>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION, FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS.

MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU JOINED US FOR AN HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION OF THE ISSUES AFFECTING THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN SHORTLY WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF OUR PROGRAM BUT I WANT TO BEGIN WITH A TRIBUTE THIS EVENING.

IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES THAT I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING THIS PROGRAM, I WILL RUN INTO PEOPLE WHO WILL SAY WHAT ABOUT THIS GUEST?

OR MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS OTHER GUEST?

WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK MY QUESTION?

THERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION OVER HERE THAT I WISH YOU HAD ASKED.

BUT ONE QUESTION THAT I GET ALL THE TIME IS WHO IS THE WONDERFUL VOICE TALENT THAT OPENS THE PROGRAM EVERY WEEK?

WELL, THAT VOICE TALENT WAS THE LONG-TIME VOICE OF PIONEER DAWN THAT PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY ON DECEMBER 28th.

DAWN HAD A CAREER IN RADIO AND TELEVISION SPANNING DECADES, MAINSTAY IN MINNESOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA, PIONEER, THE VOICE ON STATION BREAKS, PIONEER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING "YOUR LEGISLATORS" AND A LOT OF THE OTHER FINE PROGRAMMING THAT COMES YOUR WAY.

EVERYTHING ELSE WE COULD THINK OF OVER 4 DECADES.

HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE MINNESOTA BROADCASTING HALL OF FAME IN 2021, AND THOSE OF US AT PIONEER PBS WILL MISS HIS SENSE OF HUMOR, TALENT AND PROFESSIONALISM.

DON WAS VERY, VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, AND WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO BE THE BENEFICIARIES OF HIS SKILL AND TALENT.

DON, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT WITH US.

WE ARE SO MUCH RICHER FOR IT.

WE BEGIN PROGRAMMING THIS WEEK AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

BEFORE I GET TO THAT GREAT PRIVILEGE, I DO WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT THIS PROGRAM BELONGS TO YOU.

YOU SHOULD CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS, SEND IN YOUR QUESTIONS TO VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT APPEAR ON YOUR SCREEN, AND WE WILL SEE THAT WE GET THOSE QUESTIONS TO OUR PANEL.

WE HAVE TWO SENATORS WITH US THIS EVENING, ONE OF EACH OF THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES.

THE HOUSE IS IN SESSION, AND PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED HOUSE MEMBERS WEREN'T ABLE TO JOIN US.

WE WILL PICK THEM UP EITHER NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER.

WE WILL GO WITH THE SENIOR CIRCUIT THIS EVENING AND THEY CAN EXPLAIN WHY ALL THE HOLDUPS AND PROBLEMS ARE ON THE HOUSE NIGHT AND NOT THE SENATE SIDE.

WE HAVE TWO GUESTS THIS EVENING WHO HAVE BOTH BEEN WITH US ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.

BEGINNING WITH SENATOR ARIC PUTNAM IN ST.

CLOUD.

TELL THE VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF, COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON, THE BACKGROUND AND DISCUSS THE FACT YOU ALSO TEACH RHETORIC AS AN OLD DEBATOR.

I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THAT INTERESTING.

I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY ELSE THINKS IT'S INTERESTING BUT I DO.

SENATOR PUTNAM INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME THIS EVENING.

WHEN YOU MENTIONED YOU HAD A PANEL OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU HAD A SECOND PANEL THAT YOU WERE GOING TO INTRODUCE LATER.

BUT MY NAME IS ARIC.

I REPRESENT SENATE 14, AND THIS IS MY SECOND TERM REPRESENTING THE GREATER ST.

CLOUD AREA, ALL OF ST.

CLOUD, ST. AUGUSTA, AND PARTS OF ST. JOSEPH THAT I LIKE.

THAT'S THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT.

CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, BROADBAND AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT.

I'M ALSO THE VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I'M ON JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR A SECOND TIME AROUND, AND THEN ALSO THE TAXES COMMITTEE, WHICH IS FASCINATING.

IN MY DAY JOB, AS YOU REFERENCED, PROFESSOR AT ST. JOHNS, FINISHED BY 19th YEAR AND CAME TO MINNESOTA 30 YEARS AGO TO DO MY PH.D. AT THE U. I HAVE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

THAT'S THE MOST BASIC FACTS OF ME.

>> Barry: WE DON'T WANT TO TURN THIS INTO A DISCUSSION OF RHETORIC.

I'M AFRAID WE WILL DRIVE AWAY OUR VIEWERS.

BUT WHAT'S THE PRINCIPLE SPEECH OR HISTORICAL FIGURE THAT A PROFESSOR OF RHETORIC USES TO TEACH STUDENTS?

WHAT DOCUMENT SPEECH, WHAT WOULD YOU POINT TO IF PEOPLE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT DOES A RHETORIC TEACHER TEACH?

I'M A HISTORIAN, SO I STUDY PUBLIC DISCOURSE BETWEEN THE WARS, AND THAT'S MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.

I THINK ANYONE WHO TEACHES PEOPLE TO ARGUE OR SPEAK IN THE CONTEXT OF ORATORY, THERE ARE TWO BIG DOGS.

ONE OBVIOUSLY IS FUNERAL ADORATION.

THEY SAY THIS IS WHAT EVERY SINGLE PRESIDENT PLAGIARIZES EVERY TIME THEY GIVE A SPEECH.

OF COURSE I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST PIECES OF ELOQUENCE IS WHAT IS THE FOURTH JULY FROM FREDERICK DOUGLAS.

IT COMES AROUND EVERY NOW AND THEN FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF THEY SAT DOWN AND READ IT.

CAN I ADD A THIRD ONE?

>> Barry: YES.

>> WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS IS A BRILLIANT BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN IN A DEMOCRACY.

>> Barry: NOT GOING TO LET YOU CAPE WITHOUT ADDING TWO THINGS TO THE LIST.

I AGREE WITH THE EXAMPLES YOU GAVE.

I ALSO RECOMMEND FREDERICK DO YOU GO LAPSE'S SPEECH TO THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY.

IT'S A REMARKABLE DOCTRINE.

WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT IT IS HE REALLY LOOKS TO THE LANGUAGE OF CONSTITUTION.

IT'S PART OF A DEBATE WE ARE HAVING TODAY, HOW TO INTERPRET THAT DOCUMENT.

WE WON'T BORE OUR VIEWERS WITH ANYMORE ON THAT.

THE OTHER SPEECH I WOULD REFERENCE -- OR IT'S ACTUALLY NOT A SPEECH BUT ALER.

WASHINGTON'S LETTER TO THE JAW ISSUE CONGREGATION IN NEWPORT, WHICH IS A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT.

WE WON'T SPEND ANYMORE TIME DRIVING AWAY VIEWERS.

I DID SAY BEFORE WE STARTED THAT I HAD TO EXPLAIN WHY IT'S NOT A MISTAKE ON OUR PART THAT WE SCHEDULED YOUR NAME ARIC.

CAN YOU TELL OUR VIEWERS HOW IS IT ARIC PUTNAM WITH AN A.

