITIES TO MAKE SURE WE GET A BONDING BILL AND I KNOW THE SENATE IS MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT AT THE SAME TIMES THE FURTHER YOU KICK IT DOWN, THE HARDER IT IS, IT COSTS MORE.

TONY: WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK A LOT ABOUT FEDERAL RIGHT NOW BUT ONE PIECE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GOING THROUGH THEIR PROCESS OF BUDGETING AS WELL AND WE ARE SEEING 1/3 OF THE MINNESOTA STATE BUDGET IS FEDERAL FUNDS IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, A LOT AROUND HUMAN HEALTH AND SERVICES.

IS THERE ANY CONCERN THAT COULD IMPACT OUR STATE BUDGET?

END OF SESSION IS MAY BE YOU HAVE TO BE DONE BY JULY 1, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY NOT MAKE DECISIONS UNTIL THE FALL.

ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS OF FEDERAL IMPACTS, IF THEY WILL REDUCE OR POSTPONE FUNDS IN SPECIAL SENATES AND THE LIKE?

>> I HAVE THAT QUESTION ASKED A MILLION TIMES PER THE FEDS ARE DOING -- NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE WILL LOSE IF WE LOSE ANYTHING.

WHEN I WAS THE MAYOR OF ELI I HAD PRESIDENT BUSH CUT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS.

I CALLED UP SENATOR COLEMAN AND SAID YOU CAN’T CUT THAT, MINNESOTA USES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS.

IT IS A PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO STAY AND THE REPUBLICANS WANTED TO CUT IT.

THREE DAYS LATER I GET A CALL FROM THE WHITE HOUSE SAYING I WILL NOT CUT IT, THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT READ IF THERE ARE PROGRAMS EVERYONE IS WORRIED ABOUT LOSING , CONTACT SENATORS AND YOUR CONGRESSMEN, CONGRESSWOMEN.

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICES HEARD.

IF THERE IS A PROGRAM THE PRESIDENT IS CUTTING THAT MINNESOTA USES I WILL BE THE FIRST TO CALL AND SAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

THAT IS INTEGRAL TO OUR BUDGET.

TONY: IS THAT IS SOMETHING YOU TWO ARE WATCHING AS WELL?

>> IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER WE HAD A SURPLUS AND WE COULD BE BETTER PREPARED.

WE HAVE $37 TRILLION IN DEBT IN THIS COUNTRY.

AT SOME POINT CUTS ARE COMING.

WEATHER THIS YEAR, NEXT YOUR TENURES.

WE BLEW THE ENTIRE SURPLUS.

I GUESS THERE IS STILL SOME ON THE BOTTOM LINE WHICH IS BALANCING THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.

FOR THOSE WATCHING, WHEN WE SAY THERE IS A $420 MILLION SURPLUS THERE IS NOT REALLY.

THERE WAS AN $18.5 BILLION SURPLUS AND SOME IS BEING USED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET SO WE ARE BRINGING IN LESS IN TAX REVENUE THAN WE ARE PROJECTED TO SPEND.

SO I WOULD SAY WE DO NOT HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

IT IS A SHAME WE DID NOT DO A BETTER JOB PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE FEDERAL CUTS WITH$18 BILLION THAT IS PRETTY MUCH GONE.

AS FAR AS FEDERAL PROGRAMS, I’M ON EDUCATION COMMITTEES.

I DON’T BELIEVE SPECIAL EDUCATION, SCHOOL LUNCHES, TITLE I, IS GOING TO BE CUT IN THOSE AREAS.

THAT IS PASSED BY CONGRESS.

THEY SAY THE PRESIDENT WILL CLAW THIS BACK AND TAKE AWAY SPECIAL ED FUNDING.

BUT HE CAN DO THAT BECAUSE IT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS.

WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB AT THE STATE LEVEL BEING PREPARED FOR THOSE CHANGES.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT.

IT CAN BECOME A POLITICAL TALKING POINT ON ONE HAND, BUT OF COURSE IT IS TRUE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IS COMING.

IT IS ALWAYS A PIECE OF THE CONVERSATION.

WE TAKE EMAILS ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE CARE ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS AND KEEP AN EYE OUT.

IT IS A WAIT AND SEE KIND OF DEAL.

WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE AND TRY TO MANAGE MINNESOTA’S RESOURCES THE BEST WE CAN, AFTER EVERYTHING WAS SPENT OUT.

TONY: LOOKING FORWARD TO CALLS AND EMAILS FROM THE VIEWERS.

I WANT TO GET MORE SPECIFIC.

THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LAYOFFS OF STEELWORKERS ACROSS THE IRON RANGE AT TWO FACILITIES AND YOU INTRODUCE THE MINNESOTA MINERS RELIEVED -- RELIEF ACT WHICH HAS SEPARATE STAGES.

WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW THAT WILL IMPACT STEELWORKERS?

>> I WILL START.

I’M A 29 YEAR STEELWORK OR THIS MONTH AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT ABOUT ME.

MY FACILITY IS NOT AFFECTED RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY THERE IS NOT A ONE-TWO PUNCH COMING.

BUT WE CAN SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN, WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT LONG-TERM LAYOFFS, THEY PULLED PUMPS OUT OF ONE OF THE PITS, NOT A GREAT SIGN.

THE IDEA TO GET THE UI OUT THERE -- TONY: UI IS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

>> TO GET THAT FOR WORKERS IS IMPORTANT AND WE DID NOT WANT TO COME BACK AND DO A SPECIAL SESSION.

I THINK YOU WERE THERE, THE SAME KIND OF THING IN YOUR LEGISLATURE.

WE SEE THIS HAPPEN ON THE IRON RANGE BUT ALSO WE ARE WATCHING THE MARKET TO GET THE GUT FEEL.

THOSE OTHER PIECES ABOUT THE STANDARD AND GETTING A FRAMEWORK FOR -- HELP ME OUT -- >> THE STORAGE.

>> THE STORAGE FOR NEW RANGE COPPER.

