>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> A LABOR SHORTAGE IN THE STATEMENT.

WE'LL TALK TO THE NEW HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ABOUT THAT AND MORE.

PLUS, ANALYSIS FROM ACE POLITICAL REPORTERS.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

A PAIR OF POLITICAL REPORTERS ARE HERE TO HELP ME ANALYZE ALL THE ACTION IN MINNESOTA POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT.

THE NEW HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE STATE WILL JOIN US, AND MEET A FRESHMAN LAWMAKER WHO'S A FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM A COMPETITIVE SUBURB.

BUT FIRST, IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BURNSVILLE SHOOTING, THE ISSUE OF GUN CONTROL HAS RESURFACED THIS SESSION.

GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES WITH THE STATE'S TOP ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PUSH FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS AFTER LAST SESSION THEY GOT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION FUNDING.

THIS YEAR, THEY'RE BACK, FOR MORE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE TRAGIC SHOOTING DEATHS OF BURNSVILLE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> MAKING THE INDICATION OF TURNING TRAGEDY INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE IN HIS NATION THAT WE LIVE WITH THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE WE HAVE.

HOW CAN WE SEE A HEADLINE THAT SAYS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF CHILDREN NOW IS GUN VIOLENCE?

>> WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER YOU DO, WHATEVER UNIFORM YOU WEAR TO WORK, YOU DESERVE TO LIVE SAFELY AND FREE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

WE'VE EXPERIENCED TOO MUCH IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

>> THESE AFFECT EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY IN OUR STATE.

CERTAINLY AFFECT MY NEIGHBORS AND MY COMMUNITY.

AND WE HAVE HEARD CALLS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, FROM NEIGHBORS, FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO HAVE CHANGES AND WHAT IS CHANGED OVER THOSE TIMES?

WELL, YOU ALL, RIGHT?

THE ORGANIZING YOU HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

>> Mary: AND THE HOUSE OVER OVERWHELMLY MASSED A IF I CAN TO THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BILL AFTER REACHING A COMPROMISE ON PRONE RESTRAINTS.

>> THERE BEING 124 AYES AND 8 NAYS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE AGREED TO.

>> A LOT OF THIS RIDE HAS BEEN A LITTLE BUMPY, IT'S BEEN ROCKY, BUT I WILL SAY THAT ANY BILL THAT YOU CARRY, THEY'RE OFTENTIMES WHEN THERE IS THE KIND OF PASSION THAT'S AROUND THIS ISSUE, PARTICULARLY AROUND OUR KIDS, AROUND OUR STUDENTS AND TAKING CARE OF THEM AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT SO THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE TO WORE ABOUT IS COMING TO SCHOOL AND GETTING A GOOD EDUCATION.

>> I AM SO RELIEVED WE'RE FINALLY COMING TO THE ENDS OF THE ROAD IN THIS BILL AND THAT WE CAN CHANGE OUR FOCUS AND GET ON TO THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE FIRST WEEK.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS BIPARTISAN BECAUSE WE WANT TO SET THIS RIGHT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A SOLUTION THAT CAN STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS STOOD IN SUPPORT OF THE DEAL AFTER MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, SAYING POLICE OFFICERS COULD NOW RETURN TO AS MANY AS 40 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WE ARE VERY, VERY GLAD THAT THIS WILL PROVIDE MORE SCHOOL SAFETY BY BRINGING OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS BACK TO THE SCHOOLS THAT CHOOSE TO HAVE THEM, PROVIDING MORE SAFETY FOR TEACHERS, FOR STAFF, AND FOR STUDENTS.

>> I KNEW THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BUILD TRUST WITH OUR STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND NO OTHER WAY HAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON THE STREETS.

>> Mary: A LOT OF ACTION AT THE CAPITOL AND MUCH MORE AHEAD.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF SESSION LEFT.

WE HAVE POLITICAL REPORTERS, SOME OF THE TOP PEOPLE UP HERE.