>> FOR THE ONE VIEWER WHO IS LEFT, IT'S ACTUALLY THE WALES SPELLING.

MY FAMILY IS FROM WALES.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

THERE WERE WALES SETTLORS IN MINNESOTA.

SO WE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

LET'S MOVE TO SENATOR RASMUSSEN.

JORDAN RASMUSSON HAVING PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

GIVE YOUR BACKGROUND, DAY JOB AND SO FORTH, AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AND SENATOR PUTNAM THIS EVENING.

MY NAME IS JORDAN RASMUSSON, AND REPRESENT COMMUNITIES IN FIVE COUNTIES IN WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA, INCLUDING OTTERTAIL, WILKIN, TRAVERSE, GRANT AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES.

LIVE IN FERGUS FALLS WITH MY WIFE EMMA AND MY FAMILY LIVED IN THE AREA FOR 6 GENERAL RAWTIONS.

BACKGROUND IS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD BEFORE RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE, AND I STILL WORK FOR COMPANIES, INVESTORS, ENTREPRENEURS TO GROW THE PRIVATE SECTOR ECONOMY.

I SERVE ON THE COMMERCE COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE, CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHARGED WITH PUTTING TOGETHER BONDING PROPOSALS, AND IN ADDITION I SERVE ON HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WHICH DEALS WITH EVERYTHING FROM CHILD CARE FUNDING TO NURSING HOME FUNDING AND LASTLY, IT'S NOT OFFICIALLY A COMMITTEE, BUT IT'S ONE THAT I ENJOY, AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THE PENSION COMMISSION FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO REPRESENTING MY CONSTITUENTS IN THE STATE SENATE.

I DID SERVE ONE TERM IN THE HOUSE, AND SO HAVE COLLEAGUES OVER THERE THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AND ITS PEOPLE.

>> Barry: WE ARE IN THE MODE HERE OF PICKING ON LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE SPELLINGS OF THEIR NAME, AND I'M GOING TO WORK YOU OVER, BECAUSE YOU SPELL YOUR NAME AT SON AT THE END.

IS THERE A STORY BEHIND THAT?

OR IS IT JUST THE WAY IT IS?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FAMILY, AND MY FAMILY LIVED IN MINNESOTA FOR 6 GENERATIONS AND IMMIGRATED FROM NORWAY, AND HALF OF MY FAMILY SPELLS IT EN AND THE OTHER HALF SPELLS IT ON.

MY GRANDFATHER HAD DIFFERENT SPELLINGS.

I GUESS THE RASMUSSONS MAYBE AREN'T GOOD SPELLERS, AND THAT'S BEEN THE MANIFESTATION OVER TIME.

>> Barry: YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU COME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE, THERE'S ALL THESE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING TO ELLIS ISLAND AND TELLING PEOPLE HOW TO SPELL THEIR NAME, AND IT DIDN'T QUITE COME OUT THE WAY IT WAS IN THE OLD COUNTRY.

WELCOME TO IMMIGRATION.

LET'S START WITH QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS.

WE HAVE A GREAT SORT OF OPERATIONAL QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN PARIS, WHICH I THINK IS A GOOD WAY TO KICK OFF OUR PROGRAM.

THIS VIEWER NOTES WITH ALL THE NEW BILLS COMING FORWARD, IS IT POSSIBLE TO SHARE THE BILLS WITH THE PUBLIC SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE WHAT IS BEING CONSIDERED?

WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THE HOUR TO TALK ABOUT -- I'M SURE HUNDREDS OF BILLS ARE HERE TO FAR, BUT MAYBE WE COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW MANY BILLS DO WE TYPICALLY SEE IN A SESSION?

HOW MANY ARE PASSED?

THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, IS NOT, I THINK, PARTICULARLY WELL KNOWN TO VIEWERS, AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION VERY EARLY IN THE SESSION AS TO WHAT HAPPENS.

LET'S START WITH THE SENIOR SENATE MEMBER, EVEN IF IT'S ONLY A COUPLE, SENATOR PUTNAM.

TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS, NUMBER OF BILLS.

>> IT'S A FANTASTIC QUESTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS HOW TRANSPARENT WE ATTEMPT TO BE.

BUT SOMETIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO BE TRANSPARENT, AND IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

ANYONE CAN WRITE A BILL.

ANYBODY CAN HOP ON THE WEB PAGE AND REVISOR WILL DRAFT IT UP FOR YOU.

NOW, FINDING OUT WHERE A BILL IS AND WHAT KINDS OF BILLS ARE ACTUALLY UNDER CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW, IN A LARGE PART IT'S YOUR REPRESENT TOUGH.

I WOULD HOPE SENATORS AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEND OUT REGULAR NEWSLETTERS REGARDING ISSUES.

I KNOW IT'S PERHAPS A BIT AMBITIOUS BECAUSE WE DO GET A BIT BUSY.

BUT ULTIMATELY IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT KIND OF ISSUES WE ARE ATTACKING ABOUT.

IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF BILLS, SENATOR JOHN MARTY, CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIM FOR BECOMING THE LARGEST SERVING SENATOR IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, ALMOST 14,000 DAYS.

HE SHOWED ME A GRAPHIC A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

IT WAS REALLY DISTURBING.

BECAUSE YOU SEE THE NUMBER OF BILLS, 20, 30 YEARS AGO SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE YEAR BY YEAR.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE ADOPTED THIS POLICY OF OMNIBUS BILLS INSTEAD OF HEARING BILLS AS INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATIONS.

WE WERE ON A PACE TO BASICALLY END WITH ONE BILL AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

WHICH IS NOT THE WAY THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO THINGS.

SO IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUAL BILLS THAT ARE PROCESSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, IT'S NOT A BAD IDEA TO CHECK OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN A PARTICULAR COMMITTEE.

AGENDAS HAVE TO BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC VIEW 24 HOURS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY HAVE A SESSION.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TRANSPORTATION, AND WANT TO KNOW MORE, SEE WHAT KIND OF BILLS ARE BEING LOOKED AT, YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND FIND OUT THE AGENDA OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

I WOULDN'T ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH IT, BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE MOST STIMULATING TELEVISION.

BUT YOU ARE WELCOMED TO.

THAT IS, I THINK, A GREAT STRENGTH OF OUR LEGISLATURE IS EFFORTS OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> Barry: IF SENATOR MARTY WERE WITH US AND I WILL TAKE THE SHOT FOR HIM, HE WOULD POINT OUT THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION HAS A SINGLE SUBJECT CLAUSE, AND HE WOULD POINT OUT THEY COULD ENFORCE THAT IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING SO.

IT'S A COMPLICATED TOPIC.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF CASES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE COURT.

I WON'T SAY ANYMORE ABOUT THAT.

BUT THE POINT YOU ARE MAKING WITH RESPECT TO THE OMNIBUS BILLS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AS WELL.

MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THERE IS SOME INTEREST ON THE PART OF SENATORS IN MINNESOTA MAYBE TO DO FEWER OMNIBUS BILLS AND MORE SINGLE BILLS.