TO PARTNER WITH LOCAL LABOR AND SAY, WE REALLY NEED THESE THINGS SO WE HAVE A HOPE FOR THE FUTURE, INSTEAD OF JUST SAYING WE NEED THIS TO KEEP OUR WORKERS HERE.

THE WORKERS ARE DONE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

GOD WILLING THEY WILL GO BACK, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON ON THE RANGE WHERE THEY ARE STARTING TO DIG OUT, FARNSWORTH IS WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THESE COMPANIES TALKING AND GET OIL RESERVES OPENED TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND I’M OPEN TO THAT BUT OPENING UP OTHER PROJECTS, THEY HAVE 100 YEARS OF MINING AGAINST THEIR PLAN OF PRODUCTION .

GOOD FAMILY SUSTAINING UNION JOBS.

THEY HAVE MESABI PROBABLY COMING UP ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE RANGE BUT THAT WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER WITH THESE GUYS LOSING THEIR JOBS.

THOSE PIECES ARE THERE TO PROVIDE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE SO WE WANT TO MOVE THAT AS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF SUSTAINING.

TONY: THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THE RELIEF ACT.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AT THE SULFATE STANDARD AND SAFELY STORING THE WASTE FROM MINING.

YOU TALKED A BIT ABOUT ALL THREE BUT LET’S BREAK THEM DOWN.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE RIGHT NOW FOR STEELWORKERS WILL RUN UNTIL DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR AND LOOKING AT AN EXTENSION OF 26 WEEKS INTO JUNE OF 2026.

WHY IS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT EXTENDING THOSE, THAT INSURANCE FOR THOSE STEELWORKERS?

>> A COUPLE REASONS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE SAYING THEY DON’T NEED IT YET BUT THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT GOING TO BE IN SESSION AT THE END OF NOVEMBER WHEN THE BENEFITS EXPIRE IN THE WAY I EXPLAINED IT TO COLLEAGUES IN ST. PAUL, THIS IS NOT LIKE A WAREHOUSE LINK PEOPLE OFTEN WHEN THEY ARE READY THEY CAN CALL SOMEBODY BACK AND AFTER FOUR DAYS OF FORKLIFT TRAINING THEY CAN LET THEM GO.

THESE PEOPLE ARE HIGHLY SKILLED IN THE MINE CANNOT COME BACK IF THEY DON’T HAVE THOSE PEOPLE.

YOU WERE HERE IN THE 1980’S.

PEOPLE MOVED TO THE CITIES AND OUT-OF-STATE.

WE CAN’T HAVE THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE WILL NOT BE PEOPLE AROUND WHEN MINORAC -- MINORCA IS READY TO FIRE BACK UP.

THERE IS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW MINING IN OUR AREA POSSIBLY STARTING IN MID 2026 WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THOSE FOLKS ARE HERE LONG ENOUGH AT LEAST FOR THOSE MINES TO BEGIN LOOKING FOR WORKERS SO THEY HAVE THE WORKERS AVAILABLE.

THERE ARE COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS FOR THAT.

TONY: ANYBODY WANT TO ADD TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO SULFATE?

>> WE ARE EXPLORING BLASTING COMPANIES, TIRE COMPANIES THAT SUPPLY THE MINES.

THE VENDORS ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF WORK.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, HOW DO WE INCLUDE THEM?

LAST TIME WHEN WE EXTENDED THEM WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED FOR NORTH SHORE WE DID NOT INCLUDE THEM AND HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM THEM, WHAT ABOUT US?

WE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SUPPLY THEM WITH BLASTING MATERIALS.

NOW WE DON’T HAVE A JOB.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INCLUDE THEM.

SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT, THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS USING UP A LOT OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE VERY FAST.

THERE IS A TRUST FUND AND THEY JUST RAISED THE RATE FOR EVERYBODY PAYING INTO IT 5%.

EVERYBODY IS PAYING 5% MORE NOW NOT INCLUDING WHAT IS COMING UP.

WE HAVE TO START PRODUCING MORE JOBS AND THAT IS WHERE THE OTHER TWO COME IN BUT YOU COULD COMMUNICATE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE SEGUE REPRESENTATIVE SKRABA.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE IS TRAVELING THROUGH SEPARATE COMMITTEES AND TWO OTHER PROPOSALS DEAL WITH NATURAL RESOURCES.

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE SULFATE STANDARD, IN EFFECT SINCE 1973, THOUGH NOT REALLY ENFORCED UNTIL MORE RECENTLY AND WE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT TO THOSE CHANGES IN THIS LEGISLATIVE -- LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR THIS?

I THINK IT WAS IN 2013.

EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES THE CURRENT STANDARD IS NOT SUPPORTED BY SCIENCE.

THE STANDARD IS 10 PARTS TO MILLION.

THERE IS PROBABLY 250 PARTS PER MILLION IN THIS WATER WHICH IS A RESIDENTIAL STANDARD.

WILD RICE CAN SURVIVE IN WATER WITH THOUSANDS OF PARTS PER MILLION.

THE STANDARD IS NOT SCIENTIFICALLY BASED.

AROUND 2013, SENATORS AND THE RANGE DELEGATION PASSED A LAW ALLOWING FOR SITE SPECIFIC FOR SULFATE.

THEY WOULD LOOK AT A SPECIFIC PROJECT, SEE ANY WATERWAYS THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED AND DETERMINE IF 10 PARTS PER MILLION WAS NOT THE RIGHT PART, WHAT WAS THE RIGHT NUMBER?

THEY GOT IT INTO LAW AND THEN PCA, THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY, DID NOT DO ALL THE RULEMAKING.

THEY STARTED AND THEN QUIT.

THEY CANNOT ALLOW SITE SPECIFIC WITHOUT ALLOWING RULEMAKING.

THIS LAW REQUIRES THE PCA TO FINISH RULEMAKING AND IN THE ORIGINAL SET OF STANDARDS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, COMPANIES WERE SUPPOSED TO LOOK BACK 10 YEARS AND HAVE 10 YEARS WORTH OF DATA.

