>>> "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.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING.

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

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I'M YOUR HOST THIS WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME, AND THIS PROGRAM, HENCE THE CATCHY NAME, IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO THE LEGISLATORS THAT REPRESENT YOU AT OUR STATE CAPITOL.

THIS PROGRAM BELONGS TO YOU, AND WE INVITE YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR SEND THEM VIA VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS SET UP ON THE SCREEN IN FRONT OF YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN OUR PROGRAM THIS EVENING IN A COUPLE MINUTES BY INTRODUCING OUR GUESTS AS WE DO EACH WEEK.

BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT NOT ONLY IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE LEGISLATURE, THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, PART OF THE PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK HERE IN MINNESOTA AND ON MANY CABLE SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS REGULAR NIGHTLY PROGRAMMING ON THE ACTIVITIES AT THE LEGISLATURE.

WE INVITE YOU TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

BUT LET'S BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUND, COMMITTEES THEY SERVE ON, HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND THAT WILL SET UP THE INQUIRIES THAT WILL FOLLOW ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

LET'S BEGIN WITH SENATOR JEN MCEWEN FROM DULUTH.

DISTRICT 8 IN DULUTH.

SENATOR MCEWEN, WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US THIS EVENING.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUSTICE ANDERSON FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW THIS EVENING.

IT'S A REAL PLEASURE TO JOIN YOU ALL AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY AND WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I AM THE STATE SENATOR REPRESENTING DULUTH IN THE MINNESOTA STATE SENATE.

I HAVE BEEN SERVING NOW FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS.

I WAS JUST SERVED MY FIRST TERM AND WAS REELECTED LAST FALL.

I'M REALLY EXCITED TO JUMP IN THIS YEAR TO BEGIN THE WORK AGAIN.

I'M AN ATTORNEY.

MY WORK IS WORKING IN LEGAL AID, THAT TYPE OF THING.

I HAVE TWO TEENAGED CHILDREN WHO GO TO SCHOOL IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN DULUTH.

MY HUSBAND IS A TEACHER, PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER.

REALLY PROUD TO REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY AT THE CAPITOL.

HAPPY TO JOIN YOU TONIGHT.

>> Barry: WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU.

WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER PIECE BECAUSE THERE'S DEVELOPMENTS ON THAT THAT ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT.

WE WILL GET BACK TO THAT SOON.

LET'S GO TO SENATOR BILL WEBER FROM LUVERNE, DISTRICT 21.

SENATOR WEBER AND I WERE DISCUSSING BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGAN SOME STORIES ABOUT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF PRACTICING LAW IN FAIRMONT AT THE BEGINNING OF MY CAREER.

WE DISCOVERED THAT THE WIND BLOWS AND THE SUN MOVES IN SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

SENATOR WEBER, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU, JUSTICE ANDERSON.

IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

YES.

I REPRESENT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MINNESOTA.

MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT 21, INCLUDES ALL OR PARTS OF 9 COUNTIES.

AS WE GO DOWN THE WEST SIDE, I HAVE LINCOLN, PIPE STONE, ROCK, AND EAST, MURRAY, NOBLES, COTTON WOOD, JACKSON, INCLUDING THE CITY OF ST. JAMES, AND I'M GETTING CLOSER TO FAIR MOPT.

I HAVE FOUR TOWNSHIPS IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF MARTIN COUNTY.

I HAVE ABOUT 72 MILES OF BORDER WITH SOUTH DAKOTA AND 74, WITH IOWA.

I'M BEGINNING MY FOURTH TERM, 11th YEAR IN THE STATE SENATE.

THIS YEAR I SERVE AS THE LEAD ON THE TAX COMMITTEE.

I ALSO SERVE ON THE ENERGY AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE AS WELL.

SO IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING US.

>> Barry: DO I RECALL CORRECTLY, SENATOR WEBER, YOU MIGHT HAVE HAD A TOUR OF DUTY AS THE MAYOR OF LUVERNE.

AM I RECALLING THAT CORRECTLY?

>> 16 YEARS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

8 YEARS AS COUNCIL, 8 YEARS AS THE MAYOR, YES.

>> Barry: I DID THE TOUR OF DUTY AS CITY ATTORNEY.

I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS THAT GO ON UNTIL 1:00 OR 2:00 IN THE MORNING.

MAYBE WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

LET'S MOVE TO REPRESENTATIVE DAVE BAKER FROM WILLMAR.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER HAS BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST ON OUR PROGRAM OVER THE YEARS.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU WITH US, SENATOR BAKER.

I THINK YOU HAD A TOUR OF TIME IN EITHER CITY GOVERNMENT OR CITY AFFAIRS OF SOME SORT, AS I RECALL.

>> BARRY, I DID NOT.

I RAN FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS IS KIND OF A NEW.

I WAS ON MUNICIPAL UTILITY.

THIS IS SORT OF MY FIRST RUN AT ELECTED OFFICE.

BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS.

DISTRICT 16B, AND A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER.

MY WIFE AND I RUN A SMALL COMPANY, WE OPERATE AND MANAGE A COUPLE HOTELS AND RUN A LITTLE CRUISE LINE, IN SPICER, MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

BEEN IN THE HOSPITALITY RESTAURANT INDUSTRY FOR A WHILE.

REALLY ENJOYED THE TIME HERE.

WORKING A LOT ON WORKFORCE ISSUES.

I'M THE LEAD IN WORKFORCE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH HUMAN SERVICES, BOTH POLICY AND FINANCE, DEALING A LOT WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER, CHILDREN'S STUFF AND HOMELESSNESS.

THAT'S WHERE MY FOCUS HAS BEEN AS WELL.

>> Barry: WE HAD INTERESTING NEWS WITH RESPECT TO THE WORKFORCE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, AND EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS.

THAT WILL PERHAPS BE THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATIONS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

I WANT TO GO TO SENATOR MCEWEN AND TALK ABOUT PUBLIC DEFENDER PIECE.

ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.

AS I UNDERSTAND, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL AND INVOLVED FUNDING INTO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM.

MAYBE YOU CAN TELL US, SENATOR MCEWEN, WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT AND THE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.

I NEGLECTED TO NOTE THE COMMITTEES I'M ON.

I'M ON THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE, VICE CHAIR OF ENVIRONMENT, LEGACY AND CLIMATE AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND THE ENERGY.

SO ONTO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS ISSUE, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS IN OUR STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE CHRONICALLY OVERWORKED AND HAVE ENORMOUS CASELOADS AND THE STAFF ALSO THAT WORKS AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE CARRY ENORMOUS CASELOADS TRYING TO SUPPORT THOSE CASES.

I THINK THAT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND WHAT WE HAVE HEARD CALLED FOR IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IS A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE IS PAY PARITY WITH PROSECUTORS.

IT'S ALWAYS A BIG DEAL.

