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

>> ERIC: ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'LL TALK PUBLIC SAFETY, U OF M PRESIDENT JOAN GABEL JOINS US, KEVIN KLING IS IN THE HOUSE, AND MARY LAHAMMER IS HERE TOO.

>> Mary: THE SPECIAL SESSION IS DONE AFTER A DUSTUP OVER THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSIONERS IN A WEEK FULL OF TWISTS AND TURNS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ASKED US IF WE WERE TAKE UP COMMISSIONERS.

>> THE FACT THAT WE ARE EXTENDING THIS SPECIAL SESSION FOR THIS PURPOSE IS FRANKLY AN ABUSE OF THIS PROCESS.

>> Mary: HAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ ♪ ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: IT'S BEEN A BUSY SUMMERTIME WEEK.

WE'LL TALK POLITICS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND MORE IN THE NEXT HOUR.

CATHY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

HERE TO HELP ME HOLD DOWN THE FORT IS MARY LAHAMMER.

>> MARY: THANKS, ERIC.

WE START TONIGHT WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

A DEADLY POLICE PURSUIT IN MINNEAPOLIS IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF CONCERNS REGARDING THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT'S INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT COMES AFTER THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A PUBLIC SAFETY BILL THAT FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS IN MANY COMMUNITIES.

NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG IS A LONGTIME COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND ATTORNEY WHO HAS BEEN OUTSPOKEN ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

WELCOME BACK.

AND YOU'VE BEEN A BUSY WOMAN AGAIN TODAY.

TELL US ABOUT, YOU WERE WITH THE FRAZIER FAMILY, THE VICTIM IN THIS HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING AND THE FAMILY?

>> YES, AND SO THE AMILY IS REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEYS JEFF STORMS AND BEN CRUMP AND TODAY THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE ALONG WITH THE FAMILY AND WE ARE CALLING FOR THE FIRING OF THE OFFICER WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEADLY HIGH-SPEED CHASE THAT KILLED LARNELLE FRAZIER.

WE ARE ALSO CALLING UPON THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON OR A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE OR BRING CHARGES IF APPROPRIATE.

>> Mary: ANY REACTION YET?

>> WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANY REAL REACTION YET AND THIS IS A PART OF A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE VIOLENCE THAT HAPPENS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

UNTO FORTUNATELY, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE SLOW TO TAKE ACTION, EVEN THOUGH WE SEE THE PATTERNS LIKE THIS HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IT'S VERY DISTRESSING.

DID CHANGE ITS POLICY FORY- HIGH-SPEED CHASES.

AND I'M WONDERING IF WE KNOW YET IN THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT VIOLATED THOSE POLICIES.

>> WE ELIEVE THAT THIS INCIDENT VIOLATED THOSE POLICIES, BECAUSE OFFICERS ARE SUPPOSED TO WITHDRAW FROM PURSUIT, ESPECIALLY IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

AND THIS OFFICER AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE AID AN ALLEGED SUSPECT WHO GOT AWAY ANYWAY, AND IT RESULTS IN THE LOSS OF LIFE OF AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER AND IN THIS CASE, THE BYSTANDER IS LARNELLE FRAZIER WHO IS THE UNCLE OF DARNELLA FRAZIER, THE THEN 17 YEAR OLD WHO TOOK THE WORLDWIDE VIDEO SEEN AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Mary: SO HOW'S THE FAMILY DOING?

THIS IS ANOTHER TRAUMA?

>> IT IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF TRAUMA.

THE FAMILY WEPT THROUGHOUT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW LARNELLE FRAZIER WAS THE MAN OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND HOW HE TOOK CARE OF EVERYONE AROUND HIM AND HOW HE WILL BE MISSED AND LOVED AND HE WAS LOVED AND THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANSWERS.

THEY STILL HAVEN'T BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE HIS BODY EVEN THOUGH HE WAS KILLED ON TUESDAY.

>> Eric: LET'S ALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL, THE CRIME BILL THAT PASSED THE LEGISLATURE.

THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE SIDE OF THE COMMITTEE SAID THAT THE BILL CREATES MOVEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, DO YOU AGREE?

>> NO, THEY'RE FULL OF IT.

AND I HATE TO PUT IT SO BLUNTLY, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THAT LED TO A WORLDWIDE OUTCRY FOR USTICE.

WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN TERMS OF PASSING POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BILLS.

THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BILL THAT WAS A PART OF THIS MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE WAS SO-CALLED PLILS POLICE REFORM, BUT VERY WATERED DOWN.

>> Eric: PAUL YSAYE, THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO APPROVE ANYTHING IN THE SENATE THAT WOULD BE TERMED ANTI--POLICE.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT STANCE?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT PAUL YSAYE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAS SHOWN HIS LACK OF ATTENTIVENESS TO ISSUES THAT IMPACT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

HE HAS ANTAGONIZED THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR.

ON THE DAY IN WHICH WE MEMORIALIZED GEORGE FLOYD, ON MAY 25TH OF 2021, THERE WERE PLENTY OF CELEBRATIONS THAT HAPPENED.

PAUL GAZELKA POSTED A VIDEO ON TWITTER ANTAGONIZING OUR COMMUNITY AND TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR MORE POLICE AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND TALKING ABOUT THE VIOLENCE THAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT THERE IS VIOLENCE THAT HAS GONE ON, AND WE HAVE ASKED FOR SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF ECONOMIC RELIEF FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENCY.

THEY NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE AND TREAT PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY WHEN THEY DO HAVE TO CALL 911.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING.

>> Mary: SO WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM THE SENATE?

I KNOW SENATOR GAZELKA WOULD SAY HE HAS BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND REACHED OUT TO BUSINESS OWNERS IN PARTICULAR IN THE AFTERMATH OF GLOID FLOYD AND WE HAD SENATOR LIMMER SAYING HE INSIDES TO GET INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PLANS TO DO SO.

WHAT SHOULD THEY BE DOING?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SENATOR GAZELKA IS I ATTEMPTING TO POSITION HIMSELF TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

IT IS NOT ABOUT HELPING OUR COMMUNITY.

LAST YEAR MY HUSBAND AND I AND NORTH MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS GOT ON A BUS WITH SENATOR GAZELKA AND WE TOURED NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AND THE AFTERMATH OF THE UPRISING.

WE SHOWED HIM THE DI LAP DATED BUILDINGS AND CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE LACK OF JOBS AND RESOURCES.

THAT WAS A YEAR AGO.

HE HAS DONE NOTHING SINCE THAT TIME TO COME TO AID OUR COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, INSTEAD, HE HAS ANTAGONIZED US.

IF HE WERE SERIOUS ABOUT ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES, HE WOULD ENSURE JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> Eric: JUST A MINUTE LEFT.

I THINK YOU HAVE VOWED TO BE PROTESTING AT LEGISLATORS' HOMES?

THIS SUMMER?

IS THAT PRODUCTIVE?

>> WELL, I VOWED TO PULL UP WHEREVER WE NEED TO PULL UP.

AND THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE HOMES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE NEW OFFICES, IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND WHEN WE GO TO THE HOMES OF THOSE IN POSITIONS OF POWER, WE LAY OUT OUR CASE FOR THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO SEE.

IF THEY WANT TO COME OUTSIDE AND ENGAGE US, WE'RE HAPPY TO ENGAGE THEM.

BUT AT THE END OF HE DAY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW UP AND KNOCK ON THEIR DOORS JUST AS THEY SHOW UP AND KNOCK ON OUR DOORS WHEN THEY'RE ASKING FOR OUR VOTE.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK IT'S BEEN EFFECTIVE?

>> I ABSOLUTELY THINK IT'S BEEN EFFECTIVE.

WE WENT TO THE HOME OF THE ATTORNEY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE PROSECUTION OF KIM POTTER, THE COP WHO KILLED DAUNTE WRIGHT IN BROOKLYN CENTER AND WE DEMANDED THAT HE TURN THE CASE OVER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THAT HE BRING MURDER CHARGES AND AFTER PROTESTING AT HIS HOME FOUR TIMES, THE CASE WAS THEN RETURNED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Eric: NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG, THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU GET.

