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

>> THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME.

>> BASED ON THE CHARGES CHARGES THAT WE'VE SEEN TODAY, WE'RE MORE ADAMANT.

>> Mary: A SENATOR IS ARRESTED.

WE'LL HAVE NEW DETAILS AND BREAK IT DOWN WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS.

PLUS HE'LL TALK A.I.

AND I.T.

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.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

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 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER, HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

ANOTHER SENATOR HAS BEEN CHARGED AND ARRESTED FOR A FELONY.

THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE SHOCKING THE CAPITOL.

IT IS FOR SOLICITATION OF A MINOR.

WE JUST GOT WORD THAT OMORROW THE SENATE IS MEETING TO TRY TO EXPEL THE SENATOR.

SO WE'LL BE WATCHING THAT AND COVERING THAT FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC."

THERE WERE IMMEDIATE CALLS FOR HIS RES FOR EXAMPLABLE -- RESIGNATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IT ALL HAPPENS IN A LEGISLATURE THAT IS CLOSELY DIVIDED IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> WITH REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT DAVID GOTTFRIED FROM DISTRICT 40B PLEASE COME FORWARD AND TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE?

YOU WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY?

CONGRATULATIONS.

MEMBERS, WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME REPRESENTATIVE GOTTFRIED.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: THE HOUSE IS OFFICIALLY BACK TO A TIE, AFTER A CRUCIAL SPECIAL ELECTION WIN FOR DEMOCRATS THAT BRING THEM BACK TO POWERING-SHARING.

POWER-SHARING.

REPUBLICAN LISA DEMUTH WILL REMAIN HOUSE SPEAKER.

>> I KIND OF LIKEN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION 3.0.

YOU KNOW, WE STARTED WITH A TIE, AND THEN WE WENT TO A ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE.

NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE TIE.

>> I WAS HEARING THAT PRIMAL SCREAM OF GOD DANG IT, DO SOMETHING.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR WALZ TURNED TO THE ROAD AND THE NATIONAL POLITICAL SCENE.

>> WHEN I ASKED, WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING, I'M PROBABLY THE LAST GUY.

I DIDN'T GET IT DONE.

AND WE NEEDED TO WIN.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE IN THIS PICKLE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WIN.

>> WE HAVE PROBLEMS HERE IN THIS STATE, AND FOR HIM TO BE RUNNING AWAY FROM THOSE PROBLEMS IS REALLY DISCOURAGING.

THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME THIS SUMMER TO GO DO THAT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, W WE NEED EVERYBODY HERE ALL HANDS ON DECK.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICANS NOW HAVE BIGGER PROBLEMS WITH THE NEWS OF THE ARREST OF SENATOR JUSTIN EICHORN FOR SOLICITING A MINOR FOR PROSTITUTION.

BLOOMINGTON POLICE SAY THE 40-YEAR-OLD FROM GRAND RAPIDS THOUGHT HE WAS MEETING UP WITH A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHEN HE WAS BROUGHT IN TO CUSTODY.

SENATOR EICHORN IS LISTED AS HAVING A WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN.

HE UNSEATED A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO GET TO THE CAPITOL BACK IN 2016.

>> OUR CANDIDATES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE ARE TOM SAXHAUG, THE DEMOCRATIC FARM LABOR PARTY, AND JUSTIN EICHORN, FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> I THINK THIS IS REAL OPPORTUNITY, A REAL TIME FOR CHANGE, NOT ONLY IN THE COUNTRY BUT IN SENATE DISTRICT 5 AND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: BLOOMINGTON POLICE CHIEF BOOKER HODGES SAID, QUOTE, AS A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN, IF YOU COME TO THE ORANGE JUMPSUIT DISTRICT LOOKING TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE'S CHILD, YOU CAN EXPECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOCK YOU UP.

ADDING, WE NEED OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THIS CASE AND THIS TYPE OF CONDUCT MORE SERIOUSLY.