WHEN PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PROSECUTORS COMPARE THEIR SALARIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE THE SAME SORT OF TRIAL EXPERIENCE AND YEARS UNDER THEIR BELT DOING THIS WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY, PUBLIC DEFENDERS HAVE BEEN PAID LESS THAN PROSECUTORS DOING THE WORK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COURTROOM.

SO THAT PAY PERIOD PARITY IS A REALLY BIG DEAL AND JUST THE INCREASED FUNDING FOR ALL OF THE OFFICES AROUND THE STATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN REALLY HEARTENING TO SEE, AND WE HAVE SEEN IT ACROSS THE TWO HOUSES, HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZING THIS AS WELL IN THE HOUSE IN PARTICULAR, WE SAW REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE BECKER -- SHE'S A PROSECUTOR, AND SHE BRINGS THAT KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT A CERTAIN CASE, WE ALL HAVE STRONG EMOTIONS AROUND DIFFERENT STORIES THAT WE MAY HEAR ABOUT THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY, SPANNING THE SPECTRUM, BUT PART OF THE FUNDAMENTAL FOUNDATION FOR OUR SOCIETY IS THAT EVERYBODY DESERVES A DEFENSE, FAIR DEFENSE TO BE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY, IT'S ESSENTIAL IN OUR STATE AND THE INTEGRITY IS THE FUNDING IT ADEQUATELY.

IT'S REALLY GOOD TO SEE.

>> Barry: ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES, MANY OF OUR VIEWERS, NOT ALL, BUT MANY OF OUR VIEWERS ARE FROM GREATER MINNESOTA, AND PUBLIC DEFENDER RESOURCES IN GREATER MINNESOTA HAVE BEEN A PARTICULAR ISSUE, AND THIS FUNDING IMPROVEMENT MAY VERY WELL HELP WITH THAT PROBLEM.

THE OTHER POINT THAT I WANTED TO MAKE IS THIS WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT AS I RECALL.

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, LET'S TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, BECAUSE THAT'S THE AREA WHERE YOU ARE WORKING, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE ON THAT TOPIC.

WE DID GET GOOD NEWS ABOUT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT ABOUT NEWS IN PRECEDING MONTHS PERHAPS WAS NOT QUITE SO GOOD.

YOU COULD TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND WHAT LEGISLATIVE RESPONSES WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE IN THIS SESSION ON THAT TOPIC.

>> I THINK ALMOST EVERYBODY IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND JOBS AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY, EVERYBODY IS STRUGGLING WITH WORKFORCE.

WHAT DO WE DO?

HOW DO WE PAY THEM APPROPRIATELY?

RIGHT NOW ACROSS THE STATE WE ARE DEALING WITH BILLS, LISTENING TO A LOT OF VERY IMPASSIONED ADMINISTRATORS AND NURSING HOME OPERATORS.

THE LIST IS ENDLESS ABOUT HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES AND REIMBURSEMENTS FOR THESE PLACES LIKE NURSING HOMES AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES WHERE THEY ONLY GET SO MUCH MONEY BASED ON REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE MEDICAID, MEDICARE PAYMENTS.

WE CAN'T GET THAT MONEY TO THEM FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF THE WAY INFLATION AND SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR PEOPLE HAVE REALLY TAKEN OFF 6789 SO WE HAVE GOT WINGS IN NURSING HOMES THAT ARE SITTING THERE EMPTY, AND NURSING HOMES THEN HAVE A MUCH HARDER TIME MAKING THE PAYMENTS AND PURCHASING THE FOOD THAT'S ANOTHER 30% HIGHER THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

WE ARE REALLY, REALLY STRUGGLING TO MAKE SURE WE GET AS MUCH RESOURCES TO OUR STATE EMPLOYEES THAT NEED THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS RIPE FOR THOSE KINDS OF DESPERATE SITUATIONS.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SEEN SUCH A SHORTAGE WHETHER IT'S PSYCHOLOGIST, NURSES, NURSING HOME CARE, PCA'S, AND IT'S REALLY QUITE SOMETHING.

THERE'S NOT A HEARING THAT GOES BY OR BILL THAT DOESN'T GO BY WITHOUT REALLY SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE WORKFORCE AND THE WORK WE NEED TO DO AND THE FUNDING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THEM OR OUR NURSING HOMES ARE NOT GOING TO BE AROUND.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE EVER SEEN A TIME WHERE EVERY BUSINESS IS OUT THERE LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

WE HAVE RESTAURANTS IN MY AREA THAT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPENED 7 DAYS A WEEK AND NOW DUE TO A LACK OF HELP, THEY ARE CLOSED ONE OR TWO DAYS IN ORDER TO GIVE PEOPLE THE TIME OFF.

THEY JUST DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS TO COVER ALL THE SHIFTS.

WE SEE THE SAME THING IN OUR NURSING HOMES.

WE SEE THE SAME THINGS IN MOST ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE CAR DEALERSHIPS AND MECHANIC SHOPS THAT ARE NEEDING PEOPLE.

VIRTUALLY EVERY BUSINESS IS IN NEED OF WORKERS.

PART OF IT IS QUITE FRANKLY, TOO, THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF TRAINED HELP, WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MECHANICS, PLUMBERS, ELECTRICIANS, CARPENTERS.

WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE THAT ARE FOR OUR YOUNG STUDENTS WHO ARE GOING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL AND MAYBE EVEN STARTING DURING HIGH SCHOOL THAT HELP TRAIN THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE EVERYONE RECOGNIZES IF SOMEONE NEEDS A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PREPARED TO GO OFF TO COLLEGE AND PURSUE THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND AS THEY LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL TO HAVE GOOD TRAINING IN TWO-YEAR PROGRAMS, FOR EXAMPLE IN THE CAREER VOCATIONAL AVENUE.

THERE ARE MANY GOOD JOBS OUT THERE.

THERE ARE MANY NEEDS FOR THESE PEOPLE.

CERTAINLY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE OFFER THAT WHOLE SPECTRUM OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN I'M GUESSING DULUTH IS IN THE SAME POSITION AS OUR OTHER COMMUNITIES.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I THINK, AS MY COLLEAGUES HERE HAVE DISCUSSED IN SOME GOOD DETAIL, WE HAVE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT'S TRUE.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THAT.

AS SENATOR WEBER WAS TALKING ABOUT, REALLY ENCOURAGE PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE GET INTO THE TRADES.

THERE'S A REAL SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN THE TRADES.

A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY THERE.

