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

>> CATHY: COMING UP TONIGHT ON "ALMANAC," CHILDREN'S AUTHOR KATE DICAMILLO IS HERE.

WE'LL TALK TWINS SPRING TRAINING AND MORE WITH LARRY FITZGERALD.

AND MMB COMMISSIONER ERIN CAMPBELL TALKS BUDGET SURPLUS WITH US.

BUT, FIRST, MARY LAHAMMER HAS SOME SURPLUS DETAILS FOR US.

>> Mary: THE STATE BUDGET SURPLUS IS GROWING AGAIN, BUT THERE'S STILL SOME CAUTION AND CONCERN ON THE HORIZON.

WE'LL EXPLAIN... >> THAT IS MORNING IN MINNESOTA.

>> IF YOU ARE SPENDING MORE THAN YOU ARE ACTUALLY TAKING IN, THAT RESULTS IN A FUTURE DEFICIT.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> CATHY: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, JUST HOW BIG IS THAT BUDGET SURPLUS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY?

WE'LL TALK TO AUTHOR KATE DICAMILLO ABOUT HER NEW BOOK "FERRIS."

AND WE HAVE SOME LIVE FOLK MUSIC FOR YOU.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH BIG NEWS OUT OF WASHINGTON, DC.

REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL BE STEPPING DOWN FROM THAT POST IN THE FALL.

MCCONNELL IS THE LONGEST-SERVING LEADER IN SENATE HISTORY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES LESS THAN A WEEK FROM SUPER TUESDAY, THE NEXT BIG CONTEST IN THE PRESIDENTIAL SWEEPSTAKES.

MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE MANY STATES THAT WILL HOLD A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY NEXT WEEK.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

WELCOME BACK.

THIS LOOKS TO ME LIKE A WIN FOR DONALD TRUMP GETTING McCONNELL OUT OF THERE.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A WIN FOR DONALD TRUMP.

McCONNELL HAS BEEN, LET'S SAY, AN ON GAIN OFF AGAIN CRITIC OF TRUMP.

MAYBE NOT THE MOST RELIABLE PERSON FOR HIM.

HE DID CARRY A LOT OF HIS WATER FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS PRESIDENT.

THIS IS A BIG WIN FOR HIM AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: HE'S BEEN WORKING PRETTY WELL WITH PRESIDENT BIDE YEP, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

>> Cathy: NOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO THE WAY OF THE WIND, BIDEN IS NOT WORKING AS WELL WITH PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN?

>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO CONTROLS THE SENATE NEXT YEAR, TOO.

THAT'S A BIG ACTOR AT THIS POINT.

DAVID THUNE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA AT THIS POINT.

BUT I THINK A LOT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON, OBVIOUSLY, WHO'S IN THE MAJORITY VERSUS THE MINORITY.

BUT CERTAINLY, I THINK, ON SOME REALLY CRITICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS FUNDING FOR UKRAINE, THE BORDER NEGOTIATIONS, A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS, McCONNELL AND BIDEN HAVE ACTUALLY FIGURED OUT A WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

AND, REMEMBER, THEY SERVED TOGETHER IN THE SENATE FOR, I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU HOW MANY DECADES AT THIS POINT.

SO, ONE OF THE STRENGTHS THAT BIDEN HAS BROUGHT TO THE PRESIDENCY IS, WHAT, HIS LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE LIKE McCONNELL.

>> Eric: HOUSE PANEL, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES A STOP-GAP BUDGET BILL.

THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION, FISCHBACH, FINISH INSTEAD, AND SCAWBER ALL VOTE NO.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: IS THIS A FEW DAYS LAST, OR A COUPLE MONTHS.

STAUBER.

>> THIS IS YET ANOTHER SMALL KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE LINE FOR A WHILE.

WE HAVE THIS.

WE STILL HAVE, WHAT, THE DEBT CEILING TO DEAL WITH.

WE'RE REALLY AT A POINT NOW, WHERE IT'S JUST A WHOLE BUNCH OF CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT GOING.

BACK IN 1974, WE PASSED A BIG COMPREHENSIVE ACT CALLED THE 1974 BUDGET EMPOWERMENT ACT, SO FORTH, THAT REALLY CREATES THIS FRAMEWORK FOR DOING THE BUDGET.

FOR THE MOST PART, IN NEARLY, WHAT, 50 YEARS IT'S BEEN IN PLACE, IT ALMOST NEVER WORKED.

WE ALMOST NEVER GET BUDGETS DONE ON TIME.

ADD TO THAT THE POLARIZATION THAT WE HAVE.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY, LIKE, SO MANY OTHER THINGS, UNFORTUNATELY, IN WASHINGTON, BREAKING -- OR THE PROCESS IS JUST NOT WORKING ANYMORE.

>> Cathy: LOOKS LIKE THE SUPREME COURT WILL TAKE UP THE TRUMP IMMUNITY CASE.

BIG DEAL?

>> BIG DEAL AT THIS POINT.

BIG DEAL IN THE SENSE THAT IT'S GOING TO DELAY THE TRIALS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

ORALS ARE GOING TO BE IN APRIL.

WE'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY DECISION BY THE END OF JUNE.

WHAT I'M SORT OF GUESSING AT THIS POINT IS THAT THE COURT'S GOING TO DO ANOTHER DECIDE NOT TO DECIDE.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FOUR SQUARE AND SAY, IMMUNITY OR NOT IMMUNITY.

WHAT I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DO IS TO SAY, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT HE HAS IMMUNITY, AND THIS IS THE WAY IT'S FRAMED IN TERMS OF HOW THE COURT IS ASKING THE BRIEFS TO COME UP, I THINK WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO WIND UP SAYING, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WHAT HE DID WAS AN OFFICIAL ACT ON JANUARY 6th, WE'RE GOING TO THROW THAT BACK TO DISTRICT COURT AND LET THEM FIGURE THAT OUT, LET THE JURY FIGURE IT OUT.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE DEPENDING ON HOW THE ORDER GOES BACK, IF IT'S GOING TO GO WHERE I THINK IT IS, IT COULD DELAY THE TRIAL A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I'M STILL THINKING AT THIS POINT THAT THE WASHINGTON TRIAL, THE WASHINGTON TRIAL COULD BE DELAYED UNTIL MAYBE AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER, BUT THE MORE LAG OWE TRIAL ABOUT THE DOCUMENTS, THAT IS NOT AT ALL AFFECTED BY THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE ARGUMENT IS HE RETAINED THESE DOCUMENTS ILLEGALLY AFTER HIS PRESIDENCY ENDED AND, THEREFORE, IT'S NOT A QUESTION ABOUT ACTS THAT HE DID AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Eric: SUPER TUESDAY AIN'T THAT SUPER ANYMORE.

>> , NO IT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF SORT, I DON'T KNOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO CALL IT HERE?

DRIBBLING IN OR DRAGGING IN OR WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING TO CALL T. I'M TRYING TO THINK OF A GOOD METAPHOR HERE.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

EVEN IF, LET'S SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE HAILEY MANAGES TO DO WELL HERE OR IN A COUPLE OF OTHER STATES, AT THIS POINT THERE'S REALLY NO CLEAR PATH FOR HER IN TERMS OF GETTING THE NOMINATION.

DEAN PHILLIPS ON THIS SIDE HERE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, I MEAN, I DON'T SEE HIM WINNING MANY DELEGATES EITHER.

SO AT SOME POINT, I THINK BOTH PHILLIPS AND HAILEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION, HOW MUCH FURTHER THEY CAN GO, HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE AT THIS POINT.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, WHAT I'M GOING TO BE MORE CURIOUS TO SEE IS NOT WHETHER TRUMP AND BIDEN WIN, IT'S THE ENTHUSIASM FACTOR.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY SHOW UP ON ELECTION DAY AND CAST VOTES ECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR EITHER OF THEM.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE UNCOMMITTED, THE EFFORT TO VOTE UNCOMMITTED VERSUS JOE BIDEN?

>> IT WAS CLEARLY ON IMPORTANT PROTEST VOTE IN MICHIGAN THIS PAST WEEK.

THEY WERE EXPECTING 10,000, THEY GOT 100,000.

I THINK THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I DON'T SEE IT DERAILING BIDEN'S NOMINATION AT THIS POINT.

IN TERMS OF HE'S GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE ENOUGH DELEGATES GOING IN TO THE CONVENTION TO GET IT ON THE FIRST ROUND.

IT'S MORE OF A PROTEST AT THIS POINT, PLUS FOR A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE, I DON'T SEE THEM GOING TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

IT REALLY MORE IS A QUESTION OF, DO THEY WIND UP SAYING, I'M JUST NOT GOING TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

>> Eric: YEAH.