WE HAVE BRIANA BIERSCHBACH FROM THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND DANA FERGUSON FROM PUBLIC RADIO NEWS.

WE JUST CAME OFF SUPER TUESDAY AND WE CAN'T COMPLETELY FLYOVER COUNTRY BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF US IN OUR NEWS ORGANIZATIONS MADE SOME NATIONAL PRESS, AND IT WAS THE UNCOMMITTEDs AND WE'VE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE ACTIVIST BASE BEHIND UNCOMMITTEDs.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AND SEE FROM THAT?

>> IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING, THEY ONLY REALLY HAD A WEEK TO ORGANIZE BUT THEY TAPPED INTO A COMMUNITY, THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND SOMALI COMMUNITY IN MINNESOTA THAT'S BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR A LONG TIME AND REALLY A POLITICAL FORCE HERE AND THEY ALSO JOINED FORCES WITH A LOT OF PROGRESSIVE VOTERS -- >> Mary: BIGGER NUMBERS THAN MICHIGAN IN THE UNCOMMITTEDs, PERCENTAGE, THAT'S FASCINATING.

>> ALMOST 20% OF THE VOTE WHICH I DON'T THINK ANYONE EXPECTED AND THEIR HOPE WAS TO SEND A MESSAGE TO BIDEN ABOUT HIS POSITION IN THE WAR ON GAZA, WHICH I THINK THEY THINK THEY DID AND HOPING TO BUILD MOMENTUM IN OTHER STATES.

>> Mary: A COMMUNITY THAT'S REALLY GROWN IN NFLUENCE HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> WE'VE SEEN LAWMAKERS FROM THAT COMMUNITY AND ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE BY THE COMMUNITY.

A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE COME OUT SUPPORTING A CEASE FIRE IN ADDITION TO OTHERS WHO ARE ALLIES.

THERE WAS A GROUP HERE AT THE CAPITOL TODAY CALLING FOR A CEASE FIRE, TRYING TO REMIND LAWMAKERS AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS THAT WHAT'S GOING ON IN GADA HAS REAL IMPACT TO FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA.

THEY'VE LOST LOVED ONES AND THEY WANT TO SEE SOME ACTION AND THEY FEEL LIKE LAST NIGHT AS A GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Mary: REALLY INTERESTING.

SPEAKING OF NATIONAL NEWS, THE GOVERNOR WAS DOING SOME NATIONAL NEWS, BACK ON HIS FAVORITE STATION, CNN.

AGAIN, THAT ROFILE, YES, HE'S PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION BUT AREN'T WE ALL STILL WONDERING WHAT'S NEXT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HE'S RELATIVELY YOUNG FOR THIS JOB, HE HAS FAMILY THAT'S GOING OFF TO COLLEGE AND, YOU KNOW, HE COULD -- I COULD POTENTIALLY DO A NUMBER OF THING IN THE FUTURE, POSSIBLY, YOU KNOW, ELEVATE HIS NATIONAL PROFILE, GO TAKE A POSITION IN ADMINISTRATION OR SOMEWHERE IN D.C., OR HE COULD STAY HERE AND POTENTIALLY RUN OR ANOTHER TERM.

WE'VE HEARD THERE IS A LOT OF OPTIONS BEING CONSIDERED, BUT HE'S, YOU KNOW, IN THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS SECOND TERM SO HE'S GOT SOME TIME TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Mary: AN OLD-TIMER LIKE ME HAS SEEN ONE GOVERNOR TRY FOR A THIRD ERM BEFORE, GOVERNOR RUDY PERPICH, IT DIDN'T GO WELL.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A GOVERNOR TOY WITH THIS IN OUR REPORTING LIFETIME HERE, HAVE WE?

>> I HAVEN'T.

