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

>> Eric: ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, MET COUNCIL CHAIR CHARLIE ZELLE ADDRESSES INCREASED VIOLENCE ON METRO TRANSIT BUSES AND TRAINS.

WE'LL TALK WITH ECONOMIST LOUIS JOHNSTON ABOUT THE U.S.

HITTING THE DEBT CEILING.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON TALKS ABOUT THE SANFORD-FAIRVIEW HEALTH MERGER.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS AN UPDATE ON HOUSE FILE ONE AND SENATE FILE 1.

>> Mary: HALE 1 AND SENATE FILE 1 ARE HITTING THE FLOOR.

IT'S A TOP PRIORITY FOR DEMOCRATS TO CODIFY IS A BOSHES INTO STATE LAW.

>> I AM PROUD TO BE STAND HERE ON THE PRESS PASS OF HISTORY.

>> THIS IS JUST STUNNING.

THIS IS SO EXTREME.

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

♪♪ UPDATE ON HOUSE FILE 1ONE AND ♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Eric: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL EXPLORE THE CONTROVERSY OVER HAMLINE'S FIRING OF AN ART HISTORY PROFESSOR, HEAR ABOUT A FIRST OF ITS KIND EVENT AT THE CAPITOL FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND OUR POLITICAL PANEL WILL ASSESS THE WEEK IN POLITICS.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUT WE START WITH NEWS THAT THE FRONT PAGE OF YESTERDAY'S "STAR TRIBUNE" CALLED "EYE-OPENING" THE DRAMATIC RISE IN CRIME ON METRO TRANSIT BUSSES AND TRAINS.

OFFICIALS TOLD THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL THIS WEEK THAT CRIME REPORTS INCREASED BY 54% IN 2022.

CHARLIE ZELLE CHAIRS THE MET COUNCIL, THE AGENCY IN CHARGE OF METRO TRANSIT.

WELCOME BACK.

TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, CATHY.

GRABBING WHAT IS BEHIND THIS RISE.

THAT'S AN EYE POPPING INCREASE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS EYE POPPING AND IT'S DISTURBING AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK MINNESOTANS ARE EXPERIENCING IN SO MANY PLACES, AND SIMPLE PUT, IT'S THE RISE OF DRUG USE.

I THINK THE NARCOTIC KIND OF USE THAT SPILLS INTO ASSAULTS, SPILLS INTO PETTY CRIMES, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING IN SO MANY PLACES.

AND IT -- KIND OF THE DOWNSTREAM FALLS NTO THE TRANSIT SYSTEM.

SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A PLAN FOR, BUT IT'S DISTURB.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DANGEROUS TO RIDERS AND HOW MUCH JUST IS IT MAKES THEM UNCOMFORTABLE?

>> I THINK MOST OF IT IS NOT DANGEROUS.

IT IS -- IF YOU SEE PEOPLE SPOKING ON A CAR, SMOKING PIPES, THAT'S DISTURBING.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY DANGEROUS.

BUT WE -- YOU KNOW, OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR OUR PASSENGERS AND OUR EMPLOYEES.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T OFFER A WELCOMING AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT, NOBODY'S GOING TO TAKE OUR TRAINS AND BUSES, SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> >> Cathy: WHAT'S THE PLAN BECAUSE WHEN YOU WERE HERE LAST YEAR YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE NEED TO HAVE MORE RIDDERS COME BACK AS THE PANDEMIC WAS EASING.

AND YOU SAID WE'RE GOING TO ADD MORE POLICE, VIDEO CAMERAS.

YOU'VE DONE THAT BUT IT HASN'T REALLY HELPED.

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD ABOUT A 20% INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP FROM -- IN '22 FROM '21.

AND SO PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK, COMING BACK MAINLY IN OUR BUS SYSTEMS, BUT ALSO IN OUR RAIL.

THE CHALLENGE OF COURSE IS OUR WORKFORCE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL SHORT OF POLICE.

WE'RE STILL SHORT OF OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS.

SO WHAT OUR 40-POINT PLAN NOW IS DOING MORE COLLABORATION.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE SILVER LINING YOU'RE SEEING AMONG CRIME AND SAFETY AROUND OUR METRO AREA.

THERE'S MORE COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAN THERE EVER WAS BEFORE.

WE WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, BLOOMINGTON, WE'RE ACTUALLY USING PRIVATE SECURITY TO LOOK OVER THE STATIONS.

LOOKING AT THE DESIGN OF THE STATIONS, MORE TRAINING OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

DOES THAT SOLVE IT BY ITSELF?

IT DOESN'T.

BUT WE'RE MAKING I THINK STEADY PROGRESS.

AND OF COURSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE SERVICES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR BOTH DRUG USE AND MENTAL ILLNESS, AND HOMELESSNESS, THESE ARE SERVICES THAT WE ALL AS A SOCIETY HAVE TO FACE.

>> Eric: YOU HEAR CRITICISM SOMETIME THAT THERE'S NO AY TO PREVENT FARE JUMPING.

THAT THERE'S NO BARRIER AT THE STATIONS.

IS THAT A CONTRIBUTING FACT YOUR TO THE PROBLEM?

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE AT THE LEGISLATURE YEAR IS -- AS WE'VE GOTTEN GREAT SUPPORT FOR DECRIMINALIZING THE FARE INVASION.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE OUR NON-UNIFORMED OFFICERS OR TRANSIT EMPLOYEES BE ABLE TO CHECK FARES, GIVE A CITATION, MORE LIKE A PARKING TICKET AND THAT WE CAN COLLECT AND WE CAN ACTUALLY DO BETTER ENFORCEMENT.

TO THE IDEA THAT NOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE OUR LIMITED POLICE FORCE FOCUSED ON CITATIONS WHEN THEY'RE NEVER PROSECUTED BECAUSE THE FEES ARE SO HIGH.

SO I THINK THE SYSTEM WORKS.

BUT WE NEED MORE EYES ND EARS AND PEOPLE ON THE TRAINS AND BUSES AND PLATFORMS TO ENFORCE THEM.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE OTHER CITIES DOING ABOUT THIS?

HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE?

>> NO QUESTION WE'RE NOT ALONE.

I MEAN, THERE ARE SAME ISSUES IN EVERY MAJOR CITY.

WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

AND I THINK THE IDEA OF GETTING A MORE HUMAN PRESENCE, THE IDEA OF ACTUALLY NOT JUST HAVING COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS, BUT OTHER KIND OF TRANSIT EMPLOYEES BE EYES AND EARS AND TO HELP KIND OF CREATE A PRESENCE TO ELEVATE THAT STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR, THAT WE REALLY NEED IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

>> Eric: LET'S GET DEEP INTO THE WEEDS IN THE LAST MINUTE HERE.

MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX ACCOUNTS FOR A LOT OF YOUR OPERATING MONEY.

>> IT DOES.

>> Eric: THOSE ARE BELOW PROJECTIONS, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED AN M-VET AS THEY CALL IT INCREASE THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, WE'VE HAD A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT AND THAT WAS REALLY SOLVED IN PART THROUGH THE FEDERAL RECOVERY, BECAUSE OF COVID.

BUT THAT STRUCTURAL DEFICIT CONTINUES IN NOT THIS BIENNIUM, BUT THE NEXT BIENNIUM, WE WILL HAVE TO FACE SOME KIND OF A FUNDING CHALLENGES.

AND M-VEST DROPPING DOWN HURTS MINTA AND US AND SO THAT STRUCTURAL DEFICIT GETS EVEN LARGER.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

APPRECIATE IF.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ E ♪♪ >> Eric: ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON IS HOLDING PUBLIC MEETINGS ABOUT THE PROPOSED SANFORD-FAIRVIEW HEALTH SYSTEM MERGER.

LAST WEEK HE HEARD FROM A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

THIS WEEK ELLISON WAS UP IN BEMIDJI.

NEXT WEEK HE HEADS TO WORTHINGTON TO HEAR FROM FOLKS IN THAT PART OF THE STATE.

JOINING US TO SHARE WHAT HE'S HEARING, ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON.

WHAT'S THE MOOD?

