>> Mary: OUR NEXT RETIRING LAWMAKER HAS SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 42 YEARS.

HERE'S A LOOK BACK AT THE CAREER OF TRAILBLAZING BONDING CHAIR, SENATE PRESIDENT, DFLer, SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS.

>> THIS IS ME.

I HAD LONG HAIR THEN.

STILL HAD BANGS.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT IN ONE OF OUR MUSICALS, I HAD THE ONLY NONSINGING ROLE.

I REALLY COULDN'T SING.

BUT I WAS THE STUDENT DIRECTOR.

I'M SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS, AND I REPRESENT DOWNTOWN St.

PAUL AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS, AND I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR OVER THREE DECADES.

I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AT ROBBINSDALE, ROBBINSDALE SENIOR HIGH.

BIG SECRET, SECRET, Y NAME WAS SANDRA SHUTEK.

I REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH MY SPEECH AND THEATER CLASSES AND I ALSO HAD A HUMANITIES CLASS I REALLY IKED.

AND I THINK IT REALLY SET A TONE FOR ME TO BE INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, BROADER ISSUES BEYOND MY OWN COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF HUMANITIES AND THEN THEATER AND SPEECH.

VERY USEFUL FOR A POLITICIAN.

>> AND I THINK PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, DO LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY'RE FAIR TO EVERYONE, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE TIME AND HISTORICALLY, WHEN LEADERS HAVE SAID THAT I AM COLORBLIND, THE END RESULT HAS BEEN WHITE MEN ARE HIRED.

>> VOTERS DO WANT US TO GET SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

AND PERHAPS SAW THAT DIVIDED GOVERNMENT WASN'T THE WAY TO DO IT.

>> I'VE CERTAINLY LEARNED TO RESPECT THE MINORITY, HAVING SPENT THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE MINORITY.

>> WILL THE MAJORITY LEADER YIELD?

>> I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN INTERESTED IN BEING SENATE PRESIDENT FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT I AM THE FIRST JEWISH WOMAN PRESIDENT.

>> SENATOR BAKK.

>> WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS MAKE THE MINORITY SO HAPPY THAT THEY NEVER WANT TO BE THE MAJORITY.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE SOME REAL WORK TO DO AS PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE CHAMBER, SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOGISTICS OF FINISHING ON TIME.

>> I'M ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL BECAUSE THAT'S, LIKE, 400, 500 PAGES, BUT AT LEAST WE DON'T HAVE EROX COPIES FOR ANYONE ANYMORE.

IT'S ALL ELECTRONIC.

>> THAT'S A LOT OF BUBBLE WRAP.

>> YES.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS AND STAFFERS ARE ALREADY PACKING UP THEIR OFFICES, THEY KNOW REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF BUDGET TALKS, THEY HAVE TO MAKE WAY FOR MOVING CREWS WHO ARRIVE THE SECOND SESSION ENDS MIDNIGHT MONDAY.

THIS IS UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE.

>> IT IS.

AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE BARE WALLS, HERE WE ARE THE LAST COUPLE WALLS, AND WE'RE FINALLY TAKING THINGS OFF THE WALL.

I DID NOTICE THE OTHER DAY, SHE PACKED UP MY FORKS SO I WASN'T ABLE TO HAVE LUNCH.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: TRYING TO FIND A SUPER MAJORITY TO BORROW FOR A BONDING BILL FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

>> Mr.

CHAIRMAN.

Mr.

CHAIRMAN.

SENATOR DRAHEIM -- >> IN THIS BILL -- >> -- I FUNDED THOSE PROJECTS, I FUNDED THIS PROGRAM IN 669, THAT'S THE BILL THAT YOU REJECTED!

AND I RESENT YOU ACCUSING ME OF NOT FUNDING PROJECTS!

I WOULD LOVE TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS, BUT YOU GOTTA VOTE FOR THE DAMN BILL.

>> Mary: THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY IS THE HEART-WRENCHING STOP IN THE FINAL STRETCH FOR SENATORS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

>> WE'VE REALLY COVERED THE STATE.

AND IT'S KIND OF SHOCKING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEED THAT'S OUT THERE.

WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS BUILT IN THE '60s, BUILT AFTER WORLD WAR II, THAT HAVE AGED OUT.

>> Mary: WITH US NOW, RETIRING DFL SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS.

HOW WAS THAT LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE?

>> THAT WAS REALLY FUN.

THANKS FOR SHOWING THAT, MARY.

>> Mary: OF ALL THE JOBS, HOUSE, SENATE, PRESIDENT, BONDING CHAIR, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE OF ALL OF THEM?

>> BONDING CHAIR.

>> Mary: REALLY?

WHY?

WHY IS IT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE I GET TO REALLY DO THINGS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITIES' LIVES AND PEOPLE'S LIVES WITH IT.

I GET TO SPEND A [BLEEP] OF MONEY AND IT'S JUST REALLY FUN TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE, YOU KNOW, SEEING WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND THE PROBLEMS ARE AND, YOU KNOW, HANGING OUT WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BUS FOR HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS.

