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

>> I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO BE YOUR NEXT CHIEF JUSTICE.

>> THE STATE HAS A NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

WE'LL TALK TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ABOUT HIS APPOINTMENT AND HIS FINAL LEGISLATIVE ESSION.

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, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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 IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," I'M MARY LAHAMMER COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS HISTORY.

IT'S ALSO THE FINAL SESSION FOR GOVERNOR WALZ WHO JOINS US LIVE HERE IN THE HOUSE GALLERY.

GOVERNOR WALZ, YOU'VE BEEN BUSY SIGNING BILLS.

GOOD SESSION, RIGHT?

>> GOOD SESSION.

>> UNEXPECTEDLY PRODUCTIVE SESSION.

TIED HOUSE.

>> YEAH.

>> ONE-VOTE MARGIN IN THE SENATE.

ARE YOU SURPRISED HOW MUCH GOT DONE?

>> NO, I THINK WE HAVE SERIOUS LEGISLATORS AND I SAID FOR EIGHT YEARS, I THINK PEOPLE FORGET FOR ALL BUT TWO OF THOSE YEARS WE HAD DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

WE GOT EIGHT BUDGETS DONE, NO SHUTDOWNS, AND INVESTED IN MINNESOTA.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

IT WAS CHALLENGING, BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.

IT'S AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF OF COURSE OF MURDER OF MELISSA AND MARK AND -- >> RIGHT HERE ALL SESSION LONG THE FLOWERS, THE MEMORIAL THAT HUNG OVER THE WHOLE SESSION.

>> YEAH, I THINK SO AND I THINK IT FOREVER HANGED THIS PLACE.

BUT I DO THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WAS THE SPIRIT OF THE LEGISLATORS HERE.

VERY CONTENTIOUS, THESE ISSUES AND THERE'S DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS, THE ANNUNCIATION SHOOTING ADDED INTO THAT AND THIS WINTER WITH I.C.E.

AND AGAINST THAT BACKDROP OF THE DYSFUNCTION IN D.C., LONGEST SHUTDOWN IN AMERICAN HISTORY IN D.C.

WE FIGURED OUT A WAY TOGETHER IN THIS DIVIDED GOVERNMENT TO GET SOME GOOD THINGS DONE.

WE HAD TO COMPLY WITH HR1, WHETHER WE AGREED WITH IT OR NOT -- COMPLIED TO, AND HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER THOSE WERE PRIORITIES.

>> YEAH, TALK ABOUT THAT.

THAT WAS -- THAT'S A RESCUE FOR THE SAFETY NET HOSPITAL.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK THE THING THAT CAME OUT OF THIS WAS THE LEGISLATORS TOOK TIME TO LEARN THE ISSUE.

I THINK AT FIRST BLUSH YOU HAVE A HOSPITAL THAT THEY'RE NOT RUNNING IT RIGHT OR WHATEVER.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

IT PROVIDES 25% OF THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

WHEN I WAS THERE TODAY, A CASE CAME FROM SLEEPY EYE HOSPITAL.

>> LEGISLATORS UNDERSTOOD THAT SO THEY UNDERSTOOD THE HOSPITALS IN SLEEPY EYES, WILLMAR, THE DIFFICULT -- IS WE'RE DEALING WITH A BROKEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

MINNESOTA, IT'S OINTERDEPENDENT, THESE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS WORK TOGETHER BUT THEY'RE UNDER STRESS AND THEY ALL PROVIDE DIFFERENT -- MAYO CLINIC PROVIDES SOME OF THAT TOP CARE -- AS MUCH OF THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE, AND OF COURSE IN OR A AREAS WHERE YOU SEE A CONSOLIDATION NOW YOU'RE DRIVING 40 MILES FOR A BIRTHING UNIT.

I THINK DEALING WITH HOSE THINGS, DEALING WITH SAFETY, ESPECIALLY SAFETY OF THE LEGISLATORS IN THE SHADOW OF MELISSA'S MURDER AND THEN JUST TAKING CARE OF SOME THINGS THAT NEEDED TO GET TAKEN CARE OF, THEY DID A NICE JOB OF THAT.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE THINGS THAT DIDN'T -- THE ANNUNCIATION SHOOTING, THERE WERE HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE UP HERE ASKING FOR 2001 CONTROL, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

IS THAT YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?