YOU BET.

♪ >> ERIC: THE WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN IS NEARLY COMPLETE.

REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE UNHAPPY WITH THE U.S. PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COVID VACCINES TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

AND TEXAS IS AGAIN TACKLING ELECTION REFORMS THAT WOULD LIMIT VOTING ACCESS.

SOUNDS LIKE POLITICAL SCIENTIST DUO TIME.

DAVID SCHULTZ IS A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEGAL STUDIES AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

CYNTHIA RUGELEY JOINS US VIA WEBCAM.

SHE HEADS UP THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DULUTH.

PROFESSOR ROUGELY PUT YOUR TEXAS HAT FOR A MINUTE AND TELL S ABOUT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AND THEIR VOTING BILL THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON AND IF IT'S A MICROCOSM OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> IT IS A MICROCOSM OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN A LOT OF RED STATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

TEXAS HAS ONE OF THE MOST RESTRICTIVE VOTING LAWS IN THE COUNTRY AND IT ALSO HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST PARTICIPATION RATES.

WHAT THIS BILL, AND I MEAN, IT'S GOTTEN BETTER SINCE THE SPECIAL SESSION, BUT WHAT THE BILL SSENTIALLY WOULD DO IS SAY THINGS IKE, LIMIT THE NUMBER OF DAYS YOU CAN HAVE EARLY VOTING, DO AWAY WITH DROP BOXES.

DO AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND PUT NEW IDENTIFICATION STANDARDS ON THOSE.

IT'S KIND OF AN ODD THING BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP WON BY -- WHEN THEY HAD MORE MAIL-IN VOTING, MORE EARLY VOTING, IN THE MOST RECENT ELECTION, PRESIDENT TRUMP WON BY MORE THAN HE DID IN 2016 IN TEXAS.

SO IT'S OBVIOUSLY MORE OF JUST A POLITICAL MOVE THAN SOMETHING THAT THEY THINK WOULD MAKE ANY KIND OF DIFFERENCE.

>> Mary: YEAH, PROFESSOR SCHULTZ, THESE BILLS BEING BACKED BY REPUBLICANS, DO THEY NECESSARILY HELP REPUBLICANS?

JUST SOUNDS LIKE THERE WAS A CASE THAT IT DOESN'T.

>> THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HELP REPUBLICANS.

I THINK S SHE POINTED OUT HERE, IN MANY CASES, WE LOOK AT, WHAT, 70 MILLION PEOPLE WHO STILL VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP.

REPUBLICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY STILL DID VERY WELL.

AT THE SENATE LEVEL, THEY ALMOST TOOK BACK THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND SO THIS IS KIND OF, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S THE PROVERBIAL, YOU'RE MAD AT SOMETHING, YOU KICK SOMETHING AND YOU BLAME EMERGENCY ROOM VOTING OR YOU BLAME THE VOTING LAWS, YOU KNOW, FOR THE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

BUT I WAS JUST MENTION AND SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S BECOME SCARY ABOUT SORT OF THE TEXAS LAW IS THAT WHAT THE SUPREME COURT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ISSUING A COUPLE OF DECISIONS REGARDING THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, THEY'RE OUT OF THE GAME OF PROTECTING VOTING RIGHTS.

CONGRESS CAN'T RENEW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THE ONLY TIME VOTING RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE EVER BEEN EXPANDED OR PROTECTED IS WHEN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT COMES IN.

LARGELY, WE'RE LEAVING STATES BACK TO DO WHAT THEY WANT AND WITH WHEN STATES ARE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, THEY GENERALLY RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS.

>> Mary: AND HOW WIDESPREAD IS IT?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO THE BREN YAN CENTER, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE COUNT IS, IT'S LOSE TO 500 DIFFERENT BILLS IN 42 DIFFERENT STATES.

EVERYTHING APPROXIMATELY.

AND SO FAR A SMALL NUMBER HAVE PASSED.

THERE'S BEEN A FEW THAT HAVE EXPANDED IT.

BUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT IS WHAT?

IT'S A PARTISAN DIVIDE ON VOTING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THAT.

AND IN THE APPROXIMATELY 25 STATES WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE TRIFECTA, HOLD BOTH HOUSES PLUS THE GOVERNORSHIP, WE'RE GOING TO SEE BY THE END OF YEAR A LOT OF BILLS RESTRICT VOTING RIGHTS.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR ROUGELY, WHAT'S THE OUTLOOK FOR THAT DUAL TRACK PROCESS THAT THE PRESIDENT'S UP TO WITH THE -- SORT OF THE BRICKS AND MORTAR BILL, INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, AND THEN WHAT HE CALLS THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

HOW'S THAT PROGRESSING IF IT IS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS.

I THINK HAT THERE WAS A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS THAT CAME ALONG AND DEALT ITH THE -- AND AGREED ON THE COMPROMISE BILL THAT PRETTY MUCH JUST LIMITED WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT I'M IS A ANOTHER SURE THAT THEY EVER HAD THE TEN REPUBLICAN VOTES NECESSARY ON THAT.

I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE IT COME TO A VOTE AND THEN AFTERWARDS TRY TO GET IT THROUGH WITH BUDGET RECONCILIATION.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG PRICE TAG THAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON IT.

BUT I DO THINK IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY HIGH.

I WOULD -- RIGHT NOW, IT SEEMS TO BE STALLED.

I THINK THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH MOVEMENT ON IT.

>> Mary: YEAH, IS THIS THE BIPARTISAN VICTORY THAT THE PRESIDENT TOUTED INITIALLY?

>> HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT BE THAT BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

[ Laughter ] AND I'M NOT SURE THAT YOU CAN GET A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

I MEAN, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE NO SECRET OF THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY JUST SOON NOTHING GET DONE SO THAT, YOU KNOW, HE -- THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> Eric: AND HOW MUCH TIME, PROFESSOR SCHULTZ, DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE BEFORE THE 2022 PS2022CYCLE STARTS?

>> IT'S ALREADY OVER.

HE GOT THROUGH THE BIG RELIEF BILL ON RECONCILIATION.

SINCE THEN, IT'S ALL BEEN GRIDLOCK.

IT'S ALL BEEN ABOUT 2022.

THIS IS THE BILL, I WAS GOING TO SAY, THAT HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT AND SAY WE HAD THE BIPARTISAN BILL, BUT THE REPUBLICANS PULLED OUT.

AND SO I THINK AT THIS POINT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO START TO SEE IS OTH SIDES SORT OF TRYING TO SCORE POINTS AS THEY'RE MOVING TOWARDS 2022.

IN TERMS OF, WHAT, MOBILIZING THEIR BASES?

AND THOSE TWO OR THREE SWING VOTERS THAT ARE LEFT IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Mary: WHAT DOES THE PRESIDENT DO INSTEAD?

AND ONE MAKING SOME BIG NEWS TODAY, YOU KNOW, SAYING IT'S MAYBE ONE OF THE BIGGER ANTITRUST MOVEMENTS SINCE ROOSEVELT.

ONE THING I HEAR RESONATING A LOT IS HEARING AIDS, THE COST OF HEARING AIDS ARE GOING TO GO AY DOWN AND BE AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING TOO.

THAT I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO GO DOWN FROM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, THAT YOU CAN JUST PICK 'EM UP FOR FAR LESS.

AND YOU CAN'T DENY THAT THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE POPULAR.

HE'S GOING TO TRY TO DO MORE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

I THINK THAT PHILOSOPHICALLY, HE DOESN'T WANT TO OVERDO IT.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT HE REALLY IS NOT A BIG FAN OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

I MEAN, HE STILL HAS HIS ROOTS IN THE SENATE.

BUT I THINK HE ALSO KNOWS THAT HE'S GOT TO USE 'EM IF HE'S GOING TO GET ANYTHING DONE.