GOOD STUFF, AS ALWAYS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, PROFESSOR.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

♪♪ >> CATHY: LAWMAKERS OFTEN SAY THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE FEBRUARY FORECAST TO MAKE DECISIONS.

WELL, BETTER BUDGET NUMBERS ARE OUT AND HOW THEY'RE BEING INTERPRETED VARIES IN THE TWO POLITICAL PARTIES.

MARY LAHAMMER EXPLAINS.

>> WE O HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE.

>> Mary: THE STATE'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK HAS IMPROVED.

THE SURPLUS IS OW PROJECTED AT $3.

BILLION, THAT'S -- $3.7 BILLION, THAT'S AN INCREASE OF OVER A BILLION COMPARED TO THE LAST BUDGET FORECAST.

>> IT'S MORNING IN MINNESOTA, THAT'S HOW WE FEEL RIGHT NOW, COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC, COMING OUT OF A RECESSION, POTENTIAL FOR A GLOBAL RECESSION, MINNESOTA IS AS POISED BETTER THAN ANY PLACE, WE'RE MAKING THAT CASE, WE ARE THE STAR OF THE NORTH, WE'RE GOING TO BE ADVERTISING THAT, COME TO A STATE WHERE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, THRIVE, BE YOURSELF.

>> NICE WALLEYE, MINNESOTA GOLD RIGHT THERE.

>> AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF GRIDLOCK AND LISTENING TO MINNESOTANS BOUT THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE ASKED US TO DO, T IN PLACE A BUDGET ND POLICY TO SUPPORT THEM.

INVESTING IN CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY, HEALTHCARE, IN SCHOOLS, IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, BROADBAND, HOUSING, AND MORE.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE DOGGED MINNESOTA FOR YEARS.

>> Mary: SPENDING IS STABLE, AND MORE REVENUE HELPED SHRINK A PROJECTED STRUCTURAL SHORTFALL, WHICH REPUBLICANS DEPICT AS A DEFICIT OF MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS BY 2026.

>> THAT DEFICIT IS DUE TO THE RECKLESS, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND UNAFFORDABLE SPENDING SPREE LAST YEAR.

THE STATE IS STILL SPENDING.

$1.5 BILLION MORE THAN IT IS TAKING IN.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR FAMILY BUDGETS, IF YOU ARE SPENDING MORE THAN YOU ARE ACTUALLY TAKING IN, THAT RESULTS IN A FUTURE DEFICIT.

>> THERE'S REALLY NO LEAPING OVER IT.

THE TAX AND SPEND POLICIES THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE PROPOSED OVER THE YEARS AND PUT INTO LAW ARE CAUSING OUR STATE TO GO INTO THIS BOOM AND BUST CYCLE.

>> THEY'RE WRONG, THAT IS INCORRECT.

THEY OLD YOU IN NOVEMBER THAT THIS WAS CATASTROPHIC AND THE FIRST THING WE SHOULD DO IS CUT MEALS TO OUR CHILDREN AND CUT TAXES FOR THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

>> IT IS NOT A DEFICIT.

THIS IS SO SIMPLE.

>> Mary: ECONOMIC EXPERTS ARE STILL URGING CAUTION, EVEN THOUGH THE U.S. AND STATE ECONOMIES ARE BOTH IMPROVING.

>> WE SHARE THE OBJECTIVE OF KEEPING LONG-TERM FISCAL STABILITY FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A VERY NICE BUDGET RESERVE THAT, I THINK, IS AS FULL AS IT'S EVER BEEN, IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE 3.7 IN THE NEAR TERM, BUT WE HAVE THE EYES ON THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IN THE TAILS.

>> I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE I CAN RAISE MY FAMILY, WHERE CHILD CARE IS AFFORDABLE, WHERE I CAN GET ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL HEALTHCARE, WHERE THE WAGES AND MY JOB SUPPORT MY FAMILY, WHERE BROADBAND MEANS I CAN LIVE WHEREVER I CHOOSE TO, THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS MODERN AND FUNCTIONING, WORKS FOR S. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE INVESTED IN, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS ASKED US TO INVEST IN.

>> Mary: THE GROWTH OF THE SURPLUS CREATES MORE BIPARTISAN BONDING BORROWING POTENTIAL, UP TO ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS.

>> WITH A POTENTIAL INCREASE, WE NEED TO BE WISE WITH THAT.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO COMMIT AT THIS POINT WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO GO UP.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO COMMIT THAT WE'LL EVEN GIVE VOTES FOR THAT.

>> Mary: THE STATE ECONOMIST EXPECTS WAGES TO GO UP, LARGELY BECAUSE OF SUPPLY ND DEMAND.

THE STATE STILL NEEDS MORE WORKERS TO MOVE HERE.

>> THE LABOR MARKET HAS ALREADY EASED A BIT IN MINNESOTA FROM THE RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AND THE RECORD HIGH LEVELS OF JOB VACANCIES THAT WE'VE HAD.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A TIGHT LABOR MARKET IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL POLICIES IS PART OF HOW DEMOCRATS ARE MARKETING MINNESOTA.

>> AND THAT IS THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE DEBATE STARTED BY THE SUPREME COURT, WITH THE DOBBS DECISION ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

WE KNOW THAT IT IS A CRITICAL ISSUE FOR MINNESOTANS AND FOR AMERICANS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY'RE GOING TO CHOOSE WHERE THEY LIVE KNOWING WHAT STATES STAND FOR.

AND WE'VE BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR ON THIS ISSUE OF FREEDOM AND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR AS SHARED THAT IN VITRO FERTILIZATION CREATED HIS FAMILY SO HE, TOO, IS LEANING IN ON REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AS A WAY TO ATTRACT WORKERS.

>> IT'S OUTRAGEOUS, WE IN MINNESOTA WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT.

>> Mary: REMAINING ECONOMIC RISKS, INCLUDE INFLATION, INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND FEDERAL MONETARY POLICY, ALTHOUGH WALZ IS WORKING THE UPSIDES.

>> WE'RE MARKETING AS A TOP FIVE BUSINESS STATE.

OUR CLIMATE IS GOOD.

YOU'RE SEEING CORPORATE PROFITS ARE UP.

AT RECORD LEVELS.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

THAT MEANS THEY'RE WORKING N IT.

WE'RE MAKING THE CASE, BOTH FROM A CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY PERSPECTIVE, TRYING TO LOWER THE COST OF HOUSING, MAKING SURE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, AND JUST TO BE VERY CANDID ON THIS IS, WE'RE NOT PUTTING GOVERNMENT IN BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR.

WE'RE NOT TELLING YOU WHO YOU CAN MARRY, WE'RE NOT BANNING BOOKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THE BIG BUDGET SURPLUS, ERIN CAMPBELL, COMMISSIONER OF MINNESOTA MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS MMB.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: LARGER THAN EXPECTED SURPLUS, $3.7 BILLION.

THEN WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT NO MORE NEW SPENDING?

>> THE FOCUS IS REALLY ON ONGOING SPENDING FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.

WE DO HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS IN BOTH THIS BIENNIA AND THE NEXT, $3.7 BILLION THIS BIENNIA AND 2.2 IN THE NEXT BUT WE ALSO HAVE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IN THE NEXT BIENNIUM.

SO THAT STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IS $1.5 BILLION.

THAT LEAVES RESOURCES ON THE BOTTOM LINE, BUT THAT IS ONE-TIME IN NATURE, AS OPPOSED TO ONGOING.

>> Eric: SO YOU GOT -- DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TAX REVENUE TO COVER PROJECTED SPENDING, IS THAT A FAIR WAY TO SAY IT, IF MORE SPENDING OCCURS LIKE THIS SESSION, FOR INSTANCE?

>> YUP.

SO, THE NATURE OF A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IS SIMPLY THAT EXPENDITURES ARE EXCEEDING REVENUES.

WE ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD RECORD SURPLUSES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND, SO, AT THE END OF THE BIENNIUM, WE ARE ROLLING MONEY OVER INTO THE NEXT.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD ANTICIPATE HAPPENING IF THERE AREN'T RESOURCES SPENT THIS YEAR, THEY WILL ROLL OVER INTO THE NEXT AND THAT REALLY HELPS TO MITIGATE THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE.

>> Cathy: SO A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE, IS THAT THE SAME THING AS A PROJECTED SHORTFALL?

>> I SUPPOSE YOU COULD -- I MEAN, IT'S -- ULTIMATELY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE RESOURCES ON THE BOTTOM LINE AND SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

AND, SO, IT'S NOT THAT WE HAVE A SHORTFALL, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SURPLUSES.

