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

>> Mary: THERE'S POTENTIALLY JUST DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE SENATE LEADERS ON LIVE AND PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT, IF THEY CAN REALLY FINISH EARLY.

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.

D.A.V.

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'MN."

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

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

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL " I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COMING TOIA LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY AS LAWMAKERS ARE IN CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WORKING OUT FINAL DEALS ON ALL THE BIGGEST BILLS.

WE'LL HAVE SOME CONTEXT ON HOW OFTEN THEY CAN ACTUALLY FINISH EARLY.

AND WE'LL HAVE SENATE LEADERS HERE LIVE AS WELL.

FIRST WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST STORIES OF THE WEEK.

NURSES VERSUS MAYO ON NEW REGULATIONS AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

TOP CAPITOL STORIES THIS WEEK.

NURSES AT THE BEDSIDE ACT IS GETTING A STRONG RESPONSE AT THE CAPITOL, AFTER MAYO'S POWERFUL OPPOSITION.

>> OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, NURSES HAVE BEEN RAISING THE ALARM OVER STAFFING LEVELS IN MINNESOTA HOSPITALS.

>> IT FEEL MORE AND MORE LIKE NURSES ARE NUMBERS.

WE ARE REPLACEABLE.

>> I FEEL UNDERVALUED.

I, MANY TIMES, DON'T FEEL RESPECTED WITH OUR OPINIONS.

I DON'T FEEL RESPECTED FOR OUR REQUESTS.

>> IT IS COMPLETELY UNETHICAL FOR MAYO, A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, TO ATTEMPT TO OVERRIDE DEMOCRACY AND DISRUPT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AT THE LAST MINUTE WITH WHAT ARE ESSENTIALLY BLACKMAIL TACTICS.

>> TO MAYO, I I SAY STAY AND PARTICIPATE AND LEAD.

YEARS AGO, MINNESOTANS COMMITTED TO MAYO AND TO DESK NAICS MEDICAL CENTER, A REGION IN THE STATE.

WE INVESTED RICHLY IN THAT REGION.

>> ANY COMPROMISE THAT WE WOULD ENTER INTO WOULD HAVE TO ACHIEVE THESE BILLS'S GOALS, AND THEY CANNOT INCLUDE THE LANGUAGE THAT MAYO CLINIC HAS PROPOSED.

THAT WOULD GUT THIS BILL.

THAT WOULD EXEMPT EVERY SINGLE HOSPITAL IN MINNESOTA FROM OUR BILL.

THAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

>> Mary: MAYO SAYS THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE TIME SPENT ON PRESS CONFERENCES WHEN THEY COULD BE MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS A SOLUTION.

>> THERE BEING 34 AYES AND 33 NOS, THE THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE AGREED TO.

>> Mary: AND THE SENATE PASSED PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> I WILL REMIND YOU THAT 12 OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THIS SUCCESSFULLY.

ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

AND THOSE STATES HAVE DONE IT WELL.

THIS PROGRAM IS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, DURABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND POPULAR.

>> I BELIEVE PROFOUNDLY IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE BENEFITS, BUT THE BAD OF THIS BILL OUTWEIGHS THE GOOD.

I WILL BE VOTING NO.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET PAID TO TAKE THE TIME THEY NEED TO RECOVER FROM ILLNESS, GIVING BIRTH, AND TO BOND WITH THEIR BABY.

THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HEALING THEIR CAESARIAN OR PAYING THEIR RENT.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER SAD DAY IN MINNESOTA WITH ANOTHER ASSIVE MANDATE COMING TO A LOCATION NEAR YOU.

>> WHERE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER EARLIER THIS SESSION AND I LEARNED I NEEDED SURGERY, I KNEW I HAD A GREAT TEAM AND COLLEAGUES THAT WOULD STEP UP AND HELP ME HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

[ UPBEAT MUSIC ] >> THEY'RE TRYING TO FINISH EARLY.

LET'S HEAR FROM LEADERS FROM THE SENATE.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN MARK JAWNGS AND SENATE PRESIDENT, BOBBY JOE CHAMPION.

Mr. PRESIDENT.

