TEST TONY TONY: HELLO AND WELCOME TO MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

WITH JUST OVER A WEEK LEFT IN 2020 SIX LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND COMPROMISE ON ISSUES LIKE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, SCHOOL SAFETY AND OTHER PRIORITIES IMPACTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

TONIGHT WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT STILL ON THE TABLE AND WHAT MIGHT GET DONE BEFORE THEY ADJOURN.

JOINING US TODAY IS REPRESENTATIVE NATALIE ZELEZNIKAR, A REPUBLICAN FROM FRIEDEN BIRD TOWNSHIP REPRESENTING DISTRICT 03B.

ALSO JOINING US IS SENATOR JENNIFER MCEWEN, A DFLER FROM DULUTH REPRESENTING DISTRICT EIGHT.

COULD BOTH OF YOU TAKE A MINUTE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE END OF A LEGISLATIVE SESSION LOOKS LIKE.

YOU’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BILLS, BEING AN COMMITTEE, WHAT DOES THE END LOOK LIKE TO YOU.

SEN.

MCEWEN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING BOTH OF US, IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU AND TALK ABOUT POLITICS AND HOW IT AFFECTS OUR NORTHLAND.

THE END OF THE SESSION AS WE MOVE IN TYPICALLY ENDS UP BEING A BIG FLURRY AND RUSH TOWARDS THE FINISH.

WE HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD IN THE SENATE TO DO OUR WORK VERY STEADILY ACROSS THE COURSE OF THIS SESSION.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE SENATE THAN IT IS IN THE HOUSE JUST BECAUSE OF THE BREAKDOWN.

WE HAVE A 34-33 BREAK BETWEEN PARTIES IN THE SENATE AND SO WE HAVE IN ESSENCE A MORE NORMAL SESSION WHERE IS THE HOUSE BEING TIED EXACTLY I THINK HAS HAD A MORE CHALLENGING TIME THAN THE SENATE IN THE DIFFICULTY OF THE PARTISANSHIP’S IN BEING ABLE TO WITH AN OMNIBUS BILL.

TO HAVE ENOUGH COLLABORATION AND ENOUGH COMMON GROUND TO COME OUT WITH SOME WORK TO TURN OUT.

IT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN I’VE EXPERIENCED IN PAST SESSIONS BECAUSE OF HOW THINGS ARE IN THE HOUSE.

THE REGULAR FLURRY IS HAPPENING WE HAVE HAD A LONG FLOOR DEBATES ON SESSIONS DURING THE WEEK AND EXPECT THAT COMING UP HERE NEXT WEEK AND WE WILL SEE HOW THOSE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS GO BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

TONY: HOW ARE YOU SEEING THE END OF SESSION WRAPPING UP?

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: THE END OF SESSION IS A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

WE BUILD THE HOUSE FLOOR 1011 HRS THE LAST FEW NIGHTS AND I EXPECT THAT.

THE HOUSE IS IN A TIE AND THAT IS WHAT MINNESOTANS WANTED, THEY WANTED TO SEE PEOPLE HAVING TO WORK TOGETHER TO COMPROMISE AND THEY ALSO WANTED TO SEE THAT THIS YEAR LOOKS DIFFERENT AT THE END OF SESSION.

THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT HAVE SAID LOOK WE DON’T WANT A 1400 PAGE BILL GOING THROUGH THE TAX COMMITTEE OF THE 11TH HOUR.

WE WANT TO SEE SINGLE TOPICS, WE WANT CONVERSATION ON THE FLOOR.

WE DO NOT WANT IT DONE THAT WAY.

WE HAVE BEEN TOUCHED TO NOT HAVE THE LARGE OMNIBUS BILLS THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST THAT THE VOTERS WANT.

THAT’S WHAT WE ARE SEEING AND YESTERDAY WE HAD THE INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, THROUGH.

WE HAVE A HEALTH BILL PASSED BUT HAS WORK REQUIREMENTS SO THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED BIPARTISAN IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY.

I THINK THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE WORKING WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

TONY: WE WILL GET TO THOSE TOPICS IN A FEW MINUTES BUT VIEWERS ASK ME ALL THE TIME, WHY DO LEGISLATORS WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO GET ALL OF THESE DEALS DONE?

THIS IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS THIS YEAR, IT HAS HAPPENED FOR ALMOST EVERY YEAR GOING DOWN TO THE LAST MINUTES WHERE SOMETIMES IT IS OVER TIME.

WHY DOES THAT TEND TO BE THE CASE WHERE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAN ALWAYS GO DOWN TO THE FINAL MINUTES?

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, BEING SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE OUTSIDE WORKING AND CHOSE TO RUN FOR OFFICE A FEW YEARS AGO, THE REALITY IS IT WAS SET UP TO SLOW THE PROCESS SO THE I’S ARE DOTTED AND THE T’S ARE CROSSED.

NOBODY DOES ANYTHING BY THEMSELVES AND GOVERNMENTS ARE DESIGNED WHERE THERE’S THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT SO THE HOUSE HAS TO PASS THE BILL AND SOMETIMES HAVE THE BILL START AT THE HOUSE, IT IS THE PURSESTRINGS WITH THE MONEY IS IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE HAS TO HAVE A BILL AND IF THEY DO NOT MATCH, WHICH THEY OFTEN DON’T, THERE IS A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THERE HAS TO BE IN AGREEMENT AND THEN IT HAS TO COME BACK TO BOTH CHAMBERS TO VOTE AND THEN IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR TO EITHER BE PASSED OR VETOED.

I BELIEVE THERE WAS A LOT OF THOUGHT THAT WE DON’T WANT TO HAVE THINGS NOT HAVE PROCEDURES.

SO YOU HAVE RULES AND HOUSE RULES AND PROCEDURES TO DO THAT.

I THINK IT WAS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF THOUGHT, BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF IMPLICATIONS TO THE DECISIONS WE MAKE IN ST.

PAUL.

TONY: SENATOR MCEWEN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

SEN.

MCEWEN: IT’S A COMPLICATED REALITY AS TO WHY THERE IS THIS BIG RUSH TO FINISH ALL OF THE WORK.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR IS RIGHT THAT THERE’S A LOT OF DELIBERATION IN THE SESSION AND THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

AND WE DO PASS A NUMBER OF BILLS IS REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR SAID.

ESPECIALLY ONES THAT ARE BIPARTISAN IN NATURE, WE PASS THOSE THROUGH THE SESSION AND THOSE ARE USUALLY HIGHLY COMPROMISED BILLS IN TERMS OF THE PARTISANSHIP OF THEM.

THEY MIGHT BE VERY WATERED DOWN OR VERY TECHNICAL CHANGES FOR VERY SMALL GUN FOR MENTAL CHANGES THAT EVERYBODY AGREES NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

-- VERY SMALL GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES THAT EVERYBODY AGREES NEED TO HAPPEN.

