DEBATE NIGHT 2022.

YOUR MODERATOR TONIGHT IS BETHANY WESLEY.

NOW THE SENATE DISTRICT 5 DEBATE.

>> BETHANY: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US LIVE AT THE LAKELAND PBS STUDIO IN BEMIDJI FOR DEBATE NIGHT 2022.

I'M BETHANY WESLEY, YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT AND TOMORROW.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXCITING NIGHT OF TOPICS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITIES.

STEVE BANNON WE HAVE SENATOR PAUL UTKE AND JOHN PETERS.

MODERATORS ARE DENNIS WEIMANN.

HEIDI HOLTAN, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AFFILIATE KAXE, NEWS DIRECTOR AND SHANNON GEISEN, PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE EDITOR.

RULES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE.

OPENING COMMENTS, EACH CAN BAIT WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING COMMENTS.

THE PANEL WILL HAVE THEIR OWN QUESTIONS.

SOME MAY BE THEIR OWN.

THEY WILL ROTATE THE ORDER THEY SPEAK BEGINNING WITH OPENING COMMENTS AND FINISHING WITH CLOSING COMMENTS.

EACH CANDIDATE GETS TWO MINUTES FOR EACH QUESTION.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL ALSO HAVE A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL OPPORTUNITY.

CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF USING ONE MINUTE OF BONUS TIME TO ADD TO ONE OF THEIR ANSWERS TONIGHT.

THIS CAN BE USED DURING THE ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION OR DURING THE REBUTTAL, BUT CAN ONLY BE USED ONCE.

QUESTIONS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE ARE ABOUT 50 MINUTES INTO THE DEBATE AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO CLOSING COMMENTS.

CLOSING COMMENTS ARE TWO MINUTES.

WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WITH OPENING COMMENTS.

PAUL, YOU ARE FIRST.

>> THANK YOU.

I WILL JUST INTRODUCE MYSELF A LITTLE BIT TO OUR VIEWERS TONIGHT.

I AM PAUL UTKE.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED IN PARK RAPIDS FOR THE LAST 29 YEARS.

WE HAVE TWO ADULT DAUGHTERS, ONE LIVING IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA AND THE OTHER IN ATLANTA.

A LITTLE OF MY HISTORY IS I'M ORIGINALLY FROM NORTH DAKOTA, GREW UP THERE SOUTHWEST OF FARGO.

MY WORK CAREER IS CONSISTED OF 15 YEARS WITH MAC TRUCK DEALERS, 16 YEARS OWNED AND OPERATED A RETAIL HARDWARE AND EQUIPMENT STORE IN PARK RAPIDS.

SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

BEEN A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT FOR 12 YEARS AND CERTIFIED LEGAL VIDEOGRAPHER FOR 15 YEARS.

MY GOVERNMENT CAREER AS FAR AS BEING IN THE ELECTED OFFICES CONSISTS OF 7 YEARS WITH THE PARK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL AND NOW 6 YEARS SERVING IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE CURRENTLY I CHAIR THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.

I ALSO SERVE ON OUR HUMAN SERVICES REFORM COMMITTEE.

OUR ENERGY AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ALONG WITH OUR JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

I'M PROUD OF WHAT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE FOR MINNESOTA THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, AND I HAVE BEEN HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE AMONGST THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR CAUCUS.

WE HAVE SHOWN WITH OUR VOTES THAT WE SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY, SCHOOL CHOICE.

WE SUPPORT TAX RELIEF FOR ALL MINNESOTA ANSWER, AND WE SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE IN NEED, AND THERE'S OF COURSE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO AND THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR ANOTHER TERM AND ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

WHEN WE FINISH THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS PAST SPRING, WE HAD A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WHICH WE DID PASS OFF THE SENATE FLOOR BUT OF COURSE AS WE ALL KNOW, NOT A LOT OF THEM MADE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE WHEN THEY HIT THE HOUSE.

THAT AGAIN LEAVES THEM A LOT OF WORK TO DO AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEXT SESSION.

PRIORITIES REMAIN THE SAFETY.

PUBLIC SAFETY, ECONOMY, STATE SURPLUS, AND WE HAVE GOT SOME EDUCATION ISSUES THAT ARE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST, AND THEN OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT OUR LONG-TERM CARE PROVIDERS, DISABILITY PROVIDERS, PCA'S, ET CETERA HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WITH THE COVID.

WITH THAT, I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE REST OF THE EVENING BRINGS FORWARD.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN, OPENING STATEMENT?

>> I'M JOHN PETERS.

I LIVE IN BROWERVILLE, MINNESOTA AND RUN A BUSINESS IN LONG PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA.

I RETIRED TWICE AND CAN'T HANDLE RETIREMENT AT ALL.

I DON'T THINK MY WIFE CAN HANDLE ME BEING RETIRED EITHER.

BUT I GREW UP IN SHELBY, IOWA, TOWN OF 233 PEOPLE.

MY FOLKS RAN A GROCERY STORE IN TOWN.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I MOWED LAWNS SHELLED CORNS, WEEDED BEANS, DELIVERED HAY AND DELIVERED GROCERIES FOR MY PARENTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I BELIEVED IN THAT I WAS TAUGHT GROWING UP IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT I DID, YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ETHIC OF HARD WORK, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER.

MY PARENTS, WHEN THEY RAN THE GROCERY STORE, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FARMING SEASON, THEY WOULD LET THE FARMERS PAY CREDIT ALL THE WAY THROUGH HARVEST AND DID NOT CHARGE A SINGLE EXTRA CENT.

THAT'S PUTTING THE FARMERS AHEAD.

ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN THE FARMERS PAID THEY GAVE EACH OF THE KIDS A FULL SIZED CANDY BAR, AND BACK THEN A FULL SIZED CANDY BAR WAS FULL SIZE.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WE BELIEVE INPUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

MY PARENTS GAVE THE CHRISTMAS TREE TO EACH OF THE CHURCHES AND GAVE THE CANDY AND FRUIT TO THE CHURCHES.

THAT'S PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE IN.

SO AFTER I WENT TO SCHOOL, I MANAGED TO GO TO COLLEGE.

BASICALLY I WAS NOT A GREAT COLLEGE STUDENT BECAUSE I WAS VERY IMMATURE AT THE TIME AND MAJORED IN BEER, GIRLS AND FOOTBALL, NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER.

AS I GREW OLDER, I FOUND OUT YOU REALLY NEED TO BUCKLE DOWN AND CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

I MANAGED TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE WITH A DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS WITH MINORS IN PHILOSOPHY, COACHING AND PHYSICS.

SO I HAVE THAT TYPE OF BACKGROUND.

WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I WAS ALSO AN INTERN FOR THE MOON LANDING ON THERE.

I BASICALLY DIDN'T DO VERY MUCH OTHER THAN BRING THE FOOD TO THE PROGRAMMERS, BUT STILL GOT TO BE WITH THAT, AND THEN AS WE GO ALONG, I HAVE BEEN AN EDUCATOR IN BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE.

I HAVE BEEN A SCIENTIST.

I HAVE BEEN A MATHEMATICIAN AND I WORKED THROUGH THAT.

DURING THE NEXT TIME I'M GOING TO BE WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE AND ALSO AS PAUL SAID THERE ARE THINGS THAT DIDN'T GET ACROSS THE LINE, AND OURS WOULD SAY IT'S THE SENATE THAT STOPPED IT COMPARED TO WHAT HE SAID AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

WE WANT TO GET STUFF ACROSS THE GOAL LINE, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN THIS DISTRICT.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE IN FROM THE QUESTION FROM THE PASSAGIST.

THE FIRST QUESTION WILL COME FROM DENNIS WEIMANN.

JOHN, YOU WILL HAVE THE FIRST ANSWER.

>> Dennis: THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US AGAIN THIS EVENING.

GOOD SERVICE TO HEAR FROM BOTH CANDIDATES IN A FORUM LIKE THIS.

MY QUESTION IS IN REGARDS TO THE BUDGET SURPLUS, ANOTHER LARGE BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON?

AND CAN YOU BE SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE AND DO YOU CONSIDER OUR STATE INCOME TAX RATE TOO HIGH?

>> THE INCOME TAX RATE IS TOO HIGH FOR PEOPLE EARNING LESS THAN $400,000 A YEAR.

IT IS TOO LOW FOR PEOPLE THAT EARN MORE THAN $400,000 A YEAR AND FOR CORPORATIONS.

THERE'S THIS MYTH OUT THERE ON THAT THAT IF WE RAISE OUR TAXES, CORPORATIONS GO AWAY.

ME BEING A SCIENTIST, I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS, AND SAME GO IN AS GO OUT ANY GIVEN YEAR.

AS FAR AS THE BUDGET SURPLUS, WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION, FIRST OF ALL.

WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE HAVE COUNSELORS AND THAT WE HAVE FOR BOTH PSYCH LONG CAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH CONS LEGISLATORS IN OUR HIGH SCHOOL.

THE SECOND THING IS THE MONEY WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE BROADBAND AS PART OF THE TODD COUNTY BROADBAND COALITION, WE ARE TRYING TO BRING FIBER TO EVERY HOME IN TODD COUNTY.

WE NEED TO GET BROADBAND OUT TO THERE SO WE CAN REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS.

SO THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING TO BE SEEING THE TOP TWO THINGS ON HERE.

PAUL MENTIONED THE FACT THAT OUR NURSING HOMES -- MY WIFE IS A NURSE AT A NURSING HOME.

THEY LOST ABOUT HALF OF THEIR PEOPLE TO COVID ON THERE, AND THE NURSES ARE BURNT OUT.

THE NURSES ARE BURNT OUT.

WE NEED TO HELP THEM GET TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO.

THE LAST THING, OUR FARMERS HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST SUICIDE RATES OF ANY INDUSTRY, AND WE NEED TO WORK TO GET ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN, PAUL?

>> I WILL TAKE THE TWO ITEMS IN ORDER HERE.

THE SURPLUS, WE HAD A LOT OF DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS ON THAT THIS LAST YEAR.

WE STILL ANTICIPATE HAVING A SIZEABLE SURPLUS, AND THE ONE THING WE ALL DISCUSSED IS WHAT THIS LAST 6 MONTHS HAVE DONE AS FAR AS WITH THE INFLATION AND ECONOMY, THE WAY IT'S GOING.

ALTHOUGH THE REVENUE COLLECTIONS SEEM TO BE HOLDING STRONG.

SO WE DO ANTICIPATE, I GUESS, FROM WHAT I SEE, I GUESS I WOULD ANTICIPATE HAVING A SIZEABLE SURPLUS WHEN WE GET BACK.

NO.

1 IS TAX RELIEF.

WE HAVE GOT TO REDUCE OUR OVERALL TAX RATES.

WITH THAT, YOU ASKED IS OUR INCOME TAX TOO HIGH?

YES.

OUR LOWEST RATE IS 5.35, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN A LOT OF THE STATES' HIGHEST RATE.

OF COURSE WE GO UP ALMOST JUST UNDER 10, 9.85, I BELIEVE, AT OUR HIGHEST RATE.

WE ARE OVER TAXED.

WE CAN DO BETTER, AND WE LOOK TO REDUCE THAT.

>> Bethany: JOHN, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A ONE-MINUTE REBUTTAL.

>> YEAH, I DO.

WHAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TAX RATES IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT COMES OUT OF YOUR POCKETS.

WHAT I AM SAYING HERE IS I HAVE LIVED IN STATES THAT HAD A LOT LOWER TAX RATES, IOWA, NEBRASKA, BUT THEY HAVE HIGHER PROPERTY TAX RATES.

FOR US IN RURAL MINNESOTA, PROPERTY TAX HURTS MORE THAN INCOME TAX.

SO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BALANCE THAT OUT.

WE HAVE TO LOWER OUR PROPERTY TAX, AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS KEEP OUR TAX RATE ABOUT WHERE IT'S AT SO WE CAN NOT FORCE THE TOWNSHIPS TO GO IN DEBT EVERY YEAR.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> I GUESS I WOULD FOLLOW UP WITH THE FACT THAT I STILL BELIEVE WE ARE TAXED TOO MUCH.

I LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE SPENDING AT A STATE LEVEL JUST SHORT OF $52 BILLION FOR THE LAST BIENNIUM.

WE ARE SPENDING PLENTY OF MONEY.

WE ARE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY.

WE HAVE GOT A WAY WE CAN COVER ALL OUR OBLIGATIONS AND THEN SOME WITH WHAT WE HAVE GOT.

WE JUST NEED TO SPEND SMARTER, SO TO SPEAK, AND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTROL OUR TAX RATES AND STILL TAKE CARE OF ALL OF OUR OBLIGATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR SECOND QUESTION.

OUR NEXT QUESTION WILL COME FROM HEIDI HOLTAN.

PAUL, YOU WILL HAVE THE FIRST ANSWER.

>> THANKS, LAKELAND FOR INCLUDING ME IN TONIGHT'S PROCEEDINGS.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED THAT ECT COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS THIS YEAR HAVE HIT THE LOWEST POINT IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS, EVIDENCE OF THE LEARNING DISRUPTION, GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY DO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN YOUR REGION NEED?