YOU'VE HAD AN URBAN AND A RURAL.

WHAT'S BEEN THE DIFFERENCE MAYBE?

>> WELL, IN MOST WAYS, IT'S BEEN VERY SIMILAR.

VERY HIGH LEVEL OF INTEREST.

ON A VERY COLD BEMIDJI NIGHT, WE HAD A PACKED ROOM.

AND WE HAD A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE OFFERING THEIR VIEWS.

SOME WERE CRITICS.

MERGERS.

OTHERS WERE BIG SUPPORTERS AND WE HAD PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SUPPORT OR OPPOSE BUT THEY HAD -- THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE TOOK CERTAIN THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION LIKE HOW THIS MIGHT AFFECT TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

SO, YOU NOW, IT'S BEEN -- AND INTERESTING -- AN INTERESTING FEW WEEKS AS WE'VE GONE TO THE USHURBAN AND THE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND WE ALSO CONTINUE TO DO A VERY ACTIVE INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, BUT WE'RE DIGGING THE FACTS UP.

AND WE'RE LEARNING AS MUCH AS WE.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE VETO POWER ON THIS THING?

>> FLOE.

NO.

THE FACT IS I COULD FILE A LAWSUIT AND A T.R.O.

IF I FIND IT'S GOING TO VIOLATE THE LAW.

OR I CAN FILE THAT SAME KIND OF LAWSUIT AFTER THE MERGER TAKES PLACE.

THERE'S -- AS YOU KNOW, THE LETTER OF INTENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES IS OF MARCH 31ST.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR TIMELINE.

>> Eric: IT'S QUICK.

>> IT IS QUICK, AND I THINK THERE'S SUCH A HIGH VOLUME OF INFORMATION TO COLLECT, SUCH A WIDE ARRAY OF PEOPLE HO WHO HAVE AN INTEREST THAT WE NEED TO LOOK INTO -- E COULD USE MORE TIME.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT PEOPLE ARE RAISING, BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG ENTITY BASED IN ANOTHER STATE.

NOW, THERE ARE OTHER INDUSTRIES WHERE THE ENTITY IS BASED IN OTHER STATES, BUT IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT THE SOUTH DAKOTA BASED ENTITY THAT BOTHS PEOPLE?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND HOW THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED WITH AN ENTITY THAT OPERATES OUT OF SIOUX FALLS.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE LABOR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST NURSES, NURSEST, BUT ALSO PEOPLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WHO SAY, WELL, LOOK, THIS IS A RIGHT TO WORK STATE WITH A DIFFERENT CULTURE.

WE'RE A STATE WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF UNIONS AND BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED AND WE WONDER ABOUT WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT US.

YOU KNOW, WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE WHO JUST ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LARGE ENTERPRISES COMBINE.

AND WHETHER THEY'LL BE EFFICIENCY AND MORE SERVICES OR CONSOLIDATION AND LESS AND PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF CLOSINGS.

THEY'RE AFRAID OF, YOU KNOW, FEWER SERVICES.

AND THEY TELL HORROR STORIES FROM AROUND HE COUNTRY.

CAN I SAY THIS, ERIC?

>> Eric: PLEASE.

>> SOME PEOPLE ON THE OTHER HAND DID NOTE THAT THE MERGER BETWEEN SANFORD AND NORTH COUNTRY, WHEN BEMIDJI, HAD SOME BENEFICIAL EFFECTS.

SO AT THIS POINT, WE'RE STILL GATHERING FACTS.

GLAX WHERE'S THE U OF M IN ALL OF THIS?

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

THEY WANT TO RECLAIM THEIR TEACHING HOSPITAL.

HOW DOES THIS MESS UP OR MAYBE POTENTIALLY SIDE-TRACK EVERYTHING?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE THING.

WE'VE HEARD A NUMBER OF THINGS FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND I DEFINITE LEACH APPRECIATE THEIR CONCERNS.

BUT WITH A MARCH 31ST TIMELINE SET BY THE PARTIES, IT'S VERY HARD TO DEAL WITH ALL THESE ISSUES, BECAUSE THIS IS AN ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER DESIGNED FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH.

AT A LAND GRANT UNIVERSITY, AND SO IT'S NOT WELL UITED TO JUST PROFIT AND LOSS, CUT EXPENSES HERE, DRIVE 'EM, YOU KNOW, IT IS -- THERE'S A DIFFERENT MISSION.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT MISSION, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

AND SO WE NEED TO KNOW.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE UNIVERSITY?

AND WE WON'T KNOW BASED ON THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAVE.

>> Eric: WELL IS THE TIMELINE SUCH THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PROCEED UNTIL -- BEFORE OPPOSITION CAN COALESCE?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS.

IT WON'T MATTER BECAUSE I CAN FILE A LAWSUIT TO OPPOSE IT BEFORE OR AFTER.

>> Eric: ARE YOU NEUTRAL RIGHT NOW?

>> I'M NEUTRAL RIGHT NOW.

I'M LISTENING TO BOTH SIDES.

I'M LISTENING TO THE UNIVERSITY.

LISTENING TO, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

BUT I'M ALSO LISTENING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME BENEFICIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SANFORD, PARTICULARLY IN THE BEMIDJI HEARING.

BUT HERE'S THE OTHER THING.

THERE ARE SOME REAS, SOME SERVICE AREAS, WHERE YOU HAVE TWO HEALTH SERVICE CENTERS WHERE THERE'S SOME COMPETITION.

IF THEY MERGE, THAT'LL BE GONE.

SO IT'S NOT ONLY THE NON-PROFIT CHARITABLE ASSETS OR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA BEING CONTROLLED FROM SIOUX FALLS, IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, WILL WE STILL GET THE QUALITY OF SERVICE IF THERE'S NO ADDITIONAL COMPETITION?

>> Eric: WE'LL WATCH AND LEARN.

THANKS, GENERAL.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> Eric: POLLY MANN DIED EARLIER THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 103.

MANN WAS A PEACE ACTIVIST AND CO-FOUNDER OF W.A.M.M., WOMEN AGAINST MILITARY MADNESS, BACK IN THE 1980s.

MANN RAN FOR U.S. SENATE AGAINST DAVID DURENBERGER AND SKIP HUMPHREY IN 1988.

SHE WAS ENDORSED BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN REPRESENTATIVE AND CANDIDATE POLLY MANN.

>> YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT KEEPING THE CANDIDATES FEET TO THE FIRE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE VERY REASONS THAT I'M GOING TO RUN BECAUSE I WANT A CLEAR DISCUSSION OF THE IR ISSUES AND I DON'T HEAR THAT FROM ANY OF THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE RUNNING FOR, WELL, EVEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, IT'S HARD TO HEAR A DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES THAT REALLY CONFRONT THIS NATION.

YOU KNOW, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO POOR PEOPLE AS MORE AND MORE MONEY IS SIPHONED OFF TO THE PENTAGON.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE AREA OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

MILITARISM.

THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE TO FREE EXPRESSION.

THESE THINGS ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

>> Eric: WELL, YOU'RE ENTITLED TO ONE SOFTBALL.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH DURENBERGER?

>> WELL, IF PEOPLE LIKE THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION, WHAT IT REPRESENTS, THEN THEY SHOULD VOTE FOR DAVID DURENBERGER, BECAUSE HE'S CONSISTENTLY ON THE SIDE OF REAGAN AND THE TIMES WHEN HE DOES DIFFER ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

HE DOES SUPPORT DESTABILIZING THE GOVERNMENT.

I'M CLEARLY NOT FOR CONTRA AID AND I'M NOT -- >> CAN I TRY ONE MORE WITH DIXIE.

HUMPHREY, IS IT A ONE ISSUE DEAL WITH HIM?

>> NO, I THINK WE'RE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE THINK THAT POLY MANN IS REALLY A GLOBAL CANDIDATE.

SHE UNDERSTANDS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MONIES THAT ARE BEING SPENT OVER HERE ON MILITARY AND NOT BEING SPENT ON HUMAN SERVICES.

