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

>> Mary: THE SENATE'S TOP LEADERS JOIN US LIVE AS MANGE BILLS RELATED TO ABORTION AND EDUCATION ARE MOVING FAST.

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 MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

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

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" LIVE FROM HOUSE GALLERY WHERE THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE SET TO VOTE ON HOUSE FILE 1 AND SENATE FILE 1, CODIFYING ABORTION IN STATE LAW.

HEAR FROM SENATE LEADERS ABOUT THAT AND MORE IN A MOMENT.

LATER, A FIRST-TERM SENATOR WHO HELPED DECIDE CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER.

PLUS, ONE OF THE CAPITOL'S KEENEST OBSERVERS SHARES OBSERVATIONS FROM A LONG CAREER HERE.

BUT FIRST, HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND FAMILIES ARE COMING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> IS THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU WALK INTO A ROOM AND NO ONE THERE DID QUITE LIKE YOU.

>> EDUCATION INVESTMENTS HIT RECORD LEVELS IN THE GOVERNOR'S UPCOMING FULL BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> ITS OTHERWISE A GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS THAT ALL OF US, ND I MEAN ALL OF US, WHETHER WE ARE PARENTS, WHETHER WE ARE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, BIG OWNERS, GRANDPARENTS, ACROSS THE STATE, WHEN YOU FOCUS ON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, YOU FOCUS ON ELIMINATING POVERTY AND YOU FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT FAMILIES CARE MOST ABOUT, THAT THEIR CHILD HAS THAT OPPORTUNITY.

YOU CAN TRULY CHANGE THE WORLD.

MINNESOTA IS AND ALWAYS HAS LED IN SO MANY OF THESE AREAS.

THIS BUDGET WILL PUT US TO THE FOREFRONT ON SO MANY CASES.

>> Mary: THE SENATE D.F.L.

'S EDUCATION BILL IMMEDIATELY FUNDS FREE NUTRITION, SPECIAL EDUCATION, ENGLISH LEARNERS, FIELD TRIPS AND SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

>> WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND GO BACK, LOOK AT WHAT HASN'T BEEN WORKING AND WHAT WE THINK IS GOING TO WORK TO HELP MINNESOTA KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> LET'S LET MINNESOTA BE THAT STATE THAT, OH, MY GOD, THEY EDUCATE THEIR KIDS AND THEY PASSIONATELY EDUCATE THEM AND THEY DEVELOP A HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

>> I'M I PROUD TO SUPPORT AND BE THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF SENATE FILE 123 WHICH WILL PROVIDE UNIVERSAL LUNCHES AND BREAKFASTS FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THIS IS A PROBLEM WE CAN SOLVE.

>> WE HAVE HEARD FROM PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND SCHOOLING OFFICIALS AND TEACHERS.

THAT WHICH NEED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION AND I AM DEEPLY PROUD TO BE THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF SF 28, WHICH WILL FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT EDUCATORS IN OFFICE.

WE GET THIS DONE TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS FULLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS AND I COME TO THIS WORK FIRST AND FOREMOST AS THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF AN EDUCATOR.

>> THANK YOU, MISTER CHAIRMAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A ROLL CALL ON THIS AMENDMENT.

>> Mary: AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> I AM SO EXCITED THAT I'M FINALLY GETTING A HEARING.

>> I'M EXTREMELY HOPEFUL THIS WILL BE THE YEAR GOVERNOR WALZ CAN SIGN EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME INTO LAW.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION WILL BE HARMFUL TO OUR SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES, OUR FAMILY BUSINESSES WHO ARE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF MINNESOTA.

>> I DO SEE THIS AS IMPACTING THOSE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HAVE THE DREAM OF WORKING IN A FAMILY BUSINESS, STARTING A BUSINESS FOR THEMSELVES, FOR THEIR CHILDREN DOWN THE ROAD.

AND I BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THAT.

>> THIS BILL WOULD REALLY CLAMP OFF THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF STARTING NEW BUSINESS AND GROWING THAT BUSINESS.

>> MARY: THE BIGGEST CHANGE IN THE POLITICAL DYNAMIC HERE AT THE CAPITOL IS THE MINNESOTA SENATE, WHICH HAD BEEN CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS, FLIPPED TO CREATE A HATTRICK FOR DEMOCRATS.

THE PERSON WHO IS LEADING THAT EFFORT IS DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC.