>> Mary: I NEVER KNOW IF IT'S THE WORST JOB OR THE BEST JOB BECAUSE IS EVERYONE YOUR BEST FRIEND OR YOUR WORST ENEMY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BUILD SUPERMAJORITY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: AND EVERYBODY WANTS IN ON YOUR BILL.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

IT'S TOUGH DECISIONS.

BECAUSE THE BILLS ARE ALWAYS LIMITED.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT $5 APPROXIMATELY OF -- $5 BILLION OF REQUESTS, AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A BILLION TWO IF WE'RE LUCKY.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE GET DISAPPOINTED.

>> Mary: IT'S THE LAST THING OUT AND BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST THING SOMETIMES IT FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> I KNOW, I HATE THAT.

LAST YEAR T DIDN'T MAKE MAKE IT, WE HAD A SPECIAL SESSION, AND WE PASSED IT THEN, BUT I DON'T LIKE BEING THE LAST BILL, I'D RATHER HAVE IT BE EARLY.

>> Mary: YOU DON'T MINCE WORDS.

THERE ARE SO EW PEOPLE LEFT WHO ARE JUST STRAIGHT SHOOTERS.

WHAT IS IT?

DO YOU THINK YOU WERE ALWAYS THAT WAY?

OR AS THE YEARS GOT ON, YOU'RE JUST, LIKE, WHY BEAT AROUND THE BUSH?

>> YEAH.

I THINK I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LOT MORE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT I'VE SAID.

I MEAN, YOU JUST LEARN THAT AS A LEGISLATOR BECAUSE I STARTED OUT AS THAT KIND OF RADICAL FEMINIST FROM St.

PAUL, AND I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO HOLD BACK MY DRAMATIC SELF AND GET ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY TOMASSONI TAUGHT ME THE BEST TECHNIQUE THERE IS, IT'S CALLED THE MUMBLE STRATEGY.

IS YOU GET UP, AND YOU GO, HELLO, THIS IS REALLY A GOOD BILL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I HOPE YOU VOTE FOR IT.

AND YOU SIT DOWN.

AND THEN EVERYONE VOTES FOR IT.

SO DRAMATIC SPEECHES ON THE FLOOR DON'T OFTEN GET YOU VOTES.

>> Mary: THAT'S PRETTY FUNNY.

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME, YOU'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF BILLS PASSED, WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

>> WELL, I GUESS WHAT I JUST SAID, IS BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH WE DO REACH OUT ACROSS THE AISLE AND HOW MUCH WE DO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THAT YOU NEED TO DO THAT TO GET THINGS DONE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER KNOW, THESE MAJORITIES FLIP AND YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE HERE FOR A WHILE, YOU'VE REALLY GOT TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> Mary: YOU TALKED ABOUT BEING A RADICAL FEMINIST.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU CAME IN, I THINK THERE WERE ONLY FIVE WOMEN IN YOUR FRESHMAN CLASS WHEN YOU ENTERED INITIALLY.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING ONE OF THOSE FEMALE TRAILBLAZERS INITIALLY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WE WERE IGNORED A LOT AND, SO, WE HAD TO KIND OF BAND TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER A LOT MORE THAN WE DO NOW, WHERE WOMEN KIND OF RULE.

AND IT WAS OFTEN -- WE OFTEN NEEDED TO HAVE KIND OF MALE MENTORS THAT WOULD STICK UP FOR US AND WOULD, YOU KNOW, WOULD HELP US OUT.

IN ORDER TO GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Mary: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PAYING THAT FORWARD NOW, MENTORING ALL THE WOMEN YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY IN YOUR CAUCUS?

>> THEY DON'T NEED IT.

THEY ARE JUST -- THEY COME IN, THEY'RE RARING TO GO, AND THEY AUTHORED MAJOR BILLS AND DO THEIR RESEARCH.

NO, THEY COULD MENTOR ME.

THEY'RE GREAT.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY YOU MADE WITH YOUR GOOD FRIEND, ELLEN ANDERSON.

I BELIEVE WE CALL IT WHEN YOU BROKE THE PANTS BARRIER.

>> OH, GOD, I HATE THAT STORY.

>> Mary: BUT, STILL, THERE WAS A RULE.

THERE WAS A RULE.

>> IT WAS A RULE.

WOMEN COULD NOT WEAR PANTS, RIGHT?

AND, SO,ELLEN WORE -- I THINK SHE WORE PANTS ONE DAY, IT WAS A FRIDAY, AND WE HAD A SURPRISE SESSION, AND SHE'D WORN PANTS THAT DAY.

SO SHE GOT CAUGHT WITH PANTS.

AND THEN, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I WENT OUT THAT WEEKEND AND I BOUGHT A PANTSUIT, AND I WORE IT PURPOSELY ON MONDAY.

>> Mary: SO INSTEAD OF GOING THROUGH RULES COMMITTEE OR TRYING TO DO A VOTE ON THE FLOOR, YOU GUYS JUST DID IT.