AND THAT'S WHY WE THINK THAT'S AN IN A POSITIVE BASIS TO SUPPORT POLLY MANN.

>> WHAT EXACTLY NOW DOES ENDORSEMENT BRING TO YOUR CAMPAIGN.

>> WELL, I THINK IT BRINGS A LOT OF SUPPORT, BECAUSE NOW WHEN IT ENDORSES SOMEBODY, SAYS I PRAIIVE THIS CANDIDATE, IT'S NOT NOT ONLY LOOKING AT ONE OR TWO SSUES.

ESPECIALLY WOMEN'S GROUPS.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HAVE.

WE NEED WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT.

DESPITE THE FACT THAT THAT WASN'T THE MAIN REASON WHY I WAS CHOSEN.

MAYBE A SMALL, SMALL PART OF IT.

WE'RE 56% OF THE POPULATION.

ONLY 5% OF THE CONGRESS IS WOMEN.

AND WOMEN, BECAUSE THEY'RE SOCIALIZED DIFFERENTLY BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED THEM THERE.

IT'S A RESPONSIBLE AND WOMEN ARE NOT GOING TO GET ELECTED IF THEY DON'T RUN.

AND THEY CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THE RIGHT TIME AND THE FEAR OF WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO BE CALLED A SPOILER.

THEY JUST HAVE TO SAY I'M GOING TO RUN.

♪♪ >> Cathy: HAMLINE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO FIND ITSELF AT THE CENTER OF A DEBATE AROUND RELIGIOUS AND ACADEMIC FREEDOMS.

IT BEGAN WHEN AN ADJUNCT ART HISTORY PROFESSOR SHOWED AN IMAGE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD DURING CLASS.

FOR MANY MUSLIMS, VISUAL DEPICTIONS OF MUHAMMAD ARE A VIOLATION OF FAITH.

WHEN A STUDENT COMPLAINED, HAMLINE UNIVERSITY CALLED THE INCIDENT "ISLAMOPHOBIC" AND DID NOT RENEW THE PROFESSOR ERIKA LOPEZ PRATER'S CONTRACT.

HAMLINE HAS WALKED BACK THEIR USE OF THE TERM ISLAMOPHOBIC.

EARLIER THIS WEEK PROFESSOR LOPEZ PRATER ANNOUNCED SHE IS SUING HAMLINE FOR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AND DEFAMATION.

AMNA KHALID IS A HISTORY PROFESSOR AT CARLETON COLLEGE AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM ALLIANCE.

WELCOME, PROFESSOR KHALID.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD THE NEWS, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR REACTION.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, I'D JUST COME OFF A PLANE FROM PAKISTAN, SO I'D BEEN UP FOR 48 HOURS AND I GOT BACK TO MINNESOTA AND HEARD THIS NEWS, I WAS VERY DISTRESSED, BECAUSE, FRANKLY, THIS GOES AGAINST THE DIVERSITY WITHIN THE ISLAMIC TRADITION.

SO IT KIND OF STRUCK ME AS VERY SURPRISING THAT NOT ONLY WERE THE STUDENTS MAKING THIS CLAIM THAT THIS GOES AGAINST MUSLIM SENSIBILITIES, ALL 1.7 BILLION OF US MUSLIMS, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT HAMLINE HAD DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN A CONVERSATION THAT, FRANKLY, A SCHOOL HAS NO BUSINESS ADJUDICATING ON THEOLOGICAL ISSUES.

SO THEY HAD TAKEN A STANCE, WHICH CAUSED MUSLIMS, AS A UNIFIED MONOLITH, AND THIS WAS VERY PROBLEMATIC.

SO IT REALLY UPSET ME AND MOST OF ALL IT UPSET ME AS A MUSLIM.

>> Eric: THE PROFESSOR THREATENS A LAWSUIT AGAINST HAMLINE, AND THEN THE CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS KIND OF WALK THIS THING BACK.

IS THAT A COINCIDENCE OR DID THE THREAT OF A LAWSUIT FOWRSZ A CHANGE IN THEIR RESPONSE?

>> WELL, I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

I WASN'T IN THE ROOM WHERE THE TRUSTEES ARE WERE DEBATING THIS.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH OF A LEAP OF FAITH TO SAY THAT THE LAWSUIT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THEM, YOU KNOW, BACK-TRACKING AND SAYING THIS WASN'T ISLAMOPHOBIC.

AND I THINK IT'S A VERY TRAGIC MOMENT.

IN SOME WAYS, SOME PEOPLE ARE CELEBRATING THIS AS A INVESTIGATORY FOR ACADEMIC FREEDOM, AND INDEED IT IS, BUT IT BEARS MENTIONING THAT IT'S NOT THE FACULTY'S VOICE WHO SEEMS TO HAVE COUNTED, THOUGH HAMLINE'S FACULTY ALSO PROTESTTH.

BUT FRANKLY THE THREAT OF A LEGAL LAWSUIT THAT EVENTUALLY TURNED THE TABLES.

>> Cathy: THERE'S REPORTING THAT THIS SCHOOL SAX THE SYLLABUS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE CLASS.

THE PROFESSOR HAD TRIGGER WARNINGS, YOU KNOW?

WHAT ELSE COULD THE PROFESSOR HAVE DONE?

>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

I MEAN, THIS WAS DONE IN THE MOST FABULOUS WAY POSSIBLE.

OF TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE SENSITIVITIES OF STUDENTS, ALERTING THEM.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMPULSORY EXERCISE.

THIS WAS AN OPTIONAL EXERCISE, A VISUAL ANALYSIS, AND STUDENTS WERE TOLD, THIS WAS AN ONLINE CLASS, THAT THOSE WHO DID NOT WISH TO SEE THE IMAGE COULD TURN THEIR SCREENS OFF AND SHE WOULD TELL THEM WHEN TO TURN THEM BACK ON.

SO TO MY MIND, I REALLY DON'T KNOW ELSE THE PROFESSOR COULD HAVE DONE.

IT WAS DONE BRILLIANTLY.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE HEARD THIS OF COURSE OVER THE PAST, I DON'T KNOW, FIVE, TEN YEARS.

THERE'S A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON SAFETY.

HAVING STUDENTS SAFE IN THE CLASSROOM.

YOU KNOW, AND I'M WONDERING, WHERE'S THE BALANCE BETWEEN SAFETY AND A FREE-WHEELING DISCUSSION OF IDEAS?

>> CATHY, IN MY MIND, THIS ENTIRE CONVERSATION ABOUT SAFETY IS POINTLESS.

YOU KNOW, CLASSROOMS ARE ESSENTIALLY SAFE.

THIS NOTION HAT SOMEHOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO STUDY IS GOING TO HARM STUDENTS, I MEAN, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF A CONSTITUTION DROPPING DEAD OR HAVING SOME KIND OF A STRANGE REACTION IN CAN A CLASSROOM BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WERE BEING TAUGHT.

SO I THINK THE ENTIRE DISCOURSE IS VERY DAMAGING TO -- IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT OUR ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

WE NEED IT SO THAT E CAN TEACH WITH INTEGRITY AND WHAT'S AT STAKE OVER HERE IS THE EDUCATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION.

SO THIS DISCOURSE OF HARM TO MY MIND IS ANT INTELLECTUAL AND IT IS PREVENTING US FROM DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN ERMS OF EDUCATION.

>> Eric: IS THIS AS SIMPLE AS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS RUN AMOK HERE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED HAN THAT.

I THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE SCOPE OF IS -- MORE THAN 70% OF THE FACULTY ARE ADJUNCT FACULTY.

AND I THINK IT HAS TO DO A LOT WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE FACT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAUCRACY KEEPS PROLIFERATING, MEANWHILE TENURE TRACK LINES ARE BEING FACT AND INCREASINGLY MORE ADJUNCT FACULTY ARE BEING RELIED UPON TO TEACH.

THIS KIND OF ACTION BY FIAT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A VERY STRONG CHILLING EFFECT ON ALL FACULTY.

I WANT TO SAY THIS.

BUT SPECIFIC ON ADJUNCT FACULTY WHOSE OF WHOSE JOBS ARE NOT SECURE AT ALL.

