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

>> Mary: GET THE WORD ON LEGAL WEED WITH THE BILL AUTHOR AND AN OPPONENT AND WE TALK TO TWO FRESHMEN FROM TWO DIFFERENT PARTIES ABOUT THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

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, THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

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

MINNESOTA LOTTERY.

PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY, I'MIN.

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

AND...

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

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

JUST WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND FINAL VERSIONS OF BILLS ARE BEING NEGOTIATED INCLUDING THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, WE'LL HAVE LEADING LAWMAKERS ON THE ISSUE FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

A DFL SENATOR WILL TALK ABOUT HER HISTORIC LEGISLATION, AND WE'LL MEET THE NEW SENATOR FROM HIBBING WHO CALLS HIMSELF A PRO-UNION REPUBLICAN.

FIRST, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT CAPITOL ACTIVITY THIS WEEK.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WORK IS UNDERWAY.

>> WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR FIRST CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> THIS IS NOT THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

THIS IS NOT THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.

THIS IS NOT THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE.

THIS IS THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

THAT MUST BE OUR FOCUS FIRST AND LAST.

>> Mary: AS SELECT HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS MEET TO WORK OUT THEIR DIFFERENCES ON LARGE OMNIBUS BILLS.

>> I FOR ONE AM VERY EXCITED TO BE ON THE CUSP OF WHAT I THINK ARE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN POLICY CHANGES IN MINNESOTA, AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE DOING TO END THIS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WITH A PRODUCT THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

>> I'M JUST REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY AND GET TO WORK ON THESE GREAT BILLS.

[CHANTING] >> WITH DEMOCRATS THIS COMPLETE CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL, THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE TOP PRIORITIES LIKE PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> WE ARE HERE BECAUSE AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF FIGHTING OF MINNESOTANS, DECLARING THAT IT IS TIME, IT IS TIME, IT IS TIME, WE ARE NOW MOVING AT THE SPEED OF ME AND ETTING READY TO PASS PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[Cheering] >> THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO TELL SOME OF THE MOST HEART-BREAKING STORIES, AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING THAT WITHOUT VERY MUCH MOVEMENT.

AND SO IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO BE IN THIS SPACE WITH ALL OF THEM TODAY, KNOWING THAT THEIR HARD WORK ON -- THAT THERE IS A BILL THAT IS MOVING IN BOTH HE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

>> TAKING CARE OF OUR FAMILIES OR OURSELVES SHOULD NOT COME SECOND TO OUR JOBS.

MINNESOTANS HAVE EARNED AND DESERVE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS HAVE CONCERNS OF A LARGE NEW GOVERNMENT-RUN PROGRAM.

>> WE'VE MADE THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THE REFUGEE -- THE REFUGE FOR EVERYTHING BUT EMPLOYERS.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CRUSH EVERY ENTREPRENEUR.

>> THIS PLAN WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT HIS SET OF BENEFITS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO COST NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A TAX ON MINNESOTANS.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING NINE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW TAXES IN THE DEMOCRATS' BUDGET TARGETS, NINE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW TAXES AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED THE HIGHEST SURPLUS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS STATE.

>> WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS WE DO NOT NEED TO GROW GOVERNMENT.

OUR GOVERNMENT IS LARGE ENOUGH.

♪♪ >> Mary: AS YOU JUST SAW, IT'S CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TIME WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES SO WE HAVE A HOUSE CHAIR AROUND HE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE MARIJUANA BILL WHICH IS BEING NEGOTIATED RIGHT NOW, DEMOCRAT ZACK STEPHENSON AND WE HAVE REPUBLICAN FROM THE SENATE, CARLA NELSON.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES, WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT AS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.

I THINK WE AGREE IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE THAT THE CANNABIS LAWS WE HAVE NOW ARE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD AND MINNESOTANS WANT CHANGE.