NOT HAVING EVERYBODY AND NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO OR NEEDS TO OR SHOULD GO FOR A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

REALLY EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING THE ARRAY OF OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK OUR WORK SHORTAGE REALLY SPEAKS TO RIGHT NOW IS THE WEALTH DISPARITY THAT WE HAVE IN OUR SOCIETY.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN A SITUATION, I THINK, ESPECIALLY POST PANDEMIC, WHERE WE REALLY ARE SEEING THE EFFECT OF PEOPLE HAVING IN SOME WAYS, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, NOT ABLE TO WORK AT HOME OR SCRAPING BY, WORKING PART-TIME, FIGURING THINGS OUT AND REALLY DOING THE REASSESSMENT OF WHAT THEIR LABOR IS WORTH, WHAT THEIR TIME IS WORTH AND REALIZING THAT, YOU KNOW, GETTING PAID $13 AN HOUR IS JUST NOT GOING TO CUT IT ANY LONGER.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF EMPLOYERS, LOCALLY AND IN DULUTH I HAVE HEARD THIS FROM OUR NURSING HOMES AND CARE CENTERS, AND OTHER AREAS THROUGH CHILD CARE, THAT THOSE POSITIONS ARE VERY LOW PAY, NOT NECESSARILY OUT OF THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING THOSE CENTERS.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO PAY PEOPLE MORE.

WE NEED TO PAY PEOPLE MORE.

A LOT OF THE TIME NOW PEOPLE CAN JUST LOOK AND RIGHTFULLY SAY THIS IS VERY HARD WORK.

IT IS VERY HARD WORK, CARING PROFESSIONS, AND PEOPLE DO IT BECAUSE THEY LOVE IT.

AT SOME POINT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEBODY MIGHT LOOK OVER AND SAY IF I GET A JOB AT THE LOCAL FAST FOOD PLACE OR WHAT NOT, I CAN GO AND MAKE 17, $18 AN HOUR, WHICH IS GREAT.

I'M GLAD WE ARE SEEING THOSE WAGES GO UP, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP PACE WITH THAT, WITH THIS WAGE CORRECTION.

PEOPLE NEED TO LIVE.

THEY NEED TO THRIVE AND PAY THEIR BILLS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT KEEPS PACE WITH WHERE WE ARE GOING IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS THE LAST FEW DAYS.

THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE STATUS OF A BONDING BILL.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BONDING BILL.

WE OFTEN GET QUESTIONS HERE ABOUT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS OR PROJECTS, INCLUDING CHEMISTRY BUILDING AT THE U AND WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES.

CAN YOU BRING VIEWERS UP-TO-DATE ON THE STATUS OF THAT BONDING BILL DISCUSSION THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS.

>> AT THIS POINT, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, I BELIEVE, IN THE SENATE, AND I DO NOT SERVE ON THAT, IS SOON TO TAKE UP THE BONDING BILL THAT THE HOUSE HAS SENT OVER.

CERTAINLY THERE ARE MANY OF US THAT DO BELIEVE IN HAVING A BONDING BILL.

OBVIOUSLY WASTEWATER PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH PFA ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, REPAIR AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR COLLEGE BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FOR OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES AND THERE'S JUST A MULTITUDE OF NEEDS AND USES OUT THERE FOR BONDING MONEY.

OUR POSITION HAS BEEN WE ALSO IN A PERIOD OF AN UNPRECEDENTED SURPLUS, WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT GETTING MONEY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS OF MINNESOTA, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GAVE US A $19 BILLION SURPLUS, AND KNOW IT'S QUOTED AT 17 1/2 BILLION BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN AN ACCOUNTING CHANGE TO ALLOW FOR INFLATION.

SO THEY REDUCED THAT BY 1 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS.

WE ARE CONCERNED THAT AS WE LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET THAT INCREASED THE BIENNIAL BUDGET BY $11 BILLION AND LOOK AT THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN SPENT, AT THE END, IT'S GOING TO BE THE TAXPAYERS THAT ARE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF TAX REFORM OR TAX REBATES OR ELIMINATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FROM TAXATION.

WE THINK THAT WITH THIS CONTAINED OF A SURPLUS WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH SOME TAX REFORM AND TAX RELIEF FOR OUR TAXPAYERS BEFORE WE START INCURRING ADDITIONAL DEBT.

THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BONDING BILL DISCUSSION THAT'S NOW UNDERWAY IN THE SENATE?

>> GOSH, I SURE HOPE WE GET ONE.

I WAS QUITE SHOCKED ACTUALLY IN MY FIRST TERM AS THE SENATOR TO SEE ALL OF THE PREPARATION THAT WENT INTO THE BONDING BILL.

I REMEMBER BEING IN DULUTH AND SEEING SENATOR BAKK AT THE TIME WAS THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE BONDING COMMITTEE.

THEY CAME ON A TOUR, REALLY NICE CHARTERED BUS UP TO GLENSHEEN AND DULUTH AND ALL THE LOCAL PRODUCTS PUT TOGETHER THE LOCAL PRESENTATIONS, GOT ALL THEIR DUCKS IN A ROW AND PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATORS THAT WERE ON THE COMMITTEE AND TO SEE AT THE END OF THE DAY THE BONDING BILL DID NOT GET ACROSS THE LINE WAS SHOCKING.

IT WAS JUST SHOCKING.

I'M SURE THERE'S PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND.

I WASN'T PART OF THOSE COMMITTEES, AND I DON'T MEAN TO ASSIGN ANY CERTAIN BLAME TO ANYONE, BUT THAT MEANS THAT THIS YEAR WE ARE LONG OVERDUE FOR A BONDING BILL, FOR BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

AS SENATOR WEBER SAID, WE HAVE WATER TREATMENT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS OVERDUE FOR FUNDING.

WE HAVE VERY BASIC PROJECTS.

THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT ARE SOME SORT OF PET PROJECTS FOR PEOPLE.

THESE ARE BASIC COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT ARE OVERDUE THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

I'M HOPING WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT COME THROUGH, AND I'M HOPING IT'S NOT GOING TO BE HELD UP BY POLITICAL GAMES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, BONDING ISSUES.

REALIZE THE HOUSE HAS ACTED.

BUT WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR POSITION ON THAT.

>> WE ACTED, BARRY, AND IT'S NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATE.

WE LET OUR COLLEAGUES KNOW IT'S ON THE WAY.

OVER ALL IT'S A GOOD BILL, 1.9 BILLION, BY FAR THE LARGEST BONDING BILL IN STATE HISTORY.

TWO BILLS.

BORROWING IN ONE OF THE BILLS WITH OUR GO BORROWING BILL THAT WAS ABOUT 1.5.

THE OTHER WAS WHAT WE CALL THE CASH BILL, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO BORROW MONEY FOR THAT.

WE WILL JUST PAY CASH OUT OF THE BOTTOM LINE.

I ENDED UP NOT SUPPORTING EITHER ONE, NOT THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE A BONDING BILL HAPPEN.

MY CONCERN WE HAVE SO MUCH MONEY ON THE BOTTOM LINE, I DIDN'T THINK WE NEEDED TO ACTUALLY BORROW THE MONEY.