WE WILL SEE IF THIS SESSION HOLDS UP.

I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THAT, AND WE WILL GO TO SENATOR RASMUSSON.

>> I APOLOGIZE FOR STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS.

BUT SENATOR MARTY IS ACTUALLY CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND AS A CHAIR, WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUR MARCHING ORDERS WE WILL NOT HAVE SINGLE OMNIBUS BILLS FOR THIS SESSION.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON, PROCESS ISSUES.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW IT WORKS AND HOW THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS AND ANY OTHER OBSERVATIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT ANYTHING IN ADDITION TO THE EXCHANGE SENATOR PUTNAM AND I HAVE.

>> GLAD THERE'S INTERESTING PAIRING IN THE HISTORY OF OMNIBUS BILLS THAT THROW POLICY TOGETHER AND MAKE IT CHALLENGING FOR LEGISLATORS TO EXPRESS THE WILL OF THE CONSTITUENTS WE REPRESENT.

OFTENTIMES WHEN THE LARGE BILLS COME BEFORE US, THERE'S GOOD THINGS IN THERE THAT WE LIKE AND CONSTITUENT SUPPORT AND ELEMENTS THAT CONSTITUENTS DON'T SUPPORT, SO THE MORE INDIVIDUAL BILLS THAT WERE ABLE TO CONSIDER IN COMMITTEE AND ON THE SENATE FLOOR REALLY HELP AMPLIFY OUR CONSTITUENTS' VOICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

IT ALSO MAKES IT EASIER FOR FOLKS TO FOLLOW WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE LEGISLATURE.

A COUPLE OF TIPS I WOULD HAVE TO MINNESOTANS LOOKING TO ENGAGE AND FOLLOW THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN ADDITION TO WHAT SENATOR PUTNAM RECOMMENDED, IF YOU GO TO SENATE.MN AND WANT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE, YOU CAN LOOK UP YOUR LEGISLATOR, AND YOU CAN SEE WHICH BILLS THEY HAVE INTRODUCED.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE COMMITTEE SCHEDULE AND SEE IF ANY OF THEM ARE SCHEDULED TO HAVE HEARINGS, AND THEN THE OTHER ASPECT, ESPECIALLY IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU ARE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN, REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE SENATOR'S OFFICE AND ASK THEM ABOUT THE STATUS OF A BILL.

WE CAN TELL YOU IF IT'S SCHEDULED FOR A HEARING, IF IT'S SCHEDULED FOR A VOTE.

ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF THE ROLE THAT I ENJOY IS FINDING THOSE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ISSUES, INVITING THEM TO COME DOWN TO THE CAPITAL OR TO JOIN REMOTELY FROM HOME AND TO TESTIFY ON THE BILLS THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS HEARING IN COMMITTEES.

MINNESOTANS CAN BE AT THE TABLE AND BRING THEIR VOICE TO OUR PROCESS.

I KNOW IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS AS WE ARE TRYING TO CONSIDER HOW TO SHAPE LAWS TO BENEFIT MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME REGULARLY.

THESE VIEWERS ARE INTERESTED IN THE STATUS OF THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TAXING SOCIAL SECURITY, WHERE THAT MIGHT STAND.

SENATOR RASMUSSON, LET'S START WITH YOU ON THAT QUESTION.

I BELIEVE SENATOR PUTNAM AND I BOTH INTRODUCED BILLS ON THIS TOPIC.

IT WAS THE FIRST BILL THAT I INTRODUCED THIS SESSION WAS REPEAL THE MINNESOTA TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THERE'S BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN GETTING THAT DONE THIS SESSION.

MINNESOTA IS ONE OF ONLY 12 STATES LEFT IN THE COUNTRY THAT TAX SOCIAL SECURITY.

WHEN I WAS OUT KNOCKING ON DOORS THIS SUMMER, IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ANY OF THE FOLKS IN MY AREA THAT I TALKED TO.

JUSTICE ANDERSON, I HOPE, GIVEN WE HAVE SEEN BIPARTISAN INTEREST IN REPEALING THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY, I HOPE IT'S ONE OF THE BILLS WE CAN VOTE OFF THE FLOOR IN THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS.

I THINK WE HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS IT IN THE SENATE.

LET'S GET IT UNDER CONSIDERATION AND GET IT OFF TO THE GOVERNOR.

MY HOPE IS WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE ON IT QUICKLY AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF SESSION.

>> BARRY, I'M THE CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE BILL THAT'S GETTING HEARINGS.

HAD A HEARING ON THIS ISSUE A WEEK AND A HALF AGO AND ANOTHER A COUPLE DAYS AGO.

MY BILL MOVED THROUGH THE TAX COMMITTEE.

WHAT THE BILL DOES, IT DOESN'T ONLY ELIMINATE THE TAX OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, IT ALSO REFORMS HOW WE TREAT PENSIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T AVAILABLE, WHO DIDN'T HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY AS AN OPTION.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA WHO AREN'T ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR THE STATE, AND THEY ARE GIVING THE PENSION.

IF YOU WERE A TEACHER BEFORE 1978, GOOD CHANCE YOU NEVER GOT SOCIAL SECURITY.

IF YOU ARE A STATE TROOPER RIGHT NOW, YOU DON'T GET SOCIAL SECURITY.

IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER, YOU DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

THOSE PENSIONS THAT THEY HAVE HAVE HORRIBLE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.

WHAT MY BILL DOES, IT TAKES CARE OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEM, BUT IT ALSO TRIES TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR PENSIONS BY PROVIDING EXTRA INCLUSIONS AND LOWER THEIR TAX BURDEN.

IN TERMS OF THE VIABILITY OF THIS BILL, IT'S LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.

IT'S ALREADY BEEN THROUGH THE TAXES COMMITTEE.

IT'S BEEN HELD OVER.

IN TERMS OF REACHING THE FLOOR, THAT'S STILL UNCLEAR WHEN WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT, IF IT'S GOING TO COME THROUGH THE OMNIBUS BILLS OR GET THROUGH IT.

PART OF THE CHALLENGE, OF COURSE IS WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OTHER BODY.

SO THAT COMPLICATES HOW WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE BILL.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD TAKE IT THROUGH IT AND PASS IT THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, BUT THAT MIGHT HURT ITS ULTIMATE VIABILITY BECAUSE OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE HOUSE.

IT'S COMPLICATED TO SEE WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.

I WANT EVERYONE WHO IS WATCHING TO KNOW A LOT OF US MAKE PROMISES, AND WE MADE PROMISES ABOUT THIS IN OCTOBER AND SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO KEEP THAT PROMISE RIGHT NOW.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM TODD COUNTY THAT HAS A QUESTION THAT WE DEALT WITH AT SOME LENGTH LAST YEAR, AND THAT'S THIS ISSUE OF CHRONIC WASTE IN DEER, CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE.