SO WE'RE BUILDING FROM THAT CONSENSUS, THE FACT THAT WE CAN HAVE A CANNABIS POLICY THAT ALLOWS MINNESOTANS THE FREEDOM AND RESPECT TO MAKE NEAR OWN DECISIONS BUT ALSO DOES GREAT GOOD AROUND PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY, ALL SORTS OF THINGS, BETTER USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

SO WE'RE BUILDING ON CONSENSUS.

>> Mary: BUT THE DIFFERENT TAXES, DIFFERENT TAX RAITT, DIFFERENT AMOUNTS THAT CAN BE POSSESSED?

>> UT, MAYOR, THESE ARE RELATIVELY MINOR DIFFERENCES WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A 10% TAX RATES IN THE SENATE AND 8% IN THE HOUSE, THAT'S NOT A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

THE DIFFERENCE IN THE POSSESSION LIMIT IS ALSO MINOR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT BUT I THINK THERE'S GREAT MOMENTUM BEHIND THIS PROPOSAL.

I'M FEELING VERY POSITIVE.

>> Mary: THE DETAILS TROUBLE YOU OR THE BIG PICTURE?

>> ACTUALLY, THE BILL IS JUST BRIE MATURE.

NUMBER ONE, THERE IS JUST NO TEST FOR IMPAIRMENT, WHICH S WHY PUBLIC SAFETY IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

THERE'S TEST IF -- IF THC IS PRESENT KNEW BUT NOT IF YOU'RE IMPAIRED OR NOT, SO HUGE ISSUE.

THIS BILL SHOULD NOT BE MOVING UNTIL WE HAVE A TEST FOR IMPAIRMENTS.

THERE'S ALSO GREAT CONCERN, TOO, ABOUT THE LACK OF LOCAL CONTROL.

WE TEND TO BELIEVE LOCAL CONTROL IS BEST IN FIGURING OUT WHAT WORKS BEST.

>> Mary: THE SENATE GOT SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT LITTLE MORE LOCAL CONTROL IN IT.

>> WE GOT JUST A LITTLE BIT, SAYING THAT THERE CANNOT BE MORE THAN TWO, TWO LICENSEES IN SOME OF OUR SMALLER AREAS, SOME OF THEM OUR SMALLER DISTRICTS OUT BUT THERE'S GREAT CONCERN.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THAT PROVISION, THERE'S BEEN BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN A LITTLE MORE LOCAL CONTROL?

COULD YOU TAKE THE SENATE LANGUAGE THERE?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF LOCAL CONTROL IN BOTH BILLS.

WE ALLOW FOR ZONING, ALLOWING LOCALITIES TO KEEP THE STORES AWAY FROM SCHOOLS AND OTHER THINGS.

WHAT WE DON'T WANT IS OPTING OUT AMTOGETHER BECAUSE THAT IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE ILLICIT MARKET AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE ALLOWED THOSE TYPES OF OPT-OUTS, IS THE ELICIT MARKETPLACE CONTINUES TO COULD GO.

>> Mary: THERE IS REPUBLICAN INTEREST IN OPTS OWOUT?

>> EXACTLY.

THOSE OPT-OUTS IN CALIFORNIA ARE VERY SMALL AREAS, THE LARGE METROPOLITAN AREAS DID NOT OPT OUT SO CERTAINLY ALLOWING OPT-OUTS SHOULD BE WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF ANY MINNESOTA CITY TOWN OR TOWNSHIP.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE IMPAIRMENT TEST?

THAT WAS BROUGHT UP, AS WELL, THAT'S SOMETHING BUSINESSES ARE SAYING, THE TRUCKERS HAVE BEEN REALLY VOCAL ABOUT THAT.

WHERE ARE YOU AT ON IMPAIRMENT AND CAN THIS GO THROUGH WITHOUT SOME TANGIBLE GUIDE ON IMPAIRMENT?

>> SO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT IN SESSION, I WORK AS A PROSECUTOR SO THIS IS AN ISSUE I KNOW FIRSTHAND FROM MY DAY JOB AND THE THING WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS THERE ARE A LOT OF SUBSTANCES THAT YOU CAN TAKE LEGALLY TODAY THAT IMPAIR YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE.

AND THERE'S NO TEST FOR IMPAIRMENT.