>> GOOD EVENING.

>> Mary: HELLO, GOOD EVEN.

CAN YOU REALLY FINISH EARLY IN A BUDGET YEAR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

I THINK AS WE CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD, AND DO THE THINGS THAT MINNESOTA'S ASKED US TO DO, WHICH IS TO END GRIDLOCK AND FIND SOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUDGETS REFLECT OUR VALUES, WE'VE DONE A LOT UP TO THIS POINT.

AND WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY CAPABLE OF GETTING THAT WORK DONE.

>> Mary: HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY IT'S TOO MUCH OF A RUSH.

THERE ISN'T TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME UP HERE.

DO YOU WANT AN EARLY FINISH?

>> WELL, I'D LOVE TO SEE AN EARLY FINISH IF WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT THAT'LL TAKE SOME AGREEMENT.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IS A BONDING BILL AND TRYING TO FIND A PATHWAY TO GETTING THAT DONE.

I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN TODAY, SOME OF THE OFFERS THAT WERE EXCHANGED BACK AND FORTH MAY PUT THAT DATE IN JEOPARDY.

>> Mary: WHEN WE SEE PUBLIC OFFERS, IT MEANS YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE, BUT NOW THERE'S PRIVATE OFFERS, SO YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE?

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

IT'S DISCUSSION THAT'S GOING ON KIRNLTLY BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> YOU HAVE HELD YOUR ONE VOTE MARGIN.

YOU NEED REPUBLICANS FOR A BONDING BILL AND EVERYTHING THAT'S LINKED TO BONDING, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S TRUE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IS IF OUR G.O.P.

MEMBERS DON'T WANT TO FIND A RATIONAL WAY BY WHICH TO COME FORWARD AND COMPROMISE WITH US, THEN WE ARE PREPARED TO DO A CASH BILL WHICH IS WHAT WE CAN DO.

WHICH IS A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN RUSHING.

YOU KNOW, THE THINGS THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN DOING, WE'VE BEEN LISTENING TO MINNESOTANS.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO LISTEN TO MINNESOTANS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY TOLD US IS THAT THEY WANT US TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND THAT THEY WANT US TO MOVE MINNESOTA FORWARD.

AND WE ARE CERTAINLY INTERESTED AND WELL POSITIONED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: BONDING IS ALWAYS LINKED TO RCH THATS IS A TAXES.

>> LET TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT MINNESOTANS' LIVEAND WHAT WE ARE DOING.

SO WHAT WE HAVE OFFERED, WE WANT TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE WANT TO INVEST IN OUR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES GOING FORWARD.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

WE WANT TO SEE THAT BONDING BILL.

HOWEVER, WHAT YOU SEE FROM THE DEMOCRATS IS A GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT OF 40%.

A BUDGET THAT WENT FROM $52 BILLION, TO $672 BILLION, TAX INCREASES STLOWT EVERY BILL THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR.

HOUSING WAS A BBL DOLLARS.

WE'VE GOT THIS TAX BILL THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO RAISE ANOTHER $1.5 BILLION -- >> BUT THE SENATE'S BACKED OFF SOME OF IT.

>> THEY STILL NEED TO FILL THAT HOLE.

SO THINK.

PEOPLE'S POCKETS, YOU LOOK INTO YOUR BILLFOLD RIGHT NOW.

TAKE OUT A BUCK AND THAT'LL REPRESENT SOME OF THE TAXES IN THE TRANSPORTATION BILL.

TAKE OUT SOME DOLLARS, BECAUSE THAT'S IN THE TAX BILL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE GONE FOR YOUR KIDS' EDUCATION, GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE, GETTING GAS.

THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES ARE DISAPPEARING EVERY BILL THAT GETS PASSED OFF THE SENATE AND HOUSE FAMILIAR.

FLOOR.

>> Mary: SO JUSTIFY TAX INCREASES WITH A RECORD LARGE SURPLUS.

>> MY GOOD REPUBLICAN FRIEND IS NOT TELLING THE WHOLE ENTIRE TRUTH.

FIRST OF ALL, WE PASSED A $4 BILLION AX BILL IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE PASSED A FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY WHICH WAS ANOTHER $100 MILLION.