>> YEAH AND AGAIN, I O BACK TO THIS.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A DIFFERENCE ON THIS ISSUE, I UNDERSTAND THERE'S FOLKS THAT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINE BANS OR THINGS, OR ASSAULT WEAPONS COULD MAKE THE -- WOULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

MY WHOLE POINT THE ENTIRE WAS WE DESERVE TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT'S INCREDIBLY POPULAR AMONGST THE PUBLIC, NOT GETTING THAT DONE I THINK FOR THE LEGISLATORS THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT'S HEALTHY IN OUR SYSTEM, DEBATE IT UP UNTIL NOVEMBER BUT I STILL DON'T THINK IT'S GOING AWAY.

AND WHEN YOU TRAVEL AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY OTHER COUNTRIES DON'T LIVE LIKE THIS.

AND WE CAN DO BETTER.

>> IS IT A POLITICAL ISSUE -- DO YOU THINK IF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE -- NOT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD HAVE COME TO THE HOUSE FLOOR?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEAKER DEMUTH WAS THINKING, I THINK IT IS A TOUGH POSITION FOR HER.

I THINK IN THE CASE I MADE AND I WASN'T BEING FACETIOUS, I THINK THE ODDS WERE PRETTY GOOD, THIS IS HER AND I OUR LAST SESSION AND OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS SHE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING THINGS TOGETHER, VERY DIFFICULT TO GO BACK TO YOUR CAUCUS AND STILL DO HINGS.

I HAVE TO DO THAT ALL THE TIME.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR HER, TIED HOUSE, AND LOSING HER MENTOR.

>> AND THIS IS DIFFICULT, I HAD TO DRAG MY CAUCUS ALONG ON THINGS WITH PAYMENT WITHHOLDING.

WITHHOLDING THE SENATE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.

THE TOOLS I KNOW WE NEED TO HAVE, THESE ARE TOOLS WE'VE BEEN SKING FOR AND THEY DELIVERED ND IT'S NOT ALWAYS THAT, I KNOW SHE HAD TO GO BACK AND DRAG HER CAUCUS ALONG, THIS WAS ONE THAT WAS APPARENTLY A BRIDGE TOO FAR.

THERE'S JUST SOME OF THESE THINGS I THINK YOU GOT TO DECIDE IT'S NOT WORTH IT TO SELL YOUR SOUL ON THEM AND THIS IS ONE I THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE VOTED.

>> WHAT ABOUT ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION ND COMPETENT FOR THAT , THAT SEEMED BIPARTISAN INTEREST.

THERE'S VERY HIGH IMMIGRATION POPULATIONS IN REPUBLICAN RURAL AREAS, ARE YOU SURPRISED NOTHING GOT THROUGH ON THAT?

>> WELL, WE'VE SEEN IT AND SAW WITH PRIMARIES THIS WEEK, WE STILL HAVE A REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO BREAK WITH THE PRESIDENT AND I'M NOT GOING TO NAME NAMES, BUT I TALKED TO PEOPLE IN CONID DIFFERENTIALLY, THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THIS, THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT LIAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN -- OR ALEX PRETTI SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT.

MOST OF THAT MONEY BETTER END UP IN MINNESOTA IF THAT'S THE CASE BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF CLAIMS TO MAKE AND WHETHER THAT'S THE PRETTI FAMILY, GOOD FAMILY, OR JUST THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT LOST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> -- DONE TALKING ABOUT THAT ISSUE OR DO YOU THINK THAT HELPED PROPEL YOU BACK ON A NATIONAL PLATFORM?

>> WELL, I'M NOT DONE, NO, I'M NOT DONE AND I'VE STILL GOT SIX MONTHS TO DO THIS JOB.

