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

>> THEY OPEN YOUR STOMACH MUSCLES FROM STERNUM ON DOWN.

JUST EVEN SITTING HERE TODAY, THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> Mary: THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TALKS TACKLING CANCER DURING SESSION, AND A NEW HOUSE MEMBER SAYS SHE'S PROBABLY THE MOST TATTOOED REPUBLICAN.

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.

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'LL HAVE AN EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC ABOUT HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, AND WE'LL WELCOME BACK A DUO OF FORMER SENATORS TO ASSESS WHAT HAS AND HASN'T HAPPENED SO FAR AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FINAL WEEKS HERE.

BUT WE START WITH THE FIRST TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH THE SENATE LEADER TALKING CANDIDLY ABOUT HER INTENSIVE CANCER SURGERY THAT HAS TAKEN HER AWAY FROM THE CAPITOL, BUT NOT HER WORK.

>> Mary: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THIS IS WHERE YOU'VE BEEN WORKING.

CAN YOU TELL US WHERE YOU'RE AT?

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN MY MOM'S HOUSE AND MY HOUSE.

I LIVE IN A TOWN HOUSE, SO THERE'S MORE STAIRS, SO ORIGINALLY I WAS HERE AND THEN I'VE BEEN MORE AND MORE AT MY HOUSE, BUT ON THE PHONE SINCE LIKE 7:00 THIS MORNING.

SO DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET OVER THERE YET TODAY.

>> Mary: IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF RESTING AT HOME.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN WORKING A LOT.

>> OF LOT OF PHONE CALLS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN REST AND DO PHONE CALLS.

AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY RESPECTFUL AND STAFF AND ASSISTANT LEADERS HAVE BEEN GREAT.

AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE NOTES FROM PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, MY CONSTITUENTS, A LOT OF ADVOCATES AND MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IN THE HOUSE.

AND IT'S TRULY BEEN A DAY BRIGHTENER TO GET FOLKS IN FROM PEOPLE.

>> Mary: WE JUST DISCOVERED, THIS WAS A REALLY BIG SURGERY, THIS WAS FIVE HOURS, THIS INVOLVED MULTIPLE PROCEDURES.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE CANCER DIAGNOSIS?

>> GOING INTO THE SURGERY WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, WOKE UP SEVERAL HOURS LATER, AND, YOU KNOW, WAS TOLD, OH, NO, IT WAS A LONG SURGERY BECAUSE YOU GET OUT OF SURGERY, YOU DON'T KNOW, WAS IT TEN MINUTES THAT I WAS UNDER OR HOW LONG.

AND, SO, THEY KIND OF WALKED THROUGH EVERYTHING.

AND, SO, I HAD A HYSTERECTOMY, THEY REMOVED THE SPLEEN, THEY REMOVED THE APPENDIX, THEY OPEN YOUR STOMACH MUSCLES FROM STERNUM ON DOWN, SO I THINK THAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT.

JUST EVEN SITTING HERE TODAY, YOU FORGET HOW MUCH YOU'RE USING YOUR STOMACH AND YOUR BACK MUSCLES.

THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THE REMINDER FOR ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN MAYBE WE DIDN'T DO OUR ROUTINE TESTS QUITE ENOUGH, CAN YOU TELL US THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND HOW IT PERHAPS FOUND YOUR CANCER?

>> I HAVE BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT AND REGULAR IN GETTING ALL THE CHECKS, BUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, I THINK I HAD MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2020 ON BREAK IN APRIL 2020, AND THEY WERE ALL CANCELED.

DID SOME OF THEM, BUT WAS SLOWLY -- YOU KNOW, TOOK A WHILE TO GET APPOINTMENTS.

JUST WENT IN FOR THE ANNUAL AND THEY FOUND SOME IRREGULARITIES AND HAD LIKE A FEW FOLLOW-UPS AND IT TOOK A FEW FOLLOW-UPS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AND THEN THEY FOUND A TUMOR.

SO THEN HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT WAS AND HOW TO PROCEED, BUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING YOUR COLONOSCOPIES, YOUR MAMMOGRAMS, YOUR PAP SMEARS, ALL THOSE TESTS I THINK ARE SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU RULY DON'T KNOW.

I HAD NO YMPTOMS.

I WAS FEELING FINE.

I WOULD SAY UP UNTIL LIKE MAYBE THE DAY BEFORE SURGERY, I WAS FEELING SOME -- A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE.

