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

>> ERRORS.

I ADMIT, IT HURTS.

>> Mary: THE STATE SUPREME COURT ISSUES A DECISION ON VOTING RESTORATION RIGHTS.

WE'LL HAVE CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS.

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.

DAV OF MINNESOTA: KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO MINNESOTA'S VETERANS.

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IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> Mary: HELLO AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M YOUR HOST, MARY LAHAMMER.

WE'RE GOING TO JUMP RIGHT IN TONIGHT WITH NEWS THAT BROKE TODAY OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION DECIDING THAT BARRING FELONS FROM VOTING DOES NOT VIOLATE THE STATE CONSTITUTION BUT ESSENTIALLY KICKED THE ISSUE TO LAWMAKERS RIGHT HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE REPUBLICAN, BRIAN MCCLUNG, WORKED FOR THE PAWLENTY ADMINISTRATION AND DEMOCRAT JAVIER MORILLO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY SAW AT THE TOP THERE, ACLU, FOLKS WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT DISPARITIES ARE VERY UPSET BY THIS DECISION.

EXPLAIN YOUR REACTION.

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS UPSETTING BECAUSE IT'S A BAD SITUATION THAT WE WOULD -- THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE PUNISHED FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

I THINK PEOPLE JUST -- MINNESOTANS GENERALLY AGREE, RIGHT, THAT IT'S JUST FAIR, YOU SERVE YOUR SENTENCE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE RE-ENTERED INTO SOCIETY.

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE DISAPPOINTED, BUT ALSO REALLY ENERGIZED FOR, LIKE, MAKING THE CASE AT THE LEGISLATURE, WHERE THIS TIME WE ACTUALLY, IT'S PAST THE -- PASSED THE HOUSE, FELON VOTING RESTORATION.

IT'S GOING TO BE VOTING ON IN THE SENATE VERY SOON.

WE HOPE, THE COALITION IS HOPING THAT IT WILL ALSO BE BIPARTISAN THERE.

AND THE SUPREME COURT GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO SAY TO LEGISLATORS, IT'S ON YOU.

>> Mary: LET ME JUMP IN WITH A FACTOID BECAUSE I HAVE A TRUSTED WELL-PLACED DFL SENATE SOURCE THAT SAYS IT DEFINITELY WILL NOT COME UP THIS WEEK BUT MAYBE AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

PIVOTING, WE HEARD THE WORD BIPARTISAN.

THIS IS INCREASINGLY A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT THIS >> YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE CERTAINLY A NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS HO AGREE THAT WHEN SOMEBODY'S DONE SERVING THEIR TIME, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE.

AND IT'S KIND OF A COMMON-SENSE THING.

A LOT OF STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY RE THAT WAY.

THAT WHEN YOU'RE INCARCERATED, YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, BUT WHEN YOU'RE OUT, EVEN IF YOU'RE ON PROBATION OR PAROLE, YOU DO.

AND I THINK REPUBLICANS SHOULD SUPPORT THAT.

I SUPPORT THAT.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S A WAY TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

I MEAN, WE WANT PEOPLE, WHEN THEY'RE OUT OF JAIL, WHEN THEY'RE OUT OF PRISON, THEY'VE SERVED THEIR TIME, TO BE ENGAGED IN SOCIETY.

AND THE NUMBER ONE BIGGEST THING YOU CAN DO TO BE ENGAGED IS TO VOTE.

SO I DO THINK THAT RESTORING THAT MAKES SENSE.

AND I THINK WE'RE LIKELY HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> Mary: THAT HAS HAPPENED IN SOME VERY RED STATES.

NOT EVEN PURPLE STATES, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YEAH.

YOU THINK BACK, WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW, THERE USED TO BE THIS IDEA THAT SOMETIMES FELONS WOULD LOSE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE PERMANENTLY.

LIKE HOW BIZARRE IS THAT?

THAT MAKES NO SENSE.

ONCE YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR TIME, RIGHT, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RE-ENGAGE IN SOCIETY AND BE A PART OF IT.

SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE PLAINTIFFS TODAY IN THE CASE SAID SHE WOULDN'T HAVE HER VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED UNTIL SHE WAS 71 YEARS OLD.

CERTAINLY, THIS IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR VOTING.

>> RIGHT, NO.

THE UNFAIRNESS IN IT, I MEAN, FRANKLY, LIKE VERY UPSETTING THAT IT'S TAKEN THIS LONG.