>> Mary: PROFESSOR SCHULTZ, ARE WE GOING TO SEE THIS BE THE GROWING MECHANISM?

>> IT HAS BEEN, AND PRESIDENTS REALLY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROOM TO DO THINGS BY EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN CHART OVER TIME IS THAT THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, HOW PARTISAN CONGRESS IS, AND HOW LITTLE LEGISLATION GETS PASSED T THIS POINT.

AND I MENTION THIS BECAUSE FOR EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO EFEND THE FILIBUSTER RULE AND SAY THE FILIBUSTER FORCES COMING PROMISE TOGETHER.

THE MORE THREATENED FILIBUSTERS THERE ARE, THERE'S ACTUALLY BEEN WHAT?

LESS COMPROMISE AND LESS LEGISLATION PASSED BECAUSE WHY?

THE FILIBUSTER BASICALLY MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SAY, MY WAY OR HIGHWAY, HUH?

AND SO THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS SWIMMING OUT HERE THAT THE DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE, THAT BIDEN WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE, BUT GOING BACK TO YOUR QUESTION HERE, I THINK THAT WINDOW HAS ALREADY CLOSED AT THIS TIME.

>> Mary: SO DO YOU THINK THIS WAS KIND OF A POPULIST MOVE ON HIS PART.

SOME OF THE DETAILS IN THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS?

>> YEAH, I DO.

MUCH IN THE SAME WAY THAT WHEN TRUMP WAS PRESIDENT, HE ISSUED A LOT OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO LIKE SYMBOLIC AND BIDEN'S GOING TO HAVE A COUPLE OF THAT CAN MOVE THE LEVER A LITTLE BIT, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, YOU REALLY CAN'T MAKE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE WITH EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

I MEAN, LOOK, FOR EXAMPLE, OBAMA TRIED.

BIDEN'S TRYING TO DO STUFF WITH GUNS.

THE LEG IS SO CLEAR AND SO SOLIDIFIED, AGAIN, IF I CAN USE THE WORD MANEUVERING ROOM, YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT.

>> Eric: FOCUS GROUPS, PROFESSOR RIEWKLY, I WAS LOOKING AT SOME RESULTS THIS WEEK AND SOUNDED LIKE G.O.P.

VOTERS WERE TURNED ON BY DEFUND THE POLICE, GOT THEM FIRED UP AND THE DEMOCRAT VOTERS GOT FIRED UP WHEN THE PHRASE WAS TAX THE RICH.

IS THAT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE REDUCED TO HERE?

>> WELL, I THINK THE REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO RUN ON CULTURAL ISSUES, AYING THAT, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS ARE NOT -- THEY'RE JUST NOT LIKE US.

I THINK THAT DEMOCRATS, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY DO CONTROL GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW, WOULD LIKE TO RUN ON POLICY SAYING, LOOK WHAT WE'VE DONE.

AND SO I THINK WHAT YOU SEE THE DEMOCRATS SAY IS WE DID THIS AND REPUBLICANS JUST WOULDN'T LET US GET THROUGH WITH IT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THE APPROACH.

BUT EVEN IN THE LAST ELECTION, I THINK THAT THOSE CULTURAL ISSUES WERE WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WERE TRYING TO DRIVE HOME, THAT, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS, THEY'RE JUST NOT LIKE US.

THEY DON'T GET US.

AND IT SEEMED TO WORK INTO MOBILIZING A REPUBLICAN BASE.

>> Mary: SO IS THIS GOING TO BE A LOW TURNOUT ELECTION COMING?

>> I DON'T THINK NECESSARILY THINK IT'S GOING TO BE, 2022.

I THINK THE BASES ARE HOT AND BOTHERED ON BOTH SIDES AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THE ISSUES ARE PRETTY PRIME.

I THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO STILL BE A SURPRISINGLY HIGH TURNOUT AND WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE, DESPITE THE LAWS THAT ARE BEING DEBATED HERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EARLY VOTING.

>> Eric: I HEAR THE BELL.

CLASS DISMISSED.

THANK YOU, BOTH.

♪ ♪ >> SO A FEW YEARS BACK, I WAS DRIVING ACROSS NORTHERN MINNESOTA, LISTENING TO A POLKA ON THE RADIO.

I LOVE POLKA.

+-L ANY SONG CAN BE A POLKA SONG.

"ABC, EASY AS ONE AND A-TWO AND A-THREE."

ANYWAY, A WEATHERMAN COMES ON AND SAYS, "THOR'S HAMMER MAY WAKE YOU UP TONIGHT, BUT THEN YOU CAN CHECK THE RIBS IN THE SMOKER.

AND BY MORNING, DAWN, WITH HER ROSE-RED FINGERS, WILL COLOR THE SKY FOR THE TOWN PICNIC."

OKAY, I GET IT.

SO IT'S GOING TO RAIN.

BUT IT'LL BE NICE FOR THE PICNIC, AND HE'S BRINGING THE RIBS.

SO I ALREADY LIKE THIS GUY.

OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HEARD HIM SEVERAL TIMES.

THE WEATHER ALWAYS RANGES BETWEEN "NOT TOO BAD" TO "COULD BE WORSE."

BUT THERE IS ALWAYS MORE.

RAIN HE CALLS A GAME OF INCHES AND SNOW IS A GAME OF FEET.

BEFORE A FEBRUARY COLD SNAP, HE SAID, "WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO PAY OFF THAT LOAN WE TOOK OUT IN JUNE."

SEASONS CHANGE FROM HOTDISH TO SALADS.

CLOUDS ARE AS SOFT AS A KITTEN'S WHISPER, AND PEOPLE THAT GO SOUTH FOR THE WINTER ARE CALLED BI-POLAR.

A BLANKET OF SNOW COULD BE: A RESPITE, A COMEUPPANCE, A LOVE LETTER.

ONE JULY, HE SIMPLY CRIED OUT, "OH, THE HUMIDITY."

AND AFTER A BLIZZARD, "NOW IS THE WINTER ON THIS CONTINENT."

HE IS SNOW-STRADAMUS, THE FOG-NOSTICATOR, AND ARCTIC-BLAST-PHEMER.

FOR HIM, WEATHER IS LIFE.

WEATHER IS PERSONAL.

AND LIKE ANY GOOD TEACHER, DOCTOR, OR PASTOR, HE IS ON THE JOURNEY WITH US.

I KNEW THERE WAS TROUBLE AT HOME WHEN HE SAID THE HEART DOESN'T PUMP BLOOD; IT TWISTS IT, LIKE A DISHRAG.

THE HEART IS A TWISTER, AND I PITY ANYONE THAT GETS IN ITS PATH.

SURE ENOUGH, A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, THE POLKA STATION WAS SOLD TO A ROCK AND ROLL SYNDICATE, AND HE ANNOUNCED THIS WOULD BE HIS LAST WEEK.

OH, MAN.

I WAS HEARTBROKEN.

BUT THEN A YEAR LATER, I'M DRIVING ALONG.

THERE HE IS AGAIN, FOLLOWED BY THE STYLINGS OF WHOOPEE JOHN, SIX FAT DUTCHMEN, AND THE CHMIELEWSKI FUNTIME.

TURNS OUT, WHEN THEY TRIED TO CLOSE THE STATION, THERE WAS A HUGE UPROAR.

AND IT WASN'T THE OLD PEOPLE.

IT WAS CHILDREN SENT LETTERS.

IT WAS THE KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE, YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WERE NOW LAWYERS, DOCTORS, WHO LIVED ALL AROUND THE WORLD, MAILED IN CHECKS, AND SAVED THE STATION FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

IN CLOSING, HE TOLD US TO, "BLESS THE RAINS, RESPECT THE BLIZZARDS, AND, REMEMBER, THOUGH THE WEATHER IS CHANGING, WE ARE THE ONES JUST PASSING THROUGH."

[ Applause ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> MARY: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESIDENT JOAN GABEL JUST BEGAN HER THIRD YEAR HEADING UP THE STATE'S LARGEST UNIVERSITY, AND IT HAS BEEN A BUSY SUMMER SO FAR.

