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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT WEEK TWO OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

MARY LAHAMMER BEEN TRACKING A BIG STORY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THERE ARE NEW SECURITY CONCERNS AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'LL REVEAL A PROPOSAL TO ADD METAL DETECTORS HERE LIKE MOST STATE CAPITOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE INTENSITY.

POLITICAL DEBATE IN THIS COUNTRY AND THIS STATE IS AT ITS HIGHEST POINT EVER.

IN BOTH EXTREMES.

>> 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- EQALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- EQUITH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- EQUITI WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- EQUITIESHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- EQUITIES.ILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- EQUITIES.ILE ADVANCING SOCIAL- DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: WE HAVE ANOTHER FULL HOUR FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL HEAR FROM ONE OF THE TARGET BOYCOTT ORGANIZERS.

AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER WILL HELP EXPLAIN WHAT IMPACT NEW IMMIGRATION POLICIES COULD HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

DAVID GILLETTE HAS A VIDEO ESSAY FOR US.

AND WE'LL ROUND UP STATE POLITICS WITH A POLITICAL PANEL.

>> Kaomi: INDEED.

WE'RE GOING TO START, THOUGH, TONIGHT WITH NATIONAL POLITICS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAD A BUSY SECOND WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C. A FUNDING FREEZE WAS ANNOUNCED.

A COURT RULING PAUSED IT.

THE ADMINISTRATION WITHDREW IT.

THAT WAS ALL AT THE BEGINNING OF A WEEK THAT HAS INCLUDED MULTIPLE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS, A TRAGIC AIRCRAFT DISASTER NEAR REAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF TARIFFS AGAINST CANADA AND MEXICO SET TO START ON SATURDAY.

KATHRYN PEARSON TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WELCOME BACK, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Kaomi: WOW, UM, YOU KNOW, STEVE BANNON USED TO SAY THEY WOULD FLOOD THE ZONE IN THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WITH STUFF.

AND I'M WONDERING, IS THIS IN A SENSE WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THIS STRATEGY THAT THIS FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THE MODERN PRESIDENCY, WE ALWAYS SEE A LOT OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, BUT THIS IS REALLY UNPRECEDENTED AND IT IS A STARK CONTRAST TO EIGHT YEARS AGO.

I MEAN, DAY ONE WE HAD SO MANY AND THEY CONTINUE IN ADDITION TO THE MEMORANDUM FROM THE O.M.B.

AND JUST PRESS CONFERENCES AND STATEMENTS AND IT'S CAUSING A LOT OF CHAOS WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENTS.

AND NOT REALLY SURE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE'S THE EFFORT TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE, CHANGE ECONOMIC POLICY WITH UPCOMING TARIFFS AND TARIFF THREATS.

A LOT IS HAPPENING.

>> Eric: LET'S COMPARE THIS TO A PRIZE FIGHT BOXING MATCH.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING TO SEE HOW FAR IT CAN GO, AND CONGRESS, PARTICULARLY REPUBLICANS HO NOW CONTROL THE SENATE, ARE SAYING, HOW MUCH CAN WE PUSH BACK?

>> WELL, IT'S COMPLICATED BECAUSE ON THE ONE HAND THERE REALLY IS A SEPARATION OF POWERS STRUGGLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS REALLY TRYING TO EXPAND THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY IN ADDITION TO SORT OF EXECUTE HIS POLICIES.

AND -- BUT THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF COURSE ARE CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS.

SO ON THE ONE HAND, CONGRESS WANTS TO ASSERT ITSELF.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IN TODAY'S POLITICAL SYSTEM, THE PARTY IN POWER REALLY SEES ITSELF AS A TEAM.

AND SO EVEN AS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOHN THIEWN, YOU KNOW, HE'S AN INSTITUTIONALIST, HE ALSO IS A LOYAL REPUBLICAN AND CERTAINLY THAT IS ALL GOING TO BE ON DISPLAY WITH SORT OF THIS MID-MAY POTENTIAL SHUTDOWN HAT REPUBLICANS NEED TO DEAL WITH, POTENTIALLY WITH DEMOCRATIC VOTES.

AND THEN PUTTING TOGETHER THIS RECONCILIATION PACKAGE.

THE RECONCILIATION BILL IS GOING TO BE THE VEHICLE THAT MOVES FORWARDS ALL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES WITH REPUBLICANS, BECAUSE AS A RECONCILIATION BUDGET BILL, IT ONLY REQUIRES 51 VOTES.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR REPUBLICANS TO GET THERE.

>> Kaomi: I WONDER AS A PERSON WHO STUDIES CONGRESS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THERE'S -- FROM REPUBLICANS, THERE IS NOT A HOLE LOT OF PUSHBACK.

I MEAN, WE SAW ON THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HEGSETH'S VOTE.

THERE WERE THREE REPUBLICANS THAT VOTED NO.

THAT'S THE MAXIMUM NUMBER THAT CAN VOTE NO.

>> Kaomi: DOES THIS SET A BAD PRECEDENT MAYBE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH?

>> I THINK IT DOES AS A SCHOLAR OF POLITICS BECAUSE CONGRESS HAS THAT VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR SYSTEM AND WITH THE PRESIDENT TRYING TO EXPAND THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE, A, HAT THE COURTS DO IN TERMS OF SO MANY OF THESE DECISIONS, EXECUTIVE ORDERINGS, FIRING OF CIVIL SERVANTS, THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE COURTS, WHAT WILL THE FEDERAL COURTS DO, AND THEN ULTIMATELY WHAT WILL CONGRESS DO.

>> Eric: PRESIDENT TRUMP BEGINS AS A LAME DUCK.

HE'S NOT RUNNING AGAIN IN 2028, WE THINK.

AND HOW SHORT HONEYMOON DOES HE HAVE, OR CAN HE GO THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN THE COURTS AND BYPASS CONGRESS.

>> I THINK THE REAL DATE AND, YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY SAW THIS WITH TRUMP'S FIRST -- THE FIRST TWO YEARS, BIDEN'S FIRST TWO YEARS, OBAMA'S FIRST TWO YEARS, YOU KNOW, THAT FIRST MIDTERM ELECTION, YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY OFTEN LOSES CONTROL OF ONE OF THE CHAMBERS.

AND WITH CURRENTLY A ONE-SEAT MARGIN, THAT'LL GROW WITH SOME OF THESE SPECIAL ELECTIONS, BUT THE HOUSE IS -- THIS IS THE NARROWEST MARGIN FOR REPUBLICANS IN CONTEMPORARY HISTORY, AND SO 2026, JUST BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT IS A REPUBLICAN WILL THEREFORE BE A GOOD YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE THAT NO MATTER WHICH PARTY IS IN POWER, IT'S A BETTER FOR THE OUT PARTY.

AND SO I THINK THE TRUMP TEAM AND PRESIDENT TRUMP REALIZES HE'S GOT TWO YEAR.

>> Kaomi: GOING BACK TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, WHERE DO YOU THINK THE LINES ARE THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD CROSS THAT WOULD EVEN MAKE SOME REPUBLICANS NERVOUS?

>> I THINK THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

AND I'M NOT SURE.

BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE -- SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED I MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN THOSE LINES.

FIRING CIVIL SERVANTS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT OESN'T HAPPEN.

BUT YET WE'RE NOT HEARING OF ANY CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ABOUT THIS.

SO SOME OF HESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT SEEM SORT OF PATENTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, I MEAN, THAT'S FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE, BUT WE'RE NOT HEARING CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS PROTEST.

>> Eric: AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE JUST CASTING AROUND FOR A ROLE HERE?

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN A TOUGH POSITION BECAUSE THEY DON'T CONTROL EITHER CHAMBER AND PUBLIC SENTIMENTS TOWARDS DEMOCRATS IS NOT VERY STRONG.

>> Eric: 37% APPROVAL.

AND AMONG MEN, IT WAS 20%, SOMETHING.

>> RIGHT, SO DEMOCRATS ARE NOT ANY GREAT PLACE EITHER.

DEMOCRATS I THINK ARE TRYING TO GET A MESSAGE OUT, BUT THE MEDIA ISN'T REALLY COVERING IT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH TO COVER WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THAT, YOU KNOW, SORT OF STAY TUNED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.

ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

>> Kaomi: WELL, WE ARE GOING TO SWITCH OUT GUESTS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE GOING TO BE BACK TO TALK WITH A LEGAL EXPERT ON IMMIGRATION.

♪ >> ERIC: AS WE DISCUSSED WITH PROFESSOR PEARSON, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS HAVE BEEN SWIFT, AND AMONG THEM IS ACTION ON IMMIGRATION, A TOP ISSUE IN HIS CAMPAIGN.

THERE HAS BEEN UNCERTAINTY FROM IMMIGRANTS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS ABOUT HIS CALLS FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS.

THIS WEDNESDAY HE SIGNED THE LAKEN RILEY ACT, NAMED AFTER THE SLAIN 22-YEAR-OLD NURSING STUDENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, INTO LAW AFTER BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

WE TAPPED AN IMMIGRATION LAWYER WITH 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT ON THE ISSUE.

SHE ALSO TEACHES AT MITCHELL HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL, ANA POTTRATZ ACOSTA.

WHERE ARE WE HERE IN THIS WHOLE THING?

>> WELL, UM, IT'S HARD TO EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START.

AS WAS MENTIONED PREVIOUS LEACH, THERE HAVE BEEN A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND VARIOUS ACTIONS BY THE RELEVANT AGENCIES.

SO DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

AS WELL AS HE NEW ACT THAT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS, THE LAKEN RILEY ACT.

SO A LOT OF CHANGES AND A LOT OF STUFF KIND OF COMING AT US VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

>> Kaomi: UT YOU COULD SAY, I MEAN, THE PRESIDENT DID SAY THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN TERMS OF SO MANY OF THESE ORDERS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DEPORTATIONS.

WERE THERE ANY PLANS AFOOT TO TRY TO DEAL WITH ANY IF OF THIS?

>> BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED DURING HIS FIRST TERM, WE HAD A FAIRLY GUIDE IDEA OF WHAT PROBABLY WAS GOING TO BE COMING.

SO I WOULD SAY IN THE MONTHS OR THE TWO MONTHS, GIVE OR TAKE, BETWEEN THE ELECTION AND THE INAUGURATION, A LOT OF THE WORK ON THE PART OF IMMIGRATION LAWYERS WAS SORT OF TAKING STOCK OF WHERE THINGS WERE WITH ALL OF OUR CLIENTS, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, TRYING TO GET THEM IN A MORE SECURE FORM OF LEGAL STATUS, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

AND THEN ALSO, MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE WORKING TOGETHER WITH LOCAL IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES,ER AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, TO PREPARE FOR WHAT WAS LIKELY COMING.

>> Kaomi: HIS MUST BE INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL FOR ALL INVOLVED.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, AND I THINK -- AND I CAN SPEAK MORE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A LAWYER.

IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT CLIMATE WHERE THERE'S SO MUCH VOLATILITY AND THERE'S SO MANY CHANGES COMING AT US VERY QUICKLY, TO ADVISE CLIENTS.

AND TO TRY TO PREPARE, BECAUSE ADVICE THAT WAS GOOD OR SOUND LAW OR, LIKE, A GOOD STRATEGY ONE DAY CAN COMPLETELY CHANGE THE NEXT.

SO JUST ONE EXAMPLE FROM THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEDNESDAY THAT NEW HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY NOEM WAS RESCINDING AN ORDER THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED BY OUTGOING SECRETARY MAYORKAS TO EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS FOR VENEZUELANS AND VENEZUELAN CLIENTS WHO THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD LAWFUL STATUS GUARANTEED UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF 2026 NOW COULD LOSE THEIR STATUS AS EARLY AS APRIL OF THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THIS AFFECT REFUGEES?

AND LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES, CATHOLIC HARITIES WHO DO SETTLEMENT, WHAT'S THAT PART OF THE PICTURE?

>> WELL, SO ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS ACTUALLY HALTED THE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM AND ARRIVALS THAT IS RUN THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

SO THE LAST EFUGEES TO ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES HAPPENED I BELIEVE ON FRIDAY THE 17TH OF JANUARY.

SO THE LAST BUSINESS DAY BEFORE THE INAUGURATION.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT HAPPENED THAT'S RELEVANT TO REFUGEES AS PART OF ONE OF THE STOP WORK ORDERS AND SOME OF THE FUNDING CUTS THAT WERE PUT INTO EFFECT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE WAS ACTUALLY A STOP WORK ORDER THAT WAS SENT TO RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES, AND JUST TO EXPLAIN A BIT, FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES UNDER THE PROGRAM, THEY'RE MANDATED TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC SERVICES ON A TIMELINE OVER THE FIRST 90 DAYS THAT A REFUGEE IS RESETTLED INTO THE NEW COUNTRY.

SO HELPING THEM GET A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.

HELPING THEM GET AN APARTMENT.

AND FIND WORK.

SO ON AND SO FORTH.

AND WITH THE STOP ORDER, THAT ALSO MEANS THAT THEY WON'T RECEIVE FUNDING TO PROVIDE THOSE MANDATORY SERVICES.

>> Kaomi: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW THIS AFFECTS FOREIGN STUDENTS?

>> SO IT'S HARD TO SAY.

I KNOW -- I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WAS ISSUED YESTERDAY OR EARLIER TODAY.

RELATED TO FREE SPEECH ON CAMPUS.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S AFFECTING AFFECTAFFECTING INTERINTERNATIOL STUDENTS IS IF THEY ARE FOUND TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN PRO-PALESTINIAN PRO TESTSES, THAT COULD BE GROUNDS NOW FOR REVOKING THEIR STUDENT VISA STATUS.

9 OTHER THING TOO, AND THIS IS MORE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, THIS SAME EXECUTIVE ORDER RELATED -- THAT SUSPENDED THE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS ALSO BEEN INSTRUCTED TO TAKE UNDER XAMINATION ALL COUNTRIES VISA PROCESSING AND SECURITY CHECKS ASSOCIATION IT COULD POTENTIALLY IMPACT STUDENTS FROM COUNTRIES THAT ARE POTENTIALLY PLACED ON A TRAVEL BAN LIST.

SO THAT'S I THINK ANOTHER THING THAT COULD BE COMING WITHIN THE NEXT 45 DAYS OR SO.

>> Cathy: I CAN SEE HAT YOU MEAN WHEN YOU SAY THIS IS SO CONFUSING, EVEN FOR AN ATTORNEY LIKE YOURSELF.

>> YES, AND I THINK, TOO, JUST THE WAY THAT IT'S CHANGING -- OR HOW IT'S CHANGING SO RAPIDLY, SO JUST TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE.

I WAS BUSY TEACHING CLASS, AND I HAD A MEETINGS WITH CLIENTS.

SO I WAS LATE ON HEARING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE PROPOSED DI INTELLIGENCE PROPOSED DETENTION CENTER AT GUANTANAMO BAY.

♪ ♪ >> WHOA!

[ ENGINES BUZZING ] [ BEEPING ] ♪ ♪ >> DOMINIC: I AM, FOR LACK OF A BETTER PHRASE, THE DEATH CHRONICLER IN MY COMMUNITY.

I CANNOT COUNT HOW MANY OBITUARIES I’VE WRITTEN FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

I HAVE STOOD AND DELIVERED EULOGIES AND ELEGIES -- SOMETIMES ON THIS VERY SPOT -- FOR MY PARENTS AND IN-LAWS, GOOD FRIENDS, A TEACHER, A BROTHER.

ALL DRY-EYED.

SO WHEN WE HELPED OUR BELOVED MOLLY CROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE HARD.

BUT I WAS HOPING I COULD HOLD IT TOGETHER.

THE VET CAME TO OUR HOUSE.

THE KIDS WERE REALLY SAD.

MY WIFE WAS BEREFT.

AND ME?

I COMPLETELY LOST IT.

TOTAL EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN.

WE’RE TALKING RENDING-GARMENTS KIND OF STUFF.

AND AS I’VE TALKED TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE GONE DOWN THIS ROAD, I’M LEARNING THAT THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL.

ONE CONFIDED, GUILTILY, THAT THEY THOUGHT THEY FELT WORSE ABOUT THE DEATH OF THEIR DOG THAN THAT OF THEIR OWN MOTHER.

THAT’S AN APPLES-TO-ORANGES COMPARISON, BUT IT DOESN’T COME FROM NOWHERE.