RANGING FROM PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION ALL THE WAY DOWN TO COUGH SYRUP OR SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND LET ME TELL YOU, WHICH PROSECUTE PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LEGAL SUBSTANCES FOR WHICH THERE IS NO IMPAIRMENT TEST.

ALCOHOL IS THE OUTLEASH, THE ONLY SUBSTANCE FOR WHICH THERE IS AN IMPAIRMENT TEST SO I HAVE TO DISAGREE WHEN WE SIGH WE CAN'T HANDLE THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE WE ALREADY ARE.

WE DO THIS EVERY DAY WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES.

>> CERTAINLY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE RIGHT -- ARE THE ONES THAT ARE RIGHT ON THE GROUND, THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND SO ARE MANY, MANY MINNESOTANS.

AND THEN, SPECIFICALLY, JUST THE ASPECT OF MORE ILLICIT OR MORE ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES AND PARTICULARLY HOW THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT KIDS.

CERTAINLY I'VE BEEN A LEADER IN TOBACCO, KEEPING TOBACCO AWAY FROM THE YOUTH.

WE KNOW THERE IS THE HALO EFFECT AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM OTHER STATES, WE SHOULD LEARN IN OTHER STATES.

OTHER STATES HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE, THEY HAVE SEEN INCREASES IN TRAFFIC FATALITIES UNDER IMPAIRMENT UNDER CANNABIS USE, SO WE SHOULD LEARN FROM HOSE OTHER STATES.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT AGE BECAUSE ORIGINALLY YOUR BILL STARTED 18, YOU MOVED TO 21.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT TO TAKE IT TO 25 AND A LOT OF ARGUMENTS BEHIND THE BRAIN NOT FULLY FORMING UNTIL 25.

IT CAN'T CHANGE NOW IN CONFERENCE, CAN IT, BECAUSE 21 IS IN CONFERENCE?

>> CAN'T AND SHOULDN'T.

21 IS THE AGE OF MAJORITY, IT'S THE AGE AT WHICH WE'VE DECIDED THAT PEOPLE ARE ADULTS AND THERE IS A HOST OF DECISIONS THAT YOU GET TO MAKE AT THE TIME YOU'RE 21 RANKING FROM DRINKING ALCOHOL, BUYING TOBACCO, JOINING THE ARMY, GETTING MARRIED, HAVING KIDS.

THIS IS THE AGE OF MAJORITY.

WE CERTAINLY THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SMOKE CANNABIS IF THAT'S THEIR CHOICE AND I WANT TO SAY, THE EVIDENCE IS REALLY STRONG IN DATA FROM OTHER STATES, THAT YOUTH ACCESS TO CANNABIS DOES NOT INCREASE, AT ALL, IT HOLDS STEADY AND STAGNANT IN STATES LIKE COLORADO AND WASHINGTON.

WHERE WE DO SEE N INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION IS AMONG OLDER PEOPLE, SENIOR CITIZENS WHO USE IT FOR PAIN RELIEF.

THIS IS A MOST ACTIVE THING.

EVERY SINGLE STATE THAT HAS LEGALIZED CANNING ABYSS HAS SEEN A DROP IN OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS BECAUSE PEOPLE SUBSTITUTE CANNABIS FOR OPIOIDS.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE GOT SOME HUSBAND SUPPORT, HE SENATE DID NOT, WHY NOT?

THERE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO WERE INTERESTED IN THIS.

>> YES, YES, AND THERE ARE OTHER LEGALIZATION BILLS OUT THERE THAT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE SUPPORT.

THIS ONE, AS I SAID, IS JUST PREMATURE.

>> Mary: COULD YOU SUPPORT ANY VERSION?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT IT IS.

YOU HAVE TO EE WHAT IT IS.

DOES IT TAKE CARE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES?

>> DECRIMINALIZE.

[Overlapping Conversation].