AND IN FACT WAS WE'VE DONE FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END, WE'VE MADE SURE THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, BY MAKING SURE THERE'S UNIVERSAL MEALS.

WE'VE DONE 100% ENERGY.

IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MINNESOTANS AND LET'S REMEMBER THAT THE LIVES OF MINNESOTANS IS NOT JUST IMPROVED BY TAX CUTS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED APPROACH TO UNDERSTAND HOW DO YOU COMPREHENSIVELY GIVE MINNESOTANS WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND FAMILIES WIN WITH US.

>> Mary: SOME OF THOSE EARLY BILLS LIKE TAX CONFORMITY DID HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

NOT SO MUCH LATELY.

WHY?

>> WELL, AND JUST MY GOOD FRIEND HERE, HE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TAX CUTS.

HOWEVER, REMEMBER, THAT'S OFFSET WITH ENTERALLY $10 BILLION OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASES.

SO WHEN YOU NET IT OUT, I MEAN, THE REALITY IS THAT YOU'RE TAKING MONEY FROM FAMILIES.

YOU'RE TAKING MONEY ROM BUSINESSES.

YOU'RE TAKING MONEY FROM COMMUNITIES.

SO AT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THERE IS TAX INCREASES THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE BUDGET.

>> WELL, LET ME SAY THIS THAT HE'S FORGETTING SOMETHING.

WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE KNOW THAT MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW ARE PAYING MORE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SO WE HAVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY AND BILL THAT MAKES SURE THAT MINNESOTANS ARE ABLE TO HAVE HOUSING, SO THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN GROUSE GROUSERIES AND THEIR MEDICATION BUT FOUNDING A PLACE TO LIVE.

SO YOU MENTIONED TRANSPORTATION.

TRANSPORTATION IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL THINK ABOUT, POTHOLES, I KNOW YOU THINK ABOUT -- >> WHEN I'M DRIVING OVER HERE.

>> TRANSIT, RIGHT?

WE THINK ABOUT BRIDGES, ROADS AND BRIDGES.

WE ALSO THINK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING SURELY OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND OUR STUDENTS CAN HAVE WHAT?

FREE COLLEGE.

SO IF YOU TALK ABOUT MINNESOTANS -- >> Mary: THAT PASSED FNL PASS.

HOW DO REPUBLICANS LIKE THAT?

>> AGAIN, THESE ARE DRIVING UP THE COSTS.

SO WE TALK ABOUT SUBSIDIZING, ALL THESE DIFFERENT GROUPS.

WHICH WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF OVER THE PAST.

IF YOU HAVE A NEED IN MINNESOTA, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME MONEY THERE, WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL GRANTS -- >> AND THAT'S NEED BASED.

$80,000 OR LESS.

>> NOW WE'RE TALKING STUDENTS, THAT HEY, IF YOU NEED MONEY, WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION.

WE'RE ACTUALLY LET YOU USE SOME OF THAT MONEY, PLUS SOME.

THIS IS GOING TO BE DRIVING UP EDUCATIONAL COSTS FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HIT THAT TARGET.

SO TUITION FEES ARE GOING TO BE GOING UP.

HOUSING IS GOING TO BE GOING UP BECAUSE NOW YOU'RE COMPETING WITH GOVERNMENT FOR HOUSING IN LOTS AND ALL SORTS OF DEVELOPMENT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE DRIVING UP COSTS ACROSS THE STATES AND MORE AND MORE FAMILIES ARE GOING TO BE FEELING THAT PINCH.

>> Mary: MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION, LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO PASS, YES?

>> WELL, WE HOPE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO GO THE ROUTE THAT IT'S GOING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH WHEN WE THINK IN TERMS OF ADULT USE CANNABIS.

>> Mary: DO YOU WANT REPUBLICAN VOTES?

YOU DON'T NEED THEM?

>> WE ALWAYS WANT REPUBLICAN VOTES BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR WONDERFUL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO WORK TOGETHER AND END THE GRIDLOCK.

>> Mary: IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE BUT THE BILL VOTE WAS.

