Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >> Announcer: DEBATE NIGHT 2024 IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MINNESOTA, EVOLVE CREATIVE, DAVID HOLMES.

WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT DEBATE NIGHT 2024, A LOOK AT OUR AREA LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES.

YOUR MODERATOR TONIGHT IS BETHANY WESLEY, AND NOW THE MINNESOTA HOUSE DISTRICT 5B DEBATE.

>> Ray: WELCOME TO OUR THIRD NIGHT OF DEBATES 2024.

AT LAKELAND PBS STUDIO IN BRAINERD.

I'M RAY GILDOW, YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE CONTINUE WITH AN EXCITING WEEK OF DEBATES COVERING TOPICS AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

THE FIRST OF OUR TWO DEBATES THIS EVENING, WE'LL HEAR FROM TWO CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 5B.

THE CANDIDATES ARE TO MY RIGHT, GREGG HENDRICKSON FOR THE DEMOCRATIC-FARMER-LABOR PARTY, AND NEXT TO HIM IS MIKE WIENER FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WE HAVE THREE PANELISTS TONIGHT ASKING QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

DENNIS WEIMANN IS THE NEWS DIRECTOR AT LAKELAND PBS AND HE'S TO MY IMMEDIATE LEFT.

AND TO HIS LEFT IS MEGAN BUFFINGTON, WHO IS A REPORTER FOR KAXE, KBXE, PUBLIC RADIO IN GRAND RAPIDS.

RIGHT?

OKAY.

THE NEWS DIRECTOR AT LAKELAND PBS, TIM SPEIER, IS AN A REPORTER AT THE BRAINERD DISPATCH.

MEGAN BUFFINGTON IS A REPORTER AT, AS I SAID, KAXE.

NOW FOR THE RULES OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING COMMENTS.

THE PANEL WILL THEN BEGIN ASKING QUESTIONS.

SOME WILL BE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS, OTHERS MAY BE FROM THE PUBLIC.

CANDIDATES WILL ROTATE THE ORDER THEY SPEAK, BEGINNING WITH OPENING COMMENTS AND FINISHING WITH CLOSING COMMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AND EACH CANDIDATE WILL THEN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING ONE MINUTE OF BONUS TIME TO ADD TO ONE OF THEIR ANSWERS TONIGHT.

THIS CAN BE USED DURING THE ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION OR DURING THE REBUTTAL, BUT CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.

QUESTIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE REACH 50-MINUTE MARK, AT WHICH TIME WE'LL MOVE TO CLOSING COMMENTS.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING COMMENTS.

OKAY, LET'S GET STARTED.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH GREGG.

YOU'LL DUTY OPENING COMMENTS, GREGG.

>> Hendrickson: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

FIRST OFF, IT'S A PLEASURE BEING HERE TONIGHT AND I WANT TO THANK PBS FOR DOING THIS.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM FOR THE VIEWERS, AND YOU GET TO SEE YOUR CANDIDATES FIRST HAND.

I AM GREGG HENDRICKSON, THE ENDORSED FOR HOUSE 5B, THE TOWN OF STAPLES, WADENA AND LONG CREEK.

I LIVE SOUTH OF LONG CREEK.

I HAVE A BUSINESS DEGREE AND DECADES OF BUSINESS SUCH AS FINANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND MARKETING.

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN.

I'M RUNNING BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

I WAS STATIONED IN SOUTH KOREA IN 1979 AND 1980.

DURING THIS TIME, THAT COUNTRY WAS GOING THROUGH A COUP.

I SAW FIRST HAND WHAT A COUP CAN BE DOING TO A COUNTRY, THE ECONOMY, AND THE CIVILIAN POPULATION.

IT WAS DEVASTATING.

THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS DIED.

WHEN I SAW JANUARY 6 HAPPEN AT THE NATION'S CAPITOL, IT WAS LIKE A DEJA VU MOM FOR ME AND I HAD TO -- MOMENT TO ME AND I HAD TO GET INVOLVED.

I ALSO HAVE A VISION FOR THIS STATE.

I FEEL STRONGLY THAT EVERY MINNESOTAN SHOULD NOT ONLY BE GETTING BY, BUT HOPE OF GETTING AHEAD.

I WILL NEVER VOTE AGAINST THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF MY DISTRICT.

THE DISTRICT WILL ALWAYS COME FIRST.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I AM ENDORSED BY CANDIDATE BY THE DFL.

I'M ALSO CROSS-ENDORSED BY THE INDEPENDENT ALLIANCE OF MINNESOTA, JESSE VENTURA'S PARTY AND I BELIEVE I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR HOUSE THIS YEAR THAT'S BEEN CROSS-ENDORSED.

THIS CROSS-ENDORSEMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO MY ABILITY TO WORK WITH ALL PARTIES IN THIS GREAT STATE OF OURS, AS ALWAYS WORKING TOWARD THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES MORALLY AND ECONOMICALLY FOR ALL IN MY DISTRICT WILL BE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE.

AS ALSO, WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AS NEIGHBORS, WE CAN ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS LIKE SENIOR HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, DAYCARE, AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

MIKE.

>> Wiener: WELL, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR LAKELAND BROADCASTING, PBS, THANK YOU FOR THE CREW THAT'S HERE TONIGHT ASKING QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU TO THE VIEWERS THAT ARE WATCHING TONIGHT, LIVE STREAMING IT LATER.

THIS IS A VERY CRUCIAL PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT IS GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES.

AND I'VE BEEN HONORED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF 5B FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

AS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM 5B.

JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND ABOUT WHO I AM.

I GREW UP SOUTH OF LONG PRAIRIE ON THE FAMILY FARM.

DAD OWNED A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

MOM WAS A NURSE.

GREW UP WITH TEN SIBLINGS.

LEARN THE VALUE OF HARD WORK, WORK ETHIC AND DEDICATION TO WHAT WE DO.

I MET MY WIFE IN ST.

CLOUD.

WE STARTED OUR FAMILY THERE AND QUICKLY SAID THAT ST.

CLOUD WAS NO MACE TO RAISE A FAMILY AND WE MOVED BACK HOME, BACK TO LONG PRAIRIE TO START OUR FAMILY AND ALSO START A BUSINESS.

WE OWN A SMALL BUSINESS.

WE RECYCLE WASTE WOOD AND WE ALSO RAISE LONGHORN CATTLE AND NINE CHILDREN AS WELL.

RURAL LIFE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO MYSELF, BUT TO A GREATER MINNESOTA, AND YOU KNOW, TO TAKE THOSE VALUES BACK DOWN TO THE CAPITOL IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE REALLY ENJOYED.

