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

>> Mary: COULD ANOTHER GREATER MINNESOTA SEAT FLIP?

WE'LL HAVE A COUPLE OF CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

♪ ♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

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

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

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

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

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

ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, I'LL TALK WITH A COUPLE OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS AS LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO DISAGREE OVER THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND AND HERO PAY.

WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CHANGING LOYALTIES OF GREATER MINNESOTA VOTERS, WITH "STAR TRIBUNE" REPORTER BRIANA BIERSCHBACH.

THIS WEEK'S RETIRING LAWMAKER LOOKS BACK AT 35 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

BUT FIRST, A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW FAR APART THE HOUSE AND SENATE MAY BE IN A DEAL FOR THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND HERO PAY.

EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE AT ODDS POLITICALLY AT THE CAPITOL.

BUSINESSES'S BILLS ARE DUE TOMORROW UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE GRANTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

REPUBLICANS SAY IT AMOUNTS TO A TAX INCREASE.

>> SO EMPLOYERS ARE NOT GOING TO PAY THEIR BILLS.

THAT'S THE DEMOCRAT SOLUTION RIGHT NOW.

EMPLOYERS SHOULD JUST NOT AY THEIR BILLS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN.

>> MANY OF THEM WERE SHUT DOWN, NOT OF THEIR OWN DOING.

THEY WERE SHUT DOWN BY GOVERNOR WALZ, WHO, REPRESENTATIVE NOOR, Y THE WAY, THE GOVERNOR SAYS THIS IS AN ISSUE.

YOUR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE SAY THIS IS AN ISSUE.

>> I JUST WONDER HOW MANY OF OUR SMALL EMPLOYERS MAY BE ON THE BRINK THEMSELVES.

OF BANKRUPTCY.

FOLLOWING THIS PANDEMIC.

WHERE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, THEY WERE SHUT DOWN.

AND NOW THEY'RE FACING ONE MORE OBSTACLE.

IN THIS TAX INCREASE.

>> IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS WHO NOT ONLY SHUT YOU DOWN, BUT IT WAS THE DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED OVER 21 TIMES TO KEEP YOU SHUT DOWN.

AND NOW IT IS THE DEMOCRATS, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, THAT ARE GOING TO PASS ALONG A SHUTDOWN TAX N YOUR BUSINESS.

>> IF THE OTHER CHAMBER IS WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH US AND BE MORE SERIOUS THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE, THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND, WE ARE READY TO SIT DOWN AND NEGOTIATE ON OUR PRIORITIES, ON OUR VALUES.

>> THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE ARE GOING TO GO BACK.

THEY'RE GOING TO BRING THEIR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, AS ARE WE, TO TRY AND SEE IF THERE'S A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT COMPROMISE AMONGST.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE SENATE DEMOCRATS CONTINUED THE PARTY FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL WORKERS WHO THEY WANT TO GET ADDITIONAL HERO PAY LINKED TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUE.

>> WORKING MINNESOTANS, ESPECIALLY OUR FRON-LINE WORKERS HAVE BEEN A KEY PART OF KEEPING OUR STATE RUNNING.

>> PEOPLE GOT SICK.

I GOT COVID TWICE.

NOW WE DON'T EVEN GET PAID.

IF YOU GET COVID.

NOW YOU GET TO STAY HOME FIVE DAYS.

AND YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR VACATION TIME.

YOUR SICK TIME.

>> I WANT TO SAY A HEARTFELT APOLOGY AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS, WE WERE IN FACT ABLE TO LIVE IN WAYS THAT WERE HEALTHY AND SAFE AND SO MANY HERE WERE NOT.

>> HE DIED IN THREE MINUTES AS WE WATCHED.

WE CRIED.

THE NURSES FINALLY, WHO GOT TO HIS ROOM MOMENTS LATER, CRIED.

THIS WAS SOMEONE'S FATHER, SOMEONE'S HUSBAND.

GRANDFATHER, AND FRIEND.

AND NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE ALONE IN A HOSPITAL.

>> THE G.O.P.

ST. PAUL BUREAUCRACY HAS REFUSED TO HEAR THESE BILLS, HAS REFUSED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.

NOW, THEY'RE NOT MONTH MONSTERS, BUT THEY'RE NON NOT PAYING ATTENTION.

