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

>> 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.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

ALREADY A BUSY START TO THIS SHORT SESSION.

JUST OVER A WEEK IN AND SENATE LEADERS HERE TOGETHER AND A FORMER SENATE LEADER WHO IS LEAVING THE CAPITOL BEHIND AS WE CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM RETIRING LAWMAKERS ALL SESSION LONG N THIS SESSION.

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT THE MAJOR ISSUES SO FAR THIS WEEK, INCLUDING FRAUD AND GUN CONTROL.

[ CROWD SINGING ] >> STUDENTS FROM THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL CAME TO THE CAPITOL TO REMEMBER THE IVES TAKEN BY GUN VIOLENCE.

THE DESKS OF HARPER AND FLETCHER STOOD AS STARK REMINDERS ALONG WITH THE WORDS OF A SURVIVOR.

>> TWO STUDENTS SURVIVED GUNSHOT INJURIES TO THE HEAD.

I AM ONE OF THEM.

>> WE'VE PROVEN TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT MINNESOTA IS BUILT DIFFERENTLY AND I WANT TO MAKE THIS CASE THAT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE SAFEST STATE AROUND GUN VIOLENCE WHILE DOING NOTHING TO IMPINGE ON YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN PURPLE DISTRICTS THAT IF THEY'RE LISTENING TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND, FRANKLY, IF THEY WANT TO GET REELECTED THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE WITH S ON SOME OF THESE THINGS TO PASS THE BILLS THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS, RESIDENTS THEY REPRESENT WANT TO SEE PASSED INTO LAW.

>> THE 69% OF MINNESOTANS ARE STANDING WITH THESE SURVIVORS WE'RE HEARING FROM AND ARE DEMANDING THAT WE DO THIS, HAVE BEEN DEMANDING THAT WE DO THIS BEFORE AUGUST 27TH AND CERTAINLY AFTERWARDS.

AND THE PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE LITERALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TESTIFIER LIST, GUN INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS AND FOLKS WHO SELL THESE WEAPONS.

>> A HOUSE PANEL HEARD GUN CONTROL BILLS TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS AND HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

>> THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH IS THIS BILL IF IT WAS LAW WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THAT ATTACK.

>> I THINK I'M THE ONLY ONE IN THIS ROOM THAT ACTUALLY HAS GONE TO COMBAT AND CARRIED THESE WEAPONS OF SO-CALLED WAR THAT YOU MAY BE TALKING ABOUT.

I'M REALLY CONCERNED THAT WE BRING UP THIS WHOLE FACT OF WEAPONS OF WAR, WEAPONS OF WAR, WEAPONS OF WAR, I THINK WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF OUR WORDING BECAUSE THE FACT THAT THE FEAR MONGERING ASPECT OF THINGS AND NOT GOING DOWN TO THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WE HAVE.

MORE HANDGUNS ARE USED IN MASS SHOOTINGS THAN RIFLES.

>> I'LL JUST REMIND YOU THAT IN TWO MINUTES, 116 BULLETS KILLED TWO CHILDREN AND INJURED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 CHILDREN AND ADULTS PRAYING IN A CHURCH.

>> IN ANOTHER COMMITTEE LAWMAKERS FAILED TO REVIVE A FRAUD BILL TO CREATE AN INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> I DON'T REALLY CARE WHAT THE GOVERNOR LIKES OR WANTS TO DO.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE IN THIS BODY TO DO, THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THE CONVERSATION IS CLEAR THAT THIS BILL IS NOT READY AND IT IS NOT, THE HOUSE WORK IS NOT YET COMPLETED.

>> THIS BILL HAS BROAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT HAS COME OVER FROM THE SENATE WITH AN EXCEPTIONALLY STRONG SENATE POSITION.

>> MINNESOTA NEEDS TO!

>> THE START WITH HOME RALLY RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL.

>> WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER ACROSS PARTY LINES TO FIND WAYS TO GIVE EVERY SINGLE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO START THEIR LIFE WITH A HOME.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> HOUSING IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

HOUSING IS A HUMAN ISSUE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE THE FORMATION OF THE MINNESOTA FREEDOM CAUCUS.

