TONY: LIKE WE ARE, FOR EXAMPLE?

THIS AFTERNOON I HAD LUNCH WITH A MEMBER OF THE FOR SERVICE AND I ASKED HIM HOW MANY PEOPLE, HE IS A FIREFIGHTER ON ELY AND I ASKED HOW MANY PEOPLE GOT LAID OFF.

HE SAID MOST EVERYONE TOOK THE EARLY OUT.

PAY UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST, FULL BENEFITS AND EVERYTHING AND THEN GO FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO AND HE SAID A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TOOK THAT.

I SAID WHERE THEY ALL RETIRING ALREADY, A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

AND THAT IS JUST ANECDOTALLY TALKING TO HIM.

I HEAR THE PRESS SAY THE DOOM AND GLOOM AND EVERYTHING BUT I FIND THAT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE LIKE, MAYBE THIS IS NOT WHERE I NEED TO BE.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE, AND THIS IS WHAT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME, IS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE FOREST SERVICE CUT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SETTING UP LOGGING SALES.

AND I AM LIKE, WHY DID YOU CUT THAT, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

THAT GENERATES INCOME.

WHY DID YOU LAY THOSE PEOPLE OFF?

THEY JUST GOT HIRED, THEY WERE ONLY VERY YEAR AND PROBATIONARY SO THEY GOT BOOTED.

NOT BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO LEAVE.

SO I AM LIKE, OK, SOME OF THIS STUFF IN MY OPINION CAN BE RECTIFIED, COME BACK AND CLEAN IT UP BECAUSE AGAIN, THE ADMINISTRATION CAME IN BIG -- SWINGING A BIG BAT BUT THEY DO NOT REALIZE HOW INTRICATE IT GETS AT THIS LEVEL I JUST WANT TO SAY I LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE AS , WHO WHEN THEY TELL US THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING, THEN I CAN GO TO MY CONGRESSPEOPLE AND SENATORS AND SAY, WE NEED TO TALK TO SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, TALK TO FOREST SERVICE AND SAY, WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?

THIS AFFECTS OUR SMALL COMMUNITIES.

THEY DID NOT TOUCH FIRE.

THEY DID NOT TOUCH RECREATION AND WILDERNESS.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE.

>> LET’S BE CLEAR.

WE KNOW WITH THE FEDS ARE DOING BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PASS A BUDGET BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE JOB OF PASSING A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECTS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SO THEY PAST THE BUDGET THAT WOULD CUT OVER $1 BILLION IN MEDICAID FUNDING.

WE ALREADY KNOW THAT IS ON THE TABLE.

WHAT DO THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE MONEY, HAS TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAX CUTS, MOSTLY CENTERED ON THE WEALTHIEST IN THE COUNTRY.

IT IS -- IT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID IN 2017.

WHAT ELON MUSK IS DOING IS TARGETING FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE.

WE ALL WANT TO COP THAT.

-- TO CUT THAT.

THE PROBLEM IS, THEY ARE TARGETING SOME OF THE PLACES THAT HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON NORTHERN MINNESOTA, LIKE OUR FOREST SERVICE, NATIONAL PARKS, V.A.

SERVICES, THE SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN GUTTED AND ARE HAVING CHALLENGES RESPONDING.

THESE ARE THE SERVICES NORTHERN MINNESOTANS ARE MOST RELIANT ON.

IT IS IMPACTING THE LOGGING INDUSTRY.

COMMUNITIES ARE SAYING THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WILDFIRES.

IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE FOREST SERVICE TO ADDRESS THIS, ALL IT DOES IS PUT MORE PRESSURE ON OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND THOSE SERVICES.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM, PROPERTY TAX AND LOCAL TAX ON PEOPLE IN FIXED INCOME IN RURAL COMMUNITIES SO WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO REALLY CALL IT OUT AND SAY DO NOT CUT DECAYED OR THE V.A., DO NOT CUT STAFF AT SOCIAL SECURITY AND FOR GOD SAKES, STOP CUTTING OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT THE FOREST AND PARK SERVICE BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE RAISING THEIR FAMILIES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND THERE IS NO REASON WE SHOULD HAVE ACROSS THE BOARD LACK OF MERIT BASED DECISIONS HAPPENING ON OUR FEDERAL WORKFORCE.