>> Bethany: PAUL, YOU WILL BE FIRST.

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S AN EXTENSION OF WHAT WE SPENT A HAIR AMOUNT OF TIME WORKING ON THIS PAST SESSION WHICH ENDED UP FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY OF 2020 WHEN I REFER TO THE CURRENT SESSION.

BUT WE REALIZE AND KNOW THAT COVID REALLY HURT OUR SCHOOLS.

OUR KIDS SUFFERED GREATLY.

SO WE WERE PUTTING AN EMPHASIS ON OUR EARLY LEARNERS WITH THIS LAST SESSION IN TRYING TO GET THEM -- BASICALLY LET THEM HOPEFULLY GET CAUGHT UP IS THE BIGGEST THING.

WE ALWAYS SAY YOU LEARN TO READ THROUGH THIRD GRADE, AND THEN YOU READ TO LEARN THEREAFTER.

WELL, ACROSS ALL OF OUR AGE LEVELS, THEY SUFFERED BECAUSE WE HAD A LOT OF DISTANT LEARNING, WHICH WE HAVE FOUND OUT A LOT OF KIDS DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN OR GOT VERY LITTLE OUT OF.

SO WE GOT CATCH-UP TO DO ACROSS THE BOARD, AND OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SEEING THAT, BUT AGAIN, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE GOT TO GO BACK TO THE YOUNG LEARNERS, BECAUSE IF THEY START OUT THAT FAR BEHIND, THEY ARE GOING TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEARS.

THAT'S JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THAT WILL LEAD TO EVEN LOWER ECT'S, AND IT'S NOT SURPRISING ECT'S WERE REDUCED JUST BECAUSE KIDS WEREN'T GETTING THE HOURS IN THE CLASSROOM THEY NORMALLY WOULD HAVE HAD PRIOR TO THE SPRING OF 2020.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL, JOHN?

>> YEAH, THE ACT SCORES AND FAT SCORTS HAVE BEEN DROPPING CONSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

I AGREE WITH PAUL THAT COVID REALLY HURT OUR CHILDREN THIS YEAR.

I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE FACT THAT WE HAVE REALLY MESSED WITH OUR TEACHERS.

THROW THEM INTO AN ONLINE SYSTEM.

ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN WE DID THAT, THEY HAD NO TRAINING BECAUSE ALMOST HALF OF OUR TEACHERS DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE A COMPUTER.

HOW DO THEY TEACH ONLINE?

I PERSONALLY THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO A HYBRID SITUATION WHERE WE TOOK HALF THE STUDENTS IN THE MORNING SO WE COULD SOCIALLY DISTANCE AND THEN THE SAME THING, AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE YOUNGER LEARNERS BECAUSE THE MASKS.

THE MASK WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR YOUNGER LEARNERS BECAUSE THEY RELATE TO THE FACE OF THE TEACHER.

THEY DID NOT WORK WELL IN THIS SITUATION THAT WE HAD, AND WE NEED TO WORK WITH THAT.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO START INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ON THERE.

PLUS THE FACT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD CHILD CARE BECAUSE A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE TO WORK.

THAT REALLY GOOFED UP THE TIME IN SCHOOL WITH THEIR CHILDREN, BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TO WORK, YOU CAN'T HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THAT.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DONE THAT, BUT I HOPE WE CAN IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THERE WILL HAVE OTHER SITUATIONS IN WHICH WE WILL HAVE AN EPIDEMIC OR PANDEMIC.

THESE ARE THINGS WE WEREN'T PREPARED FOR AND I HOPE WE CAN PREPARE BETTER FOR IN THE FUTURE.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> THIS WOULD BE AN ADDITION.

IT POINTS OUT THE FACT IT WAS MENTIONED OUR TEACHERS WEREN'T PREPARED.

ALL ALONG THEY ARE PREPARED TO SHOW UP IN A CLASSROOM AND TEACH THE STUDENTS IN PERSON.

ALL OF A SUDDEN BECOMING A TEACHER OVER THE INTERNET WAS A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US, PARTICULARLY I'M SURE FOR THEM, WE ALL GOT TO LIVE IN A WORLD OF ZOOM AND EVERY OTHER PLATFORM THAT WE COULD USE AND WE WERE ALL LEARNING.

BUT IT ALSO POINTS OUT THE SHORTAGE OF BROADBAND.

WE HAPPEN TO BE SITTING IN KIND OF ONE OF THE BEST AREAS OF THE STATE HERE IN BEMIDJI.

THEY ARE WELL SERVED WITH PAUL BUNYAN GOING TO THE WEST WITH GARDEN VALLEY, BUT A LOT OF OUR RURAL AREAS REALLY SUFFERED.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE BROADBAND, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO HOOK UP TO THE SCHOOL.

THAT JUST ADDED TO THAT COMPLICATION AND WHAT THEY SUFFERED THROUGH.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN, REBUTTAL?

>> IT'S NOT REALLY A REBUTTAL.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN BROADBAND.

I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY SAD THAT WE SAW STUDENTS IN THE MCDONALD'S AND HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT HAVING TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK IN THE WINTER.

THAT WAS REALLY NOT VERY GOOD TO HAVE HAPPEN ON THERE.

I TAUGHT WHAT I CALL HYBRID CLASSES, WRITTEN ONLINE CLASSES WHEN I WAS TEACHING IN COLLEGE.

FOR ME TO USE AN ONLINE CLASS, IT WOULD TAKE ME ABOUT 6 MONTHS.

THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE NEED THE BROADBAND.

WE NEED HELP FOR THE TEACHERS TOTALLY.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR THIRD QUESTION.

SHANNON.

>> Shannon: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK LAKELAND PBS FOR INCLUDING ME AND PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE TONIGHT.

DO YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN THE U.S. AND MINNESOTA AND WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION?

>> Bethany: IT'S YOUR ANSWER FIRST.

>> YES, I KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE AS DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THEY THINK WE ARE THAT ORGANIZED TO DO THIS TYPE OF MAJOR STUFF.

I BELIEVE IN MINNESOTA THERE WAS 3,000 -- 3,300,000 VOTES AND WE FOUND 17 BAD VOTES IN THERE.

SO YES, I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE HAD FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS ON THERE.

I DON'T BELIEVE DEMOCRATS COULD ORGANIZE A PROBLEM LIKE THAT.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE UNFAIR ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN DUPED.

THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELIEVE IT BUT ARE STILL SAYING IT ARE TRAITORS.

I WILL REPEAT THAT.

PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE WE HAD FAIR ELECTIONS BUT WON'T ADMIT THEY ARE FAIR ELECTIONS, THEY ARE TRAITORS TO THE COUNTRY, BECAUSE THEY ARE UPSETTING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

WE NEED TO GET EVERYBODY TO VOTE.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL I NEED TO SAY.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT -- THE SAD PART OF ALL OF THIS IS THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR VOTING.

THAT'S THE BAD PART BECAUSE WE SHOULD BE AT A POINT WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO QUESTION WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE A LOT OF THINGS THAT SUPPOSEDLY WEREN'T RIGHT, BUT WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS, A STATE OF LAWS WHERE IF THINGS LIKE THAT ACTUALLY DID TAKE PLACE, WE HAVE A JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAT THEY CAN BRING THINGS FORWARD AND TAKE THEM THROUGH THE COURT OF LAW AND PROVE THEIR POINT, AND WE WOULD FIND OUT IF THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM OR NOT.

SO THAT'S UP IN THE AIR.

I'M NOT TAKING SIDES THERE.

THE ONE THING WE HAVE IN THE 6 YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATION, WE HAVE REALLY WORKED TO WHAT I WOULD CALL SHOW UP OUR ELECTIONS.

LET'S EVEN MAKE THEM BETTER.

WE COULD ADD VOTER I.D., AND WE COULD ADD PROVISIONAL BALLOTS.

THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND CONCERNS WITH THE SAME-DAY REGISTRATIONS.

THERE IS CHALLENGES AND LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, BUT YET WHEN WE BRING THOSE THINGS UP AND TRY TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, WE HAVE HAD THEM IN BILLS THAT TO ME, OKAY, LET'S JUST MAKE IT EVEN BETTER.

MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE ELECTIONS WE HAVE.

WE DO FIND OPPOSITION, REAL STRONG OPPOSITION THAT FIGHTS US TOOTH AND NAIL TO THE END AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN ADDED.

SO THAT'S THE PART THAT YOU COULD SAY IS THERE A CONCERN?

FROM THE OTHER SIDE, WHY ARE THEY FIGHTING US SO MUCH TO PUT MORE GUARDRAILS AROUND THE ELECTION IF THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM?

WITH THAT, I KNOW THIS CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE, AND WE WILL SEE WHERE IT HANDS.

WE ARE A MODERN NATION.

I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN, REBUTTAL?

>> OKAY.

VOTER I.D.

'S WOULD BE OKAY IF THEY ARE FREE.

WE TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF PLACES TO GET THEM.

WE ALLOW THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NOT HARD -- VERY HARD TO REPRODUCE AND TRAIN THE ELECTION JUDGES TO DO THAT.

TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE A $2 MILLION JOB FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO DO THAT.

SO IF YOU CAN DO THAT WITH FREE, THAT WE CAN GET THEM TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS, THAT WE CAN GET THEM TO THE COLLEAGUES, SO WE DON'T WRAP UP THE TIME ON THEIR SIDE, WE CAN DO THAT.

I LOVE ABSENTEE VOTING.

I LOVE EARLY REGISTRATION.

DURING THE COVID YEARS I DID NOT WANT TO GO INTO THE OFFICE, AND NOW THE ONLY WAY I WILL EVER VOTE IS EITHER AT THE EARLY OR AT -- THROUGH THE MAIL.

SO I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM, BECAUSE LAST TIME I DID THAT WITH THE SYSTEM.

I.

>> Bethany: LET ME.

>> JUST LET ME FINISH.

I HAD TO SIGN IN, I SEE NO PROBLEM WITH IT.

SORRY FOR GOING ON.

>> Bethany: PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> I WILL TIE A COUPLE LOOSE ENDS TOGETHER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAIL-IN BALLOTS, WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT, BUT THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE ABSENTEE, WHICH IT ACTUALLY COULD GET MAILED TO YOU.

ABSENTEE IS A GOOD DEAL BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY CAN SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY TO VOTE.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO VOTE.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO QUESTIONS.

I DO LIKE THE ABSENTEES.

SO THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

WE WILL MOVE TO THE FOURTH QUESTION.

IT'S FROM DENNIS.

>> Dennis: WE WILL GO WITH A VIEWER QUESTION.

MINNESOTA AQUATIC HE VASIVE RESEARCH CENTER HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN LOOKING AT HE VASIVE AQUATIC MANAGEMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN LEADERS IN LOOKING AHEAD THROUGH RESEARCH STRATEGIES HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR LAKES FROM PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

DO YOU SUPPORT LONG-TERM FUNDING FROM MAISRC AND RESEARCH ON WORK OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES?

>> I ASKED THIS QUESTION ALREADY IN THE YEARS THAT I HAD A CHANCE DOWN IN ST. PAUL.

IT'S ONE THING TO CONTINUE THE FUNDING FOR THE PREVENTION, BUT WE KNOW AT SOME POINT SOMETHING ALWAYS SNEAKS THROUGH.

AT THE SAME TIME IT'S NOT ONLY -- IT'S LIKE IN EVERYTHING.

YOU HAVE THE PREVENTION SIDE BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE PROACTIVE SIDE.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO BE ABLE TO TREAT THE WATERS AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IF THEY DO GET INFECTED?

I THINK IT HAS TO BE AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH, BECAUSE WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO SAVE THE PROBLEM.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE PROACTIVE IN WORKING IT.

OUR LAKES, THEY ARE HUGE UP HERE.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE COME TO MINNESOTA.

COME UP HERE AND RECREATE ON OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKES, ENJOY THE WOODS.

EVERYTHING ELSE THAT GOES WITH IT, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE AREA PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF AND DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OVER THIS TIME AND CENTURIES BEFORE US.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THEM UP GOING FORWARD.

SO PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE TO COME NORTH AND ENJOY THE WATER AND SPEND TIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN?

>> WELL, YEAH, I DEFINITELY SUPPORT IT.

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOME OF THE LAKE ASSOCIATIONS UP HERE, NOT AS MUCH AS I SHOULD, BUT MORE THAN ABSOLUTELY ZERO.

THEY ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB MAINTAINING THEIR LEGS.

LAKES.YES, WE NEED TO PROTECT OR LAKES, WHICH I BELIEVE THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND BEMIDJI STATE ARE DOING SOME OF THAT WORK RIGHT NOW.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN WITH THE MILFOIL TO PREVENT THE MITIGATION PROBLEMS ARE ACTUALLY CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS, SO WE NEED MORE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WHEN WE GET INTO THIS TYPE OF STUFF TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY ACTUALLY WORKS ON THERE.

I ALWAYS SAY WATER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OIL.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY WANT TO DIG A DITCH FROM LAKE SUPERIOR OR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER DOWN TO THE COLORADO RIVER, AND THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE US ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS, AND OUR FRESHWATER IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR WATER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WATER, WHEN YOU START HAVING A PROBLEM THAT WE REDUCE IT TO THE MINIMUM POSSIBLE.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> NO.

