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

>> Mary: WE HAVE A BIG SHOW.

TOP SENATE LEADERS, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND A FORMER LEADER WHO'S RETIRING.

THAT'S ALL NEXT 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.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ENBRIDGE.COM/MINNESOTA.

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 28 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."

WE'RE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HEAR BEHIND ME LAWMAKERS ARE DEBATING A COMMERCE AND ENERGY BILL.

AND WE'LL RETURN YOU TO THAT ACTION ONCE THE SHOW'S OVER.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK, A LOT OF LATE SESSIONS LIKE THIS, THERE'S JUST A FEW WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT'S A BIG SHOW.

WE HAVE SENATE LEADERS HERE LIVE, WE HAVE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER LEAVES THE LEGISLATURE WITH ANOTHER FORMER LEADER.

BUT, FIRST, THE WEEK STARTED WITH A BIG CEREMONIAL BILL SIGNING THAT WAS SOON OVERSHADOWED BY AN ABORTION LINK OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

GOVERNOR WALZ CONDUCTED A CEREMONIAL BILL SIGNING FOR LINKED ISSUES THAT HAD LONG PLAGUED POLITICAL LEADERS, UNEMPLOYMENT FOR BUSINESSES AND BONUS PAY FOR WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> AND THAT IS HOW GOOD GOVERNMENT CAN WORK.

THANK YOU, ALL.

[ Applause ] >> I THINK IT'S THE GROUNDWORK PIECE OF THIS.

THESE THINGS HAVE KIND OF -- AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DONE IT -- THEY HAVE KIND OF A FEEL TO THEMSELVES AND A MOMENTUM.

I THINK THIS BODES INCREDIBLY WELL, HE HEART-FELT COMMITMENT I BSOLUTELY BELIEVE OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

>> TODAY IS A GREAT AY BUT WE CAN'T JUST STOP AT CHECKS FOR FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

WE NEED TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS IN CHILD CARE, EARNED SICK AND SAFE TIME, AND PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN GOING TO WORK AND EARNING A PAYCHECK OR PUTTING YOURSELF OR OTHERS AT RISK.

>> GOVERNING IN A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE REQUIRES GIVE AND TAKE FROM BOTH SIDES IS AND I'M GLAD WE GOT THIS DONE.

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

>> Mary: THESE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAID THEY MIGHT HAVE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT THE STATE'S HELP, KEEPING THEIR SANITATION OPERATION GOING.

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.

WITH THE PANDEMIC IT HAS BEEN VERY TOUGH, IT WAS TOUGH ON US.

WE LOST SOME EMPLOYEES.

>> ONE PERSON MATTERS.

THEIR HEALTH ND SAFETY MATTERS.

OUR EMPLOYEES MATTER.

AND WE JUST ALWAYS WANT TO STRIVE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR NOT ONLY OUR EMPLOYEES BUT JUST FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO STOP REPUBLICAN ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT ABORTION IN THE STATE AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT APPEARS POISE TO END RIGHTS IN ROE V. WADE.

>> IF YOU DON'T THINK WORLD WAR III IS COMING ON THIS ISSUE, YOU ARE WRONG!

YOU LOST!

>> MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE BOARD WANT TO REACH CON HE CENSUS AND SUPPORT MOTHERS AND PROTECT UNBORN BABIES.

REACH CONSENSUS.

>> Mary: JOINING ME NOW, SENATE LEADERS, BECAUSE THEY FINISHED THEIR WORK AND COULD LEAVE THEIR FLOOR, UNLIKE THE HOUSE HERE BEFORE ME, WE HAVE REPUBLICAN LEADER JEREMY MILLER AND MINORITY LEADER, MELISA LÓPEZ FRANZEN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE, WE DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE TALKING ABOUT T THE ABORTION RULING THAT APPEARS TO BE COMING OUT OF D.C. FIRST OF ALL, LEGISLATIVELY, DO YOU EXPECT THE SENATE TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THE ISSUE OF ABORTION?