THEY'RE NOT HERE TO HEAR YOUR STORIES RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL WORKERS MATTER AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT ALL OF YOU.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: JOINING ME NOW TO TALK UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, HERO PAY, AND MORE, THIS WEEK'S ANALYST DUO.

ABOU AMARA IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, AN ATTORNEY, AND A DFLER.

AMY KOCH IS BACK.

SHE'S A REPUBLICAN AND FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

WELL, MADAM MAJORITY LEADER, I'LL START WITH YOU BECAUSE THE SENATE MINORITY KIND OF HELD THEIR OWN HEARINGS, LIKE, THEY HAD GAVELS.

IT WAS VERY EMOTIONAL BEES THOUGH.

THE STORIES FROM WORKERS ARE PERSUASIVE.

BUT HOW DID THIS GET SO POLITICAL, GIVING PEOPLE MONEY THAT THEY HAVE LOADS OF?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY -- IT'S SAD TO SEE, HONESTLY, BECAUSE THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT.

WE WERE SPOATZED TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION.

EVEN THE PECIAL SESSION WAS AGREED TO.

THE AMOUNT WAS APPROPRIATED, 250 MILLION, OR -- AND THEN THE SPECIAL SESSION WAS SORT OF SET FOR SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.

AND I JUST, YOU KNOW, I KEPT THINKING, WELL, MAYBE NEXT WEEK, MAYBE NEXT WEEK.

IT'S JUST THE CLIMATE THAT WE'RE IN, RIGHT?

IT'S JUST EVEN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS FRONT-LINE WORKER HERO PAY THAT EVERYBODY AGREES LET'S DO SOMETHING SOMEHOW GETS ENMESHED, AND IT'S TOO BAD.

>> Mary: SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

>> THE PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE, REPUBLICANS, WHO ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AGAINST TIM WALZ AND THEY DON'T WANT TIM WALZ TO HAVE A VICTORY AND SENDING OUT 700,000 CHECKS TO MAINS AND SAYING THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, THEY UNDERSTAND IF THEY ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN, IT'S GOING TO BE A BOON TO HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> WELL, NO, ACTUALLY THE FOLKS THAT ARE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AREN'T REALLY INVOLVED IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS AT ALL.

>> Mary: ANYMORE.

>> RIGHT.

SO CURRENTLY, I MEAN, IT'S A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO'S IN THE POOL.

WHO IS DEEMED, YOU KNOW, FRONT-LINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND WHO WASN'T.

AND THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A QUESTIONINGQUESTION, RIGHT?

AND THE MORE PEOPLE YOU HAVE IN THE POOL, THE MUCH SMALLER THOSE DOLLAR AMOUNTS.

SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKING 200, 250, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A QUESTION OF, LIKE, WELL, IS THAT WORTH IT.

AND WHO ELSE -- ARE THERE OTHERS THAT SHOULD BE IN THE POOL?

DO YOU MAKE THE POOL BIGGER?

THAT'S REALLY THE DISCUSSION.

>> THE DISCUSSION AROUND THE POOL MADE A LOT OF SENSE WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A 100 MILLION SURPLUS.

WE HAVE A $9 BILLION SURPLUS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO'S IN OR WHO'S OUT.

WE AVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO INVEST IN MINNESOTANS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

>> BUT IS THAT ALMOST THE PROBLEM?

IS IT ALMOST TOO MUCH MONEY TO DEAL WITH?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S ALSO BIG DISAGREEMENT ABOUT TAX RELIEF.

SO THE GOVERNOR HAD A TINY LITTLE BIT OF TAX RELIEF.

I HAVE THE REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE TO SEE REAL TAX RELIEF FOR EVERY MINNESOTAN.

THEY'D LIKE TO HAVE MINNESOTANS GET $1,200, $1,500 EACH IN TAX RELIEF.

AND I -- HERE'S THE THING TOO.

THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR ACTUALLY ALL OF THAT, RIGHT?

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY.

BEING CAUTIOUS, WE'VE GOT 3 BILLION IN RESERVES.

IN SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

WE SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING.

AND I LIKE THAT DISCUSSION COMING FROM ALL PARTIES.