IT IS THAT IN TERMS OF THE ONGOING NATURE OF THAT SPENDING, AT SOME POINT WE EITHER NEED SPENDING TO COME DOWN OR REVENUES TO GO UP.

IN ORDER TO BREAK EVEN.

>> Eric: HOW DOES MINNESOTA FARE WHEN YOU GUYS GO OUT TO NEW YORK AND GET A CREDIT RATING FROM THE BOND HOUSES OR THE CREDIT AGENCIES?

>> WE HAVE FARED VERY WELL.

WE ARE A TRIPLE A STATE AND WE HOPE TO MAINTAIN OUR TRIPLE A RATING.

>> Eric: WHY IS THAT A GOOD THING TO HAVE?

>> BECAUSE IT DECREASES THE COST OF BORROWING.

SO WHEN WE ARE THINKING ABOUT A CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL, WE WANT TO HAVE THE LOWEST INTEREST RATES POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE'RE SAVING THE STATE AND OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY AND HAVING A HIGH CREDIT RATING MEANS THAT WE GET THE BEST INTEREST RATES.

>> Eric: YOU FOLKS TALK ABOUT POSSIBLE RISKS IN THE FORECAST.

IS THE INCREASED IMMIGRATION AND MAYBE MORE TO COME, IS THAT GOING TO HAVE A SHORT-TERM ISSUE ON WELFARE, HUMAN SERVICES COST?

DO WE KNOW THAT?

>> WELL, IT WASN'T A FACTOR IN THIS FORECAST.

BUT IT WAS A FACTOR IN THE NOVEMBER FORECAST, WHERE WE WERE SEEING AN INCREASE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

YOU KNOW, ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR MORE WORKERS IN THE STATE AND, SO, I THINK THAT THERE ARE -- THERE'S MORE THAN ONE DYNAMIC AT PLAY THERE.

>> Cathy: SAY, JUST CURIOUS, HOW DOES THE BUDGET RESERVES PLAY INTO ALL THIS?

>> WE HAVE A FULLY FUNDED BUDGET RESERVE, THAT IS UPDATED EACH NOVEMBER, SO AT THIS FORECAST, WE DIDN'T TOUCH IT, BUT EVERY NOVEMBER, AS PART OF THE FORECAST PROCESS, WE ARE STUDYING HOW MUCH IS IN THE RESERVE AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S ENOUGH IN THE RESERVE TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED DOWNTURN IN REVENUES IN THE BIENNIUM, IN WHICH WE WERE IN, THAT WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TO STAY AFLOAT.

>> Eric: AND THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE HIS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST OUT IN A COUPLE WEEKS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, YUP.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER, THANKS.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

BYE-BYE.

♪♪ >> I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 11 CITIES, TO REALLY GET IN THERE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE OF THE COMMUNITY, THOSE HIGHWAY 7 SAFETY, YOU KNOW, THE PARKS AND TRAILS IN EXCELSIOR, CLEAN WATER ISSUES, I MEAN, ENVIRONMENT, I'VE GOT A BIG BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN LAKE MINNETONKA HERE, BILLS CAME THROUGH COMMITTEE, I SAW OPENINGS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, I THINK OPERATIONALLY, WE CAN DO THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

AND I HAD SOME SUCCESS.

YOU KNOW, I GOT SOME AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED, I GOT SOME BILLS PASSED.

OF I THINK WE WERE 60, 70 AMENDMENTS IN AND THEY WEREN'T TAKING ANY.

AND THEN I WORKED REALLY HARD WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND ENDED UP GETTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TAKEN.

SO PEOPLE WOULD KIND OF JOKE, HEY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO GET AMENDMENTS DONE, TALK TO MYERS, MAYBE HE CAN GET THEM DONE.

IT WAS SOMETHING SMALL ON PAID SICK AND SAFE TIME, I'M TRYING TO FIND THOSE AREAS THAT I CAN DO IT.

>> NOTICE HOW HAPPY EVERYONE IS THIS YEAR?

THAT’S BECAUSE IT’S BEEN SO WARM THIS WINTER.

IT HARDLY EVEN GOT BELOW 30.

WHEN I WAS A KID IF IT EVER GOT UP TO 30 IN JANUARY, WE’D ALL PUT ON SHORTS AND GO OUTSIDE WITHOUT OUR COATS.

WE HAD ONE OR TWO MEASLY SNOWSTORMS - THAT’S PATHETIC.

MIGHT AS WELL LIVE ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND, AND WHAT FUN WOULD THAT BE?

THERE WAS NO SNOW UNTIL FEBRUARY, AND THEN IT ONLY STUCK AROUND FOR 24 HOURS, LIKE A MAYFLY.

YOU COULDN’T EVEN FIND YOUR MITTENS THAT FAST.

WE’LL BE TELLING OUR GRANDKIDS ABOUT THE “GREAT VALENTINE STORM” OF 2024, WHEN IT SNOWED ONE DAY FROM NOON TO SUPPER TIME.

SO, GREAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, A TOO-WARM WINTER COULD MEAN WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE SOONER.

SCIENTISTS SAY A COLD CLIMATE KEEPS US ALIVE LONGER, AS LONG AS WE DON'T FREEZE TO DEATH.

APPARENTLY, WE ARE PRESERVED IN FROZEN TEMPERATURES, LIKE PORK CHOPS.

HUMAN BODY TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN SLOWLY DROPPING OVER DECADES SINCE 1860, AND LIFE EXPECTANCY HAS BEEN GOING UP.

WE LIVE LONGER IN THE COLD - OR MAYBE IT JUST SEEMS LONGER.

THIS HAS ALSO BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN OTHER ANIMALS.

SCIENTISTS WOULD BREED WORMS AT A CERTAIN TEMP, THEN MOVE THEM TO COLDER CLIMATES.

THEY ALL LIVED LONGER, ALTHOUGH THEY DRANK MORE AND SOMETIMES WOULDN’T GET OUT OF BED.

THEY SAY THIS IS RELATED TO A PROCESS CALLED “PROTEIN MISFOLDING” IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, WHICH CAN TRIGGER DISEASES LIKE PARKINSON’S AND ALZHEIMER’S.

THEY NEVER COVERED THIS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL.

MISFOLDING IS HOW I GOT OUT OF DOING THE LAUNDRY.

SCIENTISTS ARE WONDERING HOW TO APPLY THIS TO HUMANS, BUT IT SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR TO ME - IT MEANS WE SHOULD ALL MOVE TO BIWABIK.

MEANWHILE, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PREVENT THIS PROTEIN MISFOLDING.

MAY BE A GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN SPRAY STARCH.

OF COURSE, THIS WINTER WAS PROBABLY JUST A FLUKE.

NEXT YEAR WE’LL PROBABLY BE BACK TO NORMAL, WHERE IT’S COLD ENOUGH TO FREEZE YOUR NOSE HAIRS.

IF NOT, WE ALL MAY BE GOING TO DIE A LITTLE SOONER BUT LOOKING A LITTLE MORE TANNED AND HAPPY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S ALWAYS MY FAVORITE SEGMENT OF THE YEAR.

AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN'S AUTHOR KATE DICAMILLO VISITS US HERE IN STUDIO B, SHARES A NEW BOOK EXAMINE WE TRADE PUNCHES.

>> Cathy: PUNCHES.

>> ERIC: WHEN SHE WAS HERE LAST FALL, WE ASKED HER TO RETURN SOON.

AND SHE'S HERE WITH ANOTHER NEW BOOK.

'FERRIS' COMES OUT NEXT WEEK.

IT'S A NEW GENRE FOR HER, A STORY ABOUT A HAPPY FAMILY.

[ Laughter ] >> IT IS.

>> Eric: YOU ARE THE PRIDE OF CLAREMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> CLAREMONT ELEMENTARY.

YOU'VE DONE -- YOU'VE DUG INTO MY PAST.

>> Cathy: ESEARCH.

>> BECAUSE YOU'RE TRYING TO THROW ME OFF.

AND I'VE ALREADY GOT MY LINE PLANNED FOR YOU.

>> Eric: YOU WANT TO DO IT NOW OR WAIT?

>> I'D LIKE TO DO IT NOW.

>> Eric: GO.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MODIFIED DICAMILLO, WHICH WAS THE LINE OF THE CENTURY WHEN YOU DID THAT.

I MEAN, YOU SHUT ME UP.

>> Eric: I HAVE TO GO ON MY OWN.

I CAN'T BE FOLLOWING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS.

I HAVE TO DO MY OWN PATH.

AND I'VE GOT A LITTLE SHORTER.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THIS, BUT ERIC ASKED FOR A HAIRCUT LIKE MINE, GIVE ME HE MODIFIED DICAMILLO.