SHE JOINS ME ALONG WITH HER REPUBLICAN COUNTERPART, MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON.

FIRST OF ALL, SENATOR DZIEDZIC, EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR, WOW, THAT'S A BIG PROPOSAL, A LOT OF MONEY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

CAN YOU DO EVERYTHING THAT'S IN THAT GOVERNOR BUDGET PROPOSAL?

>> WE KNOCKED OVER 500,000 DOORS IN THIS CAMPAIGN CYCLE AND WE HEARD FROM PARENTS AND WE HEARD THAT PARENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR KIDS, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT COVID AND REMOTE LEARNING HAD ON THEIR KIDS, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

I KNOW I HAVE HEARD FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDING FOR SPECIAL DUCATION AND THE IMPACT OF THE LACK OF FUNDING HAS ON THOSE STUDENTS, A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AVE TRANSPORTATION COSTS WITH THE COST OF FUEL THAT WENT UP, ESPECIALLY AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND WE DIDN'T DO A SUPPLEMENTAL BILL LAST SESSION SO, YOU KNOW, WE CAME READY TO WORK.

WE WANT TO WORK.

EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MY CAUCUS, AND TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SO WE ARE HERE TO GET TO WORK.

>> Mary: SENATOR OHNSON, WHAT'S LACKING IN THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL IN YOUR EYES?

>> YEAH, SO ONE OF THE THINGS I LOOK FOR IS WHAT'S THIS GOING TO DO FOR TEST SCORES?

HOW IS -- HOW ARE WE GOING TO MEASURES OUR CHILDREN BEING ABLE TO SUCCEED AND THRIVE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA?

WE KNOW THAT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD REALLY A GOOD BASIS OF EDUCATION HERE, SOME OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN THE NATION.

BUT WHAT DOES THIS PROPOSAL DO TO MOVE US FORWARD IN THAT?

>> Mary: WHAT DOES IT DO?

DOES IT DO ENOUGH IN YOUR MIND?

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN WORDS TIED TO THOSE END RESULTS AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IS THE MEASUREMENTS TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN ARE SUCCEEDING.

>> Mary: SHOULD THERE BE PERFORMANCE MEASURES, OUTCOMES TIED TO THIS, WOULD THE SENATE LIKE TO SEE THAT?

>> I THINK WE WOULD LIKE SOME MEASUREMENTS BUT I ALSO THINK -- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS AREN'T JUST LEARNING TO TAKE A TEST.

WE WANT THEM TO BE CREATIVE THINKERS, WE WANT THEM TO ACTUALLY APPRECIATE LEARNING AND TO ACTUALLY LEARN AND GROW SO THAT THEY CAN BE CREATIVE WORKERS, AND ENTREPRENEURS AND SO IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT TEACHING FOR THAT TEST, IT'S ABOUT TEACHING THAT STUDENT SO THAT THEY CAN GROW AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT LITERACY, SCHOOL CHOICE, THOSE ARE THINGS REPUBLICANS TALKED ABOUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> SURE, AND THAT'S OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS THAT WE REALLY WORKED FOR, MAKING SURE THE LITERACY WAS UP.

ROGER CAN CHAMBER LANE WHO WAS SENATOR HERE FOR MANY YEARS, HE WAS A BIG CHAMPION OF THAT.

>> Mary: HE LOST, THOUGH, TO POINT OUT A HARD TRUTH.

>> BUT DID OUR PARENTS VOTE AGAINST LITERACY?

I DON'T THINK THAT WAS THE REASON HE LOST THAT ELECTION.

SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD GOAL AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO WORK FOR.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT LITERACY, THAT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING BOTH SIDES COULD AGREE ON.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE KIDS KNOW HOW TO READ AND ITCHY HEARD FROM PARENTS WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TEACH THEM SO I THINK THAT WAS A PROPOSAL THAT WE DIDN'T DISAGREE ON LAST YEAR, WE JUST THOUGHT THERE SHOULD BE MORE IN AN EDUCATION BILL THAN JUST 30 MILLION FOR LITERACY.

>> Mary: A PROPOSAL I THINK THERE WILL BE DISAGREEMENT ON, HITS THE FLOOR TOMORROW, SENATE FILE ONE, CODIFYING ABORTION.

HOW WILL THIS GO IN THE SENATE FOR YOU?

>> ITSITE BEEN MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH COMMITTEE, BEEN PRETTY INTERESTING.