>> IT ABSOLUTELY WAS.

YOU WANT TO WORK BIPARTISANLY THROUGH THIS, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN THE EXAMPLE FOR MANY OF THE BILLS GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE BEEN CUT OUT -- >> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SPORTS BETTING?

>> BUT LET ME ALSO SAY THIS, TO MY GOOD FRIEND, QUICKLY SMG QUICKLY, RIGHT?

IS THAT E HAVE ACCEPTED AMENDMENTS THAT THEY'VE GIVEN.

WE'VE HAD OPEN DOORS CONSTANTLY.

THEY JUST NEED TO COME ACROSS AND WORK WITH US IN ORDER TO WORK MINNESOTANS'' LIVES.

>> Mary: WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> Mary: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THIS NEXT GUEST KNOWS SOMETHING ABOUT IF THE LEGISLATURE ACTUALLY CAN FINISH EARLY.

AND HOW MANY BILLS THEY'VE REALLY PASSED IN COMPARISON.

ONE OF THE KEENEST OBSERVERS OF THE CAPITOL, LONGTIME RETIRING LOBBYIST, GARY CARLSON FROM THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES.

GARY, WE ALL WAIT FOR YOU TO CRUNCH THESE STATS EACH YEAR AND WE WANT TO START WITH A GRAPH.

IT'S NOT A BORING GRAPH.

IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT GRAPH ABOUT BILL INTRODUCTIONS AND IT TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT THE PACE OF SESSION.

>> WELL, MARY, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A NUMBER OF SESSIONS AND THE BILL INTRODUCTION PACE HAS REALLY INCREASED FAIRLY DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS.

AND THIS YEAR, WE'VE NEVER ECLIPSED 3,000 BILL INTRODUCTIONS IN ONE-HALF OF A BIENNIUM AND WE'RE ELL IN EXCESS OF THAT.

AND IF YOU GO BACK TO 2011, WE HAVE ALMOST TWICE AS MANY BILLS INTRODUCED IN 2023 AS WE DID IN 2011.

>> Mary: THE SECOND TO LAST BAR GRAPH IS THIS YEAR.

BEYOND IT IS HE AVERAGE.

IT'S A RECORD.

>> CORRECT.

>> Mary: IT IS THE BUSYST SESSION VER THEN?

>> IN MY EXPERIENCE, THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BUSYST YEARS FOR EVERYBODY, LEGISLATORS, LOBBYISTS, THE PUBLIC TRYING TO WATCH THIS PROCESS.

WE HAD 56 PEOPLE JOIN THE LEGISLATURE THIS EAR THAT HAD NEVER BEEN IN ST. PAUL SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO 56 PEOPLE ARE PART OF THAT RECORD BILL INTRODUCTION PACE, WHICH I THINK IS ACTUALLY VERY AMAZING.

THAT'D ALMOST A THIRD OF THE LEGISLATURE BRAND-NEW.

INTRODUCING A RECORD NUMBER OF BILLS, 25%, PER HOUSE NUMBER, 50 PER SENATOR ON AVERAGE.

>> Mary: AND WE CAN'T SAY IT'S JUST ONE-PARTY CONTROL THAT'S DRIVING THIS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN AROUND THROUGH ONE-PARTY CONTROL BEFORE AND IT DIDN'T HAVE THIS NUMBER OF BILLS INTRODUCED OR MAYBE EVEN PASSED?

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: AND SIGNED EARLY?

>> WELL, AND IT'S INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, THE SENATE IS ABOUT EQUALLY SPLIT.

BUT ABOUT 62, 63% OF THE BILLS HAVE BEEN CHIEF AUTHORED BY THE DEMOCRATS.

SO -- BUT THAT'S A PRETTY NATURAL PROCESS.

PEOPLE GO AND ASK LEGISLATORS TO CARRY LEGISLATION.

THAT ARE IN THE MAJORITY PARTY.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO EXPECT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREATER SHARE OF THE BILL INTRODUCTIONS.

IT'S ABOUT THE SAME STATISTICS ON THE HOUSE SIDE AS WELL.