>> CRITICISM WILL BE BIPARTISAN.

CRITICISM OF STANDING FOR THE CONSTITUTION IS AND WILL NOT BE TO JUST ONE PARTY, IT'S TO THE IDEAS, IT'S TO IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS, AND IF WE WANT TO TURN MINNESOTA AROUND WE CAN, ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TO RETURN TO THE ROOTS THAT FOUNDED OUR REPUBLIC.

♪ ♪ >> JOINING ME NOW SENATE LEADERS REPUBLICAN MARK JOHNSON AND DEMOCRAT ERIN MURPHY.

SENATOR MURPHY LET'S START WITH GUN CONTROL, THAT KIND OF TOOK CENTER STAGE.

LIKE MANY VOTES IN THE HOUSE, THOUGH, TIE VOTES.

REPRESENTATIVE GREG DAVIDS USED TO SAY A TIE AND YOU DIE AND CONTROVERSIAL BILL AFTER BILL AFTER BILL SO FAR THIS FIRST WEEK.

TIE VOTES AND MANY MANY OF THOSE MEASURES.

IS ANYTHING GOING TO HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF THE SENATE ON THOSE GUN CONTROL MEASURES?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY EARLY IN THE SESSION.

AND SO IT'S TOO SOON TO SAY ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT MINNESOTANS ARE BRINGING THEIR VOICES.

WE SAW HE ANNUNCIATION COMMUNITY SHOW UP PROUDLY AND IN SUCH AN EARNEST WAY THIS WEEK.

AND IT IS MOMENTS LIKE THAT THAT DO SHIFT A PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE AND I THINK CAN OPEN UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE VOTES ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> IT'S MOTIONAL.

SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES WERE IN TEARS AND WERE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THAT VOTE.

IS THAT GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE, DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE ANY HEARTS, MINDS IN YOUR CAUCUS OR IN REPUBLICANS' MINDS >> WELL, I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE VERY MUCH, I MEAN, I'VE GOT THE CHANCE TO GO MEET WITH HARPER'S FAMILY ON THIS AFTER THE SHOOTING AND JUST WHAT A GREAT FAMILY THAT IS AND THEY'RE REALLY TAKING THAT LOSS AND TRYING TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY RIGHT NOW IN A POSITIVE WAY.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS IN A MORE HOLISTIC WAY.

THIS IS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, THIS IS ABOUT SECURITY IN OUR SCHOOLS, THIS IS ABOUT TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT'S NOT MYOPIC, JUST ONE TOPIC THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THIS.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS HOLISTICALLY AND SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE RIGHT THERE, WE'VE BEEN PUSHING THIS FOR A LONG TIME, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS SESSION.

>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR HAD THREE PAGES OF PROPOSES AND BY THE TIME WE GOT TO THIRD PAGE I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE BIPARTISAN, THOSE WERE SCHOOL SAFETY, THAT WAS MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT IS THAT ACCEPTABLE, WILL DEMOCRATS LET JUST THAT THIRD PAGE GO THROUGH?

>> YOU WILL RECALL AFTER THE HORRIFIC SHOOTING AT ANNUNCIATION THAT THERE WERE TWO HEARINGS HELD IN HE SENATE AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS THAT THE DEMOCRATS BROUGHT FORWARD DEALING WITH SCHOOL SAFETY, WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND WITH WEAPONS.

GHOST GUNS, SAFE STORAGE, ET CETERA.

SO WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THIS FROM A HOLISTIC AND COMPREHENSIVE WAY, BUT WE UNDERSTAND OR AS I LISTEN TO THE FAMILIES, KNOW THAT IF WE DON'T TACKLE THE ISSUE OF GUNS THEMSELVES, WHETHER IT IS HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES OR THE ASSAULT WEAPONS THAT REALLY DO TREMENDOUS HARM TO A CHILD'S BODY, THAT WE'RE NOT REALLY RESPONDING TO THE WHOLENESS OF THE CRISIS THAT THEY EXPERIENCED AND THE FUTURE FOR KIDS IN SCHOOLS.