>> Eric: I'VE GOT TO GO MY OWN PATH.

IT'S UNFAIR TO YOU.

>> IT LOOKS NICE.

I THINK YOU LOOK BETTER WITHOUT THE DICAMILLO, YEAH.

>> Cathy: WE THINK HE LOOKS LIKE KERNEL SANDERS -- COLONEL SANDERS, SOMETIMES.

>> Eric: PINKY HAS BEEN ARRESTED, BAILED OUT OF JAIL, FERRIS IS AT THE STEAK HOUSE, THERE'S SOME GUY IN THE -- PAINTING A FOOT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S A HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'LL LET YOU FINISH IT, THEN WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT QUESTIONS MIGHT BE UNANSWERED FOR YOU.

OKAY, WHY DON'T YOU FINISH IT, THEN WE WILL HAVE A BOOK CLUB.

>> Eric: GOOD IDEA.

>> Cathy: I OVE EVERY -- EVERY STORY IS A LOVE STORY.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: YOU HAD THEMES OF LOVE IN THE OTHER BOOKS, JUST NOT THAT OBVIOUS.

>> LOVE SHOWS UP ALL THE TIME.

BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, AS OUR FRIEND SAID, THAT I HAVE WRITTEN A COMPLETE FAMILY.

THIS IS NO MISSING MOTHER, NO MISSING FATHER.

AND IT WAS, YOU KNOW, IT WAS HEALING, IT WAS HEALING.

AND IT WAS BORN OF MY BEST FRIEND'S FIRST GRANDDAUGHTER WAS BORN AND I WAS LOOKING AT ALL THESE PICTURES OF THIS CHILD COMING INTO THE WORLD WITH HER -- HERE ARE HER GRANDPARENTS, HERE ARE HER PARENTS, I THOUGHT THE MINUTE SHE ARRIVED, SHE WAS LOVED.

AND LIKE WHAT A GIFT.

AND THIS IS THE THING HERE.

LET ME GET UP ON MY SOAP BOX.

THIS IS WHAT A GOOD BOOK CAN DO IS IT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL LOVED AND IT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL WELCOMED IN.

AND, SO, THAT'S WHAT I HOPE THAT READERS WILL FEEL LIKE THEY'RE A PART OF THIS FAMILY, TOO.

>> Eric: IS THIS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LITERARY VIEW GOING FORWARD?

>> YOU MEAN, AM I GOING TO BE MORE UPBEAT AND LESS WILLING TO TRADE PUNCHES WITH YOU?

JUST MUCH MORE MELLOW?

>> Eric: JUST A DIFFERENT LENS.

>> I DO FEEL CHANGED.

YOU KNOW, PART OF IT IS JUST AGING AND PART OF IT IS JUST THIS AWARENESS OF WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME AND ALL OF THE READERS AND HOW I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THEM.

IT'S BEEN, LET'S FACE IT, I WAS HERE 20 -- >> Eric: 23 YEARS AGO.

>> -- 23 YEARS AGO.

>> Eric: RED BALLOON STILL.

>> RIGHT, 23 YEARS.

AND I HAVE GOTTEN TO FEEL THAT LOVE FROM READERS AND TO GIVE IT BACK.

SO, YEAH, MAYBE I AM CHANGED.

IT ONLY TOOK 23 YEARS.

>> Cathy: IS THE LOVE YOU'RE GETTING KIND OF FILLING THAT HOLE THAW MAY HAVE HAD IN YOU AS A KID?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> BSOLUTELY.

AND, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT SAVED ME AS A KID WAS BOOKS.

AND, SO, THERE'S A WONDERFUL FULL-CIRCLE KIND OF THING THERE, YEAH.

>> Cathy: DIDN'T YOU SAY TO ME, I THINK YOU SAID THIS BEFORE -- >> PROBABLY NOT.

>> Cathy: I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE.

YOU LEARNED SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF EVERY TIME YOU WRITE.

RIGHT?

SO WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH "FERRIS"?

>> I LEARNED THAT VERY THING THAT WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT, THAT THE WRITING HAS CHANGED ME.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> AND THAT THE CONNECTION WITH READERS HAS CHANGED ME.

YEAH.

>> Eric: YOU ARE A FIRST AUTHOR HERE WHO'S EVER COME TO PLUG TWO BOOKS.

>> OH, YEAH, YEAH.

>> Eric: SO I'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

>> Cathy: WELL, THREE, NO, WAIT.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

>> Eric: ORSON TEMPLE IS A LITTLE MORE, WIDE MARGINS.

>> ONE THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH.

>> Eric: I DID GET THROUGH IT.

>> THANK YOU, YEAH.

>> Eric: GOOD ILLUSTRATIONS.

WHO'S THE WOMAN WHO DID THE ILLUSTRATIONS?

>> CARMEN MOCK, JUST FANTASTIC.

>> Eric: A RAT, A MOUSE, AN OWL, SARDINES.

>> WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

[ Laughter ] I MEAN, THAT'S IT, THE -- ERIC, THAT SUMS UP THE BOOK.

A RAT, AN OWL AND SOME SARDINES, LET'S PUT IT ON THE BLURB.

>> ric: ARE THERE TICKETS LEFT FOR THE BOOK LAUNCH?

>> THINK THERE ARE AND THAT'S THURSDAY.

>> Eric: WHERE IS IT?

>> UNIVERSITY OF St. THOMAS THROUGH RED BALLOON.

>> Cathy: WAIT.

WE SHOULD SAY, YOU'VE BEEN A HOUSE ON FIRE.

I MEAN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE THREE BOOKS, REALLY, THREE BOOKS COMING OUT THIS YEAR.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: IS THAT A BYPRODUCT OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> IT IS.

>> Cathy: OH, IT IS, OKAY.

>> IT IS.

I HAVE SO MANY WRITER FRIENDS, SO MANY PEOPLE DURING THAT TIME, SAID, OH, I CAN'T CRITERIA, I CAN'T CONCENTRATE.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, I COULD AND I WAS SO GRATEFUL BECAUSE THOSE ANCHORED ME DURING THAT TIME.

AND NOW, HERE THEY ARE.

>> Cathy: YOU YOU HAVE BEEN WRITING MORE THAN -- YOU MUST HAVE BEEN WRITING MORE THAN TWO PAGES A DAY.

I'M JUST SAYING.

>> THAT'S LIKE YOU STOLE ERIC'S LINE.

>> Eric: DON'T STEAL MY STUFF.

>> I DID ACTUALLY WRITE MORE THAN TWO PAGES A DAY.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUSTED.

>> Eric: THERE YOU GO, YOU'VE CHANGED.

>> I'VE CHANGED.

ANYBODY CAN CHANGE IF I CAN CHANGE.

>> Eric: KATE DICAMILLO, EVERYBODY, THE GREATEST.

>> Cathy: YOU ARE THE GREATEST.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: SEE YOU LATER.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> JEARLYN: THIS WEEKEND THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE WILL HOST THE MIDWINTER FOLK FEST THAT INCLUDES MUSICAL PERFORMANCES OVER AT THE CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER.

HERE WITH US NOW IS HELENA HALLBERG HEADLINING THE CEDAR WITH LOCAL MUSICIAN ROSS SUTTER TO TALK ABOUT THE EVENT.

HEY, ROSS.

>> HEY.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> HEY, DUDE.

OKAY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG EVENT.

>> IT IS.

>> TELL ME WHAT IT IS THAT YOU KNOW THAT'S BIG ABOUT IT.

>> WELL, THAT IT'S THE BIGGEST THING, I THINK, IS IT'S FREE FOR YOUTH TO COME TO THIS FESTIVAL.

>> I LOVE THAT.

IT GOES UP TO WHAT AGE?

>> UP TO 18.

>> 18, EXACTLY.

>> AND ADULTS CAN COME TOO.

IT WAS A FESTIVAL STARTED BACK IN THE '80s FOR GETTING KIDS TO LEARN SWEDISH MUSIC AND TO PLAY IT.

ESPECIALLY ON THE FIDDLE.

>> YOU'RE INTRODUCING THEM TO THE DULCIMER.

>> THIS IS AN INSTRUMENT WE WILL GIVE TO EACH OF THE KIDS THAT COME TO A MORNING WORKSHOP WITH ME ON SATURDAY.

>> TOMORROW.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON, THEY GET TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY SWEDISH TUNES FROM HELENA.

>> NOW, HELENA, YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO HELENA IS, SHE IS THE PERSON, EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR TOMORROW.

WELCOME.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> THANK YOU.

I'M GOOD.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> OKAY, NOW THAT YOU'RE IN MINNESOTA, WHAT DO YOU KNOW SO FAR?