I WISH WE WOULD ACTUALLY USE A LOT OF THAT ONE-TIME MONEY, WHICH IS WHAT BONDING BILLS ARE, THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY USE IT AND PUT IT ON THE CREDIT CARD.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A UNIQUE TIME TO DO THAT, ALSO TO SENATOR WEBER'S POINT, WE MADE A LOT OF PROMISES TO PEOPLE WHEN WE CAME HERE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET SOME OTHER WORK DONE LIKE TAX REFORM OR SOCIAL SECURITY TAX, SOME OF THE THINGS WE REALLY NEED TO WORK ON BEFORE WE DEALT WITH THE EXTRA BILL.

SOME PEOPLE REFER TO IT AS THE DESSERT BILL.

I WOULD SAY THAT WITH A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THAT DIDN'T GET DONE LAST YEAR, I'M HAPPY IT'S OVER THE SENATE.

THE SENATE WILL BE ABLE TO TEAR IT APART A BIT.

THERE WILL BE LAST MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS AND I'M SURE THE BILL WILL GET BETTER AS IT GOES ALONG.

I COULDN'T SUPPORT IT FOR THOSE REASONS.

IT WAS A GOOD BILL AND I SUPPORT A LOT OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE IN IT THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: WE HAVE HAD COMMENT ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT VIEWERS IN BELLE GLADE AND SWIFT COUNTY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AND ASKED US TO INQUIRE THE PANEL ON THE STATUS OF THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

SENATOR MCEWEN, WE DIDN'T GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

HAVE YOU START WITH THAT.

WHAT ARE THOSE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT, IF ANYTHING, SHOULD BE DONE RELATIVE TO THE TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE'S DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WITHIN MY OWN CAUCUS.

I THINK WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THAT.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN OUT AGAINST A FULL ELIMINATION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX, STATE TAX, BECAUSE OVERALL WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHO THE GREAT BULK OF THAT MONEY WOULD GO TO, IT WOULD BE TO WEALTHIER RETIREES.

THAT SAID, THERE AREN'T MANY OF US WHO ARE VERY KEENLY AWARE THAT EVER SINCE THE PAWLENTY YEARS AND NOT HAVING A LARGE ENOUGH LGA ALLOTMENT FOR OUR CITIES AND MY CITY IN PARTICULAR OF DULUTH, WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T KEPT PACE WITH TAKING THAT INCOME TAX REVENUE AND DISTRIBUTING OUT THROUGH THE STATES TO OUR MUNICIPALITIES, IN TURN, OUR MUNICIPALITIES HAVE HAD TO LEVY AND DO LOCAL FLAT TAXES AND PROPERTY TAXES.

THOSE PROPERTY TAXES ARE REALLY VERY HARD ON PEOPLE WITH FIXED INCOMES.

THEY ARE VERY REGRESSIVE AS OPPOSED TO AN INCOME TAX.

I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES AND MIDDLE INCOMES BECAUSE OF THIS REGRESSIVE TAXATION PATH THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN ARE BEING NICKELED AND DIMED AND IT INCLUDES TAXATION.

I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC TO GIVING RELIEF TO PEOPLE IN LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOMES.

HOWEVER, I'M NOT SYMPATHETIC TO THE TAX RELIEF BECAUSE ESSENTIALLY THAT'S A TAX CUT TO THE RICH.

WE NEED TO GO IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY IMPORTANT NEEDS IN OUR STATE.

THE SURPLUS ACTUALLY REPRESENTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDING ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR YEARS.

EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL SERVICES.

WE DON'T HAVE YET PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM, WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE HAD DECADES AGO.

THERE'S A LOT OF CATCH-UP WE HAVE TO DO.

WE HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THE LEAD PIPES IN OUR STATE.

A PROJECT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF WE STARTED A DECADE OR TWO AGO.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE THAT THOSE WITH THE MOST RESOURCES, WHO HAVE GAINED THE MOST FROM OUR SOCIETY, WEALTHIEST INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS SHOULD BE PAYING THE MOST.

SO I DON'T SUPPORT A FULL ELIMINATION.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES IN MY CAUCUS WHO ARE FIGHTING VERY HARD FOR THAT.

I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE IDEA WE WANT TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO RETIREES.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BULK OF IT, THE BULK OF THAT MONEY WOULD GO TO THE WEALTHY RETIREES.

I HOPE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE GOING TO FIND SOME KIND OF COMPROMISE THERE.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER, SOCIAL SECURITY TAXATION.

>> WELL, MINNESOTA IS ONE OF ONLY 11 STATES THAT TAXES SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

IT'S TIME THAT WE GOT OUR NAME OFF OF THAT LIST.

NOW, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE WEALTHY GETTING A TAX BREAK WITH THIS, BUT AT SOME POINT WE ARE GOING TO START SEEING A GREAT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF THOSE WEALTHY PEOPLE.

QUITE FRANKLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING INCOME TAX ON THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WHO ARE NOT WEALTHY PEOPLE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

SO WE NEED TO PROVIDE A TOTAL ELIMINATION OF MINNESOTA STATE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

THESE PEOPLE WORKED FOR THAT MONEY HARD.

THEY CONTRIBUTED INTO THE FUND.

THEY PAID INCOME TAX ON THE MONEY THEY EARNED ON WHICH THEY PAID SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

NOW WE ASK THEM TO PAY IT AGAIN.

QUITE FRANKLY, THAT IS WRONG.

AND SO WE NEED TO DO THAT.

IN ADDITION, WE NEED TO ALSO LOOK AT THE RATES THAT WE ARE CHARGING FOR OUR TAXPAYERS.

A REPUBLICAN PLAN THAT WAS ROLLED OUT LAST WEEK BASICALLY DEALT WITH A ONE PERCENT CUT IN THE FIRST TWO TIERS OF TAX RATES, DEALT WITH A REFUND TO ALL MINNESOTANS, DEALT WITH CHILD CARE -- CHILD TAX CREDIT, AS WELL AS PROPERTY TAX REFORM, INCREASING THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL, AG, RESORT PROPERTIES.

ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT SAYING THAT THE SURPLUS IS A RESULT OF US BEING UNDERFUNDED, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT OUR BUDGET IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IT HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

QUITE FRANKLY, AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERY -- EVERY PROGRAM TAKES MONEY BUT NOT EVERY PROGRAM ACHIEVES SUCCESS AS A RESULT OF THE EXTRA MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO IT.

IT'S TIME THAT WE TOOK A STEP BACK AND SAID WE CAN'T KEEP SPENDING AT THAT KIND OF A RATE.

PARTICULARLY WITH AN 11 BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECTED INCREASE IN THE STATE BUDGET.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO PROVIDE THAT TAX RELIEF TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BALKER.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO ECHO WITH A LOT OF WHAT SENATOR WEBER HAD TO STAY.

WITH 11 STATES LEFT, PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAND AND THE IMAGE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ARE IN THE HIGHER END OF MOST TAX RATES, MOST TAX INDEXES WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND.