>> REMEMBER, MARY, A LOFT INCIDENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE FOUND IN THREE CATEGORIES.

AND THEY'RE SUICIDE, THEY'RE GANG RELATED AND THEY'RE DOMESTIC.

THAT'S THE BULK OF ALL SHOOTING.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THAT, THERE'S AREAS THAT WE CAN REALLY GET NVOLVED IN THAT AS LEGISLATURE TO HELP OUT THOSE AREAS THAT WE COULD DO A LOT OF GOOD ACROSS THE STATE AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE'RE LOOKING IS THIS HOLISTIC ASPECT.

>> ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO GUNS, THOUGH?

IT SOUNDS LIKE DEFINITELY AGREEMENT ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH.

THE HANGUP SOUNDS LIKE THAT WORD GUNS AND ANYTHING TO DO WITH GUNS.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANYTHING THAT COULD HAPPEN ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS?

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE HEARING A LOT OF BILLS I IMAGINE, DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE BRINGING A LOT OF RESTRICTIVE ANTISECOND AMENDMENT BILLS THROUGH COMMITTEES THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS SAFETY ASPECTS FOR MINNESOTANS.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION.

>> WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE PURPLE ISTRICTS?

I'VE QUIETLY HEARD FROM REPUBLICANS IN PURPLE DISTRICTS WHO SAID MAYBE, BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS ENDS UP BEING A CAMPAIGN ISSUE TOO, IS THIS JUST GOING TO TURN INTO A CAMPAIGN ISSUE, IS IT JUST GOING TO GO TO OVEMBER OR IS IT NOT GOING TO TURN INTO A COMPROMISE?

>> THIS IS WHERE I THINK THE VOICES OF THE FAMILIES AND THE VOICES OF PEOPLE REPRESENTING VICTIMS PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THIS.

AND I HAVE OVER MY MANY YEARS EXPERIENCED A TIME WHEN SOMEONE HAS COME BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE AND SHARED A STORY LIKE WE SAW JACKIE FLAVIN DO YESTERDAY ABOUT HER DAUGHTER HARPER, THAT DID MOVE A PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE.

THEY'RE WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A VOTE ON SOMETHING THAT THEY HADN'T CONSIDERED BEFORE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD NOW THE JUSTNESS OF THAT DECISION.

ESPECIALLY IN THOSE PURPLE DISTRICTS WE COULD SEE PEOPLE MOVE, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE SHOULD BE OPEN TO THAT AND MAYBE A LITTLE HOPEFUL FOR THAT.

>> YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF THOSE PURPLE DISTRICTS.

>> WE CERTAINLY DO.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH, BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, IT COMES DOWN TO POLICY.

I UNDERSTAND THE STORIES ARE VERY MOVING AND THEY'RE WONDERFUL STORIES THAT WE CAN GET BEHIND BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY IT COMES TO HOW CAN WE PREVENT THESE INJURIES, HOW COULD WE PREVENT THAT.

AND ASU SAW ON THE LEAD-IN HERE I THINK THE LAWS THAT LOT OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE PROPOSING NOW WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THAT.

WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING IS REAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT I'M HOPING WE CAN GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE HERE THIS SESSION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER ISSUE THAT'S TIE VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND NOT MOVING FORWARD IN THE HOUSE.

SOMETHING THAT DID PASS THE SENATE WAS THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL ADDRESSING FRAUD.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO HELP YOUR HOUSE MEMBERS HERE SEE THE WAY THE SENATE DID LAST YEAR AND PASS THAT BILL?

>> WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL GO IN AND WIST ARMS.

[ LAUGHTER ] BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> JUST BREAKING ARMS.

YEAH, THAT'S A WAY TO GET THINGS DONE.

WHY WAS THAT SO EASY IN THE SENATE ND THE HOUSE IS REALLY STRUGGLING?

>> IT WASN'T EASY.

>> T WASN'T, OKAY.