THE ENRESULT IS THAT 70% OF THE PROFESSOR IAT IS SELF-CENSORING, YOU CAN PUT TWO AND TWO TOGETHER AND SEE WHAT'S GOING TO MEAN FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE STUDENTS.

>> Cathy: PROFESSOR KHALID, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE WISH WE HAD MORE TIME WITH YOU.

♪♪ >> WELL, IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW SINCE NEW YEAR.

HOW ARE YOU COMING WITH THOSE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

ABOUT HALF OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD STILL MAKE RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

I GET IT.

WE ALL WANT TO BE BETTER PEOPLE.

BUT TO MAKE A RESOLUTION, YOU HAVE TO ADMIT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOU.

THAT'S NO WAY TO START A NEW YEAR.

THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SUGGESTIONS IF YOU CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING, LIKE "50 BEST RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

YOU'’LL GASP AT NUMBER 27."

FOR MOST PEOPLE, IT'S THE SAME RESOLUTIONS EVERY YEAR.

"TIME" MAGAZINE DID A SURVEY: TOP THREE?

EXERCISE MORE, EAT HEALTHY, AND LOSE WEIGHT.

SADLY, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM FAIL.

TOP THREE BROKEN RESOLUTIONS?

LOSE WEIGHT, GET IN SHAPE, EAT HEALTHIER.

MIGHT AS WELL RESOLVE TO GET TALLER.

EXPERTS SAY IT'’S BETTER TO FOCUS ON THINGS THAT MIGHT REALLY HAPPEN.

PICK SOMETHING DOABLE, LIKE "“NEVER EAT THE LAST OREO.

"” BE SPECIFIC, NOT SOMETHING VAGUE LIKE, "“BE A BETTER PERSON.

"” AND NEVER LET OTHER PEOPLE PICK ONE FOR YOU.

OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE A LIST FROM MY WIFE.

SEE ATTACHED SHEETS.

I'’M NOT TAKING CHANCES.

THIS YEAR, I RESOLVED TO DO SOMETHING INCREDIBLY STUPID, LIKE PUTTING MY PANTS ON BACKWARD, MAKING MY FAMILY WONDER IF I'’M FINALLY STARTING TO LOSE IT.

I RESOLVE TO BUY SOME GADGET TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER, THEN SPEND NINE HOURS TRYING TO GET IT TO CONNECT TO THE WIFI.

EVEN BETTER, IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE RESOLUTIONS, DON'T TELL ANYONE.

OTHERWISE FOR A YEAR YOUR FRIENDS ARE LIKE, "“HEY, HOW'S THAT CURE FOR ECZEMA COMING?

"” PROBABLY THE EASIEST THING IS JUST MAKE A RESOLUTION TO KEEP ALL OF LAST YEAR'’S RESOLUTIONS.

THERE, SEE?

RIGHT THERE.

THAT'’S NUMBER 14 ON THE LIST: DO MORE RECYCLING.

GUESS I'’M SET UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

>> YES!

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> Eric: THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HIT THE DEBT CEILING ON THURSDAY, AND WITH NO CONGRESSIONAL DEAL IN SIGHT TO RAISE THAT LIMIT, THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT BEGAN TAKING EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO PREVENT AN HISTORIC FEDERAL FINANCIAL DEFAULT.

THE ACCOUNTING MANEUVERS WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE PAYING ITS BILLS UNTIL SUMMERTIME IF NECESSARY.

HERE TO HELP US SORT OUT WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR AN ALREADY FRAGILE ECONOMY, ECONOMIST LOUIS JOHNSTON FROM THE COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT AND ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

WHY SHOULD CIVILIANS CARE ABOUT THE DEBT CEILING?

>> WELL, CIVILIANS SHOULD CARE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO FISCAL SOMERSAULTS TO TRY AND KEEP FROM DEFAULTING ON ITS DEBT.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO DELAY SOME PAYMENTS.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO PUSH ASIDE SOME BILLS THAT IT HAS TO PAY.

NOTHING THAT WILL PROBABLY HIT US PERSONALLY, BUT BUSINESSES THAT WE WORK FOR MIGHT GET DELAYS IN PAYMENTS.

SO THAT'S THE KIND OF EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES THAT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S TRYING TO ENGAGE IN.

>> Cathy: MAYBE WE SHOULD BACK UP A LITTLE BIT FOR FOLKS.

>> SO THE IDEA OF HE DEBT CEILING IS TO SET A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH BORROWING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO.

SO RIGHT NOW IT'S SET AT, GET THIS, $31.4 TRILLION.

WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE U.S. G.D.P.

IS ABOUT 22 TRILLION A YEAR, FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER, WE KEEP PRODUCING.

SO IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT BIG.

>> Cathy: SO WE'VE HIT THE DEBT CEILING AS OF I BELIEVE THURSDAY, RIGHT?

AND THIS IS NOT A VOTE TO SPEND MORE MONEY.

>> NO.

THE DEBT CEILING IN A SENSE SAYS, HERE'S HOW MUCH YOU CAN BORROW TO DO THE SPENDING YOU'VE ALREADY PUT INTO LAW.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S KIND OF FRUSTRATING ABOUT THE DISCUSSION IS THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS IDEA THAT IT'S LIKE A CREDIT CARD LIMIT.

AND SO IF WE BUMP T UP, THAT MEANS WE CAN SPEND MORE.

WELL, NO.

THIS IS JUST TO OVER THE BILLS WE'VE ALREADY INCURRED.

>> Eric: AM I RIGHT TO SAY THAT THIS WAS LIFTED, WAS IT THREE TIMES DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> AT LEAST.

I WAS LOOKING IT UP, I SAW THREE FOR SURE.

>> Eric: NOT A BIG DEAL THEN?

>> NOT A BIG DEAL.

IN FACT BETWEEN 1996 AND 2019, I BELIEVE IT WAS DONE 19 TIMES.

AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE THE DEBT CEILING EVERY TIME YOU NEEDED.

YOU JUST HAD TO ATTACH TO A SPENDING BILL.

THEY GOT RID OF THAT IN ORDER TO BRING BACK THIS USE OF IT KIND OF AS A CUDGEL.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE BROADER ECONOMY IN TRILLION DOLLAR "ONE MINNESOTA" I'M HEARD ABOUT IT.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS ALL BUILT OFF A BASE THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS THE MOST CREDIT WORTHY BORROWER IN THE WORLD.

>> Eric: FULL FAITH AND CREDIT.

>> EXACTLY, AND SO EVERYBODY ELSE BASES THEIR PROJECTIONS ON WHAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S CREDIT WORTHNESS IS.

YOU'RE A LITTLE BETTER.

YOU'RE A LITTLE WORSE.

WELL, NOW IS THE YOU'VE GOVERNMENT ISN'T JUST CLEAR THAT IT'S THE MOST CREDIT WORTHY, HOW DO YOU PRICE SOMEBODY'S MORTGAGE?

HOW DO YOU PRICE THE DEBT THAT MICROSOFT IS ISSUING?

IT STARTS TO THROW THAT WHOLE SYSTEM NOT INTO CHAOS, BUT INTO UNCERTAINTY.

>> Cathy: IF EVERYTHING GOES SOUTH, THERE COULD BE A HUGE MARKET CRASH.

IT SOUNDS PRETTY DIRE.

>> IF OU ACTUALLY DEFAULTED ON UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DEBT, THAT WOULD BE A DISASTER.

I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF MACHINATIONS WILL, OKAY, WHAT SPENDING NEEDS TO BE CUT, WHAT TAXES NEED TO BE RAISES AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS THREAT.

SO THE LAST TIME THAT THIS GOT REALLY SERIOUS, STANDARD AND POOR'S ACTUALLY DOWNGRADED THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DEBT FROM TRIPLE-A TO DOUBLE-A-PLUS.

THAT'S A POSSIBILITY THAT THEY COULD DOWNGRADE IT AGAIN.

SO IT ISN'T SO MUCH THAT THEY WOULD DEFAULT, BUT IF THEY DOWNGRADE IT, THE INTEREST RATE GOES UP.