BUT I WAS FEELING FINE.

>> Mary: WOW.

AND YOU WERE BUSY AND STRESSED.

'>> YES.

>> Mary: THIS IS THE BIGGEST JOB -- >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT STRESS, BUT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND VERY BUSY, AND VERY ACTIVE.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO JUST GET TESTED BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW.

MINE IS OVARIAN CANCER, AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF SYMPTOMS, AND PEOPLE DON'T CATCH IT EARLY.

THEY JUST, YOU KNOW, USUALLY IT'S A FLUKE, AND, SO, GET TESTED.

>> Mary: SO HOW ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU MENTALLY AFTER GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR, SESSION WAS OFF TO THE BUSIEST START IN, REALLY, STATE HISTORY, OVER A DOZEN BILLS, NOT LITTLE BILLS, MAJOR BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW.

YOU ARE LEADING A SLIM ONE-VOTE MAJORITY, YOU'RE IN A NEW JOB.

YOU KNOW, JUST GOIN' SO FAST AND SO HARD.

AND THEN THIS HITS.

WALK US THROUGH THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT FEEL LIKE?

>> WELL, IT WAS A SHOCK.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, I WAS FEELING FINE.

SO IT WAS A SHOCK.

AND THEN YOU JUST DEAL WITH IT.

SO I JUST DEALT WITH IT LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, JUST ONE DAY TIGHT, ONE -- ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE STEP FORWARD, JUST DEALT WITH T. HAD THE SURGERY MONDAY.

YOU KNOW, WAS LITERALLY TALKING TO, I THINK, MY SISTER TALKED TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF THAT EVENING TO GIVE HER AN UPDATE BECAUSE I WAS STILL PRETTY DRUGGED UP.

BUT ON THE PHONE AND OTED THE NEXT DAY.

YOU KNOW?

>> Mary: REMOTE VOTING, LIKE HOW IMPORTANT, IN ETROSPECT, WAS THAT POLICY OF ALLOWING REMOTE VOTING AND THE NEW FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE THAT MANY OF US HAVE POST PANDEMIC?

>> I DIDN'T THINK MY SITUATION AT ALL, T WAS MORE WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PARENTS AND THE MOST YOUNG PARENTS IN HISTORY IN THE SENATE, AND, SO, I JUST THOUGHT, KIDS GET SICK.

AND PEOPLE JUST NEED TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.

AND THEN I BROUGHT UP WHEN WE WERE DEBATING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A TIME WHERE A SENATOR'S DAD WAS DYING, AND SHE WAS WITH HIM.

AND SHE ALSO HAD MAJOR BILLS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF GROUNDS TO A HALT AND YOU FEEL BAD BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IN HINDSIGHT, NOWADAYS WE'RE SO USED TO IT, SHE COULD DO BOTH, SHE COULD HAVE BEEN WITH HER DAD AND TAKEN THE TIME TO BE WITH HER DAD AND STILL BEING ABLE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD POLICY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD ANOTHER MEMBER THAT WAS JUST OUT INJURED AND, SO, THEY WERE ABLE TO VOTE FROM HOME FOR A FEW WEEKS HERE.

SO I THINK IT IS HELPFUL BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE WORKING FROM HOME.

NOT EVERYBODY COULD WORK FROM HOME AND IT IMPACTED PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.

BUT A LOT OF MY WORK IN THE LAST MONTH HAS BEEN FLASHBACK TO 2020 BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A LOT OF -- IT'S BEEN ALL PHONE CALLS AND ZOOM CALLS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE, DOES IT MAKE THAT BILL, WHICH IS STILL GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, KIND OF MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

>> I'VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL ME THAT.

THAT THIS SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS BECAUSE THE DOCTORS SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE SIX WEEKS OFF, YOU NEED A DOCTOR'S NOTE, I'M LIKE, WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO WORK.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN TAKE SIX WEEKS OFF.

YOU KNOW, I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BE AT THE CAPITOL FOR A FEW WEEKS, THERE'S A LOT OF WALKING AROUND WHEN YOU'RE AT THE CAPITOL, LIKE I SAID, YOU USE YOUR BACK MUSCLES A LOT.

AND, SO, THAT'S BEEN TOUGH.

BUT IT JUST SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE FLEXIBILITY THAT LUCKILY I'M ABLE TO HAVE THAT I CAN DO A LOT OF THE WORK VIA PHONE AND ZOOM AND NOT EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT.