>> WE JUST DID IT.

AND THEN WE HAD TO TALK ABOUT IT.

HAD TO DO ALSO WITH THE PAGES, BECAUSE THE PAGES -- THE WOMEN PAGES WERE ALSO TOLD THEY HAD TO WEAR DRESSES.

WELL, THESE YOUNG WOMEN, ALL THEY HAD WAS PARTY DRESSES.

SO IT WASN'T REALLY APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO WEAR THEM ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.

ALTHOUGH THE MEN DID LIKE IT.

BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO DOWN THE UNIFORM ROUTE.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> SO WE JUST SAID, YOU CAN WEAR PANTS, IT'S MINNESOTA WINTER, WEAR IT WITH A BLAZER.

>> Mary: YOU TALK ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

YOU HAD A RELATIONSHIP IN HE LEGISLATURE, SHALL WE TALK ABOUT YOUR SPOUSE, WHO YOU MET IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> NO.

>> Mary: YOU WON'T TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> NO, NO.

I DIDN'T MEET HIM 'IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: OH, YOU DIDN'T.

YOU HAD A SPOUSE IN THE LEGISLATURE AT ONE POINT.

>> NO.

>> Mary: NO, HE ASN'T.

THAT WAS ELLEN.

>> Mary: SORRY THAT WAS ELLEN.

>> ELLEN AND ANDY DAWKINS.

>> Mary: ELLEN AND ANDY MET -- >> HE MET HER EFORE SHE WAS A LEGISLATOR.

>> Mary: THERE WERE A LOT OF COUPLES.

>> AND THERE STILL ARE COUPLES.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> IT'S CHALLENGING, YEAH, WHEN THEY REPRESENT DIFFERENT DISTRICTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO -- YOU KNOW, WITH ANDY AND ELLEN, THEY SPENT THREE AND A HALF DAYS AT ELLEN'S HOUSE.

>> Mary: YOU GUYS WERE SO ALIKE FOR SO MANY YEARS, I MELDED YOUR RELATIONSHIPS.

>> NO, MY HUSBAND'S FROM JERSEY.

>> Mary: SO SENATE PRESIDENT, LET'S GO TO THAT.

BECAUSE THAT DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF DIVERSITY UP UNTIL RECENTLY, TOO, UNTIL THERE WAS A WOMAN, THEN THERE'S A PERSON OF COLOR.

WAS THAT KIND OF A LITTLE BIT OF A BARRIER BREAKER, TOO, GETTING UP TO THE SENATE PRESIDENT DESK.

>> I THINK SO.

MICHELLE FISCHBACH ENDED UP BEING SENATE PRESIDENT BEFORE ME BECAUSE WE LOST THE MAJORITY, BUT I'D BEEN IN LINE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I'D BEEN PRO TEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

YEAH, I DID ENJOY BEING SENATE PRESIDENT, BUT IT'S A HARD JOB.

AND YOU HAVE TO STAND UP THERE FOR HOURS AND HOURS, LISTENING TO PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR, DRONE ON AND ON AND ON, AND IT'S EXHAUSTING, REALLY.

>> Mary: AND DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO BILLS AND LEGISLATE, TOO, I WONDER IF SENATE PRESIDENTS DON'T GET TO PRESENT IN COMMITTEE GENERALLY OR ON THE FLOOR.

>> YOU HAVE A LESS INTENSE COMMITTEE, I CHAIRED THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE WHILE I WAS SENATE PRESIDENT, AND ACTUALLY I ASKED SENATOR BAKK TO RELIEVE ME OF COMMITTEES FROM MY SECOND TWO YEARS, SO THEN I DIDN'T CHAIR A COMMITTEE AT ALL BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO DO BOTH.

>> Mary: SO YOU DO HAVE TO GIVE UP SOME OF YOUR WORK LOAD TO DO SENATE PRESIDENT.

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY, BECAUSE YOU'RE UP THERE FOR SO MANY HOURS.

>> Mary: WHY NOW, WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE NOW?

>> OH, MARY, 42 YEARS IS ENOUGH.

[ Laughter ] I THINK -- AND I ALSO WANT TO LEAVE ON A HIGH, BECAUSE '23 WAS A GREAT YEAR, WE DID WONDERFUL BONDING BILL, $2.6 BILLION.

LAST YEAR WE DID A BONDING BILL.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> HAD A LITTLE BLIP IN '24.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> AND THEN I THINK THIS YEAR WE'LL DO A BONDING BILL.

>> Mary: YOU DO?

>> LEAVING AFTER I FEEL LIKE I ACCOMPLISHED THINGS THAT I WANTED TO DO FOR TEN OR MAYBE 20 YEARS AND ALSO WHILE I'M STILL REALLY HEALTHY.

>> Mary: IT'S NICE TO GO OUT ON TOP IN THE MAJORITY.

>> THAT'S IT.

>> Mary: SANDY PAPPAS, THANK YOU SO MUCH IT FOR YOUR SERVICE ALL THESE YEARS.

REAL