I THINK THAT ANIMALS, DOGS ESPECIALLY, CAN BE REPOSITORIES FOR THE EMOTIONS WE CANNOT OR WILL NOT LET OUT.

MOLLY SAT AT MY FEET AS I COMPOSED MANY OF THOSE REMEMBRANCES AND MEMORIALS, AND I GUESS SHE MUST HAVE ABSORBED SOME OF THAT GRIEF.

WHEN SHE DIED, IT ALL GOT RELEASED BACK TO ME.

AND SO MAYBE I WAS KEENING, NOT JUST FOR MY DOG, BUT FOR ALL THAT OTHER LOSS AS WELL.

I MISS MOLLY, AND IF MY SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY IS ANY GAUGE, I WILL FOR A WHILE.

AND THAT’S OKAY.

FOR, AS TENNYSON WROTE: "I HOLD IT TRUE, WHATE'ER BEFALL.

I FEEL IT, WHEN I SORROW MOST.

'TIS BETTER TO HAVE LOVED AND LOST, THAN NEVER TO HAVE LOVED AT ALL."

♪ ♪ >> >> ♪ WISH I COULD READ THE MINDS OF WOMEN ♪ ♪ WISH I HAD GILLS FOR SWIMMING ♪ ♪ WISH I HAD MOVIE STAR LOOKS ♪ ♪ I WISH I ... ♪ ♪ >> CATHY: LAST FRIDAY, TARGET ANNOUNCED IT WOULD BE ROLLING BACK ITS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES.

THE MOVE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS-BASED RETAILER HAS SPURRED PROTESTS AND A CALL TO BOYCOTT STORES.

ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS OPPOSING TARGET'S ACTION IS BLACK LIVES MATTER CO-FOUNDER, MONIQUE CULLARS-DOTY, AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

WE LEFT MULTIPLE MESSAGES WITH TARGET'S OFFICES TO RESPOND AND JOIN US, BUT THEY WENT UNANSWERED.

BUT WE'RE REALLY PLEASED THAT MONIQUE IS WITH US.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU ERE.

I'M WONDERING, WAZ YOUR THEORY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN THIS SEEMS TO BE A NATIONAL TREND AND WHY DO YOU THINK TARGET'S BACK-TRACKING?

>> WELL, WE'VE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

TARGET JUST HAPPENS TO BE BASED ON MINNEAPOLIS HICH IS LOCAL AND WE DECIDED TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON TARGET FOR SEVERAL VARIOUS REASONS, BUT WE HAVE SEEN PRESSURE FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES TO REMOVE THEIR D.E.I.

PROGRAMS WHICH ARE -- THEY ARE VITAL.

THEY'RE VITAL TO THE WORKERS AND THE STAFF.

AND IT'S VITAL TO THE COMMUNITIES.

EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM D.E.I., AND INCLUSION, THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> Eric: HOW STRONG AN ALLY HAS TARGET BEEN?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT TARGET HAS BEEN AN ALLY TO THE POLICE COMMUNITY BECAUSE ARGET HAS A CRIME LAB.

AND WHAT WE'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE IS FOR TARGET TO USE THE RESOURCE OF THAT CRIME LAB TO HELP THESE FAMILIES OF STOLEN LIVES, INDIVIDUALS ILLED BY POLICE, TO HELP GET TRUTH ABOUT THOSE MURDERS AS WELL.

SO IN THAT SENSE, THEY'VE BEEN AN ALLY ON THE POLICE.

BUT WE DID SEE FTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD THAT TARGET REALLY STEPPED UP TO EMBRACE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, TO SEE THE DIFFERENCES IT COULD MAKE AFTER THEIR STORE IN MINNEAPOLIS WAS URNED AND LOOTED.

RIGHT?

SO WE KNOW THAT LOOTING IS A SYMPTOM OF A COMMUNITY THAT IS LIVING IN LACK, WHERE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO PROVIDE AND SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LASH OUT WITH OUTRAGE AS WELL SOA.

TARGET RESPONDED POSITIVELY.

AND I WILL GIVE THEM ALL THE CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> Cathy: DID YOU THINK IT WAS GOING TO LAST, THOUGH, IN YOUR HEART OF HEARTS?

>> IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED.

I HAD NO REASON TO THINK THAT IT WOULD NOT LAST?

>> Eric: ARE YOU TAKING A GAMBLE WITH THIS.

I'VE HEARD FROM SOME MINORITY VENDORS, THEY'VE SAID THIS AY HURT ME UNINTENTIONALLY.

>> THIS IS ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD AND WITHOUT TARGET KEEPING THEIR D.E.I.

PROGRAM, WILL THOSE VENDORS BE IN THE STORES NEXT YEAR?

RIGHT?

SO MOVING FORWARD, WE WANT THE D.E.I.

WE WANT THE VENDORS OF COLOR TO BE APPRECIATED AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO XPAND THEIR PROFILE AND THEIR PRODUCTS.

BUT WE WANT TARGET TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THEM.

AND NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG RAISED A GREAT CONCERN, THAT TARGET WAITED UNTIL AFTER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPREE, BUT RIGHT BEFORE BLACK HISTORY MONTH STARTS TO ANNOUNCE A ROLLBACK ON THE D.E.I.

SO IT WAS IN A SENSE SABOTAGING THOSE BLACK VENDORS WHO HAVE PREPARED FOR SALES FOR THE BLACK -- FOR THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> Cathy: SOMEBODY ASKED ME TODAY, DO YOU THINK A BOYCOTT WOULD WORK?

NOW, WE SHOULD LOOK BACK IN HISTORY.

THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOY OA COT OBVIOUSLY WORKED, AND BOY COTS HAVE WORKED IN HISTORIC FORMS.

WHY DO YOU THINK THOUGH IN 2025 THIS WILL WORK?

>> I BELIEVE THIS WILL WORK, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT JUST BLACK PEOPLE BOY COTING TARGET.

REMEMBER, DECHED REMEMBER, DECH D.E.

ITCH IS INCLUSIVE OF EVERYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND PEOPLE WHO WOULD OT NECESSARILY QUALIFY UNDER D.E.I., BUT HAVE COMPASSION AND THEY ARE STANDING WITH US AS WELL.

SO THIS IS A BROAD CAMPAIGN NATIONWIDE.

TO PUT TARGET UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AND MAKE TARGET THE ACTUAL TARGET.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU HEARD FROM TARGET EMPLOYEES?

HOW ARE THEY HANDLING IT?

>> Cathy: BECAUSE I THINK YESTERDAY YOU ALL WERE CALLING THEM TO SPEAK UP.

>> I'VE NOT HEARD DIRECTLY.

I DO KNOW SOME TARGET EMPLOYEES AND I DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO REACH OUT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S HAPPENING, BUT I CAN SAY THIS.

HISTORICALLY FROM PEOPLE THAT I'VE KNOWN, THEY'VE HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES WORKING AT TARGET AS PEOPLE OF COLOR.

AND WHEN OU INTRODUCE A D.E.I.

PROGRAM, INTO A COMPANY OR AN ORGANIZATION, IT REALLY PROVIDES THE STAFF, THE EMPLOYEES, AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SHARED EXPERIENCE OR SHARED QUALITIES, RIGHT, TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

BUT ALSO, IT'S SAYING, HEY, WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND HAVE OUR STAFF LOOK LIKE OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE GET BETTER OUTCOMES WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

>> Cathy: I BELIEVE YOU ALL WERE CALLING FOR THE BOY COT TO START TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 1ST.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE CHECKING BACK.

THANKS SO MUCH.

♪ >> PEOPLE WERE ASKING ME HOW I'M DOING ON THE JOB AND NOT TO FORGET THEM AND NOT TO FERNELIUS GET TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES.

THIS WHOLE CAMPAIGN TRAIL EVEN WINNING, IT'S BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY.

THE PEOPLE I'VE MET ALONG THE WAY HAVE BEEN UNFORGETTABLE.

THE SUPPORTERS HAVE BEEN AMAZING.

PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON ME SO IT'S FORCING ME TO STEP OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE.

PEOPLE ARE WANTING ME TO MAKE CHANGES AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE SAID ALL ALONG.

I HAVE TO ROLL UP MY SLEEVES AND DO WHAT I CAN DO.