WE HAVE TECHNICALLY A PART LEGISLATURE HERE IN MINNESOTA AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO CRAM THAT WORK INTO THIS PERIOD BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MID-MAY AND IT IS I THINK NATURAL THAT THERE IS THIS RUSH TO GET THEIR PRIORITIES UP ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND THE THINGS DEBATED BUT THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT AND WANT TO SEE DEBATED.

SO I DO THINK WITH THE DEADLINE LIKE THAT THERE IS A NATURAL RUSH THAT HAPPENS.

TONY: ONE OF THOSE BILLS THAT BROUGHT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WAS ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS DISCUSSED THIS SESSION WERE ANTIFRAUD MEASURES AND THE SIGNATURE PIECE THUS FAR THAT WAS PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE WAS THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

BOTH OF YOU TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT WHY YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAVE THIS INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

SENATOR MCEWEN WE WILL START WITH YOU.

SEN.

MCEWEN: I THINK IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A THIRD PARTY CHECKING ALL OF THE -- BEING THAT SORT OF COUNTERBALANCE OF POWER AND CHECKING BALANCE AGAINST WHAT’S HAPPENING WITHIN OUR AGENCIES, HOW BILLS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AND ENFORCED.

JUST AS A MATTER OF SIMPLE DEMOCRATIC PHILOSOPHIES SUPPORT THAT THERE SHOULD BE THAT CHECK AND BALANCE, I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA AND SOMETHING ALL OF US CAN GET BEHIND.

I WOULD SAY IN REGARD TO THE FRAUD ISSUE, OUT OF DULUTH, THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I’VE HEARD FROM CONSTITUENTS ARE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR AND THE AGENCIES OVERREACTING PERHAPS TOO SOMETIMES ACTUAL TRUE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD THAT HAD HAPPENED, SOMETIMES SPURIOUS FAKE NEWS, LIES ABOUT FRAUD THAT HAD HAPPENED.

BUT THE REACTION FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE AGENCIES TO FREEZE FUNDING OR TO HOLD BACK FUNDING WHILE THEY DID A NUMBER OF CHECKS AND CHECKS, I HAVE PANICKED CALLS FROM SOME OF OUR CARE CENTERS ABOUT THEIR FUNDING AND THESE ARE NOT CARE CENTERS THAT ARE MAKING A TON OF MONEY, THEY ARE BARELY ABLE TO SCRAPE BY TAKING CARE OF THEIR PEOPLE.

THE FRAUD ISSUE IS A LARGE ONE.

WE ALL DO NOT WANT TO SEE FRAUD.

SOME OF THE LARGEST FRAUD WE ARE SEEING IN OUR STATE HAS TO DO WITH ACTUAL TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WORKERS, TAKING ADVANTAGE AND FORM OF WAGE THEFT.

THERE IS A LOT OF SYSTEMIC ISSUES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH REGARDING THIS ISSUE OF FRAUD AND I’M GLAD WE ARE DEALING WITH THEM.

I THINK BIPARTISAN STEP TOWARDS THE OFFICE IS A GOOD ONE.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: IT’S IMPORTANT FOR TWO MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS TO KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNOR IS REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENT OR DEMOCRAT THAT THE PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED BECAUSE CURRENTLY THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW BEFORE WE PASS THIS YESTERDAY IN THE HOUSE WAS THAT THE COMMISSIONER AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE ALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR.

THIS NEW LAW MEANS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THE HOUSE IN THE SENATE GETS TO PICK AND BE PART OF THE PROCESS.

SO WHOEVER THE GOVERNOR IS IS GOING TO BE PICKING PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VETTED THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE BODY BY THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT ALL THE DISTRICTS, THE 201 REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE A PLACE WITH THAT.

IT ALSO HAS SANCTIONS FOR BEING ABLE TO ARREST PEOPLE AND HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND TO AUDIT THESE AGENCIES.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THESE AUDITS, THE WAY IT HAS BEEN RIGHT NOW TO AUDIT THE PEOPLE YOU REPORT TO.

THIS CHANGE IS THAT SO IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHAT PARTY IS IN OFFICE WHICH I BELIEVE IS HOW IT SHOULD BE.

AS FAR AS WHAT THE ROLE WILL BE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DAY RECENTLY WHERE ALL THE NEWS HAS NOT BEEN IN OUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT FRAUD.

IT’S ON THE NEWS EVERY DAY DOWN HERE.

IT IS REALITY.

PEOPLE ARE SEEING YOU KNOW MILLIONS FLYING OUT OF THE AIRPORT MINNEAPOLIS-ST.

PAUL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ASKING WHY.

THE REALITY IS THE GOVERNOR HAD TO SET UP A NEW PROGRAM TO REIN IN 14 PROGRAMS.

THAT WASN’T A FEDERAL SANCTION BRING AND THEN HIRED OPTIMUM FOR $2 MILLION TO MAKE SURE WE DID IT.

WHAT IT SHOWED IS BILLING TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DROPPED SUBSTANTIALLY JUST BY DOING THE SYSTEMS WE ALREADY HAD IN PLACE.

NOW WE HAVE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, THE FRAUD COMMITTEE STARTED IN THE HOUSE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES IS MONUMENTAL.

AND THAT HAS LED TO A LOT OF INFORMATION FOR THE FBI FOR FEDERAL WARDENS.

I THINK THIS GIVES TAXPAYER PROTECTION TO MAKE SURE OUR VULNERABLE PROGRAMS ARE NOT HAVING THEFT.

PEOPLE COME HERE TO STEAL $3 MILLION IN THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE CARE IT IS RIDICULOUS.

NOW WE WILL HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO AUDIT THIS FASTER.

TONY: I THINK WE’VE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY HEARING THE ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MINNESOTA HAS SEEN NEWS STORY AFTER NEW STORY OF MONEY FLYING OUT OF THE AIRPORTS, GENTLEMEN COMING FROM PENNSYLVANIA STARTING UP A SHAM STOREFRONT IN THE CITIES AND NEVER SERVING VULNERABLE ADULTS.

THE GOVERNOR HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PUT TOGETHER A NEW PROGRAM IN OCTOBER OF 2025 TARGETING 14 PROGRAMS WHERE THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT VOLUME OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BILLING AND OPTIMUM WAS HIRED TO DO THAT JOB AND TO DO THE SYSTEMS MINNESOTA ALREADY HAD IN PLACE.

THEY FOUND A THIRD LESS BILLING CAME THROUGH ON MEDICAL ASSISTANCE BILLING JUST BY HAVING PARAMETERS.

THE FRAUDSTERS WERE LIKE OK WE CAN DO THIS ANYMORE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING.

I THINK THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING.