HODGES KNOWS POLITICS, HE'S A FORMER ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> I HAD A GREAT TIME WORKING AT THE STATE FOR OMMISSIONER HARRINGTON.

BUT I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT IS WHERE I NEED TO BE.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE TRAFFICKING ISSUE COMES IN, THIS IS PREYING ON CHILDREN, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME.

>> THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD?

>> Mary: THE SENATE HAS A ONE-VOTE MARGIN FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAD BEEN PUSHING ETHICS CHARGES AGAINST DFL SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL, FOR HER FELONY ARREST FOR BURGLARY AT HER STEPMOTHER'S HOME.

NOW BOTH CAUCUSES HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SITTING MEMBER BEING ARRESTED FOR A FELONY.

>> I AM GOING TO NOT ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS QUICKLY CALLED ON SENATOR EICHORN TO STEP DOWN.

>> BASED ON THE CHARGES THAT WE HAVE SEEN TODAY, WE'RE MORE ADAMANT IN THAT REGARD.

>> Mary: DFL MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY ADDED, QUOTE, THE FELONY ALLEGATION AGAINST SENATOR EICHORN IS DEEPLY DISTURBING, AND RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS THAT WILL NEED TO BE ANSWERED BY THE COURT AS WELL AS HIS CAUCUS AND CONSTITUENTS.

♪ ♪ >> JOINING ME NOW, POLITICAL REPORTERS ERIC ESKOLA, FORMER WCCO RADIO AND NOW OUR VERY OWN "ALMANAC," WCCO TV'S CAROLINE CUMMINGS.

CAROLINE, WE HAVE A LOT OF NEWS, JUST WHILE WE WERE SITTING HERE, WE GOT WORD THAT THE SENATE IS GOING TO MOVE TO EXPEL HIM.

THIS IS NOT AN EASY THING.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: TO EXPEL A SENATOR.

YEAH.

>> SO YOU NEED TO HAVE 2/3 MAJORITY OF THE CHAMBER, SO 45 MEMBERS, OBVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS, ARE IN THE MINORITY, THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT, SO ANY MOTION TO EXPEL WOULD NEED DEMOCRAT SUPPORT TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Mary: AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER SENATOR THAT THEY'VE TRIED TO EXPEL THAT COULD COME INTO THE FRAY.

>> I THINK THIS SETS UP, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK IT SETS UP OKAY FOR THE REPUBLICANS, THEY CAN GET ON AN EXPULSION VOTE ON THURSDAY, AND THEY CAN POINT ACROSS THE AISLE AND SAY, MEANWHILE, SENATOR MICHELLE -- MITCHELL, NO EXPULSION FOR HER.

NOTHING FOR FROM HER.

SHE GETS A TRIAL AFTER THE SESSION.

MIGHT HELP THE REPUBLICAN BRAND GETTING IN FRONT OF THIS COMPARED TO WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE.

>> Mary: BECAUSE SENATOR MURPHY WAS THE ONLY LEGISLATIVE LEADER THAT STOPPED SHORT OF CALLING FOR A RESIGNATION.

THAT TELLS US SOMETHING, DOESN'T IT?

>> RIGHT, WELL, THE DEMOCRATS WHEN SENATOR MITCHELL WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR WHICH SHE'S PLEADED NOT GUILTY, AND HAS HER TRIAL, LIKE ERIC SAID, COMING UP, THERE WERE SOME DEMOCRATS WHO ON THEIR OWN SAID SHE SHOULD RESIGN, BUT LEADER MURPHY ACTUALLY JUST WENT BACK TO REMIND MYSELF OF WHAT SHE SAID AT THE TIME, WHICH WAS, IF SHE WAS -- AND I'M PARAPHRASING, MURPHY SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECTS, IF I WERE IN HER SHOES, I WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION, KNOWING THE STAKES, WHICH IS THAT THERE'S A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY, AND ALL OF THAT, BUT SHE NEVER SAID THAT SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

AND THERE WAS NEVER A ALL-DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS MEMBERS SAY, SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

AND, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, MITCHELL, YOU KNOW, THROUGH HER ATTORNEY BE, HAS MAINTAINED, YOU NOW, I'M ENTITLED TO DUE PROCESS, IN A COURT OF LAW, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, REPUBLICANS SAY, THIS IS NOT A COURT OF LAW.