>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT, DECRIMINALIZATION, BUT THE FACT THAT IT REMAINS A SCHEDULE I SUBSTANCE AT THE IF I HAD LEVEL CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE AND I HINK IF THAT WE'RE AND THERE MAY BE OVES TOWARDS THAT, I THINK THAT WOULD HELP A LOT BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING, BECAUSE IT IS A SCHEDULE I SUBSTANCE AT THE FEDERAL EVEL, THIS WILL BE AN ALL-CASH BUSINESS.

THE BANKS CANNOT LENDS.

THAT MEANS THE TAXPAYERS ARE FRONTING AND BUILDING UP THIS NEW ADDICTION FOR PROFIT INDUSTRY, AND MANY TAXPAYERS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> Mary: YOU'RE A LAWYER, YOU GET THE COMPLEX TEE OF THIS STILL BEING ILLEGAL FEDERALLY.

IS IT HARD FOR THE STATES TO GET IN FRONT OF THE FED HERE OR HAVE OTHER STATES OF DONE THIS?

>> OTHER STATES HAVE DONE IT, WE'LL BE THE 23rd.

AND IT PROVIDES A REAL BENEFIT TO MINNESOTANS WHO CAN'T GETS IT NOW, SO VETERANS, ARE A CLASSIC EXAMPLE.

VETERANS CAN'T GET CANNABIS THROUGH THE V.A.

BECAUSE IT'S FEDERALLY ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE, BUT IF WE MAKE IT LEGAL ON THE ADULT USE MARKET, THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO A LEGALITY SOURCE OF CANNABIS TO TREAT THEIR PAIN AND, AGAIN, EVERY STATE THAT'S LEGALIZED IT HAS SEEN A DROP IN OPIOID DEATHS.

>> BUS JUST TO KNOW, THOUGH, WE ALREADY HAVE LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AND -- >> Mary: IS THIS GETTING SIGNED?

>> YES.

AND AND WE -- >> Mary: WELL, SORRY, WITH WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

APPRECIATE IT, SENATOR, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> MARY: THERE'S NO DENYING IT'S BEEN A PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS SIGNED LOTS OF BIG BILLS INTO LAW, INCLUDING A FEW TOP PRIORITIES FOR SENATOR ERIN MAYE QUADE, WHO JOINS ME NOW TO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF MINNESOTA'S NEW LAWS, ONE HISTORIC BILL SHE WAS CHIEF AUTHOR OF.

>> IT WAS THE TRANS REFUGE BILL, MAKES MINNESOTA A SAFE PLACE FOR TRANS CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES TO BAN THEIR HEALTH CARYL DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE.

>> Mary: WE HAVE SOME IM MANAGES FROM THAT BILL SIGNING BECAUSE IT WAS A PARTICULARLY TRIUMPHANT MOMENT FOR YOU.

>> A JOYFUL DAY.

>> Mary: LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE PICTURES OF YOU AND THE GOVERNOR AND YOUR HOUSE AUTHOR, CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH THAT MOMENT?

>> YEAH, SO REPRESENTATIVE LEIGH FINKE, THE FIRST TRANS LAWMAKER IN MINNESOTA, I'M O GRATEFUL FOR HER LEADERSHIP, HER PARTNERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE DAY NOT JUST FOR, YOU KNOW, GENDER EXPANSIVE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BUT FOR BODILY AWE TON HEE AND FOR RIGHTS IN MINNESOTA DO IT WAS A REALLY WONDERFUL DAY.

THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN SUCH A STEADFAST CHAMPION FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE, FOR BODILY AUTONOMY AND YOU SAW THAT THAT DAY.

>> Mary: TALK ABOUT THE QUEER CAUCUS.

>> THE QUEER CAUCUS IS HUGE NOW.

>> ary: USED TO BE TINY.

>> IT WAS FOUR OF US, MY, SUSAN ALLEN, KAREN CLARK AND SENATOR DIBBLE, SO IT'S BIG NOW, I THINK THERE'S 11 NOW.

WE'RE GETTING A LOT DONE.

>> Mary: YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF YOUR TOP ISSUES DONE, LGBTQ, WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

DID YOU THINK THIS MUCH COULD HAPPEN THIS FAST?