I'M NOT QUITE VETERAN ENOUGH TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THAT BEFORE BUT I THINK THERE IS A SENSE AMONG MINNESOTANS THAT ONCE YOU REACH THAT TWO-TERM MARK, UNLESS SOMEONE'S REALLY SPECTACULAR, YOU CALL IT ND LOOK NOR SOMEONE NEW.

WE'LL HAVE TO SKI IF THE GOVERNOR HAS RISEN ABOVE THAT, IF HE THINKS HE CAN MAKE IT AND IF THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER CHALLENGER WITHIN THE PARTY OR IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT COULD MOUNT A SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE.

>> HE'S RELATIVELY POPULAR RIGHT NOW AND HE DID SURVIVE HIS FIRST TERM UNDER COVID, WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF GOVERNORS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM AFTER THAT SO IF HE CAN MAINTAIN THAT, IT'S POSSIBLE, ANYTHING ASK POSSIBLE.

>> Mary: I ALWAYS SAY WHEN PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES SAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TERM LIMITS IN MINNESOTA BUT WE HAVE REALLY HIGH VOTER TURNOUT AND A REALLY ENGAGED ELECTORATE SO IT ALMOST CREATES A BUILT-IN TERM LIMITS WHEN PEOPLE ARE THAT ENGAGED.

THE OTHER IDEA I'LL FLOAT IF HE IS I WANTED IN A FEDERAL PROVISION, I HEARD A BIRDIE SAY EDUCATION SECRETARY MIGHT BE A NICE FIT.

>> THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE, YEAH, POTENTIALLY WITH VETERANS, AS WELL, AS A FORMER VETERAN, I COULD SEE ANY OF THOSE BEING A POSSIBILITY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: YOU TWO BOTH GOT TO COVER FLAG DAY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

WHICH IS ACTUALLY JUNE 14th, TECHNICALLY, MY DAUGHTER WAS BORN ON FLAG DAY SO I KNOW THAT BUT THERE WAS UNOFFICIAL FLAG DAY.

TALK ABOUT THAT REPORTING.

>> THIS WEEK, REPUBLICANS ROLLED OUT THEIR AGENDA WHICH THEY'VE BEEN PROMISING TO FOR A WHILE ON THE STATE FLAKE WHICH THEY WANT TO PUT IT UP FOR A VOTE OR AT LEAST PROPOSE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT SO THE PUBLIC CAN SAY YAY OR NAY.

>> Mary: THAT IS THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN ASK THE PUBLIC TO VOTES ON SOMETHING TO PUT IT IN THE CONSTITUTION WHICH IS A BIG TEAL.

>> THAT WOULD BE HARD BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE MAJORITY?

BOTH CHAMBERS AND YOU NEEDS A SIMPLE MAJORITIES.

THE DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T LOOKED LIKE THEY WANT TO CHANGE THE WORK.

>> NOT TO MENTION THERE'S THE ONE THAT BROUGHT THE REDESIGN PROCESS SO IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THE FOLKS WHO SET IN MOTION THIS CHANGE WOULD THEN WANT TO REVERSE IT, OR PUT IT UP TO A PUBLIC VOTE.

>> THE POMP NUMBERS AREN'T GREAT, THOUGH.

DO YOU HEAR ANY LAWMAKERS, ANY DEMOCRATS SAYING, UFF, MAYBE WE MESSED UP BECAUSE THE PUBLIC NUMBERS AREN'T GREAT.

>> ONE OF THE REPUBLICANS SAID HE HEARD THAT PRIVATELY.

THERE MIGHT BE SOME KIND OF COMPLAINING PRIVATELY AND THERE S COMPLAINING FROM THE PUBLIC.

I WILL SAY, ANY TIME A FLAG IS REDESIGNED, IN ANY EXAMPLE IN ANY COUNTRY, THERE IS A LOT OF GROUPING AT THE BEGINNING AND THEN PEOPLE USUALLY GET USED TO IT.

WE'LL SEE.

THERE IS TEST OF TIME WITH NIDHI SIGN.