WE ARE LOSING TOO MANY OF OUR MINNESOTANS OUT OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THEY ARE VOTING WITH THEIR FEET.

THEY ARE LEAVING THE STATE BECAUSE THEY CAN GO ELSEWHERE.

I TOLD THIS MANY TIMES OVER.

I CAN SAVE $40,000 ON DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT MIGHT NOT JUST BE THE MINNESOTA INCOME TAX, BUT IT'S THE THOUGHT OF US STILL CHARGING ANY KIND OF INCOME TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME THAT THEY REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYMORE.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THIS LIST.

IT'S COSTING US MORE MONEY WHEN WE LOSE MINNESOTANS THAT ARE NEWLY RETIRED, STILL HAVE SOME DESCENT INCOME GOING ON, YET THEY PAID THEIR MORE THAN FAIR SHARE OVER THE YEARS TO HELP US WITH OUR SERVICES HERE, TOO.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT MOST STATES HAVE FIGURED OUT.

IT IS A LOSING ISSUE.

IF WE DON'T FIX IT, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE THESE PEOPLE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE A FULL REPEAL OF SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

IT'S REALLY WHAT MOST FOLKS CAMPAIGNED ON LAST FALL.

I DO HOPE WE CAN FIND COMPROMISE.

LIKE THE SENATORS HAVE SAID, I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT AREA.

I HOPE IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN GET OUR ARMS AROUND.

IT SHOULD BE ONE OF OUR TOP PRIORITIES THAT WE DO THIS YEAR.

I'M PUSHING HARD, MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE, I HOPE IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN AGREE TO.

FINISH UP, AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> BARRY, IF I COULD ADD ONE COMMENT THERE.

THE COST TO PROVIDE THIS TYPE OF TAX RELIEF IS 1.26 BILLION, AND WHEN WE HAVE A $19 BILLION SURPLUS, IF WE CAN'T PROVIDE THAT TAPE OF TAX RELIEF TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT?

IT IS TIME.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN, YOU WANT THE LAST WORD ON THIS, OR SHOULD WE MOVE ON?

>> WE CAN MOVE ON.

BUT I HAVE ONE QUICK WORD OR OBSERVATION.

MY OBSERVATION IS FOR ME IT REALLY IS A QUESTION OF WHO ARE WE FOCUSING ON SERVING IN OUR STATES.

AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO THAT WEALTH INEQUALITY PIECE.

WHEN I TALK TO MY CONSTITUENTS, I DON'T TALK TO MANY PEOPLE WHO TELL ME THEY COULD SAVE $40,000 IF THEY MOVE OR DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I TALK TO PEOPLE WHO SAY I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GOING TO PAY MY HEATING BILL.

I DON'T KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO CONTINUE TO PAY FOR MY CHILD CARE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE TWO OR THREE JOBS ARE GOING TO GET ME BY.

SO WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROVIDING RELIEF TO PEOPLE, TO WORKING MINNESOTANS, LET'S GET SERIOUS ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

IT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS ARE MET.

IT MEANS RELAXING THE BURDEN OF PROPERTY TAXES ON PEOPLE WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOMES.

IT DOESN'T MEAN ANOTHER CUT OF TAXES FOR THE WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS.

IT JUST DOESN'T.

I THINK IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF FRAMING, THE QUESTION OF BRANDING.

I GET IT.

BUT I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE MOVING FROM MINNESOTA BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED THEY ARE BEING TAXED TOO MUCH.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MINNESOTANS BEING ABLE TO LIVE AND GET BY.

>> Barry: I THINK WE HAVE EXPLORED THIS ISSUE PRETTY THOROUGHLY.

I'M GUESSING FUTURE PANELS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK MORE ABOUT IT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

VIEWER FROM STEARNS COUNTY, AND I'M GOING TO DIRECT IT TO YOU, SENATOR BAKER, BECAUSE IT'S ADJACENT TO YOUR AREA.

THIS IS A VIEWER THAT'S CONCERNED ABOUT NURSING HOME ISSUES.

THIS PERSON IS ON A NURSING HOME BOARD, FUNDING AND REIMBURSING ARE PROBLEMS, REIMBURSEMENT IS OFTEN LATE AND INADEQUATE.

NURSING HOMES AREN'T ABLE TO MEET THE DEBT RATIOS AND MULTIPLE NURSING HOMES HAVE CLOSED IN THE PAST YEAR, MIGHT BE AS MANY AS 17.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON NURSING HOME FUNDING ISSUES.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER, AND WE WILL MOVE AROUND THE VIRTUAL TABLE.

>> THAT IS SUCH A GREAT QUESTION THAT THE CALLER HAD.

THERE'S NOBODY HERE ON THIS PANEL THAT WILL ARGUE THAT WE HAVE THAT ONE SOLVED AT ALL.

WE DON'T.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

THE REIMBURSEMENT AS WELL.

THE GREAT BILL WE DID BACK IN 2015 TO REALLY GET OUR SERVICES BACK UP TO A COST BASIS FOR THESE NURSING HOMES WAS REALLY OUT OF THE BOX THINKING IT WAS REALLY WELL THOUGHT THROUGH.

I WAS A PART OF HELPING CRAFT THAT BACK IN MY FIRST YEAR.

WHAT'S HAPPENED NOW IS ABOUT 18 MONTHS LATER WHEN THE CATCH-UP PART OF THAT SERVICE FEED AND HOW DO WE PAY FOR NURSING HOMES TO GET THEM CAUGHT UP AGAIN, IT'S DELAYED IN HOW THEY GET THEIR FAIR REIMBURSEMENTS TO TODAY'S DOLLARS.

A LOT OF THE NURSING HOMES ARE PAID BETTER THAN THEY USED TO.

NOW TODAY, 7, 8 YEARS LATER, IT HAS GONE VERY FLAT AND BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE INFLATION FACTOR HAS REALLY HIT NURSING HOMES HARDEST.

AGAIN, THE REIMBURSEMENTS WHAT WE PAY THEM IS A SINGLE SOURCE RATE IN MINNESOTA.

PRIVATE PAY IS PAYING THE SAME THING AS MEDICAID, MEDICARE RATES THAT ARE PAYING.

WE NEED TO INCREASE THOSE THROUGH REIMBURSEMENTS AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT THAT AGAIN.

ALSO, THEY HAVE TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENTS WITH CURRENT COSTS MORE QUICKLY TO THE NURSING HOMES SO THEY CAN PAY THE BILLS THAT ARE MORE REFLECTIVE OF TODAY'S COSTS.

AGAIN, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO BE IN THOSE NURSING HOMES.

A LOT OF THE FOCUS THIS YEAR IS TO TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO GET THOSE NEW ENTRY LEVELS, THE PCA'S, PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANTS, IN THE 22 TO 25-DOLLAR A RANGE AN HOUR IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO GET THEM.

