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

>> CATHY: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WILL JOIN US LIVE, IN THE STUDIO.

WE'LL PREVIEW A NEW TWIN CITIES PBS DOCUMENTARY HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER JOSIE JOHNSON, AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE FIRST WEEK OF ACTION UP AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OFF AND RUNNING.

WE'LL TALK TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ABOUT PRIORITIES THIS SESSION.

>> IT'S A GESTURE F FRIENDSHIP TO START THIS SESSION OFF.

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

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

>> CATHY: BIG SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN ON MONDAY AND WE'LL SPEND PART OF THE NEXT HOUR LOOKING AT THE FIRST WEEK ACTION WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND A DEBATE ON SPORTS BETTING.

PLUS KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO COOK COUNTY TO FIND OUT HOW THIS WINTER'S LACK OF SNOW AND COLD HAS IMPACTED TOURISM IN THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE STATE.

>> ERIC: THE WIMPY WINTER WEATHER IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

THE BIG SNOWFALL OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY BROUGHT A TOTAL OF 6.9 INCHES TO THE TWIN CITIES.

THAT WAS A RECORD AMOUNT FOR THE DATE BUT DIDN'T EVEN DOUBLE THE SEASON'S SNOW TOTAL AT THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST.

PAUL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

AND THE COLD TEMPS THAT FOLLOWED THE SNOW SET A 24-DAY RECORD PERIOD OF TIME WITH TEMPS ABOVE FREEZING FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

KENNY BLUMENFELD IS A SENIOR CLIMATOLOGIST FOR MINNESOTA'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

OUR LONG JANUARY THAW IS OVER.

>> A JANUARY THAW THAT LASTS UNTIL VALENTINE'S DAY.

THAT WAS SOME THAW >> >> WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SNOW, WHY DID THAT OCCUR?

>> WE FINALLY GOT A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WITH MOISTURE IN IT TO COME THROUGH THE REGION AND IT WAS ONLY REALLY THE SOUTHERN THIRD OR SO OF MINNESOTA THAT GOT IT, AND THAT WAS -- FOR A LOT OF US, THAT WAS OUR BIGGEST SNOW SINCE HALLOWEEN.

UNBELIEVABLE.

>> Cathy: WHICH IS JUST CRAWS A IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

CAN YOU TELL US, WE'VE BEEN SNOW-FREE TORSO LONG, HOW DOES IT IS DRY, BROWN LANDSCAPE AFFECT TEMPERATURES, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO WARM?

>> YEAH, ACTUALLY SNOW SORT OF CREATES COLD BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A SNOW PACK ON THE GROUND, THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS OFF OF IT AND IF THE SUNLIGHT IS REFLECTING OFF THE SNOW, THEN IT CAN'T BE ABSORBED BY THE GROUND AND YOU NEED THAT ABSORPTION OF SUNLIGHT TO WARM THE GROUND WHICH THEN WARMS THE AIR ABOVE IT.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND, IT'S EASY TO GET COLD AND HARD TO GET WARM.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE SNOW ON THE GROUND, THE OPPOSITE.

HARD TO GET COLD, EASY TO GET WARM BECAUSE YOU'RE ABSORBING ALL THAT SUNLIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING SNOW ON THE GROUND HAS BEEN ONE OF THE REASONS WE'VE HAD SUCH EXTREMES OF WARMTH THIS WINTER.

>> Eric: IMPACT N THE DROUGHT?

>> WELL, YEAH, THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY GOT SOAKED ON CHRISTMAS, RIGHT?

24th, 25th, 26th.

WE ACTUALLY GOT A WINTER'S WORTH OF PRECIPITATION IN PARTS OF MINNESOTA.

PEOPLE DON'T REMEMBER IT BECAUSE, FOR ONE, IT WAS ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO.

THE OTHER THING IS WE HAVE THOUGH EVIDENCE OF IT SITTING ON THE GROUND.

NORMALLY, YOU GET THAT MUCH PRECIPITATION IN DECEMBER, YOU CAN SEE IT FOR THE REST OF THE WINTER BECAUSE IT'S A SNOWPACK BUT THIS TIME T WAS JUST RAIN, AND BECAUSE THE GROUND WAS THAWED, IT ACTUALLY SOAKED INTO THE GROUND.

SO THAT WAS MAYBE THE MOST BENEFICIAL RAIN THAT YOU COULD HAVE IN DECEMBER, OR ANY TIME IN THE WINTER BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY WAS USEFUL, SOAKED INTO THE GROUND.

SO WE'RE STILL IN LONG-TERM DROUGHT BUT IT'S NOT SO MUCH BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENED THIS WINTER.

IT'S REALLY BECAUSE OF THE DRY GROWING SEASONS WE'VE HAD THE PAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

>> Cathy: SO THE PROBLEM HERE IS YOU EVER AN ELLIE NIÑO GOING THERE AND CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> YEAH, A ONE-TWO PUNCH, WE'RE WARMING BECAUSE THE WINTER BE HAVE BEEN WARMER, THEY'VE WARMED, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN DEGREES JUST SINCE 1970 SO THAT YOU CAN THINK OF AS SORT OF THE BASE AND THE BASE HAS BEEN GETTING HIGHER, AND THEN AN EL NIÑO COMES BY AND PRODUCES THIS BIG TEMPERATURE SPIKE SO THAT TEMPERATURE SPIKE IS ON TOP OF THIS INCREASING BRACE SO YOU GET MUCH WARMER THAN YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN.

BUT THERE'S OTHER THINGS GOING ON, TOO.

SOME RECENT RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THE HUNGA TUNGA VOLCANO AFROM ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO BUT A VOTE OF WATER VAPOR IN THE STRATOSPHERE AND THAT'S ADDING HEAT, AND THE SHIPS GOING ACROSS THE OCEAN, THINK POLLUTE A BIT LESS NOW SO MORE SOUNDLIGHT GETS THROUGH.

>> Eric: ON THE WATER BUSINESS, LAKE SUPERIOR, 2.7% ICE COVER.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WORSE -- LEAST IN 50 YEARS?

>> NOT SURPRISING, I MEAN, LOOK AT ALL THE ICE EVENT THAT WERE CANCELED IN MINNESOTA THIS YEAR.

I MEAN, WE COULDN'T EVEN ANYONE THE POND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AND THAT'S, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO WARM THAT WE'VE BEEN MELTING ICE AS FAST AS WE'VE BEEN MAKING IT FOR MOST OF THE WINTER.

>> Cathy: ISN'T IT WEIRD, YOU HEAR CLIMATE CONFESSIONS, RIGHT?

THERE ARE FOLKS IN MY LIFE THAT SAY, I FEEL KIND OF BAD THERE'S NO SNOW BUT IND OF OKAY BECAUSE I'M NOT SLIPPING AROUND AND I KIND OF LIKE IT BUT I SHOULDN'T LIKE IT.

>> YEAH, IT IS WHAT IT IS.

PEOPLE ARE CONFIDING IN US, IT'S LIKE A SECRET THAT THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING, THEY FEEL -- THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH SO MANY 50-DEGREE DAYS AND YET YOU CAN'T TELL MINNESOTANS NOT TO ENJOY 50 GROWS IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY AND THEY'RE TELLING US, I LIKE IT.

>> Eric: YOU'RE A WEATHER GUY AND A THERAPIST AT THE SAME TIME.

>> YEAH, YEAH, WE HAVE TO CONSOLE PEOPLE AND TELL THEM, IT'S OKAY.

>> Eric: YOU'RE VERSATILE.

I GIVE OU THAT.

KENNY, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> ERIC: THANKS, KENNY.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO THE COUCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO WHERE WE'LL HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE SPORTS BETTING DEBATE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> CATHY: SPORTS BETTING LEGALIZATION IS A PLAY MINNESOTA LEGISLATORS HAVE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO RUN FOR YEARS BUT HAVE YET TO GET TO THE ENDZONE.

THIRTY-EIGHT STATES, INCLUDING ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS, NOW HAVE LEGALIZED SPORTS GAMBLING IN SOME WAY, AND MANY IN THE NORTH STAR STATE THINK IT'S TIME TO JOIN THEM.

PAST STUMBLING BLOCKS HAVE INCLUDED CONCERN ABOUT GAMBLING ADDICTION, LICENSING, AND COMPETITION WITH RACETRACKS AND NATIVE OWNED CASINOS.

WE'VE GATHERED BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE HERE TONIGHT.