WE DO KNOW THEY CAN GET AT LEAST FIVE YEARS WORTH OF DATA AND I THINK THAT CHANGES THE DATA TO FIVE YEARS.

I THINK THIS IS A JOBS BILL BECAUSE NOT ONLY WILL IT SAVE THE CURRENT TACONITE MINES.

I DON’T THINK ANY MINE CAN REACH THE 10 PARTS PER MILLION.

AND ANY NEW ONES WILL BE UNLIKELY TO REACH 10 PARTS PER MILLION.

SO IT IS A JOBS PROPOSAL.

TONY: SULFATES INTERACT WITH WILD RICE AND THAT IS THE ISSUE.

IT IMPACTS IRON ORE MINING CURRENTLY AND IN THE FUTURE, MINING PROJECTS INDEPENDENT OF WHAT THEY ARE MINING.

ANYTHING TO ADD ON THE SULFATE STANDARD?

>> I THINK YOU NAILED IT.

TONY: LET’S MOVE ALONG TO THE THIRD ASPECT OF THE MINNESOTA MINERS RELIEF ACT.

SAFE STORAGE OF MINED TAILINGS FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD.

AFTER THE ORE GOES THROUGH PROCESS, IS THIS SPECIFIC TO COPPER, NICKEL, SPECIFIC TO TACONITE MINING?

WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE STORAGE OF WASTE MATERIALS?

>> THIS WOULD BE SPECIFIC TO COPPER AND NICKEL.

IF YOU WILL PERMIT ME TO DESCRIBE THE PROCESS.

WHAT IS REQUIRED WHEN YOU HAVE THESE TAILINGS, THEY HAVE TO SAFELY STORE THEM.

THEY HAVE THIS CLAY, I THINK IT IS BENTONITE.

THEY HAVE TO LINE THE STORAGE SITE WITH BENTONITE, WHICH IS ALMOST IMPERVIOUS, WATER CAN’T GET THROUGH, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE TO HAVE A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM SO IF WATER GETS IN, IT HAS TO BE TREATED BEFORE GETS OUT.

YOU PUT THE MINE WASTE IN AND SEAL IT WITH BENTONITE.

THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, PCA, OR DNR, WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE PERMITS, THERE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE INDEPENDENCE THAT -- APPENDIX THAT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

IT DID NOT SOAR WENT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.

THEY SAID WE KNOW THE BENTONITE WILL KEEP 99.47% OF THE WATER OUT OF THE TAILINGS.

BUT THEY RULED A HALF A PERCENT OF A LOT OF WATER IS STILL A LOT AND YOU HAVE TO GET THAT TO 100%.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

IN MINNESOTA WHERE WE GET A LOT OF RAIN THEY SAY YOU HAVE TO KEEP 100% OF THE WATER OUT OF THE TAILINGS, WHICH IS BASICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

THEN THEY SAID, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE THE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY TO TREAT ANY WATER THAT GETS IN.

WHAT THAT DOES IS DEALS WITH BENTONITE, THAT ISSUE, TO ALLOW THE TREATMENT OF THE WATER.

TONY: IT FEELS LIKE FOR THOSE OF US WATCHING AT HOME, HAVING A MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FROM THIS CONVERSATION.

IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

THESE CHANGES YOU ARE PROPOSING, YOU FEEL NEED TO HAPPEN, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF PASSAGE OR WHAT NEEDS TO BE COMPROMISED OR BROUGHT TOGETHER TO GET THESE TWO ENVIRONMENTAL PIECES, LAWS CHANGED?

>> PEOPLE HAVE TO HAVE TIME TO DIGEST BASICALLY WHAT ROB JUST SAID.

I SAT DOWN WITH TWO OF MY COLLEAGUES AT DINNER WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

WE SAT DOWN IN ST. PAUL, FOUR OF US, TWO REPUBLICANS, TWO DEMOCRATS, AND FRESHMAN LEGISLATORS.

I’M A 29 YEAR MINER.

>> EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT MINING, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT ALL THOSE THINGS ARE AND IF WE CAN PUT A MAN ON THE MOON, WE CAN MINE SAFELY IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

WE USED TO DO GREAT THINGS AS A COUNTRY AND NOW IT FEELS LIKE WE SAY NO TO EVERYTHING BEFORE WE EXPLORE HOW IT CAN BE DONE RIGHT.

WE GOT TO TALKING ABOUT THE.

-- THAT.

A BIG PIECE OF THAT WAS EDUCATING PEOPLE THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SCIENCE IN THIS.

A LOT OF IDEAS.

THERE IS A PROCESS WE CAN FOLLOW.

IF WE CAN JUST GET THE ADMINISTRATIVE PIECE DONE AND GET TO WORK.

TONY: WE WILL COME BACK TO MINING AND IRON RANGE IN A SECOND.

A VIEWER CAULDRON.

I’M LOOKING AT THE QUESTION AND I THINK I UNDERSTAND IT.

IF I GET IT WRONG, PLEASE CALL BACK.

THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH OVER THE YEARS TO HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF THE STATES TO RE-LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION.

DIFFERENT STATES HAVE PASSED BILLS TO HAVE ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

YOU HAVE TO GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STATES TO DO THIS.

MINNESOTA HAS FROM TIME TO TIME DONE THIS BUT NOT FOR A LONG TIME.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY LEGISLATION PASSING THROUGH TO SEND OUT TO WASHINGTON, FOR MINNESOTA HOSTING ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION?

>> I HAVE CO-AUTHORED ONE OF THOSE REQUEST A CALL FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE FEDERAL DEBT.

I WOULD WANT TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION SPECIFIC TO DEALING WITH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION BUT I DO SUPPORT IN ARTICLE FIVE CALL FOR A CONVENTION OF STATES.

WASHINGTON IS PROVEN THEY ARE OVER THE YEARS AND OF BALANCING THE BUDGET.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE STATES TO SAY WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

WE CAN’T LET $37 TRILLION TURN INTO $100 TRILLION AND LEAVE THAT TO OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

TONY: LIKELIHOOD OF PASSING THIS YEAR?