WE HAVE TOO MANY NURSING HOMES WITH A WING THAT'S EMPTY, 100 BED UNIT AND ONLY USING 70 ROOMS BECAUSE THAT'S ALL THE STAFFING THEY HAVE.

BUT YET THEY HAVE PEOPLE WANTING TO GET TO THE DOOR.

IT'S A HUGE LIFT THIS YEAR.

IT WILL BE COSTLY, AND WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE IT ONE OF OUR ISSUES BECAUSE IT'S PLUGGING UP OUR HOSPITALS.

THERE'S NO PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO IN RECOVERY FOR SOME SHORT-TERM NURSING STAY.

WE HAVE TO REALLY FOCUS ON THIS, I THINK, IN THE NEAR TERM, AND I HOPE WE GET ON THIS RIGHT AWAY.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER.

>> CERTAINLY.

I THINK NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE STATE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

IT'S BEEN A PERENNIAL PROBLEM, ONE THAT KEEPS COMING BACK ANY TIME THERE'S A SOLUTION THAT'S PUT FORTH AND WORKS FOR A WHILE.

BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, IN TERMS OF OUR MEDICARE, MEDICAID PAYMENTS, I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS EVEN GOING INTO THE HOSPITAL BUSINESS, WHEN I WAS ON THE LOCAL HOSPITAL BOARD, ON THE COUNCIL, WE ALWAYS FOUGHT THIS DEEP RURAL DISCRIMINATION THAT'S OUT THERE FOR PAYMENTS.

THEY THOUGHT BECAUSE WE WERE OUT IN THE COUNTRY, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE KIND OF COSTS THAT THEY HAD IN THE BIG CITY.

YET, WHAT WE ALWAYS FOUND OUT IN MY AREA, WE WERE COMPETING WITH THE LARGE HOSPITALS OVER IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

WE WERE HAVING TO PAY HIGHER RATES TO GET OUR PERSONNEL.

WE WERE NEVER GETTING CREDIT FOR THAT TYPE OF THING.

THERE'S BEEN AN INJUSTICE IN THAT REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME.

ALSO, YES, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRAINING THE PEOPLE, FUTURE STAFFING THAT WE NEED.

RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU SEE WINGS OF OUR NURSING HOMES SITTING EMPTY JUST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE STAFFING, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

SO THERE ARE MULTIPLE AVENUES THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS IN OUR NURSING HOMES.

QUITE FRANKLY, ALL OF OUR RURAL AREAS CONTINUE TO LOSE NURSING HOMES EVERY YEAR.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN, WE TALKED ABOUT IT ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE.

BUT TELL OUR VIEWERS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> IT HAS REACHED A CRISIS POINT.

I HAVE BEEN TO A COUPLE OF THE NURSING HOMES IN DULUTH AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THIS.

AS SENATOR WEBER SAYS, THERE'S A TREMENDOUS WORKFORCE PROBLEM.

I THINK WHERE WE MAY HAVE DIVERGENT OPINIONS BETWEEN MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES, PERHAPS.

BUT MAYBE IN WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE SOLUTIONS FOR THAT.

WE CAN'T FORCE PEOPLE, EITHER THROUGH TRAINING OR JUST TELLING THEM WE NEED THEM REALLY BAD, TO GO AND WORK A DIFFICULT JOB FOR A VERY LOW PAY AND HARDLY ANY BENEFITS.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS MAKE SURE WAGES ARE RAISED TO A LEVEL WHERE THOSE TREMENDOUSLY DIFFICULT CARE JOBS ARE PAID WHAT THEIR LABOR IS WORTH, WHICH IS A LOT.

IT'S THE KIND OF JOB THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE MAKING A LIVING THRIVING, FAMILY SUPPORTING WAGE OUT OF.

RIGHT NOW THEY ARE BEING PAID AS IF THEY ARE DISPENSABLE.

YOU CAN'T BLAME PEOPLE FOR LEAVING A JOB WHERE THEY FEEL DISPENSABLE.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS ACT AS A STATE TO MAKE THOSE JOBS GOOD JOBS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE BASIC SAFETY NET UNDERNEATH THEM TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, ALSO, SO THEY CAN STAY IN THESE CARING PROFESSIONS.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF PIECES WE CAN DO.

IT REALLY IS ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE SO THEY CAN DO THIS WORK.

WE CAN'T JUST DRAG PEOPLE IN THERE AND MAKE PEOPLE DO THESE JOBS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THE JOBS ATTRACTIVE TO DO.

>> THE OTHER THING, BARRY, WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS QUITE FRANKLY IT'S GOVERNMENT THAT HAS CREATED THE DISPARITY IN THAT IN THE EMPLOYEE SALARY ANYWAY.

OUR NURSING HOMES ARE DEPENDENT ON WHAT THE GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR OUR PEOPLE TO BE THERE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID.

IF THERE'S ANYONE THAT HAS LET OUR NURSING HOMES DOWN, IT IS GOVERNMENT.

>> IF I MIGHT VERY QUICKLY, TOO, I THINK IT ALSO GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION YOU HAD ABOUT THE SURPLUS AND DISCUSSION WE HAD, WE HAVE THE SURPLUS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT DOES IT REFLECT.

WHAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION.

I STAND BY WHAT I SAID EARLIER.

WHAT THE SURPLUS REFLECTS IN LARGE PART IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDING OUR BASIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR YEARS.

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE WHERE WE COULD BE USING THAT MONEY.

WE SHOULD ONGOING BE FUNDING THESE THINGS AT A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL.

>> Barry: WE WILL NO DOUBT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS AGAIN IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

WE HAVE A VIEWER -- ACTUALLY WE HAVE A COUPLE OF VIEWERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS QUESTION, WHICH IS ALSO FAIRLY COMMON.

VIEWERS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT ONE VIEWER DESCRIBES AS DOG PROTECTION BILLS.

SENATE FILE 1316, HOUSE FILE 1399.

THESE ARE WHAT I CALL THE TRAPPING BILLS.

VERY STRONG VIEWS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

ONE VIEWER NOTED THAT THIS IS MULTIPLE SESSIONS AND IF THIS IS THE SESSION WHERE THERE WILL BE ACTION.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

ANYTHING GOING ON IN THAT TERRITORY?

>> YOU KNOW WE HAD TRAPPERS IN THIS WEEK, AND I HAD A REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION.

I'M ABSOLUTELY NOT AN EXPERT ON THIS AREA.

BUT I DO KNOW A FEW PEOPLE IN MY AREA THAT HAVE TAKEN GREAT STRIDES TO MAKE SURE THE TRAPPING ISSUE AND THE DILEMMA IS ADDRESSED.

I THINK THEY ACTUALLY CAME IN AND SHOWED ME A LOT OF THE TRAPS THEY ARE SELLING TODAY ARE VERY SAFE OR SHOULD SAY VERY THOUGHTFUL WHEN IT COMES TO NOT WANTING TO CATCH AN ANIMAL LIKE A DOG THAT WOULD BE ROAMING AROUND.

