>> Mary: WELCOME TO A SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IS ABOUT TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS ARE ASSEMBLED HERE IN A SPECIAL JOINT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW, THE GOVERNOR IS APPEARING IN FRONT OF A FRIENDLY CROWD.

A DFL-CONTROLLED EGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS NOW CONTROL ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THIS OVERNOR WILL SEE SUCH A RIENDLY CROWD.

PREVIOUSLY HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES WERE IN FRONT OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

MINNESOTA HAD THE ONLY DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IN THE NATION IN HIS PREVIOUS TERM.

AND YOU CAN HEAR THE APPLAUSE AS HE ENTERS.

WE HAVE MANY DIGNITARIES HERE, FORMER GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON IS THE ONLY GOVERNOR HERE IN ATTENDANCE.

YOU HEAR RIGHT NOW A ROUSING APPLAUSE AS THE GOVERNOR ENTERS THE CHAMBER, ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE HERE.

MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT.

ALSO A BIG TASK AHEAD FOR THIS LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.

THEY ARE SITTING ON A RECORD $17.5 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS, AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE GOING THROUGH THEIR BUDGET BILLS AS WE SPEAK.

THEY WERE ACTUALLY ON THE FLOOR EARLIER TODAY, WORKING ON THOSE BUDGET BILLS.

AND THEY'VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

THERE'S JUST OVER A MONTH LEFT IN SESSION, BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED ABOUT A DOZEN BILLS INTO LAW.

MAJOR CONSEQUENTIAL BILLS, CODIFYING ABORTION RIGHTS INTO STATE LAW, AKING MINNESOTA A REFUGE FOR TRANS STUDENTS IN THE NATION.

OTHER THINGS LIKE FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY, ALLOWING FELONS, REESE LEE -- RELEASED FELONS THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN MINNESOTA.

AGAIN, RESTORING DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR ALL SO THAT FOLKS IN MINNESOTA CAN DRIVE AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE CITIZENSHIP, THE CROWN ACT, ALLOWING NO MORE DISCRIMINATION FOR HAIR IN EMPLOYMENT IN MINNESOTA.

SO AN AMBITIOUS, PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, ALREADY SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR, AND TONIGHT WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HIS MISSION.

HE HAS STATED SO FAR IN RELEASING HIS BUDGET AND IN A PREVIEW OF THE STATE OF THE STATE, TELLING US HIS GOAL IS TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE BEST STATE IN THE NATION TO RAISE CHILDREN.

AND I THINK WE'LL SEE HOW THE GOVERNOR FEELS ABOUT HIS NATIONAL PROFILE.

HE HAS BEEN RAISING HIS PROFILE, TAKING ON FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS BY CREATING A FREE LIE -- LIBRARY OF THE BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN BANnd FLORIDA.

WE'LL HAVE ANALYSIS AFTER THE SPEECH.

ERIC ESKOLA WILL JOIN ME AFTERWARDS AND WE'LL BREAK DOWN THIS ADDRESS.

WE WILL BE THERE BEGINNING TO END FOR THIS SPEECH.

AND NOW WE GO TO GOVERNOR TIM WALZ FOR HIS FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS OF HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

[ Applause ] >> YOU MAY BE SEATED.

>> MEMBERS OF THE JOINT CONVENTION AND GUESTS, I PRESENT TO YOU THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE HONORABLE TIM WALZ.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING.

I ASSURE YOU, WE'LL BE DONE BY THE WILD TIP, FIRST DROP OF THE PUCK.

I WAS REMINDED OF THAT ON THE WAY HERE.

MADAM SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Mr. PRESIDENT, AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE, MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT, CHIEF JUDGE SEGAL, MY FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF MY STAFF AND CABINET AND THE ADMINISTRATION, GOVERNOR DAYTON, AND MISS ANNA DAYTON, THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CONTINUE TO DO FOR MINNESOTA.

GRATEFUL.

[ Applause ] DISTINGUISHED TRIBAL LEADERS, CHAIRWOMAN KATHY SHAIFERS.

[ Applause ] SHAVERS.

PRESIDENT JOHNNY JOHNSON.

[ Applause ] ESCORTS IN THE MINNESOTA STATE PATROL AND THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD.

[ Applause ] CHAPLAIN COLONEL BUDDY NGUYEN, STATE CHAPLAIN OF THE MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD.

THANK YOU, CHAPLAIN.

MY PARTNER, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN AND MINNESOTA'S SECOND GENTLEMAN, TOM WEBER.

[ Cheers and applause ] I HOPE MPR REPORTS THAT.

[ Laughter ] MINNESOTA'S FIRST ADY, MY WIFE, GWEN WALZ.

[ Cheers and applause ] MY SISTER-IN-LAWS ARE UP THERE, SO THANK YOU.

I'M ON MY BEST BEHAVIOR.

GUESTS AND MY FELLOW MINNESOTANS, I WANT TO SEND ALL OF OUR BEST WISHES TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC.

SENATOR DZIEDZIC HAS LONG BEEN A LEADER IN MINNESOTA, BUT SHE'S RECENTLY BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR UNEXPECTED REASONS.

LIKE SO MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR LOVED ONES, SENATOR DZIEDZIC IS BATTLING CANCER.

BUT SHE HASN'T LET HER FIGHT WITH CANCER STOP HER FROM FIGHTING FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

IN BETWEEN TREATMENTS, SENATOR DZIEDZIC IS CALLING IN TO MEETINGS, NEGOTIATING, AND WORKING HARD TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

SENATOR DZIEDZIC, WE KNOW YOU'RE WATCHING TONIGHT.

WE ARE IN AWE OF YOUR STRENGTH, YOUR COURAGE, AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU AND GET BACK HERE SOON.

[ Cheers and applause ] HALF A CENTURY AGO, A GOVERNOR CAME TO St. PAUL WITH A MANDATE FOR CHANGE.

DESPITE FIERCE OPPOSITION, HE EVENTUALLY WON POPULAR SUPPORT FOR AN AGENDA ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT MINNESOTA COULD AND SHOULD BE THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO RAISE A FAMILY.

HIS PLAN RESHAPED OUR STATE'S FINANCES, INVESTED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR SCHOOLS, LOWERED THE COST FOR WORKING FAMILIES, AND PUT MINNESOTA ON A PATH TO A BRIGHTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALL.

THE NATIONAL PRESS CALLED IT THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE.

BUT IT WASN'T A MIRACLE, NOT REALLY.

WHAT IT WAS WAS PATIENCE AND HARD WORK.