>> YES AND NOT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW IS THAT IN THE GOVERNMENT IT OFTEN TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET ATTENTION TO GET PEOPLE TO NOTICE, TO GETS PEOPLE TO CARE, THEN TO GET THE LANGUAGE, TO GET IT PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW BUT THERE HAS BEEN SUCH A DEMAND, A PENT-UP DEMAND TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THIS CHAMBER AND SO WE SAW THAT JUST COME RUSHING IN WITH THE DFL TRIFECTA AND WE'RE HANDLING IT AS FAST AS WE POSSIBILITY CAN.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOU HEARD CAMPAIGNING ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS BECAUSE THE ANALYSIS IS BASICALLY DEMOCRATS WON THIS TRIFECTA MAYBE BECAUSE OF THAT ISSUE ALONE, OR PREDOMINANTLY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT ARGUMENT?

>> I MEAN, I DIFFERENTLY HERALD A LOT ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY.

I THINK WE CAN DEFINITELY PINPOINT THE BACKLIED INTO AUTHORITARIANISM AND FACISM WITH THE BACK SLIDE ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND WE'VE DONE THAT ACROSS THE WORLD SO PEOPLE OFTEN PAIRED THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER AND WE'RE SEEING PROTECTS FOR DEMOCRACY AND FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN MINNESOTA AND HAT'S PROBABLY WHY WE ON THE ELECTION AND CAN WHY WE'RE DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Mary: YOU HAD A PARTICULARLY INTERESTING INTERSECTION OF DEMOCRACY AND RIGHTS.

WHEN YOU WENT INTO LABOR DURING THE ENDORSING CONVENTION.

THAT'S HOW YOU GOT HERE AND YOU DID NOT GET ENDORSED.

TALKS US THROUGH THAT.

>> IT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING DAY.

A LOT OF IT MY BRAIN WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING THAT DAY, I WAS PREPARING TO HAVE A BABY SO WE TRIED TO MAKE IT AS FAR AS WE COULD.

WE KNEW WE HAD SUPPORT BY THE SECOND BALLOT AND I TRIED TO MAKE IT TO THE SECOND BALLOT.

I DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT TO THE FIRST SO I HAD JUST SAID, CAN WE SUSPEND AND GO TO A PRIMARY?

>> Mary: IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONTRACTION.

>> MANY, ACTUALLY.

[Laughter] >> Mary: I HAD SAW AT LEAST ONE IN THE IDEO THAT GOT KID OF FAMOUS.

>> YEA.

SO I HAD TO LEAVE AND GO HAVE A BABY, AFTER I WAS HOSPITAL AIDED FOR PREHE CHANNELS I CAN'T, THEN I HAD TO MAKE A DECISION TO CONNECT ON AND I VERY MUCH RESPECT THE ENDORSING PROCESS BUT DECIDED THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THE MOMENTS WE TAKE IT TO THE PRIMARY.

>> Mary: HOW GLAD ARE YOU THAT YOU FOUGHT ON AFTER WHAT HAPPENED?

PARTICULARLY IN THE SENATE, YOU SERVED IN THE HOUSE.

>> I DID.

>> Mary: BUT THE SENATE WAS NOT EXPECTED TO FLIP TO DEMOCRATIC CONTROL, IT WAS IN REPUBLICAN CONTROL.

>> I EXPECTED IT ONLY BECAUSE I HAD BEEN ON THE GROUND ON THE REPRODUCTIVE EALTH AND JUSTICE ISSUE FOR SO LONG AND I THINK PEOPLE MISTOOK HOW HORRIFIED THAT PEOPLE WERE ABOUT THE ROE VERSUS WEIGHT CASE BEING TURNED OVER.

I WAS WAD GO TO THE DOORS SIX-WEEKS POST-PARTUM BUT THIS HAS BEEN HISTORIC OR OUR STATE AND I THINK WE'LL SEE THE WORK OF THIS YEAR FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Mary: I REMEMBER TWEETING OUT AND I MET NOTHING BY FEMALE SENATORS AND THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN MY 25 YEARS HERE AND YOU WERE ONE OF THE SENATORS I RAN INTO.