>> WELL, THINK THE BIGGER CONCERN IS THIS LEAK, A LEAK OF THIS MAGNITUDE COMING FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT, I THINK WHAT YOU'LL DO -- WHAT YOU'LL SEE, YOU'LL FIND PRO LIFE LEGISLATORS CONTINUING TO WORK TOWARDS CONSENSUS TO PROTECT THE UNBORN, AS WELL AS SUPPORT MOMS AND FAMILIES.

AS FAR AS THIS SESSION GOES, I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO SEE ANY LEGISLATION.

AFTER ALL, THIS WAS JUST A LEAK OF A DRAFT RULING.

SO WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE OFFICIAL RULING AT THIS POINT.

>> Mary: YOU USED THE PHRASE CONSENSUS.

SENATOR BENSON USED THE PHRASE CONSENSUS.

IS THERE CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THERE IS EXTREMISM ON THIS ISSUE OF OVERTURNING A 50-YEAR PRECEDENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS WITHSTAND AND THIS LEAK, THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

WE EXPECTED THIS TO HAPPEN WITH THE REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

LUCKILY IN INNESOTA, WE STILL HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION OF THAT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT.

JUST LAST WEEK, WE HAD AN AMENDMENT ON THE SENATE FLOOR WHERE ALL REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT, TO CODIFY THAT FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> Mary: NOT SURE IF THE HOUSE IS GOING TO TAKE THAT SAME ACTION.

THEY HAD SOME PROCEDURAL VOTES YESTERDAY THAT ENDED ON A TIE VOTE, ESSENTIALLY.

DO YOU THINK IT'S WORTH, IF IT'S TIE STATUS HERE IN THE HOUSE, GOING AFTER SOMETHING?

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN EVEN SOME EXCEPTIONS FOR SUCH AS RAPE OR INCEST, PUTTING ANY OF THAT INTO LAW?

>> AGAIN, THIS IS JUST A DRAFT -- FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A LEAK FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

IT'S A DRAFT RULING.

I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S PREMATURE TO ACT ON ANY LEGISLATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME UNTIL THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ISSUES THEIR FINAL RULING.

>> Mary: IS IT AN ISSUE YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT, THOUGH, YOUR CONSTITUENTS WANT YOU TO ACT ON, ARE YOU GETTING ANY SENSE OF THAT?

>> OBVIOUSLY IT'S BUBBLED UP NOW SINCE THIS LEAK FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

DID YOU -- BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS JUST A DRAFT RULING, I THINK IT'S PREMATURE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT WHAT THE SENATE HAS BEEN DOING, BUDGET BILLS, EDUCATION HAS BEEN KIND OF A FOCUS.

WHAT'S IN THE BIG, WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT, WHAT DON'T YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?

>> THE BILLS ARE PRETTY THIN IN THE SENATE.

WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING AS A SENATE, DEMOCRATIC BE MINORITY, TO HAVE OUR BILLS HEARD IN COMMITTEES.

WE'VE HAD STRUGGLE WITH THAT.

WE'VE HAD VERY LIVELY DEBATES ON THE SENATE FLOOR LATELY ON THOSE.

MISSING PIECES THAT WE THINK SHOULD E INCORPORATED INTO THESE BIGGER OMNIBUS BILLS.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT EDUCATION, WHEN THERE'S ONLY $30 MILLION FOR ONE SINGLE PROPOSAL, I THINK WE CAN DO MORE WITH A $9 BILLION SURPLUS, WHERE AT THE TIME WE HAVE TO STILL RECOVER FROM THE GAPS OF COVID AND EVERYTHING THAT WE STRUGGLED WITH.

>> Mary: LET'S TAKE EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY K-12, READING HAS BEEN THE EMPHASIS, AND TRYING TO BRIDGE SOME OF THOSE GAPS THAT HAVE APPEARED DURING COVID.

HOW DOES THE BILL DO THAT?