LUCKILY SOME OF THEM HAVE GONE BACK TO WORK BUT WE KNOW FOLKS ARE STILL GETTING THESE EMAILS FROM ELON MUSK SAYING THAT A FORK IN THE ROAD, THE SAME EMAIL HE SENT TO TWITTER EMPLOYEES WHEN HE TOOK OVER THAT COMPANY SAYING, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEAVE OR GET FIRED.

OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A PACKAGE TO LEAVE EARLY WHEN YOU KNOW THAT ON THE HORIZON IS BEING FIRED.

THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED TO FOREST SERVICE EMPLOYEES.

IT IS SHAMEFUL AND WE CALLED IT OUT AND I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> JUST REAL QUICK.

THE FOREST SERVICE FIREMEN PEOPLE DO NOT GET LAID OFF.

THERE BUDGET DID NOT GET CUT.

THE GUY I TALKED TO TODAY.

THEY ARE ALL STILL WORKING.

ACTUALLY THEY WORK THIS WEEKEND.

THERE WAS FIRES ALL OVER YESTERDAY.

TODAY’S WEATHER, YOU KNOW, BUT NEXT WEEK’S FORECAST SHOWS DRYING AND THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK SO THAT PART DID NOT GET AS BAD AS EVERYONE IS SAYING IT DID.

TONY: WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO STEER BACK TO THE STATE.

KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS COMING IN, EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS.

BACK TO THE STATE.

DO EITHER OF YOU HAVE REDLINES?

I HEAR FROM BOTH OF YOU THAT CUTS CAN BE TOO HIGH AND TAXES ARE OFF THE TABLE IN SOME SPECIFIC TAXES.

ARE THERE SOME REDLINES FOR YOU?

SOME SAY THEY DON’T WANT EDUCATION TOUCHED BUT THEN THAT RIPPLED THROUGH, WHERE YOU FIND THE MONEY?

ARE THERE SOME REDLINES YOU DO NOT WANT TO CROSS IN THIS SESSION AS YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL VOTE ON WHERE THE BUDGET WILL HEAD UP?

>> I TRIED TO STAY AWAY FROM REDLINES BECAUSE THAT TAKES YOU OUT OF THE ROOM WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE HAPPENING.

IF YOU SAY FROM THE UPFRONT I WILL NOT DO THIS OR THAT, YOU ARE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOM.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM.

I WILL BE ON THE TAX CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND WANT TO BE A REAL PLAYER IN THAT EFFORT.

THAT SAID, I HAVE SOME KEY THINGS I WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR AND HAVE AS TOP PRIORITIES LIKE SEASONAL RECREATIONAL PROPERTY PIECE, EMS AID PACKAGE AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WILL IMPACT NORTHERN MINNESOTA MOST AND IF WE CAN PRIORITIZE THOSE, AND THE STEELWORKER UNEMPLOYMENT, MAKE SURE THOSE FOLKS HAVE EXTENSIONS SO THEY CAN GO INTO THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND NOT WORRY ABOUT MOVING AWAY FROM OUR COMMUNITIES ARE LOSING THEIR LIVELIHOODS.

THOSE ARE SOME THINGS I AM STRONGLY ADVOCATING FOR BUT I WILL MAKE SURE I AM PART OF THE NEGOTIATING TEAM AT THE END OF THE DAY AND DO THAT I WILL NOT SAY I HAVE ANY REDLINES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.

>> I AGREE.

I DO NOT SIGN TAX PLEDGES, THESE THINGS, AGREED TO DO THAT, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHEN NEGOTIATING GETS DONE THERE WILL BE SIX PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND BECAUSE I AM A THIRD-YEAR HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I WILL NOT BE AND I AM NOT ON ANY OF THOSE COMMITTEES WERE THAT WILL BE NEGOTIATED, ON MY CAPITAL INVESTMENTS BUT THAT IS USUALLY DONE BY THE CHAIRS AND NOT SO MUCH AS THE MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT THERE ALL THE TIME.