THEY SHOW ME THE TUBE THEY GO INTO.

THEY ARE NOT TYPICAL OF THE CLAW TYPE OF A SNAP THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE A DOG OR A DOMESTIC ANIMAL IN A TRAP.

TRAPPING IS IMPORTANT IN OUR STATE.

TRAPPING IS IMPORTANT SO WE KEEP THE BEAVER DAMS DOWN AND OTHER THINGS THAT CAUSE PROBLEMS IF WE DON'T MANAGE THOSE KINDS OF RESOURCES.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE DOING A BAD JOB IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK WE CAN ALWAYS LOOK AT OTHER THINGS, BUT IT'S AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING IT AS SAFELY AS THEY CAN.

I APPRECIATE HEARING FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

I NEED TO HEAR MORE FROM OTHERS AS WELL.

BUT AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO TRY TO RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE HAD.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER, TRAPPING.

>> I AGREE WITH WHAT REPRESENTATIVE BAKER HAS SAID.

THE TRAPPING INDUSTRY HAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS.

WE CANNOT PASS THE TYPE OF TRAPPING PROHIBITIONS THAT ARE WANTED OUT THERE.

EVEN IN MY AREA, WE SEE SUBSTANTIAL BEAVER ACTIVITY IN SOME OF OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WHICH CAUSE FLOODING AND PROBLEMS FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY, FOR OUR LOCAL ROADS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY TRAPPING INDUSTRY TO CONTROL THOSE SITUATIONS.

I DON'T -- NO.

1, I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR ANY OF THE TRAPPING BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED SO FAR, AND I THINK AT THIS POINT IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO SEE ANY OF THEM GO THROUGH THIS YEAR.

TIME WILL TELL.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M NOT -- I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO DEFEND THE BEAVER HERE.

BEAVER ARE AN AMAZING SPECIES AND DO AMAZING WORK OUT IN OUR FORECAST, BUT I ALSO POINT TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE WHO MADE THEIR LIVING AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH TRAPPING.

THAT, I'M VERY SYMPATHETIC WITH.

I HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION ON IT.

OVER ALL I'M NOT A FAN OF TRAPPING.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S PRETTY ROUGH.

I'M TAKING IT UNDER CONSIDERATION RIGHT NOW.

I WILL BE TAKING A LOOK AT THOSE BILLS IN DETAIL.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

ONE OF THE TOPICS THAT COMES UP IN A FUNDING YEAR, AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU SPECIFICALLY.

I'M GOING TO GIVE EACH OF OUR GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

BUT AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE MINNESOTA BUDGET IS K-12 EDUCATION, WHAT I CALL K-12 EDUCATION.

WE PROBABLY CALL IT PREK-12 EDUCATION.

THERE ARE NEW ISSUES THAT COME UP IN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATION, NOT JUST A FUNDING QUESTION.

I WANT TO GIVE EACH OF OUR GUESTS TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE AND WHAT ASPECTS OF IT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM AND WHAT MESSAGE DO THEY LIKE TO SEND TO THE CONSTITUENTS.

START WITH YOU, SENATOR MCEWEN, PREK-12, K-12 EDUCATION.

YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MINNESOTA BE AGAIN ONE OF THE PREMIER EDUCATIONAL CENTERS OF THE WORLD.

WHEN I SAY THAT, I MEAN PREK THROUGH UNIVERSITY, THROUGH PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES.

WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

WE HAVE PROFESSIONALS, THE KNOW-HOW TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE TO THE USER AT THE POINT OF SERVICE OR VERY LOW COST PUBLIC EDUCATION, PREK THROUGH FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC UNIVERSITY.

THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN MINNESOTA.

MANY OF OUR NATIONS DID IT YEARS AGO.

IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT A GOOD SOCIETY PROVIDES FOR ITS PEOPLE.

I'M THINKING BIG WHEN I THINK OF EDUCATION.

I'M THINKING ABOUT HOW DO WE PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION FOR OUR PEOPLE STARTING WHEN THEY ARE VERY, VERY YOUNG OR THROUGH THE TRADES AS WELL.

WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO GOING TO THE UNIVERSITY.

TRAINING PROGRAMS AND THE LIKE.

THOSE THINGS SHOULD BE FREE OR VERY LOW COST TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO GET INTO THOSE PROGRAMS.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE SHOOTING FOR.

WE HAVE THE WEALTH.

WE ARE THE WEALTHIEST STATE IN THE WEALTHIEST NATION TO EVER EXIST ON THE PLANET.

WE SHOULD DO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE BAKER.

>> THAT'S A LOT.

THAT'S A LOT OF FREES THERE BECAUSE THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH IN MY WORLD.

WE PAY A RICH PROPERTY TAX ON OUR STATE.

WE ALL PAID THOSE WHEN YOU HAVE PROPERTY YOU OWN.

I AGREE, THOUGH, WE NEED TO DO BETTER SMARTER FUNDING WITH OUR SCHOOLS.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO INVEST MORE IN OUR SOCIAL WORKERS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS AND EARLIER TEACHERS WHEN THEY GET INTO THE CLASSROOM SHOULD BE PAID BETTER.

I DON'T THINK OUR TEACHERS JUST OUT OF COLLEGE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS SHOULD BE PAID THROUGH THAT.

WE NEED TO PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE.

WE NEED TO FIND NEW WAYS OF DOING THIS.

TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO THE INDUSTRY IS ANOTHER GREAT CONCERN.

WE NEED TO FIND WAYS OF RECRUITING TEACHERS OF COLOR.

WE ARE NOT GETTING PEOPLE THAT ARE GRABBING ONTO IT LARGELY BECAUSE CHALLENGES OF BEING A TEACHER TODAY IS NOTHING SHORT.

HAVING SUMMERS OFF IS SOMETIMES NOT ENOUGH OF A BREAK FOR WHAT THEY GO THROUGH IN THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH THE CHALLENGES TEACHERS HAVE.

I HAVE A BILL IN THIS YEAR THAT'S GETTING A LOT OF CHATTER, AND I TALKED TO THE CHAIR THIS WEEK ABOUT THIS, AND SHE'S DEFINITELY CONSIDERING.

BUT TO HAVE OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO WORK THROUGH THE ISSUE, SHOULD WE DO A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK?

THERE'S A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA THAT HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE LAST 12 TO 15 YEARS.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN KIDS THROUGH K THROUGH 12 THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM ON FOUR DAYS.

TYPICALLY GO TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

IT'S NOT THE RIGHT DECISION FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

IT'S A COMPLICATED QUESTION TO ASK ABOUT DAY CARE, TRANSPORTATION, SCHOOL SPORTS, BUT A NUMBER OF SCHOOLS HAVE DONE THIS, AND THEY WOULD NEVER GO BACK ACCORDING TO THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE FAMILIES.