U OF M'S TOP LEADERS ARE AGAIN CONSIDERING A POLICY CHANGE IN THE NAMING OF CAMPUS BUILDINGS.

INCREASED VIOLENCE IN DINKYTOWN HAS LED TO INCREASED SECURITY.

AND PREP HAS BEGUN FOR MORE STUDENTS ON CAMPUS IN THE FALL.

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC," PRESIDENT GABEL.

LET'S TALK PUBLIC SAFETY.

I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS SENDING THEIR KIDS TO THE U AND IT IS TOP OF MIND.

AND YOU'VE KIND OF GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH NOT HAVING THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE, BRINGING THEM BACK.

TAKE US ON THAT JOURNEY A LITTLE BIT.

>> SO I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN.

I AM THE PARENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS MYSELF.

AND SO WE WANT LL PARENTS TO FEEL SAFE AND COMFORT SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO US.

AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH WE MADE A DECISION NOT TO WORK WITH MINNEAPOLIS POLICE FOR SPECIAL SERVICES, BUT WE VERY SPECIFICALLY ANNOUNCED THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM ON JOINT PATROLS, JOINT INVESTIGATIONS, IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT SURROUND THE CAMPUS, WHERE OUR STUDENTS LINK SO THAT WE COULD BE READY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES AND REDUCE CRIME.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE'VE CONTINUED TO DO THROUGH THE DURATION.

SO AS CRIME HAS TICKED UP IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR CAMPUS, WE'VE CONTINUED THAT WORK.

BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT THAT WAS HAPPENING ECAUSE WE WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT WE WERE READY TO RESPOND TO ALL EMERGENCIES AS THEY OCCURRED.

>> Eric: WHY THE 1.5% TUITION INCREASE WHEN YOU'RE GETTING 100 MILLION FROM THE FEDS, I THINK THERE'S A BILLION DOLLAR EMERGENCY FUND.

AFTER THE DISTANCE LEARNING YEAR, WHY A TUITION INCREASE?

>> BECAUSE OUR LOSSES WERE ALMOST 275 MILLION.

SO WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE STATE SUPPORT AND THE FEDERAL SUPPORT BUT IT DOESN'T COVER THE LOSSES AND WE HAVE A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN THAT ALLOWUS TO MAINING INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE OF THE INSTITUTION AND TUITION IS A PART OF HOW WE FUND THE NEW THINGS WE DO.

AND WITH THE INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN, SOME OF OUR EXPENSE -- >> Eric: SOME OF THE STUDENTS I'VE READ SAY THAT YOU KIND OF SHORT-CHANGED ON THE PARKING, DINING, REFUND?

CAN YOU DEFEND THAT, THE FIGURE THAT YOU'VE REFUNDED?

>> WELL, THAT WAS -- OOH, THAT WAS ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO NOW.

IT'S SORT OF IN THAT STRANGE WAY THAT PANDEMIC TIME IS BOTH YESTERDAY AND A LONG TIME AGO.

SO WHEN WE FIRST CLOSED DOWN IN MARCH OF 2020 AND STUDENTS WERE ASKED NOT TO COME BACK TO CAMPUS, WE WENT THROUGH A JOURNEY THAT LASTED ABOUT A WEEK IN TRYING TO CALCULATE WHAT WE WOULD REFUND.

AND WE STARTED WITH ONE FIGURE.

WE INCREASED IT AND EVENTUALLY GAVEFULL REFUND.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT STUDENTS COMING BACK?

DODO YOU HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF THE NUMBER?

CAN YOU ACCURATELY KNOW YOUR ENROLLMENT AND YOUR INCOME?

>> SO STUDENT RETURNS ARE AT THIS POINT CLOSE TO PREDICTABLE.

THE DAY WE KNOW IS ABOUT TEN DAYS AFTER THE SEMESTER STARTS WHEN WE PASS THEIR DROP-ADD IS THE CE CENSUS DATE.

WE KNOW THERE ARE CONCERNS AND WE KNOW THERE ARE STRANGE TIMES AND OUR ABILITY TO MAKE PROJECTIONS IS SOMEWHAT LIMITED.

>> Mary: AND IN-PERSON, IS IT 100%?

IS THERE STILL SOME HYBRID SOME >> WELL ERKTS WE HAD SOME HYBRID CLASSES EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND THOSE WILL CARRY OVER, UT OTHERWISE WE ARE 100% IN-PERSON.

>> Mary: ARE YOU ADDING ANY MORE HYBRID?

I KNOW THE LEGISLATURE SAYS THEY FOUND OUT, WOW, THEY COULD HEAR FROM COMMUNITIES AND RECEIVE PLACES THEY COULDN'T BEFORE.

>> WE DID LEARN SOME GOOD LESSONS.

THERE ARE SOME SILVER LINNINGS SO THERE ARE SOME CLASSES THAT WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO BE HYBRID.

WE HAVE SOME NEW PROGRAMS THAT THE IDEAS CAME SPECIFICALLY FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE A NEW PROGRAM WITH THE MAYO CLINIC AND GOOGLE THROUGH OUR ROCHESTER CAMPUS THAT WAS INSPIRED BY THE LESSONS WE LEARNED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Eric: ATHLETICS, YOU'RE NOT THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BUT I KNOW IT'S BEEN REFERRED O AS THE FRONT PORCH AND ENTRYWAY TO THE UNIVERSITY.

AND THE MAKE AND LIKENESS THAT THE ATHLETES NOW CAN PROFIT FROM, WHAT'S YOUR VIEW?

>> NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS HAS BEEN A JOURNEY AND IT'S THE LAW NOW, SO WE ARE SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS.

TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS.

WE'VE PASSED A POLICY THAT PUTS THEM IN THE POSITION TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE WAY THAT THE LAW ALLOWS WHILE ALSO CONTINUING TO BE SUCCESSFUL UNTIL THE CLASSROOM AND ON THE FIELD.

SO ONWARD, IT'S CHANGE.

>> Mary: AND FINALLY, OUR NEXT GUEST IS THE NEW STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT.

>> WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH OUR STUDENT GOVERNMENT ALL THE TIME.

AND WE WERE DOING IT OVER ZIMMERN INITIALLY.

AND WE'RE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN PERSON JUST AS WE'RE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

THE STUDENT VOICE IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THEY NEED BETTER THAN THEY DO AND THEY ARE AN INCREDIBLY ARTICULATE AND PASSIONATE VOICE AND WE'RE DELIGHTED TO BE THEIR PARTNER.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, PRESIDENT GABEL.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: ABDULAZIZ MOHAMED BECAME THE FIRST SOMALI-AMERICAN STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ON JULY 1ST.

THE U OF M JUNIOR IS NOT NEW +-L TO THE WORLD OF STUDENT POLITICS.

HE WAS THE STUDENT BODY CO-PRESIDENT AT STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

I WONDER HOW THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE PREPS YOU FOR THIS GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

>> IT'S EVEN BEFORE THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND I'VE -- I WAS THAT LITTLE KID, WHO REALLY SAW STUDENT GOVERNMENT AS A MEANS TO HELP STUDENTS.

AND SLOWLY ENOUGH, CAME TO THE STILLWATER AREA HIGH SCHOOL, WAS ABLE TO BE ELECTED AS STUDENT BODY COPRESIDENT WITH MY BEST FRIEND MY SENIOR YEAR AND I'M SO GRAD TO BE ELECTED AS STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST?

THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT YEAR.

>> YES, MOST CERTAINLY.

IDENTIFICATION FOR US CERTAINLY, THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE, MORE SPECIFICALLY ON FOOD HOUSING SECURITY AND HEALTH.

IT'S REALLY AMBITIOUS GOAL, BUT I THINK THAT ALL -- A COMBINATION OF ALL THOSE ISSUES ARE SOMETHING THAT I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON BECAUSE I THINK WITH THE PANDEMIC -- BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, THESE ISSUES WERE REALLY PROMINENT AND EVER SINCE THE PANDEMIC, IT'S REALLY JUST EXACERBATED THEM.