>> IT'S A HUGE ISSUE.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THIS IS A NONBUDGET YEAR.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PASSED A $51 BILLION TWO-YEAR BIPARTISAN BUDGET LAST YEAR THAT INCLUDED OVER $20 BILLION FOR EDUCATION FUNDING.

IT'S A PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

HERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT OUR BILL DOES THIS YEAR IS IT FOCUSES ON LITERACY.

40%, 40% OF KIDS ARE NOT READING AT GRADE LEVEL.

AND TO US THAT'S ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE FOCUSED ON LITERACY.

WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR TEACHERS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO TEACH OUR KIDS THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, NOT ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM BUT BEYOND.

>> Mary: IS THERE SOME BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON THAT?

I KNOW THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY AND ENOUGH IN IT, BUT, IN THEORY, DO YOU SUPPORT SOME OF THOSE IDEAS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR CAUCUS IS ON THE SENATE FLOOR YESTERDAY, FOR HOURS, WE SAID THIS IS A GREAT STEP BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT WE NEED IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE NEED HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM TEACHERS AND LEADERS IN THE PROFESSION THAT WE ARE COMPLETELY IGNORING WITH JUST TACKLING ONE ISSUE, A VERY IMPORTANT ONE, BUT NOT THE ONLY ISSUE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR NEEDS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION BILL KIND OF GETS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE FOR YOU.

THERE'S A LOT OF TRAINING FOR OFFICERS BECAUSE WE DO REQUIRE OFFICERS TO HAVE COLLEGE DEGREES IN MINNESOTA.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATIONINGS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE.

WE'RE SEEING CRIME RATES AT A RECORD HIGH ACROSS THE STATE, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA.

WE'RE SEEING POLICE OFFICERS RETIRE AT A FASTER RATE, YOUNGER AGE THAN THEY EVER HAVE WHERE.

BEFORE.

WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE DOING, WE'RE LASER FOCUSED ON PROVIDING MORE FUNDING FOR MORE GOOD COPS, WE KNOW MORE GOOD COPS RESULTS IN LESS CRIME.

WE'RE DOING THAT THROUGH RETAINING CURRENT POLICE OFFICERS, AS WELL AS RECRUITING NEW POLICE OFFICERS, AS IN OUR HIGHER EDUCATION BILL, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO -- WE ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF BILLS THAT REALLY FOCUS ON GETTING TOUGH ON CRIME.

WE WANT TO HOLD CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

IF SOMEONE BREAKS THE LAW, THERE SHOULD BE CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT.

>> Mary: I KNOW DEMOCRATS HAVE EEN INTERESTED IN SOME OF THIS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TOUGH ON CRIME ASPECT?

>> WELL, THERE HAS TO BE A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT WORKS, THAT'S APPROPRIATELY FUNDED FROM PROSECUTORS TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORTS AND DPS, WHICH IS OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE HAVE TO FUND ALL THE PIECES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM APPROPRIATELY.

AND THERE'S IDEAS FROM THE HOUSE, FROM THE SENATE, AND I THINK WE CAN GET TO A COMPROMISE THERE.

WE'VE ACTUALLY IN THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY WE'VE ACTUALLY PUT MORE MONEY IN OUR HE BILL, IN THE PROAPS, THAN THE REPUBLICANS HAVE.

WE'RE NOT OUTSIDE OF THE REALM OF A COMPROMISE.

PROPOSALS.

I THINK WE CAN GET THERE.

THERE ARE A OT OF IDEAS THAT MERIT THE DISCUSSION.

>> Mary: DOES IT SEEM LIKE SOMETHING THAT'S BREWING, A COMPROMISE, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HOUSE LEADERS.

IS THERE SOME CONSENSUS EMERGING ON SOME OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY LANGUAGE?

>> PUBLIC SAFETY OF IS A HUGE ISSUE.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPROMISE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, ON EDUCATION, AS WELL AS GIVING MONEY BACK.