THE THING THIS OFFICE DOES IS GIVE A SEPARATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

YOU CANNOT HAVE A PERSON WHO IS AN INSPECTOR GENERAL BE AUDITING THE PERSON THEY REPORT TO.

RIGHT NOW IN THE WAY IT IS SET UP, THE LEGISLATIVE BODY BETWEEN THE SAND AND THE HOUSE, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS WHO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE BACK HOME GET A CHANCE TO VET CANDIDATES AND GIVE THE SLATE TO THE GOVERNOR BEFORE THEY SELECT A PERSON.

RIGHT NOW THE GOVERNOR CAN SELECT TO THEY WANT INTO THOSE POSITIONS AND THEY REPORT AND AUDIT THE SYSTEMS OF COMMISSIONERS THE REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR.

IT ENDS THIS FOX GUARDING THE HEN HOUSE DEAL.

I THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION REGARDLESS IF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS A GOVERNOR THAT IS A REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT OR INDEPENDENT, IT SHOWS SEPARATION AND THE INTENT OF PROTECTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS SO THAT WE HAVE THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS GOING TO THE TRUE PROGRAMS OF VULNERABLE ADULTS.

HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, THE LIST GOES ON.

I THINK THIS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TONY: THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD START ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF FROM NOW AND THIS WOULD LOOK AT FRAUD FROM THE BACK END.

ARE THERE OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO ON THE FRONT END?

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE HAS ASKED FOR MORE TOOLS AND ONE EXAMPLE IS MAKING SURE IF SOMEONE IS CAUGHT FOR FRAUD AND ONE AGENCY THAT THEY WOULD BE DENIED FUNDING FROM OTHER AGENCIES AUTOMATICALLY.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA OR TOOLS IN STATE GOVERNMENT TO PERHAPS LOOK AT STOPPING FRAUD MORE FRONT-END THAN WAITING TO INSPECT IT ON THE BACK END.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: THERE ARE A LOT OF SYSTEMS WE PUT ON.

I’M ON THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE, HEALTH COMMITTEE AND CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND ABSOLUTELY THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS FOCUS ON MAKING SURE THERE IS GUARDRAILS THERE AND STRENGTHENING THE LANGUAGE.

THE REPORTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN THERE, IT JUST HAS NOT BEEN FOLLOWED THROUGH.

SO HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT IS GOING TO BE PARAMOUNT AND THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF LANGUAGE THIS YEAR IN THIS SESSION GOING THROUGH THAT WILL INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY TO ENSURE THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE GOING AS INTENDED.

TONY: SENATOR MCEWEN, AND ANY OTHER PROPOSALS YOU ARE LOOKING AT TO CURB FRAUD IN THE STATE?

SEN.

MCEWEN: WE SEE FRAUD HAPPEN MOST OFTEN IN GOVERNMENT WHEN WE HAVE FARMED OUT WHAT SHOULD BE PUBLIC SERVICES TO PRIVATE ENTITIES.

SO WE SEE THOSE PRIVATE ENTITIES TRYING TO MAKE A PROFIT OFF OF TAXPAYERS.

THEY ARE TAKING MONEY FROM TAXPAYERS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE A SERVICE AND THE QUESTION IS DO THEY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE OR DO THEY PROVIDED IN THE WAY THEY SAY THEY WILL?

I THINK WE CAN AVOID A LOT OF THE FRAUD ISSUES THAT WE HAVE DEALT WITH AND FRANKLY THE FRAUD WE DEAL WITH IN MINNESOTA IS NOT NEAR ANYWHERE AS BAD AS IN OTHER STATES LIKE FLORIDA OR TEXAS WHERE THERE ARE EGREGIOUS EXAMPLES.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT TAKE COMFORT THAT WE HAVE FRAUD HAPPENING HERE BUT THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS.

WHEN WE DO THIS, WHEN WE FARM OUT PUBLIC SERVICES TO PRIVATE ENTITIES, THIS IS A RECIPE FOR THE TYPE OF FRAUD WE HAVE SEEN.

AND WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE CHASING THOSE ENTITIES AND HAVING TO POLICE ALL OF THESE LITTLE PARTS OF IT.

I THINK WE COULD PREVENT A LOT OF IT ON THE FRONT END BY TAKING IT IN AND HAVING DEMOCRATIC CHECKS AND BALANCES WITHIN OUR INSTITUTIONS.

TONY: ONE LAST PROPOSAL THE GOVERNOR HAD AROUND ISSUES OF ANTIFRAUD ISSUES WAS ELIMINATING THE ABILITY OF LEGISLATORS TO WRITE INTO BILLS WHO GETS MONEY, TO DIRECTLY APPROPRIATE MONEY AND YOU’VE ADVOCATED FOR MAKING SURE THERE ARE MORE COMPETITIVE PROCESS IS RUN BY STATE AGENCIES.

SENATOR MCEWEN, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT LEGISLATORS DIRECTLY DECIDING WHERE MONEY IS GOING VERSUS RUNNING IT THROUGH A MORE COMPETITIVE PROCESS?

SEN.

MCEWEN: I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHAT LANE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHICH FUNDING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PROCESSES SET UP FOR FUNDING GOING OUT INTO INDIVIDUAL GRANTEE OR AN ENTITY AND AMOUNT OF FUNDING THROUGH THE VETTING PROCESS THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

FOREIGN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL, I AGREE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IS TRYING TO DO HERE.

I THINK IN MANY WAYS YOU HAVE A SYSTEM SET UP WITH PARAMETERS, YOU CAN END UP WITH A FAIRER PROCESS OF HOW THAT MONEY GOES OUT, LESS BIASED, PERHAPS LESS POLITICAL, LESS COUNTING ON WHO ARE THE MOST POWERFUL SENATORS, WHO ARE THE MOST POWERFUL HOUSE MEMBERS THEY WILL PUSH IN THEIR PET PROJECTS.

SO OFTEN TIMES WHEN WE ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION, A NUMBER OF US ARE PUSHING FOR SYSTEMS LIKE THIS WHERE THERE IS A PROCESS, A SET PROCESS OF DETERMINING WHICH ENTITY WILL RECEIVE WHICH FUNDS AND WHAT THAT CRITERIA IS IS VERY CLEAR, IT IS PUBLIC AND TRANSPARENT.

APPLICATIONS ARE PUBLIC.

I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME CONCERN AND I SHARE THESE CONCERNS OF CONFLICT OF BALANCE OF POWERS HERE.

THE LEGISLATURE IS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WITH THE EXECUTIVE AND THE PROCESSES WE FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE, WE ALSO HAVE TO VOTE ON ALL THE BILLS THAT COME THROUGH AND WHILE WE DO SEE OCCASIONALLY SOME SHENANIGANS AT THE END OF SESSION WHERE SENATORS WILL PUT INTO A BILL OR USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO PUT THINGS INTO A BILL THAT HASN’T BEEN PROPERLY VETTED IN THE WAY WE WOULD WANT IT TO.