THE VIEWER POINTS OUT THERE WAS A BILL THAT WAS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SENATE, ULTIMATELY WAS KILLED.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IS OR WHAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF DEALING WITH THE SPREAD OF CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE, WHETHER IT WILL BE ACTION IN THE SENATE AND HOUSE THIS YEAR.

SENATOR PUTNAM, LET'S START WITH YOU AND WE WILL GO WITH SENATOR RASMUSSON.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

WHEN I WAS FIRST NAMED CHAIR OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, BECAUSE I'M A NERD, I WENT BACK AND WATCHED A BUNCH OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF COMMITTEES THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

I WAS APPRAISED AROUND THE INTENSE FEELING OF THE CWD ISSUE.

I ASSUME THE VAWR IS RESEARCHING BILL TO LIMIT THE SPREAD AND GROWTH OF DEER FARMS.

THERE WAS A BILL AND BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT ON THAT BILL.

AT THE LAST MINUTE THERE WAS A CAUCUS THAT THEN UNDID THAT AGREEMENT AND THE BILL DIED.

FOR MY PART, AS I LEARN MORE ABOUT CWD AND RESPONSES TO IT, WE HAVE MORE KIND OF GOVERNMENTAL ISSUE WHICH IS JURISDICTION BETWEEN BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND THE DNR.

WHOSE RESPONSIBLE IS IT?

IT'S FARMING OR NATURAL WILEY LIFE?

THAT'S A BIT COMPLICATED.

THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT DETECTING AND ISOLATING POPULATIONS OF DEER WHO HAVE CWD, BUT THERE'S NO TEST FOR IT.

YOU CAN ONLY TEST FOR IT ON IT CORPSE.

I WILL BE HOLDING HEARINGS ABOUT IT THIS SESSION.

I WANT THE VIEWER TO UNDERSTAND THAT I REALIZE THE INTENSITY OF FEELING ON EVERY SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A DIFFICULT ONE.

IT'S ABOUT LIVELIHOODS AND LIFESTYLES AT THE SAME TIME.

WHENEVER WE DEAL WITH SOMETHING THAT IMPORTANT, WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR TIME AND BE BALANCED AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT THIS SESSION.

I HOPE THAT THE VIEWER DIALS IN A COUPLE TIMES AND WATCHES US IN COMMITTEE WHEN WE DO.

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON?

>> THE TRADITION OF DEER HUNTING IS PART OF MY FAMILY AND IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING THE DEER POPULATION ACROSS THE STATE FROM CWD.

IN ADDITION TO THE HEARINGS THAT SENATOR PUTNAM IS PLANNING TO HOLD, I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT RESEARCH AVENUES THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND OTHERS WHO ARE WILL TO DO RESEARCH ON HOW WE CAN BETTER DETECT AND ELIMINATE OR MITIGATE THE THREAT OF CWD IN MINNESOTA'S DEER POPULATION.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THERE'S A HANDFUL OF BAD ACTORS IN THE INDUSTRY THAT REALLY HAD AN UNFORTUNATE IMPACT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TARGETING THE BAD ACTORS AND NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE IN THE INDUSTRY.

THAT JUST DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CWD ISSUES IN DEER FARMING BUT I THINK YOU CAN TAKE THAT APPROACH TO THE REGULATION OF LOTS OF OTHER INDUSTRIES.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A VIEWER -- FINISHING UP THE CWD DISCUSSION, I GUESS I WOULD ASK BOTH OF YOU, DO YOU PREDICT THAT THERE WILL BE A CWD CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE BILL THAT PASSES THE SENATE THIS YEAR?

SENATOR PUTNAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY SPECIFIC RUMBLINGS IN THAT REGARD.

I SHOULD BE THE ONE THAT HEARS THE RUMBLINGS BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT THEM.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE MORE FOCUSED ON BIRD FLU, AVIAN INFLUENZA.

AN OUTBREAK IN THE TURKEY POPULATIONS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT A LOT MORE.

THERE'S ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR SWINE FLU, TOO, SO THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT IMPACT OUR LIVESTOCK AND THE HEALTH OF OUR ANIMALS THAT ARE CURRENTLY KIND OF TAKING UP A LITTLE BIT MORE OF OUR AIR.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE WON'T DEAL WITH CWD AT SOME POINT IN THE SESSION.

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE BILLS INTRODUCED THAT DEALS WITH CWD, AND IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT TYPE OF APPROACH ARE WE TAKING?

WHAT TOOLS ARE WE ATTEMPTING TO BRING TO THE PROBLEM OF MINNESOTA'S DEER POPULATION?

AND IT SHOULD BE ON RESEARCH, AND THE SCIENCE OF CWD.

THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE BAD ACTORS WHO ARE CREATING ISSUES AND NOT TRYING TO OVER REGULATE THOSE WHO ARE ACTING RESPONSIBLY.

>> Barry: A FEWER FROM MORRIS, MINNESOTA HAS A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION, BUT THE TOPIC ITSELF COMES TO FRUITION.

A VIEWER SAYS DOES THE SENATOR REPORT A SENTENCE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

IT'S TYPE UP IN ELECTRIC GRID, TYPED UP IN COMPLICATIONS OF WIND AND SOLAR POWER, AND THEN THE ISSUES IS THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLES PRESENT IN COLDER CLIMATE.

VERY COMPLICATED TOPIC.

OF COURSE THERE ARE FEDERAL INCENTIVES, AND THAT MAY BE AN ARGUMENT.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR RASMUSSON.

I WILL START WITH YOU ABOUT SENTENCE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND ABOUT THE COMPLICATIONS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WHAT I HEARD FROM FOLKS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS THAT THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE CHOICE OVER WHETHER THEY PURCHASE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR INTERNAL COMBUSTION VEHICLE.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED INCENTIVES TO PUSH CONSUMERS IN ONE DIRECTION OVER THE OTHER.

IF YOU LOOK AT ELECTRIC VEHICLE SALES, THEY ARE WAY UP.

THE AUTO MAKERS ARE INVESTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUILD OUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE CAPABILITIES.

MANY HAVE WAITING LISTS AND WE CAN LET CONSUMERS MAKE THE CHOICE THEMSELVES AND LET THE MARKET WORK OUT.

WE REALLY SHOULDN'T BE PUTTING INCENTIVES ON ONE PART OF THE MARKET AND DISINCENTIVES ON THE OTHER.

I OPPOSED GOVERNOR WALZ'S MANDATE FOR THAT REASON.

I THINK THE MARKET IS RESPONDING TO CONSUMER DEMAND AND WE SHOULD LET IT CONTINUE TO WORK.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM.

>> THE TRANSITION IS INEVITABLE.

WE HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, I THINK, CAUTIOUS ABOUT THAT FACT.

CERTAIN LARGE CAR COMPANIES DECIDED THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE MAKING CARS WITH COMBUSTIBLE ENGINES WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN WE NEED TO DO IT INTENTIONALLY AND THOUGHTFULLY.

WE NEED TO DO IT EQUITABLY.

THE MARKET IS DISTORTED TO FOSSIL FUELS.

IT'S NOT AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD.