THERE'S A $9.3 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

REPUBLICANS ARE FOCUSED ON SENDING THAT MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO THEY HAVE MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET EVERY SINGLE PAYCHECK WEEK AFTER WEEK MONTH AFTER MONTH YEAR AFTER YEAR.

WE'VE ALSO PROPOSED THE FULL ELIMINATION OF TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, MINNESOTA'S ONE OF ONLY 12 STATES THAT STILL TAXES SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME.

SO THAT'S ALSO PART OF OUR PROPOSAL TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S GIVE IT BACK PLAN WAS POPULAR ACCORDING TO POLLS.

DEMOCRATS HERE IN THE HOUSE HAVE NOT PUT IT P. DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE WANT THAT TO HAPPEN?

>> I KEEP HEARING FROM MY SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS, COLLEAGUES, THAT THIS IS NOT A BUDGET YEAR.

SO THEN WHY ARE WE PUTTING SO MUCH ON THAT PARTICULAR PART OF THE LEDGER.

LET'S WAIT UNTIL A BUDGET YEAR.

>> Mary: DOES IT HELP THE GOVERNOR?

>> THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS, WE HAVE TO BE VERY JUDICIOUS WITH OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE GAPS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR BUDGETS AND IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR AGENCIES.

WHY ARE WE PUTTING SO MUCH ON ONE PART OF THE LEDGER WITHOUT CONSIDERING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SUSTAIN THE PROSPERITY NEED FOR OUR STATE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IN A RECESSION, THAT WE'RE NOT NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES TO GET THROUGH A RECESSION THAT'S LOOMING RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: LAST WORD.

>> YEAH.

THE REASON WE'RE PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY THERE AND GIVING SO MUCH BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A $9.3 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE -- >> Mary: SOME OF IT'S SPENT NOW, RIGHT?

>> SOME OF IT IS SPENT.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A SURPLUS THIS MASSIVE, IT MEANS ONE THING.

THE STATE IS OVERCOLLECT LITTLE FROM THE TAXPAYERS, THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

OVERCOLLECTING.

>> PEOPLE HAVE ONE REALLY WELL IN OUR STATE AND OUR ECONOMY'S DONE REALLY WELL.

>> Mary: WE'RE OUT OF TIME, LEADERS.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

♪♪ >> Mary: JOINING ME NOW, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

THE BIG GUESTS CONTINUE.

WE KNOW YOU HAD A BUSY WEEK.

YOU GOT TO START THE WEEK WITH A REALLY EXCITING BILL SIGNING, BIPARTISAN.

DID YOU FEEL LIKE THAT BUILT ANY MOMENTUM?

>> I FELT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, JUST MOMENT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING A VERY LONG TIME FOR.

AND, IN PARTICULAR, OUR FRONT-LINE WORKERS, WHO HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS SACRIFICES.

I REMEMBER GOING DOWN TO WORTHINGTON AND MEETING WITH THREE MOMS WHO WORKED IN A MEAT PACKING PLANT, THEY DESERVE THIS MONEY.

IT'S THE VERY LEAST THAT WE CAN DO.

AND I THINK THE $2.7, YOU KNOW, FOR U.I., THAT MATTERS.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

AND WE SHOULDN'T BE RAISING TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES EITHER.

SO THIS S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY TO FEEL LIKE THEY GOT SOME WINS.

>> Mary: YOU MADE A POINT AT THAT SIGNING SAYING, BUT THE WORK'S NOT DONE YET.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: A COUPLE OF OTHER BIG ISSUES FOR YOU.

CHILD CARE STILL A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE STATE AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

HOW ARE THOSE LOOKING TO YOU?

>> SO, HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS SO FUNNY THE OTHER DAY I WAS LOOKING AT PHOTOS AND I SAW A PICTURE OF SHAVONNE, SHE'S 9 NOW, WITH A LITTLE FOAM FINGER ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE, SHE WAS ITTY BITTY, OKAY, THESE THINGS TAKE TIME.