THIS IS A SENATE CHAMBER, AND ELECTED LEADERS ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

AND THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT GOVERNOR TIM WALZ SAID TODAY, TOO.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD SAY, THOUGH, THAT THE ACTION IN THIS SESSION IS IN THE HOUSE 67-67.

>> Mary: BACK TO A TIE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK, RETURNING TO A TIE, YEAH.

>> IN THE SENATE, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE DEMOCRATS IN CONTROL.

>> Mary: RIGHT, NO MATTER WHAT, YEAH.

>> AND, SO, THIS -- AND THERE IS NOT AN ELECTION NOW UNTIL 2026 FOR THE STATE SENATE.

AND I HEARD FROM A RANGE INSIDER TODAY THAT IT'S AN EASY HOLD FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

>> Mary: YUP, I'VE ALREADY HEARD NAMES, FORMER SENATOR CARRIE RUUD, SHE WAS REDISTRICTED WITH EICHORN AND I HEARD FORMER REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR NOW MAYOR UP NORTH, JENNIFER CARNAHAN MIGHT BE INTERESTING.

>> Eric: THAT WOULD BE SPICY.

>> Mary: ISN'T THAT INTERESTING?

IT GETS DEEPER AND DEEPER.

>> BUT YOU I -- YOU BRING UP A POINT THAT IS IT'S A VERY REPUBLICAN-LEANING DISTRICT.

>> Mary: NOW.

HE WAS ELECTED BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT BY A DEMOCRAT INCUMBENT.

IT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH THE RANGE HAS CHANGED.

ERIC, I WANT CONTEXT FROM YOU, WE BOATS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, BUT YOU'VE BEEN AROUND LONG.

I THINK WE'VE HAD SIX MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE WHO HAVE HAD DWIs, EVEN FELONIES ARE NOT NEW, ARRESTS ARE NOT NEW.

WHAT'S THE CONTEXT ON ALL OF THIS?

>> I DID MY USUAL MINIMAL RESEARCH, I FOUND EIGHT GROSSs R FELONIES SINCE THE MID '80s, I BACKED OUT DWIs.

>> Mary: NOT INCLUDING DWIs.

>> WE HAD A MEMBER ARRESTED IN THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: YES ON THE FLOOR, IN OUR TIME HERE.

AND IT WAS RELATED TO A SEX CRIME AGAINST THE MINOR, AT THE TIME.

I MEAN, IT WAS BARGAINED, PLEA BARGAINED DOWN, IT WAS NOT THE FINAL CHARGE.

>> THE THOUSANDS OF LEGISLATORS SINCE THE MID '80s, EIGHT CHARGES ROSE TO THAT LEVEL.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR VIEWERS?

YEAH, THAT'S NOT UNEXPECTED, POLITICIANS BEHAVE PAD BADLY.

WHAT ARE YOUR COMMERCIAL TV VIEWERS SAYING?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS ALLEGED CONDUCT S PRETTY EGREGIOUS, WOULD WARRANT A RESIGNATION OR EXPULSION, AND I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE THAT THEY FEEL THAT BOTH MITCHELL AND EICHORN, IN THIS CASE, SHOULD BOTH BE EITHER EXPELLED OR RESIGN.

AGAIN, WITH THE THINKING THAT THIS IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, AND THIS ISN'T A COURT OF LAW, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO SEE IN ELECTED LEADERS, YOU KNOW, THE STANDARD -- THE CONDUCT OF HIGHEST REGARD, HIGHEST STANDARD, RIGHT?

BUT, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, OTHER PEOPLE COME DOWN ON THIS DIFFERENTLY WHEN THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE CRIMINAL COMPLAINTS, THESE ARE ACCUSATIONS, YOU'RE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, IN A COURT OF LAW, SO THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE ANY SUCH ACTION WITHOUT THAT BEING ADJUDICATED.