>> Eric: INFORMED SPECULATION, WOULD YOU THINK THIS S GOING TO COME TO THAT OR WILL THEY FIGURE OUT SOME NEGOTIATED CAPITOL HILL SETTLEMENT?

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PUSH IT RIGHT TO THE REGISTER.

THAT'S MY GUESS, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE PARTIES IN CONGRESS ARE VERY FAR APART ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK THE PROPER SIZE OF GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO BE.

AND THAT TO ME THE ULTIMATE ARGUMENT.

HOW SHOULD WE BE SPENDING.

HOW MUCH HOULD WE BE TAXING?

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, IT'S GOOD THAT YOU WERE HERE AND EXPLAINING ALL THIS TO US.

>> Eric: I FEEL SMARTER ALREADY.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

♪♪ >> Cathy: OUR NEXT TWO >> YOU KNOW, I SPENT TWO AND A HALF YEARS AS A NURSING PLAINTIFF WITH MYHANDS ON THE GLASS HOLDING THE HANDS OF DYING RESIDENTS, AND I SPEND DECADES TRYING TO SET UP PERSON CENTERED CARE FOR SENIORS AND I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT PERSON CENTERED CARE WHEN THEY'RE DYING ALONE.

>> I BELIEVE YOU WITHOUT A BOOK ABOUT IT.

>> I DID.

YOU KNOW, SEPSIS IS WHAT ALMOST KILLED ME.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT ONE IN THREE HOSPITALIZATION DEATHS ARE SEPSIS.

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

HIGHER RISK IS FOR ANY AGE.

SO I WROTE A BOOK, YOU KNOW, THE "THE SCARS YOU CAN'T SEE" BECAUSE A LOT OF THE SCARS ARE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT HAPPENED IN COVID.

>> Cathy: OUR NEXT TWO GUESTS MAY BE FAMILIAR TO REGULAR VIEWERS, BUT WE DON'T NORMALLY HAVE THEM ON TOGETHER.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE IS USUALLY STANDING OVER BY THE BIG MONITOR DELIVERING A WEEKLY ESSAY FOR US, BUT SHE ALSO HEADS UP A MEDIA COMPANY CALLED "SHELETTA MAKES ME LAUGH."

BRIAN MCDANIEL IS USUALLY SEATED ON THIS COUCH WITH A GROUP OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

HE'S A LOBBYIST AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

WHY ARE THEY HERE TOGETHER TONIGHT?

SHELETTA IS HOSTING THE FIRST ANNUAL SHELETTAMAKESMELAUGH.COM "BLACK ENTREPRENEURS DAY" AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON FEBRUARY 3RD, AND SHE'S ENLISTED BRIAN'S HELP AS A CAPITOL INSIDER.

ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS LIKE A POWER COUPLE HERE.

>> THIS IS AN ODD POWER COUPLE.

>> Cathy: AND BY THE WAY, WELCOME TO THE COUCH FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> YES, I FEEL LIKE A BIG GIRL.

I'M ON THE COUNTY.

>> Cathy: SO TELL US, HOW DID THIS MATCH COME TOGETHER.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL AT THE CAPITOL.

>> YES, IT IS.

IT'S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

WE GOT SEVERAL HUNDRED AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS COMING TO THE CAPITOL TO TALK BOUT THIS BUDGET SURPLUS.

AND HOW SOME OF THIS MONEY CAN BE USED TO SHORE UP AND HELP BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS.

WE FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT NO OTHER GROUP FACES, AND WE NEED SOME ASSISTANCE FROM OUR LEGISLATORS.

AND, YOU KNOW, BRIAN'S SOMEBODY THAT I'VE WATCHED ON "ALMANAC" PAST F, PASSED IN THE HALLWAY.

I TRUST HIM.

I FOLLOW HIM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IF YOU FOLLOW SOMEONE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, YOU MUST TRUST HIM.

AND I ASKED HIM TO COME ON BOOND ANDBOARD AND HE JUMPED AT THE CHANCE.

>> Eric: YOU WERE THERE IN THE DAYS WHEN THINGS WERE OLD AND WHITE.

>> SHE DIDN'T HIRE ME.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING I'M DOING FOR ME.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHE EXPLAINED TO ME AND IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD IDEA.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE EVOLVING AS A SOCIETY.

WE'RE EVOLVING AS A LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE SO MANY MORE, YOU KNOW, ELECTED OFFICIALS OF COLOR NOW.

AND THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS, WHAT DO THEY THINK HELPS THEM.

AND THE ONLY WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET ROPERLY EDUCATED IS BY HEARING FROM HE COMMUNITY AND THE OMMUNITY CAN USE SHE SHELETTA'S POWERFUL VOICE TO BE HEARD.

AND THIS IS A BUDGET YEAR.

>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

A LOT OF TIMES, BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS ARE LAST.

THEY GAVE THAT P.P.P.

MONEY TO TOM BRADY, GO DADDY, AND EVERY BLACK WOMAN I KNEW WHO NEEDED THOSE FUNDS WAS IN THE QUEUE.

>> Eric: THE GOVERNOR HAS ROLLED OUT SOME WORKFORCE STUFF.

WHAT WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA?

WHAT WOULD HELP THE MOST?

>> WHAT WOULD HELP THE MOST IS IF THEY LISTEN.

- DON'T GIVE US SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T WANT.

WE NEED TO TELL YOU WHAT WE NEED.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

AND NOT TO US.

SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS SIT DOWN AND LISTEN, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAVING BLACK ENTREPRENEUR'S DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

SO THESE BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS CAN MEET WITH THE LEERS, TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THEIR NEEDS HAND UNIQUE CONCERNS ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LUNCH.

WE'RE GOING TO HAMMER THIS THING OUT AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT THESE BUSINESSES CAN NOT JUST SURVIVE, BUT THRIVE.

>> Cathy: THE CAPITOL, BY THE WAY, CAN BE AN INTIMIDATING PLACE.

SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HELP PAVE PATH FOR SOME OF THESE ENTREPRENEURS?

>> THIS IS WHAT LOBBYISTS DO.

YOU WATCH TELEVISION, YOU THINK ALL THEY DO IS BUY OFF POLITICIANS.

WE DEVELOP TRUST WITH LEGISLATORS.

AND THEN WE USE THAT TRUST TO HELP, YOU KNOW, GROUPS JUST LIKE THIS.

EVERYBODY FROM AT&T TO, YOU KNOW, THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

I MEAN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT -- THIS IS WHAT SOME OF US ARE BUILT FOR.

AND THE TIME IS NOW.

AND IF NOT HER, WHO?

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

>> Eric: SYNERGY WITH BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> YES, OF COURSE, THAT WAS THE FOCUS.

I WANTED TO DO IT ON FEBRUARY 1ST, BUT HAD 20 WAIT UNTIL I COULD GET THE ROTUNDA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNERS.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REGISTERED AND SIGNED UP TOLD ME THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE CAPITOL SINCE A HIGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIP.

WE'VE GOT CARDS, NOTE CARDS, WHICH LEGISLATOR YOU'RE GOING TO MEET WITH.

WHAT TIME.

THE OFFICE NUMBER.

AND WE'RE ALSO HELPING THOSE LEGISLATORS, GIVING THEM THE INFORMATION.

THIS IS THE BUSINESS OWNER WHO'S COMING TO SEE YOU.

THIS IS WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING.

HERE IS A LINK.

HERE IS A WEBSITE.

SO WHEN THEY GO IN THEY ALREADY HAVE SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

>> Eric: IT MUST BE HARDER TO TURN DOWN SOMEBODY IF THEY'RE FACE TO FACE IN THEIR OFFICE.

>> OH, WITHOUT QUESTION AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS SO HORRIBLE ABOUT THE LAST TWO YEARS PAST.

PEOPLE COULDN'T PETITION THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT PROPERLY.

AND I THINK LEGISLATORS NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THE $18 BILLION, ALMOST, BUDGET SURPLUS THAT WE HAVE, THAT'S NOT THE GOVERNMENT'S MONEY.