HOW MUCH HAS IT CHANGED THE CULTURE, THE YOUTHS, THE DIVERSITY, HE WOMEN?

>> I MEAN, IT CHANGES EVERYTHING, IT CHANGES THE CONVERSATION, IT'S NO LONGER A HYPOTHETICAL ACADEMIC DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER NURSING PROTECTIONS AND PREGNANCY ACCOMMODATIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED ARE SITTING AT THE TABLE, WE'RE CHIEF-AUTHORING THE BILLS AND SO IT CHANGES EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CONVERSATION.

IT'S NOT ABOUT US WITHOUT US, WE'RE IN THE ROOM.

>> Mary: AND HOW MUCH HAS IT HELPED TO HAVE SUPPORT, TO HAVE OTHER ATTENTION WITH YOU?

>> AMAZING.

I WILL POINT OUT, SENATOR HEATHER GUSTAFSON TODAY HAD AN AMAZING, AMAZING KIND OF REBUTTAL TO SENATOR DRAZKOWSKI'S REMARKS THAT HE KEEPS MAKING ABOUT WHITE SUPREMACY AND COMMITTEE AND IT WAS SO AMAZING TO HAVE AN ALLEY IN THAT COMMITTEE SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THE ONE BLACK WOMAN IN THE ROOM TO SPEAK UP AND SAY THAT'S A REALLY DANGEROUS LINE OF RHETORIC.

I HAD A COLLEAGUE, ALLY SITTING THERE WHO WAS READY TO SAY SOMETHING FINALLY AFTER A LONG TIME OF HOLDING IT BACK AND IT'S CHANGED HOW WE OPERATE HERE.

>> Mary: YOU'RE NOT JUST THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE ELECTED BUT YOU'RE AMONG OTHERS.

>> .

THE FIRST BLACK MOM, IT DOES CHANGE HOW THINGS WORK AND THE PERSPECTIVES ARE SO SHE NEEDED.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, SENATOR, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER RETURNED TO THE IRON RANGE TO RAISE HIS FAMILY AND ENDED UP AS THE NEW SENATOR FOR HIS DISTRICT.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

SENATOR, FIRST QUESTION I HAVE, HY DID YOU WANT O RUN?

>> WELL, THAT'S KIND OF CHEESY AND MOST PEOPLE WITH KIDS SAY THAT BUT IT'S FOR MY KIDS.

SO MY WIFE AND I ACTUALLY WERE LIVING IN RED WING WHEN WE GOT MARRIED, I WAS WORKING AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY DOWN THERE AND SHE WAS WORKING DOWN AT THE MAYO CLINIC DRIVING DO YOU KNOW FROM RED WING AND WHEN WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO START A FAMILY, WE KNEW WE WOULD MOVE HOME AND RAISE OUR FAMILY UP HERE.

I TOLD MY WIFE, IF WE'RE MOVING HOME, THEN I HAVE TO RUN, I HAVE TO WORK TO RY TO MAKE SURE THE IRON RANGE STAYS THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

I GREW UP IN CHISHOLM, MY WIFE GREW UP IN HIBBING.

>> WE CAME THIS CLOSE TO WINNING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: SO THE BIG PART OF THE RANGE, THE HUGE STORY AS A POLITICAL REPORTER HAS BEEN THE SHIFT TO REPUBLICANS AND THE SHIFT RED.

THIS IS KIND OF TECHNICALLY A FLIP SEAT, WOULD YOU CALL IT THAT?

>> I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS NOW FOR, YOU KNOW, 12 OR 13 YEARS AND TRYING TO OPEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY UP MORE TO BEING PRO-UNION AND TO OPENING UNIONS UP TO SAYING, HEY, REPUBLICANS ARE GOOD FOR YOU, THEY'RE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.

>> Mary: WHY DO YOU THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE SUCH INROADS IN THE IRON RANGE IN MINNESOTA IN PARTICULAR?

>> MINING IS A BIG ISSUE, AND WANTING TO SUPPORT A PARTY THAT IS DEFINITELY PRO-MINING.