I WANT TO ADD TO THIS, I THINK THE THING THAT GOT LOST, I UNDERSTAND THAT, I BECAME A LIGHTNING ROD FOR A LOT OF THIS.

I THINK I HAD A VERY STRONG REPUTATION WHEN I CAME HERE AND I THINK I'M LEAVING WITH SOME OF THAT WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE, TO SAY YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT THIS.

I SAT IN THAT ROOM AND YOU CAN ASK ANYBODY IN THAT ROOM I WAS THE ONE FOR THE LAST TWO SESSIONS SAYING WE HAVE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE ON HOW WE DO THIS, AND I FOUND ALLIES ON BOTH SIDES BUT NOT ALWAYS, EVERYBODY WANTS TO SPEND AND IT'S GOOD THINGS BUT WE COULDN'T.

THE THING I'M MOST PROUD OF IS MINNESOTA'S FINANCIAL HEALTH IS AS STRONG AS ANY STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> DESPITE THE FRAUD, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S THE MOST VEXING ISSUE AND A LOT GOT ACCOMPLISHED IN BIPARTISAN FASHION.

>> IT'S A PART OF IT, FRAUD IS STEALING FROM US.

THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN FISCAL -- HISTORIC RESERVES, AAA BOND RATED, REDUCING THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE, INVESTING IN ROADS, BRIDGES AND THOSE THINGS.

THIS IS WITH A CASE WHERE COMPROMISE COMES IN.

I AM PROUD OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

BUT COSTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW AND I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO TAKE A PAUSE.

THE THING I TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF OWITH WAS I WOULD HAVE LEGISLATORS COME IN AND SAY WHEN I GO TO THE GAS TATION THE ONLY THING PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO ME ABOUT LICENSE TAB FEES, AND I SAID REALLY, THEY'RE NOT TALKING TO YOU ABOUT $4.50 IN GAS?

>> WELL, TAB FEES GOT CUT, SENATE REPUBLICANS PUT THAT ON THE TABLE.

>>, YEAH, AND I THINK -- YOU HAVE TO BE SITUATIONAL ABOUT THIS.

THE PRESIDENT ISN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING, HE SAID HE DOESN'T THINK ABOUT IT.

TAB FEES AT THIS MOMENT WHEN YOU'RE PAYING HIGH GAS, HIGH GROCERY PRICES WE NEEDED TO HELP.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COURT, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS OF YOUR LEGACY.

CHIEF JUSTICE.

MY CFSS STATE SUPREME COURT.

YOU HAVE NOW APPOINTED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT AND LEANED ON DIVERSITY.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, AND THIS ISN'T LIKE YOUR WOKE FOR WOKE, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE SEE THEMSELVES AS REPRESENTED.

AS MINNESOTA BECOMES MORE DIVERSE, LIFE EXPERIENCE IMPACTS JUSTICE BEING SERVED.

AND I THINK THE REASON YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF GROUSING ABOUT THIS IS MINNESOTA HAS JUDICIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE THAT IS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND MOST OF THE JUDGES COME THROUGH THAT PROCESS TO ME AND THEN I INTERVIEW FINALISTS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY, LOOK, THEY ARE JUST GOOD.

I DID NOT HIRE DEMOCRATIC JUDGES.

>> AND WE HEARD UALIFIED, THAT WORD CAME UP OVER AND OVER.

>> AND YOU HAVE THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA HISTORY SOMEONE WHO SERVED ON DISTRICT COURT, SUPREME COURT COURT AS WELL AS PUBLIC DEFENDER.

>> HAT'S HISTORIC.

>> YES, AND I THINK WE HAVE DIVERSE IN THAT.

WE HAVE EXPERTS IN CORPORATE LAW.

>> AND NONPARTISAN, THIS COURT DIDN'T ALWAYS RULE IN YOUR FAVOR DESPITE YOU APPOINTING THEM, YOU DIDN'T LOVE EVERYTHING THEY DID, RIGHT?

>> NO, BUT I HOPE YOU SAW THE ONE EXCEPTION ABOUT PAYMENT WITHHOLDINGS THAT CAME UP THIS WEEK, WHEN THEY MAKE THESE DECISIONS, IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF US, LOOK, I DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH IT BUT I WILL RESPECT AND HONOR IT.