>> THINK THAT SENATOR GUSTAFSON, SENATOR KREUN AND OTHERS WORKED VERY QUIETLY AND IN A VERY COMMITTED WAY BEHIND THE SCENES FIND A PATH FORWARD.

THERE WERE I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAUCUS BUT THERE WERE LOTS OF QUESTIONS IN OUR CAUCUS THAT NEEDED TO BE RESOLVED, I THINK THERE WERE NINE OR 11 COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

IT'S NOT AN EASY POLICY.

BUT THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE IS IMPORTANT AND WE SAW THAT REPEATED TODAY, OR NOT TODAY, BUT THIS WEEK IN THE REPORT THAT CAME FROM TIM O’MALLEY, THE PROGRAM INTEGRITY OR FRAUD CZAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION WHERE HE SAID WE NEED THIS.

AND TODAY THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS IN THEIR PROPOSAL INCLUDED AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

SO I THINK THEY'RE CATCHING ON.

>> AND I THINK THE SENATE OPERATES A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TOO.

WE'VE HAD SOME VERY RESPECTFUL CONVERSATIONS BEHIND THE SCENE WITH SENATORS, WELL, ITH HEATHER GUSTAFSON AND MICHAEL KREUN WHO HAVE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF BUILDING THAT RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST AND HOPEFULLY THAT SPILLS OVER TO THE HOUSE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT SAME -- THERE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A BLOCK THERE.

BUT AS WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, NEGOTIATIONS, WE'RE HOPING THAT WILL MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE THINK IT'S A VERY BIPARTISAN BILL WE CAN GET BEHIND.

>> IS THIS JUST A CULTURAL EXPERT?

YOU GET TO BE THE EXPERT, SENATOR MURPHY, BECAUSE YOU SERVED IN THE HOUSE.

-- IS IT MORE -- FINESSE IN THE SENATE -- >> I ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT THE SENATE AS MORE STAYED AND -- >> THOUGHTFUL, CEREBRAL.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> POLISHED, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER ADJECTIVES WE CAN USE?

>> PEOPLE SAY HOUSE TRAINED WHEN YOU GET TO THE SENATE.

IS THAT PART OF WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> I THINK THERE'S A CULTURAL DIFFERENCE.

I ALSO THINK THAT THE TIE IN THE HOUSE MAGNIFIES.

I KNOW I WILL OFTEN HEAR HOUSE LEADERS SAY IT MAKES US WORK TOGETHER BUT MAGNIFIES DIFFERENCES AS WELL AND WE'RE SEEING THAT PLAY OUT RIGHT NOW.

I FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO PASS THE INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL THIS SESSION.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE EXTRA LAYER TO THE GOVERNOR BEING A LAME DUCK BECAUSE NOW WE'VE HAD TWO HOUSE DEMOCRATS KIND OF THROW THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE BUS IN COMMITTEE ON FRAUD.

ONE SAY THE GOVERNOR OWES AN APOLOGY, AND ANOTHER SAYING I DON'T CARE WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAYS ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS A NEW DYNAMIC.

IS THAT GOING TO CHANGE THINGS >> I CERTAINLY THINK SO.

I THINK THAT GIVE AISE LITTLE BIT MORE FREEDOM FOR DEMOCRAT SIDE TO BE ABLE TO VOICE MORE OF THEIR CONCERNS ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

HOPEFULLY THAT WILL OPEN UP SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND ALLOW SOME FREEDOM WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS TO DO THAT.

I'M PRETTY OPTIMISTIC.

>> I WONDER HAS ANOTHER CHANGE IN TONE TOO, YOU HAVE A MEMBER THAT YOU ARE SERVING WITH WHO SURVIVED AN ASSASSIN.

YOU HAVE A DAILY REMINDER.

>> WE DO.

>> HOW HAS HAT CHANGED THE TONE?

>> YOU KNOW, I SEE SENATOR HOFFMAN COMING BACK WITH A REAL SENSE OF PURPOSE AND CLARITY AND HE HAS EXPRESSED THAT IN, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL MEDIA AND TO THE MEDIA AND IN OUR CHAMBER.