>> Bethany: NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM HEIDI.

>> Heidi: WHAT IS YOUR POSITION WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

WILL YOU SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF STUFF LATELY OF BASHING THE BATTERIES OR ELECTRIC THINGS.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, FIRST OF ALL, GIVE A LITTLE HERE.

YOU KNOW WHAT OUR PHONES WERE LIKE 30 YEARS AGO?

I KNOW YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T.

BUT THEY ALL HAD TAILS.

THEY HAD TAILS.

THEY WERE CONNECTED TO THE WALL.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO?

WE LOOKED AT OUR TECHNOLOGY IN 2002, HOW DID YOU USE YOUR PHONE?

AND HOW FAR HAVE THEY COME FROM 2002 TO TODAY, 2010 TO TODAY, 2018 UNTIL TODAY?

OUR PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE BASICALLY THE BATTERIES AND THE SOLAR COLLECTION.

NOW, I HAVE BEEN STUDYING THIS.

I'M A SIGNIST.

SCIENTIST.

IEN SORRY.

I'M A NERD.

THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 BATTERIES COMING OUT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

ONE WILL BE A COVERING FLEX THAT'S CLEAR AND POSSIBLY LAST FOR ABOUT 11 YEARS, WHICH IS THE LIFE OF THE CAR, SO YOU COULD ACTUALLY BE CHARGING YOUR CAR WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DURING THE DAY.

OTHER ONES IN WHICH THEY GET RID OF THE NEED FOR LITHIUM.

WE NEED TO WORK AND TRUST OUR INDUSTRY.

BECAUSE 2035 IS A LONG WAY AWAY, AND IT MEANS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO USE THIS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IS TO GET THE INDUSTRIES THAT HELP THAT OUT TO OUR DISTRICT.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL?

>> THANK YOU.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE NOT CALIFORNIA.

I'M AS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THAT AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, I SAY LET THE INDUSTRY TAKE CARE OF THAT.

I ALREADY KNOW, AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF GENERAL MOTORS AND FORD, ET CETERA, WHERE THEY ARE INVESTING HEAVILY IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

SO LET THE INDUSTRY GO OUT THERE.

DO THE RESEARCH.

IF THEY WANT TO BUILD THE VEHICLES, WHICH THEY HAVE, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE, BUT THEN THEY WILL SELL THAT TO THE POPULATION.

THEY WILL COME OUT AND TELL US WHY WE SHOULD DRIVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR WHAT OUR OPTIONS WOULD BE.

FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MANDATING A SINGLE THING.

LET THE INDUSTRY DO IT.

BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS IT THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT'S GOING TO COME OUT AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ENTICE US TO BUY, BUT OUR ELECTRICAL GRID COULDN'T HANDLE A BIG INFLUX OF ADDITIONAL DEMAND.

WE ALREADY ARE AT A POINT WHERE IT'S MARGINAL.

WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- AND IT GOES BACK TO MANUFACTURERS ON ELECTRICAL VEHICLE SIDE AND THE INDUSTRY ON THE ELECTRICAL DELIVERY SIDE, THAT WE HAVE CAPACITY FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE.

LET IT GROW AT A REASONABLE PACE SO THAT WE CAN KEEP UP AND THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING BROWN-OUTS AND BLACKOUTS DUE TO MANDATED REGULATION.

IT'S A THING OF THE FUTURE.

I'M SURE WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT, BUT LET IT TAKE ITS TIME.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL?

>> YES, I DO.

FIRST OF ALL, I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY OUT IN WYOMING.

THEY ARE BUILDING A PLANT THAT COULD ACTUALLY UP HERE CREATE 2,000 JOBS THAT USES A FLUID IN WHICH IT IS FIVE TIMES SAFER THAN WATER.

IT IS FIRMER, AND IT ACTUALLY USES SOME OF THE SPENT FROM OUR OTHER PLANTS.

THE SECOND THING IS WHY DON'T WE SUBSIDIZE RENEWABLE ENERGY AS MUCH AS WE DO THE OIL COMPANIES?

OKAY?

THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER.

I KNOW IT WILL KILL THE ECONOMY IF WE STOP SUBSIDIZING OUR OIL, BUT WE CAN ALSO HELP BY SUBSIDIZING OUR RENEWABLE.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: PAUL?

>> I THINK IT PRETTY WELL COVERED IT ALL.

IT'S KEEPING EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE I THINK THE THING WE ALL, WHEN WE GO HOME, NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE AT AND FLIP THE LIGHT SWITCH, WE WANT THE LIGHTS TO COME ON, AND WE WANT A RELIABLE SOURCE AND AFFORDABLE SOURCE, AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING WITH OUR ENERGY.

SO IT'S BALANCING THAT WITH THE INFLUX AND THE ADDITION OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

>> Bethany: THANK YOU.

SHANNON.

>> Shannon: THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS PUT ABORTION LAW BACK IN THE HANDS OF STATE LEGISLATURES.

DO YOU SUPPORT ANY SPECIFIC CHANGES TO STATE LAW?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

BECAUSE IN MINNESOTA WE HAVE GOT DOE VERSUS GOMEZ, WHICH WAS A SUPREME COURT RULING BACK IN 1995.

IT HAS TAKEN EVERYTHING OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WE DO NOT HAVE -- WE COULD WRITE ALL THE LAWS WE WANT.

WE COULD EVEN PASS THEM.

IF WE HAD A GOVERNOR THAT WOULD SIGN THEM, THEY ARE GOING TO GO RIGHT TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THE ONLY WAY THAT ANYTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE IN MINNESOTA IS -- THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO WAYS.

BUT ONE WOULD BE IF THERE WAS LANGUAGE THAT COULD GO UP AND CHALLENGE THE COURT AND GET THE COURT TO FIRST LOOK AT IT.

WHY WOULD IT BE DIFFERENT AND GET THEM TO RULE ON IT?

THAT'S WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE OVERTURNED.

THE OTHER IS THERE COULD BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

AS MUCH CHAT ERAS GOING ON THIS ELECTION SEASON OVER THAT TOPIC, NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE CAN'T WRITE LEGISLATION AND PASS IT AND CHANGE ANYTHING.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN?

>> OKAY.

I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE MY PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW HERE.

I CANNOT TALK ABOUT THIS AS EMOTIONALLY AS SOME OF THE OTHER PEOPLE CAN.

BUT I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO REDUCE THE NEED AND THE WANT FOR ABORTIONS.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR WOMEN ARE SUPPORTED BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY.

FINANCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND I'M GOING TO GIVE A LITTLE NOTE HERE.