THIS IS AN EXTREME BILL.

I THINK DEMOCRATS REALLY WORKED HARD ON SAYING, HEY, LOOK, REPUBLICANS ARE EXTREME, THEY USE THAT MESSAGE THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BILL, THERE ARE NO SAFEGUARDS FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE THERE, AND IN FACT, TODAY WE JUST TOOK OUT IN COMMITTEE 57 REAL THINGS THAT THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT REALLY HELP MOTHERS AND BABIES THROUGH THAT PROCESS OF PREGNANCY.

SO TO ME THIS IS A VERY EXTREME THING THAT THE MINNESOTANS DIDN'T VOTE FOR.

>> Mary: IS THIS AN EXTREME BILL?

WE'VE HEARD THAT FROM REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S AN EXTREME BILL.

MINNESOTANS TOLD US, A LOT OF PARENTS TOLD US THEY DON'T WANTS THEIR KIDS GROWING UP WITH LESS RIGHTS THAN THEY HAVE, SO, YOU KNOW, WE LISTENED TO MINNESOTANS.

WE ARE HERE, THE SENATE D.F.L.

CAUCUS, WE WANT TO PROTECT PARENTS' RIGHTS, AND WE WANT TO PROTECT RIGHTS OF ALL MINNESOTANS.

WE DON'T WANT TO STRIP THEM AWAY.

I THINK THIS BILL LITERALLY PROTECTS BODY AWE TON MY FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: DID YOU WIN THE CHAMBER ON THIS ISSUE?

IS THIS WHAT DECIDED THE POLITICAL CONTROL?

>> IT WAS A BIG ISSUE.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK, DID YOU LOSE THE CHAMBER ON THIS ISSUE?

>> I THINK THIS WAS PART OF IT.

I THINK HOWEVER WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE, WHAT WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA IS SOME STOP IS GAPS, SIGN PROTOCOLS THAT ALLOW FOR SAFETY FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

BUT THE IDEA THAT WE'RE CREATING A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT ALL THE WAY UP TO BIRTH AND EVEN MAYBE A LITTLE BIT PAST, THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE THAT I DON'T THINK MOST MINNESOTANS ARE SAYING, YEAH, WE WILL ALLOW ABORTIONS ALL THE WAY ON DEMAND UP UNTIL BIRTH.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S -- I DISAGREE, I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS BILL DOES.

I THINK THIS BILL CODIFIES -- V.GOMEZ AND KEEPS THE PROTECTIONS MA THAT MINNESOTA HAS TODAY, PROTECTS THE STATUTE AND KEEPS I WANT IN PLACE.

Ph.D. ONE MORE WORD?

>> THE REALITY, IT EXPANDS GOMEZ AND DOES MAKE MINNESOTA AN EXTREME ABORTION STATE.

>> Mary: ET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE SPONSORING THESE BILL AND YOU HAVE A WHOLE NEW CROP OF FRESHMEN AND A LOT OF WOMEN AND A LOT OF DIVERSITY.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE THAT THAT'S MAKING.

I POINTED OUT EARLIER THAT EDUCATION PRESS CONFERENCE, THERE WAS ONLY ONE GUY THERE.

IT WAS MOMS AND TEACHERS AND WOMEN THAT ARE DECIDING THAT POLICY BILL.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?

>> THERE'S 24 NEW MEMBER IN THE SENATE IN BOTH THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN CAUCUS SO ABOUT A THIRD OF THE SENATE.

LITTLE MUCH MORE DIVERSE SENATE.

IT IS IN THE D.F.L.

CAUCUS, WE HAVE A MAJORITY WOMEN, FIRST-TIME EVER MAJORITY WOMEN AND IT DOES BRING A NEW ATTENTION ON CERTAIN ISSUES, IT DOES BRING A NEW DYNAMIC AND ALL OF THE WOMEN IN OUR CAUCUS AND ALL THE NEW WOMEN ESPECIALLY ARE SO EXCITED TO COME HERE AND GET TO WORK.

>> Mary: YOU EVER THREE WOMEN LEFT, YOU DIDN'T ELECT ANY NEW WOMEN.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> WELL, WE HAD A LOT OF GREAT CANDIDATES ACROSS THE STATE THAT THEY RAN FOR THE OFFICE.

YOU KNOW, D.F.L.