IF YOU WANTED TO BUY AN ELECTRIC CAR IN ST.

CLOUD, PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE OPTIONS, I THINK BUT AS BEGET MORE OPTIONS TO BIALEK VEHICLES, BECAUSE THEY ARE INEVITABLE, WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL HOW WE PROVIDE CHARGING STATIONS.

I DON'T WANT A WHOLE BUNCH OF EB CHARGING STATIONS UP AND DOWN 94 AND NONE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE TO REALIZE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE AND INVEST ACCORDINGLY.

BECAUSE THE CHANGE IS COMING, AND JUST HAVE TO DO IT.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM MADISON WHO WANTS US TO TALK ABOUT THE DAY CARE ISSUE AND PROBLEMS IN MINNESOTA.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT REGULATIONS THAT AFFECT DAY CARE PROVIDERS BUT THERE'S ALSO THE ISSUE OF RURAL MINNESOTA NEEDING MORE DAY CARE PROVIDERS.

START WITH YOU.

SENATOR PUTNAM, DAY CARE PROVIDERS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE ISSUE UNFOLDING.

>> I'M GOING TO APOLOGIZE BEFORE I GET GOING, BECAUSE THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT AND WE CAN TALK FOR DAYS.

>> Barry: WE DON'T HAVE DAYS, BUT DO THE BEST YOU CAN.

>> I HAVE BEEN KIND OF THINKING AND WORKING IN THE AREA OF CHILD CARE FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE IT'S SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA THERE'S A WAITING LIST OF 5300 SPACES, 5300 KIDS THAT CAN'T GET DAY CARE RIGHT NOW.

THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT FOR THE WORKFORCE BUT FOR THE SANITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO COULD BE GOING TO WORK.

YOU COULD GO TO WORK AND DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR KID IS GOING TO BE, THAT'S A MOMENT OF STRESS FOR YOU.

YOU ARE NOT BEING A GOOD EMPLOYEE AND ALSO NOT A HAPPY PERSON.

SO IT IS A PROFOUND AND SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM THAT IMPACTS SO MANY OF US IN OUR LIVES.

THE QUESTION OF REGULATIONS, I WAS TALKING TO A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE BECKY, AND RUNS A PLACE LIKE LIVE AND LEARN AND SHE SAID SHE DOESN'T LIKE THE REGULATIONS AND THE PAPERWORK, BUT SHE WISHES SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO IT ALL THE TIME.

SOMETHING I'M WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IS CALLED THE SHARED SERVICE MODEL.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S DONE IN WISCONSIN AND PILOTED IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AT ONE POINT.

THAT'S A WAY YOU CAN BUILD COMMUNITY AND RESOURCES AROUND DAY CARE SO THAT DAY CARE CENTERS AND HOME CARE CENTERS CAN ALL KIND OF SHARE SOME OF THE LABOR SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON TAKING CARE OF KIDS.

IN WISCONSIN, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE REGIONS WHERE THE STATE WILL CONTRACT WITH THE TAX PREPARE THAT SPECIALIZES IN DOING TAXES.

THAT PERSON IS POOLED IN THE WHOLE REGION, AND THE PERSON WHO RUNS THE CENTER DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THAT PART OF THEIR Z JOB ANYMORE AND HAVE LOCALS THAT WILL WAK YOU THROUGH REGULATIONS, NOT A CONTEXT OF JUDGMENT BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATION.

SO THERE ARE TONS OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE LIFE EASIER ON THE PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF OUR KIDS, AND ONE LAST EDITORIAL, IF I MAY, FOR TOO LONG WE TREATED THE CARE INDUSTRIES AS IF THE CARE WAS INADEQUATE FOR DOING THE JOB.

IT'S NOT OKAY EITHER.

SOMETHING ELSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO IS SOMETHING WE DID FOR FARMERS WHICH IS TO ALLOW HOME DAY CARE CENTERS TO FORM COOPS WITH OTHERS.

LITTLE SIMPLE THINGS LIKE THAT CAN GO A LONG WAY TO HELPING THE CHILD CARE PROBLEM, AND IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING?

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON?

>> CHILD CARE IS A BIG ISSUE.

I HAD A NEIGHBOR REACH OUT TO ME AND TALK ABOUT HOW THEIR FAMILY WAS BLESSED WITH TWINS, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A CHILD CARE PROVIDER WHO COULD TAKE BOTH OF THEIR INFANTS, SO THEY HAD TO SEND TWINS TO TWO DIFFERENT PROVIDERS.

I HAD TALKED TO ANOTHER WHO HAD TO QUIT THEIR JOB WHEN THE CHILD CARE PROVIDER WHEN SHE DECIDED SHE HAD ENOUGH OF THE REGULATIONS AND JUST QUIT THE BUSINESS.

FOR ME, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA COMPARED TO OTHER STATES, MINNESOTA HAS HIGHER COST CHILD CARE THAN MANY OF OUR PEER STATES.

ONE OF THE KEY DRIVING FACTORS IS UNNECESSARY REGULATIONS.

THIS IS AN ISSUE LAST SESSION I WORKED ON WITH FORMER STATE SENATOR KENT, AND WE SAW HOME BASED, FAMILY BASED CHILD CARE, THE MURDERS PUT ON THE INDIVIDUALS WAS REALLY DRIVING THEM OUT OF THE CARE INDUSTRY.

FOR ME, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT MAKING IT ILLEGAL TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS LEGISLATORS WERE PUSHING THE AGENCIES AND MAKING SHAWR THAT THE REGULATIONS THAT THEY ARE PUTTING IN PLACE THAT HAVE RESEARCH BEHIND THEM THAT ACTUALLY IMPROVES OUTCOMES AND ACTUALLY PROTECTS THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN, BECAUSE WHAT I HEAR WHEN I TALK TO PROVIDERS IS THAT THEY FILL OUT A LOT OF PAPERWORK AND TAKES THEM AWAY FROM CARING FOR CHILDREN INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON DOING THE JOB AT HAND.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON IT, ESPECIALLY ON THE HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE HERE IN THE SENATE.

>> Barry: LET ME PUSH YOU A LITTLE BIT ON THAT, SENATOR RASMUSSON.

CAN YOU GIVE OUR VIEWERS SOME EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS THAT DAY CARE PROVIDERS HAVE TOLD YOU THAT THEY THINK ARE UNNECESSARY OR GREAT COMPLICATIONS?

GIVE ME SOME EXAMPLES.

>> FORMER SENATOR HAD A BILL WHERE WE ACTUALLY TOOK SOME OF THE WAIVERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PUT IN PLACE DURING COVID.

WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENT DID YOU SEE ANY ISSUES WITH THE WAIVERS?

AND OUR BILL WOULD HAVE MADE THE CHANGES PERMANENT.