AND I'M GLAD THAT THIS IS FINALLY GOING TO PASS.

THERE'S A COMPONENT THAT HAS TO DO WITH RACIAL DISPARITIES BECAUSE IT IMPACTS RACIAL -- RACIAL MINORITY GROUPS MORE.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN IN A STATEMENT -- STATE LIKE MINNESOTA THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY -- THERE ARE VERY MANY URAL MINNESOTANS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS.

AND IT'S A LOT OF -- IT'S VOTERS OF EVERY COLOR.

>> Mary: DID WE EXPECT THE COURT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE?

GOVERNOR PAWLENTY HAS SOME APPOINTMENTS THERE, INCLUDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE, IF I'M CORRECT, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, THERE ARE TWO PAWLENTY APPOINTEES ON THE SUPREME COURT RIGHT NOW.

THE MINNESOTA UPREME COURT HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SENDING THINGS BACK TO HE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY CAN.

AND, SO, REALLY AM NOT SURPRISED BY THIS DECISION.

THEY TRY NOT TO USURP THE POWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, WHICH IS PROBABLY SMART.

AND KEEP IN MIND THAT THE OPINION WAS WRITTEN BY THE LOAN FORMER -- LONE FORMER LEGISLATOR ON THE BENCH, PAUL THISSEN.

THAT, TO ME, WAS PART OF THE SIGNAL THAT THIS RESTS WITH THE ELECTED BODY AND THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD -- >> Mary: KIND OF, OUR I SHALL SAY CHERISHED TRADITION OF A NONPARTISAN JUDICIARY, SAYING, WE'RE NOT OING TO TIP THE BALANCE ON WHAT COULD BE A POLITICAL ISSUE, WHILE THE STATES AROUND US ARE GETTING VERY PARTISAN, ENDORSING, SPENDING MONEY ON RACES, MINNESOTA IS STILL IMMUNE FROM THIS, IS THIS DECISION KIND OF REFLECTING THAT?

>> I THINK SO.

AS DISAPPOINTING AS IT WAS TO THE COALITION, I DO LIKE -- I THINK THE FACT THAT FORMER REPRESENTATIVE THISSEN, NOW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, WROTE THE DECISION, IT DOES -- BECAUSE TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT, WE ACTUALLY NEED THE BRANCHES TO ALL DO THEIR JOBS.

AND I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE COURT TO NOT AT A POINT LIKE THIS, NOT SAY, WE'LL TAKE ON THE JOB.

JUST SAY, IT'S ACTUALLY YOUR JOB.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FORMER BOSS BECAUSE, ACTUALLY, A LOT OF LEGISLATION IS RELEVANT.

WE JUST HAD, I THINK IT WAS LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED THE MOST AGGRESSIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY BILL SINCE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, WHEN IT WAS COOL TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL REPUBLICAN.

>> WE THOUGHT IT WAS COOL, RIGHT?

SO, IN 2007, GOVERNOR PAWLENTY PROPOSED THE EXT GENERATION ENERGY ACT.

AND, SO, THAT WAS TAKING US TO 20% RENEWABLE BY 2020.

WHICH THE STATE HAS ACTUALLY EXCEEDED, RIGHT?

WE GOT HERE AHEAD OF THAT SCHEDULE.

AND, SO, THAT AT THE TIME WAS THE STRONGEST RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD IN THE COUNTRY.

AND NOW I THINK WHAT GOVERNOR WALZ HAS DONE IS THE NEWEST STRONGEST STANDARD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO, YEAH, I DO -- THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN TONE.

FROM GOVERNOR PAWLENTY'S PERSPECTIVE, BACK IN 2007, WE WANTED TO POSITION MINNESOTA AS A LEADER IN THIS SPACE.

THAT THERE ARE JOBS TO BE CREATED, THAT WE COULD DO GOOD THINGS, DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

AND THAT WAS OUR MESSAGE AND IDEA.

AND I THINK THAT CAN BE A REPUBLICAN IDEA.

>> Mary: I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO BE THERE FOR THE BILL SIGNING, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY BIPARTISAN.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: THIS NOT SO MUCH.

>> WELL, SO, BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEANTIME, RIGHT, BETWEEN THEN AND NOW, TIM PAWLENTY ALSO RAN FOR PRESIDENT, WHERE HE THEN KIND OF WALKED BACK HIS SUPPORT FOR THAT VERY BILL BECAUSE BEING -- BELIEVING IN CLIMATE CHANGE BECAME A PARTISAN ISSUE.