AND WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT MAYBE NONE OF US NOTICED?

>> I MEAN, IT LOOKS PRETTY MUCH EXACTLY LIKE SWEDEN.

IF I'M GOING TO BE HONEST.

I TOUCHED DOWN A THE -- WITH THE AIRPLANE AND I'M LIKE, WOW, I'M IN SCANDINAVIA.

>> OH, MY GOSH, I'M A SWEDE.

OH, MY GOSH.

OKAY, SO HERE WE GO.

YOU'RE DOING THIS CONCERT, REALLY, RIGHT?

AND TELL ME WHAT IT IS ABOUT THE DULCIMER THAT LANDED IN YOUR HEART.

>> WELL, I WAS NTRODUCED TO THE DULCIMER BY -- THROUGH JONI MITCHELL.

I ALSO -- THE WHOLE REASON WHY I REALLY REALLY STUCK WITH IT IS THE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY THAT EXISTS AROUND IT AND EVERYONE IS SO KIND AND SO WELCOMING AND SO OPEN.

AND THAT REALLY -- THAT REALLY JUST MADE ME FALL IN LOVE MORE WITH THIS INSTRUMENT.

>> FALL IN LOVE WITH AN INSTRUMENT.

>> YEAH.

>> AND YOU SING AS WELL.

>> I DO, YES.

>> WHICH ONE IS IT THAT YOU LOVE THE MOST OR ARE THEY TWINS?

>> I WAS A SINGER FIRST SO I THINK I'M ALWAYS GOING TO BE A SINGER FIRST.

OR A SONGWRITER FIRST, MAYBE.

YEAH.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SING WITH YOU ONE DAY.

>> PLEASE.

I WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> I'M JUST SAYIN'.

YOU WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> I WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> I'M SO GOING TO HOLD YOU TO IT.

>> KAY, GREAT.

>> YOU'RE ABOUT TO PLAY.

WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT YOU'RE GOING TO PLAY TONIGHT?

>> THE FIRST SONG IS CALLED "FROM THE OUTSIDE," IT'S FROM MY UPCOMING DEBUT RECORD AND IT'S INSPIRED BY THE SWEDISH FOREST I GREW UP IN, BUT ALSO INSPIRED BY THE COURAGE OF STEPPING OUT OF YOUR OWN CULTURE AND TAKING A CHANCE.

>> THIS IS ALL HAPPENING TOMORROW.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THERE.

SHE'S PERFORMING AT 8:45, TAKE A LISTEN.

♪ I DO BELIEVE IS THE ONLY WAY IN IS OUT ♪ ♪ I'M QUIET WHEN THEY SEEM TO SHOUT ♪ ♪ MY MIND IS ON THE FOREST FLOOR SENDING THOUGHTS TO THE ETHER ♪ ♪ THEY GAVE ME CHOICES, BUT I WASN'T REALLY FREE TO CHOOSE ♪ ♪ SET MYSELF UP TO LOSE ♪ ♪ AND WHEN THEY SAID LIVE OR DIE, I SAID NEITHER ♪ ♪ YOU SAID NOWHERE FAST, I SAY, SOMEDAY SOON ♪ ♪ I'M NOT RUNNING, I'M FINDING MY STRIDE ♪ ♪ I KNOW I'LL SEE THE TREES OF THE FOREST FROM THE OUTSIDE ♪ ♪ AND EVEN WHEN THE DANGER'S CALLING ME INSIDE ARE FALLING AND I MIGHT HAVE TO BREAK TO BEND IN THE END ♪ ♪ I'VE SEEN IT ALL FROM THE OUTSIDE ♪ ♪ I DO BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT IS IN, IS IT ENOUGH TO WIN SOME SYMPATHY, LOST ON A WINNING CAUSE OF THE GREAT PROTECTOR ♪ ♪ OH, HOW I RELISH MASCULINITY IN HEELS, WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR EMPATHY, IF YOU DON'T GO TO THERAPY SOON, YOU'LL JUST END UP A PROJECTOR ♪ ♪ YOU SAID, MOTHERHOOD, I SAY, MEN ARE KEY ♪ ♪ I'M NOT RUNNING, I'M FINDING MY STRIDE ♪ I KNOW I'LL SEE THE TREES FROM THE FOREST FROM THE OUTSIDE ♪ ♪ AND EVEN WHEN THE DANGER'S CALLING ME, THE INSIDES ARE FALLING AND I MIGHT HAVE TO BREAK TO FEND IN THE END ♪ ♪ AND IF IT ALL COMES RASHING DOWN ♪ ♪ AND I NEVER QUITE MAKE IT OUT ♪ ♪ THAT'S WHEN I'LL PACK UP MY LIFE AND I'LL SETTLE DOWN SOMEHOW ♪ ♪ SAYIN' AT LEAST I TRIED ♪ ♪ AND I'LL HAVE STORIES ON MY SIDE ♪ ♪ I'M NOT RUNNING ♪ ♪ I'M FINDING MY STRIDE ♪ ♪ I KNOW I'LL SEE THE TREES OF THE FOREST FROM THE OUTSIDE ♪ ♪ AND EVEN IF I COME HOME WITH BROKEN BONES, AT LEAST I MAY HAVE LEARNED TO MEND ♪ ♪ BECAUSE IN THE END ♪ ♪ I'LL HAVE SEEN IT ALL FROM THE OUTSIDE ♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S BEEN 12 DAYS SINCE THE MINNESOTA TWINS HAD THEIR FIRST FULL-SQUAD WORKOUT IN SPRING TRAINING.

LESS THAN A WEEK AGO THE MINNESOTA WILD WAS JUST TWO POINTS OUT OF THE LAST PLAYOFF SPOT, BUT THAT BALLOONED TO EIGHT POINTS AFTER LAST NIGHT'S LOSS.

THE VIKINGS' 2024 SEASON HASN'T BEGUN, BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT WHO WILL QUARTERBACK THE TEAM NEXT FALL.

LARRY FITZGERALD, SR., IS BACK.

WHEN HE'S NOT SITTING HERE WITH US, YOU CAN HEAR HIS RADIO WORK ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

FITZY, FITZY, WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: HELP US OUT HERE WITH THE VIKES.

A LOT OF QUESTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE FUTURE OF KIRK COUSINS.

DOES HE STAY OR DOES HE GO?

>> WELL, HE'S COMING OFF AN INJURY, GOT HURT AGAINST THE PACKERS, REMEMBER, WHEN THE VIKINGS WON THAT GAME AND HE HAD TO LIMP OFF, OF COURSE, THE VIKINGS WERE 7-10, WEREN'T ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, REPEAT AS DIVISION CHAMPIONS.

SO HE'S IN A POSITION WHERE YOU JUST CAN'T LET HIM GO OUT LIKE THAT.

FROM THAT STANDPOINT, I SAY THEY GOT TO BRING HIM BACK BECAUSE HE CAN STILL PLAY, HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST QUARTERBACKS IN FOOTBALL UNTIL HE GOT HURT.

AND, SO, HE'S IN A POSITION WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE THAN JUST THE VIKINGS, ASKING FOR HIS SERVICES.

ATLANTA'S GOING TO COME STRONG, AND IF THEY COME OVER 40 MILLION FOR A TWO-YEAR DEAL, THAT MIGHT KNOCK THE VIKINGS OUT OF THE BOX.

THE THINKING IS, YOU CAN'T DO BOTH.

YOU CAN'T SIGN KIRK AND TAKE THE 11th PICK, WHICH THEY HAVE, AND DRAFT A QUARTERBACK.

BECAUSE QUARTERBACKS DON'T WANT TO COME IN AND BE SITTING AND WAITING FOR TWO, THREE YEARS.

SO THAT'S -- THEY'RE IN A BOX.

>> Eric: I'M ALL EXCITED ABOUT THE WILD.

EARLY IN THE WEEK, THEY WERE WITHIN TWO OF THAT LAST PLAYOFF SPOT.

THEY PLAY NASHVILLE, NOW EIGHT POINTS OUT.

IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO PICK UP IN 20 GAMES.

>> 20 GAMES IS STILL A LOT OF GAMES.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> IT'S EING ABLE TO PUT WINS BEHIND EACH OTHER, THAT TYPE OF THING.

THEY'VE GOT TO GET ETTER GOALTENDING, THAT TYPE OF THING.

IT'S MAZING TO EVEN THINK, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEASON, WHEN THEY WERE GIVING UP SEVEN GOALS A GAME, THAT THEY'RE EVEN WITHIN EIGHT POINTS.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> BUT IT'S DOABLE.

I JUST HOPE THAT THEY CAN PUT ON THAT CHARGE.