THAT'S THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

BUT ALSO YOU NEED TO REMIND THE PEOPLE THAT THIS IS THEIR MONEY.

SO PEOPLE AREN'T GOING UP THERE FOR A HANDOUT.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS IS THAT THEY HAVE A BUSINESS, AN IDEA OR ONE THAT'S ALREADY ET UP, AND THAT GOVERNMENT CAN HELP THEM GROW IT.

AND IT'S NOT JUST BEING, YOU KNOW, ONE PERSON WHO ONES ONE STORE.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE AND BUILD, AND GET IT OUTSIDE OF JUST THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE COMMUNITY, MAKE IT STATEWIDE.

>> Cathy: NOW, HOW DO YOU GET BEYOND THE FEEL-GOOD PART OF THIS EVENT?

WHAT'S THE FOLLOW-UP TO THIS?

>> THE FOLLOW-UP IS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME REPRESENTATION AT THE CAPITOL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOBODY THAT I KNOW OF WHO IS THERE AND OUR EYES AND EARS.

WHEN HOULD WE BE IN A COMMITTEE HEARING?

WHAT LEGISLATORS ARE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE?

WHEN IS THIS COMING OUT?

WHAT BILLS ARE COMING UP THAT IMPACT US?

>> Eric: HOW DO FOLKS SIGN UP?

>> THEY CAN GO TO SHELETTAMAKESMELAUGH.COM.

>> Eric: SOUNDS GREAT.

>> Cathy: SHE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Eric: SHELETTA CAN DO.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> Eric: AHEAD OF THE 50TH - ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE, THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED A BILL ASSERTING BROAD ABORTION RIGHTS IN STATE LAW.

THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO ACT SOON, AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE'LL SIGN THE BILL INTO LAW.

AS MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, THE ISSUE IS BRINGING STRONG EMOTIONS TO THE CAPITOL.

>> ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE!

ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE!

>> Mary: PASSIONATE ABORTION POLITICS DAME TO THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL AS THE HOUSE PREPARED TO PASS A BILL CLEARLY CODIFYING THE INDIVIDUAL CHOICE INTO LAW.

>> NOTE, WE TRUST WOMEN.

WOMEN ARE THE ONES WHO NEED TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE AND REPRODUCTIVE DECISIONS AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, SAFE ABORTION SERVICES IS A CRITICAL PART OF THAT.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

ABORTION IS HEALTH CARE, PERIOD.

DFL YES, SIRS STAND WITH MINNESOTANS AND WE WILL PROTECT MINNESOTANS' REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> PARENTS TOLD US THEY DID NOT WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO GROW UP WITH FEWER RIGHTS THAN THEY HAD.

THE P.R.O.

ACT IS ABOUT EXPANDING RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN MINNESOTA.

NOT TAKING THEM AWAY.

>> I AM PROUD TO BE STANDING HERE ON THE PRECIPICE OF HISTORY.

IN PASSING THE P.R.O.

ACT THE MINNESOTA HOUSE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO ROE DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE HISTORY AT A TIME WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE REGRESSION SEEMS TO BE MORE ON THE TABLE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

IT IS A GOOD DAY TO BE IN MINNESOTA.

[ Gavel banging ] >> MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE, YOU WILL E REMOVED IF YOU DISRUPT THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> >> Mary: THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE PROVED PROVED LONG AND DIFFICULT.

AFTER A BIPARTISAN BEGINNING TO SESSION, THE POLITICAL LINES DIVIDED.

>> WE HAVE FAST-TRACKED THIS.

AND THERE COULD BE SOME DEFINITE REGRET.

WE HAVE HEARD HOW EXTREME THE MAJORITY IS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS UNDERLYING BILL LANGUAGE IS EXTREME.

BUT IF WE CAN'T EVEN LICENSE A FACILITY AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT FACILITY IS REGULATED AND INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE SAFE FOR THE WOMEN RECEIVING THOSE ABORTIONS, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

>> THE WAY THAT THE CURRENT BILL IS WRITTEN IS FAR, FAR MORE EXTREME.

THAN ROE VERSUS WADE.

WHICH WAS A MUCH MORE REASONABLE MEASURED APPROACH TO THIS DIFFICULT EMOTIONAL ISSUE.

>> THIS S JUST STUNNING, FOLKS.

THIS IS SO EXTREME, AND YOU WANT TO CALL ABORTION HEALTHCARE.

BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO REGULATE THEM LIKE A HEALTHCARE FACILITY.

>> THIS JUST MAKES ME SORROWFUL TO THINK THAT YOU THINK THIS IS OKAY.

THAT THIS IS PROVIDED FOR, AND THIS IS GOOD FOR WOMEN.

I THINK THIS IS TRAGIC FOR WOMEN.

>> I ASK MINNESOTANS TODAY.

WAS THIS WHAT YOU VOTED FOR?

WAS THIS YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY?

>> Mary: THE SENATE NOW HAS SEVERAL DOCTORS SERVING AND THEY WERE PART OF A VERY THOUGHTFUL AND EMOTIONAL DEBATE AS THE BILL MOVED THROUGH COMMITTEE.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE A VENTILATOR, BUT WITNESS I BAGGED THAT BABY FOR SIX HOURS.

AND I KNEW THAT BABY WASN'T VIABLE.

AND SO WHAT I DID WAS I PROLONGED THAT MOTHER'S SUFFERING.

AND A PROLONGED THAT BABY'S SUFFERING FOR SIX HOURS OVERNIGHT.

WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

AND I -- AND LOOKING BACK, IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING.

AND SO WE CAN'T SIT IN THIS CHAMBER AND LEGISLATE DOCTORS TO DO THAT.

>> I THINK WE'RE DOING GREAT.

IN THIS DISCUSSION.

I THINK THE RESPECT LEVEL FOR THE VIEWS HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER.

>> IF I DON'T BECOME A MOM, I'LL HAVE TO READ THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE AND MY DAUGHTER'S APGAR SCORES AND WHAT I DID AND DIDN'T DO AND HOW LONG SHE SURVIVED AND THE COMFORT CARE MEASURES E WERE PROVIDED IN A REPORT PUBLISHED BY MY GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WHO DECIDED THE CASE ALLOWING ABORTION IN THE STATE GOT BEHIND LEGISLATING HIS DECISION.

>> MY MAIN MESSAGE IS PASS THIS BILL.

IT'S NECESSARY FOR MANY REASONS.

WE ALL KNOW THAT, AND I'M MORE THAN ANY, THAT THINGS CAN CHANGE WITH THE COMPOSITION OF A COURT.

>> Mary: SO FAR REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING THE SCOPE OF THE ABORTION BILLS.

>> I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE LIMITATIONS ARE.

WHERE THE BOUNDARIES ARE IN THIS BILL.

>> THE IDEA THAT MINNESOTANS ARE SOMEHOW WILLY-NILLY, JUST HAVING ABORTIONS, THAT WE HAVE TO STEP IN TO STOP THEM IS, FRANKLY INSULTING.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

>> YEAH, IT'S AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE, BUT IT'S EMOTIONAL ISSUE ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE.

>> THE MOTION PREVAILS.

THE BILL IS REFERRED TO THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> Eric: AS WE JUST SAW IN MARY'S PIECE, ABORTION BILLS WERE FRONT AND CENTER AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK WITH THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROE V. WADE ON THE HORIZON.

AND GOVERNOR WALZ SPENT THE WEEK PREVIEWING HIS BUDGET, WHICH HE'LL OFFICIALLY RELEASE NEXT TUESDAY.

PLENTY OF GROUND TO COVER WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST.

FORMER PAWLENTY STAFFER BRIAN MCCLUNG REMEMBERS BUDGET WEEKS WELL, AS DOES FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER GREGG PEPPIN.

DFLERS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT: ANOTHER BUDGET DUI, GUY.

ABOU AMARA, AN ATTORNEY AND ALSO A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER; AND WE WELCOME JANAE BATES TO THE COUCH.

SHE IS A LICENSED MINISTER AND ORGANIZER WHO WORKS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.