THE ONLY CHANCE I HAVE IS GOING TO A, IF THEY DECIDE TO HAVE A LARGE LEGACY, THE TWO LEGACY BILLS, SENATE I COULD BE ON THAT COMMITTEE BUT THAT IS NOT TAX MONEY, IT’S A DIFFERENT ISSUE BUT GETTING TO THE LEVEL OF THE SENATORS TALKING ABOUT, I DO NOT HAVE A REDLINED REDLINE.

BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN I WAS MAYOR WE HAD TO CUT THE BUDGET AND AT SOME POINT, WHAT YOU DO IS YOU GO TO YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, FIND ME THE MONEY, HELP ME SAVE MONEY, FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DEPARTMENT MORE LEAN BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT ME DOING IT BECAUSE I WILL JUST DO IT PERCENTAGE AND THEN YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT.

IT’S A HECK OF A LOT EASIER IF THE DNR COMES IN AND SAYS, WE CAN GIVE UP THIS ON THIS AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS WE CAN GIVE THIS AND THIS AND THIS AND I DO NOT KNOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN DONE BUT THAT IS HOW WHEN I WAS MAYOR THAT IS WHAT WE DID BECAUSE OTHERWISE COME UP WHEN YOU WANT ME TO DO IT, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT I’M CUTTING, I JUST DO IT AS PERCENTAGE.

THAT IS FAIR TO THE TAXPAYER BECAUSE THE TAXPAYER WANTS TO PAY LESS.

TO THEM, WHAT IS PAIR -- WHAT IS FAIR BUT AT SOME POINT SOMEONE HAS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS SO I’M NOT GOING TO PIGEONHOLE MYSELF AND SAY WELL, EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND JUST BECAUSE HOUSING ON EDUCATION, THAT IS FOR ME THAT IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT.

FOLLOWING KNOW RIGHT NOW WHEN -- FOR ALL I KNOW RIGHT NOW, AND I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THIS, IF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAID WE ARE GOING TO START ALL OVER AGAIN, GREAT.

LET’S DO IT.

FIND ME A WAY TO SAVE MONEY AND I WILL WORK WITH YOU.

BUT THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT.

I MEAN THAT IS WHERE I AM AT.

I MEAN I AM A LITTLE RETICENT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, HOW COME NOBODY HAS ASKED DEPARTMENT HEADS TO CUT AND MAYBE THE GOVERNOR HAS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED AT THAT LEVEL OF DISCUSSION BUT IF I WAS THE GOVERNOR I WOULD BE TELLING THEM, BRING IT IN, WE ARE WE GOING TO GET THIS MONEY FROM, HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS.

TONY: HE DID PROPOSE A BUDGET WITH CUTS IN IT SO HE HAS COMMUNICATED AND HE DID RAISE QUITE A FEW FUNDS.

THE REASON I SPEAK ABOUT THIS REDLINE IS WE HAVEN’T EVENLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE, EXACTLY 50-50 IN THE HOUSE APPEARED SLIM DEMOCRAT MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

IN THE HOUSE ANY ONE LEGISLATOR CAN HOLD UP THE PROCESS IF THEY HAVE A REDLINED OR COULD ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE WILLING TO DO FOR YOUR COMMUNITIES IF IT GETS TOO DEEP?

>> I COULD SAY THAT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES -- IN MINNESOTA WE HAVE A LOT OF PUBLIC LAND, COUNTY PUBLIC LAND FROM A STATE PUBLIC LAND, FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES US MONEY FOR NOT DEVELOPING THAT PUBLIC LAND.

WE GET A DOLLAR AMOUNT PER ACRE.

THE STATE PAYS A DOLLAR OR NOT PER ACRE.

THE STATE PAYS -- THE COUNTY LAND DOES NOT PAY ANYTHING COME OF THE STATE LAND.

I HAD A BILL THIS YEAR I INTRODUCED TO EQUALIZE WHAT THE STATE PAYS NORTHERN MINNESOTA PROPERTIES, WHAT THEY PAY SOUTHERN MINNESOTA PROPERTIES.

LAKESHORE PROPERTY DOWN IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, ANYWHERE IN MINNESOTA IS ABOUT $40 PER ACRE.

IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IT IS FOUR DOLLARS PER ACRE.

I SAID, WE SHOULD GET SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY GOT.

WHEN THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT SAYING I WILL CUT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES 20% ACROSS THE BOARD, WE ARE GOING TO CUT IT, THE BILL I AM CARRYING IS LIKE THAT DOES NOT HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING OUT BECAUSE HE IS TRYING TO CUT WHEN I AM TRYING TO RAISE SO THE LOBBYIST AND I ARE WORKING TOGETHER, THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WANT, THE TOWN WANTED MORE MONEY TO FUNCTION WITHIN THAT IS ONE WAY OF RAISING MORE MONEY INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE TAXPAYERS, WE GO TO THIS PART.

WILL THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN MY BILL.

IT’S NOT IN THE CARDS, AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE IT TO IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO IF THE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES IS -- I’M SORRY, THE CUTTING BILL IS IN, PROPERTY TAXES WILL HAVE TO BE RAISED 10% TO 20%.

TO A VOTE FOR THAT TAX BILL?

I BET THAT I WOULDN’T.

IT COULD MAKE ALL THE OTHER STUFF REALLY NICE, BUT THAT ALONE IS EVERYONE IN THE COUNTIES WILL PAY MORE FOR THAT DECISION THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE AND I AM NOT SAYING I WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT, BUT I WOULD REALLY LOOK AT THAT AND SAY THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT.

>> WITH REGARD TO PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES WHEN IT COMES TO SUSTAINABLE FOREST INITIATIVE PROGRAM FUNDING WHICH GOES TO OUR SUSTAINABLE FOREST, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IN FECES -- INVASIVE SPECIES FUNDING, THESE THINGS ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK FROM THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET AND I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WE ARE THE TARGETS OF THOSE CUTS AND THE GOVERNOR AND I ARE IN THE SAME PARTY AND I HAVE BEEN ADAMANT AT CALLING OUT WHEN I SEE BAD IDEAS, REGARDLESS OF PARTY.

THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY VOTES OUT OF THE SPLIT LEGISLATURE SO IT IS CRITICAL WE HAVE FOLKS WHO WERE IN THE ROOM AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CUTS THAT COULD IMPACT 20% INCREASES IN LEVIES ON PLACES LIKE KOOCHICHING COUNTY AND THAT IS WHY I ADVOCATED TO BE ON THE TAX COMMITTEE AND WHILE I WILL BE ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND THE TAX BILL, BECAUSE I WILL MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE PASS OUR SENATE BILL THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE CUTS, IT WILL REDUCE THE CUTS TO THE SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVE FOREST -- AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES FUNDING IT WILL NOT HAVE THOSE CUTS AND IT WILL HAVE TARGETED FUNDING FOR SEASONAL RECREATION PROPERTIES AND EMS IN THE TAX BILL.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A NORTHERN MINNESOTA ON THAT TAX COMMITTEE PROVIDING A MAJORITY VOTE THAT IS MAKING SURE WE CAN PASS THINGS SO THAT IS WHERE YOU DO NOT USE RED LINES, YOU USE THE SEED YOU WILL HAVE -- THE CT YOU HAVE TO NEGOTIATE CRITICAL THINGS AND THEN MAKE TOUGH CHOICES IN THE BUDGET ELSEWHERE BUT YOU MAKE SUGAR TARGETED FUNDING YOU CAN GET REALLY IMPACTS YOUR REGION AND THAT IS WHAT I WILL DO IN THE SENATE AND I THINK WE CAN BRING THAT TO PEOPLE LIKE REPRESENTATIVE SCARBOROUGH WHO ARE VERY REASONABLE.

WE ACTUALLY GET ALONG AND AGREE ON A LOT MORE THAN OTHER CROSS PARTY REPRESENTATIVES.

SO I SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO HAVE A STRONG HAND IN THE SENATE, BRING IT TO THE HOUSE AND SAY YOU ARE NOT CUTTING THIS, YOU WILL PROVIDE THE SEASONAL RECREATION PROPERTY.

TONY: SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK MOMENT AND EXPLAIN HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHEN BILLS GET PASSED AND A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE HAPPENS?