>> GOVERNOR, WHAT'S NEXT >> I THINK I'M GOING TO TEACH SOME SCHOOL, I'M GOING TO FINISH UP IN SIX MONTHS.

-- CLIMB A MOUNTAIN TOGETHER.

>> THE FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT, I BET THEY'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> YEAH, BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO DO IT AND ONE THING I'VE LEARNED IS THERE'S PRIVATE SECTOR, BUSINESS COMMUNITY, NON-PROFITS THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS TO SERVE AND I THINK THESE JOBS DO HAVE ISHELF LIFE TO THEM AND I DON'T THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA -- SO I'M AT PEACE WITH THIS DECISION AS YOU SAID I THINK LIKE I SAID DOWN HERE WHEN I WAS IT WAS MY LAST SPEECH THERE WAS SOME CHEERING ON THAT.

I THINK THE IMPACT WE MADE ARE GOOD, WE DIDN'T FIX IT ALL AND DIDN'T GET IT ALL RIGHT BUT WE DID IT IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> GRATEFUL.

>> THANKS.

THE ONLY TIED LEGISLATURE IN THE COUNTRY MANAGED TO GET A LOT DONE BUT BIG SSUES STILL DIVIDED SESSION.

[ Banging Gavel ] >> THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THE EVENLY DIVIDED HOUSE CELEBRATED THE END ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WE HAVE CLEARLY NOT AGREED ON EVERYTHING.

SOMETIMES IT FELT LIKE NOTHING, AND YET WE STILL GOT THE WORK DONE WELL AND WE GOT IT DONE ON TIME.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON REDUCING FRAUD IN HE TATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ CHANTING ] >> HOLD THE VOTE!

HOLD THE VOTE >> DEMOCRATS WILL REMEMBER WHAT DIDN'T GET DONE AFTER A SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> I AM GRATEFUL FOR TO MY HOUSE COLLEAGUES FOR HOLDING DOWN THE FLOOR FOR 36 HOURS.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> SPEAKER DEMUTH OPENED THE DRAWER, TAKE -- OPEN THE DRAWER, TAKE OUT THE BILL, AND HOLD THE VOTE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> EVEN THE SPEAKER'S DAUGHTER SHOWED UP TO URGE ACTION ON GUN CONTROL.

>> I WAS HERE FOR MY MOM'S SWEARING IN THE FIRST TIME.

>> MIXED EMOTIONS TODAY?

>> MIXED EMOTIONS OF COURSE I MYSELF AM A SCHOOL SHOOTING SURVIVOR.

WE'D LOVE TO SO I VOTE AND I RECOGNIZE HOW CHALLENGING THAT IS.

>> A FEW MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENTS INCLUDING OUR FAILURE TOOK ON GUN VIOLENCE.

IN A MEANINGFUL WAY AND THE ABUSES OF I.C.E.

>> WE DID NOT GET A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTE FOR A SINGLE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION BILL DESPITE THE TRAGEDY OF THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL, DESPITE REPEATED CRIES FROM MINNESOTAN WHO'S CAME TO THE CAPITOL DAY AFTER DAY, THE DOCTORS, THE STUDENTS, PARENTS, THE FAMILIES WHO BEGGED US TO TAKE ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATS ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE COULDN'T -- THE HOUSE'S HAND.

>> YOUR IGGEST REGRET NOT GETTING THAT THROUGH THE HOUSE?

>> YEAH, I'M DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED.

I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED, MARY LAHAMMER, THAT A -- CAN SOLVE HARD PROBLEMS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS WE FACE.

>> LEVERAGED A -- CUT AND BONDING BILL.

>> SHOWS THAT WE CAN WORK IN GETTING SOLUTIONS FOR THIS STATE.

IN PARTICULAR I'M PROUD THE MINNESOTA SENATE REPUBLICANS WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS A COUPLE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

NUMBER ONE THE COST OF LIVING.