VERY INTERESTING DEBATE, ABOU ININ THE HOUSE LAST NIGHT ON THE ABORTION BILL.

PRETTY WIDE OPEN AND I WONDER WITH A TIGHTER TIGHTER MARGIN IN THE SENATE WILL THE EXACT SAME LANGUAGE SURVIVE ON HE SENATE FLOOR.

>> I EXPECT IT TO.

IF THERE WAS ONE ISSUE THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT, IT ABSOLUTELY WAS ABORTION GOING INTO THE ELECTION.

THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION GALVANIZED MILLIONS OF WOMEN IN THE SUBURBS AND THAT'S WHAT DELIVERED THE MAJORITY FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: GREGG, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT ONE OF THE STRATEGIES ON THE FLOOR FROM THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS YESTERDAY AND THAT WAS TO POINT OUT, WAS IT FIVE RURAL DEMOCRATIC HOUSE MEMBERS WHO, I THINK THE REPUBLICANS INTIMATED THAT IT'S BAD FOR YOUR REELECTION CHANCES.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THERE'S A PARALLEL HERE WITH WHAT HAPPENED IN 2012.

AND THAT WAS WHEN THE DEMOCRAT DOMINATED LEGISLATURE PASSED THE GAY MARRIAGE LAW IN MINNESOTA.

AHEAD OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON THAT.

AND THAT WAS -- THAT DECIMATED THE DEMOCRATS IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF THEM LOST THEIR REELECTIONS.

I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME F THAT HERE AS WELL.

AND I THINK THE POINT YOU MAKE ABOUT THE SENATE, THERE'S SOME SENATORS FROM VERY SWING DISTRICTS THAT WON NARROWLY, AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE A VOTE IN THE SENATE.

AND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THOSE RURAL DEMOCRAT SENATORS AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE CLEAR SAILING IN THE SENATE >> >> Cathy: I SAW THAT REPRESENTATIVE GENE PELOWSKI PEELED OFF.

SO DOES SENATOR DZIEDZIC HAVE THE VOTES?

>> SHE WENT ON TWITTER AND PUT A VIDEO UP SAYING THAT WHEN THIS COMES TO THE SENATE, IT'LL PASS.

SHE'S DEFENDANT THAT SHE HAS THE VOTES.

I THINK THAT'S A RISKY PROPOSITION.

I THINK WHAT GREGG IS SAYING IS VERY TRUE.

YOU HAVE CERTAINLY AT LEAST FOUR DEMOCRATS IN SWING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE SENATE WHO ARE GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, THINKING ABOUT THIS REALLY CAREFULLY.

NOW, THIS THEY HAVE A FOUR-YEAR TERM SO THEY HAVE TIME TO MAKE THEIR CASE.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS IS IT'S A VERY EMOTIONAL ISSUE.

I THINK THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT THERE'S MAJORITY SUPPORT IN MINNESOTA FOR ABORTION RIGHTS BROADLY.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS THAT DEMOCRATS TAKE IT MUCH FURTHER THAN THAT.

THEY ALLOW PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION.

THEY ESSENTIALLY ALLOW ABORTION RIGHT UP TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH.

THIS IS NOT WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE, YOU KNOW, THINKING OF WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT ABORTION RIGHTS.

SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GET INTO TROUBLE.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, WELL, I THINK MINNESOTANS ARE GRAPPLING WITH THIS IDEA, NOT JUST OF ABORTION IGHTS BUT ALL OF OUR SOCIAL NORMS KIND OF ROLLING BACK.

MINNESOTANS AND PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE STARTING TO EXPERIENCE MANY FREEDOMS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE AND THAT'S WOMEN, IT'S QUEER FOLKS, IT'S A BUNCH OF PEOPLE, AND SO NOW AS WE ARE STARTING TO BECOME CLOSER IN CONTACT WITH FOLKS WHO ARE DIFFERENT THAN US WHO HAVE DIVERSE WAYS OF THINK I THINK FOLKS ARE STARTING TO HAVE HEARTS AND MINDS SOFTENED.

I DON'T THINK THESE RURAL DEMOCRATS ARE IN MUCH DANGER AS WE SAY THEY ARE.

>> Eric: I'M INTERESTED ON YOUR VIEW AS TO HOW MUCH MONEY IS THE ISSUE.

BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE POURING MONEY INTO EXISTING SYSTEM WITHOUT MUCH CHANGE IS.

PUTTING MORE MONEY IN THE ANSWER, OR DOES THERE NEED TO BE SOME REFORM BEYOND THE MONEY?

>> IT REMIND AID ME OF 1874, WHERE IS S OOT BEEF ON THIS?

A LOT OF MONEY.

NO REFORM.

NOTHING ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

NOTHING ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

IT'S ONE-TIME ONEY THAT'S GOING INTO THAT'S GOING TO CREATE FISCAL TAILS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DISASTROUS FOR YOUR BUDGETS GOING FORWARD.

>> I JUST DISAGREE.

WE'RE DEALING WITH AN EDUCATION THAT WAS DEEPLY UNDERFUNDED TO BEGIN WITH.

SO EXPECTING A SYSTEM TO WORK COMPLETELY WITH INADEQUATE FUNDING, THAT'S JUST PIE IN THE SKY.

OF COURSE THERE'S GOING TO BE REFORMS.

WE SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE, DIVERSIFYING THE TEACHING CORPS, WHICH IS ACTUALLY IF YOU SEE IT, THEN BE IF.

SO IT'S NOT JUST DEMOCRATS SAYING PIE IN THE SKY MONEY, BUT MONEY IS A CRITICAL PART.

>> BUT WE HAVE NEVER NOT PUT MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION.

EVEN WHEN WE HAD DEFICITS, WE FOUND WAYS TO INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING IN MINNESOTA.

SO THE MONEY, THE BUDGETS HAVE GONE UP AND UP AND UP AND THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP HAS DAY STAYED THE SAME AND GOTTEN WORSE, AND IT IS AN EMBARRASSMENT THAT OUR READING AND MALTED ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS WORSE THAN MISSISSIPPI.

I MEAN NARCS HAS GOT TOEN CHANGED AND NZ NOT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE CHANGED BY MORE MONEY.

YOU HAVE TO SOME HAVE FUNDAMENTAL REFORM AND CHANGE TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

>> I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT WE NEED TO PUT WAY MORE NVESTMENTS INTO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

THE REALITY IS THAT MINUTES ACROSS THE BOARD, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BOTH IN THE TWIN CITIES AND IN RURAL MINNESOTA, THEY LOVE THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THAT IS FOLKS EVEN ACROSS PARTISANSHIP.

WE'RE FINDING THAT RURAL MINNESOTANS ARE ABSOLUTELY LIKE, WE NEED A STRONG PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND THEN ALSO WERE THIS GOVERNOR'S BUDGET, THINKING ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN TERMS OF REALLY CUTTING CHILDHOOD POVERTY DOWN BY 25%, THROUGH ONE BUDGET, IT'S INCREDIBLE, IT'S UNHEARD OF, IT'S HISTORIC.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TYING EDUCATION FUNDING TO INFLATION?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT -- FIRST OF ALL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR BAROMETER OF INFLATION IS, AND THAT'S DEBATABLE WITHIN ECONOMIC CIRCLES, BUT I THINK IT DOES PUT US ON A PATH THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE UNSUSTAINABLE.

YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS SAY WE'RE GOING TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION.

AND DOING IT -- TYING IF IT TO INFLATION IS ONE ASPECT OF THAT.

BUT THEY NEVER DEFINE WHAT FULLY FUNDING MEANS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

>> Cathy: ABOU.

>> THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE DEFINED WHAT IT MEANS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION THAT TAKES PLACE IN MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUNDED BY THE FEDS.

IT'S NOT.

MINNESOTANS HAVE HAD TO PICK UP THE TAB.

WE'VE BEEN SPECIFIC ON THE K578 PAINCAMPAIGN TRAIL.

WE HAVE SHOWN WHAT THE PLAFN IS, MOVING FORWARD IN MINNESOTA, A HISTORIC SURPLUS TO INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE BEST STATE FOR KIDS.