I KNOW WE HAD DEADLINES.

WILL THIS BE A NEXT YEAR THING?

>> IT IS A LONG-TERM GOAL.

THE SENATE WITH DFL MAJORITY HAS 0% CHANCE OF PASSING IN THE STATE SENATE.

TONY: LIKE I SAID, IF I DID NOT GET THAT QUESTION RIGHT, PLEASE CALL BACK WITH SOMETHING MORE SPECIFIC.

LET’S GET BACK TO THE IRON RANGE.

WE KNOW THERE IS A POTENTIAL SALE OF U.S. STEEL TO A JAPANESE COMPANY AND CLIFFS RESOURCES IS ALSO INTERESTED READ THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF LEGISLATORS THOUGH WITH YOUR TIME AT THE RRR, YOU WORK FOR ONE OF THE MINING COMPANIES DO YOU HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON WHO THE BUYER SHOULD BE?

IS THERE CONCERN ABOUT A FOREIGN COMPANY OWNING OR CONCERNED ABOUT ONE COMPANY OWNING ALL THE IRON RANGES?

>> I SUPPORT THE JAPANESE BUYING U.S. STEEL.

I ALSO HAVE A STAKE IN INDIAN, FOR INDIA.

I SUPPORT MESABI METALLIC AND THE CHILEAN FOR COPPER NICKEL.

WE HAVE FOREIGN INVESTORS THAT WANT TO COME TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND INVEST IN MINING AND KEEP OUR MINORS WORKING -- MINERS WORKING.

U.S. INVESTORS DO NOT SEEM TO WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY IT IS WORTH.

I AM INTERESTED IN NOT SEEING A MONOPOLY, THAT IS MY BIGGEST FEAR.

IF ONE COMPANY GETS IT ALL TO ME THE BIGGEST FEAR IS THE IRRRB, THEY CAN CLOSE PLANTS WHEN THEY WANT AND MANEUVER AND MANAGE THEIR ORE PILES AND THAT IS NOT HEALTHY FOR THE IRON RANGE.

AT LEAST FOR ME AT IS NOT AND I WILL KEEP TRYING TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON WHO WILL BE PURCHASING WHAT.

>> I HAVE BEEN RETICENT TO TALK ABOUT IT TOO MUCH AS A U.S. STEEL EMPLOYEE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE SPECIFIC INSIGHTS, I’M A UNION EMPLOYEE AND OF PEOPLE WITHIN MY RANKS THAT TALK ABOUT, NIPPON GOOD, CLIFFS, GOOD, DURING THE CAMPAIGN.

AS YOU SAID IT IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL AS EMPLOYEES AND LEGISLATORS.

WE SEE A LOT OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THESE ENTITIES AND IT IS SAD WE DON’T HAVE MORE DOMESTIC COMPANIES THAT WANT TO GET INVOLVED.

ONE THING THEY RECOGNIZE IS THE RISK.

YOU INVEST IN ALL THESE THINGS AND LOOK AT A PROJECT LIKE NEW RANGE AND HOW IT HAS TAKEN 20 YEARS PLUS TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.

HOW MANY MILLIONS CAN YOU SPEND ON A PROJECT BEFORE YOU GIVE UP?

THE GOAL OF SOME FOLKS TO GET US TO GIVE UP ON THESE THINGS.

AS FAR AS IT U.S. STEEL SALES OF NIPPON.

THEY SAID THEY WILL COME IN AND INVEST.

OUR BLAST FURNACES, IF THEY ARE NOT INVESTED IN, THEY WILL GO AWAY AND THAT IS A STRUGGLE.

>> AND OUR TACONITE FEED.

>> YES, THAT PRIMARILY GOES TO BLAST FURNACES RIGHT NOW.

U.S. STEEL HAS BEEN DIVERSIFYING AND THAT IS GREAT.

THEY HAVE A BROADER MARKET THAT THEY SERVE.

CLIFFS IS A NARROW MARKET TO MY UNDERSTANDING.

THAT IS WHY THEY ARE NOT ALL IN THE TOILET AT THE SAME TIME.

BUT THAT INVESTMENT COULD BE CRITICAL FOR US AS U.S. STEEL.

WE NEED INVESTMENT DESPERATELY.

TO SAY I’M ALL ABOUT FOREIGN-OWNED COMPANIES, THAT IS NOT IT, BUT WE DO HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT.

IT IS HARD TO JUST SAY NO TO THEM.

>> I THINK THEY COVERED MOST OF IT BUT THE ONE THING WHEN I COMMUNICATE WITH LEADERSHIP IN THE U.S., THE STEELWORKERS UNION, THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING THE PENSION AND RETIREE HEALTH.

IT IS A FEDERAL ISSUE, PRETTY MUCH OUT OF OUR HANDS, BUT I’M ENCOURAGING OUR PARTNERS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO MAKE SURE PENSIONS AND RETIREE HEALTH ARE PROTECTED, IF THAT SALE IS ALLOWED TO GO THROUGH.

TONY: AS A REMINDER PRESIDENT BIDEN PUT A HOLD ON THE SALE, AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING ON IT BUT HAS NOT WEIGHED IN.

MORE TO COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE GOOD TO GET A PERSPECTIVE FROM THE FOLKS ON THE GROUND.

KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING IN.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION.

AS AN IRON RANGE HEAVY SHOW WE HAVE FOLKS APPEAR.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE IRON RANGE RESOURCES REHABILITATION BOARD.

YOU ALL SIT ON THAT BOARD.

WE HAVE THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR HERE.

HOW ARE THINGS GOING AT THAT AGENCY?

THE FUNDING COMES FROM A PORTION OF THE PRODUCTION TAX ON CURRENT MINING AND MOST THOSE TWO CITIES, COUNTIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT THE REST OF THIS AGENCY, YOU’RE IN AN ADVISORY POSITION BUT COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THE WORK OF THE AGENCY AND HOW YOU THINK IT IS GOING?