BUT THIS IS A RECORD PACE.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE MOVING ERY QUICKLY ON PASSING BILLS INTO INTO LAW, SENDING THEM TO THE GOVERNOR.

WE'VE FALLEN A LITTLE BIT BEHIND.

BUT WE'RE DOING A LOT BIGGER BILLS RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK THE PACE WILL PICK UP UNTIL THE NEXT TEN DAYS OR SO.

YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF BILLS GOING TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> Mary: ESPECIALLY IF THEY REALLY TRY AND END EARLY.

THAT'S THE OTHER DATA YOU'VE BEEN CRUNCHING, AND YOU HEARD ME ASK VERY CAREFULLY EARLIER, CAN YOU END EARLY IN A BUDGET YEAR?

WE'VE SEEN EARLY ADJOURNMENTS IN NON-BHOIT NONNON-BUDGET YEARS.

>> I ONLY GO BACK TO 19834, SO THAT'LL BE 20 BUDGET SESSIONS IN NOT GUILTY CAREER AND THEY HAVE NEVER FINISHED BEFORE THE FIRST MONDAY AFTER THE THIRD SATURDAY IN MAY.

SO THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN GOING RIGHT UP TO BASICALLY THE END OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEJOURNETT.

TO COMPLETE THEIR WORK.

SO THEY'VE NEVER FINISHED EARLY.

THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST IN MY RECORDED HISTORY OF WORKING AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT THEY MIGHT FINISH EARLY.

IF THEY CAN GET IT DONE.

>> Mary: SO HISTORIC SESSION ON SO MANY LEVELS.

MOST BILLS INTRODUCED.

COULD BE THE EARLIEST ADJOURNMENT IN A BUDGET YEAR.

AND THE NEW MEMBERS AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE NEW MEMBERS, THE NUMBER 6 WOMEN, THE AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY.

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN A LEGISLATURE LIKE THIS BEFORE, HAVE YOU?

>> THEY'VE HAD A VERY AGGRESSIVE AGENDA, THERE'S NO DOUBT.

I THINK LEGISLATORS ARE REALLY FEELING LIKE IT'S THEIR OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO ENACT THEIR IDEAS INTO LAW AND THEY'RE TAKING A VERY AGGRESSIVE STANCE AND TRYING TO MOVE LEGISLATION THROUGH THE PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, WE STILL HAVE 17, AS I COUNT IT, 17 MAJOR OMNIBUS SPENDING AND POLICY BILLS THAT ARE MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

WE HAVE MAJOR LEGISLATION LIKE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CANNABIS LEGISLATION, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS TREATMENT LEGISLATION THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PENSION BILLS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT ARE FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL.

>> Mary: AND THAT MATTERS TO CITIES THAT YOU'RE STILL FOR -- SO A GOOD TIME TO FINISH AFTER THE BUSIEST SESSION EVER?

>> WELL, I HAVE NUMBER OF THINGS I'M PERSONALLY WORKING ON.

I WON'T TALK ABOUT THOSE, THAT ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PRO AND I AM VERY PLEASED AT THE PROGRESS I'VE MADE ON MY OWN PERSONAL ISSUES WORKING ON BEHALF 69 LEAGUE.

>> Mary: WELL, THIS IS PLACE IS GOING TO MISS YOU.

WE ALL ARE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Mary: YOU BET.

ALL RIGHT.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST TERM LAWMAKER IS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BLAINE WHO CAUGHT THE POLITICS AND PUBLIC SERVICE BUG EARLY, AND IT STUCK.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

SO FIRST QUESTION WE ASK EVERYBODY, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

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

I GOT STARTED IN MY HOMETOWN OF BROOKLYN PARK.

I WAS THE YOUTH LIAISON TO ONE OF THE CITY COMMISSIONS, AND IN MY VERY FIRST MEETING, WE LOOKS AT A CITIZEN SURVEY AND THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN OF RESIDENTS AT THE TIME WAS CRIME, ESPECIALLY JUVENILE CRIME, SO THERE'S SOME PARALLELS TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY.

AFTER A WHILE, KIND OF SHEEPISHLY WORKS UP THE COURAGE TO RAISE MY HAND AND SAID THE REASON THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING INTO TROUBLE IS THERE'S NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO LAUNCH THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES COALITION.