MY DAD WAS A 33-YEAR MINOR SO FOR ME I TAKE IT PERSONALLY WHEN PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA TRY TO ATTACK OUR WAY OF LIFE OR WE MAYBE VIEW IT AS AN ATTACK.

MINING HAS BUILT EVERYTHING UP HERE FROM SCHOOLS TO ROADS, I'VE BEEN A UNION MEMBER FOR, I THINK, ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW, I STARTED WORKING AT SUPER ONE FOODS PUSHING CARTS IN THE COMMERCIAL FOODS UNION AND THEN I'VE BEEN IN EDUCATION, MINNESOTA, NOW FOR PROBABLY CLOSE TO 20 YEARS SO I'M ABLE TO GO TO THE UNION MEMBERS AND SAY, HEY, YOU EVER A PRO-UNION REPUBLICAN AND IN FACT WHEN I WAS TEACHING UP AT THISTLE WOOD, I WAS THE LOCAL UNION PRESIDENT.

>> Mary: TALK TO US ABOUT EDUCATION.

>> I ATTENDED COLLEGE DOWN AT St. THOMAS, GOT MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE, I STARTED TEACHINGS SOCIAL STUDIES AT MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL FOR A YEAR, MOVED BACK HOME, STARTED TEACHING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, TOOK A TEACHING POSITION DOWN IN RED WING AT THE JUVENILE FACILITY AND THEN I MENTIONED MY WIFE AND I, THAT'S WHERE WE WERE LIVING WHEN WE GOT MARRIED AND THEN MOVED BACK, TRANSFERRED BACK TO THISTLEDEW AND 13, 14 YEARS AGO NOW I TOOK A JOB DOING SPECIAL ED WITH THE HIBBING SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Mary: SO SOUNDS LIKE MINING, LABOR, EDUCATION BIG ISSUES FOR YOU.

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO BRING TO THE CAPITOL NOR TOP I?

>> ONE OF THE TOP I IS COST OF LIVING IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE CONSTANTLY RATED AS FOURTH OR FIFTH HIGHEST TAXED STATE IN THE NATION AND I WOULD LINING TO SEE SOME PERMANENT TAX CUTS SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET AT THE END OF EVERY MONTH RATHER THAN ONE-TIME BONUSES OR GIMMICKS, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, OH SO REDUCING THE COST OF LIVING.

I MAJORED IN HISTORY IN COLLEGE AND OF COURSE STUDIED MINNESOTA HISTORY AND POLITICS, WHICHEVER IAN INDEPENDENT TYPE F STATE.

ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT REALLY CONSISTENTLY HAS THIS TICKET-SPLITTING.

>> Mary: DID YOU APPEAL TO THAT, DID YOU MAKE A SPECIFIC APPEAL TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND TICKET SPLITTERS?

>> I APPEALED TO EVERYBODY.

I RAN FOR HOUSE TWICE IN 2016 AND 2020, AND 016, I KNOCKED ON EVERY SINGLE DOOR OTHER THAN A LOT OF THE RURAL DOORS, IF YOU DIDN'T DO AS MUCH DOOR-KNOCKING IN 00 ALTHOUGH WAS THE YEAR I WAS ONLY 30 VOTES SHORT.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN DFL SIGNS IN THE YARDS BUT I WOULD STILL KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND, YOU KNOW, WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A LOT OF SAYING... >> Mary: SO THAT PROFFERS TICKET-SPLITTING IN THE DISTRICT, DOESN'T IT?

>> YEAH, YEAH, BUT I THINK -- I THINK IT'S PROBABLY NOT AS LARGE AS IT IS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS NOR HOW CRIM STAUBER GOOD, HOW Dr. JENSEN DID, I THINK THEY'RE PRETTY STEADY ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THE NEW DISTRICT BECAUSE SO MANY MEMBERS LIKE YOURSELF ARE COMING IN WITH NEW BOUNDARIES AND NEW DISTRICTS AND A REALLY CHANGED COMPLEXION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE STRICT AS IT'S CURRENTLY COMPOSED AND KNOW ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, I LIKE IT.