AND HE IS REALLY OMMITTED I THINK TO THE WORK OF SERVING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SENT HIM HERE AND PARTICULARLY THE WORK THAT HE'S GOING TO DO IN HUMAN SERVICES THIS SESSION.

WHERE THERE'S A OWERFUL INTERSECTION THERE AS HE PURSUES THAT.

AND I -- OUR CHAMBER, AND, AGAIN, WE ARE IN A DIFFERENT POSITION THAN THE HOUSE CHAMBER WITH THE RESPECT OF SPEAKER HORTMAN AND MARK AND GILBERT.

I THINK WE ARE ALL COMING BACK IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A THING THAT NONE OF US WOULD HAVE IMAGINED , YOU KNOW, SENATOR HOFFMAN AND HIS FAMILY ATTACKED AND SHOT, PEOPLE BEING ON A LIST.

IT HAS ALTERED US AND I HOPE WITH TIME IT DOESN'T JUST, YOU KNOW, REMIND US THAT WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BUT THAT WE THINK ABOUT OUR WORDS AND ARE HE EXTENSION OF OUR POLITICS IN WAYS THAT WE DON'T USE IT AS A WEAPON.

THAT WE USE IT AS A TOOL TO ADVANCE THE GOALS OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> AND HE WAS ALREADY GOOD AT WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE TO GIVE PEOPLE THE BACKSTORY.

>> YEAH.

>> HOW HAS HE CHANGED YOUR CHAMBER?

>> SO I THINK SENATOR HOFFMAN, IT'S FUN TO SEE HIM COMING BACK INTO THIS.

HE'S BEEN REALLY A SPARK.

YOU COULD COME BACK IN A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND HE CHOSE THE POSITIVE WAY AND REALLY PUT HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO THINGS.

AND RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

WHEN HE COMES UP TO YOU AND GRABS YOU BY THE SHOULDER AND SAYS THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS, YOU CAN JUST FEEL HIS SINCERITY COMING FROM HIM IN A WAY THAT LIKE THERE'S A MAN WHO'S BEEN CHANGED IN LIFE AND REALLY APPRECIATE IS PERSPECTIVE ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> INCREASED PENALTIES FOR IMPERSONATING AN OFFICER, THAT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN MOMENTUM, THAT SEEMS LIKE A SURE THING?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT SURE HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT ON IT.

>> CAN IT RIDE ALONE AND SEPARATELY?

MORE MOMENTUM BEHIND THAT TOO AND NOT KNICKING THINGS INTO OMNIBUS BILLS AND WEIGHING THEM DOWN SOME >> I IMAGINE THAT WILL COME TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE BUT MIGHT RIDE BY ITSELF.

THERE ARE NOT GOING TO BE AS MANY BIG OMNIBUS BILLS THIS SESSION.

>> DO YOU LIKE THAT IDEA?

>> I LOVE IT.

>> SENATE LEADERS, GREAT CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THIS YEAR WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING LAWMAKERS AS THEY RETIRE, BUT CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE THEIR FINAL SESSION.

SENATOR JEREMY MILLER HAS HELD THE HIGHEST POST IN THE CHAMBER AND HERE'S SOME HIGHLIGHTS.

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN WINONA AND REW UP PLAYING SPORTS, BEING INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL.

MY FATHER WAS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WINONA FOR 16 YEARS, BEGINNING WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE DESIRE TO GET INVOLVED IN PUBLIC OFFICE CAME FROM.

I GREW UP AS A JEWISH KID IN A PREDOMINANTLY NON-JEWISH COMMUNITY.

AND MY GRANDFATHER WILLIAM MILLER PASSED AT A YOUNG AGE.

MY GRANDMOTHER MADE THE DECISION TO CONTINUE WORKING IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

AND SHE WAS AT TIMES LOOKED, FROWNED UPON IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE SHE WOULD SHOW UP AT THE GROCERY STORE IN JEANS WITH HOLES IN THEM AND, YOU KNOW, WEARING DIRTY CLOTHES.

BUT SHE'D ALWAYS SAY THAT MY HANDS MIGHT BE DIRTY BUT MY MONEY IS CLEAN.

