CONSTITUENTS, OUR CHILDREN.

>> THERE BEING 40 AYEs, 26 NOS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

THE SENATE PASSED FREE FOOD FOR ALL MINNESOTA SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> TODAY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DO SOMETHING REALLY GOOD FOR KIDS, FOR PARENTS, FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS.

WE CAN VOTE YES TODAY AND MAKE SURE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR EVERY STUDENT GETS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT SCHOOL.

LET'S DO THAT.

LET'S FEED THE KIDS.

>> I WAS ONE OF THOSE KIDS WHO HAD TO GO GET FREE LUNCH TICKETS AT SCHOOL.

THEN THERE WAS NO SMALL AMOUNT OF EMBARRASSMENT AND STIGMA AND SHAME THAT WAS ATTACHED TO HAVING TO DO THAT.

>> WHAT WE DON'T HAVE HERE IS A DIVISION AGREEMENT THAT THERE IS A NEED THAT SHOULD BE - SERVED.

WHAT WE DO POTENTIALLY HAVE A DISAGREEMENT ABOUT IS HOW TO GO ABOUT DOING THAT.

>> BY TAKING THIS UP TODAY, Mr. PRESIDENT, WE ARE SAYING THIS IS OUR TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION SPENDING THIS YEAR.

THIS IS NOT WHAT I HEARD FROM ANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS AS I WAS OUT CAMPAIGNING THIS LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME TO EDUCATION EDUCATION.

>> THEIR ISSUES THEY'VE TOLD ME ARE CLASS SIZE.

THEIR ISSUES ARE FORMULAS INCREASES, TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BUY TECHNOLOGY, BOOKS, HIRE STAFF, FINDING ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS.

THEY WILL AT THE ME THEY NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELORS.

>> UNDERSTAND HOW ILLNESS CAN IMPACT FAMILIES OUT OF NOWHERE.

>> CLERGY CAME TO THE CAPITOL TO ADVOCATE FOR PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> UNEQUIVOCALLY, EXCITEDLY, AND DEMANDING THAT WE HAVE A ROBUST PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE POLICY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AS URGENTLY, QUICKLY, SWIFTLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AS A RABBI, I SEE EVERY SINGLE DAY THE WAY THAT FOLKS IN MY CONGREGATION STRUGGLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES OR CARE FOR A LOVED ONE WHO IS IN NEED.

AS MUCH AS ANYONE TRIES TO PLAN AND PREPARE, EMERGENCIES HAPPEN TO ALL PEOPLE AND ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF ACCESS TO THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO CARE FOR THEIR NEEDS OR THE NEEDS OF A LOVED ONE WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS.

>> Mary: AND ABOUT 250 PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE STATE MARCHED TO THE CAPITOL TO URGE LAWMAKERS TO END ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO SALES.

[CHANTING] >> THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD END THE SALE OF FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING MENTHOL