>> Mary: VETERAN LAWMAKERS WILL SAY IT'S HARDER WHEN YOU HAVE MORE MONEY IN A LOT OF WAYS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A FINITE SMALLER AMOUNT OF MONEY, YOU HAVE TO GET GET A DEAL DONE.

>> IN MY EXPERIENCE AT THE CAPITOL, THAT IS TRUE.

HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY THAT EVERYONE'S PRIORITIES CAN BE MET, AND I THINK, UNLIKE A CIRCUMSTANCE, WHEN I WAS AT THE CAPITOL, WHERE WE HAD $500 MILLION SURPLUS AND THAT WAS A REAL FIGHT.

WEE DON'T HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO'S OUT, WHO'S IN.

WE CAN INVEST IN ALL THE THINGS WE KNOW MATTER.

OR WHETHER IT BE THE PEOPLE WHO GOT US THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Mary: UNEMPLOYMENT TAX RELIEF AND BUSINESSES, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE THIS IS LINKED TO HERO PAY NOW.

THAT DEADLINE CAME AND WENT THIS WEEK.

IS THE PRESSURE OFF TO SOLVE THAT UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PAY BACK?

>> OH, I DON'T THINK THE PRESSURE IS OFF.

WHAT YOU'VE GOT IS BUSINESSES, SMALL AND MEDIUM ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PANDEMIC.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND THE FUND WAS HIT HARD.

WE HAVE TO PAY THAT MONEY BACK.

IT'S NOT EESK A QUESTION.

EVEN A QUESTION.

INSTEAD, WE'RE GOING TO TURN TO THESE BUSINESSES AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK THEM FOR MORE IN TAXES ALSO WHEN WE HAVE A $9 BILLION SURPLUS?

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> WELL, TWO POINTS.

FIRST, WE'RE NOT ASKING THEM FOR ANYTHING MORE.

THE STATUTE HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

WHEN UNEMPLOYMENT GOES UP, MONEY GOES INTO THE U.I.

TRUST FUND SO THAT WAY THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE PROBLEMS, IT'S RESPONSIBLE WAY TO FUND U.I.

THAT'S THE FIRST POINT.

AND THEN THE SECOND POINT THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MISUNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE ONES CREATING THIS CONTRAST.

IF THEY AGREE TO HELP SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO GOT US THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, DEMOCRATS HAVE ALREADY SAID, WE'REMORE THAN WILLING TO SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND IS NOT AN IMPACT ON THEM.

>> Mary: SO HAS IT TURNED INTO EMPLOYERS VERSUS EMPLOYEES, DEMOCRATS VERSUS REPUBLICANS?

HAS 2 GOTTEN THAT SIMPLISTIC?

>> I THINK ACTUALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO MORE IS YOU'VE GOT A $9 BILLION SURPLUS AND FOR REPUBLICANS, YOU'VE SEEN THE TAXPAYERS PAID IT IN, AND AGAIN, YOU CAN BALANCE THAT.

YOU CAN SAY THAT E HAVE SOME EXTRA NEEDS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO NOT JUST GET OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND WE NEED TO THRIVE AND DO SOME REALLY SIGNIFICANT TAX RELIEF.

>> Mary: SO DOES EVERYTHING NEED TO BE LINKED?

IS THAT TRUE ONLY WAY THIS GETS DONE, BIG, GLOBAL, MONSTER DEAL?

>> THERE'S A SHORT TERM PROBLEM AND THEN THERE'S A LONG-TERM PROBLEM.

WHEN REPUBLICANS TALK ABOUT BROAD TAX RELIEF, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT LONG-TERM PROBLEMS.

THIS IS NOT A BUDGET YEAR.

I WOULD REMIND MINNESOTANS.

THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FOCUSED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET AND BONDING TO AN TENT.

RIGHT NOW, WE'VE JUST COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED US GET THROUGH THAT AND SECOND, THERE'S A SHORT-TERM CRISIS AROUND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID -- >> Mary: BUT IT'S BEEN SAID OUT LOUD, NOTHING HAS TO GET DONE.

>> THE BUDGET YEAR ALREADY PASSED.

THERE'S NO CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.

THIS IS TYPICALLY A BONDING YEAR.