BUT I AM HOPEFUL NOW THAT, YOU KNOW, SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALSO INTRODUCED A BILL ON PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

>> Mary: SENATOR JULIA COLEMAN, REALLY STOOD OUT ON THAT ONE, YEAH.

>> IT'S OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR, IF WE HAVEN'T LEARNED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO CARE FOR A NEW CHILD OR IF THEY'RE ILL, THIS IS THE MOMENT.

AND AS FAR AS CHILD CARE GOES, THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT WE HEAR AS WE TRAVEL ACROSS THE STATE.

IT'S TIME.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NOW TO CATCH UP.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE THAT WE CAN DO TO OWER COSTS FOR FAMILIES AND IT'S TIME.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED PAID FAMILY LEAVE BEING POPULAR.

ANOTHER IDEA THAT'S POPULAR FROM YOUR BOSS, DO YOU CALL HIM YOUR BOSS?

>> CO-WORKER.

>> Mary: YOUR COLLEAGUE.

GET THAT RIGHT.

HIS IDEA FOR RETURNING SOME OF THE SURPLUS WITH A CHECK, POPULAR IN POLLS.

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR FRIENDS HERE IN THE HOUSE, YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUES HERE, HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT PUT THAT FORWARD.

HAVE YOU HAD SOME WORDS WITH THEM?

>> WELL, HERE'S WHAT I KNOW.

I KNOW THAT THE SENATE'S AT THE TABLE.

THE HOUSE IS AT THE TABLE.

AND THE GOVERNOR AND I RE AT THE TABLE.

THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO SIGN THOSE BILLS.

SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE PUT FORWARD.

AS YOU SAID, IT'S OVERWHELMINGLY POPULAR WITH MINNESOTANS.

AND I THINK IT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVEST SHORT-TERM IN FOLKS AND THEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS BUDGET TO ALSO DO THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS IN LOWERING COSTS FOR FAMILIES.

LIKE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, CHILD CARE, HOUSING.

AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK -- YOU KNOW THIS.

IT AIN'T OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING FOR THIS.

>> Mary: IS IT HONESTLY JUST TOO HARD IN AN ELECTION YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS TO GIVE A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN A VICTORY IN WHAT COULD BE A TIGHT RACE?

>> I THINK IT'S A VICTORY FOR EVERYBODY, GIVING CASH DIRECTLY TO MINNESOTANS WHO COULD USE IT FOR THINGS LIKE DIAPERS, PAYING THEIR RENT, A CAR REPAIR, MAYBE PUTTING A LITTLE BIT IN SAVINGS.

THIS IS REAL.

AND I THINK EVERYBODY COULD COME OUT OF THIS, YOU KNOW, WITH SOME GOOD THINGS TO TALK ABOUT WITH FOLKS ON THE DOORS.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF THE ELECTION, I'M WONDERING HOW YOU SEE, ESPECIALLY AS A SUBURBAN PRO CHOICE DEMOCRATIC WOMAN NOW, THE ISSUE OF ABORTION AND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DO TO THE ELECTORATE?

AND IF IT'S GOING TO ENERGIZE WOMEN LIKE YOU?

>> SO HERE'S WHAT I KNOW.

I KNOW THAT WE BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR AND I, STAUNCHLY, THAT EVERY MINNESOTAN SHOULD DECIDE WHEN THEY START A FAMILY, HOW THEY START A FAMILY, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE AS LONG AS WE'RE IN FFICE THAT ACCESS TO SAFE OF AND LEGAL ABORTION CONTINUES IN THIS STATE.

I'VE GOTTEN CONSIDERABLE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES FROM WOMEN THAT I KNOW IN THE SUBURBS AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO JUST SAID, I'M SCARED AND I'M SCARED TOO.

>> Mary: IS IT MOTIVATING?