>> I THINK IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT SOME OF THAT MIGHT SHOW UP ON LINE OR PEOPLE CAN GRIPE ABOUT SOMETHING BUT THAT JUST DIDN'T MANIFEST VERY WELL YESTERDAY.

THERE WERE ABOUT TWO DOZEN PEOPLE, NOT INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PRESS LIKE OURSELVES WHO WERE THERE TO REPORT ABOUT IT, SO FOLKS CAN HAVE STRONG FEELINGS BUT IF THERE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT IT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

>> Mary: THE ISSUE OF GUNS ARE BACK, BIG RALLY ON THE CAPITOL STEPS.

A BILL THAT'S MOVING ON TWO DIFFERENT GUN CONTROL MEASURES, WHAT DO WE THINK ON THAT THIS YEAR?

>> INTERESTING.

CLEARLY THEY'RE SCALING SORT OF DOWN THE -- I MEAN, THEY PASSED SOME HUGE MAJOR PROPOSALS LAST YEAR THAT THEY'VE BEEN WAITING TO TORE A LONG TIME, INCLUDING THE RED FLAG PROVISION AND BACKGROUNDS COLLECTION.

BUT THERE ARE PROVISIONS THEY THINK THEY CAN POTENTIALLY DO, SPECIFICALLY AROUND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

THEY'RE READY TO GO FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE BUT THEY HAVEN'T BROUGHT THEM YET SO MAYBE THEY'RE STILL CAUCUSING AND WHIPPING THOSE VOTES.

>> Mary: IS THE HOUSE WAITING FOR THE SENATE ON A COUPLE OF THINGS WITH THE ONE VOTE AND THE NEW LEADER TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET THINGS THROUGH, SCHOOL RESOURCE, GUN CONTROL?

>> I THINK THEY ARE HUNG UP BECAUSE OF THE NEWSPAPER IN THE SENATE AND HAVING THE FORMER MAJORITY LEADER NOT THERE 100% F THE TIME, AS SHE'S BATTLING HER ILLNESS, SO IT WILL BE A QUESTION IF THEY HAVE ALL OF THE DFL CAUCUS TOGETHER AND ABLE TO GET THOSE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

I WILL SAY, THEY ARE RELATIVELY MODERATE.

WE HEARD GUN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY, WE DON'T COMPLETELY DISAGREE, JUST MAYBE THIS IS NOT THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE GOAL THAT THEY ALL AVE. >> Mary: AND YOU JUST PREVIEWED MY FRIDAY "ALMANAC" FRIDAY.

>> I WANTED TO SETS IT UP FOR YOU.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, LADIES, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, MARY.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary: EMPLOYMENT NEWSPAPERS ARE DUE OUT TOMORROW FOR THE STATE, BROADBAND IS COMING, SO MUCH MORE HAPPENING IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH THE NEW COMMISSIONER, MATT VARILEK.

COMMISSIONER, WELCOME.

WE'LL STILL CALLING YOU NEW.

IT'S YOUR FIRST APPEARANCE ON ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL AND YOU HAD YOUR CONFIRMATION HEARING.

SMOOTH SAILING SO FAR?

>> WELL, I WAS HAPPY TO HAVE A GOOD HEARING AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MY CASE TO THE SENATE JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, AND HAPPY THAT THAT SEEMED TO BE WELL-RECEIVED AND WE'VE MADE SOME GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEMBERS OF THAT COMMITTEE ON BOTH SIGHTS OF THE AISLE AND GOT A POSITIVE VOTE.