HAD A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES OF, YOU NOW, MALES THAT THEY ACTUALLY TOOK 'EM OUT, TOO, AND THEN THROUGH THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, WE LOST A NUMBER OF THEM, AS WELL, BUT WE'RE RELYING HEAVILY ON WHO WE HAVE BUT WE'VE GOT A GREAT TEAM IN FRONT OF US.

WE'VE GOT TEN NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE HOUSE AND THEN ALSO ALSO JUST NEW ACTUAL FRESHMEN, SO WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN WITH THEM AND THEY'RE GREAT PEOPLE.

>> Mary: I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD THE BUZZ IN THE HALLWAY THAT THE HOUSE MEMBERS THAT WENT OVER TO THE SENATE HAS TURNED THE SENATE.

THE SENATE CULTURE HAS ALREADY CHANGED THANKS TO THOSE MEMBERS IN YOUR CAUCUS, IGHT?

>> AND THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.

WE'VE GOT ISSUES, WE'VE GOT DIFFERENCE EXPLORING WHAT THOSE DIFFERENCES ARE AND REALLY BRINGING THE CONTEXT AND SEEING WHERE WE DIFFER AND HOW THAT WORKS OUT, SO THEY'VE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB.

I THINK GOING FORWARD, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT.

>> Mary: SO FAR YOU'RE LETTING THEM FIGHT AND ET INTO IT A LITTLE BIT.

>> WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS, ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF DISCUSSION ON WATER BOTTLES -- >> Mary: WHICH ARE NOW ALLOWED, THAT IS THE BIGGEST NEWS.

>> THEY'RE NOW ALLOWED.

LAP ALARM.

>> THE SENATE IS TURNING INTO THE HOUSE NOW, YES, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> Mary: BECAUSE YOU CAN DRINK WATER.

>> WE CAN DRINK WATER, YEAH.

[ Laughter ] >> WE'RE KIND OF JOKING ABOUT THAT BUT THAT IS THE SENATE CULTURE, IT'S PERSON THE SENATE CULTURE AND, AGAIN, THE NEW MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES ARE SHAKING IT UP AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IT'S BRINGING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO THE DEBATE AND TO THE SENATE.

>> Mary: WE ENJOY HEARING FROM NEW LEADERS.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

COME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> MARY: WE HAVE BEEN TALKING A LOT THIS YEAR ABOUT ALL THE NEW PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WELL, IF ANY OF THEM GET LOST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY AROUND THE CAPITOL, THEY SHOULD ASK MY NEXT GUEST FOR DIRECTIONS.

TELL THEM WHAT THE BILLS AND AMENDMENTS PASS.

HE IS ONE OF THE SPORTS, THE KEENEST OBSERVERS IN CAPITOL HISTORY AFTER ABOUT FOUR DECADES HERE.

GARY CARLSON FROM LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES IS RETIRING.

WOW.

WHY NOW?

>> WELL, JUNE, MY WIFE RETIRED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND SHE SAID TO ME, YOU KNOW, IT'S TIME THAT WE START THINKING ABOUT DOING SOME TRAVEL, SEEING OUR FAMILY AND DOING SOME OTHER THINGS AND AS MUCH AS I LOVE THIS PROCESS, IT IS A VERY ALL-CONSUMING, TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS THAT GIVEN THIS ROCESS AND MY WORK AT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, IT IS A TRULY 12-MONTH-A-YEAR JOB THAT MAKES IT HARD TO EVEN BREAK AWAY.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEW NEICE.

WE WERE JUST OBSERVING HOW COLLEGIAL THESE TWO SENATORS WERE LAST WEEK, THE HOUSE LEADERS GOT ALONG FAMOUSLY.

DO YOU HAVE A WORD OF CAUTION, IS THIS GOING IS TO LAST?

>> WELL, I THINK EVEN -- NOT EVEN JUST BETWEEN THE PARTIES, I THINK WITHIN THE TWO PARTIES, YOU'LL SEE SOME DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE STRATEGIES THAT THE HOUSE AND SENATE D.F.L.

WILL USE IN HOW THEY APPROACH BILLS.

I SAW SOME OF THAT TODAY IN AN ISSUE THAT WAS BEFORE THE SENATE TAX COMMITTEE AND I TALKED WITH THE HOUSE TAX CHAIR AND SHE WASN'T QUITE PREPARED FOR THE NEWS THAT SHE HEARD, SO, YOU KNOW, THERE WILL E SOME DISAGREEMENTS THAT WILL YET ERUPT, BOTH INTRAPARTY AND INTERPARTY.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE FRESH FACES, THOUGH?