A BONDING BILL ABSOLUTELY COULD AND I WOULD SAY SHOULD HAPPEN.

WE'VE GOT COMMITTEE COMING IN FROM INFRASTRUCTURE FROM THE FEDS.

AND THERE'S LOTS OF WORK THAT CAN BE DONE IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

PLUS, PRICES ARE SKY-LOCATING ON THAT SIDE AND WE SHOULD DO A BONDING BILL.

BUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO GET DONE.

I THINK IT COULD AND IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> Mary: IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A TAKE TO THE VOTER, ESSENTIALLY?

>> YEAH, REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY DENIED 700,000 MINNESOTANS FROM GETTING CHECKS IN THE MAIL GOING INTO THE ELECTION.

>> Mary: THANKS, YOU TWO.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ >> MARY: UP NEXT IS THIS WEEK'S INSTALLMENT OF OUR SERIES OF RETIRING LAWMAKER PROFILES.

D.F.L.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART HAS SERVED HIS RURAL MINNESOTA DISTRICT FOR 22 YEARS.

D.F.L.ERS FEAR THEY WILL LOSE THAT SEAT AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.

MARQUART SAYS THE PERSON MATTERS MORE THAN THE PARTY TO VOTERS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART, THE QUESTION WE START WITH EVERY RETIREE, WHY NOW?

>> WELL, AFTER 35 YEARS OF ELECTIVE SERVICE, IT'S -- IT'S TIME TO DO NEW THINGS.

AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT, SPEND MORE TIME WITH THOSE FUN GRANDCHILDREN.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO BE DOING YET.

I'M NOT DONE WITH PUBLIC POLICY.

I STILL ENJOY THAT.

>> Mary: AND YOU KNOW OBVIOUSLY YOUR SEAT HAS BEEN COMPETITIVE PRETTY MUCH SINCE DAY ONE, BUT HAS ONLY GROWN MORE AND MORE COMPETITIVE OVER THE YEARS.

DEMOCRATS ARE WORRIED THAT THIS SEAT FLIPS WHEN YOU LEAVE.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS A TOUGH SEAT, KIND OF MATCHES, KIND OF RURAL MINNESOTA.

BUT IN THE LAST COUPLE ELECTIONS, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WON Y 22 POINTS AND 19 POINTS RESPECTIVELY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE FORMULA IS, AS -- IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE, YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT AND DOOR-KNOCK.

THE MOST ENJOYABLE THING I DID AS A LEGISLATOR WAS GOING OUT AND DOOR-KNOCKING AND MEETING WITH CONSTITUENTS.

THE KEY IS, I NEVER OST SIGHT OF WHO I WAS SERVING.

I'M ENCOURAGED WITH WHAT I SEE.

>> Mary: SO HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR A CANDIDATE TO COME FROM THE COMMUNITY, TO BE A TEACHER, TO HAVE SERVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, TO HAVE BEEN A MAYOR?

CAUCUSES LOVE TO RECRUIT MAYORS.

WHAT MAKES A MAYOR A GOOD CANDIDATE?

>> THEY'VE BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY KNOW PEOPLE, AND THEN YOU ADD THAT AS BEING A TEACHER.

I PROBABLY IN 33 YEARS HAD STUDENTS GRADUATE.

SO YOU CAN LOOK AT THE PARTISAN INDEX IN THESE RACES.

BUT THE CANDIDATE IS HUGE.

AND I THINK ESPECIALLY IN RURAL MINNESOTA, THEY DON'T SEE YOU AS OUT THERE LEFT OR RIGHT TOO FAR.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE LIKE THEM, AND MOST PEOPLE ARE PRETTY MODERATE IN MY MIND.

>> Mary: WHEN I THINK PAUL MARQUART, I THINK TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES YOU HAVE OWNED.

WHY HAS THAT BEEN AN IMPORTANT AREA FOR YOUR TO SPECIALIZE IN?

>> I THINK IT GOES BACK TO MY MAYORAL DAYS WHEN WE WERE DEALING ALWAYS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AND PROPERTY TAX LEVIES.

AND I'M KIND OF A NUMBERS GUY.

MEMBERS, WE HAVE A TAX BILL HERE THAT WILL BENEFIT EVERY CITIZEN OF THIS GREAT STATE.