>> YOU KIND OF WORE YOUR BIOGRAPHY ON YOUR SLEEVE WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING TALKING ABOUT HAVING A FREE LUNCH TICKET, TALKING ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS, TALKING ABOUT HOW, REALLY, ECONOMIC STIMULUS AND HELPED CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

SO HE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER THE GROWTH OF THE MINNESOTA ECONOMY FOR EVERYONE AND WHENEVER YOU'RE IN A JOB, YOU WANT TO MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY YOU CARE ABOUT THAT, WHY YOU MIGHT BE GOOD AT THE JOB, AND FOR ME, IT'S PARTLY BECAUSE I HAVE A PASSION FOR IT AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP IN A LOWER INCOME FAMILY AND NEEDED THE REDUCED SCHOOL PRICE LUNCHEONS AND FELT A LITTLE EMBARRASSMENT ABOUT IT WHEN I PUT IT OUT BUT WHEN I LOOK BACK, I REALIZE HOW FORTUNATE I WAS TO HAVE THAT HELPING HANDS AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FOLKS THAT SUPPORTED ME ALONG THE AY AND NOW I'M IN A POSITION, WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HELP TO OPEN THOSE DOORS FOR OTHERS SO THAT MORE MINNESOTANS CAN ENJOY MORE PROSPERITY.

>> AND WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO ROSS THE BORDER LIKE YOU DID.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LABOR SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT'S STILL REAL.

THERE IS A LOT OF INDUSTRY.

STATE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO START UP NEW AGENCIES, HE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY, THOUSANDS OF JOB OPENINGS.

HOW ARE YOU DOING AT RECRUITING AND GETTING MORE WORKERS TO COME TO MINNESOTA?

>> YEAH, WELL, WE'VE GOT A MULTI-FACETED STRATEGY.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, THAT IS A BIG PRIORITY.

FORTUNATELY THE ECONOMY IS VERY STRONG.

WE HAVE ADDED JOBS I THINK IN SIX MONTHS IN A ROW, I WANT TO SAY NINE OUT OF THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

THERE IS A LOT OF DEMAND FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, THE RECESSION THAT WE FEARED DID NOT MATERIALIZE.

THAT'S ALL GREAT.

BUT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS T CREATES THAT WORKFORCE CHALLENGE AND SO WE'RE DOING A VARIETY OF THINGS, INCLUDING FIRST TRYING TO MAXIMIZE ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN MINNESOTA FOR EXISTING MINNESOTANS TO PSKILL TO GET THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET HIGHER ED OR A CAREER COUNSELOR -- >> Mary: WHAT MAKES SOMEBODY MOVE?

>> IN THE SECOND PART OF IT IS THE MOVING.

WE WANT TO ADD MORE MINNESOTANS AND NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND PARTICULARLY COMING OFF THE HISTORIC LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF 2024, WHERE WE MADE BIG INVESTMENTS IN THINGS LIKE FREE COLLEGE FOR THOSE THAT ARE OF A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL, FEEDING KIDS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH, AND FOLKS AROUND THE COUNTRY DON'T HAVE TIME TO FOLLOW POLITICS IN QUITE THE SAME WAY THAT YOU DO AND SO WE NEED TO TELL THAT STORY WHICH IS WHY IT'S SO EXCITING THAT THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, FOLKS THAT EXPLORE MINNESOTA A CLOSE PARTNER OF D.E.E.D.

LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO TELL THE MINNESOTA STORY NOT ONLY IN ADJACENT STATES BUT BEYOND THE STAR OF THE NOR CAMPAIGN AND WE THINK THAT'S GOING TO HELP OPEN FOLKS' EYES TO THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

>> SO WE'RE REALLY RECRUITING ON OUR POLITICS AND POLICIES AND POLITICS IS SOMETHING YOU GET.

YOU WORKED IN POLITICS IN SOUTH DAKOTA.

TELL US ABOUT HOW THAT EXPERIENCE INFORMS THIS EXPERIENCE.

OR IS POLITICS ON THIS JOB.

>> WELL, THAT'S RIGHT, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CASE THAT THE PROGRAMS WE WANT TO DELIVER ARE WORTH THE VOTES OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT APPROVE THOSE BUDGETS AND SO WHERE I COME FROM, IT'S A RELATIONSHIP BUSINESS AND THAT'S CERTAINLY HOW I'VE EMPHASIZED -- >> Mary: TELL US WHO YOU WORKED FOR.