THE QUIET BUILDING OF POLITICAL WILL BEHIND A VISION THAT WAS SHARED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY F MINNESOTANS.

LAST FALL THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA SENT ME BACK TO St. PAUL TO SERVE THE STATE I LOVE SO MUCH.

BUT THEY DIDN'T SEND ME ALONE.

MINNESOTANS ELECTED THE MOST DIVERSE LEGISLATURE IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

ONE THAT'S UNITED AROUND A SHARED VISION OF MAKING THIS STATE THE BEST PLACE IN AMERICA TO RAISE A FAMILY.

[ Cheers and applause ] ALL OF YOU.

THAT'S WHY ON THE DAY I TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE SECOND TIME I DECLARED THAT THE ERA OF GRIDLOCK WAS OVER.

FOR FOUR YEARS, DESPITE ENORMOUS HEAD WINDS AND COMPLICATED POLITICS, WE DID GET A LOT OF GOOD THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

BUT NOW WE HAVE A NEW MANDATE FOR ACTION.

A CHANCE TO SET ASIDE THE OLD FIGHTS IN FAVOR OF DOING SOMETHING TRULY HISTORIC FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN.

THIS IS A MOMENT WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING TOWARDS FOR A LONG TIME.

AND WE WILL NOT LET IT GO TO WASTE.

[ Applause ] THESE BODIES STARTED OFF THE SESSION BY CUTTING TAXES BY $100 MILLION, MAKING IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR FAMILIES TO PAY THEIR BILLS AND BUSINESSES TO HIRE WORKERS.

AND THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE.

THANKS TO A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THIS LEGISLATURE, WE UNLOCKED MILLIONS IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING TO HELP REBUILD AND REPAIR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES.

[ Applause ] WE PASSED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR FOOD SHELVES, SO FAMILIES COULD KEEP PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

[ Applause ] THANK YOU.

WE GOT ASSISTANCE FOR WORKERS ON THE IRON RANGE TO HELP MINERS WHEN NORTH SHORE MINING WENT IDLE.

[ Applause ] WE ESTABLISHED A CARBON-FREE ELECTRICITY STANDARD THAT WILL TRANSITION OUR STATE TO 100% CLEAN ENERGY BY 2040.

IT WILL HELP OUR STATE WIN THE RACE TO CREATE NEW JOBS AND NEW INDUSTRY.

[ Cheers and applause ] NEW JOBS ARE GOOD.

AND JUST LAST MONTH I HAD THE HONOR OF SIGNING INTO LAW A BILL THAT ILL PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN MINNESOTA.

[ Cheers and applause ] MINNESOTANS, THREE MONTHS INTO A SECOND TERM I'M PROUD TO REPORT THE STATE OF OUR STATE IS STRONG AND IT'S GETTING STRONGER WITH EVERY INVESTMENT WE MAKE IN OUR PEOPLE AND THE FUTURES THEY'RE WORKING SO HARD TO BUILD.

[ Applause ] BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, MINNESOTA'S STRENGTH ISN'T JUST OUR ECONOMY OR OUR SCHOOLS OR OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM OUR VALUES.

THE FORCES OF HATRED AND BIGOTRY ARE ON THE MARCH IN STATES ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT LET ME SAY THIS NOW AND BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS.

THAT MARCH STOPS AT MINNESOTA'S BORDERS.

[ Cheers and applause ] I'M GOING TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT UNMINNESOTAN, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT NOW.

I'VE SEEN SOME OF MY FELLOW GOVERNORS ON TV, THEY FIND A LOT OF TIME TO BE ON TV, AND I HEAR THEM TALKING ABOUT FREEDOM.

BUT IT TURNS OUT WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN IS THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE FREE TO INVADE YOUR BEDROOM, YOUR CHILDREN'S LOCKER ROOM, AND YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

YEAH.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FREEDOM, WE TALK ABOUT HAVING OUR CHILDREN BE FREE TO GO TO SCHOOL WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT BEING SHOT DEAD IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

[ Cheers and applause ] LOOK, I'M ONLY THE GOVERNOR OF THIS GREAT STATE.

IT'S NOT UP TO ME HOW FOLKS IN THOSE PLACES, FOLKS LIKE FLORIDA GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

BUT I GOT TO TELL YOU, I'M PRETTY GLAD WE DO IT OUR WAY HERE AND NOT THAT AY.

[ Cheers and applause ] IF YOU NEED ANY EXAMPLES TO MAYBE CHANGE YOUR MIND ON THIS ONE, THEY'RE BANNING BOOKS IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

WE'RE BANISHING UNGER FROM OURS.

[ Cheers and applause ] THEY LOOK AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND THEY SEE SCAPEGOATS.

WE LOOK AT OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND SEE NEIGHBORS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GIVING UNDOCUMENTED MINNESOTANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE O LIVE THEIR LIVES WITH DIGNITY.

[ Cheers and applause ] THEY SEE PEOPLE TRYING TO VOTE AS A THREAT TO THEIR POWER.

WE SEE IT AS A SOURCE OF PRIDE, AND THAT'S WHY WE RESTORED THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR 55,000 OF OUR CITIZENS.

[ Cheers and applause ] AND I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT APPARENTLY THEY'RE AFRAID OF FACING UP TO THIS GREAT NATION'S ENTIRE HISTORY, AND MAYBE HERE IN MINNESOTA WE'RE JUST MADE OF STRONGER STUFF.

BUT BECAUSE OF THAT, IT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS A STATE HOLIDAY THIS YEAR IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ Cheers and applause ] SOME OF THESE FOLKS WANT TO PUT BULLIES IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTHCARE.

WE'D LIKE TO PUT YOU IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTHCARE AND PUT BULLIES IN THEIR PLACE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE PROTECTED ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING HEALTHCARE AND ESTABLISHED AN IRON-CLAD RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

[ Cheers and applause ] LOOK, I GET IT, I GET IT, POLITICIANS WANT TO BE SEEN AS FIGHTERS.

BUT THEY -- WHAT THEY DON'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND IS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO BE A FIGHTER, YOU'VE GOT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIGHTS.

AND IF THERE'S ONE THING I HOPE FOLKS RECOGNIZE AND TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE IN MINNESOTA, IS IT'S AMAZING WHAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN YOU STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT CORPORATIONS GOING WOKE AND START GIVING A DAMN ABOUT REAL PEOPLE AND REAL LIVES.

IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

[ Applause ] SO I'M JUST HERE TODAY, LET'S KEEP CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIGHTS.