>> SOMETIMES WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE WEEDS AS LEGISLATURES.

YOU HAVE TO SEND IT ON THE HOUSE.

THEY HAVE STRUCTURES SET UP BY JURISDICTION.

LET’S USE TAXES.

SENATE TAX BEAUTY AND HOUSE TAX COMMITTEE WILL PASS AN OMNIBUS BILL, A BIG BILL AT THE END OF SESSION THAT COMBINES A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT BILLS INTO ONE PACKAGE TO THEN ULTIMATELY PASS OUT OF THEIR JURISDICTION OR COMMITTEE.

ALL THE DIFFERENT TAX PROPOSALS OR EDUCATION COULD BE ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

BOTH BODIES PASS THEIR BILL.

BECAUSE IT IS UNLIKELY BOTH BILLS WOULD BE THE SAME, YOU WOULD GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHERE CERTAIN MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE AND CERTAIN MEMBERS FROM THE SENATE ARE CHOSEN BY LEADERSHIP TO BE PART OF A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WHERE YOU NEGOTIATE OUT THE DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO BILLS.

TONY: THERE ARE 201 LEGISLATURES SO YOU WOULD BE HOW MANY?

>> SIX OR 10 PEOPLE.

IN THE TAX BILL, WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE TAX CUTS BUT THE TAX BILL IS ALWAYS THE LAST ONE THAT PASSES IS CONNECTED TO ALL POLICY IN THE STATE SO YOU CAN PUT ANYTHING IN A TAX BILL.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS, ULTIMATELY MANY TIMES THEY WILL PUT ALL THE POLICY THAT COULD NOT BE AGREED UPON IN OTHER BILLS INTO THE TAX BILL AND PASS IT AS A SOME SORT OF FINAL BILL.

TONY: THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.

A VIEWER EMAILED IN COMMITTEE NEITHER OF YOU ARE IN THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE BUT THIS QUESTION RELATES TO HOSPITALS.

MINNESOTA IS STATISTICALLY IS A HEALTH CARE LEADER WHEN FOCUSING ON QUALITY STATISTICS.

WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC QUALITY METRIC THAT WOULD REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO STAFF AT LEVELS THAT GO WITH DEMAND AND THERE IS A BILL OUT CALLED THE PATIENT CARE ACT AND THERE, AND IS PROFIT MARGINS ARE ABLE BREAKING EVEN AND BOTH OF YOU TALKED ABOUT THE TENUOUS NATURE OF HOSPITALS.

ARE EITHER OF YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE QUALITY INPATIENT CARE ACT OR COULD TALK MORE ABOUT HOW VULNERABLE POTENTIALLY OUR HOSPITALS ARE RIGHT NOW AND THE DECISIONS YOU MIGHT NEED TO MAKE IN BALANCING THE BUDGET?

>> YES.

RURAL HEALTH CARE IS AT A BREAKING POINT AND EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.

WE ARE LUCKY IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS FROM ELY AND VIRGINIA AND TWO HARBORS BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING AND FUNDING THE SERVICES AS BEST WE CAN.

I THINK WHAT THE QUESTION IS IS, HOW DO WE NOT JUST FIND HEALTH SYSTEMS BUT MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF ACTUALLY CARE FOR PATIENTS AND ARE SUPPORTED?

ONE THING WE HAVE DONE IN THE 23RD SESSION IS PASS A NURSING WORKFORCE STANDARDS BOARD, WHICH BROUGHT EMPLOYEES OF AN EQUAL NUMBER TO COME TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH WORKFORCE STANDARDS FOR NURSING HOMES.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IF YOU ADD MORE WORKERS TO ADD MORE COST.

IT’S A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR RURAL NURSING HOMES.

I SUPPORTED THE BILL BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE WORKERS HAD A VOICE AT THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE OUR ELDERS AND SENIORS ARE CARED FOR AT A LEVEL THAT IS NECESSARY BUT WHAT WE DID WITH THE BILL IS MADE IT SO THEY HAVE A STANDARD THAT IS PASSED AS A COMMITTEE AND IT GETS PAST OF THE LEGISLATURE TO SAY, NOW YOU HAVE TO FUND THIS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE THE STAFF FOR OUR NURSING HOMES, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO HELP FUND THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES WHATEVER IS NEEDED.