PLACES THAT HAVE LAWS AGAINST ABORTION HAVE MORE REPORTED ABORTIONS THAN THE PLACES THAT HAVE LIBERAL ABORTION LAWS.

AGAIN, YOU ARE HAVING MORE ABORTIONS WHEN YOU MAKE IT ILLEGAL.

SO WHAT HAPPENED HERE IS IN THE NETHERLANDS.

HEALTHCARE IS COMPLETELY FREE.

THEY LOVE THEIR HEALTHCARE IN THE NETHERLANDS.

ABORTIONS ARE FREE.

BIRTH CONTROL IS FREE.

THEY HAVE HALF THE NUMBER OF ABORTIONS PER THOUSAND THAT THE U.S.A.

DOES.

HALF.

THEY ALSO HAVE A LOWER AGE OF CONSENT THAN THE U.S.A.

DOES, BUT ON AVERAGE THE U.S.A. HAS KIDS STARTING AT A YOUNGER AGE.

SO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK OURSELVES THROUGH, THAT WE TAKE AWAY THE NEED FOR ABORTIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> NO.

QUESTION IS FROM DENNIS.

>> Dennis: HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND WHAT AS A STATE LEGISLATURE WOULD YOU DO TO HELP THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE FACING CHALLENGES THESE DAYS?

>> OKAY.

SO SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, AND I HAVE BEEN RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS SINCE 1989.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LESS PAPERWORK.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WAYS IN WHICH HE COULD REDUCE MY TAXES.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THAT I NEED, INCLUDING BROADBAND SO I COULD WORK WHERE I WANT.

THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO TO US.

IT CAN ALSO HELP US REVITALIZE OUR DOWNTOWN IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

BY THAT, IT MEANS GETTING THINGS READY.

MAKING SURE THE BUILDINGS AND THE ROADS ARE GOOD WITHOUT RAISING PROPERTY TAX.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

REDUCE THE PAPERWORK AND A SMALL FARMER IS A SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, TOO, AND WE NEED TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION.

REMOVE PROPERTY TAXES, AND MAKE LESS PAPERWORK.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN, PAUL?

>> I WOULD -- MY PART ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS SMALL BUSINESS IS NOT LOOKING FOR A HAND OUT BUT I THINK THEY ARE LOOKING FOR GOVERNMENT TO LET THEM JUST DO THEIR JOB.

PART OF THAT IS OUR REGULATORY SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY BURDENSOME IN MOST AREAS AND HEAVILY BURDENSOME IN A LOT OF AREAS.

THAT ALONG WITH OUR TAX STRUCTURE.

GOVERNMENT IS THERE TO SUPPLY A GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSIST WHERE NEEDED.

BUT WE HAVE GOT TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE ALLOW SMALL BUSINESS TO BE CREATIVE.

THAT'S WHAT'S -- YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY BUSINESSES WE ALL KNOW THAT STARTED IN SOMEONE'S GARAGE AND AS A HOBBY, AND THEY GROW INTO A SMALL BUSINESS AND BECOME A LARGE BUSINESS.

WE NEED TO BE THERE AT THE STATE LEVEL, TO BE THEIR PARTNER, TO ASSIST THEM.

WHEN THEY NEED HELP, HOW CAN WE HELP?

FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THEIR WAY.

WE ALL WANT REGULATION OF SOME SORT BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE GOT IF WE ARE ENVIRONMENT, THE WATER AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE AROUND US.

NOBODY IS HERE TO ABUSE THAT.

BUT WE GO OVER BOARD IN SO MANY CASES.

A BIG PART OF THAT WOULD BE ALLOWING THAT BUSINESS TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOT HAVE GOVERNMENT TIED BASICALLY AND HOLDING THEM BACK.

LET'S HELP THEM, MOVE THEM FORWARD.

IF THEY MAKE A FEW BUCKS, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN KEEP MORE OF IT SO THAT AS A SMALL BUSINESS WHAT DO WE ALL DO?

WE REINVEST IN WHAT WE HAVE GOT.

WE WANT IT TO GET BIGGER.

THE MORE THEY CAN KEEP, THE MORE THEY ARE GOING TO INVEST.

THE BIGGER THEY ARE GOING TO GET, THE MORE PEOPLE THEY CAN HIRE AND THE MORE GOOD THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE THERE TO HELP WITH.

>> Bethany: JOHN.

REBUTTAL?

>> THERE ARE SOME REGULATIONS THAT ACTUALLY REDUCE THE LONG-TERM COST OF STUFF LIKE BUILDING CODES, ELECTRICAL CODES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

PRETTY MUCH I AGREE.

KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR WAY, BUT FOR THE FARMERS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DISASTER RELIEF GETS THERE WITHOUT A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE HAD WITH THE PAPERWORK.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL?

>> NO.

>> Bethany: NEXT QUESTION COMES FROM HEIDI.

>> Heidi: WE WILL STAY WITH THE TOPIC OF SMALL BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS.

MANY EMPLOYERS ARE TRYING TO ENTICE WORKERS RIGHT NOW, BUT THERE ARE ISSUES THAT THEY CAN'T CONTROL.

HIGH COSTS OR LACK OF DAY CARE AS WELL AS LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THESE ISSUES, AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE YOU HAVE MET ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL?

>> ANY TYPE OF A BUSINESS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BIG ONES.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT'S ON THE FRONTLINE WITH THE CUSTOMER, HIRING EMPLOYEES, TAKING CARE OF THEM.

YOU HAVE GOT THE WHOLE GAMUT.

AT THE BIGGER LEVELS YOU HAVE THE HR PEOPLE, ET CETERA.

BUT THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND THAT'S BEING ABLE TO HIRE THE RIGHT TALENT AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP THEM.

PART OF IT IS GOING TO BE KIND OF -- WE HAVE TO RECREATE OURSELVES.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS IN THE LAST NUMBER OF BHONTS.

ACTUALLY WE HAD THEM IN THE LAST SESSION, TOO.

BUT HAD THEM MORE IN THE SUMMER AND FALL.

THE EMPLOYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, SO TO SPEAK.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO BUILD THAT EMPLOYEE BASE?

DO WE DO IT WITH A COUPLE RETIREES THAT ONLY WANT TOE WORK A COUPLE DAYS A WEEK, REPLACE THE 40-HOUR PERSON WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 3 PEOPLE FILLING IT OR WHAT ARE WE GOING TO OFFER FOR BENEFITS THAT'S GOING TO MAKE US STAND OUT TO THE OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ARE ALSO COMPETING FOR THIS EMPLOYEE.

I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THIS STUFF ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WORKING WITH THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PART OF IT.