>> I THINK THE AGENCY DOES GOOD WORK.

THE PROJECTS THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING, THERE IS THE NEW ASG -- I FORGET THE NAME OF THE COMPANY.

INHIBITING.

THEY MAKE GATES THAT THEY SELL TO FACTORIES AND FACTORIES BUTTED UP WITH ROBOTS.

WE ARE BUILDING A NEW FACTORY FOR THEM IN HIBBING.

THEY WILL EXPAND RAPIDLY.

THEY ARE USING 100% AMERICAN STEEL FOR THEIR PRODUCTS.

I WOULD BE REMISS IN SITTING AT THIS TABLE WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING WE HAVE A FORMER COMMISSIONER OF THE IRRRB.

ONE THING I OFTEN THINK ABOUT, I REMEMBER READING AN INTERVIEW YOU DID YEARS AGO WHERE YOU TALKED ABOUT PROJECTS DONE.

EVERYBODY WAS LOOKING FOR THE HOME RUN.

THEY WANTED A CHOPSTICKS FACTORY, THEY WANTED EXCELSIOR INDUSTRY, ANOTHER HOMERUN.

YOU TALKED ABOUT ALL THE GOOD DOUBLES AND SINGLES WE GOT.

THAT IS WHAT I THINK THE IRRRB IS DOING A GOOD JOB ON, INVESTING IN SMALLER COMPANIES, NOT DUMPING A BUNCH OF MONEY AND PROJECTS THAT DON’T COME TO FRUITION.

WE ARE GETTING DOUBLES AND TRIPLES AND THEY ARE DOING GOOD WORK.

TONY: OUR NEW COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB.

WHEN SHE FIRST GOT ON, WE ARE ALL NEW.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

I SAT DOWN PRIVATELY WITH EVERYONE AND SAID, CAN YOU FIND ME THE PRESENTATION TONY HAD THAT EXPLAINED TO PEOPLE NOT FROM HERE WHAT THE IRRRB IS?

I REMEMBER SITTING AT A LEAGUE IN MINNESOTA CITY WHEN YOU MADE THAT PRESENTATION, WATCHING ALL THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LEGISLATORS GOING, WHY AREN’T WE DOING THAT?

IT IS BRILLIANT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT THE IRRRB IS.

IF YOU COULD REPLICATE THAT IN OTHER PLACES IN THE STATE.

I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB HOLDING THAT, KEEPING IT TOGETHER, WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

THE LAYOUT IS DIFFERENT NOW.

WE ARE IN AN ADVISORY AND SET THE BUDGET.

I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN COGNIZANT OF WHO AND WHAT WE ARE.

THE THREAT ALWAYS IS THERE.

EVERYONE THINKS IT IS SLUSH MONEY.

NO, IT IS IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES.

IN THE METRO AREA EVERYONE PAYS PROPERTY TAXES.

INSTEAD, THEY PAY A PRODUCTION TAX.

I DON’T SAY I WANT YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

WE SAY LET’S USE THE IRRRB’S BUDGET FOR THE MONEY.

NO, THAT BELONGS TO US.

WE CHOSE NOT TO SPEND IT ALL AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE.

THESE SMALLER PROJECTS LIKE RAZORS EDGE IN ELY, SMALL BUSINESSES HIRING FOUR, PEOPLE AT A TIME.

AND THE NORTH SHORE.

ALL THESE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES.

LIKE THE ORGANIZATION YOU HELPED RUN, THE NORTHMAN FOUNDATION, WORKS WITH THE IRRRB AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE DID SPEND A FAIR AMOUNT OF MONEY ON HOUSING THIS LAST YEAR.

I THINK AS A DELEGATION WE WANT MORE.

WE SHOULD BE TAKING MORE OUT OF OUR SAVINGS AND PUT IT INTO HOUSING.

HOUSING IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN HIBBING ARE BUYING HOUSING FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THEM THERE.

THAT AND CHILDCARE COULD BE PART OF A COMPANY BUT AT THE SAME TIME USING THAT MONEY WE COULD HELP SECURE MORE BUSINESS AND MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE TO START A BUSINESS BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE HOUSING AND CHILDCARE SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT.

TONY: A FORMER TOWNSHIP ELECTED OFFICIAL, YOU HAVE MORE TAKES ON WHAT IRRRB IS DOING?

>> I DO, WHEN I WAS AT RAMS, RANGE ASSOCIATION MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOLS.

RAMS IS A TACONITE RELIEF AREA LIKE MOST OF THE ARROWHEAD.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE EIGHTH DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA BUT NOT QUITE THAT BIG.

YOU HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS, LOCALS, TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, CITY COUNSELORS OR MAYORS, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

A BOARD OF 24.

22 ELECTED AND TWO SUPERINTENDENTS.

A GREAT BOARD.

THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES, EVEN BIGGER THAN ROGER’S DISTRICT.

THEY HAVE A DIRECTOR.

WHEN I WAS ON THE BOARD, ETA WAS THERE.

AFTER THAT STEVE GEORGEY WAS INTERIM AND THEY BROUGHT IN PELTIER.

ETA DID GREAT WORK AND SHE HAS A BACKGROUND WITH HER EDUCATION AND WORKING FOR THE SENATOR.

FAMOUSLY THE DAUGHTER OF MY PREDECESSOR.

SHE HAS A GOOD HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK.

IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING FOR HER.

THEY ARE FORWARD-LOOKING.

SHE IS VERY DIRECT.

I THINK SHE IS GOING -- DOING GOOD WORK THERE.

AT THE AGENCY THEY HAVE STELLAR PEOPLE.

ROB AND I WERE IN A MEETING FRIDAY.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE STAFF PRESENTATIONS GIVEN.

WE HAD IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THINGS GOING ON AT GIANTS RIDGE AND THE MINING INDUSTRY.

MY HATS OFF TO THE PROFESSIONALS THERE.