THE AFFORDABILITY ISSUE IN THIS STATE AND NUMBER TWO, FRAUD.

♪ ♪ >> BIG NAMES CONTINUE.

WE HAVE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER, REPUBLICAN KURT ZELLERS, FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, DEMOCRAT RYAN WINKLER.

WELL, YOU GUYS, YOU JUST SAW THERE, SOMEHOW, SENATE REPUBLICANS, THE ONLY CAUCUS TECHNICALLY IN A MINORITY, THEY ENDED UP GETTING OVER A BILLION-DOLLAR BONDING BILL, OH, YEAH, AND A LICENSE TAB CUT IN THE LAST MINUTE?

THAT'S PRETTY DECENT, RIGHT?

ARE YOU SURPRISED?

>> YES AND NO.

>> YEAH.

>> IT IS IN AN ELECTION YEAR AND AS MY FRIEND TIM PAWLENTY USED TO SAY THERE'S NO SWEETER TO GET -- SESSION DONE THAN A BONDING BILL.

>> DO YOU THINK -- HAPPY OR NOT?

>> I THINK THE EXPECTATIONS WERE VERY LOW.

I THINK THE SESSION WINS COULD BE EVEN AMONGST ALL CAUCUSES.

ANYONE WHO CLAIMS CREDIT GETS CREDIT I GUESS.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THERE ARE LONGER TERM ISSUES LARGELY UNADDRESSED AND PROBABLY NEVER GOING TO BE ADDRESSED IN A TIED HOUSE AND ONE-VOTE SENATE.

AS MUCH AS THEY CAN BE HAPPY WITH THE ONE-TIME FIXES THAT THEY MANAGED TO GET ACROSS THE LINE, THERE'S MUCH BIGGER ISSUES.

>> ARE YOU TALKING GUNS AND IMMIGRATION >> THOSE ARE HOT BUTTON ISSUES HERE, I THINK IF YOU LISTEN TO WHAT AMY KLOBUCHAR IS SAYING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, IT'S ABOUT TRUST, ADDRESSING FRAUD IN A DETAILED WAY, AND AFFORDABILITY.

AND IF YOU TALK TO PARENTS IT'S A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION, IF YOU TALK TO JUST ABOUT ANYBODY, IT'S HEALTH CARE COSTS.

WE'VE GOT BIG LONG-TERM ISSUES TO FACE IN MINNESOTA AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE ITH SESSIONS LIKE THIS AS SUCCESSFUL AS IT WAS UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> HEAD OF THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, BUSINESS IS CONCERNED ABOUT FRAUD, EDUCATION, THOSE SOUND LIKE SIMILAR CONCERNS, YES?

>> YEAH, I MEAN WE DID HAVE I THINK A GIGANTIC WIN NOT JUST FOR US BECAUSE WE WERE BEHIND IT BUT -- FOR THE READ ACT THAT WAS IN AND THAT WAS PASSED THIS SESSION.

SCIENCE OF READING THIS IS WHERE WE'RE HELPING EVERY KID NO MATTER IF THEY GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL, PRIVATE SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO READ AT GRADE LEVEL BY THE TIME THEY LEAVE GRADE SCHOOL.

THAT IS A HUGE WIN.

AS WE SAW EARLIER THIS YEAR MINNESOTA DIPPED BELOW FITCHES OF KIDS READING AT GRADE LEVEL, THAT'S EMBARRASSING.

HERE'S A -- QUARTERBACK, DRAFT IN NFL, NOW YOU'RE AN NFL QUARTERBACK, OF COURSE NOT, YOU HAVE TO PRACTICE.

MIGHT -- IN OUR CURRENT SITUATION, BUT.

>> FOOTBALL PLAYER SAYS.

>> READ ACT HAS TRAINING FOR THOSE TEACHERS WHO MAYBE DIDN'T HAVE READ ACT OR SCIENCE OF READING TRAINING IN COLLEGE, BUT NOW THEY'RE OUT.

THAT IS A LONG-TERM FIX FOR OUR SCHOOLS, IT'S GOING TO BE A LEGACY GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE LEGISLATORS SHOULD BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF.