IT'S MARCH.

YOU KNOW, MARCH MADNESS.

YOU KNOW, NOT JUST FOR BASKETBALL, BUT FOR HOCKEY.

THEY GOTTA TURN IT ON.

>> Cathy: DEFINITION ARE LOOKING -- TWINS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, ACTUALLY, IN SPRING TRAINING SO FAR.

>> YOU KNOW, I JUST CAME BACK FROM ARIZONA.

I HAD TO GO AND SEE THE CACTUS LEAGUE, WHEN YOU'VE GOT A BASEBALL TEAM THAT SPENDS A BILLION DOLLARS, I GOTTA GO SEE THAT.

YOU KNOW?

>> Eric: THE DODGERS.

>> THE DODGERS.

YEAH.

FOUND OUT THAT HE GOT MARRIED, DIDN'T INVITE ME TO THE WEDDING.

>> Cathy: OH.

>> Eric: YOU GONNA GIVE HIM A TOASTER.

>> HE ACTUALLY HIT A HOMERUN AGAINST THE WHITE SOX THAT I SAW.

>> Eric: HE'S AMAZING.

>> HE'S AN INCREDIBLE TALENT.

IF THE DODGERS DON'T WIN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT BASEBALL?

YOU CAN SPEND A BILLION DOLLARS AND NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH?

>> Eric: WHAT'S UP WITH JOE POHLAD CUTTING THE BUDGET BY 20 MILLION, WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> HE'S ALLOWING SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HAD CONSISTENT SUCCESS, NOT SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, LIKE TAMPA.

>> Eric: TAMPA, YEAH.

>> TAMPA BAY WINS EVERY YEAR, YOU KNOW, THEY WON 99 LAST YEAR, GOT KICKED OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS, THEIR BUDGET IS WAY DOWN.

THEY LOOK AT WHAT EVERYBODY DOES.

THE TEAMS THAT WIN, THAT DON'T SPEND, AND THE TEAMS THAT SPEND AND STILL WIN.

SO, IT'S A CATCH-22, BUT, I TELL YOU, ROYCE LEWIS, I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE -- >> Eric: Mr. GRAND SLAM.

>> HE'S Mr. STAR, I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE A GUY WHO CAN HIT 30 THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: BUXTON, CENTERFIELD.

>> Cathy: IF HE'S HEALTHY.

>> I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.

HE DIDN'T PLAY AT ALL LAST YEAR.

I CAN'T REMEMBER A BASEBALL PLAYER NOT PLAYING ALL YEAR AND THEN NEXT YEAR HE COMES BACK AND LAYS 100 GAMES.

I'M PULLING FOR HIM.

HE'S A GREAT PLAYER WHEN HE PLAYS.

BUT, BOY, I TELL YOU, HIS AVERAGE HAS DROPPED, TOO, WHEN HE'S NOT PLAYING.

SO I HOPE THAT HE'LL GET BACK IN THE LINEUP.

>> Cathy: KAITLIN CLARK EXPERIENCE CAME TO THE BARN.

SHE WAS AMAZING.

TO WATCH.

OH, MY GOSH.

OF COURSE, SHE SINGLE-HANDEDLY BEAT THE GOPHERS.

THE GOPHERS DIDN'T LOOK THAT GREAT ANYWAY.

SHE'S JUST AMAZING.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT HER?

>> SHE'S A GREAT TALENT, SHE'S GOING TO BE A HUGE HUGE LIFT FOR THE WNBA.

AND I'M CHALLENGING WOMEN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO GET BEHIND THE WNBA.

THEY'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 28 YEARS.

THEY ONLY PLAY 34 GAMES, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS, WOMEN NEED SUPPORT AND THEY NEED MORE WOMEN BUYING SEASON TICKETS TO HELP THE GAME AND BRING IT ALONG BECAUSE KAITLIN CLARK IS GOING TO BE THAT TYPE OF PLAYER THAT CAN HELP LIFT THE LEAGUE.

>> Eric: TWASTLES -- T-WOLVES, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY?

>> THEY'RE GREAT, THEY'RE PLAYING TONIGHT, PLAYING SUNDAY AGAINST THE CLIPPERS, WHO EVERYBODY THINKS THEY'RE VERY VERY GOOD, I SAW THEM BELOW A 20-POINT LEAD TO THE LAKERS.

I THINK THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE LEGIT.

IF THEY STAY HEALTHY, THEY ARE GOING TO BE SOMEBODY THAW DON'T WANT TO PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS.

>> Eric: ARE YOU A TENNIS PLAYER?

>> I USED TO BE.

I USED TO BE.

I'VE WON A FEW MATCHES, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE DAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, GOLF HAS BECOME MY GAME AGAIN.

AS LONG AS I CAN GET TWO ASIDE FROM YOU, I'M GOOD.

>> Eric: NOT PADDLE BALL, THAT'S TENNIS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> Eric: LARRY FITZGERALD, ALWAYS GREAT, FITZY.

THANK YOU, GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ >> IN MINNEAPOLIS, YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE ON 32nd STREET, 36th STREET'S FOUR BLOCKS AWAY.

IN St. PAUL, THERE'S NO RHYME NOR REASON, IT'S NOT NUMERICAL, IT'S NOT ALPHABETICAL.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS THOSE IRISH GUYS, YOU KNOW WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO.

[ Laughter ] [ Applause ] OH, AM I IN TROUBLE NOW?

>> YOU'RE REALLY IN TROUBLE NOW.

♪♪ >> ERIC: A LARGER BUDGET SURPLUS THAN EXPECTED, A POSSIBLE COMPROMISE ON SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, CAUCUSES AND A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY JUST A WEEK APART.

SO MANY POLITICAL TOPICS FOR TONIGHT'S PANEL TO PONDER.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST.

ANNETTE MEEKS IS BACK, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER, NOW HEAD OF THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

BRIAN MCCLUNG IS A FORMER TIM PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN, NOW A P.R.

PROFESSIONAL.

DFLERS WITH US TONIGHT, ABOU AMARA IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A PRACTICING ATTORNEY.

AND WE WELCOME BACK SARA LOPEZ, POLICY DIRECTOR AT OO-NI-DOS MINNESOTA WHO HAS SPENT MANY HOURS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

BRIAN, THE SPENDING, VITAL INVESTMENTS OR RECKLESS SPENDING?

>> WELL, RIGHT, THAT'S ALL IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> Eric: ISN'T THAT WHAT THE QUESTION IS RIGHT NOW?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

I THINK IT'S BEEN A QUESTION OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

LAST YEAR THERE WAS AN $18 SURPLUS AND -- $18 BILLION SURPLUS AND DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE THE TRIFECTA SENT BACK ZERO DOLLARS OF THAT ESSENTIALLY IN TAX CUTS AND REFUNDS.

EVEN THE CHECKS THAT DID GET BACK, PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE CHECKS, MISSED THEM, NOW GETTING THE SECOND ROUND, THIRD ROUND, SO SMALL MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN CARE.

NOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS, SURE, THERE'S A SURPLUS IN THE IMMEDIATE TERM.

BUT THAT $1.5 BILLION SPECIFY DATE -- DEFICIT PROJECTED FOR THE NEXT BUDGET PERIOD, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO WEIGH HEAVILY ON LEGISLATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE THIS YEAR.

THERE'S SOME MONEY TO SPEND, MAYBE, ON THINGS LIKE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, SOME THINGS WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS, I THINK THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS OUT OF THE BUDGET FORECAST THIS WEEKMENT.

BUT ONGER-TERM, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

>> Eric: ON THURSDAY, THE SPEAKER IN THE MORNING SAID SHE WAS ALREADY GETTING TEXT MESSAGES FROM MEMBERS WHO WANTED TO SPEND MORE MONEY OF THE SURPLUS.

CAN THE LEADERSHIP AND THE GOVERNOR SAY NO TO THE PROGRESSIVES WHO WANT TO DO MORE?

>> I THINK THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO LAY THE GROUNDWORK TOWARD PROSPERITY.

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE VERY DILIGENT, INTENTIONAL ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE EXTRA TAX DOLLARS.

AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE MORE EQUITY IN THE WAY THAT WE SPEND THE MONEY.

MORE INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF MINNESOTA, BRIDGES AND ROADS.

BUT ALSO WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE WORKER, CONTINUING TO BRIDGE THE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC GAPS IN THE STATE.

>> Cathy: THE LANGUAGE USED IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE.

IS THAT NOT A BUDGET SHORTFALL?

>> IT'S NOT A UDGET SHORTFALL, HERE'S WHY.