SO, UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS BECOME PARTISAN IN A WAY THAT IT SHOULDN'T AND THAT IT WASN'T IN THE PAST, RIGHT?

IT IS ABOUT JOBS.

IT IS ABOUT CREATING JOBS.

IT IS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET.

AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

AND, SO, NOW IT COULD ONLY PASS WITH A DEMOCRATIC TRIFECTA.

>> Mary: FINAL ISSUE, 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD FOR ABORTION WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR PAWLENTY.

THAT'S GONE NOW, TOO.

>> YES.

THOSE ISSUES HAVE CHANGED.

OF COURSE, WITH THE DFL TRIFECTA, YOU KNOW, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS WAS RIGHT ON THE TOP OF THEIR AGENDA.

AND, SO, YES, YOU SEE SOME OF THOSE CHANGES HAPPENING.

AND THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THOSE PLAY OUT.

>> Mary: IS THERE ANY CHANCE DEMOCRATS HAVE GONE TOO FAR ON THAT ISSUE?

>> LOOK, I THINK DEMOCRATS LEARNED A LESSON THE LAST IME WE HAD A TRIFECTA.

OUR LEADERS IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE, NERVOUS ABOUT NOT PUSHING SOME THINGS LIKE DRIVER'S LICENSES, MINIMUM WAGE, WE HAD TO, LIKE, REALLY FORCE THE ISSUE.

>> Mary: I SHOULD COME ACK, DRIVER'S LICENSE, TOO, WAS ANOTHER PAWLENTY ERA POLICY THAT'S GETTING WALKED BACK NOW.

>> SURE.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR PAWLENTY PUT THE STATUS CHECK ON DRIVER'S LICENSES AT THE TIME.

SO THAT WAS REALLY PART OF IT THEN.

WAS IN THAT POST-9/11 KIND OF ATMOSPHERE AND ATTITUDE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE TRACKING AND PAYING ATTENTION TO WHO'S, YOU KNOW, USING A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

>> Mary: THAT GOING TO PASS THE SENATE AS WELL?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> AND THAT ALSO HAS -- THAT HAS HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OVER THE YEAR.

BUT I THINK DEMOCRATS LEARNED A LESSON THE LAST TIME.

WE WERE TIMID AND THEY LOST IT ANYWAY.

THIS TIME THEY'RE ACTUALLY ENACTING THEIR AGENDA.

>> Mary: GREAT ANALYSIS.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

>> YOU BET.

>> Mary: GREAT STUFF.

♪♪ - >> Mary: COMING UP, A CONVERSATION WITH SHANNON WATSON, WHO'S WORKING ON BIPARTISANSHIP, SOMETHING WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.

BUT, FIRST, A LOOK AT WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN HAPPENING UP HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> THERE BEING 69 AYES AND 59 NAYS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE CONTINUED THE STEADY PACE OF PASSING BILLS, THE LATEST ADDRESS A CHILD CARE CRISIS.

>> CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING IS A SECTOR THAT WAS IN CRISIS EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

OF COURSE, THEN THE PANDEMIC MADE THINGS EVEN WORSE.

>> Mary: STABLIZING CHILD CARE SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM WAS WELCOMED BY PROVIDERS.

>> AS EDUCATORS, OUR NUMBER ONE JOB EACH DAY IS O SHOW EVERY CHILD THAT THEY ARE SAFE, LOVED, AND VALUED.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SHOWING MINNESOTA CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS THAT THEY ARE VALUED.

>> IT'S NO ACCIDENT THAT THIS IS HOUSE FILE 13, THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR OUR CAUCUS, TO BE ABLE TO HELP FUND CHILD CARE.

WE KNOW THAT IN MINNESOTA, CHILD CARE IS INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CHILD CARE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> IT IS SO FUN TO HAVE THE TRIFECTA BECAUSE IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS THAT WILL REALLY MEANFULLY CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES OVER AND OVER AND OVER GAIN.

>> Mary: BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE BILL IS RIPE FOR MORE FRAUD.

>> $100 MILLION!

40%, 4-0, 40% OF THE MONEY INTENDED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS WENT OUT THE DOOR IN FRAUD.