DFL STATE SENATOR MATT KLEIN AUTHORED A SPORTS BETTING BILL LAST SESSION.

AND WE WELCOME BACK DFL STATE SENATOR JOHN MARTY WHO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING IN MINNESOTA.

THANKS TO BOTH OF I FOR BEING HERE.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SENATOR KLINE, AS I'M LOOKING AT THIS, THIS WOULD BE IF IT PASSES THE BIGGEST EXAMINATION OF GAMBLING IN MINNESOTA, IN, WHAT, 40-SOME ODD YEARS?

IT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

>> WE CAN THINK OF IT AS EXPANSION OF GAMBLE ALTHOUGH I LIKE TO THINK OF IT AS MODERNIZING WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.

WE KNOW THAT LARGE MINNESOTANS ARE ALREADY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITIES, IN MANY CASES THROUGH ILLICIT OR NEFARIOUS OR UNTRUST WORTHY SITES AND WE WANT TO PUT GUARDRAILS AROUND THAT.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT 55% OF MINNESOTANS SUPPORT LEGS LAGS AND SO WE WANT TO ESPOND TO THEIR VERY REAL CONCERN THAT THIS BECOME LEGAL.

>> Eric: ARE YOU SOFTENING ON THIS A LITTLE BIT?

YOU WERE A PRETTY STRONG ANTI-GAMBLING GUY AND YOUR PRESS RELEASE EARLIER IN THE YEAR, YEAH, WITH A COUPLE OF AMENDMENTS, MAYBE IT WOULD FLY.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN FEELING ADULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GAMBLE IF THEY WANT, GAMBLE ON SPORTS, ANYTHING, THEY CAN BETTER WITH THEIR FRIENDS, BET WITH CO-WORKERS, WITH STRANGERS AND THEY CAN ALREADY, AND THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO.

MY CONCERN IS THE PREDATORY EXPLOITIVE BUSINESSES THAT COME IN AND WANT TO PROFIT OFF OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GAMING KNOWLEDGE AND THE TROUBLE IS YOU HAVE PEOPLE -- MAY NOT DRAW IN TOO MANY MOTHER PEOPLE, IT WILL DRAW MORE PEOPLE TO GAP BELIEVE BUT THE TROUBLE I HAVE IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GAMBLING PEOPLE WHO MIGHT GAMBLE OCCASIONALLY, WHEN YOU RUN ADS AMOUNT TIMES AND THE SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY IS VERY GOOD AT COLLECTING DATES TAKE AND THEY EXACTLY WHAT DRIVES YOU, WHAT PROMOTIONS TO, WHAT YOU'RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO, SO MY CONCERN IS THAT BRINGING IN THE PREDATORY BUSINESSES MAKES IT FAR MORE ADDICTIVE AND THE STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY WHO EVER HAD IT FOR FOUR, FIVE YEARS SAID THEY HAVE HAD A TRIP HIM OF CALLS TO THEIR GAMBLE HOT LINES.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> ITCH NOTHING BUT RESPECT FOR FLOOR MARTY'S GENERAL -- GENUINE CONCERN.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS 25% OF THE REVENUES I'M OFFERING GO TO DEPARTMENT OF SERVICES AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ADDRESS PROBLEM GAMBLE SO I THINK WE MAY BE ACTUALLY STRONGER WITH LEGALITY LAGS THAN WE ARE IN OUR CURRENT REGULATED ENVIRONMENT.

>> Cathy: I ONDER, ARE THE KEYS TO THIS THE CONTROL OF THE SPORTS BOOKS FOR THE TRAINS?

WHO WOULD CONTROL THIS, EXACTLY?

>> IN MY BILL, IT'S EXCLUSIVE LICENSES FOR TRIBES AND THAT'S BEEN AN MORE PRINCIPLE FROM DAY ONE.

WE HAVE LEGALIZED GAMBLING AT CASINOS IN MINNESOTA AND WE'VE CONFINED THAT TO TRIBES AND THAT'S BECOME A HUGE ECONOMIC ENGINE TO RESTORE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE TO OUR SOVEREIGN NATIONS AND I THINK WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT PRINCIPLE GOING FORWARD.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF THIS -- BECAUSE YOU LIVE -- THERE'S THE CHARITIES, THE TRACKS, THE TRIBES, THE SPORTS TEAMS.

I MEAN, A LOT OF PIECES HAVE TO COME TOGETHER, DON'T YOU THINK, FOR THIS?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PIECES AND LIKE MATT, I SUPPORT THE FACT THAT WE MADE COMMITMENTS TO THE TRIBES YEARS AGO, WE OUGHT TO KEEP AND RESPECT THOSE COMMITMENTS BUT MOST OF THE DISCUSSION OF THIS BILL IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS BEEN, WHO PROFITS FROM IT?

MY CONCERN IS THE OTHER SIDE, WHO GETS HURT BY IT, HOW DO WE GET HURT.

AND, AGAIN, GAMBLING ADDICTION IS THE MOST DEADLY IN TERMS OF SUICIDE RISK OF ANY TYPE OF ADDICTION, FAR MORE DEADLY THAN OPIOIDS IN TERMS OF SUICIDE RISK.

ONE -- HALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN TREATMENT FOR GAMBLE ADDICTION HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE ONE IN SIX HAS ACTUALLY ATTEMPTED IT, AND IF WE HAVE A TRIPLING OF THE PEOPLE WHO GETS THAT FAR ALONG THE LINE SHE THEY GETS MORE INTENSIVE GAMBLE BECAUSE OF THERE, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

SO MY CONCERN IS NOT WHO BENEFITS FROM IT, I -- I -- I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE WAY MATT IS PROPOSING THAT.

I HAVE CONCERN ABOUT HOW MUCH WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE THE HORSE TRACKS ON THIS?

THEY'RE LOOKING -- CANTERBURY IS HURTING AND IS HURTING FOR MONEY, SO I WONDER, WHERE DO THEY FIT INTO THIS?

>> I VISITED CANTERBURY LAST SUMMER AND THE HORSE TRACKS ARE AN IMPORTANT SPORTS FOR MINNESOTANS.

SO WE TAKE THEIR CONCERNS VERY SERIOUSLY.

BUT WE TALK ABOUT THE TRACKS AND THE TRIBES AND THE CHARITIES ONE THING, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT TOO MUCH IS MINNESOTANS WHO THINK THIS IS A LEGITIMATE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY AND THEY REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVERNMENT IS STANDING IN THEIR WAY.

>> Eric: I WAS SURPRISED HOW LITTLE MONEY IS AT STAKE HERE.

I CAN PEOPLE HAD A GAND YOST -- THIS WILL HELP US FULLY FUNDS EDUCATION BUT THE DOLLARS AREN'T, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, THAT BIG.

>> IT'S TRUE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PROVIDING 11 LICENSES FOR 11 SOVEREIGN TRIBES AND YOU CAN DIVIDE THAT PIE 11 DIFFERENT DAYS, THE NUMBERS ARE NOT GIGANTIC SO IT'S TRUE, NOBODY IS GETTING HUGELY RICH OFF THIS.

>> Cathy: I DIDN'T QUITE HERE AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTION, SO WHERE WOULD THE TRACKS FIT INTO THIS?

WOULD THEY HAVE A PIECE OF THIS AND HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

>> IN MY BILL CURRENTLY THEY DO, THEY HAVE REVENUES THAT COME DIRECTLY FROM THE TAX REVENUES TO THE PURSES AT THE TRACKS AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK -- WORKSHOP IDEAS WITH THE TRACKS ABOUT LOU TO MAKE THAT JUST RIGHT.

>> Cathy: SENATOR MARTY, ARE YOU COMFORTABLE -- THERE WOULD BE MONEY FIT PASSES, SET ASIDE TO HELP FOLKS WHO ARE PROBLEM GAMBLERS.

IS THAT ENOUGH MONEY BEING TALKED ABOUT, THOUGH?

>> NO, AND I WOULD SAY I ALSO HAVE CONCERN ABOUT TAXPAYERS SUBSIDIZING THE TRACKS WHEN THE TRACKS CAME IN, IT WAS GOING TO BE HUGE, NEW INDUSTRY FOR MINNESOTA AND BRINGING IN LOTS OF NEW MONEY AND NOW THE FACT THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY USED PUBLIC MONEY TO SUBSIDIZE -- I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS THE BILLS NOW ARE TALKING 10, 15% TAX BRACKET, AND IT'S A PROFESSIONALLABLE INDUSTRY AND THE CORPORATIONS, FANNING DUEL AND OTHERS, THEY MAKE SO MUCH MONEY OFF IT, NEW YORK STATE HAS A TAX RACE THAT'S NOT 10 OR 15%, IT'S 51%.