AND 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 SERVICE THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE CAREER.

I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO DO WORK UP AT THE CAPITOL.

I WAS ABLE TO GET THREE BILLS PASSED, JUST AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN, AND SO THAT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT, WELL, WHAT IF I DID JUMP IN THE RACE AND RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> Mary: WHILE OU'RE STILL YOUNG, YOUR BIO ALMOST HAS YOU IN TRAINING FOR THIS JOB SINCE BIRTH.

QUITE HONESTLY.

THE QUESTION I'LL ASK IS WHAT TOOK SO LONG?

>> I'M SOMEBODY WHO, I LIKE TO TRY TO FIND WHEN THE TIMING IS RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T ABOUT JUST BLIND AMBITION.

IT'S ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE DO I FEEL LIKE THE TALENTS THAT I HAVE, THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE, CAN BE MOST BENEFICIAL?

IT JUST FELT LIKE COMING OFF OF SOME OF THE SUCCESSES THAT I HAD AT THE CAPITOL RECENTLY AROUND SECURING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SECURING AN INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THAT I HAD SOME MOMENTUM AND THIS WAS THE TIME TO REALLY STEP FORWARD FOR MY COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: THIS IS NOT AN EASY DISTRICT, THOUGH.

THIS IS COMPETITIVE AND TECHNICALLY, IT'S A FLIPPED SEAT, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS, YES.

>> Mary: HOW DID YOU DO IT?

>> YOU KNOW, REALLY GETTING OUT THERE AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VOTERS.

I KNOCKED DOORS LIKE CRAZY.

I KNOCKS EED ABOUT 14,500 DOORS MYSELF.

MY TEAM COLLECTIVELY, WE KNOCKED ABOUT 39,000 DOORS.

AND THE OVERRIDING MESSAGE WE HEARD, AWAY WANT PEOPLE WHO CAN GET THINGS DONE AND WHO CAN WORK WITH BOTH SIDES TO DO IT.

>> Mary: WAS DEMOCRACY AND WAS IS ABORTION KEY DO YOU THINK?

>> I DO THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE SEEING IN TERMS OF THE EROSION OF DEMOCRATIC POSTSECONDARY.

THE ABORTION ISSUE WAS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP FREQUENTLY.

I THINK HAT I HEARD A LOT OF TIMES FROM VOTERS ON THAT, IT'S A DEEPLY PERSONAL MORAL ISSUE.

KIND OF THE OVERRIDING SENTIMENT I HEARD FROM VOTERS IN MY DISTRICT WAS, EVEN IF IT WEREN'T MY PERSONAL CHOICE, I DON'T SEE IT AS THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE O BE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS FOR WOMEN, FOR HER FAMILY.

>> Mary: NORTHERN SUBURBS, NORTH METRO, EXURBS, THAT WHOLE AREA HAS BEEN VERY INDEPENDENT, KIND OF A LIBERTARIAN STREAK.

DO YOU HAVE THAT STREAK IN OU TOO?

>> I DO.

I THINK THE ABORTION IS ONE ISSUE HERE WE SAW THAT POP UP.

ANOTHER ONE IS LEGALIZING ADULT USE CANNABIS.

FOLKS SAY, YOU KNOW, THAT SHOULD BE A POSITION THAT I GET TO MAKE.

>> Mary: THE VARIETY YOU HAVE IN YOUR DISTRICT, YOU HAVE TRAILER PARKS AND YOU HAVE BRAND-NEW MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOMES.

IT'S GOT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE DISTRICTS ECONOMICALLY.

>> AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LOVE ABOUT MY DISTRICT.

YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE DIFFERENT POCKETS IN DIVERSITY.

YOU'VE GOT THE MANUFACTURED HOUSING.

YOU'VE GOT THE MULTI-MILLIONDOLLAR HOMES ON THE GOLF COURSE.

AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

WE'VE ALSO GOT A LOT OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.

I THINK OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE SUBURBS LOOK LIKE.

BUT THE FACE OF THE SUBURBS IS REALLY CHANGING.