SENATOR ROGER RINEART, A DEMOCRAT FROM DULUTH AND ME, JEREMY MILLER, A REPUBLICAN FROM WINONA WE WERE SITTING DOWN IN COMMITTEE ONE DAY AND THERE WAS A PARTISAN BATTLE GOING ON IN THE COMMITTEE, AND WE BOTH LEANED BACK IN OUR CHAIRS AND WE SAID THERE'S GOT TO E A BETTER WAY FOR THIS TO WORK.

THE PARTISANSHIP IS GETTING SO BAD.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO WORK TOGETHER AND TRY TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS.

AND THAT'S REALLY HOW THE PURPLE CAUCUS WAS FORMED.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT I DO I TRY TO KEEP A VERY POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND WORK EXTREMELY HARD.

I CALL IT GRIT, I'M A GRITTY PERSON AND IF I WANT SOMETHING I'M GOING TO WORK INCREDIBLY HARD FOR IT AND DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO GET IT DONE.

>> IF WE CAN ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME, ENSURING OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE QUALITY EDUCATION THEY DESERVE AND RETURN THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE BUDGET SURPLUS GET THAT BACK IN THE POCKETS OF MINNESOTANS.

THIS IS THE ESULT OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WORKING TOGETHER IN THE HOUSE, IN THE SENATE TOGETHER WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO GETTING A POSITIVE OUTCOME.

>> JOINING US NOW, FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT ND REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER JEREMY MILLER.

SENATOR MILLER, YOU'RE SO YOUNG!

WHY LEAVE NOW >> IT'S BEEN A GREAT RIDE ISN'T IT, MARY?

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT I'VE BEEN HERE 16 YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST WON IN 2010 I BELIEVE IT WAS THE SECOND YOUNGEST MINNESOTAN EVER ELECTED TO THE STATE SENATE AT 26 YEARS OLD.

WHEN I BECAME SENATE PRESIDENT I WAS 35 YEARS OLD, THE YOUNGEST SENATOR TO BE ELECTED SENATE PRESIDENT.

I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST SENATE MAJORITY LEADERS.

BUT MY DAD HAS ALWAYS TOLD ME THAT KEEP TWO THINGS IN MIND HE SAID, JEREMY, ONE, LEAVE ON YOUR OWN TERMS AND I'M DEFINITELY LEAVING ON MY OWN TERMS, AND LEAVE WHEN YOU'RE ON TOP.

AND I'VE HAD SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND I'VE BUILT SO MANY RELATIONSHIPS HERE AND HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH PEOPLE AND GET SOME REALLY GREAT THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA THAT TRULY BELIEVE THAT I'M LEAVING WHEN I'M ON TOP.

>> TALK ABOUT SOME OF THAT BUT WE WANT TO ROLL SOME FOOTAGE OF WHEN YOU MADE HISTORY WHEN YOU WERE BEING SWORN IN AS SENATE PRESIDENT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU WHAT JOB, WHICH LEADERSHIP POSITION HONESTLY YOU LIKED BETTER.

>> OH, JEEZ.

FLUSH.

>> IS IT SENATE -- >> -- OVER THE SENATE, THAT IS VERY SPECIAL.

>> YEAH, IT'S A REALLY UNIQUE POSITION, ISN'T IT?

>> VERY UNIQUE.

>> YEAH, AND JUST THE MAJESTY OF THIS BUILDING.

DID YOU APPRECIATE JUST THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE HISTORY IN A REALLY SPECIAL WAY BEING UP THERE ON THE DAIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THIS IS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE AND THE LAST 16 YEARS SERVING THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA HAS TRULY BEEN AN HONOR OF A LIFETIME, SUCH A GREAT PRIVILEGE AND SO MANY ANTASTIC MEMORIES HERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, MARY, ORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY ROLE OR POSITION THAT I'VE HELD ARE THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT I'VE BUILT HERE.

THEY'RE JUST SO SPECIAL.