ONE OF THE LARGE BILLS REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR WAS TALKING ABOUT, AND I AGREE WITH HER, I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE MORE SINGLE SUBJECT ADHERING TO HAVING SMALLER BILLS ON SINGLE SUBJECT.

SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME BALANCE OF POWER PROBLEMS WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS PROPOSING AND SORT OF THAT COUNTERBALANCE OF THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DO THE LEGISLATURE’S WORK.

THAT MAY END UP BEING THE LEGISLATURE SETS UP A SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING FUNDS, AND I THINK THAT IS THE BEST WAY, BUT I DO NOT THINK THE POWER SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR, YOUR THOUGHTS ON SHOULD AGENCIES BE MAKING MORE OF THESE DECISIONS OR LEGISLATORS.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: THIS IS A REALLY GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS WE HAVE SEEN MINNESOTA NICE BEING EXPLOITED.

THAT CANNOT HAPPEN FROM LEGISLATORS, IT CANNOT HAPPEN FROM THE AGENCIES, IT CANNOT HAPPEN FROM ANY SECTION.

IT ABSOLUTELY -- I AM ON THE LABOR WORKFORCE COMMITTEE SO WE SET UP A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GUARDRAILS BECAUSE THERE WERE NONPROFITS THAT GOT MONEY DOLLARS GIVEN TO THEM, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DOLLARS AND PROGRAMS WERE NOT VETTED IN A WAY.

THEY WERE TARGETED PROGRAMS BASED ON THE LEGISLATOR.

WE SAW THAT WITH THE PROMISE ACT , THE NEWS MEDIA WAS ALL OVER THE CAPITAL TALKING ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF MONEY GIVEN AND NOT SET UP WITHIN THE PARAMETERS.

THEN THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF IF A NONPROFIT IS GETTING DOLLARS THROUGH THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE AND THERE IS A LEGISLATOR THAT WORKS FOR THE AGENCY, IS THAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

I WOULD ARGUE IT IS.

IT’S MUCH DIFFERENT IF YOU ARE VOTING ON A BILL -- YOU ARE VOTING ON AN EDUCATION BILL AND YOU WERE A TEACHER BUT YOU DON’T WORK -- IT’S A BROAD-BASED THING.

BUT IF YOU ARE ALLOCATING MONEY TO A SPECIFIC BUSINESS OR A SPECIFIC THING YOU ARE EMPLOYED TO, I WOULD SAY MINIMALLY YOU SHOULDN’T BE VOTING ON THE BILL AND ACTUALLY YOU SHOULDN’T EVEN BE INVOLVED.

THAT SHOULDN’T HAPPEN IS MY POSITION.

I WROTE TO BILLS FOR TWO HARBORS SPECIFICALLY THAT AFFECTED WORKFORCE.

ONE WAS AN AMBULANCE EMT TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO GET FREE TRAINING AND ROLL THAT OUT THROUGH DEED AND FIVE OR SIX MONTHS OUT OF SESSION IT IS IN ITS SECOND COHORT, IT IS A FANTASTIC PROGRAM.

BUT WE HAVE METRICS, WE HAVE DONE THE JOB AND WE CAN SEE THE OUTCOME.

I WILL NOTE A SECOND PROGRAM FOR TRAINING TO HARVARD AT THE HOSPITAL.

IT IS SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THIS YEAR WE PUT TOGETHER PROGRAM IN LABOR WORKFORCE TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A HEALTH CARE PROCESS INDEED.

FOR HEALTH CARE JOBS INSTEAD OF BRINGING IT INDIVIDUALLY TO THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE IT WOULD GO TO THAT SECTION WHICH I’M OK WITH.

IT ALLOWS FOR VETTING, IT ALLOWS IT IN NONPROFITS.

WE LOOK AT THOSE 990 REQUESTS TO LOOK AT HOW HIS NONPROFIT USING THE DOLLARS.

WHEREVER THE MONEY IS GOING FROM THE STATE WE HAVE A LOT OF NON-NGO DOLLARS GOING OUT IN THE STATE.

IT ISN’T JUST BUSINESSES AS FAR AS SMALL BUSINESSES BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IS, WE NEED THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE.

I THINK ON THE GOVERNOR -- BUT THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT ON THAT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY, NEED TO TIGHTEN IT UP REPRESENTING THAT.

TONY: I GET TO BE THE ACRONYM POLICE ON THE SHOW.

YOU MENTIONED DEED, THE DEPARTMENT OF, DEVELOPMENT.

ONE PLACE LEGISLATORS DO PLAY A ROLE IN DECIDING WORK LEAD -- FUNDING GOES, THIS IS A BILL THAT IS PRODUCED THAT NEEDS TO GET BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BECAUSE IT TAKES A SUPER MAJORITY TO PASS THIS BILL BECAUSE IT IS A BILL THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BORROWS MONEY AT REDUCED INTEREST RATE TO INVEST IN PROJECTS WITH REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SOMETIMES CALLED CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST BILL BEING DISCUSSED IN THIS SESSION.

IT DOES NOT HAVE TO PASS BUT IT IS SOMETHING I KNOW MANY COMMUNITIES ARE ADVOCATING FOR AN LEGISLATORS ARE ASKING FOR.

REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR, YOUR THOUGHTS ON PASSING A CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL, WHILE YOU MAY THINK IT’S IMPORTANT AND ANY SPECIFIC PROJECTS YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FROM YOUR DISTRICT.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: I’VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED BONDING SINCE I STARTED IN THIS.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE TAKE CARE OF THE PROJECT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND IF THE BONDING DID NOT HAPPEN THIS WAY THROUGH THE PROJECTS IT WOULD JUST BE ANOTHER BURDEN ON OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN THE DISTRICT I REPRESENT, THE COMMUNITIES I REPRESENT MANY OF THOSE AREAS WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THE TYPE OF THINGS WE HAVE DONE WITH ENSURING CLEAN WATER, LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT.

AND SO WE ARE DOING INFRASTRUCTURE, HIGHWAY 61 IS GOING TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT UNDER THE MAIN DRAG THROUGH TWO HARBORS.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

TO GET A UTILITY STRAIGHT AND UPDATED AND SO I THINK BONDING IS CRITICAL AND I BELIEVE THERE’S A HIGH CHANCE WE WILL GET SOMETHING DONE AND WE WILL HAVE AGREEMENT FOR THAT.

I THINK THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT, SEVERAL ARE IMPORTANT BUT A TOP PRIORITY IS PROCTOR TO GET THE UTILITY EXPANSION WHICH WILL HAVE A HOUSING IMPACT FOR WORKING CLASS.

THAT’S A TOP PRIORITY TO ME.