>> FRAUD BIPARTISAN OF THE SOLUTION, KIND OF GOT THE GOVERNOR OUT OF THE RACE BUT KLOBUCHAR IN, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> FIRST OF ALL I THINK A FULL ACT OF SERVICE BY ANY GOVERNOR.

>> HE'S AT PEACE WITH HIS DECISION, ISN'T HE?

>> THIRD TERMS ARE INHERENTLY DIFFICULT.

I THINK AMY KLOBUCHAR AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND PRAGMATIC, POLICY DRIVEN PERSON COMING IN WITH A VERY DETAILED -- I THINK EYES, FRESH ENERGY AND DETERMINATION TO GET THINGS MOVING IN MINNESOTA IN A POSITIVE WAY I THINK THAT'S ALL TO THE GOOD BUT WE'VE GOT SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES AHEAD.

>> WALZ IN THOUGH WAS THE BEST CHANCE REPUBLICANS HAD SINCE PAWLENTY BASICALLY TO WIN THIS, RIGHT?

DEMUTH WAS LOOKING LIKE A STRONG CANDIDATE BUT WHO GETS ENDORSED?

IT'S A WILD CARD, ISN'T IT?

>> AND I HAVE A JADED OPINION BECAUSE I DIDN'T GO FOR THE ENDORSEMENT WHEN I RAN SO I THINK WHOEVER COMES OUT OF EITHER ONE OF THE CONVENTIONS SHOULD GO TO THE PRIMARY AND HAVE THE VAST MAJORITY OF VOTERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM VOTE FOR THEIR CANDIDATE.

I THINK LISA HAS A GREAT CHANCE.

I THINK OTHER QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, I THINK THERE ARE VASTLY UNQUALIFIED CANDIDATES THAT SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING THEIR TIME OR WASTING VOTERS' TIME RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> DO YOU MEAN MIKE LINDELL >> YEAH.

>> KENDALL QUALLS IS A BUSINESS PERSON, HE'S GOT A SHOT AT IT, DOESN'T HE?

>> YEAH, HE'S BEEN A BUSINESS PERSON IN OUR STATE PART OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR A LONG TIME, EMANANTLY QUALIFIED.

>> KLOBUCHAR'S TOUGH IN A GENERAL, ISN'T SHE?

>> I MEAN, GOOD LUB, GOOD LUCK.

THE GOOD NEWS IS AMY KLOBUCHAR CARES ABOUT BEING GOVERNOR FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST RHETORIC, SHE'S PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND FRIENDLY TO BUSINESS.

WHICH NOT ALL DEMOCRATS CAN SAY.

>> OUR MARGINS HAVE BEEN SPEAKING.

>> I WAS GOING TO POINT OUT, SHE RAN AGAINST A GUY PENDING HIS CAMPAIGN MONEY ON DRUGS AND STRIP JOINTS.

>> YOU MEAN YOUR REPUBLICAN ENDORSED NOMINEE?

>> I DIDN'T SAY IT WAS THE RIGHT ENDORSEMENT I JUST SAID IF I WERE RUNNING AGAINST A GUY LIKE THAT I WOULD EXPECT TO GET OVER 60%.

THAT BEING SAID I THINK IT WILL BE, ANYBODY PREDICTING THE MIDTERM OUTCOMES IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS EITHER BS-ING THEMSELVES OR TRYING TO CONVINCE THEIR OPPONENT -- LONG LONG TIME 'TIL NOVEMBER.

>> IMMIGRATION STILL AN ISSUE IN NOVEMBER?

>> I THINK IMMIGRATION IN MINNESOTA IS AN ISSUE, I THINK NATIONALLY IT'S DIALED BACK.

I THINK THE 30-YEAR -- TO ATTACK DEMOCRATS ENDED IN MINNESOTA THIS JANUARY.

I THINK THE POLLS HAVE SHIFTED FUNDAMENTALLY ON THAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE AND HARM THAT WAS CAUSED.