AND, YET, INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEMS, AGAIN, AS IS OUR HABIT HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, INSTEAD OF FIXING THE PROBLEMS, WE JUST PUT ORE MONEY IN.

>> WHY DOES FRAUD AND ABUSE MATTER?

WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT $100 MILLION HERE, $250 MILLION THERE?

BECAUSE AS UNBELIEVABLE AS THESE FIGURES SOUND, THE TRUE SCOPE OF FRAUD IS EXPONENTIALLY WORSE.

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY WITH A CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL.

>> Mary: THE LEGISLATURE'S BONDING BILLS FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WERE UNVEILED.

>> FOR SOME REASON THERE'S THIS HUGE RUSH TO GET THIS BILL OUT THERE AND GET IT PASSED.

>> CAPITAL ROJECTS ARE AN EXCELLENT USE OF ONE-TIME FUNDING, SO THAT'S WHY WE ALSO HAVE THE GENERAL FUND BILL TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE LOCAL PROJECTS AND TO ALSO MAKE INVESTMENTS INTO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE THAT MAY NOT TRADITIONALLY RECEIVE STATE G.O.

BOND DOLLARS.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN VOTES WILL BE NEEDED TO BUILD A SUPERMAJORITY ON THIS BILL.

>> I'M VERY RESPECTFUL FOR WHERE WE ARE NOW.

THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE.

IT'S KIND OF STRANGE FTER ALL THE HEARINGS WE'VE EARD AND LOOKING AT THESE, I'M, LIKE, I REMEMBER THESE, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF LIKE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL.

♪♪ ♪ UPBEAT MUSIC ♪ >> Mary: WELL, DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL OF ALL THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND JUST A ONE-VOTE MARGIN OVER IN THE SENATE, YOU'D THINK THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF BIPARTISANSHIP STILL IN THE AIR.

BUT MAYBE NOT SO MUCH.

ACCORDING TO OUR NEXT GUEST, WHO'S GOING TO WORK ON THIS.

SHANNON WATSON RECENTLY MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT YOU ARE GOING FULL TIME WITH MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE.

>> YES.

>> Mary: TELL US WHAT IT MEANS, WHY YOU'VE MADE THIS DECISION.

>> SO, I WOULD SAY EVEN WITH THE DFL TRIFECTA, THERE IS A SPIRIT AND A NEED FOR BIPARTISANSHIP THAT I HAVEN'T FELT IN MANY YEARS.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS FRESHMAN CLASS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, OR IF IT COMES FROM NEW LEADERSHIP OR WHAT.

BUT I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY THERE.

AND LEGISLATORS ARE HEARING FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS ON THE DOOR THAT THEY WANT, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO GET THINGS DONE.

I THINK THEY ALSO WANT THE LEGISLATORS TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE.

>> Mary: WE DEFINITELY BOTH KNOW REPUBLICANS, THOUGH, WHO ARE VERY FRUSTRATED, WHO FELT LIKE, YEAH, THEY HAD A GOOD START.

THEY GOT FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY DONE, A FEW OTHER THINGS, BIPARTISAN.

>> YES, 100%.

>> Mary: AND NOW THAT THEY'RE GETTING INTO THE REALLY TOUGH STUFF, THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANY AMENDMENTS ON, THEY'RE FEELING LIKE THINGS ARE RUSHING THROUGH COMMITTEE.

SO I FEEL LIKE THE BIPARTISANSHIP IS MAYBE RETREATING A BIT.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> I THINK SO.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.

SO LIKE BRIAN SAID A MINUTE AGO, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

AND THE DFL HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A VERY LONG TIME, PARTICULARLY IN THE HOUSE, TO GET SOME OF THESE THINGS DONE.

SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A BACKLOG AND A CHECKLIST THAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN DEBATING THESE BILLS, SO THE ABORTION BILL, THE DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR ALL BILL, SOME OF THESE OTHER ONES THAT HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THEN HE SENATE JUST HAS TO CATCH UP, I THINK THOSE ARE MOVING A LITTLE FASTER AND THEY'RE A LITTLE LESS INTERESTED IN TAKING AMENDMENTS FROM THE FLOOR OR IN COMMITTEE THAT JUST AREN'T GOING TO BE PART OF THE PACKAGE.

>> Mary: IT'S IMPORTANT CONTEXT BECAUSE THE HOUSE HAS HEARD VIRTUALLY ALL THESE BILLS.

>> YES.