>> Mary: I HAVEN'T HEARD YOU TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES A LOT AND SAYING DEMOCRATS IN RURAL AMERICAN, RURAL MINNESOTA KIND OF NEED TO FOCUS ON BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES.

HOW HAVE YOU KIND OF STRADDLED THAT LINE ON SOCIAL ISSUES AND ECONOMIC ISSUES?

>> THAT IS THE KEY, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT WAS ALSO GOING OUT AND DOING THE DOOR-KNOCKING.

YOU ACTUALLY HEARD WHAT PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT RATHER THAN WHAT SOME CAMPAIGN LITERATURE WAS TELLING PEOPLE THEY SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT.

THEY WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT ABORTION.

THEY WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

>> Mary: BUT YOU'VE HAD TO FACE SOME TOUGH VOTES IN YOUR CAUCUS AND IN YOUR PARTY YOU DON'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH, THAT'S FAIR, RIGHT?

>> NUMBER ONE, IS YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.

SO OF COURSE ON THOSE TYPE OF ISSUES, YOU WOULD CERTAINLY VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.

>> Mary: NOW, I KNOW YOU HAVE BIPARTISAN FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS.

CAN YOU GUESS WHICH LAWMAKER FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE SAID YOU WERE HIS FIRST FRIEND AND ONE OF HIS BEST FRIENDS TO THIS DAY?

>> ONE PERSON THAT I MET THAT FIRST DAY, HE GOT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR WAS BOB DETTMER.

>> Mary: YOU GOT IT.

>> WRESTLING IMG TOGETHER AND I KNEW WHO HE WAS.

JUST THROUGH WRESTLING, SO LIKE THE FIRST DAY, I HAD TO GO OVER AND INTRODUCE -- THAT MIGHT BE THE ONE THAT IS PROBABLY BROUGHT THAT UP.

>> Mary: WHY DON'T WE ALWAYS KNOW ABOUT THESE FRIENDSHIPS?

>> IT IS KIND OF BEHIND THE SCENES.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WITH RURAL LEGISLATORS.

WE'RE AWAY FROM HOME.

AND SO WE FORM THOSE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIPS, WHICH I TELL MY STUDENTS, MARY, WHEN WE GO OVER HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW, YOU'VE GOT THOSE TEN STEPS OR WHATEVER THAT IS.

I SAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ON ALL OF THAT ISN'T LISTED HERE, AND THAT APPLIES TO EVERY ONE OF THOSE STEPS AND IT'S THE RELATIONSHIP AND THE TRUST AND RESPECT THAT YOU BUILD.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THAT COMMON BOND?

BECAUSE DETTMER TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT HOW YOU TWO INSTANTLY HIT IT OFF BECAUSE OF TEACHING AND WRESTLING, AND HE SAID HE WENT TO REALLY KIND OF BRING YOU INTO KIND OF THE INNER CIRCLE OF WRESTLING HALL OF FAME PERHAPS?

IS THAT TRUE?

>> YEAH, NO, THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT FRIENDSHIPS THAT I'M GOING TO REALLY MISS.

AND HOPEFULLY CONTINUE WITH WHEN WE BOTH LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF, IF YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT A BILL OR A LEGACY?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN I ANNOUNCED I WAS RETIRING, PEOPLE WOULD ASK, WELL, WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT?

AND I WOULD SAY, WELL, I NEVER ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING ALONE BECAUSE WE KNOW IT TAKES HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THEN THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE OF ANYTHING.

BUT I'VE BEEN PROUD OF THE WORK IN EDUCATION, TRYING TO GET ALL-DAY, EVERY DAY KINDERGARTEN, AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR DISABLED VETERANS.

I THINK WAS SOMETHING WE WERE ABLE TO WORK ON.

AND I HOPE PEOPLE KIND OF REMEMBER ME AS KIND OF SOMEONE WHO WAS HARDWORKING, RESPECTED THE INSTITUTION, AND THE MEMBERS WHO WERE THERE.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: HAS IT BEEN A HARDER STRETCH IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO BE REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT?

NO.

THAT'S MY FAMILY.

IT REALLY TRULY IS MY SECOND FAMILY.