>> A COUPLE OF SENATORS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, TOM DASCHLE AND TIM JOHNSON, AN HONOR TO WORK WITH TIM NOW WITH GOVERNOR WALZ AND I THINK THEY'VE ALL SEEN THE IMPORTANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS.

THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE ASE FOR SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL RALLY AROUND.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE SUPPORT ACROSS THE AISLE, ET CETERA.

AND SO I'VE TRIED TO CARRY ON WITH FORGING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND THAT MEANS WE CAN THEN GET THE RESOURCES TO DO THINGS LIKE THE DRIVE FOR FIVE, WHICH IS A BIG INVESTMENT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN FIVE KEY SECTORS AND ON FROM THERE.

>> Mary: WORKFORCE TOMORROW, NEW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS, WHAT CAN WE ANTICIPATE?

NO MORE RECORDS, RIGHT?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE, THE INFO HAS TO REMAIN EMBARGOED BUILT I'LL SAY BIG PICTURE, WE'VE HAD REALLY GREATS GROWTH IN MINNESOTA FOR QUITE A PERIOD OF TIME NOW.

YOU SAW THAT IN THE BUDGETS AND ECONOMIC FORECAST THAT MMB AND THE GOVERNOR DID RECENTLY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE DOLLARS AND CENTS OF THE STATE BUDGETS BUT WHAT THAT ALL -- >> Mary: STATE ECONOMIST DID SAY WE'RE DONE WITH RECORDS LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, JUST TO QUOTES HER.

>> YOU PROBABLY REALLY DON'T WANTS TO HAVE THE A NUMBER ONE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY, IT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH WHEN YOU HAVE THAT DEMAND BUT EMPLOYERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE TALENT THEY NEED.

SO WE HAVE A STRONG MACRO ECONOMY YOU SEE IN THE FORECAST.

>> Mary: QUICK LAST ISSUE, BROADBAND.

>> JUST AUPS NOD, $53 MILLION IN INVESTMENTS BECAUSE AS MUCH AS LOTS OF THE STATE ALREADY HAS GREATS BROADBAND SERVES, IT'S AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY JUST LIKE ELECTRICITY WAS IN A DIFFERENT ERA AND STILL IS, OF COURSE, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT TODAY, YOU CAN'T NOT ONLY ENGAGE IN ENTERTAINMENT ON LINE BUT IF YOU'RE A STUDENT, YOU CAN'T ENGAGE IN ONLINE LEARNING.

>> Mary: WORK, WORKFORCE, RIGHT?

>> WORKFORCE, TELEMEDICINE, PRECISION AGRICULTURE, ALL THOSE REASONS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO PUT FEDERAL DOLLARS, STATE DOLLARS AND PRIVATE DOLLARS IN TOGETHER TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> Mary: OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

APPRECIATE THAT.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER ISN'T AFRAID TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE, AND THE REPUBLICAN IS FROM A COMPETITIVE SUBURB WHERE A BIPARTISAN APPROACH MATTERS.

THE QUESTION WE START WITH EVERYONE, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RETURN FOR OFFICE?

>> HONESTLY, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SOMEBODY THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE MADE SOME DECISIONS AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER, AS A CITY COUNCILMEMBER IN A SMALL CITY AND THEY SAID, YOU MADE THESE DECISIONS TO REPRESENT YOUR CITY.

YOU TOOK SOME HEAT FOR IT AND A FEW OTHER CITIES BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT'S WILLING TO STAND UP FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

GOT TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH EVERYBODY AND IT'S OKAY TO, YOU KNOW, VOTE WITH THE MAJORITY, IT'S OKAY TO VOTE WITH THE MINORITY AS LONG AS YOU EXPLAIN YOURSELF AND YOU MAKE YOURSELF ACCESSIBLE SO THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS JOB TO ME IS SO MUCH PUBLIC SERVICE VERSUS -- I'M NOT THE MOST POLITICAL PERSON, I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN KNOCKING ON THOSE DOORS TO TALK TO PEOPLE IF SOMETHING COMES TO ME AND I HAVE TO VOTE ON IT, I HAVE TO KNOW WHERE MY COMMUNITY WANTS ME TO BE.