TO GET A LOT OF THESE THINGS DONE.

>> Mary: CAN WE DRILL DOWN ON PUBLIC SAFETY?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM STUDENTS?

HOW CONCERNED ARE THEY?

>> YEAH, SO I THINK IT'S -- I'M HEARING A LOT OF THINGS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING FREQUENT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, THIS BIT OF DISTRUST BETWEEN UMPD AND POLICING AND IT'S REALLY CREATED I GUESS THIS TENSION OF OPPOSITES WHERE RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE SOME STUDENTS BELIEVING THAT MORE POLICING IS THE SOLUTION WHILE OTHER STUDENTS BELIEVING THAT MORE POLICING IS THE PROBLEM.

AND I THINK FOR STUDENT GOVERNMENT SPECIFICALLY, WE CAN REALLY MAKE IT GO THROUGH A THIRD WAY.

WHERE WE CAN BRING FOLKS TOGETHER ON REALLY COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS AROUND CAMPUS SAFETY SUCH AS INCREASED LIGHTING IN DINKYTOWN.

LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, MORE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS WITHIN SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AS WELL AS LOOKING AT OTHER COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS THAT A LOT OF STUDENTS ARE REALLY -- >> Eric: HAVE YOU CONVINCED THAT THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE HAVE ENOUGH ANTIBIAS TRAINING, RACIAL PROFILING IS KEPT TO A MINIMUM?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HAVING THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE BACK AS A FULL PARTNER?

>> YEAH, SO THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS DECIDED ON BY OUR ADMINISTRATION.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AS WELL AS UMPD CHIEF MATT CLARK.

AND THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT WE'RE GOING TO SPECIFICALLY WORK ON, ON THE M-SAFE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM WHICH WAS SET UP TO WORK ON THE SOLUTIONS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP BY DR. CEDRICK A ALEXANDER WHO WAS HIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TWIN CITIES, HE SAT ON THE 21ST CENTURY TASK FORCE ON POLICING WITH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND MPD IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE IN THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Mary: I HEAR PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS KIND OF AN INSPIRATION FOUR YOU.

>> HE WAS.

WHEN I WAS A KID, ONE OF MY EARLY POLITICAL MEMORIES WAS WATCHING COLIN POWELL ON "MEET THE PRESS."

AND HE PECIFICALLY WAS ENDORSING PRESIDENT OBAMA.

AND WHAT HE SAID WAS, SINCE IT WAS RISING ISLAMOPHOBIA WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THAT THERE WAS OPPONENTS WHO WERE SAYING, WELL, PRESIDENT OBAMA, HE'S A MUSLIM.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN COLIN POWELL WAS SPEAKING, HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THE CORRECT ANSWER IS -- OR THE RIGHT ANSWER -- THE RIGHT ANSWER IS THAT HE -- OR NO, THE CORRECT ANSWER IS THAT HE IS CHRISTIAN.

YOU KNOW, NOT MUSLIM.

BUT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS SO WHAT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD MUSLIM BOY THAT'S WAY WATCHING TV.

AND I LOOKED OVER AT MY DAD AND I REALLY FELT HE WAS SPEAKING TO ME.

>> Mary: SO DO YOU WANT TO BE PRESIDENT SOMEDAY?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT SOMETHING I'M NECESSARILY THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

LIKE, I AM SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THE MOMENT AND RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY HELPING STUDENTS.

>> Eric: I'M SITTING HERE THINKING, I WISH I HAD YOUR FUTURE.

ALL THE BEST.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: THE SPECIAL SESSION IS OVER.

REALLY.

IT WAS AN ODD END, WITH JUST ONE CHAMBER REMAINING IN SESSION TO CONFIRM OR NOT CONFIRM THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENTS.

IT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.

HERE'S AN EXPLANATION.

>> THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> Mary: THE SENATE STAYED IN SPECIAL SESSION A WEEK AFTER THE HOUSE WENT HOME AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED ALL THE BUDGET BILLS TO NARROWLY AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FROM A POLITICALLY SPLIT LEGISLATURE.

[ Applause ] >> IN A VERY DIVIDED NATION, WE DID THIS WITH THE ONLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Mary: THE SENATE DECIDED TO TRY TO TAKE UP THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET CONFIRMATIONS, IN SOME CASES APPOINTMENTS THAT HAD BEEN AWAITING YEARS OF ACTION.

>> THE GOVERNOR ASKED US IF WE WOULD TAKE UP COMMISSIONERS.

IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE FACT THAT WE WERE IN EMERGENCY -- UNDER EMERGENCY POWERS, IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME THROUGH COVID AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS WORK DONE DURING A REGULAR SESSION, EVEN DURING THE EXISTING SPECIAL SESSION, THE FACT THAT WE ARE EXTENDING THIS SPECIAL SESSION FOR THIS PURPOSE, IS, FRANKLY, AN ABUSE OF THIS PROCESS.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT GOVERNMENT, YOU ARE REALLY MILKING THE COW.

>> I'M JUST REALLY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE HERE WE ARE AGAIN PLAYING POLITICS.

WHEN WE SHOULD BE DOING GOOD POLICY.

>> Mary: CONCERN OVER CLEAN CAR STANDARDS AND OPPOSITION TO MINING BY THE HEAD OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY HAD THE SENATE POISED TO FIRE HER, SHE INSTEAD RESIGNED.

>> I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHETHER OR NOT SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONF CONFIRMED OR NOT.

I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN, BUT I GUESS WE'LL NEVER KNOW NOW.

>> WE HEARD FROM A VARIETY OF PEOPLE WHO ERE VERY CONCERNED FROM THIS COMMISSIONER AND HOW POLITICAL SHE HAS BECOME.

>> Mary: BUT IN ANOTHER SURPRISE TURN OF EVENTS, THE SENATE DECIDED TO GO HOME WITHOUT ANY MORE VOTES.

>> IT WAS AN EFFORT BY THE MAJORITY IN THIS BODY TO DISCREDIT AND DESTABILIZE A GOVERNMENT, A GOVERNMENT MEANT TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.

I THINK THAT'S WRONG.

>> THIS WHOLE SPECIAL SESSION AND THIS WHOLE EXERCISE OF CONSIDERING CONFIRMATIONS IS A JOKE.

AND A DISGRACE AND A SHAM.

>> Mary: THE COMMISSIONER OF NATURAL RESOURCES WOULD HAVE FARED MUCH BETTER IF A VOTE HAD BEEN HELD.

DESPITE SOME CONCERNS, THE COMMITTEE CHAIR SAID SHE WAS QUALIFIED.

>> IT'S JUST VERY CLEAR TO ME HAVING NOW SERVED IN THIS ROLE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGAIN THAT THE VERY DEEP PASSION THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE FOR OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

>> Mary: THE HOUSING COMMISSIONER HAD A MORE MIXED RESPONSE FROM SENATORS, BUT ALSO DIDN'T HAVE A FULL VOTE ON THE FLOOR.

>> I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR WITH THE CONSENT OF THE SENATE.

>> Mary: AND THE CHAIR.

BOARD OF AN MAL HEALTH ENJOYED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, DESPITE CONCERNS IN THE HOUSE, BUT THAT ALSO FAILED TO GET A FULL VOTE IN THE SENATE BEFORE THEY ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

>> I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A FARMER-PRODUCER ON THE BOARD AND I THINK DEAN IS AN EXCELLENT PERSON TO BE IN THAT POSITION.

>> THE HOUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPPED A PRESS RELEASE OUT CALLING FOR YOUR RESIGNATION.

WAS THAT SOMETHING YOU HAD BEEN CONSULTED ABOUT OR WHAT -- WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THAT?

>> I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AT ALL.

>> Mary: IN COMMITTEE, RURAL SENATE DEMOCRATS JOINED REPUBLICANS AND THE GOVERNOR IN SUPPORT OF HIS APPOINTMENT JUST WEEKS AFTER HEY WORKED TOGETHER TO PASS AN ENORMOUS BUDGET.