SO I DO THINK IT SHOWS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, BECAUSE YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING'S GOING TO COME UP.

>> Mary: WHAT'S YOUR PROGNOSIS ON RETURNING PHYSICALLY TO THE CAPITOL YET THIS SESSION?

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> YEAH, I'M CONTINUING TO TALK TO MY DOCTORS AND I HOPE SO.

WITH THE SPLEEN BEING REMOVED, THEY WERE A LITTLE -- YOU KNOW, THEY WANTED ME TO TAKE THE TIME BECAUSE I HAD TO GET SOME -- THE SPLEEN DEALS WITH YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, SO I AD TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL VACCINES FOR THAT.

AND, SO, MAKING SURE THAT'S OKAY.

AND THEN IT'S JUST MAKING SURE I HAD THE STAMINA TO WALK.

>> ary: WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE PUBLIC.

REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YEAH, I AGAIN JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW, GO OUT THERE, GET TESTED, AND THEN I'VE ALSO BEEN TELLING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT STRUGGLES PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE HAVING AND THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING.

SO JUST EVERYBODY TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND BE KIND.

>> Mary: AFTER THE BUSIEST START TO SESSION, LAWMAKERS RETURNED THIS WEEK FOR THE FINAL SIX WEEKS OF SESSION AND THE HARDEST WORK IS AHEAD ON BIG BUDGET BILLS AND DIFFICULT POLICY DECISIONS.

>> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS ARE BACK FROM SPRING BREAK AND BACK TO WORK TACKLING TOUGH ISSUES RIGHT AWAY, INCLUDING INTEREST GROUPS WHO ARE CALLING FOR GUN CONTROL WITH MORE MASS SHOOTINGS.

>> THERE ARE SIX MORE WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IN THE WEEK SINCE THE LEGISLATURE WENT ON RECESS, THERE WERE EIGHT MASS SHOOTINGS IN THE UNITED STATES.

HOW MANY MASS SHOOTINGS WILL THERE BE?

HOW MANY SHOOTINGS THERE WILL BE IN THE NEXT SIX WEEKS OF SESSION?

>> Mary: WITH ACCESS TO ABORTION AGAIN IMITED BY NEW COURT DECISIONS, REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM CAUCUS CALLS IT A CRISIS THAT YOU ALSO NEEDS LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

>> THOUGH THE DECISIONS HAVE BEEN, TO ME, HEARTBREAKING, WATCHING IT UNFOLD OVER THE WEEKEND, I KNOW THAT THERE IS MUCH HOPE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

JUST TO REMIND US ALL THAT MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WORKED QUICKLY IN JANUARY TO PASS THE P.R.O.

ACT TO CODIFY THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE FOR THEIR OWN BODY, THEIR REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS.

THERE ARE STILL A COUPLE OF LAWS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON.

>> THIS RULING ABSOLUTELY SHOWS WHAT WE HAVE KNOWN THE WHOLE TIME, THAT THAT IS, FRANKLY, [ BLEEP ] THIS WILL BE MORE DANGEROUS.

IT WILL BE MORE PAINFUL FOR WOMEN TO HAVE MEDICATION ABORTIONS.

THE EFFECTIVE RATE IS LOWER.

THIS IS NOT BETTER HEALTHCARE.

THIS IS NOT SAFER HEALTHCARE.

THEY DID NOT BAN AND END ABORTION.

THEY ARE TRYING, AGAIN, TO BAN AND END SAFE ABORTIONS.

>> Mary: PAID FAMILY LEAVE CONTINUES TO MOVE THROUGH COMMITTEES.

>> COMPREHENSIVE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE NOT ONLY RECOGNIZES THE HUMANITY OF PEOPLE AND IMPROVES A MYRIAD OF HEALTH OUTCOMES, IT ALSO KEEPS PEOPLE IN THE LABOR FORCE.

BOOSTING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE ENTIRE U.S. ECONOMY.

>> MAKING SMALL BUSINESSES DO SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD DOESN'T HELP THEM COMPETE.

IT JUST PUTS THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Mary: AND GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCED NEW METRO RAPID BUS LINE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> IT NEEDS TO BE NOTED, IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS.

CONNECTIONS TO GET THIS DONE.

STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL, COUNTY, THE MAYOR IN HERE.