AS WELL AS NORTH SHORE SANITARY DISTRICT, MAKING SURE WE UPDATE THAT SYSTEM SO WE DO NOT HAVE SEWAGE LEAKAGE INTO LAKE SUPERIOR AND WE CAN PROTECT THAT BODY OF WATER.

WE HAVE WATER TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES, THE WHOLE CANYON PROJECT ON A REGIONAL BASIS TO DEALING WITH WASTE, THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THE AIRPORT TOWER, GETTING THAT 75-YEAR-OLD TOWER GETTING FINAL FUNDING FOR THAT.

THERE IS A LOT OF REALLY CRITICAL THINGS.

RICE LAKE HAS PROJECTS ALSO HARM IN TOWN HAS REQUESTED.

I’M TRYING TO BE FAIR WHO IN THE DISTRICT IS NOT RECEIVED CAPITAL MATTERS.

PROCTOR IS THE TOP OF THE LIST BECAUSE THEY HAVEN’T BEEN AWARDED THAT AND I BELIEVE THAT’S TIME THEY MAKE THE LIST AS WELL AS THE NORTH SHORE SANITARY DISTRICT, MAKING SURE IT PROTECT LAKE SUPERIOR.

TONY: SENATOR MCEWAN, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL AND PROJECTS IMPORTANT IN YOUR DISTRICT.

SEN.

MCEWEN: ABSOLUTELY.

HAVING A ROBUST, LARGE BONDING BILL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO THIS YEAR.

I AM A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENCES AS I UNDERSTAND IT AMONGST REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE AND DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE ON THE AMOUNT WE SHOULD BE COMING FORWARD WITH.

SO I REALLY HOPE OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE ARE WILLING TO GO WITH A HIGHER NUMBER, A MORE ROBUST NUMBER BECAUSE AS REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR STATED REALLY WELL, WE HAVE SO MANY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN NEED OF DOING AND THAT IS TRUE FOR DULUTH AS WELL.

WE HAVE A REALLY EXCITING TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECT BEING PUT FORWARD BY ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSECURITY IN DULUTH AND REGIONALLY.

TO CREATE A CENTER THAT WOULD REALLY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT AND TEAR THE RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS PEOPLE HAVE, IT WOULD BRING IN A NUMBER HERE IN DULUTH FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING.

AND REALLY I THINK FOR MANY PEOPLE THE TRANSFORMATION IN A NUMBER OF WAYS NOT ONLY FOR THE LIVES OF THOSE PEOPLE BUT ALSO FOR OUR DOWNTOWN IN DULUTH.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT AND IT HAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY INPUT AND A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENTHUSIASM AND SUPPORT .

WE ALSO HAVE NEEDS AT THE DECK, IT HAS A NUMBER OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING BAND-AIDS ON SOME OF THOSE FOR A WHILE.

BUT IT IS THE MAIN CONFERENCE CENTER FOR NORTHEAST MINNESOTA IT REALLY IS A REGIONAL NEEDS TO TAKE CARE AS A CENTER TO BRING IN CONFERENCES, SHOWS, TO BRING IN A NUMBER IT IS JUST A HUGE VENUE FOR THE REGION AND BRINGS A LOT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

SO THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT.

THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE WE ALSO HAVE THOSE NEEDS AND AS P FOR DEAF PEOPLE KNOW IN DULUTH, OUR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITIES AROUND DULUTH AS WELL.

NOT JUST THAT INFRASTRUCTURE BUT WE NEED PEOPLE TO BE ON BOARD FOR BONDING FOR THOSE FACILITIES IN DULUTH THAT SERVE THE WIDER REGION.

ONE OF THE REASONS I -- ONE OF THE THINGS I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUNDING, THE POTENTIAL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF LEAD SERVICE LINES IN MINNESOTA.

IN 2020 WAS LEAD AUTHOR IN THE SENATE TO SET A POLICY AND PLACE A LARGE DOWN PAYMENT OF MONEY TOWARDS REPLACING THE LEAD SERVICE LINES IN MINNESOTA WITHIN 10 YEARS, OR BY 2033.

WE HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN MINNESOTA OF GEARING UP THAT WORK.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF REPLACEMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED.

MAPPING HAS TAKEN PLACE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THOSE LINES ARE.

THE WORKERS ARE TRAINED UP TO DO THIS AND ARE DOING IT CURRENTLY.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO PUT IN ANOTHER LARGE INVESTMENT TO KEEP THAT GOING SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO GEAR UP AGAIN.

INSTEAD, WE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHERE WE ARE AT AND THE WORK THAT IS ALREADY DONE AND BUILD ON IT WITH THAT GOAL OF ACCOMPLISHING THAT BY 2033.

I AM REALLY HOPEFUL IF WE CAN GET THE BONDING BILL DONE I BELIEVE THAT WILL BE A MAJOR PIECE OF THE BONDING BILL.

SO I’M REALLY HAPPY TO CARRY THAT BILL AND I’M REALLY EXCITED THAT COULD BE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THIS YEAR.

TONY: YOU SPOKE OF THE SIZE OF THE BILL AND THE FIRST STEP IS SETTING HOW LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT WOULD BE IN INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.

RIGHT NOW, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR TO SET THAT OVERALL TARGET TALKING ABOUT A FEW OTHER ISSUES AS WELL.

ONE OF THEM IS ABOUT THE MEDICAL CENTER LOCATED IN THE TWIN CITIES AND THE PROPOSAL STEMS AROUND USING PROPERTY TAXES OR POTENTIALLY INCREASING THE ABILITY FOR THAT COUNTY TO INCREASE ITS PROPERTY TAXES TO ADDRESS FINANCIAL CONCERNS.

SENATOR MCEWAN WE WILL START WITH YOU TO TALK ABOUT IF YOU SUPPORT FINDING A WAY TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL CENTER GETTING MORE FUNDING PRIMARILY BY INCREASING THEIR OWN OR DEDICATING SOME PROPERTY TAXES TO THEM.

AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION IS WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE TO PLAY A ROLE IN HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER AND IS THIS A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE FOR OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE SEEN FINANCIAL TROUBLES AS WELL.

SEN.

MCEWEN: THOSE ARE ALL GREAT QUESTIONS.

I FULLY SUPPORT MAKING SURE THAT HCMC IS TAKEN CARE OF IN A WAY THAT IS GOING TO SUSTAIN IT GOING FORWARD.

I KNOW I HAVE HEARD IN MY OFFICE HAVING CONSTITUENTS FROM DULUTH WHO WORK AT OUR HOSPITALS UP NORTH HERE AND TOLD ME THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH JUST HOW IMPORTANT HCMC IS TO THEIR WORK.

AS A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER, THEY WILL OFTEN HAVE TO TRANSFER PATIENTS DOWN THERE AND IF THAT GOES AWAY, THERE IS A REAL CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR PATIENTS, THE PEOPLE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF.