>> I'M VERY PROUD OF IT.

I'M PROUD OF THE THINGS WE ACCOMPLISHED.

>> SPECIAL SESSION IS NOW ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: HOUSING COMMISSIONER JENNIFER HO'S CONFIRMATION WAS NOT TAKEN UP BY THE FULL SENATE EARLIER THIS WEEK BEFORE THEY ADJOURNED.

REPUBLICANS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PACE OF FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS BEING RELEASED TO LANDLORDS TO COVER BACK RENT.

COMMISSIONER HO JOINS US.

WHAT ABOUT THE DELAY IN THE MONEY?

>> HA!

WELL, THERE'S NOT A DELAY IN THE MONEY.

THERE'S A LOT OF APPLICATIONS THAT CAME IN THE DUE.

WE KNEW THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF RENTERS THAT WERE BEHIND.

IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE OPEN AS EARLY AS WE COULD.

BUT WE WERE GOING TO GET A LOT OF APPLICATIONS AND WE WERE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE THEM THROUGH.

EVERY SINGLE APPLICATION REQUIRES A HUMAN BEING TO TOUCH IT.

IT'S NOT LIKE YOU HIT, LIKE, I NEED $50,000 AND A $50,000 CHECK GOES OUT THE DOOR THE NEXT DAY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE PERSON IS ELIGIBLE, WE'VE GOT THE AMOUNT RIGHT AND WE'RE PAYING THE PERSON.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE SYSTEM?

I KNOW THERE WAS ONE LAWMAKER IN A HEARING WHO SAID THIS COULD BE THE NEW MNLARS, THAT MAYBE WE WERE TRYING TO INVENT A SYSTEM THAT WON'T WORK AND MAYBE THERE WAS ANOTHER SYSTEM WE COULD HAVE USED TO IMPLEMENT IT?

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT F OBSESSION ABOUT THE SYSTEM.

THE SYSTEM IS WORKING.

I -- THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, I'VE GOT ALMOST 30,000 APPLICATIONS IN TODAY.

AND AS I SAID, EACH ONE REQUIRES SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE RENTER, WITH THE PROPERTY, TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO PAY.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE PACE OF PAYMENTS SPEED UP.

IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH ALMOST BEFORE WE MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT BECAUSE WE WERE WORKING THOSE APPLICATIONS THROUGH, BUT NOW AS MORE APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PUT THROUGH, I THINK WE'RE AT ABOUT $16 MILLION.

>> Eric: THERE ARE A SERIES OF IMPORTANT DATES HEADING TO I THINK NEXT JUNE.

AND IT'S -- YOU CALL IT A GRADUAL SHIFT, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> THEY CALL IT AN OFF RAMP.

IT'S A DIAL-BACK, AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE STEP BACK AND REMEMBER THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE GOVERNOR PUT THE EVICTIONS MORATORIUM IN PLACE VERY EARLY BECAUSE IT WAS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND WHAT THE C.D.C.

WAS SAYING IS PEOPLE SHOULD STAY AT HOME AND THE C.D.C.

DID AN EVICTIONS MORATORIUM, THE GOVERNOR DID ONE, OVER THE COURSE OF 16 MONTHS, THAT HAS CREATED A LOT OF STRESS BETWEEN RENTERS AND OWNERS.

THEY BOTH HAVE BILLS THEY NEED TO PAY, SPRIEGHT?

RIGHT?

I THINK THAT'S INCREDIBLE THAT THE CONGRESS HAS GIVEN US AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY.

AND I THINK IF THERE'S A COUPLE MESSAGES I WANT FOLKS TO KNOW WITH THE END OF THE EVICTIONS MORATORIUM AND THE OFF RAMP IS IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, COME TO RENTHELPMN.ORG.

CALL 211.

I HAVE A LOT OF MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO PUT IN A GOOD APPLICATION.

DON'T RUSH.

BECAUSE IF IT'S AN INPLEAT APPLICATION, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH.

WHEN THE PROPERTY AND THE RENTER WORK TOGETHER, GET ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO GET THE PAYMENT OUT AND MAKE EVERYBODY GOOD ON THEIR BILLS.

>> Mary: SO TO GET TO THE POLITICS OF THIS, WILL YOU BE JUDGED ON HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE NOW AT GETTING THIS MONEY OUT WHEN YOUR CONFIRMATION VOTE COULD COME UP?

THE LETTER COULD BE BACK IN SEPTEMBER.

DO YOU THINK THIS BOUGHT YOUR SOME TIME TO GET SOME MORE MONEY OUT THE DOOR?

>> I'VE BEEN PLANNING FOR MY CONFIRMATION SINCE I WAS NAMED COMMISSIONER IN DECEMBER OF 2018.

SO I HAD THE HEARING IN THE MIDDLE OF A POLITICAL, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER.

I -- I AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE POLITICS OF IT.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE A READ ON IT, THOUGH?

DID PEOPLE WHISPER, YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, YOU'RE NOT?

>> I'M NOT A REGULATOR.

YOU KNOW, I -- UM, I DON'T LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THE WAY THAT IT HAPPENED.

I KNOW THE MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.

AND THE FIRST TIME I MET THEM, I REALIZED, NOT ONLY ERE THEY ALL EXPERTS, BUT THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR TOPIC AREA AND DOING WELL FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

IT FEELS LIKE CONFIRMATION HAS BECOME MORE POLITICIZED.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I DO.

I'M NOT A POLITICIAN.

THAT'S FOR THE GOVERNOR TO WORK WITH THE SENATE LEADER.

I JUST FEEL LIKE IF I DO MY BEST WORK EVERY DAY, I'VE GOT AN AMAZING TEAM AROUND ME.

WE HAVE INCREDIBLE PARTNERS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ROOTING FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS.

NOBODY WANTS THIS FAIL, BECAUSE THEN IF THIS FAILS, THEN OWNERS AND RENTERS BOTH CAN'T PAY THEIR BILLS.

THEY DON'T WANT IT TO FAIL.

SO, YOU KNOW, DOES HE EXTRA TIME, YOU KNOW, HELP?

YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS IT.

AND I DON'T WANT TO.

I JUST WANT TO DO MY JOB.

>> Eric: DIAL 211.

THAT'S ONE THING I LEARNED TONIGHT.

THANKS, COMMISSIONER.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: PLENTY OF POLITICS FOR US TO PONDER TONIGHT.

SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL ANALYST DUO.

GREGG PEPPIN IS A REPUBLICAN LOYALIST AND POLITICAL CONSULTANT.

CARIN MROTZ IS A DFLER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

WELCOME BACK TO THE COUCH, BOTH OF YOU.

LET'S START WITH WHAT WE'VE JUST TALKED ABOUT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.

IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING END TO SPECIAL SESSION, COMMISSIONERS CONFIRMED, NOT CONFIRMED.

THIS HAS BEEN A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

GIVE US SOME CONTEXT, GREGG PEPPIN, IS THIS PURELY PARTISAN AND POLITICAL?

>> WELL, NO, AND I THINK IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT BUT WE'VE HAD INSTANCES IN THE PAST WITH FORMER EDUCATION COMMISSIONER, SHE WAS TAKEN OUT OF HER JOB.

FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MOLNAU WAS TAKEN OUT OF HER JOB.

IT'S THE SENATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL PREROGATIVE TO ANALYZE THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEES AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

BUT THIS IS A CHANCE FOR THE SENATE TO REALLY GET THE COMMISSIONERS IN FRONT OF THEM.

AND ASK THEM TOUGH QUESTIONS.

AND IF THEY DON'T MEASURE UP, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THAT VOTE AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Eric: CARIN, DO WE NEED A SITUATION WHERE YOU CONFIRM OR NOT CONFIRM IN THE EARLY PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION SO IT ISN'T TWO AND A HALF, THREE YEARS IN?

OR DOES THIS SYSTEM WORK?