IT'S GIVEN ME A LOT THAT I HAVE TO LEARN.

FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE THE NORTHERN HALF OF AIKIN COUNTY NOW IN THIS DISTRICT WHICH HAS A LOT OF FARMING.

I LIKE THE VARIETY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MINING, WE HAVE A LOT OF TOURISM, WE HAVE A LOT OF FARMING.

>> Mary: BEING THAT YOUR PARTY WAS IN THE MAJORITY WHEN YOU WERE CAMPAIGNING, WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU GOING TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE AND HOW ARE YOU OING TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE MINORITY?

>> AGAIN, LOOKING AT TAX CUTS, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS I'VE ALREADY BEEN GETTING PHONE CALLS, EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT IN OFFICE YET ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, PROPERTY TAX NOTICES HAVE COME OUT AND I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE TO LOOK AT INCREASING THE HOMESTEAD CREDIT.

I HOPE THAT THEY FOLLOW THROUGH AND GET RID OF THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

MAKING SURE THAT WE GET PROPER FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO, AND THE REALITY IS WITH THE LEARNING LOSS AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS AND THE SCHOOL SHUTDOWNS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND SOME OF THAT SURPLUS MONEY ON INTERVENTIONS IN THE SCHOOLS, ON MENTAL HEALTH FOLKS IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: LIKE I SAY, YOU'RE COMING IN THE MINORITY, MAYBE THOUGHT YOU WERE COMING IN THE MAJORITY.

ANY FRIENDSHIPS SO FAR OR STRATEGIES TO TRY AND MAKE SOME FRIENDS TO GET SOME BILLS HEARD AND WORK ACROSS THE AISLE?

>> PROBABLY JUST THE SAME WAY THAT I'VE MADE FRIENDS WITH DEMOCRATS MY WHOLE PROFESSIONAL LIFE, I MEAN, I WOULD IT IN THE LOUNGE OVER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE DEMOCRATS, OR AT LEAST I THOUGHT THEY WERE DEMOCRATS, AND, YOU KNOW, WE'D GO ROUND AND ROUNDABOUT POLITICS AND AGREE ON PROBABLY ABOUT 90% OF THE THINGS BUT THEN AT THE END OF LUNCH, WELD SLAP EACH OTHER ON THE BACK AND GO BACK TO WORK.

>> INS SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN DOING SINCE I WAS 16 YEARS OLD, IS FINDING DIFFERENT WAITS TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY.

I GOT STARTED IN MY HOMETOWN OF ABOUT.

I WAS THE YOUTH -- OF BROOKLYN PARK.

I WAS THE YOUTH LIAISON TO ONE OF THE CITY COMMISSIONS AND MY VERY FIRST MEETING, WE LOOKED AT A CITIZEN SURVEY AND THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF RESIDENTS AT THE TIME WAS CRIME, ESPECIALLY JUVENILE CRIME.

KIND OF SHEEPISHLY RAISED UP THE COURAGE TO RAISE MY HAND AND SAID THE REASON THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING NTO TROUBLE IS THERE'S FLOWING FOR THEM TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO LAUNCH WHAT WAS AT THAT TIME THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES COALITION.

IT REALLY SHOWED ME WHAT, YOU KNOW, ONE CITIZEN RAISING THEIR HAND CAN DO TO REALLY TRANSFORM A COMMUNITY AND THAT SET ME DOWN A TRACK OF COMMUNITY SERVES THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE CAREER.

♪♪ MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK BUT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, YOU CAN HOP ONLINE TO TAKE THE ANNUAL "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

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MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH LOUIS JOHNSTON ABOUT THE ECONOMY, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEARING THE HOMESTRETCH.

KLUG FLAME A HIGHWAY AFTER PRINCE.

ALREADY PASSED HERE IN THE HOUSE, IT'S UP IN FRONT OF THE SENATE.

WE'LL GIVE YOU A FULL REPORT OF HONORING THE MINNESOTA ICON AND LEGEND.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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