IT'S AN EXTREME HONOR TO BE THE REPRESENTATIVE TO THIS AREA AND TO BRING THOSE VALUES FROM ALL OF THE VOTERS DOWN TO THE CAPITOL AND TO BE THEIR VOICE.

IT'S ONE OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT I FIGURE -- THAT I -- IT'S THE MOST HUMBLING EXPERIENCE, BUT IT'S ALSO A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY.

WHEN THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES SAY THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE WANT TO BE OUR REPRESENTATIVE, OUR VOICE, IT'S A HEAVY WEIGHT AND I TAKE THAT RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY.

SO I DO THE BEST I CAN TO SERVE THE PEOPLE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, BUT SPECIFICALLY IN 5B.

I SERVE ON TWO COMMITTEES, ONE OF THEM IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TAXES, WHICH IS -- TAXES IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMMITTEES AND IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING THE PEOPLE FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS IN I'M ELECTED AND THANK YOU TO PBS, LAKELAND BROADCASTING, AGAIN, AND LOOK FORWARD TO THIS DEBATE THIS EVENING WITH GREGG.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

OUR FIRST QUESTION IS COMING FROM DENNIS WEIMANN AND, AGAIN, YOU'LL HAVE TWO MINUTES EACH TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTION AND THEN A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL TIME.

SO GO AHEAD, DENNIS, AND WE'LL START THE FIRST QUESTION TO MIKE.

>> Dennis: THANKS, RAY, AND THANKS TO YOU BOTH FOR TAKING PART TONIGHT AS WE MOVE OUR DEBATES TO THE BRAINERD STUDIO.

VERY EXCITED FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF NIGHTS HERE OF DEBATES.

CHILDCARE COSTS ARE A BIG CONCERN FOR PARENTS.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC FUNDING TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE AND WHAT PROVIDERS NEED TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY CARE AND AT THE SAME TIME, ARE THERE ANY OTHER SOLUTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT OFFER?

>> Wiener: WELL, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

IT'S A HUGE ISSUE ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA.

BUT IN ORDER TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE GOT INTO THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, REGULATIONS, EXCESSIVE REGULATIONS WAS PUT ON THE DAYCARE INDUSTRY.

AND WHAT WE SAW WAS THE AT-HOME -- THE IN-HOME DAYCARES WERE BASICALLY DESTROYED ACROSS OUR STATE.

WE'VE LOST ALMOST 50% OF THE DAYCARES ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA.

WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOUR NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN CARE OF, YOU TRUST THEM, BUT WHEN GOVERNMENT STEPS IN AND OVERREGULATES AN INDUSTRY LIKE THIS, IT'S BEEN ABSOLUTELY CRUSHING AND IF WE WANT TO HAVE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES IN MINNESOTA, ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE REGULATIONS BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY THE REASON WE GOT INTO THIS PROBLEM.

IF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THE DAYCARE, THEY CAN'T WORK, THEY CAN'T LIVE A NORMAL LIFE, WHATEVER LIFE THEY CHOOSE.

ON TOP OF THESE REGULATIONS THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED YEARS AGO, WE'VE ALSO SEEN ANOTHER SET OF REGULATIONS THAT WAS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN 2025, BUT BECAUSE OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT, WE'VE SEEN THAT THIS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN PUSHED BACK.

SO WE'VE SEEN OPTIONS AND MODELS.

WE'VE HAD SOME IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT HAVE DAYCARE OPTIONS THERE, BUT THAT SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY SITUATION EITHER.

SO I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM, WE REALLY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT OR GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM -- REASON FOR THE PROBLEM AND FIX THAT SOLUTION -- THAT PROBLEM FIRST BEFORE WE TRY TO PUT BAND-AIDS ON IT.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD.

>> Hendrickson: CURRENTLY IN MY DISTRICT IN GREATER MINNESOTA, CHILDCARE CENTERS, YOU KNOW, COST THE FAMILY PER CHILD ABOUT $250 A WEEK.

IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY CHILDCARE CENTER, IT'S ROUGHLY ABOUT $150 A WEEK.

IT'S A LOT MORE DOWN IN THE METRO AREA THAN IT IS OUT HERE.

WE DO NEED TO HAVE MORE FAMILY CHILDCARE CENTERS, AND I WILL SUPPORT THAT 100%.

RIGHT NOW, GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATION, THERE'S A 92-PAGE BILL, I BELIEVE IT IS, AND IT'S JUST FULL OF REGULATION AND MIKE AND I AGREE ON THIS.

IT SHOULD BE CUT IN HALF AND THESE FAMILY CHILDCARE CENTERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET UP AND RUNNING AND WE NEED MORE OF THEM TO HELP OUR WORKERS IN 5B.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

ANY REBUTTAL, MIKE?

>> Wiener: JUST SOMETHING TO ADD TO IT.

YOU KNOW, WITH NINE KIDS, WE'VE OBVIOUSLY DEALT WITH SOME CHILDCARE ISSUES AND ONE OF THE MOST COMFORTING THINGS THAT WE HAD WAS A SITUATION WHERE THERE WAS AN ELDERLY WOMAN WHO WAS EARNING A LITTLE BIT OF INCOME TAKING CARE OF A FEW KIDS ON THE SIDE.

GREAT SETUP.

IN THOSE SITUATIONS, IT WAS SO COMFORTING TO HAVE ONE OF OUR CHILDREN IN HANDS THAT WE BELIEVED WERE SAFE.

IT WAS A SECURE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT WHEN I SAW THOSE REGULATIONS CRUSH HER DREAMS, WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO AND THE CARE SHE GAVE THOSE CHILDREN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO.

WE JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT WHY THAT SYSTEM WAS PUT IN PLACE AND WHAT WE HAVE TO TAKE BACK SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THOSE NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, RUNNING THOSE DAYCARES IN THEIR HOME AND MAKE IT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND REASONABLY PRICED FOR THE CITIZENS OF OUR AREA.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENT, GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH MIKE AGAIN ON THIS.

OVERREGULATION ON THIS ISSUE IS KILLING CHILDCARE CENTERS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: QUESTION NUMBER TWO IS COMING FROM TIM SPEIER AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED FIRST TO GREGG.

>> Tim: THANK YOU, RAY.

SO IN THE STATE, MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS IN MINNESOTA, FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS.

WHAT CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO TO CORRECT THAT ISSUE?

>> Hendrickson: MENTAL HEALTH IS VERY SERIOUS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IN 5B, IT GOES, FROM YOU KNOW, THE FARMERS, THE STUDENTS TO THE ELDERLY TO THE VETERANS.