IF WE CANNOT DO THAT, THEY ULTIMATELY CANNOT CREATE A MANDATE TO INCREASE THE STAFFING LEVELS.

IT IS NOT GREAT IN TERMS OF THE COST IT INCURS BUT IT PUTS THE PRESSURE ON POLITICIANS TO PUT MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS.

IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND QUALITY NURSING HOME CARE, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE WORKERS HAVE A VOICE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND POLITICIANS ARE FUNDING IT AND THAT PUTS THE PRESSURE ON US AND THAT IS WHERE I WANT THE PRESSURE.

I WANTED ON POLITICIANS, NOT ON GRANDMA AND GRANDPA IN THE NURSING HOME.

>> THE SENATOR IS CORRECT ON ALL OF THAT.

THE NURSING HOME BOARD CAME BACK WITH SOME BIG NUMBERS AND FOR OBVIOUS REASONS WE ARE NOT RAISING ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

WE GOTTA LEARN HOW TO CUT.

THAT IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW.

WE HAVE A HOSPITAL IN GRAND MARAIS THAT IS TRYING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SURVIVE.

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THAT IS COOK COUNTY’S 5600 PEOPLE.

GRAND MARAIS SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BUT ONE MILLION PEOPLE VISIT AND EVERYONE EXPECTS THE SERVICE TO BE THERE WHEN YOU SHOW UP.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS NO HOSPITAL?

THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR NOW IS TRYING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO GET FUNDING.

ONE IS THROUGH -- ANYWAY, WE PRESENTED THE BILL AND WHEN I STARTED THERE WAS NO DEMOCRATS.

WHEN WE FINISHED THAT MORNING I HAD TWO DEMOCRATS COME TO ME, I WANT TO GET ON THE BILL BECAUSE WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS WHAT WE ALL NEED TO START DOING SO IT MAKES SENSE WHEN RURAL HOSPITALS ARE LIKE, THEY ARE GETTING TO NOTHING AND WE HAVE TO HELP.

IS IT GONNA CHANGE THE MAKEUP OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA?

YEAH, WITHOUT SOME OF THESE HOSPITALS, IT IS GONNA GET HARDER AND HARDER TO LIVE IN COMMUNITIES SO I WANT TO MAKE A POINT.

>> SO THAT BILL, TO BE CLEAR, CHANGES NURSING HOME BEDS TO SWING BEDS IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE IT IS A NURSING HOME HOSPITAL COMBINATION AND WHAT THAT DOES IS ALLOWS THEM TO GET MORE FEDERAL MATCH BACK TO THE MEDICAID, MEDICARE CHALLENGE FROM FEDERAL FUNDING WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

IT’S AN AGING POPULATION THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS BUT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL SO IT’S A GOOD CHANGE BUT UNCERTAINTY ON THE HORIZON.

>> A FEW QUESTIONS WITH ONLY A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

A LITTLE MORE RAPIDFIRE.

>> I WAS TOLD TO SAY NO TO ALL TAX QUESTIONS.

[LAUGHTER] >> WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT OMNIBUS BILLS, LARRY THINKS IT’S A BAD IDEA, EACH BILL SHOULD PASS OR FAIL ON ITS OWN AND NOT BE CONNECTED.

DO YOU SUPPORT THAT CONCEPT?

>> NOW.

I USED TO THINK, WE DO NOT NEED UNDER THIS BILLS -- ON THE BIS BILLS.

IT IS NOT USED RIGHT.

IF WE PASSED EVERY BILL THAT CAME OUT OF A COMMITTEE, THAT IS A FULL-TIME JOB.

YOU HAVE BEEN HERE, YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE WAY IT IS SET UP.

WHAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO, YEAH, THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

LAST YEAR, SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> EVERY BILL STANDING ON ITS OWN?

>> NO.

IT IS JUST NOT PRACTICAL.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE ASKING BUT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PACKAGE BILLS.

TONY: WE SPOKE ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR STEELWORKERS.

ANY PROGRESS?