I -- MY DAD WAS, AS YOU KNOW, SHERIFF IN ITTSON COUNTY YEARS AGO, WHERE WE ACTUALLY, WHEN I WAS AN ADOLESCENT, WE MOVED INTO THE JAIL.

AND MY MOTHER COOK AID FOR THE PRISONERS.

WE LIVED IN THE FRONT PART OF THE JAIL AND THE JAIL WAS IN THE BACK PART.

IN FACT, THEY WOULD LEAVE TOWN TO GO TO A CONVENTION.

I WOULD BE THE JAILER AS AN ADOLESCENT.

AND WHEN I AN COME DOWN HERE NOW, THERE'S CHALLENGES AND THERE'S CERTAINLY BEEN SOME CHALLENGES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I'VE HAVEI'M VERY SAD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE WORLD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE WAY THEY'RE BEING TREATED AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT FIX IF I CAN.

>> MARY: AS REPRESENTATIVE MARQUART NOTED, HIS RURAL DISTRICT VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR DONALD TRUMP AND MOST REPUBLICANS IN THE LAST TWO ELECTION CYCLES.

A GROWING TREND ALL OVER RURAL AMERICA INCLUDING IN MINNESOTA.

"STAR TRIBUNE" REPORTER BRIANA BIERSCHBACH HAS BEEN LOOKING CLOSELY AT THIS SHIFT IN PARTY LOYALTY.

BRIANA, WELCOME BACK.

GOOD STORY.

YOU'VE BEEN KILLING THAT SUNDAY SECTION, MY FRIEND.

LET ME JUST SAY.

LET'S START WITH PAUL MARQUART, BECAUSE DOESN'T HE ENCAPSULATE THIS, THAT WHEN HE GOES, THAT SEAT GOES FOR DEMOCRATS VERY LIKELY, RIGHT?

IT'S GONE?

>> IT'S A REALLY HARD ONE FOR THEM TO KEEP.

AND AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IDENTIFICATION THERE'S A LOCAL MAYOR WHO'S RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT THAT'S REALLY PROMINENT IN SOME OF THESE AREAS.

ABOUT THE ALSO JUST THE DYNAMICS IN HIS AREA.

IT'S CLOSE TO A KIND OF REGIONAL CENTER, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF RURAL PARTS IT.

AND THOSE -- THAT DISTRICT HAS SWUNG 20-SOME POINTS FOR TRUMP EVEN THOUGH THEY ELECTED HIM.

HE DOOR-KNOCKED AS HE TOLD ME, EVERY ELECTION CYCLE, TWICE EVERY SINGLE DOOR, AND THEN IN NON-ELECTION YEARS, AND HE THINKS THAT'S WHAT WAS HELPED HIM SURVIVE IN YEARS WHEN EVEN TRUMP DID REALLY WELL.

>> Mary: SAY LOOK AT LIKE A SENATOR DAVID TOMASSONI WHERE THE PERSON COULD SURVIVE DESPITE THE POLITICAL WINS, BUT WHEN THAT PERSON GOES, IT FLIPS.

>> THAT'S THE FEAR I THINK OF A LOT OF DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE PEOPLE LIKE DAVID TOMASSONI, EVEN THOUGH HE LEFT HIS CAUCUS, HE STILL RETAINED THAT LABEL OF A DEMOCRAT.

THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE CASE NECESSARILY DEPENDING ON WHO FOLLOWS HIM FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RUNNING IN THAT ELECTION.

SAME WITH MARQUART.

MAYBE THOSE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR HIM MAYBE NOW VOTE -- DON'T CROSS PARTY TICKETS.

>> Mary: AND CAN WE BREAK THIS DOWN AND SAY THIS HAPPENING DIFFERENTLY OR NORTHERN MINNESOTA OR -- OR IS THE TREND SWEEPING EVERYWHERE?

>> THE TREND IS REALLY SWEEPING EVERYWHERE.

I CHATTED WITH REPRESENTATIVE JULIE SANDSTEDE, WHO REPRESENTS HIBBING AREA DISTRICT.

I MEAN, THIS IS A HARD-CORE LONG-TIME DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT.

HER PREDECESSOR IN THAT SEAT, CARLY MELIN WON THAT SEAT.

SHE WON WITH 30 VOTES IN THE LAST ELECTION.