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

WELL, THEY AGREED TO IT BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT'S SUCH A PROFITABLE BUSINESS AND THEY HAD TO NEGOTIATE AND CAME UP WITH 51%.

WE DO A HIGHER TAX RATE, WE'LL GETS MORE MONEY.

>> Eric: YOU NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, SOUNDS LIKE.

>> I'M NOT POSITIVE THAT'S THE CASE.

I CONTINUES TO WORK WITH SENATOR MARTY AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONCERNS IN MY CAUCUS AND I THINK THERE IS A CHANCE, IF WE AN GET AN ALL DFL-BILL, I'LL CONTINUES TO WORK THAT AND CERTAINLY IT WILL ADDRESS SENATOR MARTY'S CONCERNS.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE BILL?

>> IT'S IN FRONT OF FINANCE, WE'LL TAKE IT BACK TO COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND HEAR THE AMENDMENTS.

>> Eric: YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THE BILL.

>> WE'RE STARTING TO TAKE IT BACK IN HIS COMMITTEE AND TAKE ON SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT -- WE'VE HAD COLLEGE ATHLETES WHO HAVE GOTTEN EATH THREATS FROM MAKING PLAYS BECAUSE IT CHANGED THE POINT SPRAYED.

WE HAVE TO PROTECT -- I THINK WE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWING COLLEGIATE SPORT BETTING, I THINK WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING MINORS, I THINK WE HAVE TO PROTECT GANGS THE MOST PREDATORY PRACTICES.

IF WE DO THAT, I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH -- SENATOR KLINE AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT WORTHING TOGETHER.

>> Eric: IF YOU'RE GIVING IT A HEARING, THAT'S A STEP FORWARD, I WOULD SAY.

[Laughter] >> WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH ONE STEP AT A TIME.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE UP AMENDMENTS IN HIS COMMITTEE.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL BE WATCHING.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Mary: YOU LIKE TO DEBATE.

DID YOU DEBATE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

>> I DID DEBATE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE, WAY WAS COMPETITIVE DEBATER, THAT'S PARTS OF WHAT GOT ME ENTRUSTED INTO GOING NTO LAW SCHOOL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AS A LAW CLERK AND LAWYER IN COURT CASES, REALLY TRYING TO PIECE BACK TOGETHER WHAT CERTAIN WORDS MEAN AND STATUTES OR CONTRACTS, IT'S REALLY VERY IMPORTANT, I THINK, THAT WE ARE VERY CAREFUL AS WE'RE WRITING STATUTES AND THINKING ABOUT ALL THE FUTURE APPLICATIONS OF ITS, TO BE VERY NERDY AND TECHNICAL AND THAT'S DEFINITELY BEEN, I FELT LIKE, A BIG PART OF MY ROLE IN CALLING AT THE LEERING.

IT'S A NEW EXPERIENCE.

IT'S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT HOPE WE ALL TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY, I CERTAINLY TRY TO TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> IN A MOMENT OF SELF-REFLECTION THE OTHER DAY, I COULDN'T COME UP WITH MORE THAN A FEW THINGS THAT I GENERALLY TALK SLASH THINK ABOUT: KIDS, WORK, SLEEP, HOUSE PROJECTS.

AND GREAT TV SHOWS.

A THOUGHT DRIFTED THROUGH MY MIND, "AM I BORING?"

IN ANSWER, I HEARD A WHISPERED, "YES..." AND RATHER THAN HORROR, I FELT RELIEF.

MY YOUNGER SELF WOULD BE MORTIFIED.

THERE'S A TYRANNY INHERENT IN THE DESIRE TO BE "INTERESTING."

BEING "INTERESTING," AND I MEAN "INTERESTING" AS A PERSONALITY TRAIT, NOT SIMPLY BEING A PERSON THAT SOMEONE MIGHT WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT...

BEING INTERESTING REQUIRES A COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT OTHERS ARE ALWAYS ENTERTAINED BY YOU.

ALWAYS NEEDING TO KNOW MORE, DO MORE, BE MORE, GET INTO MORE SHENANIGANS THAT YOU CAN SPIN INTO CURATED STORIES AND POST THEM ON YOUR TIKTOK IN HOPES OF GOING VIRAL AND GAINING MORE FOLLOWERS TO SEE YOUR "INTERESTING" LIFE, AND BECOMING AN INFLUENCER AND GAINING MILLION-DOLLAR SPONSORSHIPS SO YOU CAN CONTINUE TO CHURN OUT INTERESTING CONTENT AS YOUR FULL-TIME JOB.

I'M EXHAUSTED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

I'LL COP TO BEING ADDICTED TO BEING BUSY.

OR MAYBE I HAVE A HARD TIME SAYING "NO."

MAYBE BOTH.

BUT I'M STARTING TO RECOGNIZE THAT I HAVE ENOUGH TO DO.

I DON'T NEED TO ADD PROJECTS TO MANAGE IN ORDER TO BE AN INTERESTING PERSON.

IF BEING BORING MEANS I GET TO BE WELL-RESTED AND MENTALLY HEALTHY, I'LL TAKE IT.

♪♪ >> AS WE NOTED EARLIER, WARMER WINTER TEMPERATURES THIS YEAR ARE SETTING RECORDS IN THE STATE.

IT'S ALSO BEEN A CONCERN FOR BUSINESSES DEPENDENT ON SNOW.

TWO ANNUAL SLED DOG RACES UP NORTH WERE CANCELLED FOR LACK OF SNOW, THE JOHN BEARGREASE AND THE GUNFLINT MAIL RUN.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO COOK COUNTY TO FIND OUT HOW LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE FARING.

>> SO LET'S SEE, HO GETS A TREAT.

SHALE?

AND RYDAN.

AND AGATE AND YABBA.

>> LINDA NEWMAN LIVES IN THE WILDERNESS IN THE FAR NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE STREET WITH HER 23 COMPANIONS.

IT IS.

>> IT'S EVERY SINGLE DAY, ALL YEAR ROUNDS, THE DOGS.

>> >> SHE OWNS POINTS UNKNOWN, A SLED DOG ADVENTURE TOURS AND LODGING BUSINESS.

SHE SPECIALIZES IN FOUR-DAY EMPOWERMENT RETREATS FOR WOMEN.

IT'S ALL ABOUT XIONG WITH NATURE AND THE DOGS.

>> I'VE GOT A RARE LINE OF TRADITIONAL ALASKAN HUSKY, THEY ARE DIFFERENT TO RACING DOGS.

THEY WERE DEVELOPED PURPOSE-BRED FOR TRAMPOLINE TEAMS IN ALASKA AND ASSISTANCE LIVING.

>> IN WINTER, THEY USUALLY PULL SLEDS.

>> THIS WINTER, I DON'T EVEN KNOW -- I'M SPEECH-LESS AT THE MOMENT.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN RECORD LOW SNOW, ONLY ABOUT 20-SOME INCHES ALL WINTER.

>> THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE HAD, GOSH, WELL OVER 150 INCHES.

AT THIS POINT YOU COULDN'T SEE OUT THE WINDOWS HERE, TOTALLY BOOKED FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND -- SO WE HAD TO CHOP AND CHANGE REALLY FAST.

>> WE ARE THE LOWEST SNOWFALL WE'VE EVER HAD TO DATE AT THIS TIME.

>> AT LEAST SINCE THE FIRST U.S.-RECORDED HISTORY IN THE 1880s.

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY STRANGE, ESPECIALLY SINCE LAST YEAR WE BROKE OUR RECORD FOR THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SNOWFALL, O JUST TO HAVE THAT WEAPONLASH AND ALL OF THAT'S CAUSED BY EL NIÑO, WARM EQUATORIAL WATERS THAT DISRUPT THE JETS STREAM AND CAUSE IT TO SINK, MUCH MORE SOUTH THAN OUR AREA AND BASICALLY TAKES AWAY ALL OUR MOISTURE SOURCES AND KEEPS US WARM.

THIS IS THE STARTING POINT OF THE GUNFLINT MAIL RUN DOG SLED RACE.

THERE IS SOME SNOW TODAY BUT LOCALS SAY, IT'S STILL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO HAVE SAVED THE RACE THIS YEAR.

>> THEY RUN BY, THEY DO A BIG TURNAROUND FURTHER UP THE TRAIL.