SO, YOU CAN SEE BOTH SIDES OF THAT, AT LEAST FROM A VIEWER'S PERSPECTIVE, SOMEONE LOOKING ON ABOUT THAT.

>> AND IT'S JUST ANOTHER SHOVEL ON TOP OF ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNMENT, THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE VERDICT TODAY.

>> Mary: YEAH.

GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES.

>> AND HERE'S ANOTHER SENATOR IN TROUBLE.

I MEAN, I THINK IT TENDS TO BUILD A LITTLE BIT OF SKEPTICISM ON THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE.

GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: AND MORE DISTRUST, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE DISTRICT, EICHORN'S DISTRICT, WE'RE SAYING TRUMP IS PART OF THE REASON WHY THAT DISTRICT CHANGED, WHY IT IS SAFELY REPUBLICAN WHEN IT WAS JUST A TINY MARGIN JUST A COUPLE OF CYCLES AGO.

>> YOU CAN HEAR, THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO PARTIES, THEY'RE BOTH CORRUPT.

>> RIGHT.

BUT SOME, SENATOR ERIN MAYE QUADE IN A STATEMENT WAS PRETTY FIRM BASICALLY TO SAY, TO CONFLATE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST EICHORN WITH THAT OF ANY OTHER MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF A CRIME OR MISCONDUCT OR OTHERWISE IS BASICALLY A NONSTARTER, IT'S NOT THE SAME, IN HER WORDS.

SO I THINK YOU MIGHT SEE SOME FISHERS THERE FROM DEMOCRATS, TOO, MAYBE WHO DIDN'T CALL FOR MITCHELL, BUT WOULD CALL FOR HIM.

>> Mary: RIGHT.

SO MEANWHILE, THIS IS A BUDGET SESSION.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO SOLVE THIS BUDGET, WHICH IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY IN THESE CLOSE -- AND NOW WE'RE SPENDING DAYS TALKING ABOUT ETHICS AND MAYBE EXPULSION.

DOES IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PACE OF SESSION?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK SO.

EVEN GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE ROAD WARRIOR THIS LAST COUPLE WEEKS OUT ON THE ROAD.

SO, IT WILL BE THE -- THE END WILL BE THE STORY, THIS WILL GO AWAY, AGAIN, THE ELECTION ISN'T UNTIL 2026.

THIS WILL FADE.

THE ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE, AND THEY'LL EITHER GET IT DONE OR THEY WON'T, WHO KNOWS.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR ON THE ROAD A LOT.

REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CRITICIZING HIM.

WE FOUND OUT TONIGHT, THE GOVERNOR'S HEADING ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

ROCHESTER'S WHAT WE'RE TOLD.

AND ESKOLA, I BELIEVE YOUR LINE WAS, NEW YORK, NO, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA.

HE'S DOING A RALLY KIND OF IN THE STATE.

BUT TODAY HE WAS UNABASHED BY SAYING, I HAVE A NATIONAL PLATFORM EXAMINE I'M GOING TO USE IT.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> NO, I'M NOT SURPRISED BY THAT.

HE'S USING SAID PLATFORM VERY CLEARLY WITH THE TOWN HALLS, HE'S GONE ON NATIONAL PODCASTS, HE'S SAT DONE WITH EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH NATIONAL OUTLETS, NOTABLY HE WAS ON THE GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA'S PODCAST MOST RECENTLY.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR HIS POLITICAL FUTURE, I DON'T THINK THEY FULLY KNOW YET, BUT HE'S REALLY TAPPING INTO SOMETHING HE BELIEVES THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING, WHICH IS THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING HEARD IN WASHINGTON AMID ALL OF THE CHANGE THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR FORMER STOMPING GROUNDS IN IOWA, I BELIEVE HIS FIRST FORAY WAS DOWN INTO PRESIDENTIAL TERRITORY.