IT'S HUGE.

WE NEED MORE HELP OUT HERE.

WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS.

WE NEED MORE DOCTORS OUT HERE, AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.

AND TO GET MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL A LONG WAY.

IF YOU'RE A VETERAN AND YOU NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, YOU'RE TRAVELING DOWN TO ST.

CLOUD OR ST. PAUL TO GET THE HELP.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE LOCAL HOSPITALS FOR MENTAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: MIKE.

>> Wiener: THANK YOU.

ONCE AGAIN, GREAT QUESTION.

IT WAS ONE OF THE BILLS IN THE TRIFECTA THAT WE'VE HAD, THE NUMBER OF BILLS THAT WERE ACTUALLY TAKEN FROM THE MINORITY PARTY WAS ONLY ABOUT 10%, AND LUCKILY, I HAD ONE BILL THAT SUPPORTED PEER-TO-PEER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN OUR AREA.

IT'S SOMETHING I'M VERY PROUD OF.

WAS IT A LOT OF MONEY?

NO, IT WASN'T, BUT HOW THEY EFFECTIVELY USED THAT AND HAVE BLOSSOMED INTO A SUPPORT SYSTEM THAT WE NEED AND WE CAN REPLICATE ACROSS THE STATE, I THINK IS AMAZING.

BUT WHEN WE -- WHEN WE OVERREGULATE, ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THE ISSUES WHERE THE CLOSING OF THE FACILITIES HAS CAUSED SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN JAIL, THEY'RE IN HOSPITALS, WHEN WE REALLY NEED THOSE FACILITIES PUT BACK.

AND, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER, A SMALL BILL LIKE THAT MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THAT WE GOT THROUGH, THAT I HELPED GET ACROSS, CHIEF AUTHORED, THOSE THINGS CAN BLOSSOM, BUT IT TAKES WORKING TOGETHER.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DID NOT SEE ENOUGH OF THAT LAST YEAR OR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND IN THE FUTURE, HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE SOME OF THOSE STEPS FORWARD.

PUSH PUB THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

ANY REBUTTAL, GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: NO, WE JUST NEED MORE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, MIKE?

>> Wiener: NO.

>> Ray: OKAY.

QUESTION NUMBER THREE IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED FIRST TO.

>> Wiener:?

>> Megan: I WANT TO BEGIN BY ASKING HOW YOU PLAN TO WORK WITH LAWMAKERS IN ST. PAUL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROLE OF BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

>> Wiener: WELL, I MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE SEEN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AS A FRESHMAN, THERE'S A TRAINING THAT TAKES PLACE, AND IT'S BIPARTISAN.

BOTH PARTIES ARE THERE.

YOU SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE, YOU BREAK BREAD, AND IT WAS DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN.

AND I MADE A STATEMENT WHEN WE WERE SITTING AT THE TABLE ONE DAY THAT NO MATTER IF WE WERE IN THE MAJORITY OR MINORITY, I WOULD TREAT PEOPLE THE SAME WAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE SAW WAS, WHEN WE GOT DOWN TO THE CAPITOL, SOME OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ENTIRELY CHANGED.

IT WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTING TO ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT WITH A NEW GROUP OF FRESHMAN LEGISLATORS, 25 THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND I THINK THERE WAS 25 ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, WE COULD OVERCOME SOME OF THOSE BIPARTISAN -- OR THOSE CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

BUT WHAT I SAW WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTING.

WITH THE MAJORITY BEING IN ONE PARTY'S CONTROL, WE COULD HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, WE COULD HAVE SET A BETTER EXAMPLE TO THE CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE, BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

WE TRIED AMENDMENT AFTER AMENDMENT.

WE TRIED WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE AS MUCH AS WE COULD, BUT LIKE I SAID, ONLY ABOUT 10% THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF BILLS THAT GOT PASSED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WERE REPUBLICAN BILLS.

HOW DO WE OVERCOME THAT?

IT'S A REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION WHEN YOU'VE BEEN TREATED BADLY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND NOW HAVE TO OVERCOME.

CAN WE DO THAT?

YES, I THINK WE CAN.

WE HAVE TO BE ADULTS, WE HAVE TO TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT.

COMMUNICATION GOES A LONG WAYS, AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO BE THE GROWN-UPS IN THE ROOM AND NOT TREAT OTHERS LIKE WE'VE BEEN TREATED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

PUSH PUB THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: WELL, I FEEL, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THE DISTRICT SHOULD ALWAYS BE REGARDLESS OF PARTY AND THAT'S HOW ILLEGITIMATE LATE.

WHAT'S BEST FOR MY ECONOMIC DISTRICT IS COMING FIRST BEFORE POLITICS.

BEING CROSS-ENDORSED, I CAN VERY EASILY WORK WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND THE DFL OR ANYBODY ELSE WHO MAY BE DOWN IN ST. PAUL.

I'M A NEGOTIATOR AT HEART AND I CAN NEGOTIATE A POSITION FOR EVERYBODY TO WIN.

AND I WILL DO THAT TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: ANY REBUTTAL, MIKE?

>> Wiener: I WISH IN PRACTICE THAT WERE TRUE, BUT WHAT WE SAW WERE PARTISAN VOTES SO MANY OF THE TIMES AND IT WAS DISAPPOINTING.

I WISH THAT WE COULD GET OVER SOME OF THOSE PARTY CONFLICTS.

WE DIDN'T SEE IT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

DO I EXPECT BETTER?

YES, I DO.

DO I NEED TO BE PART OF THAT CHANGE?

YES, I DO.

AND HOPEFULLY WHEN WE DEAL WITH THIS -- IT'S KIND OF A METRO/GREATER MINNESOTA DIVIDE.

WE CAN, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, BE ADULTS IN THE ROOM AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND LISTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE JUST AS WELL, AND NOT BE TREATED LIKE WE WERE TREATED THE LAST TWO.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: I FEEL HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN NEGOTIATE WELL WITH BOTH PARTIES WHEN I GET DOWN IF I GET ELECTED.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

QUESTION NUMBER FOUR IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST, GREGG.

>> Dennis: CAN YOU ASSESS HOW YOU FEEL THE ECONOMY IN MINNESOTA IS DOING AND ALSO THE ECONOMY OF YOUR DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR?

AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY IN THE FUTURE?

>> Hendrickson: WELL, RIGHT NOW, IT'S -- SOME WERE EVEN SAY IT'S A -- WELL, IT'S NOT GOOD.

THE OVERALL ECONOMIC INFLATION RATE SINCE COVID WAS 22% OVERALL.