ALL PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO STRATEGIZE ABOUT A FUTURE THAT LETS EVERYBODY PARTICIPATE AND THRIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary: WITH LAWMAKERS BACK FROM BREAK, IT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO CATCH UP WITH A COUPLE OF OUR FAVORITE FORMER LAWMAKERS.

THEY'RE BOTH SENATORS.

WE HAVE DEMOCRAT KARLA BIGHAM AND REPUBLICAN MICHELLE BENSON.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, YOU GUYS SAW AT THE TOP OF THE SHOW THERE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DZIEDZIC DOING HER FIRST TV INTERVIEW.

YOU BOTH KNOW HER REALLY WELL.

SHARE SOME YOUR REFLECTIONS ON HEARING HER SPEAK.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT EASY.

SHE'S AN EXTREMELY PRIVATE PERSON, I CAN IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT NOT ONLY THE DIAGNOSIS WAS BUT THE PUBLICITY AROUND IT.

SHE IS SO STOIC AND YOU COULD TELL FROM THE INTERVIEW, SHE'S THE FIRST ONE HERE, LAST ONE TO GO HOME.

SHE'S REALLY FOCUSED ON UNITING PEOPLE AND PASSING GOOD POLICY.

AND I REALLY FEEL LIKE SHE ISN'T MISSING A BEAT, TO BE HONEST, LIKE THIS IS JUST WHO SHE -- YOU KNOW, WHO SHE IS AND WE WISH HER SO MUCH LOVE, SUPPORT, PRAYERS, NO MATTER THE FIGHT WITH KARI, I'M GOING TO BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

TWO OF YOU BOTH ARE REALLY KNOWN AS WORK HORSES, SEEN AS SIMILAR LAWMAKERS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WISH SENATOR DZIEDZIC ALL THE BEST.

I'VE MESSAGED HER AND, KARI, I UNDERSTAND WHY YOU'RE NOT GETTING BACK TO ME, YOU'VE GOT A LOT ON YOUR PLATE.

SHE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE'S TAKING CARE OF HERSELF.

BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF AN ELECTION CERTIFICATE THIS JOB IS VERY STRESSFUL.

AND I HOPE THAT AS MUCH AS SHE POURS HERSELF INTO HER WORK, SHE IS VERY SOLUTION DRIVEN, SHE'S FAIR, HE IS HARDWORKING, BUT I HOPE SHE IS DOING SOME GOOD SELF-CARE BECAUSE THIS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT IN ER LIFE WHEN SHE NEEDS TO PUT ERSELF FIRST AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL RALLY AROUND HER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AND, SO, I HOPE SHE USES THOSE STRENGTHS IN HER PERSONALITY TO DRIVE TOWARDS SOLUTIONS AND GETTING THINGS DONE WITHOUT POURING HERSELF COMPLETELY OUT.

>> Mary: IT'S A REMINDER FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE AND WORK IN THIS BUILDING, IS HOW QUICKLY MANY LAWMAKERS HAVE TO TURN AROUND DURING CRISIS, DURING MEDICAL CHALLENGES.

YOU BOTH HAVE DONE IT.

>> YEAH.

WE'RE HUMAN.

YOU KNOW?

I MEAN, PEOPLE LOSE SPOUSES, LOSE, YOU KNOW, CHILDREN, THEY GET MARRIED.

>> Mary: BUT YOU HAVE TO BE HERE, DON'T YOU?

>> YOU GO THROUGH LIFE DOING THAT.

I MEAN, WE HAVE TO EAL WITH LIFE JUST AS WE'RE DEALING UP HERE AT A VERY HEAVY PACE.

>> Mary: AND IN THE SENATE YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE HERE.

>> NOBODY ELSE CAN PUSH YOUR BUTTON IN THE SENATE.

I HAD A C-SECTION ON A FRIDAY, CAME BACK TO WORK ON A MONDAY.

BUT MY HUSBAND SUPPORTED ME, MY MOM WAS THERE, THE ENTIRE CAUCUS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE MY DAUGHTER WITH ME.

BUT YOU STILL NEED SOME SELF-CARE.

REMEMBER WEDNESDAY NIGHT CAUCUS, SOMEBODY TAPPING ME ON THE SHOULDER, AND SAID, YOU FELL ASLEEP, YOU SHOULD MAYBE GO HOME.

SO I HOPE SOMEBODY IS LOOKING OUT FOR KARI THE WAY THAT FOLKS LOOKED OUT FOR ME.

>> IT'S A FAMILY.

BOTH CAUCUSES, EVEN.

IT IS A FAMILY.