PUTTING IT INTO THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO IT WILL BE PURCHASED AS AN INSURANCE POLICY SO THAT THE EMPLOYER MAY HAVE THAT AS ANOTHER OPTION, NOTHING MANDATED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IF YOU DECIDED THAT THAT'S A BENEFIT TO YOU, YOU CAN BUY THAT.

IT WILL BE COMING THROUGH A LIFE INSURANCE AGENT WHEN IT COMES TO MINNESOTA.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.

BUT THAT'S JUST ONE PIECE OF MANY THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

DAY CARE, YOU MENTIONED.

DAY CARE HAS BEEN USED.

LONG BEFORE COVID, DAY CARE WAS THE NO.

1 ECONOMIC DRIVER.

IF WE HAD ENOUGH DAY CARE OUR BUSINESS COULD DO THAT MUCH MORE WORK.

THAT'S ONLY BECOME A BIGGER AND MORE IMPORTANT PIECE.

>> THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN?

>> OKAY.

WE HAVE GOT KIND OF A SITUATION HERE THAT'S A CATCH 22.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE OLD ENOUGH, THAT'S CATCH 22, YOU KNOW WHAT CATCH 22 IS?

CAME FROM A BOOK IN THE SERVICE.

IF YOU WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE SERVICE, YOU HAD TO BE INSANE.

IF YOU WANTED TO SAY YOU WERE INSANE YOU COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE SERVICE.

THAT'S A CATCH 22.

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS 11, WE HAVE THE LOWEST EMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF WINNIBIGOSHISH.

WHAT IS IT, AROUND 2%, 1 1/2%.

SO WE DON'T HAVE WORKERS THAT WANT TO WORK RIGHT NOW.

2, WE CAN'T GET A LOT OF THE YOUNG PARENTS TO WORK, BECAUSE THEY NEED THE DAY CARE AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT.

THE THING I'M SEEING IN MY AREA IS HOUSING.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH HOUSING.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

MOST OF THE YOUNG WORKERS CANNOT AFFORD A $2 MILLION HOME.

I CAN'T AFFORD A $2 MILLION HOME.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GET MORE INEXPENSIVE HOMES SO OUR EMPLOYEES CAN BRING THE EMPLOYEES IN SO WE CAN HIRE NEW PEOPLE.

THAT'S HOW WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THIS IS TO GET MORE HOMES SO THE EMPLOYERS CAN COME HERE.

HIRE THE JOBS AND GET THE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL, REBUTTAL?

>> I'M GOOD.

>> Bethany: NEXT QUESTION IS FROM SHANNON.

>> Shannon: LEGISLATURE GRIDLOCK HAS BECOME THE NORM.

INCREASINGLY THE FINAL DEALS ON MAJOR BILLS ARE FORGED BY THE GOVERNOR, HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER WITH LITTLE OR NO HELP FROM RANK AND FILE.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO INCREASE BIPARTISAN SHIP WITH THE LAWSHIG PROCESS?

>> FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR GROUP HERE.

THE BIG OMNIBUS BILLS ARE CAUSING A LOT OF PROBLEMS ON THERE.

I DO NOT NECESSARILY KNOW HOW TO BREAK THIS UP INTO INDIVIDUAL BUDGET BILLS ON THERE SO WE CAN DISCUSS EACH ONE INDIVIDUALSLY, BUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FIGURE OUT A WAY.

THE ONLY WAY I CAN DO IT IS TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY OTHER MEMBERS OF THAT SENATE AND ALSO OF THE HOUSE.

A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS IN OUR DISTRICT LAST TIME TWO YEARS AGO SAID JOHN PETERS IS A PERSON I COULD WORK WITH.

SO WE HAVE GOT TO CREATE INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIPS.

I WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR, AND I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON INTO EVERY BILL.

I'M A PRETTY GOOD STUDENT NOW AS COMPARED TO COLLEGE.

THERE'S WHAT, 10,000 PAGES IN A BILL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, PAUL?

YOU HAVE SEEN THEM.

ALL I HAVE SEEN IS THE PILES ON THE DESK.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT'S IN OUR BILLS AS THEY ARE DOING THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE FACT THAT THEY COME TO PEOPLE LIKE PAUL OR ME IF I'M ELECTED, THE VERY LAST MINUTE IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE WAY OF DOING THINGS.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK PART OF THE TERM LEGISLATIVE GRIDLOCK AND SOME OF -- AND I HAVE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, AROUND THE STATE ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.

PART OF IT IS THE WAY IT'S PORTRAYED COMING OUT OF ST. PAUL, AND I WILL SAY SOME OF THE TWIN CITY MEDIA THAT'S REPORTING ON THIS.

IT MUST MAKE IT SOUND BETTER THAT WAY.

YES, THERE IS POLITICAL DIVIDE, BUT -- AND IN THE END SOME OF THESE, IT WAS MENTIONED LEADERSHIP MAKING THESE DEALS WITH THE GOVERNOR.

A LOT OF TIMES THAT IS WHO WE SEE IN THE END.

BUT I KNOW THIS LAST YEAR WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE GOT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

WE HAD THINGS THAT DIED IN PROGRESS.

BUT I WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF THOSE PIECES, MEETING WITH LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNOR AROUND THE TABLE.

IN THE END, IT DOES GO TO OUR LEADER, THE GOVERNOR.

THERE WAS A FEW OF US THAT ACTUALLY PUT THE DEAL TOGETHER.

IT DOES INCLUDE OUR MEMBERSHIP AND IN THIS CASE OUR CAUCUS.

WE HAVE GOT THOSE OF US IN THE CAUCUSTHAT KIND OF TAKE A LEADEP ROLE.

THERE ARE MORE THAN WHAT WITH WE SEE ON TV.

THERE'S ALSO THE TIMES THAT -- I WAS IN SOME OF THOSE FINAL MEETINGS WHERE IT WASN'T GOING.

SO I CLOSED UP MY LAPTOP BECAUSE IT WASN'T A DEAL I WAS GOING TO TAKE FOR OUR PEOPLE AND FOR WHAT WE WERE LOOKING TO DO.

BUT AS JOHN MENTIONED, AT THAT LEVEL, IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, TOO.

I HAVE ALWAYS SAID ACROSS THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN, RELATIONSHIPS MATTER.

THAT'S THE PART OF WHAT I HAVE ENJOYED DOING.

IT'S WORKING WITH PEOPLE.

THAT'S PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, WHETHER IT'S THOSE OF US IN CAUCUS OR GET TOGETHER WITH OTHERS.

IT'S BEING ABLE TO WORK AND RESPECT PEOPLE.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN, REBUTTAL?

>> NO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANKS FOR THE WORK HE'S DONE.