SO HAVING THAT WORLD-CLASS LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER IN THE CITIES SUPPORTS THE ENTIRE NETWORK OF OUR HOSPITALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND IT HAS TO HAPPEN.

I AM SEEING FROM COLLEAGUES, BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, A COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE HCMC IS TAKEN CARE OF IN THE IMMEDIATE.

THE QUESTION WILL BE WHAT KIND OF INVESTMENT ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO MAKE.

ARE WE WILLING ONLY TO PUT A LITTLE BAND-AID ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS OR ARE WE WILLING TO MAKE SOME SYSTEMIC CHANGES SO THAT HCMC WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF.

I WOULD SAY ABSOLUTELY YES THIS IS A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE.

WE HAVE A FOR-PROFIT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT IS BEEN BREAKING DOWN FOR DECADES.

THERE ARE CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR LIVES, AND HEALTH CARE IS ONE OF THEM, THAT SHOULD NOT BE RUN FOR PROFIT.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NORMAL AND SHOULD BE EXPECTED THAT A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER LIKE HCMC IS NOT GOING TO BE BRINGING IN PROFIT.

IN FACT THEY MIGHT BE AT A LOSS OFTEN.

THEY WILL HAVE TO BE FUNDED PUBLICLY BY PEOPLE.

WHEN WE ARE CONSTANTLY GRAPPLING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES WHO ARE SKIMMING ALL WEALTH OFF THE TOP OF THE SYSTEM MAKING OUR CARE INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE AND PUTTING HOSPITALS IN DIFFICULT POSITIONS AND TAXPAYERS IN DIFFICULT POSITIONS TO FUND OUR HOSPITALS, IT IS A VERY BROKEN SYSTEM.

I THINK THIS THEN GOES UP TO WHY WE NEED TO MOVE TO THE MINNESOTA HEALTH PLAN WHICH IS A TYPE OF MEDICARE FOR ALL PLAN FOR MINNESOTA.

JOHN MARTY IS THE LEAD AUTHOR AND THE SENATE.

HE HAS HAD THAT BILL IN THE SENATE FILE GOING ON ALMOST A DECADE AND WORKING ON IT DILIGENTLY, TRYING TO GATHER THE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR IT.

WHEN I KNOCKED DOORS IN DULUTH, PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR THIS AND IT ACTUALLY MAKES FISCAL SENSE TO DO IT AS WELL AS HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE GOING UP THROUGH THE ROOF.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO SUFFER CONTINUALLY BECAUSE OF THESE COSTS GOING UP AND UP.

OUR MUNICIPALITIES, DULUTH HAVING TO DEAL WITH HEALTH CARE COSTS.

THIS IS YES A CANARY IN THE COAL NINE -- COAL MINE FOR HEALTH SYSTEM.

SYSTEMS KEEP GETTING LARGER AND LARGER IN ORDER TO TRY AND COMPETE WITH ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE OF THESE RATES THEY ARE DEALING WITH.

WE NEED HUGE SYSTEMIC CHANGE IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD THINK BIG.

EVERY OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED NATION IN THE WORLD HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO DELIVER HEALTH CARE TO ALL OF THEIR PEOPLE AS A RIGHT.

WE ARE ALONE IN NOT HAVING DONE THAT YET.

IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, WE CAN DO IT.

THE THING HOLDING US BACK IS THE PROFITEERING.

SO IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AND SEE MORE FAIRNESS IN OUR SYSTEM AND NOT SEE PEOPLE GOING BANKRUPT AND SEE OUR HOSPITALS CLOSING BECAUSE OF CONSOLIDATION, THEY SHOULD GET BEHIND THIS PLAN.

TONY: REPRESENTATIVE ZELEZNIKAR TO THE QUESTION OF HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER DO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL AND MAYBE SOME FUTURE IMPACTS THAT COULD BE HAPPENING TO OUR HOSPITALS.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: HERE’S THE $10 MILLION QUESTION.

THIS IS A LARGE HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT IS A TRAUMA ONE CENTER THAT HAS BEEN A LEADER FOR BURN UNITS AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS IN THE STATE.

I THINK -- YOU KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING IS WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

THERE ARE SHORT-TERM LIFELINES YOU GIVE WHEN THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL PLAN ON THE INSIDE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS THE PLAN OF HENNEPIN MEDICAL CENTER WITH ANY TYPE OF LIFELINE AND WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD BE INSURED AND GUARDRAILS TO TO ENSURE HOW THAT MONEY IS USED AND HOW THE MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP OF THAT ENTITY IS GOING TO BE.

WHATEVER WE DO WILL SET PRECEDENT IN THIS CHAMBER OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE, I PERSONALLY BELIEVE HENNEPIN COUNTY IS AN ANCHOR OF IMPORTANCE FOR OUR STATE FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

ON THIS SENSE OF WHERE IT IS THE MONEY COME FROM, I AM NOT FOR A TAX INCREASE.

HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS DIFFERENT BUCKETS OF MONEY THAT CAN ALSO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS IS A POSSIBILITY WHERE THERE IS MILLIONS OF OTHER BUCKETS TO LOOK AT.

IS THAT A POSSIBILITY TO USE THEIR IN THEIR COUNTY.

ALSO LOOKING AT THE ISSUES OF SYSTEMS BECAUSE THIS ISN’T GOING AWAY AND WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT OPERATIONAL THINGS.

WE HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS ON THE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

WE’VE TALKED ABOUT HENNEPIN COUNTY AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW AND THERE ARE IDEAS THAT DON’T INCLUDE TAX INCREASES FOR MINNESOTANS.

I’M OPEN TO THE CONVERSATION.

I THINK HENNEPIN COUNTY IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT AS ARE ALL THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS AND HOW WE ARE DOING THIS.

THE REALITY IS THE MANDATES THAT WE PASS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE AN EFFECT.

HOSPITALS HAVE 80% OF THEIR COSTS ARE LABOR AND BENEFITS AS IT WOULD BE.

IT IS A CARE CENTER.

I’VE BEEN ON THE PHONE ALL WEEK AND HOSPITALS ARE TELLING ME THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM JANUARY TO MAY ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT ON PAID FAMILY LEAVE RIGHT NOW.

SO THEIR LABOR COSTS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER BECAUSE WHEN YOUR HOSPITAL DOES NOT HAVE A SURGEON OR YOU DO NOT HAVE THE CRITICAL TRAINING SPECIALTY, YOU HAVE TO FLY THEM IN FROM ANOTHER STATE, PAY FOR THE FLIGHT, PAY FOR THE WAGES, IT COULD BE $400 AN HOUR FOR SOME OF THESE SPECIALTY STAFFING AGENCIES TO COVER FOR THAT HOSPITAL.