I CAN'T CHANGE EVERYTHING FOR MINNESOTA, BUT I CAN DO MY PART.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A TEAM PLAYER LISTENING TO EVERYBODY'S INSIGHTS IN HOW TO DO SOMETHING BETTER.

SO I'M JUST HERE TO LISTEN ND TO HELP.

I AM A FRESHMAN SO I AM VERY, VERY NEW COMING AND I'M GOING TO DO MY PART AND SEE WHERE I FIT IN THE NICHE OF THIS GROUP.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: NEXT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH, MARKS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE HISTORIC LUTSEN LODGE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION HAS NOT LED TO ANY CHARGES IN THE CASE, THOUGH SUSPICION OF ARSON HAS BEEN LONG ASSOCIATED WITH THE DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

THE FRONT PAGE OF THE "NORTHSHORE JOURNAL" TODAY CARRIES PART ONE OF A LOOK AT EVENTS ON THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE, SUSPICIONS SURROUNDING THE CAUSE, AND FINANCIAL TROUBLES OF LODGE OWNER BRYCE CAMPBELL.

CAMPBELL HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE SCENE SHORTLY BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN, BUT HE HAS NOT BEEN NAMED A SUSPECT.

HE ALSO HAS NOT TALKED TO THE MEDIA UNTIL THIS WEEK.

JOE FRIEDRICHS IS THE AUTHOR OF THE SERIES ON THE FIRE IN THE "NORTHSHORE JOURNAL."

THE LONGTIME COOK COUNTY WRITER AND JOURNALIST TALKED WITH BRYCE CAMPBELL ON THE RECORD EARLIER THIS WEEK.

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC," JOE.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> WELL, I LEARNED THAT HE'S NOW LIVING IN A HOTEL IN FORT FRANCIS, ONTARIO.

HE'S A CANADIAN CITIZEN, RIGHT.

HE WAS HERE WORKING ON A VISA.

AND HE IS LIVING IN THIS PLACE JUST ACROSS THE BORDER FROM INTERNATIONAL ALLS.

HE'S OWNED IT SINCE 2014.

SO IT'S A DIFFERENT BRICE THAN I'D MET BEFORE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, $30 MILLION IN ASSETS TO TWO RESORTS ON THE NORTH SHORE AND NOW HE'S LIVING IN THIS OTEL IN A MOTEL ROOM IN FORT FRANCIS.

SO I WOULD SAY ACTUALLY IT WAS A PLEASANT CONVERSATION AND MUCH DIFFERENT TONE.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD -- SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED THAT THIS IS ALMOST A YEAR.

I MEAN, THIS IS A LONG INVESTIGATION.

ANY IDEA WHY?

>> WELL, IT'S A VERY COMPLEX FIRE.

IT'S EXPENSIVE.

THE CLAIM RIGHT NOW IS AROUND $18 MILLION.

AND SO I THINK THEY WANT TO GET IT IGHT BEFORE THEY RELEASE ANYTHING.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE READ FROM THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE WHO I'VE COMMUNICATED WITH MANY, MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THEY CAME UP TO THE NORTH SHORE AT ONE POINT THIS SUMMER, AND ESSENTIALLY EXPLAINED WHY IT'S TAKING SO LONG AND THEY JUST WANT TO BE THOROUGH.

AND THERE'S OTHER ENTITIES ALSO LOOKING INTO IT FROM INSURANCE VECTORS ND BRICE'S HIRED PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS OF HIS OWN.

SO IT'S JUST A LOT OF MOVING PIECES INVOLVED.

>> Cathy: I WAS READING YOUR STUFF.

IT IS SO INTERESTING.

BRYCE SEEMED TO THROW ANOTHER EMPLOY KIND OF UNDER THE BUS IN HIS ACCOUNTING.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> THE EMPLOYEE CERTAINLY FEELS THAT WAY.

A YOUNG MAN NAMED QUENTIN, A 30 EAR OLD GUY ROM OREGON WHO WAS THERE WORKING AT THE RESORT AS A FACILITIES MANAGER AND HIM AND BRYCE HAD A CONFRONTATION AS BRYCE DESCRIBES IT ABOUT PAYROLL.

QUENTIN THOUGHT ESSENTIALLY IT WAS HIS LAST DAY TO THE JOB.

SO HE GRABBED SOME OF HIS PERSONAL POSSESSIONS THAT HE HAD.

ONE OF THOSE HAPPENED TO BE A VENTILATION MASK.

BRYCE REFERS TO IT AS A GAS MASK.

>> Cathy: LIKE A S HE SPIRATOR.

>> YEAH, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY NECESSARILY THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE -- THAT'S THE PERSON.

AS BRYCE HAS BROUGHT IT UP MULTIPLE TIMES IN THAT INSTANCE.

JUST LEADING INVESTIGATORS TO SAY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TALK TO QUENTIN.

HE HAD THIS MASK AND IT ME SUSPICIOUSOUS.

INVESTIGATORS QUICKLY DROPPED THAT WITHIN A WEEK.

>> Cathy: I WAS ALSO INTERESTED THAT THE SECURITY GUY WHO WAS ON DUTY WHEN THE FIRE STARTED SAID THAT EVIDENTLY BRYCE CAME BACK?

OR THE STORY -- SOMEHOW BRYCE CAME BACK BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED.

CAME BACK TO THE LUTSEN LODGE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

TYLER IS THE NAME OF THE NIGHT WAYMAN IS THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO WAS THERE AT THE FRONT DESK.

NEVER SAW BRYCE THAT NIGHT.

INITIALLY HE SAID HE LEFT AT 8:30, WENT BACK TO TWO HARBORS, AND THAT WAS WHERE HE LEARNED OF THE FIRE LATER.

IT EVENTUALLY CAME OUT THAT HE RETURNED TO LUTSEN RESORT AROUND 11:30.

WAS THERE FOR AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF TIME.

HE CAME IN A BACK DOOR SO THAT TYLER DIDN'T SEE HIM BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING SOME PERSONAL ITEMS.

AND THAT PLACES HIM IN THE BUILDING WITHIN A HALF AN HOUR ESSENTIALLY OF WHEN THE FIRE STARTED.

>> Eric: WHAT DID BRYCE SAY WHEN YOU SKED ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT, IF ANY?

>> I ASKED HIM POINT-BLANK, IF HE STARTED THE FIRE, AND HE SAID NO.

>> Eric: THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF IT?

>> HE SAID, WHY WOULD I START A IRE OF MY OWN PROPERTY WHEN I JUST INVESTED $5 MILLION INTO IT.

THEY HAD REDONE -- >> Cathy: ISN'T HE CLOSE TO BLOOD PRESSURES NOW, THOUGH?

>> HE'S GOT FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, DEFINITELY.

DID IN THE LEAD UP TO THE FIRE, HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY MEDIA OUTLETS THE FINANCIAL STRUGGLES.

WHEN I MET BRAHIM THIS WEEK IN ONTARIO, I SAID, THIS BLEAK FINANCIAL ICTURE.

WELL, I WOULDN'T SAY IT WAS BLEAK.

SO HE'S STILL NOT QUITE THERE IN TERMS OF THAT THE RESORT HAD TROUBLE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S PART TWO?

>> WHO'S BRAHIM CAMPBELL.

WHO'SHE DOING?

WHO'S THIS PERSON WHO BOUGHT THESE TWO REALLY WELL KNOWN RESORTS, LOST IT, AND NOW HE'S BACK IN CANADA?

WHAT WAS THAT PROCESS?

>> Cathy: HE TALKED TO YOU.

BECAUSE HE'S NOT -- HE'S SUSPICIOUS OF THE MEDIA, BUT HE TALKED TO YOU AND YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN PRETTY TOUGH ON HIM.

>> WELL, THE TROUBLE MAKER UP NORTH IS SORT OF THIS THING THAT GOT BRANDED ON ME WHEN IT CAME TO BRAHIM.

HE'S DEFINITELY VERY WARY OF THE MEDIA.

HE SAID THE REASON HE SPOKE WITH ME, OF ALL THE MEDIA REQUESTS, IF I COULD WIN OVER MY HARSHEST MY HARSH HARSHEST CRITIC AND HAE THIS CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: GIVE US THE WEBSITE.

>> NORTHSHOREJOURNAL.COM.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, MAN.

GOOD STUFF.

THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.

♪ GLAID WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I TOOK SOME TIME OFF TO TRAVEL ITALY WITH MY AUNT AND UNCLE.