TO FINISH UP, THE IRRRB CEASES TO EXIST WITHOUT THE MAILING -- MINING TONNAGE, MINING PROJECTS, SUSTAINING WHAT WE GOT ON THE IRON RANGE.

WE REALLY NEED TO KEEP WORKING ANYWAY TO SUSTAIN THOSE PROJECTS, BUT IF WE WANT TO FORWARD ALL THE GOOD THINGS THEY ARE DOING, THAT IS ONE MORE REASON.

>> I WANT TO ADD ONE THINGS, NOT ABOUT THE IRRRB, THOUGH THEY CEASE TO EXIST IF MINING CEASES TO EXIST.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE SULFATE STANDARD EARLIER.

THAT POSES MORTAL DANGER TO ALL OF OUR TACONITE MINES.

AS I SIT HERE IN DULUTH IN STUDIO I THINK OF HOW MANY JOBS DOWN AT THE HARBOR.

IF ALL OF THOSE TACONITE PELLETS STOP FLOWING TO SHIPS AT THE HARBOR, IT WILL NOT JUST AFFECT THE IRON RANGE, IT WILL AFFECT THE TRUST FUND AND JOBS IN DULUTH.

WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK TO MAKE SURE WE GET SOMETHING DONE ON THE SULFATE STANDARD.

AS SOMEBODY TOLD ME A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, THE BOATS DON’T COME INTO WATCH THE PEOPLE.

THE PEOPLE COME DOWN TO THE HARBOR TO WATCH THE BOATS.

THE BOATS.

COMING IF THERE IS NO TACONITE.

>> ONE THING YOU SAID ON THE SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY, THE AMOUNT OF TACONITE THAT COMES THROUGH HIS HUGE.

-- IS HUGE.

THE SULFATE, NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE BASED OUT OF HERE.

ROLF IS THE GLUE, THE GUY THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN.

THEY ARE STUDYING THE SOLE FATE AND HAVE SCIENTISTS WORKING ON IT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THEY HAVE BEEN AT IT A BUNCH OF YEARS.

IT IS HARD TO FIND THE SOLUTION OTHER THAN RAISING THE NUMBER.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OTHER STATES, AND COMPARE OURSELVES.

WE SET THE STANDARD ON A LOT OF THINGS, BUT THAT SULFATE STANDARD IS NOT SCIENTIFIC, JUST A NUMBER SOME GUY SAID WE NEED, AND THAT IS WHAT WE USED.

WE ARE GETTING SCIENTISTS TO LOOK AT IT.

WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND SOLVING THE PROBLEM, WE CAN SOLVE IT.

TONY: LET’S KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING IN.

WE WILL PING-PONG AWAY FROM THE RANGE.

A VIEWER IS ASKING, WHAT ARE THE STATE’S PLANS FOR THE 250TH BIRTHDAY OF OUR CONSTITUTION?

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CELEBRATIONS UPCOMING?

>> I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG CAKE OR SOMETHING.

[LAUGHTER] >> I HAVE NOT HEARD MENTION OF THAT.

WE ARE TRAINED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

I GUESS AFTER THAT WE CAN DECIDE HOW TO THROW A PARTY.

TONY: WE WILL HEAD BACK TO THE RANGE.

NAMES BROUGHT UP BY YOU AT THE TABLE, ALL THE LEGISLATORS FROM THE IRON RANGE WHO SERVED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, GAINED SENIORITY, WERE LEADERS.

A LOT OF TURNOVER OF LEGISLATORS FROM NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, PARTICULARLY ON THE IRON RANGE.

YOU CAN ONLY GAIN SENIORITY ONE YEAR AT A TIME.

HOW DO YOU THINK BIG PICTURE HOW YOU ARE HAVING INFLUENCE AS AN IRON RANGE DELEGATION IN A BIPARTISAN WAY?

>> WE HAVE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

THE RANGER PARTY LAST WEEK, I WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS THAT CAME.

TONY: SORRY TO INTERRUPT BUT WHAT IS THE RANGER PROJECT, FOR THE VIEWERS?

>> THE RANGER PARTY, I WAS NOT PART OF IT HISTORICALLY PRE-COVID, BUT WE BROUGHT IT BACK THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

WE GET SPONSORS FROM THE MINING INDUSTRY, THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA POWER INDUSTRY.

THEY THROW A BIG LEGISLATIVE PARTY TO INVITE EVERYBODY AT THE LEGISLATURE TO TEACH THEM ABOUT THE IRON RANGE, BREAK BREAD TOGETHER, LISTEN TO PAUL MCDONALD SEE ON STAGE, HAVE A GOOD TIME AND TALK TOGETHER.

AT THE RANGER PARTY I INTENTIONALLY SAT AT A TABLE OF DEMOCRATS SO I COULD CONVINCE THEM MINING IS A GOOD THING.

IT WAS EASIER WITH THE SENATOR AT THE TABLE WITH ME, WORKING TOGETHER.

IT IS A SOBERING THOUGHT WHEN YOU THINK OF THE FACT, OUR MOST SENIOR MEMBER HAS BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FIVE YEARS.

WE HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER AND WORK ACROSS PARTY LINES.

TONY: HOW DOES THAT LOOK WHEN YOU GO DOWN THERE?

>> IT IS RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

YOU GET TO KNOW PEOPLE, TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

AT DINNER WE TALKED ABOUT IT.

IT IS THE LANDSCAPE TO FOLLOW.

YOU CAN FIGHT ON THE FLOOR ALL YOU WANT, BUT AFTERWARDS YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT THINGS.

MIGHT EVEN TALK ABOUT YOUR KIDS AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

A LOT OF HUMANITY IS SHARED.

I TOLD MY KIDS FOR YEARS -- I HAVE NINE KIDS.

FIVE VOTING AGE OF ADULT CHILDREN.

I TOLD THEM WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WORKPLACE, YOU GET HIRED TO DO A JOB, YOU’RE GETTING PAID TO GET ALONG.

IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING, BUT WE ARE IN THE HALLS AND IN COMMITTEES, WE CAN TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE HUMAN BEINGS AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE, AND THAT HELPS BRING IT HOME.