>> I THINK THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS PUTTING MY DAUGHTER TO BED AFTER THIS, YOU KNOW, NEWS WAS LEAKED, AND I THOUGHT, HOW CAN WE BE IN THIS MOMENT, WHERE THE WORLD COULD BE LESS SAFE FOR HER THAN IT WAS FOR ME OR WAS FOR HER GRANDMA?

RIGHT?

SO I THINK THAT IS A MOTIVATOR.

THAT WE DON'T WANT TO GO BACKWARDS AND WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT LIKE HECK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T.

>> Mary: AND WHAT CAN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, QUITE HONESTLY, DO ABOUT IT?

BECAUSE ALL YOU CAN DO IS SIGN BILLS.

THE PAIR OF YOU.

SO YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE LEGISLATION COME FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WHICH ARE DIVIDED.

>> UM-HUM.

SO RIGHT NOW, WE DO NOT HAVE A PRO CHOICE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE.

AND, SO, WE ARE VERY CLEAR THAT OUR JOB IS TO PLAY GOALIE AND TO STOP BAD BILLS THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

WHAT I CAN TELL YOU, THIS FALL, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK IT WILL BE A MOTIVATOR FOR FOLKS, AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY O HAVE A PRO CHOICE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, IN THE SENATE.

WE REMAIN IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

AND THAT MEANS THAT ULTIMATELY WE COULD CODIFY THIS IN LAW.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH BECAUSE YOU REALLY SOUGHT TO TARTAN TERRITORY, AND I THINK OF THE MONDALE MEMORIAL OVER THE EEKEND, HOW HE REDEFINED THE VICE PRESIDENCY.

ARE YOU REDEFINING THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

>> I HOPE SO.

AND I THINK FRITZ WAS AN INCREDIBLE MODEL FOR ALL OF US, JUST HOW TO BE A LEADER, IN GENERAL.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK HE SHOWED THE ROPES, CLEARLY, TOO, VICE PRESIDENT AND NOW PRESIDENT BIDEN.

ALSO TO SENATOR SMITH WHO CERTAINLY WAS A MODEL FOR ME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

AND I HOPE HAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND CAN BE REALLY SIGNIFICANT AND HELP SHAPE POLICY AND THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU PUSHED HIM AND CHALLENGED HIM ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES AND MAYBE MOVED HIM A LITTLE LEFT ON SOME THINGS, THAT FAIR?

>> WE PUSH AND CHALLENGE EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG RELATIONSHIP.

I THINK PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT AND IT'S FOUNDED ON A REALLY STRONG FRIENDSHIP.

WE DEBATE THINGS.

BUT ULTIMATELY WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> Mary: WELL, THANK YOU FOR RETURNING TO YOUR OLD STOMPING GROUNDS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: HERE IN THE HOUSE.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, UP NEXT, THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER PROFILE, IN HIS 20 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, REPUBLICAN SENATOR DAVE SENJEM HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHANGES.

SENATOR DAVE SENJEM, WHY ARE YOU RETIRING?

>> IT'S JUST TIME.

20 YEARS, 20 WONDERFUL YEARS, 20 FANTASTIC YEARS.

SO MANY MEMORIES.

AND I'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

I CAN'T IMAGINE GOING FORWARD.

I'LL MISS IT DEARLY.

THERE ARE NO QUESTION ABOUT THIS.

THERE'S A TIME TO COME, AND A TIME TO GO.

PROBABLY TIME TO GO.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH IS A FACTOR OF THE REDISTRICTING AND COMPETITIVENESS OF YOUR NEW DISTRICT?

>> IT'S A TOUGH DISTRICT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY FACTORED IN, WANTING TO GO THROUGH THE ARDUOUS NATURE OF THE HARD CAMPAIGN.

BRUTAL HITS.

THE RIGORS OF THESE KIND OF CAMPAIGNS OWADAYS.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED THE RIGORS OF RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: YOU'RE NOT AFRAID OF RUNNING RIGORS, AT 70 YEARS OLD, YOU TOOK UP DISTANCE RUNNING.