LET'S KEEP GOING TO BAT ON BEHALF OF REGULAR MINNESOTANS.

AND LET'S KEEP MAKING MINNESOTA THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE THAT FAMILY.

THAT'S WHAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AND DISCUSSION IS ALL ABOUT.

THE PLAN THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD IS STARTING TO WORK ON HOW DO E MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE.

IT FOCUSES ON FAMILIES WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

A NATION-LEADING CHILD TAX CREDIT WOULD PUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

IF WE DID NOTHING LSE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT WOULD REDUCE CHILD POVERTY BY 25% IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ Cheers and applause ] LOOK.

[ Cheers and applause ] LOOK, IT'S NOT JUST A MORAL IMPERATIVE OR THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IT'S A CRITICAL PIECE OF THE PLAN TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS AND READY OUR ECONOMY FOR THE FUTURE.

AND THAT'S JUST THE START OF WHAT WE CAN DO FOR MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

OUR PLAN WOULD SEND A PORTION OF THE SURPLUS RIGHT BACK TO MINNESOTANS IN THE FORM OF A CHECK SO THAT THEY CAN PAY FOR EVERYTHING FROM GAS AND GROCERIES TO SUMMER CAMP AND COLLEGE TUITION AS THEY SEE FIT.

MEANWHILE, LET'S JUST GO AHEAD AND MAKE T A LOT ASIER FOR PARENTS TO FIND AND PAY FOR GREAT DAY CARE.

OUR PLAN WOULD GIVE $1 -- 150,000 MINNESOTA HOUSEHOLDS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EACH TO HELP PAY FOR THAT DAY CARE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH SPOTS FOR CHILDREN, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER TO START A CHILD CARE BUSINESS AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THE PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN AT THAT CRITICAL STAGE A LONG OVERDUE PAY RAISE.

[ Applause ] FOCUSING ON FAMILY, FOCUSING ON OUR CHILDREN.

THE PLAN ADDS 25,000 PUBLIC PRE-K SEATS TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD.

AND IT ALSO INVESTS IN EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED IT THE MOST TO MAKE SURE THEY GET TO MAKE THE CHOICE THAT'S BEST FOR THEIR FAMILY.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO'S A PARENT KNOWS, THOSE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF YOUR CHILD'S LIFE, NOTHING GIVES YOU MORE ANXIETY THAN TRYING TO BALANCE WORK AND FAMILY.

AND MAKING GREAT CHILD CARE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE WILL MAKE THAT STRESS A WHOLE LOT LESS.

AND BY THE WAY, SO WILL UNIVERSAL PAID LEAVE.

[ Cheers and applause ] BUT, OF COURSE, YOU GET YOUR CHILD TO KINDERGARTEN, YOU GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT FOR THE NEXT 13 YEARS.

NO PARENT IN MINNESOTA SHOULD AND WILL SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

WITH THE RISING COST PUTTING FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THIS STATE, IT'S HIGH TIME THAT WE TIED SCHOOL FUNDING TO INFLATION TO MAKE SURE NO ONE HAS TO START CUTTING CORNERS ON OUR CHILDREN.

[ Cheers and applause ] ON TOP OF THAT, THIS PLAN INVESTS BILLIONS INTO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, INCLUDING MORE THAN 10% ON THE GENERAL EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA.

OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

IT WILL ALLOW US TO INVEST IN THE HEROIC TEACHERS WHO ARE DOING THIS WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY.

ALSO, BY THE WAY, IT HAS THE MONEY IN THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ONE OF THOSE CHILDREN HAVE A FULL STOMACH WITH THOSE FREE MEALS YOU PROVIDED.

SO THANK YOU.

[ Cheers and applause ] WE KNOW THE STRESSES OUR CHILDREN FACE IN A MODERN WORLD.

THIS PLAN ADDRESSES THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, ALLOWING FOR MORE SCHOOL COUNSELORS, MORE NURSES, MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO CHILD FALLS THROUGH THE CRACKS.

AND WE'RE LAUNCHING A NEW PLAN TO MODERNIZE AND STREAMLINE STATE GOVERNMENT, ESTABLISHING AN AGENCY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PLACE FOR PARENTS, WHETHER IT'S EARLY LEARNING, FOOD ASSISTANCE OR ANYTHING ELSE, YOU WANT TO HAVE SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU AN GO, ONE PLACE YOU CAN GO TO ACCESS ALL THOSE RESOURCES.

THIS PLAN WILL DO JUST THAT.

[ Applause ] YOU'LL GET MORE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THAT AS THE MONTH GOES ON.

[ Laughter ] OF COURSE, PUTTING FAMILIES FIRST ALSO MEANS UPHOLDING OUR FIRST AND MOST BASIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF US.

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

THAT'S WHY OUR PLAN INCLUDES MORE THAN HALF A BILLION DOLLARS IN PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING FOR CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS OUR STATE.

THAT'S THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN MINNESOTA'S HISTORY.

[ Applause ] WHETHER IT'S A SURGE IN CAR THEFTS OR TAKING ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THEY'VE GOT AN AWFUL LOT TO DEAL WITH.

THEY SHOULD HAVE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO TACKLE THE ISSUES THAT FACE COMMUNITIES.

BUT WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY -- [ Applause ] ON THE THEME OF TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S REAL OUT THERE A LITTLE BIT, WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT GUNS.

SO LET'S HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

>> YEAH!

[ Applause ] >> I'LL GO AHEAD, I'LL GO AHEAD AND PUT MY CREDIBILITY UP AGAINST ANYONE ON THIS ISSUE.

I'M A VETERAN AND I'M A HUNTER.

AND FOR MANY YEARS, I WAS ONE OF THE BEST SHOTS IN CONGRESS AND I GOT THE DANG TROPHIES TO PROVE IT.

[ Laughter ] I KNOW GUNS AS WELL AS ANYONE.

BUT I'M SICK AND TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE 'M NOT JUST A VETERAN, NOT JUST A HUNTER, NOT JUST A GUN OWNER, I'M A FATHER, AND FOR MANY YEARS I WAS A TEACHER.

AND WE ALL KNOW DAMN WELL, WEAPONS OF WAR HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS, IN OUR CHURCHES, IN OUR BANKS OR ANYONE... [ Cheers and applause ] WE KNOW THE STATE WHERE OUR COUNTRY'S IN AND WE KNOW WHAT THE NEWS HAS BEEN EVERY SINGLE WEEK, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SO LET'S BE HONEST, REALLY HONEST.