>> THINKING ABOUT FRESHMAN, NOW I’M NOT A FRESHMAN.

IN THE BEGINNING, WHO ARE YOU, WHAT DO YOU DO?

NOW, HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER?

HOW CAN I HELP YOU IN ST. PAUL IF YOU HELP ME?

THEY NEED THE VOTES THERE.

EVEN IN THE METRO AREA THEY CANNOT COME TO PARITY.

I WILL HELP YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO HELP ME.

THOSE ARE THE RELATIONSHIPS WE NEED TO BRING UP YOUR.

-- HERE.

WE DID THAT LAST SUMMER, WE TOURED A MINE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THE TIME, A REPRESENTATIVE, HELPED ORCHESTRATE IT.

COMMISSIONER STROMAN AND DNR, PCA, COMMISSIONERS FROM STATE AGENCIES, THEY WERE PART OF THE PROCESS.

A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS, WE DID NOT KNOW THIS.

THEY ARE TOLD IT IS ALL POLLUTION, THEN THEY SEE IT.

THE PROCESS EVERYBODY IS DOING TO NOT POLLUTE, AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE FUTURE.

THEY HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW OF IT.

I’M HOPING THOSE ARE THE RELATIONSHIPS WE KEEP BUILDING ON.

THERE WILL BE A TIME THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT AND WE WILL NEED THEIRS, AND WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS.

I’M WORKING ON THE EXCEL CENTER.

HOW CAN I HELP THEM AND THEIR BASEBALL FIELD?

IT IS ALL INTERCONNECTED.

TONY: SPEAKING OF GETTING SUPPORT FROM BOTH SIDE OF THE AISLE LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL.

THE STATE BORROWS MONEY TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT HAVE REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE.

I KNOW ALL THREE OF YOU HAVE PROPOSALS IN TO HELP YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH CAPITAL INVESTMENT OR BONDING.

REPRESENTATIVE SKRABA, YOU SIT ON THE TABLE.

YOU WILL HAVE PROJECTS YOU WANT INCLUDED AND WE TALKED EARLY IN THE CONVERSATION.

I BELIEVE THERE IS $7 BILLION OF REQUESTS ON THE BILL WILL BE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $700 MILLION TO ABOUT $1 BILLION.

A LOT OF PROJECTS WILL NOT GET TO THE FINISH LINE.

HOW ARE YOU ADVOCATING FOR LOCAL PROJECTS IN A WAY WHERE EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GET SOMETHING?

SEN. FARNSWORTH: I HAVE SUPPORTED BONDING IN THE PAST.

IF IT IS A GOOD BILL, IF IT DOES NOT INCLUDE 80 SOMETHING NONPROFITS IN THE TWIN CITIES LIKE IT DID IN 2023, IF IT IS FOCUSED ON NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES, WATER, SEWER, ROADS AND BRIDGES, THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN SUPPORT.

I HAVE BEEN GETTING EMAILS, ARE YOU GOING TO SUPPORT A BIG BONDING BILL?

I WILL NOT SUPPORT THAT BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS IN IT FOR MY DISTRICT.

I WOULD NOT BE DOING MY JOB AS AN IRON RANGE SENATOR BY VOTING FOR IT.

I HAVE TO WORK TO GET AS MUCH AS I CAN.

ONE THING I WANT TO SAY, BECAUSE A LOT OF CONSERVATIVES SAY HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT BONDING?

AS A CONSERVATIVE THAT IS BORROWING.

I POINT OUT THAT METRO POLITICIANS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ACTIVELY OPPOSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR REGION.

IF THEY DID NOT, WE WOULD HAVE NEW MINES GENERATING NEW MONEY FOR THE IRRRB, MAYBE WE WOULD NOT NEED BONDING.

BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE OPPOSING THAT I WILL TAKE BONDING TO HELP COMMUNITIES HAVE CLEAN WATER AND A GOOD SEWER SYSTEM IN GOOD ROADS.

TONY: YOU’RE ON THE COMMITTEE.

>> WE HAVE HEARD ALL OF IT.

WE STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WATER, WASTEWATER, THAT IS ALL WE WANT TO FUND AND THAT IS $5 BILLION.

THE MINUTE -- MINNESOTA POLLUTION AGENCY SAID YOU HAVE TO GET CLEANED UP, $9 MILLION, FOUR HUNDRED PEOPLE, THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR THAT.

SOMEBODY HAS TO HELP.

SO MINNESOTA HELPS THEM.

WE TAKE ON THAT DEBT.

IF NOT YOU DO NOT HAVE CLEAN WATER OR COMMUNITIES, OR ELSE THEY HAVE TO GO TO PROPERTY TAXES OR USER TAX.

THEY ARE NO WEALTHIER THAN WE ARE.

IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO.

WHERE WE SPEND THE MONEY IS IMPORTANT.

I’M HOPING THE DAYS WHERE YOU COME IN AND SAY I WANT MONEY FOR THIS, WE ARE.

NOTPAYING FOR THAT NOW .

WE NEED TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SERVED.

WHETHER OR NOT WE GET BONDING THIS YEAR I HOPE WE DO 3/5 OF A MAJORITY.

I THINK THAT IS 20 OF US.

I HOPE WE GET IT OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

I THINK IT WILL HELP THE STATE.

IF YOU DON’T PAY FOR IT NOW, YOU STILL HAVE TO DO IT.

TONY: YOU ARE GETTING A LARGE ROOM REQUESTS FOR COMMUNITIES ADVOCATING FOR THOSE PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED.

>> WE JUST HAVE TO GET THERE, WORK TOGETHER.

IT IS THE WATER AND WASTEWATER THAT ARE THE BIG ONES.

A LOT OF OTHERS AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

EVERYONE’S PROJECT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEM.

I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

WE HAD FOLKS COMING DOWN FROM THE RANGE.

THEY TESTIFIED THEY DID A GOOD JOB.

THEY ARE ALL GOOD PROJECTS.