>> YOU KNOW, IDEALLY THERE WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, A GOOD SET AMOUNT OF TIME TO DEBATE THIS ISSUE.

I MEAN, LIKE I, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE A POLITICAL ISSUE.

I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

I THINK IT'S HARD TO ARGUE THAT IT'S NOT WHEN THE TIMING OF, YOU KNOW, THIS -- OF THE HEARINGS GET CHANGED BASED ON POLITICAL MACHINATIONS WHEN YOU HAVE FOLKS ON ONE SIDE SAYING, OH, SHE STEPPED INTO HER OWN NOOZ.

NOOSE.IF THE FOLKS PARTICIPATINN IT WEREN'T JUST TELEGRAPHING THE POLITICS OF IT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE TIMING?

DID THAT COMPLICATE THINGS?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME LEGISLATIVE MANEUVERING THAT TOOK PLACE THERE.

THE GOVERNOR HAS THREE DAYS TO SIGN OR VETO BILLS AND SO I THINK THE SENATE WANTED TO KEEP A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR POWDER DRY TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK, YEAH, MAYBE, ERIC, THEY COULD DO A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE PROCESS -- >> Mary: THERE IS A BELL FOR THAT.

>> OH, IS THERE?

>> Mary: ITHIN 60 DAYS.

>> BUT CARIN MAKES A GOOD POINT THAT YOU MAY WANT TO SEE HOW THOSE COMMISSIONERS PERFORM.

YOU MAY WANT TO SEE HOW THEY INTERACT WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

IF THEY ARE REGULATORS, TO SEE HOW THEY NTERACT WITH THOSE THAT THEY ARE EGULATING.

>> Mary: IS THIS A RESTORATION OF BALANCE OF POWER AFTER THE GOVERNOR AND HIS EMERGENCY POWERS?

IS THIS THE SENATE'S WAY OF SAYING COEQUAL BRANCH AND SENATOR GAZELKA TO IND OF RAISE HIS PROFILE WITH ACTIVISTS AS HE DECIDES TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OR NOT?

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW THAT WAS A DELIBERATE DECISION BY SENATOR GAZELKA.

BUT YES, IN TERMINGS OF EQUALIZING THE BALANCE OF POWER, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK REP JOHN THOMPSON FROM ST. PAUL.

APPARENTLY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON SAID THERE WAS RACIAL PROFILING WHEN HE WAS STOPPED FOR NOT HAVING A FRONT LICENSE PLATE.

NEVER HAS HAD A MINNESOTA DRIVER'S LICENSE APPARENTLY.

HE'S BEEN VERY OUTSPECKEN ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES AND SO FORTH.

MORE OM APPLY OCCASION, MORE HEARTBURN FOR THE MOVEMENT OR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS, DO YOU THINK?

DOES IT HAVE ANY LEGS AT ALL?

>> SO CAN'T PEAK TO THE RACIAL PROFILING.

WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE DATA SHOWS THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED AND SEARCHED DISPROPORTIONATELY COMPARED TO WHITE PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT HOULD BE INVESTIGATED.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN ISSUE WHERE I THINK WE -- THE LINE BETWEEN POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND CELEBRITY GOSSIP GETS REALLY BLURRY AND I THINK OUR FORMER PRESIDENT CERTAINLY MADE THAT LINE EVEN BLURRIER.

I WILL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA -- WE HAVE A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE REAL PEOPLE N LEADERSHIP.

AND NORMAL PEOPLE HAVE THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

THEY HAVE -- THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THEY EXPERIENCE FORECLOSURES.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THEY HAVE ALL DIFFERENT -- THEY DON'T PAY THEIR TAXES ON TIME.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO NORMAL PEOPLE.

I THINK IF YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO NEVER HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THESE THINGS, YOU MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND JUST HOW NORMAL THAT IS.

>> Eric: DOES IT FIT INTO THE D.F.L.

SOFT ON CRIME NARRATIVE?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY IT DOES.

WHEN JOHN THOMPSON, REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON IS BANDYING ABOUT CHARGES OF RACISM, YOU SAY THAT THE ST. PAUL POLICE CHIEF SAID THAT SHE SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO THE OFFICER.

THIS IS A STATE REP WHO HAS BEEN THE LEADER IN SAYING, BODY CAMS, BODY CAMS.

HE COULD RELEASE THE BODY CAM FOR THIS STOP, BUT HE HAS DENIED IT.

HE HAS REFUSED -- HE HAS BLOCKED THE RELEASE OF BODY CAM FOOTAGE WHICH WOULD APPARENTLY PROVE IF THERE IS RACISM, EXONERATE HIM IF THAT'S CASE.

HE HAS SAID NO.

HE HAS A WITH.

I. DRIVER'S LICENSE, HAS NOT HAD A MINNESOTA DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR 18 YEARS.

HAS A RETTY ONG EXTENSIVE RAP SHEET FOR OTHER TRANSGRESSIONS FOR WHICH HE'S BEEN CHARGED IN THE PAST AND WHEN HE GAVE AN ADDRESS TO THE POLICE OFFICER, IT WASN'T EVEN IN HIS LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

SO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES -- EXCUSE ME -- IN SEPTEMBER, THIS OUGHT TO BE NUMBER ONE.

THE SPEAKER OUGHT TO HAVE A ETHICS COMMITTEE HEARING ON ALL.

ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED BY THIS TRAFFIC INCIDENT.

>> I MEAN, HONESTLY, WITH, LIKE, I MEAN, POLICE ARE, YOU KNOW, KILLING PEOPLE, CHASING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING THAT JUST THIS WEEK, KARE-11 DID A REPORT THAT SHOWED THAT MPD IS DELIBERATELY FALSIFYING THE WAY THAT THEY'RE TRACKING THE RACE OF THE PEOPLE THEY'RE USING FOURS ON.

THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND LITERALLY NO POLICE REFORM IS HAPPENING.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATOR WHO DOESN'T HAVE A CURRENT DRIVER'S LICENSE FEELS LIKE THE PRIORITY FACING OUR LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: DOESN'T SEEM LIKE POLICE REFORM, THOUGH, IN THESE ISSUES OF ESCALATING CRIME ARE GETTING ANY EASIER?

>> THEY CERTAINLY ARE GETTING HARDER.

THERE WAS SOME OF THE CONVERSATION EARLIER IN THE SHOW ABOUT THAT ISSUE.

I THINK THAT ALL -- MOST OF THE -- THE LEGISLATORS WITH WHOM I'VE DISCUSSED IT, AND I THINK ON BOTH SIDES, THEY ARE TRYING IN GOOD FAITH TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.

I THINK THAT THE LEADER GAZELKA AND SPEAKER HORTMAN REALLY DID TRY AND BRING THE SIDES TOGETHER.

THEY COULDN'T GET THAT DONE.

THERE WAS SOME CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.

THEY'LL BE CONTINUING DISCUSSION HERE, BUT YES, IT IS FRAUGHT WITH POLITICS NOW AND IT'S TOO BAD THAT REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON HAS KIND OF POURED GAS ON THAT FIRE.

>> Mary: AND NOBODY'S REALLY THROUGH THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL, ARE THEY?

>> I MEAN, I THINK BETWEEN A COMBINATION.

BILL AND THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT GOT DONE.

THIS PUBLIC SAFETY BILL REALLY DID DEMONSTRATE THE LEADERSHIP OF P.O.C.I.

CAUCUS AND SPECIFICALLY RENA MORAN AND PEOPLE LIKE CEDRICK FRAZIER AND REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE BECKER-FINN.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE -- I AM, THE D.F.L.

IS COMING FROM A PLACE OF WANTING REFORM.

THE G.O.P.

IS COMING FROM A PLACE, NO.

AND SO I DON'T THINK THAT ANYONE GETS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT.

>> Eric: SO, WELL, SOMEBODY IN THE KNOW TOLD ME THIS WEEK THAT HE THOUGHT THAT TURNOUT IN TWOOT IN MINNESOTA WOULD BE 55%.