WE HAVE A SURPLUS RIGHT NOW OF $3 BILLION, ASSUMING WE DON'T HAVE SPEND 10, 15% OF IT, WE WON'T HAVE A PROJECT DEFICIT MOVING FORWARD.

THIS SURPLUS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AGAIN, IT'S THE BLUE ECONOMY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, SENATE, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND HAVE CONTINUALLY DELIVERED SURPLUSES.

AND NOW WE'RE IN A POSITION, I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE STRUCTURAL SPENDING.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE ONE-TIME SPENDING THIS SESSION AROUND BONDING, OTHER THINGS.

THAT DOESN'T IMPACT US LONG TERM.

>> I THINK OUR BIGGER PROBLEM IS, WE JUST SPEND TOO MUCH.

AND THERE'S BEEN NO ADULTS IN THE ROOM TO SAY, ENOUGH.

AS BRIAN POINTED OUT, THEY SPENT AN EXTRA $18 BILLION LAST YEAR, THEY DOLED OUT GRANTS OF A ILLION DOLLARS THAT ARE BASICALLY UNACCOUNTABLE, THEY DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE STATE AGENCY.

>> Eric: TO THE NONPROFITS.

>> RIGHT TO THE NONPROFITS.

NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND WHO'S ACCOUNTABLE.

YOU LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, NOW YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE?

WE DON'T HAVE ANY MORE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT ADO YOU SAID, WE COULD HAVE -- ABU SAID, WE COULD HAVE A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE NEXT TIME.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN IN CONTROL.

AND YOU CONTINUE TO POINT THE FINGER, THE REALITY IS THE REALITY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AS A STATE.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN MINNESOTANS.

AND THE SPENDING, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE SPENT TON.

FEEDING OUR CHILDREN.

WE SPENT IT ON.

WE SPENT IT ON MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAD HEALTHCARE.

WE SPENT IT ON MAKING SURE PEOPLE COULD RETIRE WITH SOME DIGNITY.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE SPENT IT ON.

IT'S NOT JUST ABSTRACT MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT THE VALUES THAT MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT.

>> Eric: BRIAN, YOU WANT TO GET IN?

>> BACK TO THE OVERALL POINT, YOU KNOW, THIS BUDGET NOW IS $72 BILLION IN GENERAL FUND SPENDING, WHEN GOVERNOR PAWLENTY LEFT OFFICE IN 2010, IT WAS $30 BILLION.

>> WITH A DEFICIT.

>> SO WE'VE MORE THAN DOUBLED STATE BUDGET SPENDING IN THOSE 13 YEARS OR O SINCE THEN.

SURE, THERE'S BEEN INFLATION, BUT NOBODY'S AYCHECK HAS DOUBLED DURING THAT TIME, INFLATION HASN'T DOUBLED DURING THAT TIME.

SO THE PROBLEM IS, DEMOCRATS ARE SETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR A FUTURE DEFICIT BY OVERSPENDING.

>> Eric: SARA, I WONDER WHAT POLICY ISSUES, YOU WOULD SUPPORT OR PROGRESSIVES ARE SUPPORTING IN THE NAME OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY?

ARE THERE SOME POLICY THINGS GOING ON THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, AND CONTINUING TO INVEST IN WORKFORCE, THINK THAT THOSE ARE THREE VERY SOUND INVESTMENTS.

THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IS REALLY SMALL.

THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR STATE IS GOOD.

SO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE INVESTING.

>> Cathy: HEY, LET'S TALK SOME POLITICS HERE.

SO, PRECINCT CAUCUSES WERE HELD THIS WEEK.

I MEAN, LIKE WHO SHOWED UP?

I MEAN, NOT MANY PEOPLE AT ALL.

NEXT WEEK IS SUPER TUESDAY, THE PRIMARIES.

IS IT KIND OF WEIRD FOR VOTERS, I MEAN, THE SYSTEM, PRECINCT CAUCUSES, WHAT IS THAT, PRIMARY, I MEAN, DOES IT CONFUSE VOTERS?

DOES IT JUST -- DOES IT INCREASE PARTICIPATION FOR THE PRIMARIES?

I DON'T KNOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?

>> IT WAS REALLY CONFUSING.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF FIRST-TIMERS AT MY CAUCUS, YES, I WENT IN THE ICE STORM.

AND IT'S NOT ONLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT THERE AND ARGUE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS, BUT IT'S ALSO UNCOMFORTABLE FOR FIRST-TIMERS WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

WE HAD A GROUP AT OUR TABLE THAT WERE SAYING, WHEN DO WE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT?

WELL, THAT'S NEXT TUESDAY.

AND THAT'S ALL JUST SO DISJOINED.

THEY CAME TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, HEY CAME TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE POLITICS.

BUT THE WHOLE WAY IT'S SET UP IS JUST -- IT'S OBSOLETE, IT'S UNPLEASANT, TALKING ABOUT EQUITY, THERE IS NO EQUITY IN HAVING PRECINCT CAUCUSES N 7:00 ON A TUESDAY NIGHT WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WORK.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CHILD CARE ISSUES.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S AN OBSOLETE THING, WE NEED TO GET RID OF.

>> Cathy: ADIEU, DO YOU AGREE?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

IT CAN BE VERY CONFUSING.

IN TERMS OF ACCESS AND EQUITY, IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING.

IF WE CAN STREAMLINE ELECTIONS, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAN AGREE ON THIS, TO MAXIMIZE TURNOUT, BECAUSE, ULTIMATELY, WE WANT TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT.

SO I'M IN AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLE.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WE CAN QUIBBLE WITH.

>> IT'S A BAD SIGN WHEN PEOPLE LIKE US WHO ARE POLITICAL INSIDERS, WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS FOR DECADES, ARE SAYING, THIS SYSTEM IS BROKEN AND DON'T DOESN'T WORK.

I WENT TO PRECINCT CAUCUSES FOR 20 PLUS YEARS, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG STAFFER, WHEN I WAS REALLY INVOLVED IN POLITICS.

YOU COULD NOT PAY ME ENOUGH TO GO TO PRECINCT CAUCUSES TODAY.

IT IS JUST NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

HOWEVER, IT'S STILL THE WAY, ESPECIALLY FOR -- IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THAT CANDIDATES END UP RECEIVING THE PARTY NDORSEMENT.

THE PEOPLE WHO GO TO PRECINCT CAUCUSES, AS SMALL A GROUP AS THAT IS, HAVE AN OUTSIZED INFLUENCE IN DECIDING WHO THEIR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO GETS THE ENDORSEMENT.

AND, SO, THAT'S THE REALITY OF IT.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

I'M FOR MORE OF AN OPEN PRIMARY SYSTEM.

I THINK THAT'S A BETTER WAY TO REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE BROADER ELECTORATE.

BUT, OVERALL, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE PRECINCT CAUCUSES THING IS JUST NOT WORKING GREAT.

>> I LOVE PRECINCT CAUCUSES.

I SHOWED UP TO MY CAUCUS, AND IT'S ALWAYS VERY NICE TO RUN INTO YOUR NEIGHBORS, TO MEET NEW NEIGHBORS.

AND, TO ME, THEY'RE LIKE SMALL LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY, RIGHT?

YOU GET TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES, YOU GET TO KNOW WHO'S DOING WHAT, AND, HONESTLY, IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE, JUST TO LEARN TOGETHER WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN TERMS OF LIKE WHAT EVERYBODY'S PRIORITIES ARE.

SO WE DID HAVE A GREAT TIME AT MY CAUCUS.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU.

IT IS GOOD TO GET TOGETHER AS A NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT I THINK THEY SERVE AN OUTDATED PURPOSE.

TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES, I WANT TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

THAN THE 12 PEOPLE THAT LIVED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> YOU KNOW, I DO THINK THAT IT DOES PRESENT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP.

IT'S VERY EXCITING, TOO, I'M A NEW AMERICAN, SO FOR A PERSON LIKE ME TO HAVE THIS SUPER OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN DEMOCRACY AND BE PART OF IT, IT FEELS REALLY GOOD.

I KNOW THAT FOR NEW AMERICANS, IT'S ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE, LIKE, WOW, THIS IS DEMOCRACY AT ORK.

>> Cathy: SAY, SPEAKING OF THE PRIMARIES NEXT EEK, ABU, YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS, DO YOU SEE A CONCERTED EFFORT, THE UNCOMMITTED AGAINST BIDEN VOTE HAPPENING HERE IN MINNESOTA AS HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN?

>> SO I EXPECT TO BE A COMPONENT OF IT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE AS MUCH AN IMPACT, I THINK DEMOGRAPHICALLY MICHIGAN IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY HERE.