>> COUNTRY MUSIC.

>> MAYBE WE COULD RUN AGAIN, MARY.

I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP THAT ONE.

I STILL WANT TO DO SOME 5Ks.

I NEEDED IT AT THE TIME.

WE JUST LOST THE SENATE MAJORITY.

I NEEDED A GOAL.

SOMEBODY SAID, TRY THE CAPITOL 5K, WHICH IS LIKE RUNNING TO MARS.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL JOURNEY.

I APPRECIATE SO MUCH OUR RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE YEARS.

>> Mary: YOU WEREN'T AFRAID TO REINVENT YOURSELF, THOUGH, REPEATEDLY THROUGH THIS POLITICAL CAREER AND IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> I SUPPOSE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS, YOU HAVE TO SEE THE FEATURE AND -- FUTURE AND GO THERE.

THAT'S IN MY MIND THE MARK OF A GOOD LODGE SLATER.

YOU CAN'T GET STUCK IN TODAY.

THIS IS WHY FOR ME ENERGY IS SO IMPORTANT.

SO INTERESTING.

>> Mary: AND ENERGY IS IS NOT AN ISSUE REPUBLICANS HAVE TYPICALLY LED ON.

YOU'VE TRIED TO BE AN OUT-OF-THE-BOX MODERATE REPUBLICAN, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN EASY.

>> OH, IT'S NOT.

IT'S NOT EASY.

BUT LEAD, FOLLOW, OR STAY BEHIND.

>> DAD COMMITTED SUICIDE WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD.

I KEPT THAT SECRET FOR A LONG TIME.

WHO WANTS A POLITICIAN THAT'S BORN OUT OF A ENTALLY ILL FAMILY?

>> Mary: RIGHT, BUT IT MAKES THIS.

DOESN'T IT HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> WELL, IT'S PRETTY POLITICALLY DEPRESSED.

>> Mary: ANOTHER NONPARTISAN ISSUE YOU BROKE OUT ON IS MENTAL HEALTH.

AND YOU USED YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

IS THAT PART OF YOUR LEGACY YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL HAVE A LEGACY OR NOT, MARY.

BUT IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

AND I'M WORKING WITH SENATOR BAKK.

I WANT FIVE MORE CRISIS CENTERS IN THIS YEAR'S BONDING BILL.

>> HERE WE ARE, PREPARED, READY TO LEAD!

>> Mary: YOU DID MAKE HISTORY IN LEADERSHIP.

WE HAVE THAT FOOTAGE.

YOU ON THE PODIUM, I'M NOT SURE I'VE EVER SEEN YOU HAPPIER WHEN YOU ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 38 YEARS, REPUBLICANS TOOK BACK CONTROL OF THE MAJORITY.

IS THAT ALSO ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST AND BEST MEMORIES?

>> THAT HAPPENED N 2010.

ABOUT 2007, I BECAME MINORITY LEADER, IDN'T EVEN VOTE FOR MYSELF.

WE WERE 21 MEMBERS.

THEY WERE 46.

HOW DO YOU DO THIS?

BUT I JUST KEPT BELIEVING AND FINDING REALLY GOOD CANDIDATES.

FIRST TIME IN 38 YEARS, WE'RE THE MAJORITY IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

FIRST TIME IN LEGISLATIVE PARTISAN ISTORY.

SUBSEQUENTLY IT SCATTERED ACK AND FORTH.

>> Mary: IT WAS A TOUGH ROAD AFTER TAKING OVER, TOO.

THERE WAS SOME SNAP-BACK.

THE ISSUES OF MARRIAGE, YOU SAID AT THE TIME THAT THAT WAS OVERREACH.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

AND I THINK WE'VE LEARNED A LOT THROUGH THAT.

AND A LITTLE MORE GUARDED ABOUT HOW LONG THE STEPS WE TAKE SOMETIMES.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND ON THAT ISSUE?