AND ONE DAY, SOMEWHERE IN FLORENCE, WE FOUND OURSELVES IN A TAILOR HOP THAT SOLD ITALIAN LEATHER JACKETS.

NOW, NORMALLY, THIS WAS THE TYPE OF PLACE WE WOULD BREEZE THROUGH, TOURIST STYLE.

BUT FOR SOME REASON, ON THIS DAY, MY UNCLE DECIDED HE REALLY, REALLY WANTED TO BUY ME A LEATHER JACKET.

HE EVEN HAD THE OWNER FIND ONE THAT FIT ME PERFECTLY.

AND IT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'VE EVER WORN.

A WORK OF IMPECCABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP.

AND THAT'S WHY, FOR REASONS THAT CONTINUE TO CONFUSE MY UNCLE, I ABSOLUTELY REFUSED TO LET HIM BUY IT FOR ME.

YOU SEE, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE MY LIFE AT THAT TIME, I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING, THE JACKET WAS NOT A FIT.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE PUTTING A MING VASE IN MY DORM ROOM.

IN ORDER O ACTUALLY MOVE THROUGH THE WORLD IN A JACKET LIKE THAT, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO REARRANGE MY ENTIRE REALITY.

I WOULD HAVE HAD TO SELL MY RUSTY PONTIAC SUN BIRD.

I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE AWAY MY FADED HYPER COLOR T-SHIRTS.

I WOULD HAVE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY DISPOSE OF MY BROTHER'S HAND ME DOWN JEANS WHICH NEVER QUITE FIT ME RIGHT ANYWAY.

THAT JACKET WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE TRYING TO LAND A SPACE X STARSHIP ON A PILE OF CARD BOARD BOXES AND OLD SNEAKERS.

IN SHORT, I JUST WASN'T READY.

WHAT'S EMBARRASSING IS THAT TODAY, NEARLY 30 YEARS LATER, I STILL COULDN'T PULL OFF THAT JACKET.

MY SUN BIRD, WHICH IS NOW A HONDA ODYSSEY.

MY T-SHIRTS ARE STILL KIND OF FADED AND MY JEANS WHICH HOPEFULLY FIT A BIT BETTER ARE STILL JUST JEANS.

AND THIS HAS LED ME TO A PROFOUND REALIZATION ABOUT FASHION, STYLE, AND TASTE.

WHEN YOU DO MEET SOMEONE WHO TRULY HAS AN AESTHETIC, YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT ANY INDIVIDUAL PIECE OF CLOTHING.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT DECADES OF CONCENTRATED, GOAL-ORIENTED WORK, SOMEONE WHO HAS CAREFULLY PREPARED THEIR LANDING PAD FOR HIGH-END PAYLOADS.

WHICH MEANS IF YOU'RE THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO CAN WALK INTO FLORENCE AND WALK OUT LOOKING TOTALLY COMFORTABLE IN AN ITALIAN LEATHER JACKET, WELL, I WON'T PRETEND I FULLY UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCIAL PRIORITIES, BUT I WILL GIVE A TIP OF MY SALT-STAINED BASEBALL CAP TO YOUR WORK ETHIC I NOW KNOW IT TOOK YEARS OF FOCUS FOR YOU TO BECOME YOU, AND MY GOODNESS, YOU DO LOOK AMAZING.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: A NEW STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR WAS ELECTED THIS PAST DECEMBER, PUSHING OUT FORMER CHAIR DAVID HANN.

A WAYZATA CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, MARINE, AND FORMER RNC NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN, ALEX PLECHASH.

Mr.

CHAIR, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S NICE TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: IS THIS THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR US.

>> WELL, I THINK HE'S CERTAINLY CHALLENGES IS HIS.

HE'S MAKING THE RIGHT APPOINTMENTS.

HE'S LEADING FROM HE FRONT.

HE SAID HE WAS GOING TO DO THINGS AND HE'S DOING THEM IN RECORD TIME.

>> Cathy: DID THAT SURPRISE YOU IN TERMS OF HOW FAST THINGS ARE GOING?

>> NOT REALLY.

NOT THE WAY I'VE SEEN HIM CAMPAIGN.

I THINK HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB SO FAR IN PICKING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE RIGHT POSITIONS AND LEADING FROM THE FRONT.

HE'S DOING THE THINGS HE SAID HE WAS GOB DO.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN ADVANCE F THE 2026 ELECTION WHEN GOVERNOR AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, CONGRESS, A SENATE SEAT IS UP.

WHAT'S THE SHORT TERM GOAL FOR 2026.

>> FOR OUR STATE?

>> Eric: FOR THE PARTY.

>> WELL, BASICALLY THE CAMPAIGN HAS LREADY STARTED.

WE MAY NOT KNOW WHO THE CANDIDATES ARE, BUT WE'RE PUTTING IN THE GROUND WORK.

AND I TELL PEOPLE THAT MINNESOTA IS JUST RAZOR HIN CLOSE TO BEING A RED STATE.

AND MY FEELING IS THAT THERE ARE A OT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO SHARE OUR VALUES.

THEY JUST DON'T KNOW IT.

YOU KNOW, THEY NOW THEIR PERSONAL VALUES, BUT A LOT F THEM HAVEN'T SEEN REPUBLICANS.

IF WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THOSE AREAS AND TALK TO THOSE PEOPLE AND SHARE OUR VALUES AND PEOPLE WILL BEGIN TO REALIZE THAT THE VALUES THEY HOLD ARE ACTUALLY CLOSER TO OUR PARTY THAN THE DEVELOPMENTS.

>> Cathy: BY, I TELL YOU, IT'S BEEN TOUGH FOR THE PARTY TO RAISE MONEY OBVIOUSLY AND YOU HAVEN'T WON STATEWIDE SINCE 2006.

SO THAT'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> IT SURE ASK, YEAH.

AND WE KNOW THAT.

LIKE I SAID, I WAS JUST OFF CAMERA WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MY LEADERSHIP TEAM.

I HAVE A TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP TEAM AROUND ME AND LIKE I SAID OFF CAMERA, IS THE WAY TO SUCCESS IS TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE BETTER THAN YOU ARE AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT.

BUT WE'RE LAYING THE GROUND WORK FOR SUCCESS IN 2026 AND EVERY INCH OF THE WAY WE'RE DOING THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THAT.

>> Eric: IS ONE OF THE ROLES OF A PARTY CHAIR TO KIND OF MEDIATE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS WINGS OF THE PARTY?

I KNOW GOING BACK MANY YEARS, THAT SEEMS TO BE ONE THING THAT THE CHAIR IS CALLED UPON TO DO.

>> WELL, I'M BEING CALLED TO DO THAT TOO.

THERE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN FRACTIONS WITHIN THE STATE PARTY AND I BELIEVE THAT A LARGE PART OF WHY I GOT ELECTED IS TO GO AHEAD AND MEND THOSE FEBSES AND BUILD THOSE BRIDGES.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT IT?

>> ONE OF MY PHILOSOPHIES OVER TIME IS YOU ACTUALLY LISTEN TO PEOPLE.

YOU ACTUALLY APPROACH THEM LIKE YOU ACTUALLY LIKE THIS PERSON.

BUT IN THE CHRISTIAN SENSE, YOU LOVE THAT PERSON FIRST AND THEN YOU ISTEN TO THEM.

YOU DON'T SPEAK.

YOU LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

AND THEN YOU DISCERN, WHAT IS IT THEY'RE TRYING TO SAY BEFORE YOU SPEAK.

AND I'VE BEEN SAYING ALSO ALL ALONG THAT IF YOU GET CRITICISM FROM SOMEBODY AND YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE 100% WRONG, WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT NOT BE 100% WRONG.

THEY MIGHT BE 5% RIGHT.

AND I'M LOOKING FOR THAT 5%.

>> Cathy: SO YOU'RE PREPARING OBVIOUSLY FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND I'M WONDERING, WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF CANDIDATE QUALITY?

YOU KNOW, THERE'S CLEARLY THE D.F.L.

HAD AN ISSUE WITH VETTING A CANDIDATE IN A HOUSE RACE.

BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD THAT ISSUE IN THE PAST.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO ABOUT THAT TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT GOOD CONSISTENTS?

WELL, WE ELECT THE RIGHT PEOPLE AS DELEGATES.