AND WHEN YOU TAKE THE TIME TO EARN PEOPLE'S TRUST AND WHEN YOU TAKE THE TIME TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN GET DONE AROUND THIS PLACE.

AND T DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN THE MAJORITY OR THE MINORITY, IF YOU'RE IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION OR RANK AND FILE POSITION -- -- WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS -- THOSE RELATIONSHIPS TURN INTO FRIENDSHIPS.

FOR EXAMPLE, SENATOR JASINSKI, SENATOR LANG AND I TOOK OUR FAMILIES ON A FAMILY VACATION A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THESE ARE FRIENDSHIPS THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FRIENDSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE BECAUSE WE -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SAW HE PURPLE CAUCUS AND I REALLY TRIED TO FIND THE MIDDLE, FIND SOME MODERATION, BUILD BRIDGES IN A TIME WHERE IT'S BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE CHALLENGES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, MARY, ONE OF MY BIGGEST FRUSTRATIONS HERE AT THE CAPITOL AND IN POLITICS IN GENERAL, IS THAT POLITICAL DIVIDE IS GETTING DEEPER AND DEEPER.

THE DIVISIVENESS, THE POLITICAL POSTURING, THE FINGER-POINTING SEEMS TO GET WORSE EVERY YEAR.

AND WHEN YOU WANT TO REALLY DIG IN, WHEN YOU WANT THINGS DONE, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE.

AND THERE ARE FOLKS AROUND THIS PLACE THAT HAVE THE REPUTATION OF TALKING A LOT.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE REPUTATION OF ACTUALLY ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GETTING TO WORK AND TRYING TO GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO REACH ACROSS THE AISLE, BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK TOGETHER TO GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> SO WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WHEN YOU LOOK BACK?

>> SO MANY THINGS, MARY.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED WITH, WHETHER IT'S RELATED TO STUDENTS AND EDUCATION OR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I THINK THE VERY FIRST BILL I INTRODUCED WAS PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR FARMERS WITH THE GREEN ACRES REFORM.

I DID SOME THINGS WORKING WITH FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

IN FACT I JUST THIS MORNING I WAS WALKING THROUGH HE CAPITOL AND RAN INTO A VERY WELL RESPECTED, WELL KNOWN LOBBYIST HERE AT THE CAPITOL, A DEMOCRAT LOBBYIST AND HE SAID, JEREMY, WE'RE SAD TO SEE YOU LEAVE, BUT I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU ON SO MANY ISSUES.

AND HE SAID YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON OF YOUR WORD.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST COMPLIMENTS THAT YOU CAN GET IS BECAUSE THAT'S ALL WE HAVE AROUND THIS PLACE.

>> YEAH.

>> TWO THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN MOST PROUD ABOUT ARE WORKING TO HELP PROVIDE HOUSING AND WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE BEEN VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT DURING MY TIME IN THE SENATE.

AND THEN I HAD SOME CONSTITUENTS WHO UNFORTUNATELY LOST A SON TO A VERY RARE DISEASE, LEUKODYSTROPHY, AND I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE RARE DISEASE COMMUNITY TO ESTABLISH A RARE DISEASE ADVISORY COUNCIL AS WELL AS EXPANDING THE NEWBORN SCREENING PANEL HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO THOSE ARE TWO OF THINGS I'M MOST PROUD ABOUT.

>> THAT'S A LOT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I BET YOUR FAMILY'S EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HOME.

>> OH, WE CAN'T WAIT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

YEAH, YOU BET.

♪ >> WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH SOME FORMER LAWMAKERS AND OUR RETIRING LAWMAKER IS SENATOR CWODZINSKI.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, FACEBOOK, AND SHOW INFORMATION ON X AND YOU CAN WATCH THE LEGISLATURE, HOUSE, SENATE, FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE ON THE PUBLIC TV STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW AND FRIDAY NIGHT ON PUBLIC TV, ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE NEW PERMANENT COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE UPDATED BUDGET FORECAST THAT IS FULL OF UNCERTAINTY WITH OUR CURRENT ECONOMY.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

BE SURE TO COME BACK NEXT WEEK AGAIN.

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.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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