IT REALLY FEELS LIKE THERE IS A RESET HERE, NOT JUST IN LEADERSHIP BUT ALSO IN RANK AND FILE.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> YEP.

WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE OF MY CONSTANT TWEETS WAS THE NUMBER OF RETIREMENTS AND THE NUMBER OF YEARS THAT WE LOST AND WE LOST, YOU KNOW, 750 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH RETIREMENTS AND THE ELECTION OUTCOMES THIS LAST YEAR AND THAT'S OUT OF 2,000 YEARS OF TOTAL LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE, SO THERE IS A LOT OF BIG SHOES TO FILL BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING IN, WE HAVE A LOT OF FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT ARE COMING IN.

THEY KNOW ABOUT POLICY, THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROCESS AND I THINK THEY'RE READY TO GET THEIR FEET WET.

>> Mary: AS I'VE EEN MEETING THE FRESHMEN, PARTICULARLY HERE IN THE HOUSE, SO MANY AND SOME FROM THE SENATE, TOO, COME FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, COME FROM CITY GOVERNMENT.

YOU HAVE TO LIKE THAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO EDUCATE THEM FROM GROUNDS ZERO, RIGHT?

>> IT'S ALWAYS HELPFUL TO HAVE FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH LOCAL BUDGETS TO BE ELECTED AND ASSUME HIGHER OFFICE, YES.

>> Mary: WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

THERE IS A LOT OF INTERACTION THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> MINNESOTA HAS A VERY INTERTWINED GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM AND A LOT OF THE GOVERNMENTS DO THE PROVISION TO THE PEOPLE AND THEY RELY ON STATE BUDGETS.

THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENRY TO GET THE SERVICES THEY NEEDS, SNOW-PLOWING, PROTECTION, SO FORTH.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR JOB.

I THINK LOBBYIST HAS BECOME A BAD WORD.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO?

>> I HAVE DONE MANY DIFFERENT LOBBYING JOBS IN MY CAREER.

I STARTED IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IN 1983, I WORKED IN A PRIVATE LAW FIRM FOR SIX YEARS IN THE LATE 19803s, EARLY 990s AND I'VE BEEN AT THE LEAGUE OF CITIES SKINS 1991 AND THOSE ARE ALL DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, WORKING FOR A SINGLE EMPLOYER THAT HAS ONE SET OF DEMANDS WORKING FOR MULTIPLE CLIENTS THEREAFTER ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT ISSUES, AND NOW WORKING FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS STATEWIDE PERSPECTIVE.

I THINK LOBBYING HAS GOTTEN A BAD NAME BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN I SEE ALL THESE NEW LEGISLATORS HERE AND WE START TALKING AND SHARING FACTUAL INFORMATION WITH THEM, I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW QUICKLY THEY WANT TO UNDERSTAND AND THEY WANT TO LEARN AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE SKILLS THAT OUR LOBBYING -- >> Mary: EDUCATE, YOU EDUCATE LAWMAKERS.

>> YES.

>> Mary: -- ON POLICY.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> THAT'S A BIG PART OF MY JOB IS TO REALLY HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, HELP THEM UNDERSTAND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE STATE BUDGET.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH ARE YOU GOING TO MISS THIS PLACE?

>> MARY, THAT IS VERY, VERY GOOD QUESTION.

THIS IS VERY BITTERSWEET FOR ME, HAVING BEEN -- THIS BEING MY 0th SESSION, I'VE REALLY ENJOYED THE PEOPLE, THE CAPITOL REPORTERS, I'VE ENJOYED THE LEGISLATORS, LEGISLATIVE STAFF, STATE AGENCY FOLKS.

I HAVE A GREAT STAFF THAT I WORK WITH THAT I REALLY WILL MISS.

I MAY NOT BE GONE ENTIRELY, I MAY FIND A LITTLE ODD JOB HERE OR THERE BUT THIS IS REALLY A WONDERFUL PLACE TO WORK AND IT'S REALLY, TRULY AN HONOR TO WORK AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, AND HAPPY RETIREMENT.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> MARY: AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER, THE DFL HAS A SLIM ONE-VOTE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

THAT MEANS THE SUPPORT OF CENTRIST DEMOCRATS COULD BE THE KEY TO GETTING LEGISLATION PASSED.