A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH, AS FOLKS KNOW, THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY IS ABOUT PEOPLE, CARING INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO WANT TO CARE FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS' CHILDREN AND BE A CHILD CARE PROVIDER AND OFTENTIMES WE PUT EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, STAFFING REQUIREMENTS THAT ADD TO THE COST OF CARE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT STAFFING RATIOS OR JUST THE MANAGERIAL PROCESS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO GO THROUGH, AND THERE'S A LOT OF STREAMLINING THAT CAN BE DONE AND FLEXIBILITY THAT WE CAN GIVE TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO HELP THEM THAT MANAGE THE STAFF THAT THEY HAVE AND THE CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE CARING FOR.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM, LAST WORD ON THAT.

>> IN A SENSE I MOSTLY AGREE WITH SENATOR RASMUSSON TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

I HAD A MEETING WITH PEOPLE WHO DID HOME CARE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, 60, 65 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

THEY DID CHILD CARE FROM THE HOME.

IT'S NOT THE EXISTENCE OF THE REGULATIONS, BUT THE TIME THEY TAKE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND SOMETIMES FORCED.

I HAD THIS THING, DIDN'T GET CAUGHT.

THEY CAME BY ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT, AND DEPENDENT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THIS THE YEAR BEFORE BUT NOW DID.

THAT THINGS IS FIXED WHEN WE TREAT REGULATIONS NOT AS DISCIPLINARY BUT AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGULATION.

IF WE HAVE THE SHARED SERVICE MODEL, YOU HAVE SOMEONE COMING THROUGH YOUR HOUSE, SAYING THESE ARE THINGS YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT AND THESE ARE THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T THINK ABOUT.

THEY DO IT BY AND LARGE BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT KIDS NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO CREATE A PERFECTLY HYGIENIC SPACE BUT THEY CAN DO SO BETTER AND BETTER CARE WHEN THEY GET HELPFUL ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THEIR HOME SAFE.

>> PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST JUDGE OF WHAT IS A SAFE NURTURING ENVIRONMENT.

WE HAVE TO EMPOWER PARENTS, LISTEN TO PARENTS, GET THEIR FEEDBACK AS WELL, BECAUSE FRANKLY THEY ARE GOING TO DO A BETTER JOB THAN THE STATE AGENCY OF LOOKING OUT FOR THE WELFARE OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

>> I HAVE TO QUIBBLE ON THAT ONE A LITTLE BIT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAKES A SAFE STAIRWAY AND GLAD SOMEONE ELSE DOES I AGREE, SENATOR RASMUSSON THAT PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED.

SOME THINGS I DON'T KNOW, AND I NEED SOMEONE'S EXPERTISE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION.

WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THIS IS, AND GOVERNOR MADE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT WHAT HIS PREFERRED PLANS WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND OUR VIEWER, AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THIS BROADER DISCUSSION ON THAT TOPIC.

BUT AS PART OF THAT BROADER DISCUSSION, OUR VIEWER IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE ANY EXPANSION OR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL CHOICE KINDS OF PROGRAMS.

SENATOR PUTNAM, LET'S START WITH YOU.

EDUCATION ISSUES, K-12, ET CETERA.

MAYBE A WORD OR TWO ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> SURE.

WE ARE SUFFERING FROM YEARS OF UNDERFUNDING EDUCATION IN WAYS THAT ARE REALLY DISCOURAGING.

MY DAUGHTER, WHEN SHE WAS A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL HAD 40 KIDS IN THE ENGLISH CLASS.

THAT'S TOO MANY KIDS FOR A CLASSROOM.

IT'S NOT JUST A BURDEN FOR THE TEACHER BUT A BURDEN FOR THE KIDS WHO ARE IN THE SCHOOL.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CROSS SUBSIDY.

WE HAVE UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT ARE CRIPPLING OUR SCHOOLS.

CLEARLY WE NEED MORE RESOURCES IN THE SCHOOLS, BUT I'M GOING TO DIVERGE FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES, WE NEED TO WRITE SMARTER CHECKS TO ELEMENTS THAT WE KNOW ARE IMPACTFUL.

PREK.

WE KNOW EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS A GREAT INVESTMENT.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO WRITE A BIG CHECK FOR A BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SCHOOLS BUT IN ST.

CLOUD RIGHT NOW, THERE WERE 200 KIDS ON THE WAITING LIST FOR PRESCHOOL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE SPACE.

IN MY COMMUNITY THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF KIDS THAT DON'T EACH KNOW PRESCHOOL WAS AN OPTION.

WE KNOW THERE ARE STRATEGIC PLACES THAT WE CAN INVEST THAT I THINK WILL DO A LOT MORE GOOD.

I'M IN SOME WAYS BUCKING MY PARTY ON THIS ONE.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT WHERE WE PUT IT.

CHOICE ISSUE, THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR, SCHOOL VOUCHERS DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH CHOICE, BECAUSE OVER 95% OF THE PEOPLE THAT GET THEM ARE ALREADY IN THE SCHOOLS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO.

I'M REFERRING TO SPECIFICALLY INDIANA AND TENNESSEE.

BOTH OF THOSE STATES ADOPTED EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, AND THEY WERE RADICAL FAILURES, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH CHOICE, BUT ABOUT TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HISTORY A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.

THE SUPPOSED SCHOOL CHOICE MOVEMENT COMES FROM VIRGINIA IN THE LATE 1950s AND EARLY '60s, AND IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE WANTED TO TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BECOME INTEGRATED.

THAT'S WHERE IT COMES FROM.

IN TERMS OF THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES IN INDIANA AND TENNESSEE, THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP WAS INCREASED AFTER THE SCHOOL CHOICE WAS ADOPTED.

IT'S A BAD POLICY.

THAT'S MY TAKE ON IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON.

>> TO RESPOND TO SENATOR PUTNAM'S COMMENTS, I THINK IT'S VERY UNFAIR TO ATTEMPT TO TIE SCHOOL CHOICE ADVOCATES HERE IN MINNESOTA BACK TO RACIAL SEGREGATION.

WHEN I TALK TO EDUCATION ADVOCATES REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE, THEY CARE ABOUT STUDENTS, AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTA STUDENTS HAVE SUCCESS, AND UNFORTUNATELY OUR EDUCATION STORM IN MINNESOTA IS NOT PRODUCING THE RESULTS THAT MINNESOTANS EXPECT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT THAT THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE HAD ON STUDENT PROFICIENCY.

I HOPE THAT THERE'S BIPARTISAN RECOGNITION THAT THE NUMBERS THAT WE ARE SEEING FROM TEST SCORES AND THE STORIES MORE IMPORTANTLY THAT WE ARE HEARING FROM PARENTS AND STUDENTS SHOWS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

THAT, OF COURSE INCLUDES SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN MY AREA THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE OFTENTIMES THE HEART OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, THE MOST POPULAR EVENT IS THE LOCAL SPORTING EVENT THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAS AND BIGGEST ART EVENT IS HIGH SCHOOL BAND OR CHOIR CONCERT.

HAVING STRONG LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS IMPORTANT, BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OUTCOMES THAT WE ARE SEEING AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT TOOLS CAN WE BRING TO ENSURE THAT EVERY MINNESOTA CHILD, REGARDLESS OF ZIP CODE HAS A CHANCE FOR A TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION.