>> Mary: BEING IN DFL CONTROL BEFORE.

BUT AS YOU RECALL SAYING, THE SENATE, A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS, AND THEY HADN'T EVER HEARD SOME F THESE BILLS.

SO YOU ARE EXPECTING THE SENATE TO BE A LITTLE MORE SLOW AND DELIBERATE.

>> YEAH.

AND THAT'S JUST SORT OF THE CULTURE OF THE SENATE, TOO.

YOU KNOW, THEY WANT TO BE THE MORE DELIBERATIVE BODY, THEY WANT TO BE A LITTLE SLOWER, THEY VERY RARELY GO UNTIL 3:00 IN THE MORNING EXCEPT FOR THE ABORTION BILL.

AND I THINK THAT'S OKAY.

AND THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THOSE VOICES ARE HEARD, THAT ALL THE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED.

BECAUSE EVEN WITH A DFL TRIFECTA, NO ONE OF THESE MEMBERS WAS ELECTED WITH 100% OF THE VOTE.

EVEN THE ONES WHO RAN UNOPPOSED, I THINK THE TOP ONE WAS LIKE 97%.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> SO THERE IS AN ATTEMPT FOR LEGISLATORS, THEY NEED TO HAVE THEIR GOVERNING MAJORITY, BUT THEY ALSO NEED TO REPRESENT ALL OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER THEY VOTED FOR THEM OR NOT.

>> Mary: SO WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?

WHAT SPECIFIC CONVERSATIONS AND REMINDERS AND INSPIRATION CAN YOU GIVE THEM?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE THING THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON IS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT THE LEGISLATORS WHO WANT TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE, AND THEN ELEVATE THOSE STORIES.

BECAUSE THE FIGHT GETS ALL THE PRESS BECAUSE IT'S MORE INTERESTING AND A LOT OF TIMES THE BIPARTISANSHIP HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES.

SO, LIKE, REPRESENTATIVE JIM NASH, HE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON AND THE SENATE ON THE LIQUOR BILL THAT WENT THROUGH WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT LAST YEAR.

BUT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WERE PRIMARILY BEHIND THE SCENES.

WHAT YOU SEE ON THE FLOOR IS PERFORMATIVE.

AND, SO, THAT'S -- THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH ATTENTION.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS DRAW ATTENTION TO THAT FOR THE MEMBERS THAT MAKE SENSE AND THEN JUST SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, KIND OF BACK REFERENCE, LAST WEEK, BECAUSE WE HAD CHARLIE WEAVER ON.

>> YES, YES.

>> Mary: HE WAS TALKING ABOUT A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE, REALLY BRINGING MODERATION, NONPARTISANSHIP AND YOU COME FROM ALSO ADVOCATING FOR A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: WHAT BUSINESS WANTS.

>> BUSINESS WANTS -- THEY WANT STABILITY, THEY WANT PREDICTABILITY, AND THEY'RE USED TO -- THEY'RE USED TO COLLABORATING WITH PEOPLE THAT THEY MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY DISAGREE WITH.

THIS IS THE ONLY WORKPLACE IN THE STATE WHERE IT WAS SORT OF ACCEPTABLE TO NOT WORK WITH HALF OF YOUR COLLEAGUES OR TO HAVE A HARDER TIME.

YOU DO THAT IN ANY BUSINESS IN THE STATE THAT ISN'T POLITICAL, AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU FUNNY AND MAYBE YOU GET FIRED.

SO, I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THAT A LITTLE BIT AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FOUND FASCINATING OVER THE YEARS.

I WORKED FOR THE St. PAUL AREA CHAMBER FOR A LONG TIME.

AND THE BUSINESSES, IT'S NOT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE POLITICAL, BUT THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT THEY GET TO IS DELIBERATIVE AND THAT IT MAKES SENSE.

>> Mary: HOW WILL YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE END?

>> GOODNESS, THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I PLAY A LONG GAME.

AND I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT WE'LL HAVE BIG SORT OF VISUAL THINGS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE BIPARTISANSHIP THIS YEAR REFLECTED.

BUT I THINK IF ONE MORE MEMBER FEELS BETTER ABOUT WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE, THAT, TO ME, IS A WIN.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, SHANNON.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

IT'S TIME TO MEET ANOTHER FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER.

THIS IS A TEACHER WHO TURNED INTO A LAWMAKER AND REPRESENTS INVER GROVE HEIGHTS.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE?