ONE OF THEM TO WATCH IS FIRST-TERM SENATOR GRANT HAUSCHILD.

FIRST QUESTION EVERYBODY GETS IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OUR REGION CONTINUE TO HAVE SOMEBODY HAVE GOOD EXPERIENCE, THAT COULD REALLY FOCUS ON THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES THAT REALLY PLATS TO PEOPLE.

[AUDIO OING IN AND OUT] >> SUPPORTING OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES SO I AD EXPERIENCE IN THE U.S. SENATE AND WORKING AS A LOCAL CITY COUNSELOR AND I THOUGHT THAT I COULD DO THE JOB AND SO I DECIDED TO MAKE A RUN FOR IT.

>> Mary: BUT YOU KNEW THIS WOULD BE A HARD SEAT.

THIS IS THE FAMOUS TOM BAKK TERRITORY, THE DEMOCRAT CAUCUS TO REPUBLICAN INDEPENDENT, THIS HAD TO BE ONE OF THE TOUGHEST SEATS IN THE STATE TO WIN, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND WE KNEW THAT GOING IN THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE TIGHT.

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, I ALWAYS TOLD PEOPLE THIS RACE COULD COME DOWN TO 30 VOTES.

IT IS A IGHT DISTRICT AND I THINK WHAT WE PROVED IS THAT PEOPLE WEREN'T REALLY LOOKING FOR A PARTY, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE PERSON THAT COULD REALLY DO THE JOB.

>> Mary: DID BAKK MATTER?

DID HIS INFLUENCE IN THE RACE AND HIS HISTORY AT THE CAPITOL MATTER?

>> YOU KNOW, THOMP AND TALKED THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN THAT HE WOULD PROVIDE SOME ADVICE AND INSIGHT.

HE DID ENDORSE MY OPPONENT.

I THINK WHAT WE LEARNED IS THAT PEOPLE WEREN'T REALLY LOOKING FOR A KING-MAKER, AN APPOINTMENT TO THIS ROLE -- >> Mary: ELECTION NIGHT AND THE DAYS FOLLOWING, DID IT START TO DAWN ON YOU THAT CONTROL OF THE CAPITOL AND THE ENTIRE STATE SENATE KIND OF RESTED ON YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOUR VICTORY?

THAT'S A LOT.

>> YEAH, I REMEMBER, GOSH, IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 2:00 a.m. ON ELECTION NIGHT, ALL THE OTHER RACES HAD BEEN CALLED AND I STARTED GETTING PHONE CALLS FROM ALL OVER SAYING, YOU'RE IT.

YOUR SEAT IS GOING TO BE THE ONE THAT DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE A TRIFECTA.

WE WERE HEARING IT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT EOPLE WERE REALLY UPSET THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS FAILING TO GET ANYTHING DONE LAST SESSION, THAT THEY FAILED ON THE BONDING BILL, THEY FAILED ON THE TAX BILL FOR RELIEF FOR FAMILIES, THEY FAILED ON HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION.

NOW WE HAVE THIS MANDATE FROM THE VOTERS, I THINK IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE, IT'S TO GET THINGS DONE.

>> Mary: WHAT DID YOU HEAR IN PARTICULAR IN YOUR DISTRICT WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES WHEN YOU WERE DOOR TO DOOR?

>> EDUCATION, BONDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, RELIEF FOR FAMILIES FROM RISING COSTS, AND THEN FOURTH WAS THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

A LOT OF MY DISTRICT IS RETIREES, FOLKS WHO CHOOSE TO STAY IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: YOU'RE PART OF A SMALL GROUP THAT ALREADY STOOD OUT AND SAID WE'RE DEMOCRATS WHO ANT A FULL SOCIAL SECURITY TAX REPEAL, WE CAMPAIGNED ON IT.

KIND OF FEELS LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY STAKING OUT A MINI MODERATE FRESHMAN DEMOCRAT CAUCUS, IS THAT FAIR?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, CERTAINLY THERE ARE THOSE OF US IN THE NEW CAUCUS THAT WERE ELECTED IN VERY TIGHT DISTRICTS THAT WE ARE MODERATES, I THINK IT WAS ABOUT TELLING THE PUBLIC AND TELLING OUR VOTERS THAT WE HEARD THEM.

>> Mary: THIS IS KIND OF A NEW ERA.