I THINK THIS IS POLITICS WORKING AT ITS BEST.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PART OF A COALITION SAYING, I NEED YOU TO LISTEN TO MY ISSUES AND YOU HAVE A POLITICIAN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT RESPONDING TO THOSE ISSUES.

AT LEAST RHETORICALLY NOW, SO I SUSPECT AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PRESIDENT BIDEN ALTER HIS POSITION WHEN IT COMES TO THE WAR AND I THINK THAT'S ULTIMATELY GOING TO BRING THE COALITION TOGETHER TO WIN IN NOVEMBER.

>> Eric: NIKKI HAILEY CAME HERE TO CAMPAIGN IN MINNESOTA BEFORE SUPER TUESDAY.

DONALD TRUMP IN 2016 FINISHED THIRD I THINK AMONG THE REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA PREFERENCE.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE UESDAY?

>> I THINK NIKKI HAILEY WILL PICK UP A GOOD CHUNK OF DELEGATES ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

AND WE WERE JUST TALKING AHEAD OF TIME, SUPER TUESDAY IS OVERSIZED, THERE'S 854 REPUBLICAN DELEGATES UP FOR GRABS ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

THAT'S A LOT WHEN YOU NEED 1215 TO BE NOMINATED, SO I WOULD GUESS THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL CARRY SEVERAL OF THE BIGGER STATES, PICK UP ENOUGH DELEGATES, BUT I THINK HIGHWAY KRIS HAILEY WILL COME OUT OF -- NIKKI HAILEY WILL COME OUT OF MINNESOTA AND SOME OF THE OTHER STATES WITH ENOUGH DELEGATES TO KEEP HER IN A LITTLE LONGER.

>> Eric: IS SHE A JUST IN CASE CANDIDATE, JUST IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO TRUMP?

>> I THINK THERE'S NO STOPPING DONALD TRUMP.

I DON'T REALLY SEE A SCENARIO WHERE THE REPUBLICAN BASE DOES NOT VOTE FOR HIM, EVEN IF HE'S INDICTED, RIGHT?

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

THEY ARE BOUGHT IN.

SO I THINK ALL OF THE POTENTIAL DOWNSIDES TO TRUMP ARE BAKED IN FOR MOST REPUBLICAN VOTERSMENT.

AND THEY'RE HEADING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I'M GLAD TO SEE NIKKI HAILEY STAY IN.

I APPRECIATE HER VOICE.

I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT'S SAYING ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP, ABOUT WHY WE SHOULD FIND AN ALTERNATIVE.

I THINK IF SHE WERE THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, SHE WOULD WIN IN AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE LAND SIDE, BUT THAT'S NOT LIKELY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

LANDSLIDE.

>> athy: WHEN DOES DEAN PHILLIPS DROP OUT?

WHEN DOES HE FINALLY STICK A FORK IN IT?

>> I THINK PEOPLE PROBABLY JUST STOP PAYING ATTENTION.

I THINK HE'S COMMITTED TO THE CONVENTION AT THIS POINT.

HE'S ALREADY DECIDED HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR HIS HOUSE SEAT.

SO HE'S NOT GOING BACK TO CONGRESS.

WHAT'S THE POINT OF DROPPING OUT NOW?

>> Eric: HOW DEEP IS THE DIVISION AMONG DEMOCRATS WITH THE HAMAS VERSUS ISRAEL DEBATE?

>> THAT'S A EALLY GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK VOTERS HAD A SMALL WIN IN MICHIGAN THAT SENT A VERY VERY BIG MESSAGE, RIGHT?

WE HAVE TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE TRAPPED BETWEEN TWO DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT.

THE QUESTION IS, WHO DO WE WANT TO PROTECT, THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OR THE INTERESTS OF TWO DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS?

>> Eric: IS IT A SERIOUS DIVISION IN THE PARTY?

>> I THINK WE'RE HAVING SOME VERY SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS AND ASKING SOME BIG QUESTIONS.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> IT'S A SERIOUS ISSUE.

AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY, THE PRESIDENT HAS TO MAKE SURE HE LISTENS TO THOSE VOICES AND REMINDS VOTERS THAT IT IS BETWEEN HIM, HE WILL LISTEN TO THAT COMMUNITY, OR BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP WHO ADVOCATED FOR A MUSLIM BAN, THAT IS THE CHOICE VOTERS WILL HAVE IN NOVEMBER.

>> Eric: OUT OF TIME.

>> Cathy: TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> KEVIN O'CONNOR, YOUR LAST NAME, O'CONNOR, YOU'VE BEEN HOSTING THIS SHOW FOR 10 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

>> HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED CHANGING THE TITLE TO THIS O' HOUSE?

>> THAT WOULD BE AWESOME, IF I WASN'T THE ROOKIE.

THE GUYS I WORK WITH, THEY WILL NOT LEAVE, I'M STUCK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAP.

>> CAN'T IMAGINE HOW THAT FEELS.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE.

>> Cathy: I LOVE THAT SO MUCH.

I GOT THAT, DAVID.

THAT WAS DAVID GILLETTE, TEN YEARS AGO.

OH, HOW TIME FLIES.

LET'S DIVE RIGHT INTO OUR INDEX FILE SECTION OF THE SHOW.

LAST WEEK ERIC ASKED YOU TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME 30 YEARS TO 1994.

THE QUESTION CONCERNED A MINNESOTAN INVOLVED IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND AN ITEM THAT WAS ONCE PART OF A BALLPLAYER'S OFFICIAL UNIFORM.

THE MINNESOTAN IN QUESTION WAS SO STRONGLY OPPOSED TO THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT HE OR SHE WORKED TIRELESSLY AND SUCCESSFULLY TO HAVE ITS REMOVAL WRITTEN INTO THE NEW LABOR AGREEMENT FOLLOWING THAT YEAR'S STRIKE.

OUR TASK FOR YOU SEEMED SIMPLE.

WHO IS THIS MINNESOTAN IN QUESTION AND WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT WAS REMOVED FROM THE UNIFORM CODE?

UP FIRST, THE CALLERS WHO STRUCK OUT.

>> CATHY: DARRYL, YOU WERE CLOSER THAN THE REST.

FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER THIS WEEK LET'S TURN TO A NOW-FAMILIAR CALLER.

>> CATHY: YES, DANIEL, YOU ARE CORRECT - FOR THE SECOND QUESTION IN A ROW!

THE PRODUCERS WANTED TO REWARD YOU FOR WATCHING SINCE YOU WERE A KID.

PLUS, THEY LIKED YOUR RON GANT REFERENCE.

KENT HRBEK WAS INDEED THE ANSWER WE SOUGHT.

DANIEL ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HRBEK'S HATE OF STIRRUPS WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NEVER KNOWING WHERE THEY WERE AND RUMMAGING THROUGH HIS LOCKER TO FIND THEM.

LEGEND HAS IT THAT HRBEK ONCE SAID "I'M THANKFUL THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS OF PLAYERS WILL NOT HAVE TO RUMMAGE THROUGH THEIR LOCKERS 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRST PITCH TO FIND THOSE DARN STIRRUPS.

IF THAT'S MY LONE CONTRIBUTION TO THE GAME, I'VE DONE ENOUGH."

SPECIAL THANKS TO THERESA HENEHAN FOR SENDING US THAT QUESTION.

THINK YOU KNOW A HISTORY QUESTION THAT CAN STUMP DANIEL AND YOUR FELLOW VIEWERS?

GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1430 OR DROP US A LINE AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR ANOTHER TUNE BY HELENA HALLBERG.

YOU CAN CATCH HELENA TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER OVER IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HOP ONLINE AND SEARCH FOR THE MIDWINTER FOLK FEST AT THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE TO SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE OF WEEKEND EVENTS AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

♪♪ ♪ OH, I'VE BEEN SHAWING ALL THESE FEARS FOR YEARS NOW ♪ ♪ ONCE IN A WHILE LIFE COMES RUSHIN' THROUGH ♪ ♪ AND I KNOW ALL THE STEPS UP TO THE LIGHTHOUSE, START LOOKING BACK ON THE THINGS THAT GREW ME ♪ ♪ OH, IT HAPPENS AT THE LIGHTHOUSE ♪ ♪ LIGHTHOUSE, WHERE THE SUN GOES DOWN ♪ ♪ SEE ME AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, LIGHTHOUSE, OH, EACH YEAR AS I GROW OLDER ♪ ♪ SUDDENLY IT RUNS THROUGH ME LIKE A RIPPLE ON THE OCEAN AIR ♪ AND ALL THE TURNS THAT THREW ME, ALL CONNECTED AS I'M STANDIN' THERE FEELIN' THE RIPPLE ♪ ♪ RIPPLE ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

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MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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