BUT IF YOU DO NOT DO THAT, YOU ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO CARE FOR THE PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO PROVIDE CARE TO PEOPLE.

THAT IS A NEW DYNAMIC WE ARE DEALING WITH.

I HAVE HAD MANY OF THEM SAY IT IS BEYOND WHAT THEY SAW DURING COVID FOR STAFFING ISSUES RIGHT NOW.

SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES FACING HEALTH CARE NOW.

I UNDERSTAND WHY PAID LEAVE IS SO IMPORTANT.

I’VE DELIVERED TO CHILDREN AND HAD EIGHT BREAST CANCER SURGERIES AND I CARED FOR SENIORS DYING AND UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF ALL THAT.

BUT THE HOW WE WILL DEAL WITH THE IMPACTS IN 24 HOUR OPERATIONS IS SOMETHING I ASKED QUESTIONS ON TWO YEARS AGO.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT HOSPITALS.

WHEN I LOOK AND HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS IT’S HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT.

GETTING THE DATA FROM THEM ALL NOW AND ASK THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HOW MANY PEOPLE, WHAT IS THE IMPACT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN TO ADDRESS THAT AND THE BODY IN THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RATES ARE SET.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST GROWING POPULATION OF SENIORS, HALF OF THEM ARE IN MINNEAPOLIS-ST.

PAUL , EQUALLY SPLIT WHO NEED SERVICES RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR HOSPITALS ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO CARE.

FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS WE WILL HAVE THE BABY BOOMERS ARE TURNING 80 AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN MY PRIORITY WE HAVE NURSING HOMES AND DISABILITY GROUP HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING’S AND HOSPITALS ARE STABILIZED.

AND WE AREN’T IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE THE 18.5 MILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS ANYMORE TO INCREASE RATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE STATE PAYS UNDER $.50 ON THE DOLLAR.

THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO GET THESE LOSSES COVERED AND AS PEOPLE ARE LIVING CLOSER TO 100, WE HAVE PAYER SOURCES WHERE THERE IS MANY MORE PEOPLE, COULD BE 70% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION ON MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

SO PROVIDING MODELS OF CARE IS GOING TO REQUIRE A LOT OF THOUGHT.

I DON’T WANT TO SEE HENNEPIN COUNTY FAIL IN ANY CAPACITY BECAUSE I BELIEVE IF IT DOES IT WILL HAVE A BURDEN ON THE REST OF THE HOSPITALS.

TONY: IT CERTAINLY SOUNDS LIKE HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH CARE REFORM WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT TOPIC THIS SESSION.

WE NEED TO KEEP GOING ON TO OTHER ISSUES.

ONCE AGAIN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE.

WE DON’T NEED TO REMIND EITHER OF YOU ABOUT THE ASSASSINATION OF MELISSA HORTMAN AND THE SHOOTING OF SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN AND HIS WIFE SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOLLOWED BY MURDERS AT THE ASSUMPTION SCHOOL AND CHURCH.

I KNOW IN THE SENATE THIS PAST WEEK PASSING A SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURE BUT INCLUDE A ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AND OTHER CHANGES TO GUN LAWS.

LET’S START WITH YOU SENATOR MCEWEN.

I KNOW YOU SUPPORTED THESE EFFORTS.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY?

SEN.

MCEWEN: IT HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME COMING.

I OF COURSE SUPPORTED THE PACKAGE THAT WAS BROUGHT FORWARD.

SENATOR MOHAMMED IN THE SENATE IT WAS A COMPROMISE PACKAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT INCLUDED A NUMBER OF THINGS, IT WAS AND ALL OF THE ABOVE.

I BELIEVE WHEN WERE TALKING ABOUT THESE TYPES OF MASS SHOOTINGS LIKE WE SAW AT ANNUNCIATION WE HAVE COME TO EXPECT IN THE UNITED STATES ALMOST -- ON A REGULAR BASIS THESE MASS MURDERS THAT HAPPEN ALMOST ALWAYS WITH WEAPONS OF WAR.

WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DECADES AGO REALLY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD TO KEEP GOING AND HAVE GENERATIONS THAT BEEN BROUGHT UP IN SCHOOLS WHERE IT IS A NORMAL THING TO GET A TRAINING THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS FROM A MURDERER.

AND PREPARE FOR THAT.

SO OF COURSE I SUPPORTED THAT, I THINK IT’S A NO-BRAINER.

I APPLAUD SENATOR MOHAMMED FOR ALL OF THE WORK SHE DID TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE SHE CAME UP WITH A BILL THAT PROBABLY WASN’T AS STRONG AS I WOULD’VE SUPPORTED.

IVAN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN BILL.

A NUMBER OF COLLEAGUES ALSO CARRIED ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN BILLS IN THE PAST TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

JOHN MARTY HAS AN APPROACH TO TREAT THOSE LIKE CARS WITH LICENSES AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT THIS BILL WAS A COMPROMISE BILL.

SO IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SENATE TO SEE IT COME DOWN ON PARTY LINES WHEN SHE HAD MADE SUCH STRONG EFFORTS TO MAKE IT AND ALL OF THE ABOVE SOLUTION.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR MY COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE AISLE TO ACTUALLY COMPROMISE ON THIS AND SAY WE REALLY ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MEANINGFUL REFORMS FOR SAFETY AROUND WEAPONS OF WAR, UNDER SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

BECAUSE THIS PACKAGE HAD IT ALL AND IT HAD A WATERED-DOWN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

A COMPROMISE BAN.

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS DURING ELECTION SEASON.

I WISH THE HOUSE WOULD TAKE IT UP, ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS ONE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE READY TO SAY I WANT TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT HERE AND IT’S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME COMING IN THIS BILL MAKES SO MUCH SENSE.

BUT I DON’T KNOW IF REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE WILL LET THIS COME UP FOR A VOTE ON THE FLOOR.

SO I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WEEK.

IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE BILL WE PASSED IN THE SENATE IS JUST NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE HOUSE IS NOT WILLING TO ACT.

TONY: IT DOES LOOK LIKE THIS PROPOSAL -- I BELIEVE UP-AND-DOWN PRONOUNCED -- MISS BOUNCE THE SCHOOL.

INCLUDED IN THE MEASURE WAS LIMITING CLIPS TO 17 ROUNDS AND SOME OTHER PROPOSALS.

SEN.

MCEWEN: IT WAS A COMPROMISE.

TONY: YOUR THOUGHTS WERE PRESENTED ZELEZNIKAR ON SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURES AND POTENTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS.

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY SINCE WE REVERSED THE DECISION TO A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WHEN DEMOCRATS MADE THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS LEAVE THE SCHOOLS IN 2023.

THAT WAS OUR FIRST FIX-IT BILL IS TO WORK TO GET SCHOOL SAFETY.

I BELIEVE THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS NEED TO BE IN THE SCHOOLS AND WE’VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THAT.