THAT COSTS A LOT OF FAMILIES A LOT OF -- IT'S COSTING A LOT OF FAMILIES A LOT OF MONEY TO GET AHEAD.

I MEAN 20% OF YOUR INCOME IS NOW GOING TO PAY FOR COSTS THAT DIDN'T A FEW YEARS AGO IS KIND OF RIDICULOUS, BUT THAT'S THE WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A WORKER SHORTAGE IN OUR DISTRICT AND WE HAVE THE WORKERS -- THE JOBS ARE THERE, WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE HOUSING THERE AND I'M PRETTY SURE IF WE SOLVE THE HOUSING PROJECT, THE WORKER SHORTAGE WILL BE SOLVED ALSO BECAUSE THEY'LL HAVE A PLACE TO MOVE TO.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GO FORWARD.

IF WE SOLVE THE HOUSING PROJECTS, NOT ONLY FOR THE WORKERS, BUT ALSO THE SENIOR HOUSING PROJECTS AND OPEN UP MORE INVENTORY IN OUR AREA, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE WORKERS COME IN, THE ECONOMY WILL BE BETTER, THEY WILL BE CONTRIBUTING BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.

WE'VE LOST POPULATION AND WE LOST GDP IN DISTRICT 5B SINCE '18, AND IT'S DUE TO THE LACK OF WORKERS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

MIKE?

>> Wiener: WELL, THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT ECONOMY AND WE'VE SEEN THE EFFECTS WHATEVER I CONSIDER BAD POLICY.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, ACTUALLY THE LAST YEAR, AN AVERAGE FAMILY IS GOING TO HAVE -- WELL, ABOUT $12,000 OF THEIR INCOME IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS INFLATION.

WE'VE TAXED OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS -- OR ACTUALLY, WE'VE SPENT OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS WITH $34 TRILLION WORTH OF DEBT.

THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE.

NOW, ARE THERE WAYS OUT OF THIS?

I THINK THERE ARE.

THERE'S BEEN SOME PRETTY CREATIVE SOLUTIONS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT TAXES, FIRST OF ALL, WE'VE GONE THROUGH SOME OF THESE ISSUES BEFORE IN THE PAST AND WHAT WORKED TO GET US OUT OF THEM?

LOWERING TAXES.

A FLAT RATE OF TAXES DROPPED FROM 29% DOWN TO ABOUT 22, SOME EXPERTS SAY ANYWHERE FROM 22 TO 25 WOULD BE AN OPTIMUM NUMBER TO GET OUR ECONOMY ROLLING AGAIN.

BRING MANUFACTURING BACK TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR STATE.

WE'VE SEEN THE TAX SITUATION IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DRIVE BUSINESSES OUT BECAUSE THERE'S MORE FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTS IN OUR BORDERING STATES.

WHEN SOUTH DAKOTA IS ADVERTISING COME HERE, WE'LL TAKE YOUR BUSINESSES, AND SEEN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH BECAUSE OF THE TAX BURDEN THAT WE PUT ON BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AND REALIZE THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S A KEY INDICATOR THAT THE ECONOMY ISN'T AS EXCEPTIONAL AS IT'S CLAIMED TO BE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD DAYCARE, PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD -- FAMILIES CAN'T AFFORD THEIR LUNCH AT SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO START ASKING THE QUESTION WHY.

WHEN WE'RE TAKING 40 TO 45% OF YOUR INCOME IN TAXES AND ANOTHER 10 TO 15 IS GETTING EATEN UP BY INFLATION, THAT'S WHY WE CAN'T AFFORD THOSE BASIC THINGS THAT WE NEED.

HOUSING IS ANOTHER ISSUE AND I'M OUT OF TIME, SO THANK YOU.

>> Ray: GREGG, ANY REBUTTAL?

>> Hendrickson: WELL, I'M GOING TO PUT A LOT OF BLAME ON CORPORATE GREED.

EVEN THE INDUSTRY THAT I WAS IN, THE CORPORATIONS WERE RAISING PRICES FASTER THAN ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

NOW, EVEN McDONALD'S IS SUING CARGILL RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING A MONOPOLY ON BEEF PRODUCTION.

CORPORATE GREED, I BELIEVE, CONTROL THAT AND THE ECONOMY WILL WORK OUT.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, MIKE?

>> Wiener: WE'VE LOST SO MUCH MANUFACTURING OVERSEAS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

WE SAW IT IN THE WOOD INDUSTRY WHEN I WORKED THERE, METAL.

SO MANY OF THESE THINGS THAT WE LOST JOBS OVERSEAS, WE LOST THE MANUFACTURING POWERHOUSE THAT WE WERE TO OVERSEAS TRADE AND THEN WE SAY THAT IT'S CORPORATE GREED.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, CORPORATE GREED IS WHAT PUSHED THOSE BUSINESSES OUT OF OUR STATE, OUT OF OUR COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO GET MANUFACTURING BACK.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

QUESTION NUMBER FIVE IS COMING FROM TIM AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED TO YOU FIRST, MIKE.

>> Tim: SO ACCORDING TO HOUSING FIRST MINNESOTA, THERE'S A STATEWIDE SHORTAGE OF ABOUT 100,000 HOUSING UNITS.

NOW, WE KNOW THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE STATE'S ROLE IN ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE?

>> Wiener: I'M SORRY, I'M FIST, RIGHT?

>> Ray: RIGHT.

>> Wiener: OKAY.

SORRY, JUST CLARIFYING.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON HOUSING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, BUT WE'VE ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE AND THE PRICES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN UP SO HIGH THAT NEW STARTER HOMES, PEOPLE ARE PRICED OUT OF THAT MARKET.

INFLATION HAS ACTUALLY KILLED THE HOUSING MARKET MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

SO WHAT POLICIES DO WE PUT IN PLACE?

THERE IS OPTIONS AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME RATHER CREATIVE OPTIONS.

STARTER HOMES.

THERE ARE BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW THAT ARE TAKING SMALL, PREFAB HOMES, AND MANUFACTURING THEM SO THEY CAN BE PUT UP IN A RECORD TIME.

THEY'RE ALSO COST EFFECTIVE.

NOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE HOUSING SHORTAGE IN OUR COUNTRY, YES, BUT PRIMARILY IN MINNESOTA, WE'VE SEEN A SHIFT IN DEMOGRAPHICS WHERE AT ONE TIME, GREATER MINNESOTA HAD MORE OF A POPULATION THAN THE METRO AND NOW THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY CHANGED AND THERE'S MORE IN THE METRO, BUT WE ALSO SEE A WHOLE MOVEMENT, A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD LIKE TO MOVE OUT OF THE METRO.