>> WHITE PINE LODGE ON POPLAR LAKE HAS A PRIME VIEW OF THE MAIL RUN RACE, WHEN IT WAS CANCELED, LOCAL BUSINESSES BANDED TOGETHER TO HOST A SCAVENGER HUNT AND BORNE FIRE.

>> I HANDED OUT MORE SUMMER HIKE' MAPS HAN EVER BEFORE SO GO OUT AND DO WHAT YOU WOULD IN THE SUMMER.

>> ON THE GUNFLINT TRAIL, BUSINESSES THAT MAKE THEIR MONEY OFF THE SNOW OR FEELING THE HEAT.

>> HOW MUCH HAS IT BEEN DOWN?

>> >> WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SAY 50% OR BETTER, AT LEAST FROM LAST YEAR.

>> THE LODGE HAS BEEN IN THE FAMILY SINCE 1970, THANKFULLY, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE DO ROLL OVER SOME REGULARS RESERVATIONS TO NEXT YEAR.

>> WE'RE NOT GETSING THE DAILY TRAFFIC COMING IN TO THE BAR AND RESTAURANTS AND BUYING GAS, NO SNOWMOBILE RENTALS YET THIS SEASON.

>> PEOPLE THAT HAD LREADY BOUGHT TO COME UP HERE MOSTLY ARE COMING BUT, YOU KNOW, THE PHONE'S NOT WRINGING LIKE IT NORMALLY WOULD DO.

>> AND THAT MEANS PIVOT, LIKE RIDING BEHIND A CLYDES DAILY HORSE.

>> WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS FIND THINGS FOR PEOPLE TO DO.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SNOWMOBILE, CAN WE GET THE SLEIGH RIDES OUT, RIGHT?

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SKI, CAN WE GET THE SKATES OUT.

SO I THINK THERE'S STILL LOTS OF THINGS TO DO UP HERE, JUST DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> THESE COUSINS WEREN'T DETERRED.

THEY BOOKED THEIR POINTS UNKNOWN TRIP LAST FALL.

>> WHO WOULD THINK THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE SNOW RIGHT NOW IN EARLY FEBRUARY, IN ALMOST CANADA.

I WASN'T REALLY DISAPPOINTED, I STILL WANDED TO GET THE EXPERIENCE WITH THE DOGS AND JUST LEARN ORE ABOUT SLED DOGS AND SEE THE PLACE OUT HERE AND BE OFF-GRID.

>> WHAT THEY LEARNED INSTEAD WAS HOW TO OUTFIT AND RIDE A UTV PULLED BY THE DOGS.

AND HIKE THROW THROUGH A RIVER CANYON ON A SECRETS TRAIL TO A FROZEN WATER FALL.

MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME WERE INCLUDED.

♪♪ >> WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KIDS, I WOULD GET BULLIED AROUND A LOT, PEOPLE WOULD SAY DON'T GO AND FIGHT BACK, HE'LL HIT YOU EVEN MORE.

AND THEN I WOULD SAY, DAMN IT, THERE IS THE WAY WE'RE FIGHTING THIS CAMPAIGN.

WE'LL COMPROMISE, YES.

WILL WE BACK DOWN, NO?

>> CATHY: NEXT WEEK, TWIN CITIES PBS WILL PREMIERE "HOPE IN THE STRUGGLE," A DOCUMENTARY FROM MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE SHOWCASING THE LIFE AND WORK OF JOSIE JOHNSON, A PROMINENT CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST BOTH IN MINNESOTA AND NATIONWIDE.

FROM LOBBYING FOR FAIR HOUSING TO BEING A PART OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, JOHNSON REFLECTS ON HER LIFE, INCLUDING SEVEN DECADES OF ACTIVISM, AND OBSERVES FUTURE GENERATIONS TAKING UP THE MANTLE.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT OF JOHNSON LOOKING BACK AT A PART OF THAT ACTIVISM.

>> MY FEAR WAS MORE IN '64 WHEN I HAD TO GO TO MISSISSIPPI.

♪♪ >> IN 1964, DOROTHY HEIGHT, WHO WAS HEAD OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF NEGRO WOMEN, DOROTHY AND SOME OF HER JEWISH FRIENDS WORKED ON INVOLVING WOMEN IN THE STRUGGLE.

THEY ORGANIZED WHAT THEY CALL WEDNESDAYS IN MISSISSIPPI.

AND THEY INVITED GROUPS OF WOMEN TO GO DOWN TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, SO IT WAS AN ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN FOR WOMEN, ABOUT WOMEN, BUT THAT IT WAS TO BE A SECRET.

WE COULDN'T TELL ANYONE.

IT WAS ERY DANGEROUS, PEOPLE KILLED AND HOMES BOMBED AND CHURCHES BOMBED AND CHILDREN THROWN IN JAIL.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAD QUITE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHETHER I SHOULD GO.

I HAD THREE DAUGHTERS, 6, 8 AND 10, ND THE QUESTION WAS, WHAT IF I DIDN'T COME BACK.

>> CATHY: JOINING US NOW TO TALK MORE ABOUT "HOPE IN TTHE STRUGGLE" AND OTHER PROJECTS IN THE HISTORY PIPELINE, MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DANIEL BERGIN.

WELCOME BACK.

WOW, THAT WAS A SERIOUS SOUND BITE THERE.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I DIDN'T COME BACK.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

YEAH, JOSIE, THAT KIND OF CIVIL RIGHTS ESPIONAGE FROM WEDNESDAYS IN MISSISSIPPI WAS PRETTY AMAZING, ONE OF THE MANY STORIES AND IT REMINDS US AS POISED AND TOGETHER AS SHE WAS, THAT ERA ID HAVE REAL DANG GEAR.

>> Eric: SHE'S BEEN CALLED THE FIRST LADY OF MINNESOTA SELF RIGHTS, FAIRLANE FOR HER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW HERE THERE IS A HISTORY THERE BEFORE JOSIE BUT IN TERMS OF THE MODERN CIVIL RIGHTS ERA, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IN ADDITION TO BEING THAT FIRST LAID, SHE'S ALSO LIKE ONE OF THE LAST FREEDOM FIGHTERS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA IN MINNESOTA SO SHE'S EVEN MORE PRECIOUS AND THE STORY IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR THAT REASON.

>> Cathy: WHY IS Dr. JOHNSON'S STORY SO IMPORTANT?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S -- YOU MENTIONED FAIR HOUSING, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HER WORK IN A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS, ON BOARDS, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, PROBABLY ISN'T AN ALMANAC VIEWER WHO HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED BY JOSIE JOHNSON.

YOUR POLITICAL LEADERS WHO WILL BE ON LATER, THEY'RE ALL KINDS OF WALKING IN THE PATH OF THIS AMAZING POLITICAL LEADER WHO I THINK ALSO CREATED A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND A STATESWOMANSHIP AND A POISE IN THE WAY SHE DID IT THAT REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Cathy: WE ALL HERE HAVE COVERED Dr. JOHNSON OVER THE MANY YEARS, RIGHT?

AND I KNOW YOU KNOW HER.

DID YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW THAT YOU HADN'T ABOUT HER IN THIS DOCUMENTARY?

>> YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE DELIGHTFUL ASPECTS OF THERE DOCUMENTARY THE AUDIENCE WILL SEE IS MEETING HER FAMILY.

SHE'S SO PROUD OF THEM AND HER DAUGHTERS AND ER GRAND DAUGHTERS, WHO ARE KIND OF FEATURED IN THE FILM SO THAT WAS FUN TO KIND OF PUT A FACE ON THE LEGACY SHE IS AMONG SO MANY THINGS, A DOTING MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT-GRANDMOTHER SO THAT WAS REALLY KIND OF NICE TO SEE.

>> Eric: YOU PREMIERED THIS LAST MONDAY AT THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL AND SHE WAS THERE.

>> SHE WAS THERE.

>> Eric: WHAT ERE HER THOUGHTS ON THE FINISHED PRODUCT HERE?

>> SHE REALLY APPRECIATED IT.

SHE'S SO THANKFUL AND SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WERE LIKE, INCLUDING SENATOR KLOBUCHAR VIA VIDEO, WE'RE LIKE, THANK YOU, JOSIE JOHNSON, THANK YOU, BUT SHE JUST REALLY ENJOYED IT, SEEING HER OLD BUT' MAHOUD KATI IN THE AUDIENCE AND SO MANY OTHERS SHE'S WORKED WITH AND GUIDED AND MENTORED SO I THINK SHE RELEVANT ENJOYED IT.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD ALSO SAY THIS DOCUMENTARY WAS PUT TOGETHER BY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER STEVE SPENCER WHO NO LONGER WORKS HERE AND WHY, WHEN YOU GUYS WERE SHOOTING IT AND PUTTING THIS THING TOGETHER, WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE YOU WANTED TO LEAVE, YOU WANT TO LEAVE WITH VIEWERS?