SHE'S NOW PAIRED UP WITH A REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT LEGISLATOR.

AND SHE KIND OF EXPRESSED THAT.

HER VOTERS AND CONSTITUENTS ARE FRUSTRATED.

THEY FEEL LUMP INTO A GENERAL DFL OR DEMOCRATIC VOTING BLOC.

>> I'M GLAD YOU SAID DESM DFL.

WE USED TO HAVE A PARTY CALLED I.R.

I'M HEARING A LOT OF WHICH WHISPERS WHETHER THE F, THE FARMER, AND THE L, THE LABOR STILL MAKE SENSE?

>> THAT'S SORT F WHAT YOU HEAR IS THAT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THE FARMER AND THE LABOR PART IS AS PART OF THE BRAND OR IS PROMINENT AS PART OF THE BRAND.

YOU KNOW, I THINK KEN MARTIN, THE D.F.L.

PARTY CHAIR REALLY WANTS TO HAD HOLD ONTO THE TRADITION OF THE DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY AS A PARTY THAT DOES WELL IN ALL PARTS OF THE STATE.

THEY ARE ORGANIZING AND SENDING ORGANIZERS AROUND THE STATE.

THEY'VE OPENED 12 FIELD OFFICES IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

SO THEY'RE TRYING.

IT JUST REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW MUCH CAN BE DONE WHEN THERE'S SUCH POLARIZING POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS.

>> Mary: ANOTHER GREAT CONTEXTUAL PIECE FROM A WEEK AGO ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF WOMEN WHO ARE LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE AFTER GREAT GAINS.

AND THIS IS REDISTRICTING AGAIN, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AS WOMEN TEND TO TAKE LONGER TO MAKE THESE ECISIONS.

THEY TEND TO CONSULT THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, THEIR FRIENDS.

WHEN SUDDENLY REDISTRICTING THROWS YOU MAYBE A DISTRICT WITH A FRIEND OR A COLLEAGUE, YOU WANT TO TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT WE SAW WAS A LOT OF KIND OF MEN ESPECIALLY WHO WERE PAIRED WITH WOMEN, DECIDED TO RUN QUICKLY.

AND THE WOMEN 12E7D STEPPED ASIDE.

SO IT IS A BIG DEAL.

WHAT I'M WATCHING FOR OW MANY WOMEN COME OUT OF THESE ENDORSING CONVENTIONS AND PRIMARIES.

GROUPS ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS TREND, AND ESPECIALLY -- THEY'RE LOSING A NUMBER OF WOMEN OF OLOR IN THE SENATE -- >> Mary: YES, TWO LATINO WOMEN IN THE SENATE.

GROUND-BREAKING.

>> AND THE GROUPS ARE HOPING THAT WE'LL ELECT THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO THE SENATE IN ITS ENTIRE HISTORY.

SO THERE'S SOME HOPE AND RECRUITMENT GOING ON, BUT IT IS REALLY WORRY SOME AS WELL.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE?

>> YOU ARE, I AM, I THINK IT'S LESS PROMINENT IN THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE MORE MEMBERS, BUT WE DID SEE RECENTLY, JENNIFER SCHULTZ WHO'S A DEMOCRAT UP IN THE DULUTH AREA, CHAIRED A PROMINENT HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE.

SHE SAID RECENTLY SHE'S STEPPING DOWN.

KIND OF SURPRISING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND OU'RE IS A SEEING A LOT OF WOMEN STEPPING DOWN OR RUNNING FOR POSITIONS OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

MAYBE GOING TO LOCAL COUNTY BOARDS OR EVEN RUBBING FOR GOVERNOR.

WE HAVE ONE WOMAN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR FROM THE SENATE.

SO WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THIS ALL SHUFFLES OUT YET.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING I'M WAYING TO SEE.

>> Mary: GREAT WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH THE LATEST FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

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

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

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

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

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

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

CATHY AND ERIC WILL PREVIEW A NEW DOCUMENTARY ABOUT MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

PAUL DOUGLAS WILL STOP BY FOR A SPRINGTIME WEATHER CHAT.

AND KAOMI LEE SHOWS US MORE ABOUT THE RURAL ARTS COMMUNITY.

THAT'’S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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