I THINK THOSE STARTER HOMES ARE AN OPTION WE CAN LOOK AT.

MANUFACTURING WE CAN BRING THAT BACK TO OUR AREA BY PRODUCING SOME OF THOSE SAME SMALL STARTER HOMES, GET PEOPLE -- BECAUSE OWNERSHIP, HOMEOWNERSHIP IS VITAL.

IT BUILDS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND IT'S -- NOTHING IS LIKE OWNING YOUR OWN HOME.

IT'S THE AMERICAN DREAM, RIGHT?

WHITE PICKET FENCE, CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, A DOG, THE AMERICAN DREAM.

SO WHEN WE MAKE THAT MORE AFFORDABLE, I THINK WE CAN GAIN IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: I WANT TO BRING IT UP -- BRING AN IMPORTANT FACT IN EAGLE BEND, MINNESOTA, WHICH IS IN OUR DISTRICT.

THEY HAVE WHAT'S CALLED HILLTOP SENIOR APARTMENTS AND IT'S CONNECTED TO THEIR SO-CALLED HILLTOP MEALS, WHICH IS LIKE MEALS ON WHEELS IF ANYBODY IS EVER INFORMED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS A SHOVEL-READY PROJECT THAT SHOULD HAVE HAD FUNDING THE LAST TIME, BUT IT DID NOT.

IT LOST OUT BY ONE POINT.

IT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

THAT UNIT IS -- IT'S SHOVEL-READY AND READY TO GO.

THAT WILL FREE UP A LOT OF HOUSES IN OUR DISTRICT IF THAT IS COMPLETE.

IT WILL GIVE A CHANCE FOR SENIORS TO GO, IF THEY CHOOSE, A PLACE TO GO OTHER THAN THEIR FAMILY FARMS OR THE HIGH MAINTENANCE HOUSES THAT THEY HAVE.

AND IT'S GOING TO FREE UP A LOT OF HOUSING.

ANOTHER PROJECT THAT WE HAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE COUNTY IS IN LONG PRAIRIE, THERE'S A HOUSING PROJECT, WORKERS FROM THE LONG PRAIRIE PACKING COMPANY, THEN THE TO BUILD 64 UNITS.

THAT SHOULD BE DONE ALSO.

THAT WOULD BE A BIG BENEFIT TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY TO HAVE THAT MANY MORE WORKERS COMING INTO OUR DISTRICT.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

ANY REBUTTAL, MIKE?

>> Wiener: SURE, WELL, SOME CLARIFICATION.

THE HILLTOP PROJECT ACTUALLY WAS -- THE BUILDING ITSELF WAS -- HAD RECEIVED BONDING MONEY TO BE DEMOLISHED.

THROUGH LEGISLATION, I ACTUALLY GOT THAT CHANGED SO THAT THE MILLION-FOUR, I BELIEVE IT WAS, THAT WAS GOING TO BE SLATED FOR DEMOLITION ACTUALLY COULD BE USED FOR REVITALIZING THAT BUILDING.

IT WAS A SHOT IN THE ARM.

NOW, THE NUMBERS TO GET THAT PROJECT ROLLING HAVE VARIED A LITTLE BIT, SO UNTIL THERE'S A FINAL DECISION ON WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHICH PROJECT IS GOING TO BE EFFICIENT, BUT WITHOUT THAT LEGISLATION, THAT BUILDING ITSELF WOULD HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED.

THE HOUSING IN LONG PRAIRIE, OF COURSE, THAT'S ALREADY GOING THROUGH.

THAT'S BEEN VOTED ON.

BUT THERE'S A BIGGER ISSUE HERE.

IT'S NOT JUST A LITTLE TOWN HERE AND A LITTLE TOWN THERE.

HOUSING IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE AND, YOU KNOW, AS LEGISLATORS, YOU DON'T JUST GET TO LOOK AT ONE SMALL AREA AND SAY WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM HERE OR THERE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AND THAT'S STATEWIDE HOUSING ISSUES.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENT?

>> Hendrickson: NOPE.

>> Ray: OKAY.

QUESTION NUMBER SIX IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST, GREGG.

>> Megan: YOU BOTH BROUGHT UP HOMEOWNERSHIP IN YOUR PREVIOUS ANSWERS, BUT AS A RENTER MYSELF, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT LEGISLATION WOULD YOU SUPPORT SO MAKE RENTAL UNITS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE?

>> Hendrickson: THROUGH RENT CONTROLS, THROUGH THE INCOME.

IT'S BASED ON YOUR INCOME.

IT SHOULD BE BASED ON THAT.

I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF THAT OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

THERE ISN'T A LOT OF RICH PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND THERE ARE A LOT OF RENTERS AND A LOT OF RENTERS DEPEND ON THIS.

THAT SUBSIDY FROM THE HOUSING, JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE CAPPED OFF AT 30% AND IT SHOULD EVEN BE LOWER IN MY OPINION.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: MIKE?

>> Wiener: RENTAL ACROSS THE STATE, NOT JUST IN TODD COUNTY OR WADENA COUNTY, FIT CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS, CERTAIN PEOPLE.

WHEN WE LOOK AT PRICE CONTROLS, THEY'VE BEEN USED IN CALIFORNIA AND DIFFERENT CITIES, I THINK EVEN MINNEAPOLIS HAS KICKED THIS IDEA AROUND.

THERE'S A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ALMOST PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT YOU DO.

WHAT SOUNDS GOOD FOR ONE MIGHT NOT BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER.

A LOT OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE PRICE CONTROL, RENT CONTROL HAS BEEN PUT INTO PLACE, THE MONEY THAT WAS SPENT ON MAINTENANCE, UPKEEP OF THOSE BUILDINGS DRASTICALLY DECLINED, SO WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERY PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BUT REALLY WHAT WE'VE GOT TO DO IS KICKSTART OUR ECONOMY.

IF HOUSING ISN'T AFFORDABLE, IF RENT ISN'T AFFORDABLE, LET'S MAKE IT AFFORDABLE BY MAKING OUR COUNTRY THE MANUFACTURING POWERHOUSE THAT IT USED TO BE AND IT CAN BE AGAIN SO PEOPLE CAN AFFORD THOSE THINGS IN LIFE.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENT?

>> Hendrickson: I DON'T THINK WE CAN WAIT FOR THAT 20-YEAR PLAN.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, MIKE?

>> Wiener: NO.

>> Ray: OKAY, QUESTION NUMBER 7 IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE DIRECTED FIRST TO YOU, MIKE.