>> YOU KNOW, SAID IT ALL STARTS IN IOWA, THOUGH, OF COURSE EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED, THE CAUCUSES FOR THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, THEY DON'T KICK THINGS OFF ANYMORE.

BUT THERE IS STILL THAT LORE, OF COURSE, AND SHOULD WE READ INTO THAT?

BUT HE'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO STATES IN THE MIDWEST MORE BROADLY.

SO, WOULDN'T READ TOO MUCH INTO THAT.

>> Mary: INTO THE IOWA, YEAH.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME, THANKS SO MUCH, YOU TWO.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> YOU BET.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

♪ >> Mary: WELL, FEDERAL FUNDING IS AFFECTING A LOT OF ASPECTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND WE'VE GOT A.I.

AND I.T.

AND LUCKY WE HAVE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSIONER, TAREK TOMES.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FEDERAL KIND OF FALLOUT.

HOW IS IT AFFECTING YOUR WORLD AND YOUR SLICE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO REALLY BE ABLE TO REACT AND PIVOT QUITE QUAKE QUICKLY TO THE FRANTIC CHANGES THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM A FEDERAL PERSPECTIVE.

AND EVERYTHING FROM PROGRAM CHANGES TO FUNDING CHANGES, WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT MAY HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

SO IT'S A REALLY DYNAMIC SPACE.

A LITTLE BIT UNNERVING.

>> Mary: ACCESS TO THE FUNDING IS ELECTRONIC, TOO, THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES.

SO DOES DEPARTMENT OF AG REACH OUT AND SAY, HEY, I CAN'T GET AT THIS GRANT, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

>> YEAH, NO, THOSE FUNDING STREAMS ARE ELECTRONIC, AND THE AGENCIES NAVIGATE THOSE FUNDING STREAMS INDIVIDUALLY.

EARLY ON IN THE ADMINISTRATION, THERE WAS A BRIEF PERIOD WHERE THERE WAS CERTAINLY A DISCONTINUATION THAT, YOU KNOW, WAS QUICKLY RECTIFIED.

BUT SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT GET DELIVERED FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE, ULTIMATELY IMPACT MINNESOTANS AT A COUNTY, CITY, YOU KNOW, TOWNSHIP, TRIBAL NATION PERSPECTIVE, RELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING AS IT RELATES TO SOMETIMES THE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS THOSE SERVICES.

AND, SO, THE IMPACT IS QUITE PRONOUNCED, QUITE LARGE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SECURITY AND ACCESS?

SO MUCH WAS RAISED RIGHT AWAY BY DOGE COMING IN AND NON-- AND NONELECTED OFFICIALS HAVING ACCESS, WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, COULD STATE INFORMATION, OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION BE AT RISK AT ALL WITH WHAT'S GOING ON FEDERALLY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE ROBABLY, FROM A DETAIL PERSPECTIVE KNOW AS MUCH AS WHAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS, THAT THERE'S WIDESPREAD, YOU KNOW, DATA SHARING AND DATA ACCESS.

AND YOU EXPECT AS THE PUBLIC EXPECTS FROM US IN MINNESOTA, YOU EXPECT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT PEOPLE ARE FOLLOWING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AS IT RELATES TO -- >> Mary: YOU KNOW MORE THAN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN, THOUGH, ABOUT THIS TOPIC.

I'M JUST GOING TO PUSH YOU ON THAT, YEAH.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF LIFE EXPERIENCE IN THIS BEFORE THIS JOB.

>> NO, NO, ABSOLUTELY, FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL VALUES FOR US IS PROTECTING MINNESOTANS' DATA.

AND YOU EXPECT THAT AT ALL LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT, THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH DATA PRIVACY AND REALLY PROTECTING DATA AND MAKING SURE THAT DATA SHARING AND AGREEMENTS AND THAT THERE'S TRANSPARENCIES RELATED TO ACCESS FOR THAT DATA.

BUT CERTAINLY THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABUNDANT CONCERNS.