WE GIVE GRACE AND DEFERENCE ON THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND I KNOW PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP.

>> Mary: THE HARDEST WORK REALLY IS STILL AHEAD.

>> CORRECT.

>> Mary: THE BUDGET.

RECORD BUDGET SURPLUS.

BUT SOME POLICY.

WHERE DO WE SEE MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION GOING RIGHT NOW?

OR NOT?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO GET TRACTION THIS YEAR.

I THINK THERE ARE TOO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT ARE BEING MOVED FORWARD.

SO IT NEEDS MORE WORK.

FOR SURE.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR.

I JUST THINK IT'S A HEAVY LIFT.

THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES THAT STILL NEED TO BE IRONED OUT.

I MEAN, THIS IS A TYPE OF BILL THAT THE POLICY HAS TO BE SPOT ON.

AND YOU WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN JUST CLEAN UP LATER.

RIGHT?

AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

AND, SO, THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY GET IT RIGHT.

I HAVE TO COMMEND SENATOR PORT, REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON FOR BRINGING IN THE STAKEHOLDERS AND WORKING TOGETHER, BUT I STILL THINK THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Mary: AND IT WAS A NEW BILL FOR THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE HAD HEARD THIS AND DEALT WITH IT.

THE SENATE'S BEEN GOING THROUGH COMMITTEE.

IT'S BRAND-NEW FOR THAT CHAMBER.

THAT'S A SLOWER CHAMBER, TOO.

>> AND IT'S GOT TO BE AMENDED, FRANKLY, IT IS SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE THAT IF THEY DON'T PAUSE, THEY'RE GOING TO END UP DOING IT WRONG.

AND IT WILL HURT MINNESOTA.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON IN COLORADO, THEY ACTUALLY SPEND MORE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF MARIJUANA THAN THEY GET IN REVENUE.

AND, SO, LET'S GIVE MINNESOTANS A CHANCE TO REALLY SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE DECISIONS ARE.

BUT I DON'T THINK MARIJUANA'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

WE'VE GOT TAX POLICY, WE'VE GOT CRIMINALS BEING LET OUT OF PRISON, THE JUDICIARY BILL, PUBLIC SAFETY BILL IS MOVING AND IT LETS PRISONERS OUT AT 50% OF THEIR TIME SERVED INSTEAD OF 2/3.

WE HAVE LITERACY COMPLETELY ABSENT FROM THE SENATE AND HOUSE EDUCATION BILLS, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S MASSIVE SPENDING.

SO, IF IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR, LET'S SET MARIJUANA ASIDE AND FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT A BUDGET IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> Mary: THERE'S A LOT OF POLICY IN BUDGET BILLS.

>> THERE IS.

I WILL SAY THIS, THERE'S RECORD AMOUNT OF SPENDING ON EDUCATION TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND TO HELP THE UNFUNDED MANDATES.

THERE'S PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

THERE'S $3 BILLION WORTH OF TAX CUTS FOR THE HOMESTEAD CREDIT, FOR DEPENDENT CARE, FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

I MEAN, THESE TAX CUTS AND CREDITS ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM THE MOST.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF GAME LEFT TO PLAY.

>> Mary: PAID FAMILY LEAVE, DOES THAT GET THROUGH?

>> IT HAS OVER $IS00 -- $100 MILLION OF UNFUNDED MANDATES TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: IT'S GOING TO PASS?

>> IT NEEDS TO PASS BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE DEPENDING ON IT.

AND IT IS WHAT -- IT'S WIDELY POPULAR AND IT IS STUFF THAT YOU HEAR EVERY DAY FROM CONSTITUENTS.

>> BUT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE SUPERINTENDENT IN STILLWATER, THE SUPERINTENDENT IN BURNSVILLE, THEY'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON, IT'S NOT ACTUARIALLY SOUND.

THEY KEEP RAISING THE RATES IN ORDER TO MEET THE OBJECTIVE.

SO LET'S NOT MAKE THOSE MISTAKES.

WE CAN DO A SHRUNK-DOWN VERSION THAT ACTUALLY WORKS.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME COMPROMISE TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Mary: SPORTS BETTING, IT'S SOMETHING YOU CARED A LOT ABOUT OVER THE YEARS.

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE THOSE THINGS THAT COULD SNEAK IN AT THE END.

YES, THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, TOO.

AGAIN, THERE ARE OTHER PRIORITIES.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

AS DOES CANNABIS.