IN THAT'S CLOSE AND THROW IN REDISTRICTS, THERE'S NO FEDERAL RACE, THERE'S NO SENATE RACE, WHAT IS -- WILL THE -- THE LAY OF THE LAND GOING INTO 2022 FOR LEGISLATIVE RACES, FOR INSTANCE?

>> SURE, GREAT QUESTION.

AND I THINK THAT SOME OF IT MAY HINGE ON WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, OR WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO THERE COULD BE SOME ISSUES THAT PERCOLATE DOWN FROM THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS CERTAINLY THE PUBLIC SAFETY MESSAGE IS OUT THERE.

I THINK THERE'S A JAN THEME OF LEADERSHIP.

WHETHER WE'RE BEING LED PROPERLY IN THIS STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

ECONOMY WILL ALWAYS BE A CONCERN FOR FOLKS.

AND INFLATION.

AS WE SEE THAT KIND OF CREEP UP.

SO I THINK THERE'S -- THERE COULD BE A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> Mary: PROFESSOR SCHULTZ EARLIER SAID PEOPLE ARE ANGRY AND THAT MEANS GOOD TURNOUT BOTH SIDES.

>> I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE CERTAINLY FIRED UP.

I THINK THAT THE CHALLENGE AT LEAST FOR DEMOCRATS IS TO ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT THEY'RE DOING.

YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT WAS JUST A TREMENDOUS BOON TO FAMILIES.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE JUST SAX, YOU KNOW, MFIP FAMILIES, WE JUST SAW TREMENDOUS HISTORIC INVESTMENT?

IN EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD, CHILD CARE.

INCREASE IN CASH THIS YEAR -- THE CHALLENGE IS TO ACTUALLY TELL PEOPLE YOU'RE DOING THAT SO THAT THEY CAN BE HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: THE JUDGES HAVE BEEN PICKED FOR THE REAPPORTIONMENT DECISION.

HOW -- THEY GENERALLY DON'T WANT TO MAKE A OT OF CHANGES WHEN IT GOES TO THE COURTS, RIGHT?

HOW DO YOU SEE IT SHAKING OUT?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE WAY IT WILL END UP.

I THINK IT'S BEEN THAT WAY THE LAST COUPLE CYCLES.

I DON'T SEE THAT THERE'S ANY REAL FIERCE PARTISAN JUDGES.

THE PROCESS HAS BEEN -- ASIDE FROM THE LEGISLATURE BEING ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE, THE PROCESS FROM THE JUDICIAL STANDPOINT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PRETTY SMOOTH AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE EIGHT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS MAKES IT RELATIVELY EASY FOR THEM ON THE FEDERAL SIDE TO DO THE LEAST CHANGES.

I THINK THEY'LL CARRY THAT THROUGH WITH REGARD TO THE LEGISLATIVE SEATS AS WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I AGREE.

I THINK THE CHA CHANGES WILL BE JUST MILD SHIFTS.

>> Eric: CARVER-SCOTT, WOULD THEY BE IN LINE FOR ANOTHER SEAT?

>> YEAH, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME OF HAT, IN SOME OF THESE MORE GROWING EXURBAN AREAS?

IT SHOULD PLAY WELL FOR REPUBLICANS BUT THE RACES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WON AND LOST IN THE TRENCHES.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I AGREE.

I THINK THAT AS WE WATCHED THE SUBURBS GO INCREASINGLYINGLY BLEUER, I THINK THERE IS A GROUP IN THE EX-USHES WHO CAN BE COMPELLED WITH A STRONG MESSAGE AND IMAGING >> Mary: OKAY, SUBURBS AND EX--USHES.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH.

>> Eric: THANKS, FOLKS.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: INDEX FILE TIME.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO LET'S SEE IF WE ALL REMEMBER HOW THIS PORTION OF THE SHOW GOES.

WE START WITH OUR HISTORY QUESTION.

NO ONE HAD CALLED OR EMAILED IN WITH A RIGHT ANSWER, SO WE ASKED THIS ONE TWO WEEKS IN A ROW.

WE VENTURED BACK TO THE YEAR 1965 AND THE OLD GUTHRIE THEATER NEAR PARADE STADIUM.

THE GUTHRIE WAS PUTTING ON A PRODUCTION OF "THE CHERRY ORCHARD" BY ANTON CHEKHOV.

A FAMED GROUP ATTENDED A PERFORMANCE IN LATE JULY OF THAT YEAR, OBLIGING AUTOGRAPH SEEKERS AT INTERMISSION.

+S ONE OF THE GROUP WAS ASKED ABOUT THE PLAY AND SAID, "I THOUGHT IT WAS QUITE WELL DONE, BUT I DIDN'T CARE TOO MUCH FOR THE PLAY ITSELF."

WE ADDED IN AN EXTRA HINT THE SECOND TIME WE ASKED, LETTING YOU KNOW THE GROUP OF MINNESOTANS WE SOUGHT WAS A SPORTS TEAM.

WHAT FAMED VISITORS TOOK IN THE GUTHRIE'S PERFORMANCE OF "THE CHERRY ORCHARD" IN JULY 1965?

THE ADDITIONAL HINT STILL DIDN'T GET THESE CALLERS AROUND THE BASES.

>> ERIC: THE ADDITIONAL HINT WASN'T ENOUGH FOR YOU TO KNOCK IT OUT OF THE PARK.

BUT IT MAY HAVE HELPED VIEWER, BARB.

>> ERIC: YES, BARB, IT WAS A GROUP OF THE LEAGUE-LEADING 1965 MINNESOTA TWINS TEAM THAT ATTENDED THE GUTHRIE THAT NIGHT IN JULY.

THERE'S BOB ALLISON SIGNING AN AUTOGRAPH FOR ONE OF THE OTHER THEATER-GOERS THAT NIGHT.

THE "MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE" REPORTED THAT MANY PLAYERS SAID THEY WOULD ATTEND THE THEATER EVERY NIGHT IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO WORK EVENINGS SO OFTEN.

WHO WAS THE PLAYER THAT THOUGHT THE PERFORMANCE WAS QUITE WELL DONE BUT DIDN'T LIKE THE PLAY ITSELF?

NONE OTHER THAN THE RECENTLY DECEASED "MUDCAT" GRANT, WHO FREQUENTED PRODUCTIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY THEATER WHERE HIS NEPHEW PERFORMED.

THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION THAT WE HAVEN'T ASKED YET?

GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1430.

AND LET US KNOW WHAT IT IS.

OR DROP US A NOTE.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, TODAY BACK IN 2004, BRENDA WEILER STOPPED BY STUDIO "B."

TAKE A LISTEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ ♪ >> ♪ AS I LAY HERE TONIGHT, I KEEP THINKING ♪ ♪ HOW LONG AGO FOR YOU I WAS CRAZY ♪ ♪ AND THIS NIGHT MOVES RIGHT ALONG MY MIND AND MUCH MY SITUATION ♪ ♪ AND I'M FEELING MIGHTY COLD AND UNHAPPY ♪ ♪ AND THESE SONGS I HEAR, THEY DON'T SEEM LIKE THEY'RE CHANGING ♪ ♪ AND MY TIME SPENT LEAVING FAR EXCEEDS THE TIMES THAT I STAYED ♪ ♪ AND THIS WAY OF SPEAKING DOESN'T BRING ME COMFORT ANYMORE ♪ ♪ IT'S LIKE SOMEONE TOOK THE FLAME RIGHT OUT OF ME ♪ ♪ AND I FEEL THIS MEDICINE GO THROUGH MY VEINS ♪ ♪ SWIMMING AROUND LIKE IT'S FUN ♪ ♪ AND I HAVE TO PRETEND THAT I CARE ♪ ♪ AND WHAT'S DONE IS DONE ♪ ♪ AND IT CAN BE SO HARD ♪ ♪ AND YOU CAN'T JUST TURN AROUND ♪ ♪ WALK AWAY SMILING ♪ ♪ AND WALK AWAY PROUD ♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: INVESTING $25 MILLION TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

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