>> Mary: SO YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THE CAPITOL.

YOU'VE WORKED ON LEGISLATION.

YOU'VE WORKED IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT NOW THAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY A LAWMAKER, WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU BEING IN THE JOB?

>> THE SURPRISE SO FAR HAS BEEN THE LACK OF SURPRISES.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- >> Mary: THAT MAKES ME -- YOU KNOW THAT?

[ Laughter ] >> IT'S BEEN FAIRLY SMOOTH.

I THINK WHAT IS EXCITING THIS YEAR IS OW QUICKLY THINGS ARE MOVING.

AND THAT, AGAIN, IS GOING BACK TO WHAT I HEARD FROM VOTERS.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCTIVITY.

THE PERCEPTION FROM A LOT OF VOTERS IN MINNESOTA IS WE SIT AROUND THE CAPITOL AND NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THE FINAL TWO WEEKS AND THEN PEOPLE RUN AROUND LIKE THEIR HAIR'S ON FIRE.

THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW, GETTING BILLS PASSED RIGHT FROM THE START, WHAT WE WERE REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WAS DEFINING WHAT I STOOD FOR, AND HAT MY BIOGRAPHY STOOD FOR.

AND OFTENTIMES WHEN I WAS TALKING WITH VOTERS, YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD SAY WELL, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY CAN SAY THAT, THAT TALK IS NICE.

YOU KNOW, BUT WILL YOU ACTUALLY DO IT?

AND THAT'S WHERE I SAID, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT MY TRACK RECORD.

AND I'M WILLING TO STACK UP MY TRACK RECORD AGAINST ANYBODY ELSE.

TAKE A LOOK AT BOTH CANDIDATES.

LOOK AT WHAT THEY STAND FOR.

LOOK AT WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND SEE WHO ALIGNS BETTER WITH WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR VISION FOR MINNESOTA.

♪♪ >> Mary: WHY DO YOU THINK YOU AND YOUR DISTRICT ARE TRENDING MORE REPUBLICAN?

>> FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, YOU KNOW, MYSELF INCLUDED, I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN KIND OF O TO SLEEP AND YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING POLITICALLY.

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE SAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY'RE PAYING ATTENTION.

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO BE VERY CONCERNED WITH THEIR TAXES, THE LIVING WAGES.

SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS O HAVE TO DO WITH MONEY, THE DECISION-MAKING THAT'S BEING -- HAPPENING.

AT A STATE AND A LOCAL LEVEL.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST STARTING TO BE VERY CONCERNED AND GET INVOLVED.

A LOT OF OUR DIVISION IS OVER ISSUES THAT DO NOT MATTER TO THE AVERAGE PERSON.

YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT REAT SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS.

WE ALL WANT PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE ALL WANT THE ABILITY TO WORK AND TO JUST KIND OF PUCKER BACK ON GOVERNMENT AND SAY, YOU KNOW -- SUCH BACK ON GOVERNMENT AND SAY, YOU KNOW, LET ME LIVE MY LIFE.

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

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK IN WHAT COULD BE THE FINAL AY OR TWO OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IF THEY'RE ABLE TO END EARLY.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IN OUR ANNUAL VIEWER SURVEY.

HOP ONLINE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

THAT'S AT TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY.

TELL US ABOUT THE SHOW AND REWATCH ANY PORTION OF THIS SHOW.

ON TPT.ORG/AATC.

YOU CAN ALSO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND 2020 QUESTIONERTWITTER.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN WATCH THIS PBS SESSION, FLOOR SESSIONS, HOUSE, SENATE, BILL SIGNINGS, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, ALL THE KEY ACTION, PRESS CONFERENCES, ALL OF THAT ON THIS PBS STATIONS.

FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S NEW INTERIM PRESIDENT AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE LEGISLATURE'S EFFORT TO FINISH ON TIME.

YOU HEARD EARLIER, IT'S SOMETHING THEY REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO IN MODERN TIMES.

WE'LL CHAT WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, FORMER LAWMAKER, IF SHE THINKS IT COULD HAPPEN.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

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

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IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY "I'MN."

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

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.