I HOPE I CAN DO BETTER.

>> Bethany: NEXT QUESTION IS FROM DENNIS.

>> Ryan: THE KARSON V. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT A STATE COULDN'T EXCLUDE PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS FROM RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDING ONLY BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIGION.

IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR FUNDING FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF SCHOOL VOUCHERS THAT ALLOW PARENTS TO USE EDUCATION FUNDING TO APPLY TO PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> I DO SUPPORT SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

I'M ALSO A BIG ADVOCATE OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

BUT WE DO KNOW IN OUR STATE WE HAVE SOME SCHOOLS THAT ARE FAILING OUR STUDENTS HORRIBLY.

THEY HAPPEN TO BE IN -- THEY ARE NOT UP IN THIS REGION.

THEY ARE DOWN IN THE METRO.

THEY ARE THE ONES RECEIVING THE MOST MONEY.

I'M ALL FOR DOING WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE GET THE EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE AND WE ALL HOPE THEY GET.

IN THE END IT WILL FORCE SOME OF THOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TOW THE LINE AND DO THEIR JOB.

I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE BECAUSE I BELIEVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE IT.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED THEM TO DO A LOT OF WORK BEHIND US AS WE ARE ALL GETTING TO A POINT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE RELYING ON THEM TO SUPPORT US.

SO YEAH.

I WANT TO SEE THEM SUCCEED.

>> Bethany: THANKS, PAUL.

JOHN?

>> THE TWIN CITY SCHOOL PROBLEM IS MORE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY HAVE ON THERE.

SO THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT THAN WE DO OUT HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE A BETTER FAMILY STRUCTURE AND WILL WORK OUR WAY THROUGH ALL THAT.

I DO NOT SUPPORT VOUCHERS AT ALL.

TO ANYBODY.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN OUR AREA IS THE CENTER OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE START TAKING MONEY AWAY, PUTTING IT IN VOUCHERS, IT MEANS WE ARE TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM COUNSELORS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT WE NEED IN OUR SCHOOL.

EVENTUALLY THAT MAY MEAN THAT LONG PRAIRIE BROWERVILLE CAN'T HAVE A WRESTLING TEAM, AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY MAKE PEOPLE VERY MAD DOWN THERE, AND I KNOW THERE'S TEAMS UP HERE THAT LIKE THE SAME THING.

SO WE WILL START TAKING THINGS AWAY.

WE CANNOT TAKE ANY MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO PUT MORE MONEY IN THEM THAN WE CURRENTLY ARE.

>> Bethany: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO OUR CLOSING COMMENTS THEN.

SO EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

JOHN, YOU WILL GO FIRST.

>> THANK YOU.

AS I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, I REALLY BELIEVE IN PEOPLE, AND THE PEOPLE NEED TO BE SERVED.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNMENT CAN SERVE THAT.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY TO OUR TOWNSHIPS SO THEY CAN DO THE ROADS SO WE CAN LOWER OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY IN OUR SCHOOLS FROM THE STATE LEVEL SO WE CAN LOWER OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

WE NEED TO EQUAL THINGS OUT.

I BELIEVE IN PEOPLE.

SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BE YOUR SENATOR.

I HAVE AN AREA OF EXPERTISE JUST TO LET YOU KNOW.

WHEN I WENT TO COLLEGE I HAD A SCHOLARSHIP IN FOOTBALL, DRAMA AND ACADEMICS.

THAT MEANS I CAN TALK TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE ALL THE WAY, AND I BELIEVE THAT MY WELL ROUNDED AREA OF EXPERTISE COULD BE AN ADDED VALUE TO THE PEOPLE WORKING IN ST. PAUL.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO THANK YOU.

PAUL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

I ENJOY TALKING TO YOU.

WE PLAN ON REMAINING FRIENDLY THE REST OF THIS TIME.

>> Bethany: THANKS, JOHN.

PAUL.

>> THANK YOU.

I MENTIONED A COUPLE OF THESE THINGS IN THE PAST 50 MINUTES, I GUESS, WE HAD.

BUT OVER THE TERM THAT -- OR THE TIME I HAD TO SPEND IN ST. PAUL, I'M PROUD OF WHAT SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE.

WE HAVE WORKED WELL TOGETHER.

IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN GET DONE BY OURSELVES.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT'S ALL WE ARE.

IT'S WHAT WE DO AS A TEAM.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN A GOOD TEAM DOWN THERE, WORKING WITH OTHER MEMBERS, ALSO OF THE SENATE.

IT TAKES ALL OF US TO MAKE THIS THING WORK.

IF WE LOOK AT WHAT BILLS GO THROUGH AT THE END.

I MEAN, EVEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR, VERY, VERY FEW IN THEIR FINAL PASSAGE ARE EVER PARTY LINE.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOME GOING FROM BOTH PARTIES TO MAKE THIS THING WORK.

I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF THAT.

I FEEL THAT WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS.

I HAVE ENJOYED SERVING THE CITIZENS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA THE PAST 6 YEARS, AND I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER.

THIS DISTRICT GOT CHANGED UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

I'M EXCITED TO WORK MORE TO THE SOUTH.

I HAVE GOT A GOOD GROUP ALL THE WAY DOWN THE SOUTH END OF TODD COUNTY.

MET A LOT OF NICE PEOPLE OVER THE SUMMER.

WITH THAT, I REALIZE THERE'S A LOT OF SERIOUS WORK AHEAD AS WE DISCUSSED HERE EARLIER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ROLLING UP MY SLEEVES AND GOING BACK TO WORK NEXT YEAR IF EVERYTHING WORKS OUT.

WITH THAT, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET OUT AND VOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY VOTED.

PLEASE DO.

NOVEMBER 8th IS THE DAY.

I HOPE THAT I HAVE EARNED YOUR SUPPORT AND IN THE END PLEASE VOTE PAUL.

>> Bethany: I WANT TO THANK OUR PANELISTS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WATCHING 6789 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH IT AGAIN, IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON THE LAKELAND PBS WEB NIGHT 24 HOURS.

LPTV.ORG.

SHANNON WILL BE WRITING A RECAP OF THE SENATE 5 DEBATE.

IT WILL BE POSTED FIRST ON THE PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE WEBSITE.

WWW.PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE.COM.

THEN IT WILL APPEAR LATER IN THE PRINT EDITION.

ALSO YOU CAN FIND ELECTION COVERAGE FROM KAXE ON THEIR WEBSITE AT KAXE.ORG.

BUT STAY WITH US.

COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE STATE SENATE DISTRICT 6 DEBATE FEATURING EICHORN REPUBLICAN, AND STEVE SAMUELSON DFL.

STAY WITH US.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

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