UNFORTUNATELY THE AMOUNT OF BONDING DOLLARS IS NARROW.

HOWEVER THE IRON RANGE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT FOR BONDING.

IF SOME OF MY COMPANIONS NOT INTO BONDING, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ACCEPT DOLLARS FOR THE IRON RANGE.

I WILL STAY OPTIMISTIC UNLESS THERE IS A POISON PILL.

I’M HOPING WE CAN DO SOMETHING FOR THE RANGE.

TONY: THE LAST BONDING BILL WE HAD WAS $2 BILLION, HISTORIC.

NEVER SPENT THAT KIND OF MONEY BEFORE.

IT IS HARD TO COME BACK AND SAY WE CAN’T FUND THAT.

IT IS BRIDGES, TRANSPORTATION, AIRPORTS.

THE THINGS EVERYBODY USES.

THINK OF THE DNR BUILDING FALLING DOWN ON NOT SAFE TO WORK AT.

THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS -- THE STATE.

THAT IS PART OF THE BONDING PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE AN EVENLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE.

THERE IS A MAJORITY OF DFL BY ONE.

IN THE HOUSE IT IS AND EVEN TIE, 67-67.

THERE WILL BE COMPROMISE NEEDED TO PASS THE STATE BUDGET, TO PASS A BONDING BILL, TO PASS ANYTHING.

THE EASIEST THING YOU COULD DO IS TALK ABOUT WHAT THE OTHER SIDE NEEDS TO COMPROMISE.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE HARDER QUESTION.

SINCE NOT EVERYBODY WILL GIVE UP WHAT THEY WANT, AND EVERYBODY HAS TO GIVE UP SOMETHING, WHAT DO YOU SEE YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVING TO COMPROMISE ON TO THE DEMOCRATS TO GET A STATE BUDGET PASSED?

>> WE WANT TO ROLL BACK ALL THE MANDATES PASSED IN 2023-24 THAT AFFECT OUR SCHOOLS, MUNICIPALITIES, BUSINESSES, BUT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT IS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE PROBABLY CAN’T ROLLBACK EVERYTHING THAT WAS DONE.

WE HAVE TO SEE WHICH ONES CAN WE WORK ON, WHICH MANDATE CAN WE WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND GET VOTES FROM THE OTHER SIDE TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THOSE THINGS?

WE HAVE TO ACCEPT WE CANNOT -- WE CANNOT UNDO ALL OF IT.

>> THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE I WAS AT.

IT IS EASY TO SAY THAT NOW.

WE TALK ABOUT MANDATES FOR SCHOOLS.

SCHOOL FUNDING IS IMPORTANT.

WE SEE THEM LAYING OFF CHILDREN -- TEACHERS.

A LOT OF THIS CAME AFTER HISTORIC FUNDING AND SUDDENLY WE ARE LAYING OFF TEACHERS AND THAT IS HURTING EVERYBODY.

THERE ARE PROPOSALS SO WE CAN SWITCH THINGS UP.

EVEN ON THE TEACHER PENCHANT FRONT THAT HAS BEEN BIG DEAL.

LAST WEEK THEY TALKED ABOUT DANNY, A BRILLIANT GUY FROM OUR CAUCUS, TALKING ABOUT PENSIONS.

I’M NOT ON THE MAIN BILL FOR TEACHER PENSIONS.

BUT THERE ARE TWO OTHER BILLS HE IS TRYING TO PLUG THIS HOLE FOR TEACHERS.

WE HAD HISTORIC FUNDING A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY THEN.

NOW WE HAVE ALL THIS NEW SPENDING.

IF WE WANT TO HELP OUR SCHOOLS, IF WE COULD ROLLBACK MANDATES, THAT WOULD BE HUGE.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO NEGOTIATE WITH DEMOCRATS, CONVINCE THEM THAT A FAMILY THAT MAKES $156,0 00 A YEAR DOES NOT NEED FREE SCHOOL LUNCH.

IF WE TAKE THOSE PEOPLE OFF OF THAT, THAT WOULD FREE UP $88 MILLION TO PAY FOR TEACHERS PENSION.

>> YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE DEMOCRATS SHOULD DO.

>> NO, WHAT DO THE REPUBLICANS NEED TO COMPROMISE TO GET DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT?

IT IS MUCH EASIER TO TELL SOMEONE ELSE WHAT TO DO.

>> OUR COMPROMISE RIGHT NOW, I WOULD BE WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH ALMOST ANYTHING BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A LOT TO LOSE.

I WANT THEM TO GIVE UP ON SOME OF THAT BECAUSE IT IS COSTING MONEY.

THE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO CUT 20%.

IN A COUPLE OF MY COUNTIES WILL RAISE TAXES 20%.

THAT IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.

I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A TAX BILL.

I’M WILLING TO SIT DOWN AND WORK ON ISSUES.

WE HAVE COME IN TRANSPORTATION.

WE GAVE UP A BUNCH OF STUFF IN TRANSPORTATION.

ALL KINDS OF THINGS WE HAVE GIVEN IN COMMITTEES.

TONY: YOU ARE ON BREAK THIS WEEK.

WE ONLY HAVE 15 SECONDS LEFT.

WE STARTED WITH THE HOUSE.

WILL YOU BE TALKING WITH CONSTITUENT THIS WEEK AND HOW CAN THEY GET HOLD OF YOU?

>> THROUGH THE WEBSITE.

THEY CAN EMAIL.

I CHECK ALL OF MY EMAILS.

IT IS A WEIRD SYSTEM.

MOST PEOPLE THAT WAS BOND PERSONALLY I WILL RESPOND PERSONALLY.

WE ARE MEETING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

TONY:.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK OUR REPRESENTATIVES WARWAS AND SKRABA AND SENATOR FARNSWORTH FOR ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND SHARING THEIR THOUGHTS.

WE WILL BE OFF SUNDAY AND THEN BACK IN TWO WEEKS TO SPEAK WITH MORE MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE.

FOR THE TEAM AT PBS NORTH, I’M TONY SERTICH.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