>> YEAH, YEAH, AND THANKS FOR THAT.

STEVE, AMAZING PROLIFIC PRODUCER AND DEAR FRIEND, AND THEN MIRANDA WHO WAS WORKING WITH US WHO HELPED BRING IT TO THE FINISH LINE IN THE EDIT SUITE DID AN AMAZING JOB, JOSIE'S LEGACY IS MANY THINGS AND THERE ARE SO MANY WORDS AND WAYS TOO DESCRIBE IT, AND WE HOPE AUDIENCES WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN THE STORY AND SOME OF THAT LEGACY, AND THE LEGACY INCLUDES TPT.

ONE OF THE FUN ASPECTS OF IT IS THE ARCHIVAL, YOU TWO ARE IN IT IN RAY WAY BECAUSE THERE'S ALMANAC CLIPS AND IT'S A REMINDSER OF TPT REPORTERS, PRODUCERS, BUT ALSO CREW, THE AMAZING JIM CROHN, MINNESOTA'S MOST PROPER LIVING VIDEOGRAPHER WHO'S ON THE FOOTAGE THAT WE USED.

>> Eric: WHAT ELSE IS COMING UP?

>> THERE'S BEEN BUZZ ABOUT THE ELECTRIC INDIAN, HAD A GREAT EVENT AND PREMIER IN WARROAD, HOCKEY DAY, AT A SCREENING HERE IN THE CITIES BUT IT STILL HASN'T COME OUT YET SO WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE VIEWERS SEE HENRY BOUCHEARNINGS -- >> Eric: HE SAW IT BEFORE HE PASSED?

>> HE DID, HE SAW A ROUGH CUT.

HE WAS VERY PROUD, VERY GREAT TO WORK WITH AND HE AND THE FAMILY REALLY ENJOYED THE PROCESS AND THE FAMILY CONTINUES TO AND WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM.

AND AFTER ELECTRIC INDIAN, A REALLY BEAUTIFUL FILM ABOUT KIND OF LATINA HISTORY, COLD PROFAY.

AND THAT WILL I THINK CHANGE THE VIEW ON CULTURAL EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: GLAD YOU MENTIONED JIM CROHN AND STEVE SPENCER AND THIS TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS WHO REALLY DO FANTASTIC WORK, DOCUMENTING MINNESOTA HISTORY HERE AT TWIN CITIES PBS.

SO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TELL THESE STORIES?

>> YOU KNOW, WITH ALL THE HEADLINES THAT YOU ALL ARE DISCUSSING TONIGHT, THERE'S HISTORY BEHIND THOSE HEADLINES.

ALMANAC HAS ALWAYS KIND OF FRAMED IT THAT WAY AS HAS TPT.

SO FOR ME, YOU KNOW, KNOWING HOW WE GOT TO NOW, SOME OF THE STRENGTHS OF MINNESOTA, SOME OF THE STRUGGLES.

WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THAT WHEN WE LEARN ABOUT HISTORY AND THAT'S WHY MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Eric: 8:00 p.m. TUESDAY, TWIN CITIES ONLY, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE IN OUR MARKET EVENTUALLY, IT WILL GO BEYOND -- HER FAMILY ARE IN ATLANTA AND THEY'RE LIKE WHEN WILL IT BE ON HERE BUT EVERYONE CAN WATCH IT ON THE WEBSITE.

THE APP.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, DANIEL.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> ERIC: DEMOCRATS' HOLD ON ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT IS AT STAKE THIS FALL.

AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONCLUDES, HOUSE MEMBERS WILL HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

AS REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, THE ELECTION AHEAD COULD FRAME WHAT DOES OR DOESN'T GET DONE IN A SESSION WITH A SMALLER TO-DO LIST.

[ Banging Gavel ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDERS.

>> Mary: THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS BEGUN.

BUT NOT BEFORE GOVERNOR WALZ, SPATULA IN HANDS, TRIED TO CREATE A SWEET START TO WHAT'S BECOME A TRADITION.

>> APPLE BLONDE DES, WE'RE TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

A LITTLE HEALTHIER, KIND OF THE CINNAMON APPLE ON HE TOP.

>> Mary: IS IT GOING TO SWEETEN UP SESSION FOR YOU?

>> IT'S GO GOING TO SOUTHEASTEN UP SESSION, A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP TO START THE SESSION OFF.

IN THE MINNESOTA TRADITION, WE'VE BEEN DOING IT EVERY YEAR.

>> Mary: A GOOD CONVERSATION STARTER FOR WHAT'S USUALLY THE MAIN WORK OF EVEN YOUR SESSIONS A BONDING BILL, WHICH WILL NEEDS REPUBLICAN SUPPORT TO BUILD A SUPER MAJORITY.

>> HOW ABOUT BONDING, YOU GUYS GOING TO PUT A BONDING BILL TOGETHER?

>> BONDING IS SOMETHING WE'LL WAIT AND SEE THE LANGUAGE OF THAT BILL.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW OUR VOTES ARE GOING TO BE NEEDED BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CAUCUS POSITION ON IT.

>> Mary: IT MAY BE THE ONLY BILL THE DFL TRIFECTA NEEDS THE MINORITY.

>> ALSO ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL BE DOING A CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL AND I'VE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TO GET US HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> Mary: I THINK YOU MADE HISTORY, I'VE BEEN CHECKING AROUND, I THINK YOU MIGHT BE THE FIRST PERSON TO BE THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S TRUE?

>> OMEONE TOLD ME THAT IS TRUE.

WOMEN WILL RUN THE SHOW AGAIN IN THE LEGISLATURE AS DEMOCRATS SELECTED ERIN MURPHY TO LEAD THE CAUCUS.

>> SENATOR DZIEDZIC SHOWED US AND WE HAVE LEARNED THE LESSON WHEN WE ACT TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IMPORTANT WORK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MINNESOTANS.

IT IS NATURAL FOR A GROUP OF 34 PEOPLE TO HAVE DIFFERENCES, THAT'S PART OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, PART OF THIS PROCESS BUT WE UNDERSTAND THAT TO DO IT IS WORK MINNESOTANS CENTER US MEANS WE WILL STICK TOGETHER AND WE WILL.

>> THINGS WILL GETS MORE INTERESTING GOING FORWARDS BASED ON HE AGENDA THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE, BUT THEN ALSO THE WORK THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING N REPAIRING A LOT OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE LAST SESSION.

WE SAW THE TRIFECTA AND THE EXTREME PACE THE WAY THEY WENT FORWARD, AND WE ARE REALLY WORKING HARD AS A TEAM TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS, POINT THEM UT AND SHOW SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS RIGHT AWAY MADE FIXES TO A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER BILL, A TOP PRIORITY AND IT WAS MOVING FAST, UNTIL IT STALLED IN THE HOUSE.

>> PLEASE LISTEN TO THOSE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS THE MOST, THE STUDENTS, AS WE ARE HERE TODAY, AND PLEASE LISTEN AND RESPECT US S THIS AFFECTS US, NOT ADULTS.

>> MANY OF Y PIERCE WHO ARE BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS OR DISABILITIES, ARE BEING HELD FACE DOWN.

>> THIS SO-CALLED PROPER PRONE RESTRAINT IS INHUMANE, IT'S TRAUMATIC, IT'S INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN.

>> WE TRULY DO SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BIPARTISAN COLLABORATION TO PASS A BILL THAT WILL ACTUALLY FIX THE ISSUE ND, IN MY OPINION, THE BILL THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY WAS NOT READY.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER AND DEMOCRATS WILL BE DEFENDING COMPLETE CONTROL OF STATE GOVERNMENT ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL.

>> COMING BACK TO KEEPING CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER, WHAT'S THE CASE YOU HAVE TO START MAKING NOW?

>> WELL, WE USUALLY THINK ABOUT THAT ONCE WE LEAVE HERE.

WE'RE PRETTY FOCUSED ON THE WORK HERE.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT IN DIVIDED DO HAVE THE RIGHT NOW, THE ELECTION COULD BE ABOUT ISSUES WE DON'T FORESEE.

>> WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE IS THAT THEY NEED AFFORDABLE, SAFE LIVES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR, RIGHT NOW, UNDER FULL ONE-PARTY ONTROL BY THE DEMOCRATS, IT HAS BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNAFFORDABLE AND THAT'S NOT THE DIRECTION THAT WE CAN GO.

>> ALL THE WAY, WITH ERA.

ALL THE WAY WITH ERA.

>> Mary: DFL LEADERS SAY THEY EFFECTS THE PASSAGE OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENTS WHOSE SUPPORTERS FILLED THE CAPITOL ROW TUNE ARE TUNE DA TO PUSH FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

>> WE ARE THE MAJORITY, AND WE DEMAND EQUALITIES.

>> WE NEED AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT FOR PROTECTION.

>> I HAVE BEEN FIRED UP AND READY TO GO BECAUSE WEPT THE E.R.A.

PASSED THIS YEAR.

>> E.R.A., E.R.A., E.R.A.. >> WHENEVER YOU EVER HAD THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TAKE YOUR RIGHTS AWAY RATHER THAN CURL UP AND HOPE IT STOPS, IT IS RIGHT AND IT IS JUST TO FIGHT BACK AND PUSH EVEN FURTHER THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS INTEND TO ADD ABORTION ACCESS LANGUAGE AS IT'S BEEN A WINNING ISSUE FOR THEM.

>> THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT HAS GENERALLY BEEN SEEN AS AN EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN ISSUE BUT IF THE LAW DOESN'T CHANGE AT THAT TIME BECAUSE WE PASS AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT, HASN'T DONE ANYTHING, I THINK WE NEED TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THERE IS LEGAL EFFECT TO THE LANGUAGE AND THAT THE LANGUAGE PROTECTS REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND EXPRESSIONS OF GENDER IDENTITY.

>> Mary: THE PLAN IS FOR PASSAGE THIS YEAR TO GO ON THE BALLOT IN 2026.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S BECOME A NEARLY ANNUAL TRADITION HERE ON "ALMANAC."

WHEN LEGISLATORS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL, WE CHECK THE SCHEDULES OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND INVITE THEM TO JOIN US ON THE OLD COUCH.

WE'RE HAPPY TO WELCOME THEM BACK THIS YEAR.

DEMOCRATS HOLD THE MAJORITY SO THEY'RE UP FIRST.

NEWLY ELECTED DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY IS HERE.

IT'S A TITLE SHE HAS HELD FOR JUST ABOUT A WEEK NOW.

DFL HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN IS THE 61ST PERSON TO HOLD THAT TITLE AND HAS BEEN IN THE ROLE SINCE THE 2019 SESSION.

REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON IS BACK.

HE HAS LED HIS CAUCUS IN THE MINORITY SINCE THE 2023 SESSION.

ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP.

REPUBLICAN HOUSE MINORITY LEADER LISA DEMUTH, WHO JOINED THE LEADERSHIP RANKS IN HER CAUCUS LAST SESSION.

THANKS, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

MADAM SPEAKER, DID I HEAR YOU RIGHTS IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WHERE YOU SAID DO A BONDING BILL, DO AN INCOME TAX FIX AND GET THE POLICE FIXED IN THE SCHOOLS AND GO HOME?

IF YOU HAD ALADS DID I KNOW'S LAMP -- >> I THINK THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT NEED TO GETS DONE BESIDES THAT, I THINK THERE'S MORE WORK WE COULD DO TO PROTECT WORKERS, THERE IS A REAL IMBALANCE BETWEEN IT IS POWER OF EMPLOYERS AND THE POWER OF EMPLOYEES.

SO YOU COULD BE SOME MORE POLICY WINS FOR S THIS YEAR BUT I THINK THE MAJOR BUDGET WORK WAS LAST YEAR AND IT WAS A MAJOR BUDGET SO THIS YEAR, PEOPLE SHOULD CIRCUMSCRIBE NEAR EXPECTATIONS TO THE FACT THAT IT'S NOT A BUDGETS YEAR.

>> Cathy: LEADER DEMUTH, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR ON THE AGENDA?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FIX ON THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT SINCE AUGUST AND I THINK WE'RE GETTING CLOSER ON THAT.

THAT WILL TAKE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT SO WE'RE HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT.

IT IS A BONDING YEAR, WE'RE HAPPY TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS BUT WE DON'T HAVE A CAUCUS POSITION ON IT YET.

AND THEN I WOULD SAY NO NEW SPENDING.

>> Eric: LEADER MURPHY, MAYBE YOUR TONE HAS CHANGED A LITTLE BIT N THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS BUT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO, WE'RE NOT HERE TO JUST BE HERE, WE WANT TO DO WORK.

THAT TRIGGERS IN MY MIND MORE SPENDING.

IS THAT WHAT WE GOT FROM THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HERE?

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE AND REPRESENTING MINNESOTANS' INTEREST, I THINK WE SHOULD WORK AS HARD AS THEY ARE EVERY SINGLE DAY SO THIS WHEN I COME TO WORK, THAT'S WHAT I SAY.

WE HAVE IMPORTANT THINGS WE NEED TO DO THIS SESSION.

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN LAID OUT HERE AND WE'RE GOING DO THE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU LIKE THE TRIFECTA, NOT DIVIDED GOVERNMENT?

WHAT'S THE CASE FOR DIVIDED GOVERNMENT?

>> WELL, I THINK THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ARE REALLY AT A DETRIMENT BECAUSE OF THE TRIFECTA.

WE SAW LAST YEAR THE $17.5 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THINGS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, ON TEACHER PENSIONS, ON HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT REALLY WENT TO DIFFERENT PRIORITIES THAT DIDN'T ADDRESS IT IS NEEDS ACROSS MINNESOTA IN A WAY THAT REPRESENTED BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

SO IT WAS A REALLY DISAPPOINTING YEAR FOR MOST MINNESOTANS AND A TIME RIGHT NOW WE CAN GO BACK AND START REPAIRING SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE CASE FOR THE TRIFECTA?

>> WE SPENT ON ALL THOSE THINGS, WE INVESTED A BILLOW-A BILLION DOLLARS IN HOUSING, WE'RE SO PFARR BEHIND ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE SPENT MONEY ON RETIREMENT, WE LOWERED THE RETIREMENT AGE BY A YEAR AND MENTAL HEALTH ACROSS THE GAMUT, WHETHER IT WAS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGETS OR TRYING TOE GET MORE COUNSELORS INTO OUR SCHOOLS TO HELP CHILDREN THIS SCHOOLS WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

WEAPON SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THOSE THINGS, SO WE REALLY FOCUSED ON THE PRIORITIES THAT MINNESOTANS HAD, WHICH WERE TO INVEST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE FORGET THAT WE ALSO SPENT $750 MILLION ON A POLITICAL PALACE, AS WELL, THAT COULD HAVE GONE TO THINGS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH.

WE ALSO SPENT MONEY ACROSS ON THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS ON DIFFERENT NONPROFITS AND MOSTLY HIT MINNEAPOLIS, St. PAUL COUNTIES.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, I MEAN, THERE'S WAYS THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE THIS MUCH BETTER BUT WE DIDN'T PRIORITIZE RIGHT.

>> Eric: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE SORT OF OVERSIGHT OF SOME OF THESE HARITIES AND NONPROFITS THAT GOT IT?

>> I THINK WE EXPECT THAT THERE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABILITY ON ANYONE THAT'S RECEIVED STATE DOLLARS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S PREVENTING MORE OF THAT?

IS IT JUST LACK OF INSPECTORS OR AUDITORS OR -- WHAT'S CAUSING -- YOU KNOW, THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE, THERE'S BEEN SOME OTHER THINGS.

WHAT BOUT THAT, MADAM SPEAKER, AS FAR AS RIDING HERD ON THE MONEY?

>> WELL, DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THOSE PROBLEMS, WE ENACTED LEGISLATION LAST YEAR THAT REALLY TIGHTENED UP THE GRANTS PROCESS FOR NONPROFITS, SO WE REQUIRED MANY MORE DISCLOSURES AND A LOT MORE SAFEGUARDS BEFORE THE MONEY GOES OUT THE DOOR.

WITH, YOU KNOW, FEEDING OUR FUTURE, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZED THAT PROBLEM, STOPPED THE PAYMENTS AND WAS COURT-ORDERED TO CONTINUE FUNDING THAT ENTITY.