DOES -- AS DOES PAID FAMILY LEAVE, AS DOES THE TAX CUTS THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY REALLY WAITING FOR.

>> I WOULD HOPE THAT WE FOCUS - ON ACTUALLY GETTING LITERACY INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

SPORTS BETTING IS FINE.

IT WASN'T SOMETHING I EVER FOUGHT AGAINST.

>> Mary: IT'S BEEN BIPARTISAN, ISN'T IT?

>> OR CARED ABOUT.

BUT, REALLY, WE HAVE THE NATION'S LARGEST OPPORTUNITY GAP, WE HAVE SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT PERFORMING AT STANDARD, AND THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BILLS TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Mary: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> RECORD AMOUNT OF EDUCATION GETTING SPENT TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

>> AND NO LITERACY CHANGES.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT.

THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER DOESN'T FIT NEATLY IN A BOX.

I THINK SHE KIND OF LIKES IT THAT WAY.

THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE CALLS HERSELF THE MOST TATTOOED REPUBLICAN.

THE FIRST QUESTION WE ALWAYS ASK EVERYONE IS, WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE TO BEGIN WITH?

>> I STARTED A GROUP BACK IN 2020 CALLED "LET THEM PLAY MINNESOTA," THROUGH THE GRASSROOTS EFFORT, PUSHING BACK ON GETTING KIDS, YOUTH SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES BACK, BACK ROLLING, LOCKED ARMS WITH 26,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, AND THEN ACROSS THE NATION TO HELP OUR KIDS.

AND WITH THAT, JUST MADE A LOT OF GREAT CONNECTIONS.

I LOVE POLITICS.

I WAS THE YOUNGEST FEMALE IN THE STATE YEARS AGO, I WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, I DID THAT FOR SIX YEARS UNTIL WE MOVED OUT OF TOWN.

>> Mary: THIS IS PERSONAL.

AND THIS IS MAYBE PERSONAL FOR BOTH OF S. BECAUSE YOU HAVE ADDS ATHLETES AND YOU -- YOU HAVE ATHLETES AND YOU HAVE AN ATHLETE PLAYING SPORTS THE SAME PLACE MY DAUGHTER'S GOING TO BE PLAYING SPORTS.

TALK ABOUT HOW ISSUE THAT ISSUE OF LET THEM PLAY WAS?

>> YEAH, IT WAS VERY PERSONAL.

ME, I KNEW THAT IF OUR SON, YOU KNOW, OUR OLDER SON DIDN'T HAVE AN DOWNTOWN PLAY HIS JUNIOR YEAR, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING, AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, HIS YOUNGER BROTHER, ALONG WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

I COULD SEE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SUFFERING FROM JUST ISOLATION, NOT BEING IN THEIR DAILY SCHOOL.

>> Mary: AND ALSO THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS, IF I CAN JUMP IN, WE KNOW THIS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR DIVISION I ATHLETES.

WE'RE TALKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS F DOLLARS KIND OF PER ATHLETE PER FAMILY, POTENTIALLY AT STAKE.

IF THEY CAN'T PLAY AND GET SEEN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, RIGHT?

I MEAN, YOU GUYS HAD MONEY ON THE LINE, TO BE FRANK, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

AND WHERE OTHER STATES, THEN, WOULD GET A LEG UP ON GETTING THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS.

ALONG WITH THE TRANSFER PORTAL AND THE NEW CHANGES WITH THAT.

IT'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FOR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES.

>> Mary: I HAVE MET MANY WOMEN IN YOUR CLASS.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF RESHMEN REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO I KIND OF CALL COVID MOMS, LIKE THEY GOT A LITTLE ANGRY, THEY GOT A LITTLE ACTIVE, AND NOW HEY'RE ACTUALLY MAKING POLICY.

IS THAT FAIR TO KIND OF SAY THERE'S A HANDFUL THAT THIS IGNITED YOU?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

AND I EVEN THINK, WHAT'S SUPER EXCITING IS TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT LIVED THROUGH THOSE TIMES TO ALSO THEN MAYBE CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF WHERE THEY'RE GOING WITH THEIR CAREER OR, YOU KNOW, LOOKING INTO POLITICAL SCIENCE, LOOKING INTO DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR THEIR EDUCATION, BECAUSE THEY SEE THE VALUE OF LEADERSHIP.

SO THAT'S BEEN INSPIRING.