>> WE WILL HAVE THE JOBS AND LABOR BILL IN THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEKEND I ANTICIPATE WE WILL VOTE ON THAT POLICY ON THE FLOOR IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> YEAH.

SAME.

TONY: OK. >> WE ARE TRYING TO ADD THOSE TWO WRITERS ON, I CAN NEVER REMEMBER THE, THE [INDISCERNIBLE] WE ARE TRYING TO PUT THAT ONTO IT SO WE WILL SEE WHERE IT GOES.

TONY: LAST QUESTION.

IN THE NEWS, HOCKEY HALL OF FAME AND ILLNESS, SOME FOLKS WANT TO MOVE IT DOWN TO THE METRO AREA.

SENATOR, YOU HAD A RALLY WITH OTHER LEGISLATURES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL BRIEFLY?

>> THERE WAS SOME BACKROOM CONVERSATION WITH THE U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM BOARD ABOUT POSSIBLY MOVING FROM EVELYN INTO ST. PAUL.

ONE CHALLENGE WAS IT WAS HAPPENING UNDER THE RADAR SO WE CALLED IT OUT AND HAD A RALLY AND DID AN AMENDMENT SO THAT NO STATE MONEY CAN BE USED IN THAT EFFORT.

WE NEED TO KEEP IT IN ITS RIGHT HOME.

HISTORY IS HISTORY AND WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT HOCKEY WAS FOUNDED ON THE IRON RANGE AND IT SHOULD STAY THERE AND I THINK ALL THE NORTHERN LEGISLATURES ARE IN UNISON ABOUT THAT.

>> I DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL FROM ST. PAUL, I WAS IN ST. PAUL YESTERDAY AND I GOT HOME LATE YESTERDAY AND I DID NOT MEET THE MEETING OR RALLY BUT I AM WITH THEM.

TONY: YOU BOTH REPRESENT THE SAME DISTRICT.

THE SENATOR, A LARGER DISTRICT, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, AGREED ON SOME THINGS TODAY AND STRONGLY DISAGREED ON OTHERS.

HOW DO YOU STAY IN A RELATIONSHIP OR HOW DOES THE RELATIONSHIP WORK WHEN YOU ARE ON DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENTING THE SAME PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES AGREE AND SOMETIMES DON’T?

>> YOU JUST SET IT.

WE REPRESENT THE SAME PEOPLE.

IT DOESN’T MATTER, WE REPRESENT THE PEOPLE.

MY IDEA OR HIS IDEA IS BETTER, WHATEVER MAJORITY IS BETTER, IT IS STILL THE SAME PEOPLE.

I CANNOT LOOK AT SOMEONE AND SAY, WELL YOU DID NOT VOTE FOR ME, I AM NOT GOING TO HELP YOU.

I REPRESENT ALL PEOPLE.

>> AND ON THAT POINT, YOU WILL NOT FIND A MORE MODERATE SENATOR AND A MORE MODERATE REPRESENTATIVE THAN US AND I THINK THAT SHOWS.

WE HAVE CROSS VIEWS ON DIFFERENT POLICIES AND IT REALLY SHOWS.

AND WE HAVE EACH OTHER’S CELL PHONE.

WE GET ALONG.

WE TALK TO EACH OTHER REGULARLY.

YOU WOULD BE THE -- AMAZED THE NUMBER OF DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS THAT DO NOT TALK TO EACH OTHER.

JUST COMMUNICATING AND GETTING ALONG GOES A LONG WAY WHEN IT PASSES POLICY -- IN PASSING POLICY THAT HELPS YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

TONY: THREE WEEKS LEFT FROM TOMORROW TO FINISH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

DO YOU GET DONE ON TIME?

>> NO.

>> YES.

>> I WISH WE WOULD.

BUT I THINK THEY WILL LEVERAGE A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN TO GET SOME HARDBALL NEGOTIATIONS ON THE TABLE AND UNFORTUNATELY I THINK WE WILL BE WORKING INTO OVERTIME.

TONY: I COULD GET A ONE-WORD ANSWER OUT OF YOU.

I TRIED.

[LAUGHTER] WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE THIS EVENING, ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND SHARING THEIR VIEWS.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT SUNDAY TO SPEAK WITH MORE MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.