>> Mary: YOUR COMMUNITIES IS COMPETITIVE, POLITICALLY, IS THAT FAIR?

>> IT'S ONE OF THE FEW SEATS THAT I HAVE, YOU KNOW, A DFL SENATOR AND I HAVE A DFL COUNTERPART ON THE OTHER SIDE, MAKES MY JOB MORE DIFFICULT BUT IT MAKES IT MUCH MORE REWARDING.

>> Mary: NOT A TON OF REPUBLICANS WON IN COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS WITH I ADFL SENATOR LIKE YOU.

>> I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 11 CITIES AND SO TO REALLY GET IN THERE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE OF THE COMMUNITY AND, YEAH, YOU CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE OVER-ARCHING EDUCATION, AFFORDABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH, BUT YOU'RE LSO LOOKING WITHIN YOUR PARTICULAR DISTRICT, YOU KNOW, THOSE HIGHWAY 7 SAFETY, YOU KNOW, THE PARKS AND TRAILS IN EXCELSIOR, CLEAN WATER ISSUES, I MEAN, ENVIRONMENT, I'VE GOT A BIG BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN LAKE MINNETONKA HERE AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO PROTECT THAT LAKE BOTH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES AND FOR ECONOMIC PURPOSES.

>> Mary: YOU TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, I THINK LOOKING AT YOUR VOTING RECORD AND SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU WORKED ON, SEEMS LIKE YOU WERE ABLE TO ACTUALLY MAKE FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE, BE BIPARTISAN.

THAT'S HARD, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

I EAN, YOU KNOW, I WENT IN, AGAIN, NO IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN THE MAJORITIES, IN THE MINORITY.

I HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING, OH, MY GOSH, THE PACE, I'VE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS AND 30 YEARS, OH, ISN'T THIS NORMAL?

BECAUSE THIS WAS ALL I KNOW.

I ASSUMED THAT WAS THE CASE AND, YOU KNOW, AS BILLS CAME THROUGH COMMITTEE, I SAW OPENINGS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, I THINK OPERATIONALLY, WE CAN DO THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND I HAD SOME SUCCESS, YOU KNOW, I GOT SOME, YOU KNOW, AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED, I GOT SOME BILLS PASSED.

>> Mary: WHAT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WAS SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT BIPARTISAN WORK YOU WERE ABLE TO DO?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR ME, I THINK WE WERE 60, 70 AMENDMENTS IN AND THEY WEREN'T TAKING ANY AND THEN I WORKED REALLY HARD WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND ENDED UP GETTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TAKEN.

SO PEOPLE WOULD KIND OF GO, HEY, IF YOU WANT TO GETS AMENDMENTS DONE, TALK TO MYERS, MAYBE HE CAN GET 'EM DONE.

SOMETHING SMALL, ON SICK AND SAFE TIME, PAID FAMILY LEAVE BUT I'M TRYING TO FIND THOSE AREAS THAT I CAN DO IT.

ANOTHER ONE WAS I CHIEF-AUTHORED THE KEEP IT CLEAN BILL WHICH, AGAIN, VERY SIMPLE CONCEPT THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR LITTER LAWS ARE NOT BEING ENFORCE >> ON OUR WATERS AND FROZEN LAKES, WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME IF LAKE MINNETONKA, POSTED ON DNR, BUILT THINK CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

SO I WENT TO CHAIR HANSEN, HE SAID, YEP, LOVE THE IDEA, GIVE ME A COMMITTEE HEARING AND NOW DNR IS ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, WRITE TICKETS TO PEOPLE.