>> THE TIMING WAS SO RIGHT.

I AM A TEACHER BY PROFESSION.

AND I SEE ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS, ND WHATEVER'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL HAPPENS KIND OF IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND MY WHOLE BACKGROUND JUST KIND OF LIKE LINED UP.

THE TIMING WAS RIGHT.

>> Mary: A NEW SEAT, OPEN SEAT, DOES THAT HELP?

>> YES, YES.

THIS IS A TOTALLY NEW SEAT.

EVERYTHING THAT I'VE DONE IN LIFE KIND OF, LIKE, LINED UP.

YOU KNOW?

I KNOW VERY FEW PEOPLE THAT START RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE, SAY, I'M GOING TO BE A POLITICIAN.

BUT WHAT I'VE DONE IN THE PAST , I WORKED IN HOUSING, WORKED FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, I WORKED WITH SUBSIDIZED HOUSING, I HELPED PEOPLE FIND RESOURCES.

I WAS A CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

LEARNED ABOUT THE DISCRIMINATION PIECE.

AND THEN I ENDED UP TEACHING BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, WHEN SHE WAS, LIKE, A LITTLE KID, JUST STARTING SCHOOL, SHE'S ALREADY READING AND WRITING AND DOING MATH WITH THIRD GRADE, BUT HER TEACHER SAID, COULD YOU PLEASE KEEP THE BEADS QUIET IN HER HAIR?

SO, THAT KIND OF -- THAT WAS A CALL TO ACTION.

>> Mary: IF I COULD JUMP IN, I'M WATCHING THE CROWN ACT MOVE.

>> YES, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

AND I ALSO WANTED TO BE A MENTOR FOR STUDENTS THAT LOOK LIKE ME.

I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BURNSVILLE.

AND MY FAMILY WAS THE FIRST BLACK FAMILY OUT THERE IN 1956.

THERE WERE A LOT OF BARRIERS THAT WE WENT THROUGH.

MY PARENTS HAD PUT 40% DOWN ON THEIR HOME WHEN THEY PURCHASED IT.

THROUGH DEATH THREATS, THAT TYPE OF THING.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY NICE PEOPLE.

AND MY MOM KIND OF WONDERED WHY THIS FARMER KEPT, LIKE, DRIVING PAST OUR THREE AND A HALF ACRE HOME.

AND SHE FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS OUT THERE TO, LIKE, PROTECT US AND PROTECT THE FAMILY WHEN MY DAD WAS AT WORK AT NIGHT.

AND MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN FABULOUS.

THEY STRONGLY -- STRONG BELIEVERS IN EDUCATION.

THEY MET AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

AND, SO, ONE THING THEY DID IS THEY ALWAYS MADE SURE THAT, LIKE, ALL OF US KIDS HAD ACCESS TO COLLEGE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WORKED REALLY HARD TO DO THAT.

BUT THEY PAID FOR ALL OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY.

JUST A BLESSING.

AND I TRIED TO DO THE SAME THING WITH MY KIDDO.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE DISTRICT, TALK TO ME ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND WHAT YOU HEARD FROM VOTERS.

>> I HAVE A REALLY COOL DISTRICT.

MY DISTRICT IS SUBURBAN AND A LITTLE URBAN.

WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF HOME OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE PREMANUFACTURED HOMES TO HOMES THAT ARE PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE STATE.

>> Mary: I WOULD SAY, REALLY, ONE OF THE MORE DIVERSE DISTRICTS ON EVERY SCALE, ECONOMICS, HOMES, RACIALLY DIVERSE.

YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES.

HOW TO OU HANDLE ALL HAT?

>> I'M EXCITED.

I'M KIND OF -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY I'M AN EXTRAVERT BECAUSE I'M NOT, BUT I'M NOT AN INTROVERT.

I LOVE THE SOCIAL ASPECT, I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

>> Mary: SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, FROM SCHOOL BOARD TO WORKING FOR A CITY.

HOW OES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE REALLY HELP YOU HIT THE GROUND UNNING AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> I HAVE ALSO BEEN ON TWO BOARDS, APPOINTED BY TWO DIFFERENT GOVERNORS.

AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING THAT UP IS THAT I'VE DEALT WITH A LOT OF POLICY.