WE GOT A VERY ENERGIZED BASE, AND EDUCATE THOSE PEOPLE EXACTLY WHAT KINDS OF THINGS WILL LEAD TO SUCCESS.

WE CAN GET A IDEE LOG CANDIDATE WHO BELIEVES THINGS THAT ARE ON THE FAR RIGHT, BUT THE REALITY IN MINNESOTA, IN GENERAL SPEAKING, THOSE CANDIDATES DON'T WIN.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT VETTING CANDIDATES?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT, SURE.

I BELIEVE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS A PARTY OF LOSS.

YOU KNOW, WE BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING THE LAW, FOLLOWING THE CONSTITUTION AND GETTING THE CANDIDATES THAT ALSO DO THE SAME THING.

IF YOU CAN'T LIVE YOUR PERSONAL LIFE IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T GET YOU TROUBLE, THEN WHY WOULD YOU WANT THAT CANDIDATE?

>> Eric: ANY INTEREST IN MOVING THE PRIMARY?

WE HAVE AN AUGUST PRIMARY.

I THINK THE TURNOUT WAS 12% THIS LAST YEAR.

WOULD MARCH OR JUNE BE BETTER?

IS THE PARTY TALKING ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE CHANGES?

>> WE'RE CERTAINLY TALKING ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S A PROCESS TO GETTING IT THAT WAY.

THERE'S SOME PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE WE SHOULD GO ONLY TO A PRIMARY.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT.

I BELIEVE IN HE CAUCUS SYSTEM.

BUT AGAIN IT'S NOT TOTALLY UP TO ME.

BUT IF WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A PRIMARY, I THINK THERE'S GREAT VALUE IN BRINGING IT FORWARD, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S SO CLOSE TO THE JEN ELECTION, WE SPEND ALL THAT TIME, ALL THAT ENERGY, ALL THOSE RESOURCES TO WIN IN A PRIMARY ONLY TO HAVE A VERY SHORT GENERAL ELECTION SEASON.

SO I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: SO BEFORE YOU, I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO YOUR COLLEAGUE OF D.F.L.

PARTY CHAIRMAN KEN MARTIN HERE THIS MORNING AND HE'S OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO GO FOR THE NATIONAL PARTY CHAIRMANSHIP AND I'M WONDERING, DOES IT MATTER WHO ACTUALLY CHAIRS THE FL HERE?

WOULD YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM?

HOW DO YOU LOOK AT YOUR ROLE?

>> Z ABOUT THAT TOO MUCH.

I DO WANT TO HAVE SOME RELATIONSHIP WITH MY COMPETITOR.

BEING AN ATHLETE, YOU ALWAYS DO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE GUYS THAT YOU JUST BEAT.

>> Eric: SURE, IT'S MINNESOTA.

>> EXACTLY.

AND SOMETIMES YOU LOSE.

I DEFINITELY ANT TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

I WILL KEN MARTIN REACHED OUT TO ME.

HE LEFT ME A VAGHARSHAPATI VOIS MAIL AND I CALLED HIM BACK AND LEFT A VOICE MAIL FOR HIM.

>> Eric: WE HOPE TO HAVE YOU BOTH BACK ON TO SPAR A LITTLE BIT.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

>> I WOULD LOVE IT.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: UP NEXT, ELECTED OFFICIALS SAY THERE'S BEEN A STEADY RISE IN THREATS AGAINST THEM.

THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, ALONG WITH HOUSE AND SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS, DO NOT HAVE METAL DETECTORS LIKE MOST STATE CAPITOLS.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS UNCOVERED A NEW PLAN TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE SECURITY MEASURES AT THE CAPITOL AND HAS THIS EXCLUSIVE REPORT.

>> Mr. PRESIDENT, FOLLOW THE RULES!

>> ALL: [ SHOUTING ] >> Mary: FOR MANY YEARS, TENSIONS HAVE BEEN BUILDING AT THE CAPITOL.

SECURITY IS STRICTER AND MORE VISIBLE THIS SESSION.

AND CONCENTRATED IN THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK IN PARTICULAR.

CONFIRMED BY THE ED OF THE STATE PAROLE SECURITY WHO HAS PRIMARY JURISDICTION.

>> THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO PROVIDE BETTER SECURITY HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR FOUR DECADES.

AND THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE POLARIZATION IN OUR COUNTRY AND LOCALLY, THE INTENSITY OF FEELINGS THAT ARE OUT THERE, SOMETIMES THAT TURNS TO ANGER.

AND THE REALITY IS, ANGER CAN TURN TO VIOLENCE.

>> Mary: WE AGUIRREED THIS LETTER FROM THE RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF CALLING FOR METAL DETECTORS, X-RAY MACHINES AND SECURITY CHECKPOINTS.

HE SAYS TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND POLICY MUST TOO, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

>> IT'S OUR JOB TO ROTECT PEOPLE HERE, NOT JUST THE LEGISLATORS, THE MEDIA, TESTIFIERS, YOUNG KIDS IN THESE GROUPS THAT WE'VE JUST SEEN THAT ARE COMING IN HERE.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THERE'S NO WEAPONS HERE AND THE LEGISLATURE CAN DEBATE WHETHER PERMIT HOLDERS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO COME IN.

>> Mary: THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS FOUND THAT THE VAST AJORITY, AT LEAST 73% OF STATE CAPITOLS, USE METAL DETECTORS AND 61% USE X-RAY MACHINES.

MORE SEATS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE ADDED NEW SECURITY MEASURES SINCE THE STUDY WAS DONE, INCLUDING HAWAII.

>> OUR RESEARCH IS THAT 37 OF THE 50 HAVE METAL DETECT YOURS.

YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE MAY BE AN ADDITIONAL ONE.

SURPRISINGLY, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, AND IOWA HAVE CHECKPOINTS AT THEIR ENTRANCES.

AND THERE'S PROBABLY LESS POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA THAN HERE.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE INTEREST IN BEEFING UP SECURITY IN THIS BUILDING?

>> I'M NOT LOOKING AT METAL DETECTORS OR NICK LIKE THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE SECURITY SITUATION.

>> AWAY FROM MY PERSONAL SPACE AND STOP YELLING IN MY FACE.

>> THE CURRENT LEGISLATURE HAS MORE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SERVED AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS THAN ANY WE CAN RECALL, CURRENTLY IN THE HOUSE, WE COUNT SEVEN MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN FIRST RESPONDERS AND THEY'RE INCREASINGLY BEING HEARD.

>> I HAVEN'T SAT DOWN, I SHOULD PROBABLY DO THIS AT SOME POINT AND FIGURE OUT HOW MANY YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WE HAVE STANDING JUST IN THIS ROOM.

>> Mary: AS HOUSE- RE Mary: AS HOUSE- REPUary: AS HOUSE- REPUBLy: AS HOUSE- REPUBLIC AS HOUSE- REPUBLICANS HOUSE- REPUBLICANS ROUSE- REPUBLICANS ROLLE- REPUBLICANS ROLLED OUT THEIR PUBLIC SAFETY PLANS, WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE STATE CAPITOL?

I THINK WE'RE KIND OF UNUSUAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE LEFT THE BUILDING VERY OPEN AND IT'S A TENSE TIME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> MARY, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS AND THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT SUBJECT, AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BEHIND ME, WE HAVE OUR -- HAVE OUR OPINIONS ABOUT THINGS AND AFTER LAST WEEK'S THING, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, AND WE HOPE TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR EVERYONE TO BE HERE.

>> Mary: DO YOU CARRY AT THE CAPITOL?

DO YOU KNOW IF MEMBERS -- >> NEXT QUESTION.

>> Mary: WHILE THIS FORMER OFFICER WON'T DISCLOSE IF HE'S CARRYING A WEAPON AT THE CAPITOL, WE HAVE SEEN LAWMAKERS CARRYING GUNS HERE AND KNOW IT'S AN INCREASING TREND.

>> I DON'T PERSONALLY HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO LAWMAKERS CARRYING WEAPONS.

OUR JUDGES IN THE RAMSEY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, MANY OF THEM CARRY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH, IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TAKEN STEPS TO MITIGATE THE SAFETY THREAT THAT THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO HAVE A GUN.

>> Mary: MINNESOTA'S ORIGINAL CONCEAL-CARRY LAW HAD REQUIRED PEOPLE IN THE CAPITOL TO REPORT TO PUBLIC SAFETY IF THEY WERE ARMED IN THE BUILDING.