SO NONE OF US ANT TO SEE THAT HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS GOING TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE WORTHY CAUSE THAT IS WE ALL SHARE.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT ANY TIME THAT MONEY IS GOING OUT TO FRAUDSTERS, IT IS NOT GETTING TO THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY NEED IT AND SO WITH FEEDING OUR FUTURE, ANOTHER $49 MILLION WAS JUST TALKED ABOUT, THAT SOMEBODY -- IT WOULD HAVE BEEN $17,000 PER DAY FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE HAVE TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

WHEN WE KNOW THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN IN FRAUDS, WE NEED TO LOOK AT ANY OTHER PROGRAM THAT THAT PERSON IS CONNECTED WITH AND STOP THAT SPENDING UNTIL IT CAN BE VERIFIED THAT IT IS FRAUD OR NOT.

>> Cathy: SENATOR MURPHY, WE HAD TWO OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON TALKING ABOUT SPORTS BETTING, SENATORS KLINE AND MARTY.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH THAT BILL, BECAUSE YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE TRIBAL ENTITIES CONTROLLING THE SPORTS BOOKS UNDER THAT BILL BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HORSE RACING TRACKS, WHERE IS THE WIN-WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS?

>> SO I WATCHED SENATOR KLINE AND SENATOR MARTY HAVE THAT DISCUSSION HERE ON THIS COUCH AND WHAT AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB THEY DID, OVERING THE ARIETY OF ISSUES, AND I THINK THE ISSUES ARE IN THERE GOOD RAPIDS RIGHT NOW.

I'M REALLY PLEASED AT THE PROGRESS THEY'RE MAKING.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER HEARING I THINK IN THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND I THINK SENATOR KLINE HAS GOT HIS EYE ON THE VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS BUT HE WANTS TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENT TO THE TRIBES AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS REVENUE GOING INTO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS NECESSARY, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REGULATING SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING IN, AND THEY'RE ENJOYING, AND WE'RE DOING IN IT A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

>> Cathy: SENATOR OHNSON, ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I CAN GO ITHER WAY ON THIS.

IF IT'S INEVITABLE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE BEST BILL THAT POSSIBLY CAN COME OUT.

>> Eric: YOU'RE ON THE BORDER OFnd SO THEY ALLOW IT THERE, RIGHTS?

>> THEY ALLOW IT ALL AROUND US, EVEN CANADA, UP NORTH, AGAIN, I BORDER ON CANADA, S WELL, SO WE ARE AN ISLAND ON THIS, SO, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE TO BE COMING TO MINNESOTA, LET'S MAKE SURE IT'S A DEAL WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND.

>> Eric: PAT GAROFALO, ONE OF THE HANDFUL OF VERY SENIOR MEMBERS HAS ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT ALREADY SAID THIS, HE SAID MINNESOTANS ARE PAYING CADILLAC PRICES FOR MOBILITY-LEVEL GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> HE'S FLAT OUT WRONG.

THE REASON WHY MINNESOTA'S POPULATION HAS SUSTAINED COMPARED TO ALL OF OUR MIDWESTERN PEERS IS THIS IS A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE.

IT'S EASY TO FIND A HOUSE IN NORTH DAKOTA BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE THERE.

THERE'S A LOT FEWER PEOPLE IN SOUTH DAKOTA BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO LIVE THERE.

WE HAVE GREAT SCHOOLS, WE HAVE GREAT AMENITIES IN TERMS OF THE CULTURE, THE ARTS HERE IN MINNESOTA AND MORE FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES PER CAPITA THAN MANY OTHER STATES.

>> AND WHEN WE WERE AT THE CHAMBER THE ANOTHER NIGHTS, DOUG LOON, WHO LEADS THE CHAMBER TALKS ABOUT THINGS WE NEED TO RECEIVES IN, HOUSING, CHILD, BROADBAND AND MAKING SURE MINNESOTA IS INCLUSIVE.

CONTINUES' AGREE MORE.

I KIND OF WANTED TO SAY TO HIM, YOU'RE WELCOME BUT I AGREE, THROWS ARE THINGS WE VERSIONED IN AND WE DID.

>> SEEMS LIKE YOU GO AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SAY HEY, WE'RE FROM MINNESOTA AND BEFORE THAT USED TO BE A POINTS OF PRIDE AND NOW YOU WANT TO BE THERE BECAUSE YOUR FAMILY, BUSINESS MIGHT BE THERE, AND NOW IT'S LIKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN POLICY, OUR I EXTREME ON TAX POLICY, SOCIAL POLICY, REGULATIONS, YOU GO DOWN THE LIST, PEOPLE SAY WHY ARE YOU DOING THERE OR THAT?

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, AGAIN, I THINK IS A POINT OF KIND OF SLAME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE EXTREME THAT WE WENT THROUGH SO LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE PULL SOME OF THAT BACK AND FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT ALL MINNESOTA CAN GET BEHIND.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE A TAX BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE GOING FORWARD, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A REVENUE PROBLEM, WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS AS MUCH AS WE'RE INVESTING IN THEM ARE SCHOOL TEST SCORES FOR KIDS ARE NOT GREAT AT THIS POINT AND WE NEED TO ASSESS WHAT THAT IS.

IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO BE HOLDING US ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE TAX DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING SPENT.

>> Eric: THE IMMIGRANT SANCTUARY BILL, YOU CAME DOWN KIND OF TOUGH, DOESN'T HAVE THE VOTES, NOT GOING TO PASS, ISN'T THAT AN IMPORTANT CONSTITUENCY GROUP IN THE BIG UMBRELLA OF THE DFL THAT ARE SUPPORTING THAT?

>> IT'S NOT TOUGH OR NOT TOUGH U THE BILL DOESN'T HAVE THE VOTES AND IT IS BILL DOESN'T CHANGE CURRENT LAW.

RIGHT NOW, IF I.C.E.

SENDS A REQUEST TO THE STATES OF MINNESOTA TO ANY ENTITY IN A CIVIL ACTION, IT'S REALLY A MATTER OF DISCRETION OF WHETHER THAT ENTITY WANTS TO RESPOND TO THAT.

CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT, THE BILL THAT'S OUT THERE IS THE SAME AS CURRENT LAW.

WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH ANY SORT OF CRIMINAL LAW REQUESTS AND I THINK THAT THE REPORTING ON THAT BILL WAS REALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

>> Eric: IT IS NEWS REPORTING YOU'RE SAYING.

>> IT DIDN'T COVER REALLY THE TRUE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL.

>> WELL, I THINK -- BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SIGNALING OUTS TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS, WHATEVER IT IS CASE MIGHT BE, COME TO MINNESOTA, YOU KNOW, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU HERE.

WE'LL GIVE YOU THE COVER OF OUR LAW.

WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS GOING TO PUT BURDENS ON OUR SCHOOLS AGAIN, GOING TO PUT BURDENS ON OUR COUNTIES AND STATE BUDGETS WHICH ARE ALREADY, BECAUSE OF THE DEMOCRAT SPENDING LAST YEAR AT THEIR CAPACITY RIGHT NOW SO HOW ARE WE GOING TO BE TAKING CARE OF THEM IF THEY COME NOW?

>> WHEN WE LISTEN TO MINNESOTANS AND ESPECIALLY BUSINESS OWNERS, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS, AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THE REASON WHY WE'RE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE IN MINNESOTA IS BECAUSE CONGRESS HASN'T DONE ITS JOB AND WE WATCHED THE CONGRESS ALMOST COME TO A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT AROUND IMMIGRATION AND CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT St.

CLOUD HE WOULD THAT.

THEY'RE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THIS ISSUE AND PLAYING POLITICS WITH LIVES AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE FORT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: ENDS OF LIFE BILL.

>> Cathy: YES SO THE MEDICAL AIDS AND DOING BILL WAS UP PRIOR TO SIGNIFICANCE WHICH WAS KIND OF UNUSUAL, AND THIS OF COURSE FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND IT WOULD ALLOW FOLKS OF SOUND MIND WHO ARE DYING TO GIVE THEMSELVES A LETHAL DOSE OF MEDICATION.

WHY DID YOU ALLOW THAT BILL TO COME UP BEFORE SESSION?

THAT WAS A LITTLE UNUSUAL AND WHERE WOULD IT GO?

>> IN MINNESOTA, THE SPEAKER DOESN'T CONTROL WHETHER THE CHAIRS HAVE HEARINGS OR NOT, IT'S REALLY UP TO THE CHAIRS AND THE CHAIR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAD A VERY LARGE BUDGET AREA, SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY LAST YEAR ON THE BUDGET AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY DURING THE REGULAR SESSION LAST YEAR TO HEAR THIS BILL BUT IT IS A BILL THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORT.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE MARRIAGE EQUALITY OR THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS, WHERE SOCIETY IS MOVING.