THERE IS A LOT OF YOUNGER YOUTH COMING INTO THE SENATE, WHICH TRADITIONALLY BEEN KIND OF AN OLDER BODY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?

>> I'M A DAD, I HAVE A YOUNG FAMILY, I'M CONCERNED BOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION FUNDING AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT CHILD CARE COSTS, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

AS A YOUNG DAD, HOW DO WE CHAMPION FAMILIES?

THESE ARE NOT WOMEN ISSUES.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE WORKING AS A POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR A U.S.

SENATOR WHO WAS THE NUMBER 50 MOST MODERATE SENATOR.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH HYDE DEHEY CAMP, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM HER?

>> YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, TO YOUR VOTERS, WE'RE DONE WITH THE CAMPAIGN, NOW I I'M A STATSMAN AND I HAVE TO REPRESENT MY SO ENTIRE DISTRICT AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT HEIDI TAUGHT ME.

>> Mary: WE SHOULD PROBABLY TELL TELL VIEWERS WE'RE GETTING HICCUPS ON THE VIDEO AND MAYBE IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TALK ABOUT RURAL BROADBAND AND HOW ESPECIALLY POST-COVID IN THIS MODERN, HYBRID WORK WORLD TO HAVE REALLY RELIABLE INTERNET STATEWIDE.

>> IT'S A HUGE CONCERN IN MY DISTRICT AND MY REGION.

WE HAVE A WORKFORCE ISSUE, MUCH LIKE THE REST OF THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO LISTEN UP HERE IN THE NORTHLAND BUT THEY CAN'T GET ACCESS TO THE BROADBAND THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO WORK THE JOBS THAT THEY HAVE.

HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE MORE WORKERS TO COME UP HERE AND WORK AND PLAY.

- >> Mary: CAN YOU SAY ANECDOTALLY OR SPECIFICALLY PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO WANT TO LIVE UP IN THE WOODS AT THE LAKE, WORK FROM HOME, NOW THAT IT'S AN OPTION, AND CAN THEY DO THAT IN YOUR DISTRICT, RELIABLY?

>> I HEARD FROM SO MANY PEOPLE THAT CAME FROM THE TWIN CITIES, IN WISCONSIN, WHO MAYBE HAD SOME FAMILIAL CONNECTIONS TO THE REGION AND WANTED TO GET BACK HERE AFTER LIVING ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

I UNDERSTAND IT'S EXPENSIVE SOMETIMES TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BUT OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IS WHERE WE GET OUR LUMBER, IT'S WHERE WE GET OUR MINERALS, IT'S WHERE WE GET OUR FOOD FROM AGRICULTURE, IT'S WHERE WE GET MOST OF OUR ENERGY AND MANUFACTURING.

IN HERMANTOWN, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH TELECOM PROVIDERS TO EXPAND SERVICES BUT WITH A HECK OF A LOT OF STATE INVESTMENT.

>> YOU KNOW, I SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AS A NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR WITH MY HANDS ON THE GLASS HOLDING THE HANDS OF DYING RESIDENTS AND I THOUGHT WE SPENT -- I SPENT DECADES TRYING TO SET UP PERSON-CENTERED CARE FOR SENIORS AND I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT PERSON-CENTERED CARE WHEN THEY'RE DYING ALONE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH CARYL JOURNEY?

I BELIEVE YOU WROTE A BOOK ABOUT IT.

>> I DID, I WROTE ABOUT IT.

THIS IS WHAT ALMOST KILLED ME, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE IN THREE HOSPITALIZATION EATHS ARE SEPSIS AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS VULNERABLE AT 48 OR A 2-YEAR-OLD OR A 0-YEAR-OLD OR SOMEBODY THAT HAS DENTAL WORK OR SURGERY.

HIGH RISK IS FOR ANY AGE.

UP WROTE A BOOK, "THE SCARS YOU CAN'T SEE," THESE THEY ARE EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAPPENED IN COVID.

>> MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WHEN WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EFFORT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK, LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON ABOUT THE PROPOSED SANFORD/FAIRVIEW MERGER.

AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT EMOTIONAL DEBATE UNDERWAY AS LAWMAKERS CLEARLY CODIFY AND EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS IN THE STATE.

IT'S HITTING THE HOUSE FLOOR RIGHT HERE TOMORROW AND THE SENATE BEFORE TOO LONG AND EXPECT IT TO GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AS WELL FOR SIGNATURE.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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