WE'VE GOT A WHOLE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY THAT WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID AND THE WORKERS, PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO STRUGGLE AND KEEP THINGS GOING ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR THAT TOO, WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

>> FINAL IMCFSS WORD ON IMMIGRATION AND HOSPITALITY, THAT'S REAL.

>> IT DID BUT I THINK THE FRAUD AND ON TOP OF INSURANCE TAB FEES YOU CAN GO DOWN THE LIST OF AFFORDABILITY, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IMMIGRATION, ITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THAT WAS ALL LOCALLY STARTED.

THAT'S GOING TO BE THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT AND IF THIS FRAUD CONTINUES THE CASES CONTINUE TO COME OUT AND PROSECUTIONS CONTINUE TO RACK UP VOTERS ARE A DISTINCT DISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE DOLLAR ONE, LET ALONE MORE TAXES.

>> VOTER DISTRUST AND SLEEPER ISSUES, A.I., DATA CENTERS, FEAR ABOUT FUNDAMENTALS OF THE ECONOMY, I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER BIG ISSUE WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT.

>> GREAT ISSUES, FORMER LEADERS, APPRECIATE IT.

DOZENS OF LAWMAKERS SAID FAREWELL ON THE FINAL DAY.

HERE'S SOME QUICK HIGHLIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR GIVING THIS POOR KID FROM THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO A CHANCE TO ROW INTO A LEGISLATOR, LEADER AND A PUBLIC SERVANT.

I'LL NEVER FORGET IT.

>> NO ONE THAT SERVES HERE SHOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE.

AND I HOPE WE ALL UNDERSTAND HOW PAINFUL THAT IS FOR THE INSTITUTION.

TO SEE A SPEAKER GO DOWN.

>> MINNESOTA HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO ME AND MY FAMILY AND I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH THIS EXPERIENCE.

OUR FRIENDSHIPS.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN MY TIME HERE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES OF MY LIFE.

>> KEEP FAITH.

GUARD MIND.

TAKE HEART.

GUARD SPIRIT.

TAKE COURAGE.

KEEP WATCH.

FEED LONGING.

FEED LOVE.

>> YOU'VE ALL BEEN VERY GOOD TO ME.

I HOPE I'VE RETURNED THAT AS WELL.

AND I GUESS RIGHT NOW I'M FREE.

>> THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

WE SPENT MONEY ON IT, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF IT.

DON'T LET IT FALL INTO DISREPAIR LIKE WE DID IN THE PAST.

AND PLEASE TAKE CARE OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

♪ >> JOINING US NOW, FINAL SURPRISE RETIREMENT SENATOR CARLA NELSON.

WHY NOW, SENATOR?

>> WELL, I THOUGHT I'D BE HERE FOR 10 YEARS, IT WAS 18 YEARS.

BUT ACTUALLY THERE COMES A TIME WHEN THERE'S A HIGHER CALLING, AND THIS HIGHER CALLING IS MY FAMILY.

I HAVE -- THAT ARE ASKING ME TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEM.

>> -- WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

>> OOH, IT'S HARD TO SAY.

CAPITOL PRESERVATION COMMISSION, STARTED THAT.

>> YOU SHARED THAT WITH SANDY PAPPAS WHO NOT ONLY SAID SAVE DEMOCRACY BUT SAVE THIS BUILDING.

>> I'M SO GLAD SHE SAID THAT.

AND OF COURSE THE DESTINATION MEDICAL CENTER, I THINK I'M THE FINAL LEGISLATOR LEAVING WHO WAS ONE ON THAT HISTORIC ECONOMIC, YOU CAN'T EVEN PUT WORDS AROUND IT T'S SUCH A BIG THING.

BUT ANYWAY, SO THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, AND THE EDUCATION OF COURSE.

BRINGING SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF READING TO THE SENATE WAS IMPORTANT.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT CARRY ON.

AND THOSE ARE LIKE SOME OF JUST THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE BIPARTISANSHIP AND THE COLLEGIALITY?

THAT'S PART OF YOUR REPUTATION.

>> YES.