THERE WAS A TIME IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE VAST MAJORITIES OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY, NO, NOT IN OUR STATE, WE'RE NOT READY BUT I THINK AS MORE TIME GOES BY, THIS IS AN OPTION THAT PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE FOR THEMSELVES.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE AT THE POINT YET WHERE WE HAVE THE VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND IN THE SENATE TO ENACT THIS INTO LAW BUT I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSION FOR US TO BE HAVING.

>> Cathy: NOT A SLAM DUNK, IT IS CONTROVERSIAL.

>> IT IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL AND I THINK THE THING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE WERE PRIORITIES BUT ON BY A COMMITTEE CHAIR WHEN WE NEEDED A SPECIAL SESSION POTENTIALLY TO FIX THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER ISSUE.

THOSE WERE THINGS WE WERE CALLING FOR DURING THE INTERIM, GAPE, THE GOVERNOR COULD HAVE CALLED THAT.

HE CHOSE NOT TO BUT FOR A COMMITTEE CHAIR TO HOLD THAT AS THE ONE COMMITTEE THAT WAS GOING TO BE HEARD ON ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT NEEDED FIXES, I THINK IT AS A LITTLE BIT OF OUT OF TOUCH WITH MINNESOTANS.

IT IS OTHER THING IS, JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS FACING A LIFE-TERMINATING DIAGNOSIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY DON'T HAVE DIGNITY IN A NATURAL DEATH, DURING THAT TIME WITH THEIR MEDICAL TEAM OR FAMILY SURROUNDING THEM.

SO I THINK IT IS OUT OF TOUCH AND TOO EARLY.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED FIXES TO DIFFERENT LAWS THAT WERE PASSED LAST SESSION.

CANNABIS IS ONE OF THEM.

WHAT FIXES WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE COME THROUGH THE SENATE?

I MEAN WHAT FIXES DO YOU THINK MIGHT POP UP THIS SESSION?

>> SO, IT IS UNUSUAL THAT WE STAND UP A NEW BODY OF LAW AND A NEW MARKET AND I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT OVER THE NEXT NUMBER OF YEARS, THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO COME BACK TO THE SET OF POLICIES IN THE MARKET TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS COMPLYING WITH WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT AND WE'RE GETTING THE RIGHT RESULTS.

>> Eric: DOES IT MATTER THAT THE HOUSE IS UP FOR REELECTION BUT THE SENATE IS NOT?

>> IT MATTERS TO ME.

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

[ Laughter ] >> WELL MAYBE NOT O LEADER DEMUTH BUT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA ELECTIONS, THEY ARE SO LONG FROM THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BY THE TIME THE ELECTION COMES AROUND IN NOVEMBER, MOST MINNESOTANS DON'T HAVE VERY TOP OF MIND THE SESSION.

THAT'S WHY I THINK, WHEN WE'RE IN St. PAUL, WHEN WE'RE IN SESSION, IT'S NOT A POLITICAL DISADVANTAGE FOR ANYBODY TO WORK TOGETHER AND GET THINGS DONE.

>> Eric: YOU'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE ONE BODY OR ANOTHER SINCE, WHAT, 2007?

>> 2007.

>> Eric: NATIONALIZED ISSUES MAKE THE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES DIMINISHED A LITTLE BIT OR IS IT STILL IMPORTANT WHAT THE VARIOUS PARTIES ARE DOING AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT CANDIDATES ARE COMMUNICATING CLEARLY WITH THE PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICTS WHERE THEY'RE RUNNING, AND SOMETIMES NATIONAL ISSUES INSERT THEMSELVES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT MAKES IT HARDER BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US AS CANDIDATES AND AS PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE TO BE IN CONTACT AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PEOPLE WE HOPE WILL VOTE FOR US, AND THAT FOR ME IS A SACRED KIND OF COMMUNICATION THAT WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, WHAT DO YOU NEED OUT OF SESSION HEADING INTO AN ELECTION YEAR?

>> WHAT WAS THAT?

>> Cathy: WHAT O REPUBLICANS NEED OUT F SESSION HEADING FOR AN ELECTION YEAR?

>> WE NEED TO PICK UP FOUR SEATS AND WE EXPECT TO BE IN THE MAJORITY WITH THE NEXT ELECTION.

WE'LL HOLD ALL 63 OF OUR 64 OF OUR SEATS, AND IT IS CONSTITUENTS WILL PICK UP WHAT WE NEEDS AND WE'LL BE IN CHARGE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Eric: ALL THE BEST.

THANKS IN OUR COMING.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> I THINK THIS WAS A REAL VICTORY.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO OVERTURN AN ELECTION.

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE A PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE, WE'VE NEVER DONE IT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

I THINK THE HOUSE CASE LACKED PROPORTIONALITY AND A COUPLE OTHER THINGS AND I THINK THIS WAS THE RIGHT VOTE.

>> CATHY: THAT WAS THE LATE SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO.

LET'S TURN OUR ATTENTION TO A TIME IN MINNESOTA HISTORY MORE THAN A FULL CENTURY AGO.

FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS, WE HAVE ASKED YOU ABOUT A MYSTERY MINNESOTAN IN HONOR OF PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORTING TO SPRING TRAINING ON VALENTINE'S DAY.

THIS FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER WAS BORN IN ST. PAUL IN THE 1800S.

HE ACCOMPLISHED A FEAT WITH THE BAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL DURING A 1889 GAME IN HIS HOMETOWN OF ST. PAUL WHILE PLAYING FOR THE OMAHA OMAHOGS.

SEVERAL OTHER PLAYERS WOULD JOIN THIS ELITE GROUP OF HITTERS OVER TIME BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM CAN CLAIM TO BE FIRST.

OUR QUESTION, WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER?

EVEN WITH TWO WEEKS WORTH OF HINTS, THESE NEXT FOUR CALLERS STRUCK OUT.

>> CATHY: THE PRODUCERS WANT ME TO POINT OUT THAT NOT ONLY ARE ALL FOUR OF THOSE ANSWERS CLEARLY WRONG, JOE MAUER WAS THE MOST COMMON WRONG ANSWER LAST WEEK SO AT LEAST ONE OF YOU WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION.

FOR THIS WEEK'S RIGHT ANSWER, WE TURN TO LONGTIME VIEWER DANIEL.

>> CATHY: YES, DANIEL, YOU ARE CORRECT.

AND GLAD TO HELP YOU DEFEND BASEBALL-CARD COLLECTING TO YOUR MOM.

THERE'S A NICE PHOTO OF JACK CROOKS IN A WASHINGTON SENATORS UNIFORM DURING ONE OF HIS EIGHT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STINTS.

A PROLIFIC HOMERUN HITTER OF HIS TIME, HE ONCE HIT NOT ONE BUT TWO HOMERUNS OFF OF CY YOUNG.

A COUPLE OF QUICK TUNE-IN NOTES FOR YOU BEFORE WE ROLL OUR CREDITS TONIGHT.

TWIN CITIES VIEWERS, MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "HOPE IN THE STRUGGLE: THE JOSIE JOHNSON STORY" TUESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 ON MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE.

GREATER MINNESOTA VIEWERS CAN HOP ONLINE AND CHECK IT OUT.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

HOUSE LEADERS WILL JOIN MARY LAHAMMER LIVE FROM THE GALLERY.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT TO ROLE A LITTLE BIT OF MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2011 THE GROUP "MACHINERY HILL" APPEARED ON MINNESOTA ORIGINAL.

TAKE A LISTEN... AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ ♪ WAS THE BEST JOB I EVER HAD DOWN AT THE JON DEERE PLANT ♪ ♪ THIRD SHIFT WAS ALL THEY HAD, THEIR SHIFT WAS NOT THAT BAD, MY BENDED STEEL AND METAL WORK WAS CLEAN ♪ ♪♪ ♪ WAS HEADING BACK, FEELING TIRED, I WAS NEW WHEN THIS DOG RUNS OUT FROM THE CUSH HE WAS DEAD FOREI COULDN'T SLOW DOWN, NO POINT TO TURN AROUND AND SHOW UP LATE FOR WORK.

BUT I WAS ROUD OF THE JOB I DID.

PROUD TO TAKE MY WAGES BACK TO MA RE ♪ ♪ WE HELD ON FOR A WHILE ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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