>> Dennis: WE'VE BEEN ASKING OUR VIEWERS SO SEND US QUESTIONS FOR DEBATES IN YEAR AND WE HAD A GREAT RESPONSE, A LOT OF VERY GOOD QUESTIONS, SO I WANT TO ASK ONE OF THOSE TONIGHT.

THIS QUESTION IS RELATIVELY SIMPLE.

HOW WILL YOU AS A REPRESENTATIVE KEEP THE WILL OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS ABOVE THE WILL OF YOUR PARTY WHEN REPRESENTING US IN ST. PAUL?

>> Wiener: GOOD QUESTION.

IT'S AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO BE ENDORSED BY THE PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA, TO BE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA.

IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DID NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF POLITICAL PARTIES, AND I REALLY LOOK BACK AT OUR HISTORY AND I TRY TO LEARN FROM IT AS MUCH AS I CAN.

THEY SAW THAT WHEN A LOYALTY TO A PARTY OVERTAKES THE LOYALTY TO THE PEOPLE, THERE'S A PROBLEM, THERE'S AN ISSUE.

SO I'VE LOOKED AT THIS QUITE A BIT.

VI VOTED AGAINST MY -- HAVE I VOTED AGAINST MY PARTY?

YES, I HAVE.

I LOOK AT WHAT THE BILL SAYS.

IF IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL, IS IT IS THE BEST FOR OUR AREA, THE BEST FOR OUR STATE, BEFORE I SAY HOW DOES THE PARTY LOOK AT THIS.

NOW, MOST OF THE PARTY PLATFORM I AGREE WITH, BUT THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS WHERE I HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS AND SAY MY PEOPLE ARE WHO PUT ME INTO OFFICE, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR MY DISTRICT, I SAID IT BEFORE, WILL ALWAYS COME FIRST.

IT WILL ALWAYS COME BEFORE THE PARTY.

NOW, THERE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SAYING I'M TOO LIBERAL.

THERE ARE DEMOCRATS SAYING I'M TOO CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE I WAS CROSS-ENDORSED BY THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT PUTS ME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE AND THAT'S WHERE MOST THE PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 5 ARE AND I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR DISTRICT 5B AND THEIR ECONOMIC ECONOMY WILL THRIVE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

MIKE, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> Wiener: ONCE AGAIN, I LOVE SERVING THE PEOPLE IN THIS AREA.

IT IS EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE AREA, SOCIALLY AND FISCALLY.

SO I THINK THAT TENDS TO LEND ITSELF MORE TOWARDS A REPUBLICAN PLATFORM THAN IT DOES AN INDEPENDENT OR A DEMOCRAT.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: NOPE.

>> Ray: OKAY.

NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM TIM AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU, GREGG, FIRST.

>> Tim: WITH THE STATE PLANNING ISSUING LICENSES TO BUSINESSES FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN JANUARY, WHAT CHANGES IF ANY DO YOU THINK NEED TO BE MADE TO MINNESOTA'S CANNABIS LAWS GOING FORWARD?

>> Hendrickson: GOING WAY TOO SLOW.

AN EXAMPLE IS THAT OHIO PASSED THEIR LEGISLATION ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA THE WE'RE AFTER WE DID.

THEY'VE ALREADY GOT THEIRS UP AND RUNNING.

WE'RE TAKING TOO MUCH TIME TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.

THERE'S TOO MUCH UNCERTAINTY.

THESE PEOPLE APPLYING FOR OBJECTSES, THEY NEED TO GET FINANCING IN PLACE AND SOMEBODY MENTIONED IT EARLIER, WE'RE DOING FOR BUT CONTRIBUTING TO THE BLACK MARKET.

WE NEED TO GET UP AND RUNNING AND GET GOING ON THIS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

MIKE?

>> Wiener: LOOK AT EXAMPLES OF OTHER STATES THAT HAVE DONE THIS.

CALIFORNIA WAS, I BELIEVE, ONE OF THE FIRST STATES THAT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

CURRENTLY ABOUT 70% OF THEIR MARIJUANA GROWN IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS STILL BLACK MARKET.

OUR LAW IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WAS KIND OF COPIED FROM CALIFORNIA'S GUIDANCE.

YOU CAN CALL IT THE COLD CALIFORNIA IN A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, BASICALLY COPIED FROM THERE.

BUT WHEN WE SEE THE ISSUES THAT COME UP IN CALIFORNIA, IN COLORADO, THE ADDICTION ISSUES, THE MONEY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO COME THROUGH SALES, LICENSING AND SO FORTH, TO GO TOWARDS ADDICTION, TO GO TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY AND SO FORTH, THIS BILL WAS ACTUALLY NOT THOUGHT OUT VERY WELL.

AND IF WE SIMPLY FOLLOWED CALIFORNIA'S RULE AND CALIFORNIA'S LAWS, WE SHOULD LOOK AT WHAT DIDN'T WORK IN CALIFORNIA AS WELL.

SO THEREFORE, YOU KNOW, TO ROLL THIS OUT WITHOUT SOLVING SOME OF THOSE PROBLEMS, I MEAN, IT'S MUCH LIKE THE THC BILL WE SAW A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND HOW MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES HAD TO PUT ORDINANCES IN PLACE BECAUSE THE LEGISLATION PUSHED IT THROUGH WITHOUT LOOKING AT ALL THE AFTER-EFFECTS OF THIS.

HORRIBLY DONE, BUT LET ME DO -- LET ME STATE ONE THING TOO.

THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICINAL MARIJUANA AND RECREATIONAL USE, AND I THINK THAT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THIS STATE WILL THE GROWTH OF ANOTHER BUREAUCRACY, ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY, AND HAS MADE MORE PROBLEMS FOR THE ROLLOUT OF THIS PROJECT.

IT HAS NOT WORKED AND I'M AFRAID WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT CALIFORNIA HAS HAD.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

WE JUST NEED TO SPEED IT UP.

IT'S TAKING WAY TOO MUCH TIME.

THC, THE DRINK THAT MIKE WAS REFERRING TO EARLIER, IS EXTREMELY POPULAR IN THIS STATE.

I MEAN, THE REST OF THE NATION IS LOOKING AT THAT -- THE REST OF THE NATION IS LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO POPULAR.

OUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES HAD LICENSES IN PLACE TO START DISTRIBUTING IT THROUGH THEIR LIQUOR STORES, BUT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AXED IT.