ARE YOU FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW?

>> OH, YEAH.

I MEAN, YES, I MEAN, GOOD GRIEF.

>> Mary: YOU SAID EARLIER, YOU DIDN'T RUN FOR LEADER AND YOU BECAME LEADER.

I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, TOO, AFTER YOUR CAUCUS AND YOUR PARTY WAS IN CRISIS.

THEY CAME BACK TO YOU.

WHAT DOES THAT SAY?

ABOUT YOU?

>> OH, I DON'T KNOW.

MAYBE STEADY HAND.

IF WE LOST THE MAJORITY, IT WAS GOING TO BE ON ME.

THAT'S AS SIMPLE AS IT WAS.

>> Mary: BUT YOU'VE SEEN SO MANY UPS AND DOWNS.

>> OH, SURE, YEAH.

>> Mary: YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED THAT GOING INTO IT, WOULD YOU HAVE?

>> NO, NEVER.

AND I REMEMBER SO WELL, JUST FIRST TIME WALKING IN THE CHAMBER.

HERE'S A KID THAT GREW UP IN HAYFIELD, MINNESOTA, HOW DID I EVER GET TO THE STATE CAPITOL, AM I GOOD ENOUGH?

>> Mary: YOU WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO TACKLE AN INTRUDER WHO CAME ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT EITHER.

>> YES.

I DID THAT.

>> I WAS JUST ABLE TO GRAB HIM, COAX HIM OUT THE DOOR.

AND EVERYTHING'S GOOD.

YOU KNOW?

>> Mary: YOU SAID COAX, OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED, A TACKLE, WHICH IS IT?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK -- MAYBE A LITTLE URGING.

>> Mary: ALL THE RETIRING LAWMAKERS I'VE TALKED TO HAVE REVEALED MORE ABOUT THEIR FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE.

THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE THOSE.

CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT SOME FOLKS AND SOME RELATIONSHIPS?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS SAKES.

WELL, YOU KNOW, SENATOR BAKK'S A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH US, BUT, I MEAN, THERE'S SO MANY.

SENATOR BERGLIN.

>> Mary: YOU MADE A POINT OF MAKING FRIENDS.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE.

AND IF YOU CAN'T GIVE FRIENDSHIP, WELL, THEN YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT BACK.

THAT'S PART OF THE LIFE EXPERIENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THAT'S PART OF, FRANKLY, GETTING THINGS DONE.

YOU JUST ACCUMULATE HOMIES.

>> Mary: FOR WHOEVER REPLACES YOU, FROM WHATEVER PARTY, WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

>> STUDY HARD.

NONE OF US COME INTO THIS JOB UNDERSTANDING A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE STATE.

TRY TO BE A PLAYER.

BE BASHFUL LIKE I WAS FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS.

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

WE'LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TPT.ORG/AATC.

THERE YOU CAN REWATCH ANY OF THE SHOWS OR SEGMENTS, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

ALL EEK LONG, TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE'S IN SESSION, LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW BEHIND ME, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MUCH MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

AND IF YOU'RE A VIEWER OF THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICE, PLEASE VISIT THE WEB LINK ON THE SCREEN HERE AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE.

AND MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT.

ERIC AND CATHY WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH Dr. MIKE OSTERHOLM AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE DATA BREACH AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT BY TALKING TO A FORMER STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE WHO HAS SEEN SOMETHING AKIN TO THIS RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, IF YOU ARE WATCHING US LIVE AT 7:00 P.M., WE'LL RETURN YOU TO THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THEY ARE STILL DEBATING HERE, LATE-NIGHT DEBATE ON COMMERCE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT BILL BEHIND US AND WE'LL RETURN YOU TO THAT ACTION AS LAWMAKERS WORK HERE BUSILY N THE FINAL WEEKS OF SESSION.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY.•.

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MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ENBRIDGE.COM/MINNESOTA.

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

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

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