>> I SAT ON BONDING, I HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHAIR LEE.

YOU KNOW, SOME -- OVER THERE, HE'S A FRESHMAN, AS WELL.

REPRESENTATIVE REYER, YOU'RE TESTIFYING SHARING WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU AND HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

I WENT UP TO, YOU KNOW, CHAIR LEE'S OFFICE SEVERAL TIMES, SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND SAID, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN FROM YOU A LITTLE BIT HOW THE PROCESS WORKS, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO MY COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: AND YOU GOT SOME OF THE THINGS IMPORTANT TO YOUR COMMUNITY, DIDN'T YOU?

I MEAN, THAT WAS PRETTY SUCCESSFUL.

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE A -- DEFINITELY HAVE WATER ISSUE IN ONE OF MY COMMUNITIES, MOUND, THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE PREVIOUS REP MADE IT A PRIORITY, AS WELL, AND I THINK THERE WERE LOOKING FOR FUNDS FOR FOUR YEARS AND I ENDED UP GETTING $10.3 MILLION TO ADDRESS THAT CLEAN WATER.

>> Mary: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST SURPRISE NOW THAT YOU DO HAVE A SESSION UNDER YOUR BELT?

>> IT'S OKAY TO NOT BRING TO THE LEGISLATURE SOME SORT OF EXPERTISE OR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BUT IF YOU DO THAT, YOU'VE GOT TO BRING HUMILITY AND SAY, YOU KNOW -- I'LL USE AN EXAMPLE.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, YOU KNOW, I'M AN ATTORNEY, YOU KNOW, MEDIATOR, DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS BUT WHEN IT CAME TO EDUCATION, YEAH, I HAVE FOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL BUT I'M NOT AN EXPERT.

SO WHAT DID I DO, I TALKED TO MY SUPERINTENDENTS, PRINCIPALS, I SAID, WELL, YOU GUYS ARE THE EXPERTS, YOU GUYS ARE RUNNING VERY LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WE SHOULD BE LEADING WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND WHAT I SAW FROM SESSION WAS I THINK A LOT OF THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND WERE LEFT OUT.

I THINK THAT THERE WAS SOME HUMILITY THAT WAS MISSED AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PUBLIC SERVICE AND LESS POLITICS.

>> WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT THE KINDS OF WORLD THAT I WANTED MY SON TO GROW UP IN, YOU KNOW, AND THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED TO BETTER SUPPORT YOUNG FAMILIES, I FELT LIKE I HAD TO USE EVERY MECHANISM THAT I HAD TO MAKE CHANGE FOR HIM WHEN I THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND THE WORLD THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GROW UP IN.

BUT IT'S INCREDIBLY HARD, BEING A YOUNG PARENT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I TALK ABOUT IT A LOT, RIGHT.

I DON'T HINK THESE POSITIONS WERE ECESSARILY CREATED FOR PARENTS TO BE THERE, RIGHT?

SO THEY WERE NOT CREATED FOR MOMS TO BE THERE AND I FEEL REALLY LUCKY TO COME IN AT THE TIME THAT I DID WHERE THERE'S MORE MOMS, THERE'S MORE YOUNGER PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WE ARE WORKING TO CHANGE SOME OF THE SYSTEMS, RIGHT?

I WAS LUCKY TO SERVE IN THE HOUSE WHICH AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN DRINK WATER ON THE FLOOR.

>> MARY: WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH LEADERS OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE AND MN I.T.

COMMISSIONER TAREK TOMES.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PART OF OUR SHOW, INTERACT WITH US ON Facebook AND X.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH AN ASSOCIATE FROM HARVARD'S CENTER FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN RESEARCH, THEY'LL HEAR FROM A POLITICAL PANEL, AND I'LL TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT NEW GUN CONTROL RESTRICTIONS RESURFACING AT THE CAPITOL, GETTING PERSPECTIVES PRO AND CON.

THAT’S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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