SO NOW THEY'RE WAITING UNTIL JANUARY 1st UNTIL THEY CAN ENACT IT, BUT EVEN THE COUNTIES AND LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES THAT VOTE IT DOWN, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY GIVEN UP, A LOT OF MONEY GOING TO LOCAL TOWNSHIPS AND LOCAL COUNTIES.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

ANY DISH COMMENTS MIKE?

>> Wiener: WELL, WHEN THE LAW DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE STEPS THAT THE COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, MUNICIPALITIES WERE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND JUST LEGALIZE SOMETHING, IT CAUSED A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

IT PUT THE PROBLEMS ON TO ANOTHER ENTITY WITHOUT DEALING WITH THEM THROUGH LEGISLATION.

HORRIBLE.

HORRIBLE TO ENACT A BILL LIKE THAT AND NOT WORK WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, AND THEN TO ROLL IT OUT EVEN FASTER WITH THE MARIJUANA BILL, JUST TEAMS -- JUST SEEMS THE WRONG WAY TO GO.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, PIKE.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM MEGAN AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST.

>> Megan: THE MINNESOTA STATE DEMOGRAPHIC ZR ESTIMATES THAT BY 30, MORE THAN -- 2030 MORE THAN ONE IN FIVE MINNESOTANS WILL BE 65 AND OLDER.

WITH FEWER SERVICES LIKE TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE AVAILABLE, AGING IN PLACE IN RURAL AREAS CAN BE CHALLENGING.

WHAT SPECIFIC POLICIES OR INITIATIVES WOULD YOU ADVOCATE FOR TO SUPPORT YOUR AGING CONSTITUENTS?

>> Wiener: WELL, DEMOGRAPHICS ARE VERY INTERESTING TO ME.

I SAY A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE CAN CONFUSE THE HECK OUT OF ME, BUT NUMBERS MAKE SENSE.

I ACTUALLY WAS AT A FORUM JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO JUST LOOKING AT THIS TOPIC.

THE DEMOGRAPHICS AND OUR AGING POPULATION.

IN OUR AREA, I BELIEVE, ROUGHLY, ALMOST 30% OF THAT POPULATION THAT IS BABY BOOMER GENERATION.

WE HAVEN'T EFFECTIVELY LOOKED AT HOW THIS IS GOING TO -- THE RIPPLE EFFECT NOT JUST THROUGH OUR STATE, OUR AREA, BUT ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE DEALT WITH THIS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

I BELIEVE ITALY, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, LAST YEAR I BELIEVE WAS THE FIRST YEAR WHERE THEY HAD MORE DEATHS THAN THEY HAD BIRTHS.

THAT'S THE EFFECT OF AN AGING POPULATION.

SO HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WE HAVE THE ECONOMIC ISSUE.

WHEN PEOPLE SAY WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE KIDS ANYMORE BECAUSE WE HAVE OVERTAXED AND OVERREGULATE ADD LOT OF THE STUFF THAT HAS MADE OUR COUNTRY GREAT, WE NEED THAT YOUNGER GENERATION.

WE NEED TO PULL THOSE YOUNGER PEOPLE IN TO DEAL WITH THE LONG-TERM ISSUES WITH AN AGING POPULATION.

WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED PLANNING ON THIS 10 TO 15 YEARS AGO.

IN OUR AREA, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE NURSING HOMES, WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE STAFF.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED MORE HELP.

80% OF YOUR HEALTHCARE HAPPENS THE LAST 20% OF YOUR LIFE.

AND WE HAVE NOT DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF PLANNING AHEAD FOR THIS.

WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGES.

CAN WE OVERCOME THEM?

YES, I THINK WE CAN.

FIRST OF ALL, WHEN WE RESTART OUR ECONOMY AND WHEN WE CAN GROW THAT AND MAKE IT PROFITABLE TO BRING YOUNG PEOPLE BACK INTO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND CREATE THOSE JOBS, WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT PAST GENERATION WHO HAS WORKED SO HARD TO GET US WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: WELL, I FEEL, YOU KNOW, AND AGAIN, I'M GOING TO REITERATE, HOUSING FOR SENIORS IS THE KEY TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR HOUSES, AGING IN PLACE IS NOT THE RIGHT THING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I MEAN, I KNOW MY PARENTS BEFORE THEY PASSED, I MEAN, THEY HAD TO GO INTO A NURSING HOME.

THERE'S NO WAY THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF THEIR HOUSES.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT.

WE NEED TO GET THEM INTO A SENIOR HOUSING FACILITY BEFORE THEY GET THAT BAD SO THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THAT KIND OF STUFF, AND WE ALSO IN OUR DISTRICT NEED TRANSPORTATION THAT WILL GET THEM TO THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS OTHER THAN USING AN AMBULANCE, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, WHICH IS CRITICAL IN OUR AREA.

WE SHOULDN'T BE USING THE AMBULANCE TO TRANSPORT OUR SENIORS.

WE NEED MORE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THEM.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, MIKE?

>> Wiener: YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE SAW BASICALLY THAT DIVIDE.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT THE NEEDS OF GREATER MINNESOTA VERSUS THE METRO.

WE SAW ROUGHLY 300 MILLION, I BELIEVE THE NUMBER WAS, THAT WENT TO HOME CARE -- NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT THAT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET TO WHAT WE NEED.

EMS SERVICES ACROSS THE STATE TO DEAL WITH THOSE PEOPLE LIVING ON THEIR HOME FARM AND SAYING WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES, EXCUSE ME, MY MOM STILL LIVES ON THE HOME FARM.

SHE WANTS TO STAY ON THE HOME FARM AS LONG AS SHE POSSIBLY CAN.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OR ANYBODY TO TELL HER THAT SHE NEEDS TO GET OUT OF HER HOME, THAT'S AN INSULT.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S CORRECT AT ALL.

WE HAVE A GREAT AGING POPULATION, BUT TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR HOMES, I THINK THAT'S JUST A HORRIBLE THING TO SAY.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

>> Hendrickson: I HOPE I DIDN'T SAY GET THEM OUT OF THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT.

SENIOR HOUSING IF AVAILABLE, WILL GIVE THEM AN OPTION IF THEY CHOOSE TO LEAVE THEIR HOUSES.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM DENNIS AND IT WILL BE ADDRESSED TO YOU FIRST, GREGG.

>> Dennis: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BEST APPROACH TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE IN THE STATE?

>> Hendrickson: I'M NOT NECESSARILY FOR GUN CONTROL.

I AM FOR GUN RESPONSIBILITY.

ONE WAY I SEE AS CURBING THE GUN VIOLENCE IS THROUGH GUN SAFETY PROGRAMS.

I AM AN ADVOCATE OF HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING SUPPORTS AND ARCHERY.