I THINK IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WE ALWAYS HAVE TO REALLY DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE THE PUBLIC FEEL THAT THAT TRUST IS SOMETHING THAT WE HOLD REALLY NEAR AND DEAR AND IT'S REALLY SACRED FOR US.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT STATE DOLLARS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT'S A BUDGET YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO BE ANNOUNCING HIS REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET LATER THIS WEEK.

HOW ARE THE BUDGET NUMBERS LOOKING FOR YOU IN YOUR AREA?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR US, THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE'RE DOING TO DELIVER ON THE CRITICAL PORTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR'S LAST BUDGET THAT WAS AGREED UPON WITH THE LEGISLATURE, CRITICAL WORK HAPPENING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES, AND, O, THERE'S SO MUCH EXECUTION AND WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON DELIVERING ON THOSE PROGRAMS THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR -- >> Mary: NEW FUNDING, NEW POSITIONS STILL NEEDED TO GET THE POSITIONS UP AND RUNNING?

>> FUNDING EXISTS FOR THOSE POSITIONS.

CERTAINLY AS NEW PROGRAMS ARE IMPLEMENTED, WE CAREFULLY ASSESS, YOU KNOW, FUNDING AS IT RELATES TO THAT.

AND THERE'S A REALLY HUGE FOCUS ON JUST THE WAY WE WORK TOGETHER WITH COUNTIES AND CITIES AND TRIBAL NATIONS AS IT RELATES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES, LIKE MAYBE IN THE CHILD WELFARE SPACE, AND JUST REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE CONNECT CLOSELY AS THE DELIVERY REALLY IS A CONTINUUM OF ALL THOSE ENTITIES IN THE MODERNIZATION OF TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT THAT IS A HUGE, HUGE FACTOR IN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Mary: THE LEGISLATURE'S TALKING A LOT ABOUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

WE JUST HAD A UILTY VERDICT IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE, WHICH WAS FEDERAL MONEY COMING TO THE STATE IN GRANTS GOING OUT.

THERE'S BEEN TALK, EVEN SOME LEGISLATION ABOUT A.I.

TO ROOT OUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

HOW REALISTIC IS THAT?

ARE WE READY FOR THAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY REALISTIC.

WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR IT.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES, IF WE HAVE SUSPICIOUS BE CREDIT CARD TRANSACTIONS, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY WE MIGHT GET A TEXT MESSAGE OR NOTIFICATION FROM OUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY THAT SAYS, HEY, IS THIS REALLY DID YOU?

DID YOU LOCAL MAKE THAT CHARGE?

REALLY HEADACHE THAT CHARGE?

-- MAKE THAT CHARGE?

ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE MOVED FROM THE RETROACTIVE TO THE PREEMPTIVE MODE AND TECHNOLOGY'S AT THE ROOT OF IT.

ANALYZING TRANSACTIONS, THEN FLAGGING FOR PEOPLE'S SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS SO YOU CAN INVESTIGATE OR POTENTIALLY TAKE ACTION.

AND THOSE CAPABILITIES ARE VERY REAL.

SO WE'RE VERY EAGER TO PARTNER WITH PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS, WHETHER ONES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE RETAIL SPACE OR IN THE BANKING SPACE THAT REALLY BRING THOSE LAYERS TO GOVERNMENT AS WELL.

>> Mary: SO INTERESTING.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THE BUDGET FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MARY.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT.

WELL, IF YOU'VE EVER STOPPED AT A JIMMY'S PIZZA, YOU MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS WEEK'S FRESHMAN LAWMAKER.

HE'S THE SON OF THE CHAIN'S FOUNDER AND TOOK INTEREST IN POLITICAL COMMENTARY AT AN EARLY AGE FOLLOWING ALONG ON DELIVERIES.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN?

>> I'VE UST KIND OF ALWAYS BEEN SOMEBODY THAT HAD AN INTEREST IN POLITICS, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID, MY PARENTS WOULD GO AROUND, WE ERE IN THE PIZZA BUSINESS, I WOULD RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE -- ON THE BENCH SEAT OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.