THEY REALLY LIKE IT.

TEACHER COLLABORATION IS BETTER.

THERE'S THE RECRUITING FOR TEACHERS IN THOSE SCHOOLS WITH FOUR DAYS.

THEY ARE NOT SHORT OF TEACHERS.

THOSE SCHOOL SYSTEMS RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE FOUR DAYS.

AGAIN, IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY, BUT I THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SCHOOL BORTD SHOULD MAKE THAT DECISION, NOT THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.

THAT'S WHERE THAT LANDS RIGHT NOW, AND THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ANYBODY THAT EXCEPTION.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF RETHINKING EDUCATION HERE IN MINNESOTA AND IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY.

I'M CERTAINLY A SUPPORTER OF DOING GOOD STUFF THIS YEAR, SOCIAL WORKERS, BUT WE HAVE OTHER THINGS TO THINK ABOUT, HOW WE CAN GET OUR KIDS THE BEST HELP THEY CAN.

>> Barry: SENATOR WEBER.

>> WELL, ONCE AGAIN, QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME THE PROBLEM IN EDUCATION.

THE MANDATES THAT WE HAVE PUT ON OUR SCHOOLS ALWAYS COST MORE MONEY THAN THEY ARE EVER RECEIVING.

WE GO BACK -- THIS GOES BACK NOT ONLY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

FOR MANY YEARS OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR OUR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

THAT'S MONEY THEY HAVE TO MAKE UP SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THOSE PARTICULAR SERVICES.

AS WE LOOK AT THE CURRENT SITUATION, EVEN AS WE LOOK AT ALL THE BILLS GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW, WE SEE ANOTHER INTENSE SPENDING DEMAND BEING PLACED ON OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

EARLIER IT WAS MENTIONED ABOUT THE FAMILY LEAVE BILL.

THIS IS GOING TO COST ALL LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, INCLUDING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

I HAD A SCHOOL, SMALLER SCHOOL SYSTEM SENT ME AN OUTLINE OF WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IN TERMS OF HIRING ADDITIONAL PEOPLE.

THEY WENT THROUGH ALL THE ADDED COSTS THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED THEM WITH THE MANDATES THAT ARE COMING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A SITUATION THAT IS MANY, MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR THIS SMALL SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THEY SAID THERE'S NO WAY WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT KIND OF MONEY FROM THE STATE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC IN WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING.

WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC IN WHAT WE ARE REQUIRING.

WHILE THERE'S GOING TO BE ADDITIONAL MONEY SPENT FOR EDUCATION, WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION AND WHAT ARE WE FORCING THEM TO SPEND.

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM, AND IT'S BECOMING AN EVEN LARGER PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

>> Barry: HIGHER EDUCATION.

ONLY GOT ABOUT A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

VERY QUICKLY ON THAT ISSUE.

WE WILL GIVE YOU, SENATOR WEBER, THE FIRST GO.

HIGHER EDUCATION, WHAT DO YOU SEE FROM A FUNDING STANDPOINT THIS YEAR?

>> I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE.

I DON'T SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THAT OTHER THAN WE ARE SEEING SUBSTANTIAL ENROLLMENT ISSUES WITHIN OUR COLLEGE SYSTEMS.

I KNOW SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROPOSING FOR TECHNICAL TRAINING REALLY HELPS OUR MINNESOTA COLLEGES BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MORE SPREAD THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT, AND ARE ACTUALLY WILLING TO PROVIDE SOME OF THOSE TYPE OF PROGRAMS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT ROAD THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM AN ENROLLMENT THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVEN'T HAD IN MANY INSTANCES, AND THERE'S MORE I COULD SAY, BUT WE ARE RUNNING CLOSE ON TIME, AND I WILL LET MY OTHER COLLEAGUES SPEAK ON THE ISSUE.

>> Barry: SENATOR MCEWEN.

>> I WAS GOING TO JUMP IN QUICK.

I'M LIKE BILL.

THIS IS NOT AN AREA OF MY EXPERTISE EITHER.

SO I WANTED TO GIVE SENATOR A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME ON THIS.

BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE GOT TO GET OUR ENROLLMENT NUMBERS RIGHT.

I DON'T THINK FREE COLLEGE IS THE ANSWER EITHER.

BUT I SUPPORT MORE MONEY FOR STATE COLLEGES.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT'S OF GREAT VALUE.

I WILL FLIP IT OVER TO SENATOR MCEWEN AT THIS POINT.

I WISH I COULD ADD MORE.

>> Barry: FLOOR HAS BEEN YIELDED TO YOU.

HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> I WILL TAKE IT.

THIS IS A GOOD DISCUSSION.

I DO AGREE ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION THAT WE ARE SEEING IS JUST HOW FACULTY ARE NOT BEING PAID ADEQUATELY.

THIS ESPECIALLY GOES AT OUR UNIVERSITIES FOR FACULTY WHO ARE NOT LONG-TERM.

THEY MIGHT BE ON A CONTRACT TO TEACH A CLASS OR TWO.

THEY TRY TO GET AS MANY CLASSES AS THEY CAN.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF JOB SECURITY, BASICALLY ACTING AS CONTRACTORS.

UNIVERSITIES HAVE LEANED INTO DOING THAT TO SAVE MONEY.

IT'S ON THE BACKS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSIONALS.

IT'S NOT OKAY.

IT BRINGS ME BACK TO THE ISSUE OF YOU HEAR THIS A LOT FROM SOME OF OUR MORE CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES THAT NOTHING IS FREE.

THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH.

OF COURSE THERE'S NO FREE LUNCH.

WHAT IT IS IS A MATTER OF HAVING PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY, ENOUGH PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN OUR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT THE WEALTHIEST AMONGST US, WEALTHIEST INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATIONS ARE GOING TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES.

WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THESE BASIC PUBLIC GOODS FOR OUR PEOPLE.

OUT OF THAT, WHEN WE DO THAT, WE HAVE A SOCIETY AND A COMMUNITY THAT CAN THRIVE, THAT CAN COMPETE, OUT COMPETE NEIGHBORING STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S TRULY UNDERSTOOD THAT OF COURSE NONE OF THIS IS FREE.

WE ALL PAY TAXES.

WE PAY TAXES ON OUR INCOME.

WE PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

WE PAY SALES TAXES.

BUT WE SHOULD GET SOMETHING FROM THAT.

WE SHOULD GET QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES FROM THE TAXES THAT WE PAY.

>> Barry: AND THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR LAST COMMENT FOR THE EVENING.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL THIS EVENING FOR A GREAT DISCUSSION.

I WANT TO INVITE OUR VIEWERS TO RETURN NEXT WEEK.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL WHERE YOU CAN SEE DAILY UPDATES ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU CAN CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTIONS BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE COME BACK TO YOU NEXT WEEK.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING WITH YOU 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 OR 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.

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