I BELIEVE IF WE START TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY, GET THE SCHOOLS MORE FUNDING FOR, THIS GIVE THEM THE TAX BREAKS TO BUY THEIR EQUIPMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE.

I'M ALL FOR DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH SHOOTING SPORTS AND ARCHERY, AND I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF GIVING MORE FUNDS TO THE DNR TO DO GUN SAFETY PROGRAMS FOR ALL.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, GREGG.

MIKE?

>> Wiener: ANOTHER GREAT TOPIC.

I ENJOY MY SHOOTING SPORTS.

THERE WAS A BILL, I TESTIFIED IN THE SENATE TO GET EXTRA MONEY THROUGH EXTENSION SERVICE TO DO TRAINING FOR SHOOTING SPORTS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I HAD TO REALLY PUT MYSELF INTO THE FOLKS ACROSS THE AISLE SHOES.

WHEN WE LOOK AT GUNS AND GUN VIOLENCE, WHY DO WE VIEW THINGS SO DIFFERENTLY?

OUT HERE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, WE LOOK AT GUNS AND GUN OWNERSHIP AS A GOOD THING.

IT'S THAT EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE WITH YOUR UNCLE, FAMILY, DAD, PARENTS, WHATEVER IT IS.

WHEN YOU'RE 8, 10, 12 YEARS OLD AND YOU GET TO GO OUT ON THAT HUNTING TRIP AND MAYBE SHOOT A SQUIRREL, MAYBE IT'S PHEASANTS OR WHATEVER THE CASE IS, TO US, GUN OWNERSHIP IS TRADITION.

IT IS OUR HISTORY.

AND YET, WHEN WE LOOK AT HOW DO OTHER PEOPLE VIEW THIS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE METRO.

WHEN YOU SEE A GUN, IT'S AUTOMATICALLY LINKED WITH A CRIME AND IT'S A NEGATIVE CONNOTATION.

SO WHEN WE SEE THESE GUN CONTROL ISSUES, WHEN WE SEE GUN ISSUES COME UP, WE SEE THIS HUGE DIVIDE.

WE LOOK AT THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND SAY, LOOK, WE RESPECT OUR SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE LOVE OUR TRADITIONS.

AND FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE THEM AWAY, THAT IS NOT A GOOD THING.

I DO BELIEVE -- I DO BELIEVE WHEN WE SEE THE EXPLOSION IN HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING SPORTS, THE CLAYS, I'VE GOT KIDS THAT COMPETED IN THAT, GREAT ACTIVITY AND I BELIEVE THIS IS STILL ACCURATE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A SINGLE ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING WITH ALL OF THE CLAYS SHOOTING SPORTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE ACROSS MINNESOTA.

GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT PROPER HANDLING, TRAINING, RESPONSIBILITY, GOES A LONG WAYS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, GREGG?

>> Hendrickson: I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT I KNOW A LOT OF THESE COACHES AND THEY'RE ALL GREAT COACHES.

GREAT MENTORS FOR KIDS.

>> Ray: ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENT, MIKE?

>> Wiener: ACTUALLY, I DID THINK OF SOMETHING JUST A SECOND.

THERE'S A PROBLEM ALSO WITH THE WAY WE'RE RECORDING WHEN WE SAY GUN VIOLENCE.

WHEN THEY LOOK AT NUMBER OF DEATHS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND SAY THEY'RE FIREARM RELATED, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GETS LUMPED IN THERE NOW IS SUICIDE.

NOW, IF YOU TAKE SUICIDE OUT OF THAT NUMBER, IT DRASTICALLY REDUCES.

IT'S ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THE DEATHS BY FIREARM ARE SUICIDE.

SO THAT'S NOT AN ACCURATE NUMBER WHEN WE SEE THIS A LOT OF TIMES AND THEY'RE SAYING FIREARM DEATHS THAT IS -- HAS INCREASED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT IS PRIMARILY SUICIDE DEATHS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

THAT BRINGS US DOWN TO OUR CLOSING COMMENTS.

SO YOU EACH HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING AND WE WILL START WITH YOU, MIKE.

>> Wiener: WELL, THAT WAS A QUICK SESSION.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT EVENING.

I'VE WORKED, YOU KNOW, MY LIFE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY, TO RAISE MY KIDS, AND I NEVER THOUGHT I'D GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD RUN FOR OFFICE.

WHEN I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING THAT MY DAD HAD SAID, HE SAID YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN TOO MUCH IF YOU DON'T GET INVOLVED, I DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED.

I NEVER HONESTLY THOUGHT I'D WIN THAT FIRST ELECTION, BUT HERE I AM.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF 5B.

I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT I CAN'T -- I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE IT ALL.

BUT WHEN I TALKED ABOUT THAT RESPONSIBILITY EARLIER, TO GO SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS GO TO TOWN, STOP AT A GAS STATION AND HAVE YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU COME UP AND TALK TO YOU AND SAY WHAT ABOUT THIS, MIKE, WHAT ABOUT THIS, MIKE, IT IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE AND SUCH AN INCREDIBLE POSSIBILITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

SPECIFICALLY 5B.

I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE SUPPORTING ME IN THE PAST.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU, MIKE.

GREGG.

>> Hendrickson: WELL, FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PBS FOR HAVING US HERE AGAIN.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY AND TO ALL THE VIEWERS OUT THERE, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO DONATE TO THIS LOCAL PBS STATION.

THIS IS WHAT BRINGS THIS TO US.

THAT BEING SAID, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING FOR ALL PEOPLE IN 5B IF ELECTED.

THERE ARE STUFF THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE, THE WORKER SHORTAGE, CHILDCARE PROBLEMS, THEY ALL NEED TO BE SOLVED AND I'M READY TO GET TO WORK.

IF YOU'RE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YOU CAN ALWAYS VOTE ME OUT IN TWO YEARS.

THANK YOU.

>> Ray: THANK YOU.

MIKE -- >> Wiener: I THINK -- >> Ray: YOU DID THIS ALREADY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS DEBATE AND SHARING YOUR VIEWS WITH OUR VIEWERS, AND THANK YOU TO OUR PANELISTS FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S DEBATE OR WOULD LIKE TO WATCH IT AGAIN, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE LAKE PBS WEBSITE AND THE PBS APP WITHIN 24 HOURS.

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STAY TUNED JUST FOR A BIT LONGER BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER EXCITING ROUND COMING UP AT 8:00 WITH OUR CANDIDATES FROM DISTRICT 6A.

IT WILL BE BEN DAVIS AND EARL BUTENHOFF.

SO WE'LL SEE YOU IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.