>> Mary: YOU CAN SAY THE PIZZA BUSINESS NAME BY THE WAY?

>> JIMMY'S PIZZA, WELL, MY DAD IS THE JIMMY OF JIMMY'S PIZZA.

>> Mary: YOU ALSO GO BY JIMMY, DON'T YOU?

>> YEAH, I DO.

CALL ME JIMMY, WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> Mary: IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO RUN FOR OFFICE, HAVE A BUSINESS NAMED AFTER YOU?

>> MAKE -- MAYBE, DOESN'T HURT.

FREE ADVERTISING.

>> Mary: THAT KIND OF WHETS YOUR APPETITE.

>> DRIVING AROUND LISTENING TO RUSH LIMBAUGH.

FOR ME, IF YOU EVER LISTENED TO RUSH, I'M A RUSH BABY.

YOU KNOW, AS I KIND OF GOT INTO POLITICS A LITTLE BIT, SERVING ON THE CITY COUNCIL, SERVING AS MAYOR, I HAD SOME LOCAL FOLKS FROM THE PARTY CAME, HEY, WE'D REALLY LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER RUNNING, WE'RE LOOKING FOR A CHANGE, SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT FOR SIX MONTHS, PRAYED ABOUT IT, SPENT A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT IT, WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

>> Mary: THEY LOVE MAYORS, DO YOU KNOW WHY?

>> IT'S HARD TO BEAT THE EXPERIENCE YOU GET WHEN YOU'RE A MAYOR.

YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE, SEE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS, WEIGH THAT OUT.

A LOT OF WHAT WE DO IS THEATRICAL FOR A LOT OF IT.

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

>> Mary: THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SURPRISE FOR YOU.

THE SPEECHES ON THE FLOORS AREN'T NECESSARILY TO CHANGE MINDS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO A LOT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES.

SO IT'S NOT AS MUCH FUN IN THAT SENSE.

>> Mary: HOW STRANGE WAS YOUR START TO SESSION, BEING IN IN, NOT BEING IN, HALF THE CHAMBER BEING EMPTY.

DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU IDN'T GET THE REGULAR FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW ANY DIFFERENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD COME TO YOU, I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO START IN SUCH CRAZY TIME.

WELL, I DON'T REALIZE IT'S CRAZY, BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN NORMAL YET.

SO I THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF A BLESSING IN DISGUISE.

IT GAVE YOU TIME TO REALLY FOCUS ON OTHER AREAS BESIDES GOING TO THE FLOOR.

I MOON, WORK ON BILLS.

>> Mary: TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> SURE.

>> Mary: YEAH, WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU, WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

>> BLUE-COLLAR TOWN.

WELL, I SHOULDN'T SAY TOWN.

BUT DISTRICT.

JUST GOOD PEOPLE.

I MEAN, THEY ENJOY EACH OTHER AND ENJOY THE AREA.

I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT 'EM.

>> Mary: IT'S A VERY SAFE REPUBLICAN SEAT.

>> IT IS, YEAH.

>> Mary: RIGHT?

WHAT PERCENTAGE DID YOU WIN BY?

>> WE GOT 68% OF THE VOTE.

>> Mary: PRETTY COMFORTABLE.

>> YEAH.

WE DID CHALLENGE AN INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN WHO HAD BEEN THERE FOR 12 YEARS, SO THAT WAS FAIRLY UNIQUE.

I THINK I'M THE ONLY PERSON THAT UNSEATED AN INCUMBENT.

I DON'T KNOW ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT.

BUT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IT WAS JUST THAT ONE RACE.

I HAD TO THINK ABOUT IT, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO BECAUSE IT'S A BIG DEAL TO TAKE ON SOMEBODY WITH YOUR OWN PARTY.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK YOU'RE MORE AT WHERE THE BASE IS AT, WHERE REPUBLICAN ACTIVISTS ARE TODAY, AND THAT HELPED YOU ON THAT?

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.