>> Eric: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MARK DAYTON LAW THAT ANY ELECTION LAW BE BIPARTISAN?

HAS THAT GONE AWAY?

>> I THINK SO.

I DON'T THINK GOVERNOR WALZ HAS MADE THAT SAME COMMITMENT.

SO WE'LL SEE.

I THINK SOME OF THESE THINGS LIKE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, RIGHT, SO WHEN YOU'RE 16, YOU AUTOMATICALLY ARE ON THE VOTER ROLLS AND THEN YOU'RE ABLE TO VOTE WHEN YOU'RE 18, THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT I THINK MANY REPUBLICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

DOES NOT HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

BUT I FULLY EXPECT DEMOCRATS TO PASS THAT OR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SO I DO THINK THAT THEY HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE IDEA THAT THESE ELECTION REFORMS NEED TO BE BIPARTISAN.

WE'LL SEE HOW FAR, YOU KNOW, THAT SHIFTS THINGS IN THIS ELECTION.

ENVIRONMENT.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE -- I HAVEN'T HEARD GOVERNOR WALZ SAY THAT AT LEAST.

>> YEAH, I THINK WHAT WE'RE FINDING, TALKING TO MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE AND EVEN ACROSS PARTISANSHIP, IS THAT I THINK THEY'RE WAY LESS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS NOTION OF BIPARTISANSHIP AND WAY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT, ARE YOU GOING TO GET THINGS DONE?

IS THIS GOVERNMENT, THIS THING THAT I AM SAYING WE THE PEOPLE WE'RE BOUGHT INTO, ARE THEY GOING TO DO THINGS FOR US AND ARE THEY GOING TO DELIVER?

WE'VE ASKED FOR THINGS LIKE EXPANDING OUR DEMOCRACY AND PROTECTING IT.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL BELIEVE.

AND WE HEAR YOU'RE GOING TO DELIVER IT.

ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO DO IT?

>> Eric: IN THE HOUSE, GREGG, WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY, IS THE JOB BASICALLY TO PREPARE FOR THE 2024 ELECTION YCLE WHEN THE HOUSE WILL BE UP AGAIN?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ABOUT RECRUITING, RECRUITING, RECRUITING IN THOSE DISTRICTS THAT CAN BE WON AND THERE WILL BE SOME, I BELIEVE, THERE'LL BE A LOT OF ENERGY AROUND THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AS WELL.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A ROBUST FIELD OF REPUBLICANS THAT ARE RUNNING.

THAT'S GOING TO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE INNER WRIEZ ENENERGIZED AND EXCITED ABOUT.

FORMER GOVERNOR PAWLENTY USED TO STAY THAT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FLOOR WAS KUBUKI THEATER.

CERTAINLY THERE'S A LOT OF IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT WHEN YOU'RE IN THE COMMUNITY, YOU'RE TRYING TO GET IN THE MAJORITY.

RECRUITMENT IS JOB NUMBER ONE.

>> Eric: IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT THE DEMOCRATS COULD OVERREACH?

>> SO TO ME, THE CONCEPT IS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY DOESN'T LISTEN TO WHAT VOTERS ND THE PUBLIC RE ASKING FOR.

AND THE VOTERS ARE SAYING WE NEED ON YOU TO GET BILLING BOLD THINGS DONE.

THEY ARE ASKING THINGS TO GET DONE AND FOUR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, WE HAD HAD STALEMATE.

WE HAVE HAD A SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS THAT HAS BLOCKED EVERYTHING AND NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER SOMETHING BIG.

IT'S ABOUT GIVING MINNESOTANS WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

>> BUT WERE VOTERS ASKING FOR SOMETHING BIG?

THIS WAS AN ELECTION WHERE ONE SEAT CHANGED HAND IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

WE HAD 201 SEATS UP FOR REELECTION AND ONE SEAT CHANGED.

THIS IS ABOUT 200 VOTES TOTAL STATEWIDE.

AND SO NOW THIS IS SOMEHOW TURNED INTO A MANDATE HEN YOU, YOU KNOW, THAT TOM BAKK SEAT OR THAT SEAT IN COTTAGE GROVE, IF JUST A FEW HUNDRED PEOPLE HAD VOTED THE OTHER WAY, REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE CONTROL OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

SO THIS IDEA THAT IT'S LET'S GET EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN DONE AND, YOU KNOW, GO AS FAR AS WE POSSIBLY CAN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS CALLED FOR, I'M JUST NOT SURE WHAT WE HEARD.

>> WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WHAT KIND OF ELECTION THIS WAS.

THIS ONE THAT WAS HIGHLY EXPECTED TO BE A RED WAVE.

AND THEN WE'VE MOVED INTO SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT.

MINNESOTANS ARE REALLY MAKING A DEMAND.

>> Cathy: SAY, ABOU, JEFF HAYDEN WAS IN THAT SAME SEAT LAST WEEK AND HE SAID, TAX RELIEF?

NO NOT MUCH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S THE FIRST PART OF A THREE-PART ACT.

AND SO WE STILL HAVE TIME, BOTH TOWARDS THE END OF THIS LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATION BUT ALSO NEXT YEAR.

THERE VERY LIKELY WILL BE A TAX BILL AS PART OF ANY BONDING PACK YA.

I WOULDN'T SAY IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT WE ARE EARLY IN THE GAME.

I MEAN, THIS IS LITERALLY THE FIRST MONTH OF SESSION.

LET'S WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

>> GREGG, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I LIKEN IT TO A KID IN A CANDY STORE, EXCEPT THE KID'S ON STEROIDS AND IT'S WITH SPENDING, AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO GO ON HERE, AND SO IF THERE'S A CRUMB LEFT FOR TAX RELIEF, I WOULD BE SURPRISED BY THE END OF THIS SESSION, NOT TO MENTION ANYTHING GOING FORWARD NEXT SESSION.

>> I MEAN, THE CONCEPT OF TAX RELIEF IS ACTUALLY QUITE INTERESTING BECAUSE THE REALITY IS MINNESOTANS JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR LIVES.

AND THEY CAN DO THAT BY HAVING THINGS LIKE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, BY HAVING A ROBUST CHILD CARE SYSTEM, BY ACTUALLY HAVING FOLKS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR THEM TO HAVE CORPORATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE SO THAT MAYBE THEN, YOU KNOW, MINNESOTANS CAN ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

>> JESSE VENTURA RODE THE IDEA OF REBATE CHECKS INTO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE NOT THAT LONG AGO.

TIM WALZ HAS PROPOSED IT TWO YEARS IN A ROW AND HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING NO, WE DON'T THINK SO.

SO TO GREGG OOT POINT, IF THERE'S A DIME LEFT, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO GET AND THEN.

>> Eric: VIGOROUS DEBATE.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> Eric: IT WILL BE 8:00 P.M. BEFORE WE KNOW IT, SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN TO THE "INDEX FILE" SECTION OF THE SHOW.

THIS WEEK'’S QUESTION IS ABOUT A WELL-KNOWN ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERSHIP.

IN AUGUST OF 1975, THEY PERFORMED A SERIES OF SHOWS TOGETHER IN MINNESOTA.

IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF A LONG, SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION.

- THEY HAVE PERFORMED TOGETHER ON STAGE THOUSANDS OF TIMES AND HAVE APPEARED ON TELEVISION AND IN MOVIES.

ONE OF THE PARTNERS SAID IN AN INTERVIEW THAT THE OTHER ONE WAS RELUCTANT TO COME TO MINNESOTA TO PERFORM BECAUSE HE HAD JUST GOTTEN TENURE AS A LATIN TEACHER AT A HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY.

HE WASN'’T SURE IF HE WAS READY TO GIVE UP HIS DAY JOB TO PURSUE A CAREER IN SHOW BUSINESS.

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THE PRODUCERS DUG IN TO THE ARCHIVES AND PULLED OUT THIS GEM FOR YOU.

IT WAS 24 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK THAT GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA HELD HIS INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AND JOINED WARREN ZEVON ON STAGE FOR THIS RENDITION OF "WEREWOLVES OF LONDON."

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