WE KNOW ALL THOSE -- ALL OF US KNOW ALL THOSE THINGS TO BE TRUE.

WE'RE JUST USED TO BE BEING BULLIED BY THE GUN LOBBY.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

WHEN I STARTED IN CONGRESS, I HAD A "A" RATING FROM THE NRA.

I HAVE STRAIGHT "F"s NOW, I SLEEP JUST FINE AT NIGHT.

[ Cheers and applause ] MORE TO THE POINT.

MORE TO THE POINT.

MINNESOTANS AND I ESPECIALLY AMONGST THEM ARE NOT GOING TO STAND BY AND LET PEOPLE KEEP MAKING THIS ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT WHEN IT'S REALLY ABOUT OUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY, KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

[ Cheers and applause ] BE VERY CLEAR, THE TIME FOR HIDING BEHIND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS IS LONG GONE.

WHAT WE NEED IS ACTION AND WE NEED IT NOW.

SO HERE'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

[ Applause ] HERE'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

WE'VE GOT GUN SAFETY BILL ON THE TABLE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET IT PASSED.

[ Cheers and applause ] AND I'M GOING TO SIGN IT.

I'M GOING TO SIGN IT.

AND THIS IS WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

GEHRING TO HAVE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE RED FLAG LAWS TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LAWFUL GUN OWNERS NOT BEING IMPINGED MONDAY ONE BIT -- ONE BIT TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THESE ARE SMART POLICIES F. THERE'S ANYONE THAT DOUBTS, ANYONE IN AMERICA DOUBTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

I'VE GOT TWO WORDS.

WATCH US.

[ Cheers and applause ] THIS HAS GOT TO... [ Cheers and applause ] THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO THIS PLAN.

WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES.

FUNDING TO REPLACE LEAD PIPES.

[ Cheers and applause ] REBUILD AGING ROADS.

TAX CREDITS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

WE'VE GOT A REAL OPPORTUNITY HERE, PEOPLE.

TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, GROW OUR ECONOMY, AND CREATE A LOT OF NEW JOBS IN THE PROCESS.

OH, BY THE WAY, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE GOOD-PAYING UNION JOBS, MINNESOTA... [ Cheers and applause ] WE'RE ON THE THEME OF HISTORY.

MINNESOTA'S ALWAYS BEEN A LABOR STATE.

MINNESOTA ALWAYS WILL BE A LABOR STATE.

[ Applause ] LOOK, THESE ARE PRAGMATIC IDEAS.

THINGS THAT MAYBE WON'T MAKE HEADLINES, BUT THEY'LL MAKE LIFE A LITTLE EASIER.

A LITTLE SAFER.

A LITTLE MORE FULFILLING FOR PEOPLE ACROSS OUR STATE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THEM DONE.

WE OUGHT TO BE AWFUL DARN PROUD OF THAT.

AFTER ALL, WE'RE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE TALKING LIKE THIS.

ALL ACROSS AMERICA, PEOPLE WANT A SHOT FOR THEIR KIDS TO GO TO GOOD SCHOOLS, SAFE STREETS, CLEAN WATER, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT'S ORGANIZING AROUND THAT POSITIVE VISION.

HERE'S THE DIFFERENCE.

WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING THAT VISION INTO ACTION, WHEN IT COMES TO SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT COMES AFTER GRIDLOCK, WHAT YOU CAN HAVE INSTEAD OF GRIDLOCK AND WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE SET ASIDE THE DUMB FIGHTS AND FIGHT THE GOOD ONES INSTEAD, WELL, THERE'S NO PLACE QUITE LIKE MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW IN THAT REGARD.

[ Applause ] LOOK, THAT'S A CREDIT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN OUR STATE'S DEMOCRACY.

STARTING WITH THE FOLKS IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT.

BUT IT ALSO EXTENDS TO ORGANIZERS AND ACTIVISTS.

PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP, NOT JUST ON ELECTION DAY, BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY FIGHTING FOR EQUITY, FIGHTING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FIGHTING FOR LABOR UNION RIGHTS, FIGHTING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, FIGHTING FOR ARMERS, FIGHTING FOR OUR LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND, OF COURSE, FIGHTING FOR OUR KIDS.

I WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE AND SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICES THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING ON ALL OF THESE ISSUES.

AND THE SERVICE YOU PROVIDE TO CIVIC LIFE IN MINNESOTA.

AND I WANT TO ASK YOU TO KEEP PUSHING, KEEP FIGHTING, KEEP GOING.

THE WHOLE NATION IS LOOKING TO YOU FOR INSPIRATION.

TOGETHER WE'RE NOT JUST SHOWING THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF AND DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISES.

WE'RE SHOWING THE ENTIRE AMERICAN PEOPLE, JUST HOW MUCH PROMISE IS CONTAINED IN THAT PROGRESSIVE VISION HELD BY SO MANY PEOPLE.

WE'RE REDRAWING A ROAD MAP FOR 49 OTHER STATES, BY DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BECOME THE STATE THAT WORKS FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

[ Applause ] LOOK... WE'RE PROVING NOT ONLY CAN YOU CAMPAIGN ON THIS IDEA OF LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, ON COMPASSION AND DECENCY, YOU CAN ACTUALLY GOVERN THAT WAY.

50 YEARS AFTER THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE E'VE GOT ANOTHER CHANCE TO BE AMERICA'S NORTH STAR.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO CARVE OUT A PIECE OF THE COUNTRY WHERE NO CHILD IS LEFT HUNGRY.

[ Applause ] WHERE NO COMMUNITY IS LEFT BEHIND.

[ Applause ] AND NOBODY GETS TOLD THEY DON'T BELONG.

[ Applause ] A PLACE WHERE GOVERNMENT EXISTS NOT TO MEDDLE IN YOUR LIFE BUT TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

WE HAVE THE RESOURCES.

WE HAVE THE SHARED VISION.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HALF A CENTURY, WE HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO GET THIS DONE.

[ Cheers and applause ] LET'S NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY!

LET'S GET TO WORK BUILDING A STATE THAT WE'RE PROUD TO RAISE OUR KIDS IN, WE'RE PROUD TO START A NEW BUSINESS IN, A STATE WE'RE PROUD TO GO OUT AND BRAG ABOUT.

MORE OF THAT, MINNESOTA.

WE'VE TURNED A PLACE IN MINNESOTA WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED, EVERYONE IS SEEN, EVERYONE IS HEARD, AND WE'RE CUTTING THE EDGES ON THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE NEED TO BE THERE IN THE FUTURE.

SO LET'S GET STARTED TODAY.

THANK YOU!

MAY GOD BLESS THE GREAT NORTH STAR STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> AND THAT IS GOVERNOR TIM WALZ STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, SAYS FIRST ADDRESS IN HIS SECOND TERM.

JOINING E NOW, LONGTIME CAPITOL REPORTER AND "ALMANAC" CO-HOST, ERIC ESKOLA.

ERIC, WE ALWAYS WAIT FOR THAT QUOTE, THE STATE OF THE STATE IS... >> Eric: STRONG AND GETTING STRONGER AS LONG AS WE KEEP INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, AND I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WOULD SAY, THAT MEANS GROWING GOVERNMENT AND RAISING TAXES.

>> Mary: YUP.

>> Eric: AND MAYBE THAT'S THE YIN AND YANG FOR THIS THING.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, HOUSE AND SENATE BUDGET, DOES HAVE TAX INCREASES, THAT WAS NOT NOTED TONIGHT IN THE SPEECH.

TAX CREDITS WERE NOTED.

A LOT OF INVESTMENTS WERE NOTED.

BUT, ERIC, I HINK COMING AWAY, THE BIGGEST APPLAUSE LINE, THE BIGGEST REACTION IN THE ROOM WAS MAYBE AN ISSUE WE DIDN'T SEE COMING THAT WOULD RESONATE THE MOST WITH DEMOCRATS IN THE ROOM.

IT SEEMED LIKE GUNS AND GUN CONTROL.

>> Eric: WELL, WE KIND OF HAD AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF HIS OWN JOURNEY ON GUNS.

WHERE HE WAS AN "A," NRA RECEIVED AN "A" AS FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN, AND HE SAID HE GOT AN "F" FROM THE NRA WHEN HE BECAME GOVERNOR.

SO THAT'S HIS PARTICULAR EVOLUTION ON THAT ISSUE.

BUT, HOW DID A MODERATE FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN TURN INTO PAUL WELLSTONE TONIGHT?

I MEAN -- >> Mary: IT'S FASCINATING.

>> Eric: HE DID EVERYTHING BUT SAY, WE ALL DO BETTER WHEN WE ALL DO BETTER.

>> Mary: HE REPRESENTED A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THAT HAS NOW BEEN REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS WHEN HE LEFT OFFICE, AS YOU KNOW, VERY MODERATE.

HE ALSO SAID HE WASN'T LOSING ANY SLEEP ABOUT NOW GETTING "F" RATINGS FROM THE NRA AND CALLED THEM BULLIES AND REALLY SAID THERE'S JUST NO PLACE FOR THESE KINDS OF WEAPONS IN OUR CHURCHES, IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND THE CROWD REALLY WENT WILD WITH THAT LINE.

>> Eric: AND THAT FOLDS IN NICELY WITH THIS NEW, THIS NEW SPIEL THAT HE HAS ABOUT RAISING A FAMILY, BEST TATE FOR KIDS.

AND GUNS IS PART OF IT.

BUT I THINK IT'S MORE AUTHENTIC FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT GROWING UP WITH FAMILIES, KIDS DOING BETTER, HE'S A TEACHER, HIS WIFE'S A TEACHER.

I THINK ONE MINNESOTA BECAME KIND OF A PARODY, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS CAN MOCK THAT ALL THE TIME, THIS IS NOT A ONE MINNESOTA DEAL, HE'S NOW WITH FAMILY AND KIDS, AND I THINK HE'S MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

>> Mary: YEAH, WE DID NOT HEAR THAT LINE NE MINNESOTA, WHICH WE DID PREVIOUSLY HEAR IN OTHER STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES FROM THIS GOVERNOR.

IN HIS SECOND TERM, HE'S REALLY PIVOTED TO THAT FAMILY, CHILDREN INVESTMENTS THING.

LET'S TIE EDUCATION FUNDING TO INFLATION.

I NOTICED JUST ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE STOOD UP ON THAT ONE.

>> Eric: I THINK KARI DZIEDZIC, THE SENATOR BATTLING CANCER, GOT UNIVERSAL APPLAUSE.

AND A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS.

BUT IT WAS A NIGHT WHERE THE REPUBLICANS WERE SITTING ON THEIR HANDS, FOR SURE.

>> Mary: YEAH.

AND A NIGHT WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR FORMER GOVERNORS.

THE ONLY GOVERNOR IN ATTENDANCE HERE, FORMER GOVERNOR IS GOVERNOR MARK DAYTON, HERE WITH HIS WIFE AND THE CROWD WENT REALLY WILD FOR HIM TOO.

VERY EXCITED TO SEE HIM.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY FELT THAT WAY WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE.

>> Eric: WELL, THE REPUBLICANS DIDN'T.

>> Mary: CORRECT.

AND HE HAD TO DEAL WITH REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

WELL, TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS.

>> Mary: ANOTHER GOVERNOR NOT CALLED OUT BY NAME, BUT DEFINITELY ALLUDED TO, THE GOVERNOR OPENED THE SPEECH BY TALKING ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO WITH THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE, AGAIN, HE CLOSED, THAT WAS THE BOOK END OF THIS, HISTORICAL REFERENCES TO 50 YEARS AGO, MINNESOTA MIRACLE, AND A VERY FAMOUS GOVERNOR ON THE COVER OF "TIME" MAGAZINE, GOVERNOR WENDELL ANDERSEN, OES IT SOUND LIKE THIS GOVERNOR, TIM WALZ IS LOOKING FOR NATIONAL PRESS, TRYING TO PUT HIMSELF ON THE MAP LIKE WENDY DID?

>> Eric: HE ENTIONED AN UNNAMED FLORIDA GOVERNOR COUPLE TIMES.

HE'S HAD KIND OF A HIGHER NATIONAL PROFILE OF LATE, HASN'T HE, MARY?

>> Mary: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> Mary: WELL, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGER APPLAUSE LINES, WHERE HE REFERENCED THAT THERE'S ANOTHER STATE BANNING BOOKS, AND IN MINNESOTA, WE'RE BANISHING CHILDHOOD POVERTY.

AND DEMOCRATS REALLY WENT WILD FOR THAT.

I DID NOTICE REPUBLICANS WERE NOT ENJOYING THOSE KIND OF NATIONAL POKES AND POKING AT AN UNNAMED GOVERNOR IN FLORIDA.

>> Eric: WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR GOING INTO THE LAST FOUR AND A HALF WEEKS OF THE SESSION?

>> Mary: YEAH, AS WE MENTIONED, THERE'S A LOT ALREADY DONE.

MANY MANY BIG BILLS TO BE DONE.

AND HE CERTAINLY KIND OF TOOK A VICTORY LAP ON THOSE.

WE HEARD ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT HE HAD SIGNED.

BUT WE ALSO HEARD ABOUT THINGS HE STILL WANT SIGNED.

WE ALREADY MENTIONED GUN CONTROL.

PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS ANOTHER THING THAT IS KIND OF SLOWLY CHURNING THROUGH THE PROCESS.

DEMOCRATS LIKED HEARING THAT.

IN THE PAT, SOME -- PAST, SOME REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN OPEN TO SOME FORM.

I GLANCED DOWN THERE.

I SAW ZERO REPUBLICAN APPLAUSE AT PAID FAMILY LEAVE TONIGHT.

>> Eric: DIDN'T MENTION LEGALIZING MARIJUANA.

>> Mary: HE DID NOT.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

BECAUSE A LOT OF ANALYSIS HAS SAID, NOT THIS SESSION.

THAT IT'S SLOWING DOWN.

THERE'S TOO MUCH TROUBLE.

DO YOU THINK IT REFLECTED THAT?

>> Eric: IT WAS A BIGGER POLITICAL ISSUE WHEN THERE WERE TWO MARIJUANA PARTIES, MAJOR PARTIES.

DRAINING VOTES AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS.

THAT HAS GONE AWAY.

MAYBE THE POLITICAL IMPETUS FOR THIS IS GOING INTO THE BACKGROUND A LITTLE BIT AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY IT DIDN'T GET A BIG SHOUT-OUT TONIGHT.

>> Mary: YEAH, WE SHOULD NOTE, PERHAPS THIRD-PARTY INFLUENCE IS GOING AWAY.

WE HAD FORMER GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA COMING TO THE STATE CAPITOL, NOT JUST ON LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, BUT ALSO ANGRY AT LAWMAKERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO KIND OF MAKE THIRD PARTIES A LITTLE LESS RELEVANT, A LITTLE LESS IMPORTANT ON THE BALLOT.

LIKE THOSE MARIJUANA PARTIES THAT HAD ACHIEVED MAJOR PARTY STATUS.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE BILLS, IS IT THE NEW THRESHOLD, 10% OF THE VOTE STATEWIDE, INSTEAD OF %?

>> Mary: YEAH.

I THINK MAYBE THAT'S A RECOGNITION THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TRY AND ROANE -- OWN THAT MARIJUANA ISSUE.

>> Eric: THIS IS A VERY PROGRESSIVE SPEECH TONIGHT.

THIS IS GOVERNOR WALZ -- REMEMBER, HE WAS NOT ENDORSED BY THE DFL DELEGATES.

ERIN MURPHY WAS.

WALZ WAS SEEN AS TOO MODERATE.

>> Mary: IRONICALLY, SHE'S IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT.

ERIN MURPHY, NOW A STATE SENATOR.

AND ONE OF THOSE MANY SENATORS KIND OF FILLING IN AND HELPING OUT WITH SENATE MAJORITY KARI DZIEDZIC, YOU NOTED, OUT WITH CANCER, THEY'RE PINCH HITTING THERE.

IT STILL HELD TOGETHER.

THAT'S THE AMAZING THING.

ACROSS THE WAY, IN THE SENATE, ONE VOTE MARGIN, AND DEMOCRATS HAVE HELD STRONG ON EVERY SINGLE VOTE.

>> Eric: THERE WAS VERY LITTLE UNANIMOUS APPLAUSE, ONE WAS FOR SENATOR DZIEDZIC, AS SHE BATTLES CANCER.

>> Mary: ABSOLUTELY.

THE OTHER ONE I NOTED, THOUGH, WAS PUBLIC SAFETY OF THE THE GOVERNOR DID TALK ABOUT A RECORD AMOUNT OF SPENDING GOING INTO PUBLIC SAFETY.

REPUBLICANS HOPPED UP ON THAT ONE FIRST.

AND DEMOCRATS APPLAUDED.

BUT REPUBLICANS REALLY HAD A COUPLE OF MOMENTS WHEN THEY LIKED THAT EMPHASIS.

THE GOVERNOR CALLING OUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WITH AN ISSUE OF CRIME, SOMETHING REPUBLICANS REALLY CAMPAIGNED ON.

>> Eric: WELL, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE NOW IF THIS HAS ANY IMPACT AT ALL ON NEGOTIATIONS, WHAT COMES OUT OF THE OMNIBUS BIG BILLS, OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, AND THEY SHOULD BE GETTING DOWN TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE HERE IN A FEW DAYS.

>> Mary: YEAH.

NOT A LOT OF NEW IDEAS.

THAT IS ONE THING WE'VE ALWAYS LOOKED FOR, ERIC AND I HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR DECADES, IF NOT PROBABLY A HALF A CENTURY OR SO BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, OFTEN WHEN THESE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES OCCUR EARLIER IN SESSION, WE DO GET OME NEW POLICY.

THERE IS KIND OF A TEST RUN, ROLLING SOMETHING OUT.

DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING NEW?

>> Eric: I DID NOT.

BUT MAYBE THAT REFLECTS HOW LATE IN THE SESSION THEY ARE.

>> Mary: DEFINITELY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE RETURN TO NORMAL, IN PERSON, THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS POST-PANDEMIC, WHERE WE HAD PRETTY MUCH A FULL HOUSE.

>> Eric: I WANT YOU TO LOOK MORE CAREFULLY INTO THIS HIGHER PROFILE THE GOVERNOR HAS AND THE MINNESOTA, THE PROGRESSIVE NORTH STAR OF THE 49 OTHER STATES.

SOMETHING'S GOING ON THERE.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, EXACTLY.

>> Mary: WELL, OTH OF US HAD NOTED A PREVIOUS MINNESOTA POLITICIAN USING THAT PHRASE ABOUT THE NORTH STAR GUIDING HER.

GUIDING HER IN HER PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

WHO USED THAT PHRASE BEFORE?

>> Eric: AMY KLOBUCHAR.

>> Mary: WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Eric: JUST IN CASE BIDEN DOESN'T RUN, WE HAD MICHELE BACHMANN, TIM PAWLENTY, TWO MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, WHAT, 2008?

WHAT IF BIDEN DOESN'T RUN?

WALZ AND KLOBUCHAR, REACHING FOR THE RASS RING?

>> Mary: THE OTHER THING I'M WATCHING, THOUGH, WOULD GOVERNOR TIM WALZ UN FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD TERM?

THE FIRST DAY AFTER THE ELECTION, I GOT LAUGHED AT, HE SNICKERED AT ME WHEN I SAID, ARE YOU RULING OUT A THIRD TERM?

HE DIDN'T SAY NO.

>> Eric: HE WAS PASSIONATE.

HE WAS FIRED UP.

HE WAS JOVIAL.

AND IT SHOWS YOU HOW MUCH FUN IT IS WHEN YOU'RE WINNING.

>> Mary: AND FUN WHEN YOU HAVE THE TRIFECTA.

WHEN DEMOCRATS RUN THE TABLE, HOW SENATE GOVERNOR'S -- HOUSE, SENATE, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

AND WE SHOULD NOTE, CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WERE HERE.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS A DEMOCRAT AS WELL.

>> Eric: WITH THE WILD PLAYING TONIGHT, LET'S CALL IT A DFL HAT TRICK.

>> Mary: I LIKE THAT BETTER THAN THE TRIFECTA, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE IT HOCKEY CREDIT.

SOCCER MOM IN ME DEFINITELY SAYS THAT.

>> ERIC: WHAT ARE THE REPUBLICANS GOING TO SAY?

>> Mary: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

I DID NOTICE NOT EVERY REPUBLICAN WAS HERE, TOO.

I SAW AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN EMPTY SEATS.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, THIS WAS A LOT OF SPENDING.

AND THEY'VE BEEN HARPING ON THIS IS THE WEEK OF THE TAX BILL, WE'RE SEEING THE HOUSE TAX BILL ROLL OUT, A LOT OF TAX INCREASES.

REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, THEY SEE BILLIONS, MAYBE 10 BILLION IN TAX INCREASES WITH THE CONTEXT OF A $17.5 RECORD LARGE BUDGET SURPLUS.

SO I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO -- REPUBLICANS WILL STICK ON THOSE FISCAL ISSUES.

>> Eric: YEAH.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE TOUTING THE LARGEST TAX CUT EVER, BUT IT DOES GET BALANCED OUT BY THESE SALES TAX PROPOSALS AND THE CHILD CARE CREDITS AND SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF THAT RAISES TAXES.

ISN'T THERE A METRO SALES TAX IN THE MIX?

>> Mary: YES.

>> Eric: FOR HOUSING.

MAYBE ONE OR TRANSIT.

>> Mary: THANK YOU FOR THE ANALYSIS, ERIC.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

OUR SPECIAL COVERAGE ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, BE SURE TO TUNE IN FRIDAY NIGHT TO "ALMANAC."

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.

NEU ♪♪ AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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.

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.

THIS IS A TEST.

>> WONDERING WHY THIS FARMER KEPT DRIVING PAST THIS THREE-AND-A-HALF ACRE HOME.

AND HE FOUND OUT HE WAS OUT THERE TO PROTECT US, PROTECT THE FAMILY WHEN MY DAD WAS AT WORK AT NIGHT.

AND MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN FABULOUS.

STRONG BELIEVERS IN EDUCATION.

THEY WERE BOTH -- THEY MET AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AND, SO, ONE THING THEY DID IS THEY ALWAYS MADE SURE THAT, LIKE, ALL OF US KIDS HAD ACCESS TO COLLEGE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WORKED REALLY HARD TO DO THAT.

BUT THEY PAID FOR ALL OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY, JUST A BLESSING, AND I TRIED TO DO THE SAME THING WITH MY KIDDO.

>> Mary: IS AND WHAT ABOUT THE DISTRICT IS THIS TALK TO ME ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND WHAT YOU HEARD FROM VOTERS?

>> I HAVE A REALLY COOL DISTRICT.

MY DISTRICT IS SUBURBAN AND A LITTLE URBAN.

WE HAVE AN ARRAY OF HOME OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE PREMANUFACTURED HOMES TO HOMES THAT ARE PROBABLY SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE STATE.

>> Mary: I WAS GOING TO SAY, REALLY, ONE OF THE MORE DIVERSE DISTRICTS ON EVERY SCALE, ECONOMICS, HOMES, RACIALLY DIVERSE, YOU'VE GOT A LOT F DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE ALL THAT?

>> I'M EXCITED.

I'M KIND OF -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY I'M AN EXTROVERT BECAUSE I'M NOT, BUT I'M NOT AN INTROVERT, BUT I LOVE THE SOCIAL ASPECT AND I LOVE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.

>> Mary: SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, FROM SCHOOL BOARD, TO WORKING FOR CITY, HOW DOES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE REALLY HELP YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> I HAVE ALSO THAN ABOUT ON TWO BOARDS, APPOINTED BY TWO DIFFERENT GOVERNORS.

AND THE REASON I'M BRINGING THAT UP IS THAT I DEALT WITH A LOT OF POLICY.

I WAS ON THE BOARD OF TEACHING AND ON THE BOARD OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

>> Mary: MUCH HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE RECORD AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY COMING INTO THE CAPITOL, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE YOU GET GOVERNMENT, THE LAYERS THAT THE HOUSE IS BUILT IN THAT DIVERSITY ISN'T COMPARTMENT MENTALLIZED, BUT IT'S KIND OF SYSTEMIC THROUGH THE ENTIRE COMMITTEE APPROACH.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF HOW DIVERSITY'S BEING HANDLED IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, IT'S A VISUAL, IT CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND IT.

AND ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA'S DONE A LOT OF GROWTH, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE MORE NATURAL OR OKAY TO HAVE.

SO, I THINK WITH THAT AND WITH MAKING POLICIES, AND KEEPING THE VIEW OF, LIKE, EQUITY WITH ALL OUR DIVISIONS, WE'LL BE OKAY.

AND WHEN I SAY THAT, I'M NOT JUST TALKING EDUCATION, I'M TALKING ENVIRONMENTAL OR, YOU KNOW, JUST SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

EVERY DECISION, IF IT'S MADE THROUGH THE VIEW OF, LIKE, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, WE'LL BE OKAY.

>> Mary: OUR FINAL FRESHMAN BEAT OUT THE LONGEST-SERVING DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER TO FLIP A DISTRICT IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

SHE SAYS HER BACKGROUND IN THE CRISIS IN LONG-TERM CARE MOTIVATED HER TO RUN.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> YOU KNOW, I SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AS A NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR WITH MY HANDS ON THE GLASS HOLDING THE HANDS OF DYING RESIDENTS.