>> Mary: SO WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS SO FAR?

OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE FUN IF YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN COMING 'IN IN THE MAJORITY.

HOW IS LIFE IN THE MINORITY, HOW HAS SESSION TREATED YOU SO FAR?

>> I WOULDN'T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY, THIS IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, JUST SEEING IN THE PAST AROUND POLITICS, ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT'S ENCOURAGING TO UNDERSTAND COMING IN AS A FRESHMAN, A TRUE FRESHMAN, THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND TREAT OTHERS THE WAY THAT YOU'D WANT TO BE TREATED.

BUT ALSO JUST, YOU KNOW, I KIND OF AM JUST LIKE A BULLDOG WITH A SMILE.

SO I WILL BE PERSISTENT AND I WILL KIND OF KEEP COMIN' BACK.

>> Mary: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GETTING AMENDMENTS, YOU'RE MAKING FRIENDS, YOU'RE INFLUENCING OR IS IT JUST SHEER FRUSTRATION?

>> NO, THERE'S SOME MOVEMENT.

I GOT -- I HAD A EARING LAST WEEK.

A LOFT REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT -- A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT HAD VEN A HEARING ON A LOT OF BILLS.

SO IT WAS GREAT TO SEE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THIS TOPIC.

AND JUST, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING PSEO.

>> Mary: DOES IT HELP, YOU'RE KIND OF A PEOPLE PERSON, DOES IT HELP AT THE LEGISLATURE, ARE YOU FEELING LIKE THAT SKILL IS ONE OF THE MORE EFFECTIVE SKILLS?

>> YEAH.

BEING A CONNECTOR IS A GIFT, I THINK.

IN DOING THIS JOB.

AND, AGAIN, I'VE SAID FOR YEARS, I LOVE POLITICS.

I LOVE WATCHING THE PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, THE BIGGEST THING IS JUST FOR E MAKING CONNECTIONS, YOU KNOW, BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

I LOVE TO SEE SOME RELIEF FOR OUR PEACE AND POLICE OFFICERS JUST TO GET MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO HELP THEM.

IT'S A CRISIS.

I'M VERY PASSIONATE WITH SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, ASSISTED LIVINGS.

AND JUST PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN PUTTING SO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY IN DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Mary: WHAT DID YOU HEAR THE MOST FROM VOTERS AND DOOR KNOCKING ON THOSE ISSUES?

>> AGRICULTURE S THE HEARTBEAT OF MY DISTRICT.

AND, SO, JUST YOU KNOW, FARMING AND REALLY WANTED TAX REFORM.

I MEAN, THE BIGGEST RESOUNDING THING IS, PLEASE, CAN YOU BRING SOME RELIEF TO MY PARENTS OR MY GRANDPARENTS THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY TAX CUTS.

ANOTHER BIG THING OUT IN MY DISTRICT IS EDUCATION.

AND HOW COULD THERE BE MORE CHOICES.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN BEAUTIFUL ABOUT MINNESOTA, IS WE HAVE OPTIONS.

>> Mary: USED YOU'RE CARRYING A PSEO BILL, THAT IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS WE HAVE OUT THERE, YEAH.

>> I DID HOME SCHOOL MY KIDS FOR I ACHUNK OF TIME, FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS, AND WE TRAVELED THE WORLD JUST SO THAT MY KIDS COULD SEE THAT THE WORLD'S BIGGER THAN OUR LITTLE TEENY TOWN.

SO, YEAH, I'VE GOT SOME -- JUST SOME BEAUTIFUL -- I'M THE MOST TATTOOED REPUBLICAN YOU'LL MEET.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WILL BE DELIVERING HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, WE'LL HAVE LIVE COVERAGE, ERIC ESKOLA WILL JOIN ME HERE FOR ANALYSIS RIGHT IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER, AND IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, THAT'S TPT.ORG/"ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," THERE YOU CAN REWATCH ANY OF OUR SHOWS AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO INTERACT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MUCH MORE.

THEATS AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE'S IN SESSION, ESPECIALLY IN THESE IMPORTANT CLOSING WEEKS, YOU CAN WATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES THAT ARE COMING, BILL SIGNINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MUCH MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" RIDAY NIGHT.

THEY'LL TALK WITH THE CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND BACK HERE NEXT WEEK FOR STATE OF THE STATE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

TPT.ORG//AATC.

TPT.ORG/AATC.

>> "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: 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.