I WAS ON THE BOARD OF TEACHING, AND ON THE BOARD OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

>> Mary: MUCH HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE RECORD AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY COMING INTO THE CAPITOL AND SPECIFICALLY, BECAUSE YOU GET GOVERNMENT, THE LAYERS THAT THE HOUSE IS BUILT IN THAT DIVERSITY ISN'T COMPARTMENT MENTALLIZED BUT IT'S KIND OF SYSTEMIC THROUGH THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE APPROACH.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF HOW DIVERSITY'S BEING HANDLED IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A VISUAL.

IT THE CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND IT.

AND ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA'S DONE A LOT OF GROWTH, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE MORE NATURAL OR OKAY TO HAVE.

SO I THINK WITH THAT AND WITH MAKING POLICIES AND KEEPING THE VIEW OF EQUITY WITH ALL OUR DECISIONS WE'LL BE OKAY.

AND WHEN I SAY THAT, I'M NOT JUST TALKING EDUCATION, I'M TALKING ENVIRONMENTAL OR, YOU KNOW, JUST USTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, EVERY DECISION IF IT'S MADE THROUGH THE VIEW OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION, WE'LL BE OKAY.

>> Mary: NOW THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY THE ELECTED OFFICIAL WITH THE NAME PLATE ON THE DOOR, WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU ABOUT BEING THERE?

>> I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS.

[ Laughter ] NO, ACTUALLY, JUST UNDERSTANDING THE DEPTH.

RIGHT NOW I HAVE, LIKE, SEVEN DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT I WANT TO DEVELOP INTO POSSIBLE BILLS.

BUT THE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT THAT IS HERE AND A LOT OF IT IS BIPARTISAN, WHICH IT NEEDS TO BE.

ANOTHER THING THAT SURPRISED ME IS PROBABLY THE VOLUME OF EMAILS THAT I'M GETTING.

>> Mary: IT'S A LOT.

>> YEAH.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I REALLY WANT TO KEEP ON TOP OF AND RESPONDING TO PEOPLE.

>> I WAS ASKED TWICE TO RUN FOR THE HOUSE.

ONE IN 2018 AND NOW THIS TIME.

AND I WAS ASKED ONCE BY THE SENATE TO RUN.

MY WIFE AND I DISCUSSED, WE SAID, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THE SECOND CALLING MEANS SOMETHING.

I KNEW WE HAD TO CAMPAIGN, WE HAVE TO CAMPAIGN HARD.

WHEN I COMMIT TO SOMETHING, I DO 100%.

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW IT WOULD STAND.

>> Mary: BUT YOU HAVE TO FEEL PROUD THAT YOU FLIPPED A SEAT AND YOU COULD HAVE INFLUENCED CONTROL.

IT DIDN'T END UP BEING THE DECIDER BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK A LOT OF MY WORKING AS A MAYOR WITH THE OTHER CITIES AND DIFFERENT AREAS AND, YOU KNOW, FIRST RESPONDERS AND JUST BEING OUT IN THE WHOLE CLAY COUNTY, BEING BORN AND RAISED DOWN IN DETROIT LAKES, BECKER COUNTY, I THINK THAT HELPS A LOT, TOO.

WE STARTED A PROGRAM HERE, WORKED THERE, ONE OF THE BIG REASONS TO GET IN THAT IS I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND A LOT, SO MY MAIN THING WAS TO GET IN THERE AND RIDE ALONG AND JUST UNDERSTAND.

♪♪ >> Mary: THAT'S OUR HOW OR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK IN NEXT WEEK.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S PROGRAM OR WANT TO REWATCH ANY YOU OF OUR SHOWS, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG//AATC.

THERE YOU CAN ALSO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FOLLOW US EACH AND EVERY DAY ON FACEBOOK AND - TWITTER AND ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA ITES.

AGAIN, TPT.ORG/AATC.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE'S IN SESSION, ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN WATCH FLOOR ACTION, HOUSE AND SENATE, COMMITTEES, ALL THOSE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, BILL SIGNINGS AND MUCH MORE ON THIS PBS STATION.

AND MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO THIS STATION FRIDAY NIGHT FOR "ALMANAC."

ERIC AND CATHY WILL ALK WITH NEWSMAKERS, INCLUDING LARRY FITZGERALD, SR., AND I'LL TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON VOTING RIGHTS, HOW THAT PUTS PRESSURE NOW ON THE STATE SENATE TO CT, INCLUDING A CONVERSATION WITH SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON ON THE ISSUE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "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.

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IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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