AS FAR AS COMING INTO THE SESSION AND THAT HASN’T CHANGED.

I WENT TO LAKEVILLE TO SEE THE SCHOOL SAFETY’S MODEL AND THE SECURITY SYSTEMS THAT THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT PUT IN FOR ALL THEIR SCHOOLS TO WATCH TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO AND WAS AMAZED.

WE HAD THAT IN 2023 TO DO THE SHIELD ACT AND EVEN IN A TRIFECTA THAT IT WAS VOTED DOWN.

WE DID NOT GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SCHOOL SAFETY TO PROTECT THE SCHOOLS.

I WANT ALL SCHOOLS PRIVATE, CHARTER, PUBLIC, TO ALL HAVE THOSE SYSTEMS PUT IN THEIR SCHOOLS AS I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD.

THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.

WE HAD $50 MILLION TO PUT IN SCHOOLS, WE DID THIS PRESS CONFERENCE THREE WEEKS AGO AND BROUGHT IT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AND IT WAS VOTED DOWN EVERY TIME.

AND IT HAD THINGS WE COULD AGREE ON.

IT HAD $50 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR ALL THE SCHOOLS, A $50 MILLION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY.

IT HAD A MENTAL HEALTH, IT HAD REPORTING A BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE DID ON SYSTEMS WHERE THE DATA HAS SHOWN SOME OF THESE STUDENTS HAD INFORMATION OR PEOPLE OR POSTING THINGS ONLINE THAT SAID WITH A WERE GOING TO DO AND SYSTEMS ARE NOT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PROTECT PEOPLE, THE OTHER THING IS I’VE LOOKED AT DATA BECAUSE I LIKE TO LOOK AT I UNDERSTAND THE EMOTION OF THE SITUATION BECAUSE IT IS REAL, I’M A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER.

I UNDERSTAND THE HORROR OF THE SITUATION.

BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT I WANT TO LOOK AT DATA.

I’VE LOOKED AT THE JOHN HOPKINS DATA ON GUNS AND I’VE LOOKED THE MAJORITY -- THE LAST DATA WE HAVE IN 20 IN OUR COUNTY FOR ST.

LOUIS COUNTY WE HAD 1.5 GUN DEATHS PER 100,000 PEOPLE.

WE HAD 12.6 SUICIDES IN 100,000 PEOPLE.

AND A LOT OF THOSE ARE HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT.

AND THAT’S WHAT THE DATA IS SHOWING EVEN IN THE DATA FOR THE 564 GUN DEATHS THAT HAPPENED.

406 OF THOSE ARE SUICIDES.

AND AS FAR AS THE DEATHS FROM CHILDREN, IT IS 21 DEATHS IN MINNESOTA.

THAT’S AN AGE BRACKET OF ONE TO 17.

I UNDERSTAND EVERY ONE OF THOSE MATTER, I UNDERSTAND THAT AND SOME OF THOSE ARE SUICIDE TOO.

SO WHEN I LOOK AT THAT AND I LOOK AT THIS SITUATION OF THESE GUN LAWS, THE GUN IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT’S THE PERSON WHO PULLS THE TRIGGER THAT’S THE PROBLEM.

SO WHAT ARE WE DOING TO REALLY SOLVE A PROBLEM.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS THE SECOND AMENDMENT FOR A REASON.

IT SAYS VERY SPECIFICALLY CONSTITUTIONALLY, WHICH ANY OF THESE GUN LAWS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED ARE GOING TO BE TIED UP IN COURTS.

THE OTHER ONES HAVE BEEN OVERTURNED.

IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

THE SECOND AMENDMENT THAT SAYS YOU SHOULD NOT INFRINGE.

AND ULTIMATELY MY PERSPECTIVE IS IT ISN’T ANY DIFFERENT FOR THE PERSON WHO TAKES ADVANTAGE -- TAKES A VAN AND DRIVES IT THROUGH A PARADE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE SYSTEMS DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND TO BE DEALING WITH HOW WE ARE DEALING WITH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROSECUTING PEOPLE THAT ARE CRIMINALS AND SHOWING PEOPLE THERE IS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THESE TYPES OF THINGS.

WE HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THESE THINGS AND SO I LOOK AT THAT AND SCHOOL SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE AN ALL OR NOTHING THING.

IF THE GUN BILLS NOT PASS TO GET TO SCHOOL SAFETY, THAT’S RIDICULOUS.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTECT KIDS.

THAT WAS MY ARGUMENT.

I VOTED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, THERE WAS A BILL THIS WEEK TO HAVE ENHANCED CAPITAL SECURITY WHICH I VOTED YES FOR THAT TO GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO PROTECT ME ANYMORE UNTIL WE HAVE SCHOOL SAFETY ADDRESSED AT THE SCHOOLS.

WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING OUR KIDS AT THE SCHOOLS.

AND ALLOCATE THAT MONEY.

AT THE END I’M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO JUST PROTECT MYSELF IN THE SENSE OF PAST PUBLIC SAFETY MONEY AT THE STATE IF WE ARE NOT IN A DEAL WITH THE SCHOOL SAFETY.

SO TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THAT DONE AND IT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE WHEN WE HAD $18.5 BILLION AND IT DIDN’T.

SO THERE IS A PATHWAY BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A PATHWAY TAKING AWAY THE SECOND AMENDED -- AMENDMENT.

TONY: ONE OTHER ISSUE IS DATA CENTERS AND IT’S A BIG TOPIC ESPECIALLY IN MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT BOTH OF YOU SERVE.

IT SEEMS LIKE ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION CONNECTED FOR THIS THAT’S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION THAT COULD WE SEE PASSED INTO LAW’S NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

THE DATA CENTER ISSUE IS A BIG TOPIC AND WE CAN GO IN MANY DIRECTIONS BUT THE ONE GETTING TRACTION IS BANNING LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM SIGNING NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS.

WITHOUT GETTING INTO THE WEEDS ON ALL OF THE ISSUES BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME BUT LET’S AT LEAST TACKLE THIS ONE.

DO YOU THINK THAT WILL BECOME LAW THIS YEAR?

REP.

ZELEZNIKAR: AFTER THE BILL THAT BANS LEGISLATORS FROM SIGNING NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS FOR DATA CENTERS AND I HOPE THAT DOES PASS.

I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS SOMETHING NEW AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS WERE.

SO I AUTHORED A BILL TO DO EXACTLY THAT AND I HOPE IT DOES PASS.

TONY: SENATOR MCEWEN.

SEN.

MCEWEN: THERE WERE BILLS TO BAN NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SPECIFICALLY IN REGARD TO THESE HYPER-SCALE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT WE ARE SEEING.

THOSE BILLS WOULD ROT PREVIOUSLY.

IN THE SENATE BE VOTED ON THAT AS AN AMENDMENT