I GOT A TRANSFORMATIONAL EDUCATION THAT ALLOWED ME TO PURSUE HOURS THAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PURSUE.

I HAVE THE SAME AMBITION FOR EVERY MINNESOTA STUDENT OUT THERE.

>> Barry: WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM THE GREAT MINNESOTA COMMUNITY UNKNOWN.

DIDN'T TELL US WHERE IT WAS FROM.

BUT HE WANTS TO GO BACK TO ELECTRIC CARS, AND HE RAISES THIS CONCERN.

WE HAD THIS ON PREVIOUS PROGRAMS.

IF WE REALLY DO SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT FUNDING OF ROADS, BECAUSE OF COURSE WE DON'T HAVE A GAS TAX TO COLLECT.

HOW DO WE HANDLE THAT PROBLEM?

SENATOR RASMUSSON, I THINK IT'S YOUR TURN TO LEAD OFF.

WE WILL LET YOU TAKE THIS AND THEN SENATOR PUTNAM.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND TO GO BACK TO THE INITIAL ANSWER DO WE SUBSIDIZE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WE SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT WHAT IS A FAIR WAY OF MAKING SURE WHETHER YOU ARE DRIVING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR DRIVING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE THAT YOU ARE HELPING TO PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FAIR AND THAT WE ARE NOT IMPLICITLY SUBSIDIZING ONE TYPE OF CONSUMER CHOICE OVER ANOTHER.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM?

>> I LIKE THE MOVE THAT WE DID WITH AUTO PARTS.

I KNOW IT WASN'T SUPER POPULAR WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE.

BUT THE IDEA OF DEDICATING THE AUTO PARTS TAX TO TRANSPORTATION WAS A PRETTY SMART MOVE BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE.

SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO REALIZE, THOUGH, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DRIVE ON OUR STREETS AREN'T IN MINNESOTA.

SURCHARGE ON VEHICLES, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THE ROADS.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME STATES THAT ARE EXPERIMENTING WITH USAGE MODELS OF TAXATION FOR ROADS.

THERE'S INTERESTING TECHNOLOGY THAT'S IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE THAT DO REALLY INTERESTING STUFF WITH THAT.

BUT IT'S ALSO IN THE PILOT MODE.

WE HAVE GOT PROBABLY A COUPLE MORE YEARS BEFORE WE GIVE UTS GAS COMPLETELY.

I HOPE WE FIGURE OUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT'S TRULY FAIR AND IMPACTS EVERY CAR EQUALLY AND IS ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU USE A ROAD RATHER THAN WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR CAR.

>> Barry: I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD GET THROUGH THE PROGRAM TODAY WITHOUT THIS QUESTION AND THAT IS CORRECT.

VIEWER FROM AITKIN WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S THE STATUS OF LEGALIZING CANNABIS?

SENATOR PUTNAM.

>> IT'S A REALLY LONG BILL.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE BILL YET.

IT IS HUGE.

IT'S A HUGE BILL.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE EVERY STEP YOU THINK YOU ARE TAKING FORWARD, SOMEONE ELSE IS TAKING A STEP BACKWARD.

I AM AN AUTHOR OF THE BILL RIGHT NOW, THE MASSIVE BILL, AND THE MORE I READ, THE MORE I SAY THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT, AND I SAY, WELL, IT IS THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN I GET TO THE NEXT PAGE.

WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THE STATES THAT HAVE COME BEFORE US, ABOUT WORKPLACE SAFETY, DRIVING AND OTHER ISSUES.

ONE THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME IS WE TAKE CARE OF CANNABIS FARMERS EQUALLY, AND THERE'S COMPLEXITY IN THAT RIGHT NOW IN THE BILL THAT I'M HOPING TO FIX.

IN TERMS OF THE STATUS OF IT, I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE PROGRESS THIS TIME AROUND.

I KNOW WHEN IT CAME UP IN THE PAST IN THE SENATE, I KNOW PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE SENATE WHO ARE MY PALS WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY IN FAVOR OF THIS, THEIR LEADERSHIP WASN'T INTERESTED IN IT, AND I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT THE GOP CAUCUS FEELS ABOUT IT NOW.

BUT I DO KNOW AMONG DFLERS IN THE HOUSE, IT'S A DONE DEAL IN THE SENATE.

WE ARE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.

I WILL SAY IT'S PRETTY LIKELY.

BUT EVEN WITH THE BILL, IF IT DOES PASS, AND IF IT DOES BECOME LAW, WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT PROBABLY AT LEAST A YEAR UNTIL THE TRANSITION ACTUALLY TAKES PLACE.

>> Barry: SENATOR RASMUSSON.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING AND THE BILLY GOT TO SEE, THE DFL VERSION OF CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN THE HOUSE, BECAUSE IT HAD HEARINGS AND PASSED OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR HAD A LOT OF CONCERNS WITH LEGALIZING MARIJUANA, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE OF IS THAT THIS BILL IS MORE THAN JUST SIMPLY LEGALIZING MARIJUANA AND CRIMINAL EXPUNGEMENT.

IT IS ESSENTIALLY CREATING AN INDUSTRY WITH A WHOLE SORT OF ISSUES AND REGULATIONS, WHETHER IT'S AROUND ENERGY USAGE OR LABOR AGREEMENTS.

IT'S FRANKLY KIND OF -- THE DFL CREATING AN INDUSTRY TO MATCH THEIR IDEOLOGY.

I THINK EVEN IF YOU WERE GOING TO GO AND LOOK AT LEGALIZATION, THERE'S LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THE CURRENT PROPOSAL.

ONE OF MY BIGGEST CONCERNS IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE FISCAL NOTE THAT CAME WITH THE DFL LEGALIZATION BILL IN THE HOUSE, WE HAD THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TELL US THAT BECAUSE OF LEGALIZATION THERE WILL BE MORE TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND THAT THEY NEEDED MORE CRASH RECONSTRUCTIONISTS TO DEAL WITH THAT.

WHEN I TALK TO MY LOCAL SHERIFFS, AND WHEN I TALK TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THEY ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT LEGALIZATION CAN HAVE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, COULD HAVE ON OUR SCHOOLS.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

I THINK THIS IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE THAT WE SHOULD NOT FAST TRACK.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED THIS LAST SESSION WHERE THC EDIBLES WERE LEGALIZED AND WE ARE SEEING THE IMPACT OF NOT HAVING A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH ON HOW TO DO THAT, WHETHER IT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCHOOLS, CITIES, THE STATE AGENCIES THAT ARE INVOLVED, THEY DON'T THINK THEY CAN KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE.

WE SHOULD TAKE TIME ON IT.

THERE'S NO RUSH.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PRIORITIZING PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Barry: LAST WORD, YOU, SENATOR PUTNAM AS THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL.

I WILL GIVE YOU THE FLOOR.

>> SURE.

THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY REPUBLICANS AND LIBERTARIANS, AND THE OTHER ONE IS SENIORS, TONS OF SENIORS SEE THIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO OPIOIDS AND OTHER PAINKILLERS AND OTHER KINDS OF DRUGS.