YEAH.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT THERE'S -- THERE WAS DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THAT WE SAW THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.

AND I JUST SEE, YOU KNOW, I WANT LESS GOVERNMENT AND MORE FREEDOM, AND I THINK THERE'S THINGS THAT HE WAS, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT MORE WILLING TO KIND OF SEE THE GOVERNMENT SORT OF INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT AREAS AND HAVE ITS FINGERS IN DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Mary: WHEN YOU'RE DOOR KNOCKING, DID YOU HEAR FROM THAT BASE YOU TALKED ABOUT, PEOPLE WANTED YOU TO BE FIERY AND FIGHT, WHAT DID YOU HEAR AT THE DOOR THAT INSTILLED THAT IN YOU?

>> JUST, LIKE I SAID, I MEAN, LESS GOVERNMENT, MORE FREEDOM MESSAGE, YOU KNOW, WE JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE, WE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO STAY OUT OF OUR LIVES AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.

WE WANT TO CUT RED TAPE AND OVERREGULATION.

WE WANT LOCAL PROGRESSIVE IDEOLOGIES OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS.

AND WE WANT, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE TERM LIMITS.

>> Mary: DID YOU EVER THINK YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE SERVING IN A LEGISLATURE WHERE A SENATE AND THE HOUSE COULD BE TIED IN THE SAME SESSION, T HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN STATE HISTORY BEFORE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: OKAY.

>> I MEAN BE, THAT WAS NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT I'D ALWAYS PLANNED ON.

I THOUGHT, OH, BOY, THAT WOULD BE NEAT, BUT TO ACTUALLY SEE IT COME TO FRUITION IS PRETTY SURREAL.

>> Mary: WHAT SURPRISES YOU, YOU'VE BEEN AROUND POLITICS, LOCAL POLITICS, WHAT ABOUT THE PLACE, PROCESS SO FAR SURPRISED YOU?

>> I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S A TOUGH QUESTION, MARY.

A LOT OF IT SURPRISES ME.

I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.

I MEAN, YOU SIT DOWN, YOU TALK WITH PEOPLE, DIFFERENT INDUSTRY EXPERTS, AND DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, I MEAN, I'M ON HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION POLICY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, AND, I MEAN, SPECIFICALLY HUMAN SERVICES IS A MASSIVE DEPARTMENT AND A MASSIVE BUDGET AND A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

>> Mary: HOW WILL YOU JUDGE SUCCESS AT THE END?

>> I'VE BEEN ASKING MYSELF THAT QUESTION.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE YOU LOOK, YOU SAY, WELL, IS IT HOW MANY BILLS I DRAFT?

IS IT HOW MANY BILLS I ACTUALLY GET THROUGH, WHICH IS VERY FEW BILLS ACTUALLY GET PASSED AND GET SIGNED INTO LAW.

IS IT, I DON'T KNOW, I MEAN, JUST BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OTHER SIDE, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE?

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT I'M STILL WORKING TO TRY TO FIND, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS -- HOW DO YOU DEFINE THAT SUCCESS, AND WHAT IS MY ROLE HERE?

>> Mary: AND NEXT WEEK WE'LL HEAR FROM A FRESHMAN DFLer AND A FORMER LAWMAKER.

YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE IN THE MEANTIME, TPT.ORG/AATC, THERE YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PORTION OF THIS SHOW, AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU CAN INTERACT WITH US ON FACEBOOK, X.

LOTS OF PLATFORMS.

ALSO, YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW TO WATCH THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY'RE IN SESSION.

THIS PBS STATEWIDE STATION HAS HOUSE, SENATE COMMITTEES, FLOOR ACTION, PRESS CONFERENCES, MUCH MORE.

IT'S BEEN A VERY NEWSWORTHY SESSION.

SO YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THAT.

AND TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT.

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK ABOUT FEEDING OUR FUTURE AND I'LL TALK MUCH MORE ABOUT THE STATE SENATOR'S ARREST.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, GOOD NIGHT.

CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "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, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

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 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER, HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

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