>> HOW DID YOU GET THAT DONE?

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT DIMINISHING?

>> I HOPE IT DOESN'T DIMINISH BECAUSE THERE'S ONE THING WE KNOW, ONE PERSON DOESN'T GET ANYTHING DONE UP HOAR HERE.

AND THERE'S MOST ALWAYS EXCEPT FOR -- THERE'S ALMOST ALWAYS ONE BODY OR THE GOVERNOR THAT IS OF A DIFFERENT PARTY THAN YOU ARE.

SO I THINK THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY KEY.

I HAVE FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, THERE ARE THINGS WE DISAGREE ABOUT, WE KNOW THAT, BUT WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER AND WE LOOK FOR WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER AND I THINK THAT'S OUR PEOPLE EXPECT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE MORE MISUNDERSTOOD PARTS OF THE CAPITOL?

THOSE FRIENDSHIPS?

>> SOMETIMES I DO, I TRULY DO.

I THINK WE LIVE IN A WORLD NOW WHERE EOPLE ARE IN THEIR OWN ECHO CHAMBER AND GET FED WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR R WHAT SOMEBODY THINKS THEY WANT TO HEAR.

AND AS A FORMER READING TEACHER I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE GET A BROAD NEWS DIET.

YOU HAVE TO GET A BROAD NEWS DIET.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE AVE BIPARTISAN RELATIONSHIPS.

>> WHAT ABOUT ADVICE FOR WHOEVER REPLACES YOU?

YOU DON'T KNOW THAT PERSON YET BECAUSE YOU ARE KIND OF A LATE RETIREMENT HERE.

>> I DO NOT, I DO NOT KNOW WHO THAT PERSON IS.

I THINK THE KEY THING IS REMEMBER WHO YOU WORK FOR, REMEMBER YOU WORK FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

MY ELECTION CERTIFICATE IS ABOVE THE DOOR IN MY SENATE OFFICE, EVERY TIME I WALK UNDER IT, YOU GET THAT VISUAL.

REMEMBER WHO YOU'RE WORKING FOR, BE HONEST, HAVE INTEGRITY.

I THINK THOSE ARE KEY, AND DO YOUR WORK, DO YOUR WORK.

>> WHAT MADE THE SENATE SPECIAL AS A BODY?

>> OH, YEAH, BECAUSE I HAVE HOUSE EXPERIENCE TOO.

THE THING ABOUT THE SENATE THAT I THINK IS SO SPECIALLY IS IT'S A SMALLER GROUP, SO IT'S 67 SO YOU REALLY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET TO KNOW ALL OF THEM, THE TERMS ARE LONGER, FOUR YEARS, SO IT'S A LITTLE MORE COHESIVE AND PERSONALLY I LOVE LOVE WORKING IN THE SENATE.

>> AND WE SAW THERE SO MUCH EXPERIENCE LEAVING, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE NAMES AND THOSE DECADES, HOW WORRIED ARE YOU ABOUT THE DECADES -- THE CENTURIES WHEN YOU SEE SOME OF THE LONG-TERM FOLKS LEAVING?

>> TRUE, THERE ARE CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SENATE, THAT IS VERY CONCERNING.

WELL, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT I THINK WE'RE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THAT ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN IT SEEMS AS I SAID THAT PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO ECHOCHAMBERS, THAT REINFORCE LIKE A ONE-WORLD VIEW.

WE CANNOT DO THAT.

WE'RE VERY DIVERSE PEOPLE IN EVERY WAY.

AND YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM ALL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WELL, THIS IS OUR LAST SHOW OF THE SEASON BUT "ALMANAC" OF COURSE FRIDAY NIGHT I'LL HAVE MUCH MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH THE HOUSE SPEAKER'S DAUGHTER AND THEIR CLOSE BUT CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP, VERY INTERESTING PIECE THERE.

TUNE IN FOR THAT AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY BEHIND THE SCENES AND BACK HOME WHO HAVE WATCHED AND SUPPORTED US ALL SEASON LONG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ ♪ >> "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, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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 IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

>> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF