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

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING LATE AND SO HAVE REPORTERS.

- WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT THEY'VE BEEN UP TO BY TALKING TO HOUSE LEADERS AND A CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT.

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.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

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

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

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

WE'RE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE LAWMAKERS JUST WRAPPED UP THE EDUCATION BILL BELOW US.

AND IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY WEEK.

HOUSE AND SENATORS HAVE BEEN SPRINTING, PASSING MAJOR POLICY AND BUDGET BILLS DEALING WITH TOPICS LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, FRONTLINE WORKERS, AND BUSINESSES ALL HIT HARD THE LAST FEW YEARS BY THE PANDEMIC.

WE WILL TALK TO HOUSE LEADERS LIVE IN JUST A MOMENT.

CAPITOL PRESS CORPS COLLEAGUES DANA FERGUSON WILL JOIN ME AND THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER IS FEELING THE PULL BACK TO EDUCATION AND THE CLASSROOM.

BUT FIRST THE POLITICAL WEEK STARTED RIGHT HERE IN THE HOUSE WHEN GOVERNOR TIM WALZ DELIVERED HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> I HAVE THE HONOR TO ANNOUNCE HE ARRIVAL OF THE HONORABLE TIM WALZ.

[ Applause ] >> >> Mary: THE FIRST IN-PERSON STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS IN YEARS KICKED OFF THE LAST MONTH OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THE STATE OUR STATE IS STRONG AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> Mary: BUT A SUNDAY NIGHT SPEECH ONLY FEATURED A PORTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AS ALL OF THE BIGGEST WORK REMAINS.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS FOCUSED ON THE LARGER ISSUES OF THE ENTIRE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THERE'S THE KIND OF MORE NEAR TERM ISSUE OF FRONTLINE WORKER PAY AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

BUT THERE'S THE BIGGER ISSUES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> APPROXIMATELY THE STATE IS COLLECTING 10% MORE MONEY RIGHT NOW THAN WE NEED FROM TAXPAYERS.

WE COULD CUT TAXES 10% ACROSS THE BOARD AND STILL MEET OUR DEMANDS IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: TALKS CONTINUED OVER HERO WORKER PAY AND BUSINESS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

>> EMPLOYERS WHO ARE WAITING FOR US TO TAKE ACTION, WE ARE TAKING THE ACTION TODAY AND SENDING A MESSAGE.

>> IT WOULD GIVE ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS THAT ARE COVERED IN THE BILL $1,500 PAYCHECKS IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

AGAIN, THESE ARE THE, WORKERS THAT KEPT US MOVING FORWARD DURING THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER.

EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> WE SHOULD PASS OUT A CLEAN $2.7 BILLION U.I.

BILL THAT HAS BROAD AGREEMENT.

AND WE SHOULD NOT BE TACKING ON ITEMS THAT SIMPLY DON'T.

THIS DOESN'T HAVE AGREEMENT IN THE SENATE AND IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T HAVE AGREEMENT WITH REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE.

>> BROKEN DOWN ON A ROAD TO HELL THAT'S PAVED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS.

>> THE ROADS IN MINNESOTA ARE PAVED BY MINNESOTA WORKERS.

>> Mary: WITH THE MORE THAN $9 BILLION SURPLUS.

>> I KNOW THIS IS A PRETTY AMBITIOUS AGENDA.

BECAUSE MINNESOTANS ARE AMBITIOUS.

>> Mary: INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND PULL SAFETY ARE ALSO STILL IN PLAY.

>> THIS BILL, REALLY, NUMBER ONE, PROVIDES FUNDING FOR MORE POLICE OFFICERS, BECAUSE MORE GOOD COPS ON THE STREETS RESULTS IN LESS CRIME.

>> THE BILL WILL GET TOUGH ON CRIMINALS ND CERTAIN ASPECTS OF CRIME.

AND THEN THE BILL ALSO INCREASES TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ITSELF.

>> Mary: DESPITE ALL THE AGREEMENT, EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, DISSOLVING INTO PARTISAN DISCORD, THE GOVERNOR REMAINS OPTIMISTIC.

>> IF WE TRAY AND DO THE WORK WE KNOW WE WERE SENT HERE TO DO, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN'T CONQUER.

AND I FEEL HOPEFUL.

>> Mary: JOINING ME NOW FRESH OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR, THEY LITERALLY JUST RAN UP, WE HAVE D.F.L.

MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER AND ASSISTANT MINORITY LEADER, REPUBLICAN ANNE NEU BRINDLEY.

FIRST OF ALL, MR.

MAJORITY, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT UIVES BEEN SO BUSY DOING.

IT'S BEEN A SPRINT THIS WEEK.

AND EDUCATION BILL, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST PASSED.

>> I'M NOT SURE WE'RE EXACTLY FEELING SO FRESH.

WE JUST PASSED A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET BILL FOR EDUCATION FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH K-12.

AND WE ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON HELPING MINNESOTA STUDENTS RECOVER FROM THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC.

HELPING SCHOOLS BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE RANGE OF SERVICES THAT STUDENTS NEEDS FOR THEIR EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT NUMBER OF COUNSELORS.

THERE'S A BIG CHALLENGE FASHIONING MINNESOTA STUDENTS.

>> MIXED BAG FOR REPUBLICANS IS MY ASSESSMENT?

>> THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO PUT IT.

THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN FROM PARENTS RIGHT NOW IS THE LEARNING LOSS THAT TOOK PLACE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

KIDS JUST WEREN'T IN SCHOOL AND THEY SUFFERED FOR IT.

AND THERE REALLY WASN'T ANYTHING IN THE BILL TO REALLY ADDRESS THE LEARNING LOSS THAT TOOK LACE.

PLACE.

ALSO, IT'S CONCERNING THAT WITH OVER A BILLION DOLLARS, THERE WAS NOT A PENNY PUT ON THE FORMULA, THE MONEY THAT GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND WE DIDN'T PUT A PENNY ON THE FORMULA.

SO THERE'S CERTAINLY CONCERNS WITH THE BILL.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THOSE TWO ISSUES AND ADDRESSING EQUITY IN IT AS WELL?

>> WELL, FIRST OF LL, ALL THE MONEY THAT IS IN THE BILL IS GOING UT TO SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE EXTRA NEEDS FOR?

SOME STUDENTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND SPECIAL ED STUDENTS REQUIRE SERVICES.

WE HAVE A MANDATE THAT THEY RECEIVE THEM ND WE NEED TO HELP BACKFILL THOSE MANDATES BY PROVIDING FUNDS TO HELP SCHOOLS -- >> Mary: WHAT ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND THE RASH OF RACIST INCIDENTS TOO IN SCHOOLS.

>> WELL, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT.

I MEAN, WE HAVE ANTI-BULLYING LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL.

WE HAVE A REALLY IN-DEPTH FOCUS ON OUR EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE ON TRYING TO REACH STUDENTS WHO NEED HELP THE MOST.

IT IS NOT AN EASY ISSUE.

THE PANDEMIC EXACERBATED SOME OF OUR WORST ACHIEVEMENT GAPS.

AND IF YOU LOOK ACROSS OUR STATE, LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NOT ONLY IN EDUCATION, BUT IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY, IN ALL OF THOSE AREAS WE NEED TO ADDRESS EQUITY.

>> Mary: AND HOSE ARE ISSUES NOT JUST IN DEMOCRATIC AREAS BUT REPUBLICAN AREAS ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT TOO.

>> THAT'S JUST IT.

THE REAL CONCERN FOR US IS THAT MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO GET ALMOST TWO TO ONE DOLLARS THAN THE REST OF THE STATE.

AND THE REST OF THE STATE IS DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES TOO.

WE HAD LEARNING LOSS AS WELL.

AND TO YOUR POINT, WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS AND YEARS, AND YET THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP DOESN'T CHANGE.

IT'S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER, AND FRANKLY WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED AS A STATE.

>> Mary: THE IN THE, YOU PROBABLY JUST SAW, THAT WAS ONE OF THEIR BIG BILLS THIS WEEK.

AND WE HAD THE REPORT TODAY ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT A PATTERN OF DISCRIMINATION.

>> THE REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS WAS APPALLING.

NOT ONLY THE LANGUAGE USED AND THE ALTITUDES DISPLAYED BUT THE UNEVEN APPLICATION OF THE LAW BASED ON RACE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS PLAGUED OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WE NEED TO STOP IT.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN PASS AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT FIRST OF ALL PUBLIC SAFETY REQUIRES STRONG LEADERSHIP AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ARE ALSO INVESTIGATES THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CAN COME THROUGH WITH A VERY STRONG HAMMER TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE ISSUES SURFACED IN THAT REPORT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT A STATE RESPONSE?

THE SENATE'S KIND OF GETTING TOUGH ON CRIME, BUT WHAT ABOUT DEALING WITH SOME OF THE EQUITY ISSUES?

>> AND I AGREE HERE A LITTLE BIT.

THE REPORT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THIS LANDS AT THE FEET OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE SEEN DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION AFTER ADMINISTRATION AFTER ADMINISTRATION IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

AND CLEARLY THEY'VE KNOWN ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND THEY HAVE NOT CLEANED UP THEIR ACT.

AND SO THAT REALLY DOES NEED TO HAPPEN.

WITH THESE LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS.

>> Mary: AND DO WE NEED TO DO FULL DISCLOSURE ON THE JOB YOU'RE SEEKING.

>> SURE, I'D BE HAPPY TO.

I'M SEEKING TO BRING STRONGER LEADERSHIP TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

>> Mary: OKAY, WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF TAXES?

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS DO WANT TO CUT TAXES.

YOU'RE NOT LOVING THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN SO FAR, ARE YOU?

>> WELL, I HAVE NEVER BEEN A CHAMPION OF TAX CUTS AS A TOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

THE SCHOOLS AND THE KIDS WHEN HAVE THE HARDEST TIME PASSING PROPERTY TAX LEVIES ARE THE ONES WHOSE SCHOOLS SUFFER THE MOST AND THAT REQUIRES STATE RESOURCES.

SO WE ARE FOCUSED ON BRINGING RELIEF IN A TARGETED BASIS TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HARDEST HIT.

WE ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE AS OUR U.I.

BILL THIS WEEK HAS SHOWN.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS PEOPLE WHO NEED THE HELP ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD GET THE HELP, NOT PEOPLE AT THE TOP OR THE BIG CORPORATIONS.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S REBATE CHECKS ARE POPULAR.

POLLS ARE SHOWING THAT.

>> SURE, AND I THINK MINNESOTANS REALLY ARE LOOKING FOR LONG-TERM TAX RELIEF.

WHEN WE TALK TO OUR NEIGHBORS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PRICE OF GAS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT IT'S COSTING TO HEAT OUR HOMES AND BUY A GALLON OF MILK.

INFLATION IS HURTING MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

AND THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT, TO FIX THAT, IS THROUGH LONG-TERM TAX RELIEF.

FAMILIES DESERVE TO HAVE THAT MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS, NOT JUST ONE TIME, BUT MONTH AFTER MONTH, PAYCHECK AFTER PAYCHECK.

>> Mary: IS THERE ENOUGH TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING?

I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE THIRD, THIRD, THIRD PLAN WHEN THE GOVERNOR -- >> THAT WAS A TERRIBLE OUTCOME, BY THE WAY.

WE HAD A DECADE OF DEFICITS AFTER THAT A THIRD, A THIRD, A THIRD PLAN.

>> Mary: SO THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> NO.

>> Mary: BUT IS THERE ENOUGH FOR A MIX OF PERMANENT ONE-TIME AND SOME OF THE -- >> WE CAN DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR MINNESOTANS IN THIS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET IF WE DECIDE TO DO IT.

IF WE CAN COOPERATION FROM SENATE EPUBLICANS, THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT THINGS WE CAN DO FOR THE STATE.

I'M HOPING WE CAN LIMIT THE SCALE OF ONGOING TAX CUTS.

I KNOW YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT ONGOING SPENDING COMMITMENTS AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY THAT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF MINNESOTA NOW WITHOUT CREATING DEFICITS IN THE FUTURE.

>> Mary: DO REPUBLICANS WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE ELECTION?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT GIVING DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS VICTORIES.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING POLICY THAT WORKS FOR MINNESOTANS.

AND RIGHT NOW, FINANCIALLY, MINNESOTANS ARE HURTING.

AND WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETS.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A WALZ CHECK.

>> Mary: OKAY, LAST ISSUE, IT WAS JUST IN THE PIECE AND YOU MENTIONED MENTIONED IT.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEAL IN THE WORKS WORKS WITH THE CLOCK TICKING ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND FRONTLINE WORKER BENEFIT DAY.

>> COUPLING PAI.

OF COUPLING PAYMENTS OR FRONTLINE HEROES WITH U.I.

REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES AND A FIX FOR SCHOOL HOURLY WORKERS IS AN OBVIOUS WAY FOR US TO ADDRESS A LOT OF NEEDS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S TAKEN SO LONG TO GET TO THIS POINT.

>> Mary: THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

>> I KNOW WHY IT'S TAKEN SO LONG.

OUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES UST HELD IT UP, RIGHT?

THEY WOULD NOT BRING U.I.

TO THE FLOOR.

AND I'M GLAD O SEE THAT WE'VE MADE A LOT OF MOVEMENT -- >> BUT WHEN WE DID, YOU VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> I DID NOT VOTE AGAINST THE U.I., TO BE CLEAR.

THERE WAS LOTS OF OTHER STUFF IN THE BILL THAT WAS PROBLEMATIC.

>> WHY TIE THE WORKER PAY?

>> BECAUSE WE KNOW REPUBLICANS WANT TO DO U.I., AND WHEN WE'RE ASKING TO DO SOMETHING BETTER FOR WORKERS, WE NEED THEIR CORPORATION, SO IT'S A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKERS ARE NOT LEFT OUT OF THE EQUATION.

>> Mary: IS THIS THE REALITY, BUNDLING GETS IT DONE?

>> I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BECAUSE WE SHOULDN'T BE FOCUSING ON THIS HORSE TRADING FOR EVERYTHING WE DO.

WE SHOULD BE OCUSING ON DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR MINNESOTA.

THE U.I.

PROGRAM WORKED EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD HAVE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND IT PROVIDED THAT SAFETY NET FOR MINNESOTA WORKERS.

>> SO YOU AGREE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS AND VOTE ON THAT AS A STAND-ALONE -- >> I ACTUALLY WOULD SUPPORT THE FRONTLINE WORKERS.

NOW, THERE ARE PLENTY OF PROBLEMS -- >> Mary: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[ Laughter ] THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME AGREEMENT.

MAYBE THIS WILL GET DONE, HUH?

[ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ >> Mary: OKAY, JOINING ME NOW, HALFWAY THROUGH A REALLY BUSY WEEK, DANA FERGUSON.

>> WE'RE ONLY HALFWAY THERE?

>> Mary: ISN'T IT UNBELIEVABLE.

FUHRMAN NEWS SERVICE.

FORUM NEWS SERVICE.

IT HAS BEEN KIND OF A SURREAL FEW DAYS HERE.

THIS FEELS LIKE END OF SESSION, DOESN'T IT?

>> IT REALLY OES.

WE'VE SEEN BACK ROOM NEGOTIATIONS.

WE HAD A STATE OF THE STATE WITH REQUESTS FOR A LOT OF COMPROMISE IN THIS BUILDING AND LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF MOVEMENT AROUND WHAT IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPROMISES COMING UP IN U.I.

AND WORKER PAY.

>> Mary: THAT WAS HUGE, WASN'T IT, WHEN THE HOUSE DECIDED ONE EVENING TO TAKE UP THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THAT THEY'RE STILL TYING TO WORKERS.

AND THERE IS A DEADLINE LOOMING.

>> THERE IS A DEADLINE.

AND I THINK FOLKS IN THIS BUILDING ARE REALLY STARTING TO HEAR THAT DRUM BEAT FROM BUSINESS OWNERS AROUND THE STATE THAT THIS HAS BEEN REAL FOR THEM, THAT THEY'VE BEEN PAYING THESE TAXES AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER TO GET THAT MONEY BACK BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PLANNING FOR THIS.

THEY WERE HOPING THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED MONTHS AGO AND HERE WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT ON THE EVE OF APRIL 30TH.

>> Mary: AND DOES IT FEEL LIKE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND EVEN ON THE FLOOR HERE, THEY ARE INCHING TOWARDS COMPLETION?

>> I THINK SO.

THEY'RE MEETING MORE OFTEN BETWEEN THE TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR.

THEY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A FALLING OUT LAST WEEK WHEN THE GOVERNOR CAME OUT AND SAID IT WAS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT THIS VERY EASY EAL HAD NOT YET BEEN DONE.

AND NOW WE HEAR HOPEFUL MESSAGES FROM BOTH SIDES THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE COMING INTO THIS CONVERSATION WITH, BUT SOMETHING IS POSSIBLE HERE.

AND THEY'RE OPEFUL THAT SATURDAY MIGHT BE A TARGET FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH IT.

>> Mary: I WAS THINKING ABOUT HOW TO DEPICT THIS TIME IN SESSION, AND IT'S NOT THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

THIS FEELS LIKE THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM.

BECAUSE RIGHT AFTER THEY PASS ALL OF THEIR BILLS, THEN THINGS KIND OF SLOW DOWN, DON'T THEY?

>> THEY DO.

AND IT'S SORT OF A STORM, CALM, STORM SITUATION.

IF YOU WILL?

BECAUSE WE SEE THESE HUGE PIECES OF POLICY AND SPENDING COME THROUGH THE CAPITOL.

AND THEN THEY'LL GO INTO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

THEY'LL HAMMER OUT THE DIFFERENCES.

AND WE'LL SEE THIS AGAIN.

THE FLOORS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF THESE ARE THINGS THEY CAN AGREE TO.

INEVITABLY THERE'LL BE A LOT OF DEBATE BECAUSE IT'S DIVIDED GOVERNMENT AND SOMEWHERE IN MAY, MAYBE, WE'LL BE FINISHED, AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT WE HAVE AT THAT POINT.

>> Mary: I THINK MAYBE IS AN IMPORTANT WORD.

I LIKE TO REMIND FOLKS ALL THE TIME.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

MAYBE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE THEY NEED TO ACT ON, BUT IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET'S ALREADY BALANCED.

IT'S ALREADY SOLVED.

THIS IS JUST GRAVY, RIGHT, THE 9 BILLION AND IS THE INCENTIVE THERE TO DO SOMETHING?

>> N THIS ISSUE, I THINK THAT THERE IS.

ON THE OTHERS, IT'S HARD TO TELL.

WE'RE SEEING THAT ACTION RIGHT NOW.

FOLKS WANT TO GET THEIR OWN BILLS OFF ON OF ON THE FLOOR AND INTO CONFERENCE, BUT ONCE THEY GET THERE, WE SEE VERY DIFFERENT PRIORITIES COMING FORWARD, AND SO IF THEY CAN AGREE ON ANY OF THOSE IN THE VERY DIVIDED CAPITOL IS IN QUESTION.

IT IS A MAYBE.

AND AS YOU SAID, THERE'S NO REAL DEADLINE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THIS MONEY.

AND SO WE COULD HAVE A REAL WASH OF A SESSION, AND THERE'S NOT A HUGE REPERCUSSION FOR IT.

>> Mary: AND IT COULD BE A TAKE IT TO THE ELECTION, AS WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, THERE IS A TON OF VERY IMPORTANT INFLUENTIAL LAWMAKERS LEAVING.

REPUBLICANS ARE FEELING GREAT IN THE MIDTERM.

THERE'S GREAT CHANGE AFOOT HERE.

>> MASSIVE CHANGE.

WE'RE SEEING DOZENS OF LAWMAKERS WHO HAVE BEEN JUST REALLY KEY FIGURES IN THIS CAPITOL LEAVING.

EITHER BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING OR FOR OTHER REASONS.

AND IT'LL BE A REALLY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT COMING INTO 2023, AND IF THERE IS A TON OF SURPLUS MONEY ON THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THEM TO USE, THAT'S AN EXCITING THING FOR EITHER PARTY TO TALK ABOUT AS THEY'RE TRYING TO GET VOTERS TO SUPPORT THEM AND BE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO.

>> Mary: AND CHANGING POLITICS IN THE NORTHLAND, IN RURAL MINNESOTA, WITH A TOMASSONI AND A BAKK LEAVING AND REPUBLICANS PICKING UP STEAM IN THE RANGE, AREN'T THEY?

>> THEY EEM TO BE.

THESE ARE TWO EXTREMELY WELL KNOWN NAMES WHO HAVE BEEN REPRESENTING THAT REGION FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

ARE SO WELL KNOWN.

NOT JUST AS THEIR POLITICAL PARTY, BUT AS THE PEOPLE THEY ARE INDIVIDUALLY.

AND SO THAT LOSS WILL BE A REALLY DIFFICULT ONE FOR EITHER PARTY TO REPLACE.

BUT INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> Mary: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DANA.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> BSOLUTELY, THANK YOU.

>> Mary: UP NEXT, THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER IS D.F.L.

STATE SENATOR KENT EKEN.

HE WAS A TEACHER BEFORE HE CAME TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND NOW HE FEELS THE CALL TO THE CLASSROOM -- THE CLASSROOM CALLING HIM BACK.

SENATOR EKEN, THE QUESTION WE START WITH EVERYBODY, WHY NOW, WHY ARE YOU RETIRING?

>> FOR ME, IT'S BEEN A LONG CAREER NOW.

I'VE SPENT 20 YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE, 10 YEARS IN THE HOUSE AND NOW MY 0TH 10 YEAR IN THE SENATE.

I JUST FELT THIS WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO DO IT.

REDISTRICTING KIND OF SPARKED THE DISCUSSION IN IT BECAUSE WITH THE REDISTRICTING, I MOVED FROM MY HOMETOWN OF TWIN VALLEY, AND IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE DISTRICT.

>> Mary: WHAT THE COMPLEXITY OF YOUR DISTRICT.

IT'S BEEN CHANGING.

YOU'VE BEEN SWIMMING UPSTREAM AS A DEMOCRAT?

>> IT IS A TRUMP DISTRICT.

SO YEAH, I'D SAY IT LEANS REPUBLICAN, ALTHOUGH I REPRESENTATIVE MOORHEAD AS WELL AND MOORHEAD HAS BEEN ACTUALLY TURNING MORE BLUE, BECOMING MORE DEMOCRAT OVER THE YEARS.

MOORHEAD IS HALF OF THE DISTRICT FOR ME, THAT KIND OF BALANCES IT OUT.

I'D SAY THAT IT WAS A SWING DESCRIEGHT.

AND I KNEW IT WAS -- >> YOU WERE TARGETED LAST TIME TOO.

YOU BEAT AN NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND THAT WAS A CHALLENGING RACE.

I PLAYED UP MY OWN FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE IN THAT CAMPAIGN.

I PLAYED FOUR SEASONS FOR THE TWIN VALLEY TIGERS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

SO I PLAYED THAT UP SOME.

BUT I'VE BEEN THROUGH FOUR TARGETED RACES TOTAL NOW.

TWO TARGETED RACES IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SENATE.

THEY ARE VERY CHALLENGING.

I ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO IT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I WANT TO GO BACK INTO TEACHING AND EDUCATION.

WHETHER YOU LIKE POLITICS OR NOT -- HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND SO IT BEHOOVES S CALL TO BE ENGAGED TO A CERTAIN DREEL.

DEGREE.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW CAMPAIGNS HAVE BECOME MORE NEGATIVE AND UGLIER NOW.

AND THAT THAT'S DISC COURAGING A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE FROM GOING INTO POLITICS.

>> Mary: I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED YOUR HOUSE CAMPAIGNS BECAUSE IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, YOU WERE DRAWN IN THE SAME DISTRICT AS PAUL MARQUART BACK IN THE AY, AND HE IS NOW IS A ALSO RETIRING.

AND BOTH OF YOU I THINK HAVE A SIMILAR REPUTATION AS BEING VERY MODERATE, VERY BIPARTISAN.

KIND OF A GET HER DONE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO LOSE BOTH OF YOU IN THE SAME CYCLE?

>> IT TAKES PARTNERSHIPS AND TEAM WORK TO GET THINGS DONE AND BIPARTISANSHIP.

AND YEAH, YOU MENTIONED, MARY, YOU KNOW, PAUL'S BEEN A VERY BIPARTISAN LEGISLATOR, AS HAVE I.

WE FOLLOW KIND OF THE SAME FORMAT OF TRYING TO FIND THAT COMMON GROUND.

IT'S SO CRITICAL TOMORROW A DEMOCRACY TO WORK.

AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLARIZATION THAT'S HAPPENING.

>> Mary: WHEN I THINK OF YOU, I THINK OF A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT YOU'VE REALLY LED ON, AGRICULTURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ERE IN THE HOUSE AND AGING.

>> WELL, THOSE ARE TWO OF THEM.

EDUCATION IS ALSO ANOTHER PASSION OF MINE.

OF COURSE, AS I SAID, I'M A TEACHER.

>> Mary: I THINK EVERY LAWMAKER MAY SAY EDUCATION, BUT WHAT I SEE AS UNIQUE WITH YOU IS HOW MUCH YOU'VE LED ON ISSUES THAT MAYBE NOT EVERYONE CHAMPIONS LIKE AGRICULTURE.

AND AGING AND SENIOR CARE.

YOUR VOICE HAS STOOD OUT ON THAT >>.

>> AND I HAVE A SPECIAL PASSION FOR LONG-TERM CARE IN PARTICULAR AND MAKING SURE THAT THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN OUR STATE GET THE QUALITY CARE THAT THEY NEED AND DESERVE.

ONE THING THAT I'VE BEEN PUSHING MY WHOLE -- ALMOST MY WHOLE CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE IS I THINK WE EED TO HAVE DEDICATED FUNDING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS, WHICH IS N CONSTITUTION.

>> Mary: MIGHT YOU GIVE THAT AS A RETIREMENT PRESENT?

HAVE YOU TRIED THAT ANGLE?

>> WELL, I SHOULD TRY.

NOW THAT I'VE ANNOUNCED -- I'LL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO TRY TO GET THAT PASSED.

>> >> Mary: HOW ABOUT A FRIENDSHIP?

EVERY INTERVIEW I'VE DONE, A LAWMAKER HAS REVEALED A BIPARTISAN FRIENDSHIP THAT MAYBE NOT EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT.

>> I WOULD PROBABLY SAY MARK JOHNSON, SENATOR JOHNSTON.

HE AND I HAVE BEEN GOOD FRIENDS SINCE HE WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT HE'S ONE THAT TRIES TO SEEK THAT COMMON GROUND.

ALSO OTHERS, I'VE DEVELOPED GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH.

AND I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.

YOU NEED TO GET TO KNOW THESE OTHER SENATORS, THESE OTHER MEMBERS, AS PEOPLE, AS HUMAN BEINGS.

ONCE YOU DO THAT, IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER TO FIND COMMON GROUND.

>> Mary: WHAT'S YOUR DVICE FOR WHOEVER FOLLOWS YOU?

>> LISTEN.

I THINK THAT'S HE BEST ADVICE MY FATHER GAVE ME.

MY FATHER ACTUALLY HAD SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE MANY YEARS AGO.

AND I THINK THE BEST ADVICE HE GAVE TO ME WAS TO LISTEN, YOU KNOW, TO LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE.

DON'T BE QUICK TO JUDGE.

HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

AND I THINK THAT ALSO SHARPENS YOUR SKILLS AS A LEGISLATOR IF YOU'RE LISTENING TO THOSE WHO MAY DISAGREE.

YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING AND IT MIGHT ACTUALLY CHANGE YOUR MIND ON SOME THINGS TOO, WHICH ISN'T A BAD THING.

II MEAN, TO EVOLVE AND CHANGE, THAT'S A SIGN OF GROWTH.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: THAT'’S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

HOPEFULLY SENATE LEADERS WILL BE JOINING US.

UNTIL THEN, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN - SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

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

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH COMMISSIONER JAN MALCOLM ABOUT THE LATEST RISE IN COVID.

AND I'LL TALK ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE WITH AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

KAOMI LEE VISITS WITH UKRAINIAN IMMIGRANTS IN BEMIDJI.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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