BUT STATE PAROLE SAYS THAT PORTION OF THE LAW WAS REPEALED.

WE HAVE NO IDEA ON ANY GIVEN DAY ANYMORE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE CARRYING IN THIS BUILDING.

>> >> WELL, THAT'S REALLY UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE THE FINAL POLICY.

IT CAN WORK EITHER WAY.

IT CAN WORK WITH MEMBERS BEING ALLOW AID TO CARRY.

IT WITH WORK WITH PERMIT HOLDERS BEING ALLOWED TO CARRY.

AT THE STATE FAIR, WE DON'T ALLOW PERMIT HOLDERS TO COME IN.

>> Mary: AT THE U.S. CAPITOL, SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS REFUSED TO PASS NEWLY INSTALLED METAL DETECTORS -- >> EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE INTENSITY OF THE POLITICAL DEBATE IN THIS COUNTRY AND THIS STATE IS AT ITS HIGHEST POINT EVER.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE ANGER ON BOTH EXTREMES.

>> Mary: IN REACTION TO OUR REPORT, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SAYS, UOTE, "PROTECTING THOSE WHO WORK IN, VISIT, AND GATHER AT THE CAPITOL IS A TOP PRIORITY, AND WE TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY."

THE SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS RAISED BY THE SHERIFF AND OTHERS ARE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND ISCUSSED.

D.F.L.

SENATE LEADER ERIN MURPHY TELLS ME, QUOTE, "THERE'S BEEN A STEADY RISE IN THREATS DIRECTED T OFFICIALS.

STAFF HAVE ASSESSED NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES AND THEIR APPLICATION HERE AT HOME.

THIS IMPORTANT WORK IS ONGOING AND RECENT INCIDENTS HAVE SHOWN THERE IS A REASON TO ACT.

IT IS A PRIORITY FOR OUR CAUCUS ."

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: ANOTHER WEEK AT THE CAPITOL, ANOTHER LAWSUIT FILED AS THE HOUSE D.F.L.

CAUCUS CONTINUES THEIR BOYCOTT OF SESSION.

AND THE SENATE D.F.L.

IS ON THE BRINK OF REGAINING THEIR ONE-VOTE MARGIN WITH THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN- MIECIAL ELECTION IN- MINNIAL ELECTION IN- MINNEAL ELECTION IN- MINNEAPOELECTION IN- MINNEAPOLIECTION IN- MINNEAPOLIS TION IN- MINNEAPOLIS COON IN- MINNEAPOLIS COMP IN- MINNEAPOLIS COMPLEN- MINNEAPOLIS COMPLETE.

SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR, NOW A LOBBYIST.

SARA LOPEZ IS A PARTY ACTIVIST AND POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT: ANNETTE MEEKS, A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO NOW HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

HERE, TOO, BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

[ Laughter ] YOUR SKILLS ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED AT THIS TIME.

>> AIN'T NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT IT.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: ARE THERE ANY CRACKS IN THE D.F.L.

UNITY IN THE HOUSE?

ARE MEMBERS, BACK BENCHERS SAYING WE'D LIKE TO GET GOING WITH OUR STUFF?

>> I DON'T SEE ANY CRACKS.

THEY ARE WORKING AWFULLY HARD.

I KNOW THAT I'VE HAD A BUNCH OF MEETINGS IN COMMUNITY WITH THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

SO I THINK TODAY, ESPECIALLY ON THE ISSUES OF QUORUM AND MAKING SURE THAT REPRESENTATIVE TABKE CAN BE SEATED, I THINK THEY'RE UNITED.

>> Eric: ANNETTE?

>> I THINK THEY'RE PROBABLY UNITED ON THOSE TWO THINGS BUT I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE CRACKS THE MORE PRESSURE THAT'S GOING TO BE PUT ON THEM.

WE CAN JUST SEE RIGHT NOW.

I HAVE TO SAY, HONESTLY, WHO'S BEEN MINDING THE STORE FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS?

EVERY WEEK THERE'S A NEW FRAUD INVESTIGATION OPENED UP AND WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE HEARINGS ON THEM?

WE'RE LOSING MILLIONS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE FUNDS AND WE DON'T HAVE HEARINGS BECAUSE THEY WON'T SHOW UP?

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED PRESSURE.

BUT I'M WONDERING ABOUT PRESSURE ON SPEAKER DESIGNEE DEMUTH TO SEAT REPRESENTATIVE TABKE?

>> WELL, AND I THINK THAT HAS CHANGED.

I THINK ORIGINALLY -- IT WAS A TERRIBLE POSITION FOR BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO BE PUT IN, YOU KNOW, A CITY ELECTION OFFICIAL THREW AWAY BALLOTS AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

BUT A COURT, YOU KNOW, MADE A PRETTY DEFINITIVE DECISION ON IT.

AND I THINK THAT HAS KIND OF LED TO REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE THE VOTES TO UNSEAT TABKE OR TO NOT SEAT TABKE.

SO THAT IS NOT -- ANY TIME YOU HEAR SOMEONE SAY THAT'S THE ISSUE, THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

AND THAT'S BEEN PRETTY WELL DOCUMENTED.

>> I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DEMOCRATS DID SOMETHING REALLY SMART TODAY, YOU KNOW, COMING FROM A LABOR BACKGROUND, WHEN THINGS GET STALLED, IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEND A WORKER.

SO THE FACT SENATOR GOMEZ AND JAMIE ONG WERE INVITED TO TRY TO GET TO A SOLUTION, I THINK THAT WAS PRETTY SMART.

AND I REALLY SEE THE PARTY COMMITTED TO TRYING TO FIND THAT SHARING POWER, AN AGREEMENT TO SHARE POWER.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE ISSUE, THOUGH, IS WE KIND OF SAID BEFORE, THE TABKE ISSUE IS SETTLED.

68 VERSUS 67 IS SETTLED.

SO NOW ARE WE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH?

TO HAVE PEOPLE COME TO THE CAPITOL?

THAT'S WAY TOO LONG.

THEY CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG.

>> Eric: THAT'S WHY I WONDER, SENATOR, WHEN DOES THE CLOCK START TICKING WHEN TIME REALLY BECOMES A FACTOR, OR ARE WE FAR AWAY FROM THAT TIME YET?

>> SO HERE'S THE THING.

I HAVEN'T HEARD LEADER DEMUTH SAY THAT THE TABKE ISSUE WAS SETTLED.

NOW, BRIAN MAY HAVE SOME FRIENDS THAT HE KNOWS.

I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT.

AND I WATCH IT PRETTY CLOSELY AND SO DOES BRIAN.

SO I THINK THERE'S THIS KIND OF CHATTER THAT HAPPENS, AND IT MAY BE TRUE.

BUT THE LEADER HASN'T SAID THAT YET.

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT WITH BE KIND OF THE FIRST STEP OF REALLY KIND OF APPLYING THE PRESSURE AND SAYING LISTEN, WE GOT TO GET TO WORK, AND THEN WHAT IS GOING TO BE KIND OF THE POWER SHARING THAT THEY NEED TO DO?

THEY LAID HOT A PLAN, AND THEN IRONICALLY THE SENATE FOLLOWED THE PLAN AND EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY FOR HEM.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THE DEMOCRATS ARE IN DISARRAY.

WHERE'S THE GOVERNOR?

WHY DOESN'T HE GET INVOLVED IN THIS?

DISWHRASES WE DISWHRASE >> Cathy: WE ACTUALLY ASKED HIM AND HE SAID SEPARATION OF POWERS.

>> BUT I THINK THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS, AGAIN, HE UNDERSTANDS THESE HEARINGS ARE GOING TO START AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN UP TO AND THE MONEY THAT THEY SPENT THAT THEY CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR.

I THINK HE'S JUST HAPPY KEEPING THIS THING GOING ON.

THEY'LL HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION TO RESOLVE THE BUDGET SOMETIME THIS SUMMER AND THAT'LL BE IT.

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT SHARING IS CARING.

I DO BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATS ARE COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO GETTING TO A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT.

AND THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO DO.

THERE HAS BEEN FLOODS AND I MEAN, MINNESOTANS ARE EXPECTING TO JUST GET BACK TO WORK.

>> HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED.

WE HAD A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT.

WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD, YOU KNOW, 67-67.

THE COURTS DETERMINED, THAT THE DEMOCRAT IN ROSEVILLE DID NOT LIVE IN THAT SEAT.

WE DON'T HAVE AN EQUAL LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

AND WE ARE TOTALLY PRE-SUPPOSING THAT IN MARCH, WHEN WE HAVE THE SPECIAL ELECTION, THAT THE DEMOCRAT IS GOING TO WIN.

THE DEMOCRAT IS PROBABLY GOING TO WIN.

I AM NOT NAIVE.

BUT WE ARE JUST ASSUMING THAT -- >> WIN BY 30 POINTS.

>> AND HE PROBABLY IS GOING TO WIN, BUT WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS WE HAVE TO PRE-SUPPOSE AND PLAN FOR SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT RIGHT NOW, IF EVERYBODY SHOWED UP, THE REPUBLICANS WOULD BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE.

>> SO LET ME SAY TO SOMETHING THAT ANNETTE SAID.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO TAKE FULL ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE FRAUD ISSUE.

HE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT A TASK FORCE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A BILL, AN I.G.

BILL AND SO DOES REPUBLICANS.

>> Eric: BUT IT ISN'T A YEAR TOO LATE?

>> THE COW IS OUT OF THE BARN.

>> BUT PEOPLE LIKE ROB STUFF, AND THEN THE POLICE GO BEHIND THEM, FEGGING IT OUT, AND THEN THEY PUT THEM IN JAIL, RIGHT?

SO THIS IDEA THAT SOMEBODY IS NOT DOING ANYTHING AND PEOPLE AREN'T BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE, IS NOT RIGHT, IT'S NOT TRUE.

SO I THINK IT'S XEERAL TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS THE DEMOCRATS TO STAY OUT -- THAT'S FAR OUT.

>> WHAT'S FAR OUT IS WASTING COLOSSAL AMOUNTS OF MONEY THAT WERE IN DESIGNATED TO FEED CHILDREN -- >> I DON'T THINK TIM WALZ WANTED THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> I'M SURE HE DIDN'T.

BUT HIS ADMINISTRATION TURNED A BLIND EYE -- >> I DON'T THINK THEY TURNED A BLIND EYE.

>> WHERE'S BEEN THE INVESTIGATION?

>> I THINK THERE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATIONS.

WE WERE PART OF THOSE INVESTIGATIONS.

>> Eric: GET SARA HERE.

>> I THINK PEOPLE GOT AHEAD -- THE CROOKS ARE OFTEN AHEAD OF THE AUTHORITIES.

>> AND ONE THING THAT HAS ALZHEIMER'S ALZHEIMEALWAYS HAPPENED, EVERY E THERE'S A NEW BILL OR POLICY, REPUBLICANS ARE THE FIRST ONES TO JUMP BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY F.T.E.s.

>> Eric: TOO MANY STATE EMPLOYEES.

[Overlapping conversations] >> A COUPLE ORE NOT ENOUGH STATE EMPLOYEES.

BELIEVE ME, WE WON'T HAVE FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE IN THIS STATE.

IT'S THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE STATE IS GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S NOT OUR PROBLEM.

OUR PROBLEM IS, NOBODY WAS WATCHING WHERE THESE GOBS AND GOBS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE BEING +SPEPBT WERE BEING +SPEP SPEFNT WERE BEING +SPEP SPEF SPENT ILLD REPORTING IT.

IT WAS -- >> THAT WAS JUST ABSOLUTELY IS NOT TRUE.

THE STATE WAS REPORTING THIS ISSUE.

THE STATE -- ON THE FEED OUR FUTURE, THEY WENT TO THE COURTS ON THIS ISSUE AND THE JUJT WAS AMBIVALENT.

AND THEY COULDN'T DO THIS.

WE HAVE TO BE ACCURATE.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING ERIC ACTUALLY ASKED, WHICH WAS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

[ Laughter ] >> WHO'S THE COMEDIAN NOW?

>> Cathy: THERE YOU GO.

[ Laughter ] SO I'M WONDERING WHEN DO WE START -- WHEN DOES THE RUBBER HIT THE ROAD IN TERMS OF THE WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE, RIGHT?

I MEAN, WHEN DO WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS HOUSE IN ORDER?

>> IT NEEDS TO BE THERE NOW.

I'M EXHAUSTED THAT THIS IS STILL GOING ON.

BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, NO MATTER IF IT'S 7 7868-67, YOU NEAT 6 VOTES TO PASS A ABOUT PASS A ABO BILL.

SO IF EVERYBODY WENT THERE, THEY STILL NEED EACH OTHER TO PASS A BILL.

LET'S GET TOGETHER AND DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

THE FEDERAL LEVEL, CONGRESS HAS A CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING LIKE A LIGHTS ON BUDGET BILL THAT COULD PASS?

>> YEAH, THE CONSTITUTION IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET IN MINNESOTA BY THE END OF THE BIENNIUM.

I MEAN, YOU CAN GET TO SPECIAL SESSIONS.

IT STARTS TO SPELL OUT, WHAT STARTS TO CLOSE.

UBUT PERSONALLY, I'VE HEARD SOMEBODY START CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BAD IDEA.

I THINK PRESSURE IS GOOD AND IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> I GRIE >> I GRI AGREE WITH THAT.

SEE?

THERE YOU GO.

CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS ARE ABOUT THE WORST WAY TO MAKE LAWS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO A BUDGET RESOLUTION.

YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING FOR, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONTROVERSIES WE'VE HAD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> Eric: EARLY PRIMARY?

MAYBE GET RID OF THE CAUCUS?

THE CHAIRMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THAT STUFF.

>> THAT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE TO HAVE A MARCH PRIMARY THAT ALSO ALLOWS MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.

ESPECIALLY OUR OVERSEAS MILITARY.

IT'S A.D.A.

COMPLIANT.

DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE TO HAVE A MARCH PRIMARY.

>> Cathy: NOW, DOES KEN MARTIN BECOME THE CHAIR OF THE D.N.R.?

N.C. >> I THINK HE'S CAMPAIGNING QUITE HARD AND I THINK IT'S HAPPENING FOR HIM.

>> THERE'S SOME LAST-MINUTE BIG HEAVY HITTERS THAT ARE PUSHING FOR THE GENTLEMAN IN WISCONSIN, BUT EVERYTHING I HEAR SAID THAT HE HAS SOME REALLY SOLID VOTES.

>> THAT GUY KNOWS HOW TO ORGANIZE.

>> Eric: LIVELY PANEL TONIGHT.

THANKS.

>> ERIC: WE'VE RUN A BIT LONG MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.

A QUICK TUNE-IN NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

REMEMBER TO CATCH "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" WITH MARY LAHAMMER, LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

YOU CAN ALSO CATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON THE SAME STATEWIDE CHANNEL.

WE'VE GOT JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2011, MINNESOTA NATIVE CHARLIE PARR PERFORMED ON THE TWIN CITIES PBS PROGRAM "MINNESOTA ORIGINAL."

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ >> >> ♪ WELL, WHERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN THE GOOD LORD CALLS YOU HOME ♪ ♪ TELL ME, WHERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN THE GOOD LORD CALLED YOU HOME ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WELL, WHERE YOU GOING O BE ♪ ♪ MAKE UP AN EXCUSE, YOU CAN TELL IT TO THE COP ♪ ♪ THERE AIN'T NOBODY LISTEN TO YOU UNTIL YOUR LIESTOPS ♪ ♪ WELL, WHERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN YOUR NAME COMES TO THE TOP ♪ ♪ YEAH, WHERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN THE HORSES RUN YOU DOWN ♪ ♪ CLOSING ON THE LAND OF A FARMER WHO IS DOWN ♪ ♪ OR JACKING UP ON THE RENT ON SOMETHING DOWNTOWN ♪ ♪ TELL ME, WHERE YOU GOING TO BE WHEN THE HORSES RIDE YOU DOWN ♪ ♪ HOW YOU GOING TO ARRIVE TO THE MOVING HAND OF GOD ♪ ♪ YOU'RE GOING O RUN LIKE HELL, BROTHER, AND HOPE YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT ♪ ♪ TELL ME, HOW YOU GOING TO REACT TO THE MOVING HAND OF GOD ♪ >> "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 TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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