ALSO VETERANS, VETERANS ARE VERY MUCH INVESTED AND IT'S A TREATMENT FOR PTSD.

IN A SENSE SENATOR RASMUSSON IS KIND OF RIGHT.

IT CREATES BUREAUCRACY, BUT IT CREATES BUREAUCRACY TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH EDIBLES.

WE NEED BUREAUCRACY TO DO THAT WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SAFE.

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T, WITH EDIBLES.

>> Barry: SO LET ME MOVE TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC, AND I'M GOING TO START WITH SENATOR RASMUSSON BECAUSE OF YOUR SERVICE ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A BONDING BILL.

NORMALLY THERE'S A SMALL BONDING BILL IN THE BUDGET YEAR, BUT AS I RECALL, THERE WAS NO BONDING BILL LAST YEAR AND WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE WONDERING IF IT MEANS A LARGER BONDING BILL THIS YEAR.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND BONDING ISSUES.

LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR RASMUSSON.

>> JUSTICE ANDERSON, YOU ARE CORRECT.

IN THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVEN'T HAD A BONDING BILL.

THERE IS BIPARTISAN DESIRE TO GET A BONDING BILL.

IT'S FOCUSED ON KEY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I WOULD SAY HAVING SERVED ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, IT'S OFTENTIMES COMPLICATED.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE PROGRAM YOU ARE FIGURING OUT.

IT'S HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PROJECTS DEALING WITH DOZENS OF STATE AGENCIES.

UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF THE INFLATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE ECONOMY AND IN PARTICULAR IN THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECTS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ARE STILL VIABLE AND WE KNOW THE TRUE COST.

IF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA INVESTS BEHIND THOSE PROJECTS, THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY SHOVEL READY AND ARE ABLE TO BE COMPLETED.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORKING DONE ACROSS THE LEGISLATURE AND AGENCIES TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THE COST OF THESE PROJECTS.

IT COMES DOWN TO PRIORITIZATION.

WHAT IS GOING TO GIVE MINNESOTANS THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

EARLIER TODAY WE HAD A CAPITAL INVESTMENT HEARING WHERE WE HAD MINNESOTA STATE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT THEIR BONDING REQUESTS.

MY FEEDBACK TO THEM WAS I REALLY THOUGHT THE PROJECTS THAT WERE FOCUSED ON PROGRAMS THAT WERE IN HIGH DEMAND FIELDS THAT WERE A LOT OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS TO ACCESS GOOD PAYING JOBS, THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT I THINK WILL FIND LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO INVESTMENT.

SO IT'S A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S A COMPLICATED BILL.

I THINK THERE IS BIPARTISAN ENERGY TO GET A BONDING BILL DONE THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM, BONDING BILL.

>> EVERYBODY LOVES BONDING.

I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS IT.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN THINGS THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT BONDING IS FOR.

IT'S FOR THINGS THAT WILL LAST FOR A WHILE.

I HAVE BEEN IN SOME LONG CONVERSATIONS WITH SENATOR PAVIS WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE.

THERE'S A CHANCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO WORK OUT TWO BONDING BILLS THIS SESSION, ONE THAT TAKE THE BEST HITS OF THE BILL THAT DIDN'T GET THROUGH LAST SESSION AND ANOTHER THAT DEALS WITH NEW CONCERNS.

I WOULD SAY THAT THERE IS BETTER THAN A GOOD CHANCE THAT THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT ROBUST INVESTMENT IN BONDING THIS SESSION, AND I WOULD ECHO SENATOR RASMUSSON'S PRIORITIES.

BONDING IS FOR THINGS THAT LAST AND THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> Barry: SENATOR PUTNAM I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR SERVICE AND OCCUPATION AS A PROFESSOR BUT ALSO YOUR SERVICE, AS I THINK VICE CHAIR IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

TALK ABOUT ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT YOU THINK ARE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND I WILL GIVE SENATOR RASMUSSON A CHANCE, AND IT WILL CHEW UP OUR REMAINING TIME.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> I WILL BE QUICK.

IT'S PRETTY BASIC.

THE PRIMARY CONCERN THAT OUR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING ARE FACING HAVE TO DO WITH ENROLLMENT.

IT'S A BIG CONCERN.

ENROLLMENT IS NOT AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD.

YOU HAVE SOME SCHOOLS THAT ARE DOING SUPER GREAT AND SOME THAT AREN'T.

MY DAUGHTER IS IN HER FIRST YEAR AT ST. OLIVE RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAD THEIR BIGGEST CLASS IN HISTORY THIS YEAR.

WHEREAS WHERE I TEACH, WE ARE DOWN ABOUT 30, 40%.

SOME SCHOOLS ARE DOING REALLY WELL AND OTHERS AREN'T.

THE ANSWER, I THINK, BOTH BECAUSE OF WHAT WE NEED IN TERMS OF RESOURCES AND STUDENTS ON CAMPUS, AND BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT IS WE NEED TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW PEOPLE TO GO TO HIGHER ED, TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING TECHNICAL PROGRAMS TO, TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS, AND THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS CONCERN FOR BASIC NEEDS.

WE HAVE TO DO GREATER JOB ON MENTAL HEALTH, FOOD INSECURITY, HOUSING, THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO START SCHOOL AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FINISH IT.

>> SENATOR RASMUSSON YOU GET THE REMAINING HALF.

>> MY PRIORITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS MAKING SURE THAT MINNESOTA STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THE GOOD PAYING JOBS IN THE FUTURE.

I WAS TOURING ALEXANDRIA TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE HERE A FEW WEEKS BACK, AND THEY HAVE A DIESEL MECHANIC PROGRAM WHERE THEIR GRADUATES WHEN YOU TAKE IN COMPENSATION ARE ABLE TO EARN 6 FIGURES, AND RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR THAT PROGRAM.

THEIR FACILITY IS CONTRAINING THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO OFFER MORE STUDENTS ACCESS TO GOOD PAYING JOBS.

FOR ME IT'S ABOUT FUNDING THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE IN DEMAND, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING STUDENT INTERESTS AND EMPLOYER INTEREST IN WHAT THEY NEED FROM A WORKFORCE PERSPECTIVE.

>> Barry: THAT'S IT FOR THIS EPISODE OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY GUESTS FOR JOINING ME THIS EVENING AND ENGAGE IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

WE DIDN'T GET THEM ALL UNRAVELED BUT WE GOT SOME OF THEM DONE.

WE WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WEEKS AHEAD TO CONTINUE THE EFFORT.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR VIEWERS TO MAKE SURE THEY WATCH THE LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE EVERY WEEKDAY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

THIS PROGRAM ALSO REPEATS ON THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, AND YOU CAN FIND THAT IN YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS.

AGAIN, WE ARE GRATEFUL YOU ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

THANK YOU, AND GOOD NIGHT.

>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS, ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION ASSOCIATES, LLC WWW.CAPTIONASSOCIATES.COM