AND I THOUGHT, WE SPENT -- I SPENT DECADES TRYING TO SET UP PERSON-CENTERED CARE FOR SENIORS AND I THOUGHT, THIS IS NOT PERSON-CENTERED CARE WHEN THEY'RE DYING ALONE.

AND HAVING HAD BREAST CANCER AND EIGHT SURGERIES AND I'M FINE NOW, I THOUGHT I HAD MY MOM WITH ME AND MY KIDS AND MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND THESE WOMEN ARE HAVE ALL BEEN ALONE.

>> Mary: THIS WAS NOT AN EASY RACE.

HOW CLOSE WAS IT IN THE VERY END?

>> 33 VOTES.

TO THE POINT EVERY VOTE COUNTS, IT TRULY IS.

>> Mary: AND THAT WAS THROUGH A RECOUNT.

SO YOU HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT AS WELL.

>> YES.

IT AS 35 VOTES N THE NIGHT OF LEA EX-- ON THE NIGHT OF ELECTION, IT CHANGED TWO, IT WAS NET 33.

SO IT JUST SHOWED EVERYBODY THAT THE PROCESS WAS VERY TRANSPARENT AND WORKED.

>> LET'S MAKE THE FUTURE HAPPEN.

FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: YOU HAD A HARD RACE IN HE REMEMBERS IT OF TAKING ON A WELL-KNOWN INCUMBENT, ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEGISLATURE, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

46 YEARS.

SO, IT WAS 46-YEAR INCUMBENT.

VERY HARD TO BEAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS DOOR KNOCKING, I KNEW THAT.

I KNEW IT WASN'T GOING TO BE AN EASY THING.

I JUST KEPT AT IT.

STAYING FOCUSED.

I DIDN'T PERSONALIZE IT.

LOOK, I LIKE THE INCUMBENT TOO.

IT IS ABOUT WHAT DO WE NEED FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS?

AND YEARS TO COME.

AND I THINK AT THIS POINT IT'S GREAT TO BE A LIFE-LONG VOLUNTEER BUT I SIGNED UP SAYING, LOOK, I WILL SELF-RETIRE IN TEN.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO SERVE, AND I THINK AT OME POINT, WE LOSE OUR RELEVANCY BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES AND IT DOESN'T INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO GET ACTIVE.

>> Mary: YOU TALKED ABOUT NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATION.

I KNOW T'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CRISES IN EMPLOYMENT THAT WE HAVE STATEWIDE.

TALK TO US ABOUT FIRSTHAND WHAT YOU'VE SEEN AND THE DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING AND RETAINING, PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

>> WE'VE ALWAYS STRUGGLED TO HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, BUT I THINK THE PANDEMIC JUST HEIGHTENED AN ALREADY EXISTING ISSUE IN MINNESOTA.

AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE, IT BECAME A SITUATION OF VACCINATE AND UNVACCINATED AND FEELING DEFEATED, GETTING FINING GETTING DEFICIENCIES.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST MADE A LOT OF THE AIDES AND NURSES SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO GO MAKE A LIVING SOMEWHERE ELSE, I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.

>> Mary: WHAT LEGISLATION CAN HELP IMPROVE EXAMINE SAVE THE INDUSTRY?

>> I FEEL IT'S TWO-PRONGED DEAL.

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH REIMBURSEMENT, NURSING HOMES GET REIMBURSED MONTHS, YEARS AFTER.

WE PROVIDE THE CARE.

ASSISTED LIVINGS, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE RATE IS VERY LOW, AS IS NURSING HOMES.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THE REGULATORY PROCESS ISN'T ALWAYS A COMMON-SENSE PROCESS.

WHAT REGULATIONS ARE WE GOING TO HOLD AS A STANDARD.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE DYING ALONE EVER IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I REW UP ON A FARM WHERE WE TREAT CATTLE BETTER THAN THAT.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, AT THE END OF OUR LIFE, WE HAVE THE BEST CARE FOR OUR SENIORS.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTHCARE JOURNEY, I BELIEVE YOU WROTE A BOOK ABOUT IT.

>> I DID.

I ROTE ABOUT T. YOU KNOW, SEPSIS IS WHAT ALMOST KILLED ME.

I KNOW THAT ONE IN THREE HOSPITALIZATION DEATHS ARE SEPSIS.

AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS VULNERABLE AT 48 OR A 2-YEAR-OLD OR 20-YEAR-OLD OR SOMEBODY THAT HAS DENTAL WORK OR SURGERY.

HIGH RISK IS FOR ANY AGE.

SO I WROTE A BOOK.

"THE SCARS YOU CAN'T SEE."

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SCARS ARE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAPPENED IN COVID.

>> Mary: WHAT WERE THE TOP ISSUES THAT YOU HEARD FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> YOU KNOW, A STRONG ECONOMY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WANT MINING UP IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, WE'VE GOT THREE SOURCES TO SUPPORT A GREEN PLATFORM, SO TO SAY, THEY DON'T WANT IT HAPPENING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, THEY WANT MINNESOTA TO LEAD THE AY.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO AKE A REASONABLE LIVING SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

CHILD CARE, CREATING BUSINESS, PLATFORM WHERE BUSINESSES WANT TO COME IN, SO WE HAVE A PLATFORM OF A TAX BASE BESIDES JUST PERSONAL HOMEOWNERS, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

I RAN ON THAT AS DID DEMOCRATS, THAT WE WERE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

THEY'RE GOING TO HOLD US TO IT.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT.

GET THAT DONE.

>> Mary: WHEN I WAS TOLD ABOUT YOU, I BELIEVE THE WORDS WERE, SHE'S A OCK STAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HEARING THAT FROM YOUR CAUCUS?

>> YOU KNOW, I HOPE I CAN SERVE -- I'VE BEEN SERVING MY ENTIRE LIFE OF THE THIS IS A NEW WAY TO SERVE AS A LEADER.

I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINNESOTA AN EVEN BRIGHTER STAR.

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

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF IT, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S TPT.ORG/AATC.

THERE YOU CAN WATCH ANY EPISODES, YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUT HOW TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, ALL WEEK LONG.

AGAIN, AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

THERE YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUT HOW TO WATCH THE LEGISLATURE WHEN THEY'RE IN SESSION ON THE PBS STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

HOUSE, SENATE, FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEES, PRESS CONFERENCES, MUCH MORE.

ON THIS PBS STATION.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS 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.

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.